Annabeth's pov:
I wear my grey bikini to the beach today. Piper is sunbathing, and I'm sitting beside her reading a book, not really in the mood to go into the water. The three cousins are trying to dunk each other's head into the water, with Percy currently winning.
Percy's six pack abs, V line and muscular arms are in full view and with his black hair, bright sea green eyes and sun kissed skin he is gathering a lot of female attention. A lot. Which I'm not liking very much.
"Pipes, Annabeth, come on! It's so much fun here!" Jason calls out us.
Piper gets up and holds out a hand for me.
"You coming?" she asks.
"Sure" I reply closing my book and taking her hand.
We run up to them and are immediately splashed with cold sea water as soon as we are within the range. I laugh and instantly join their dunking the heads game, successfully dunking Piper's and Thalia's head. We don't really get to go to the beach in New York, so this is a rare opportunity for us
The guys later go to swim and surf, claiming it's been too long since they had a good swim-which earns them a lot of flirtatious winks and smiles, causing Piper to pull her boyfriend out of the water. She thankfully brings Percy along with her too.
After a delicious lunch made by Sara which we brought along with us, we all sit down on the beach, looking at the sunset, just as we used to do at the tree.
Jason has his arm around Piper and Thalia is taking pictures of the sunset. I lean my head on Percy's shoulder. It feels good. I feel safe and happy- Just sitting here with my favourite people in the world, staring out at the sea reflecting the sky's colours with a gentle wind blowing my hair. Percy looks deep in thought, his eyes having a faraway look. He has a sad smile on his face, as if remembering a bittersweet memory. I often see that look on his face whenever we are at the tree, gazing at the sunset. I always wonder what has him so lost in his thoughts during those times because it's not often you see that distant look Percy Jackson's face.
He's kind of like the glue that keeps us together with his funny and kind attitude. His jokes and smiles are the ones that makes my day- not only mine, everyone's. I know that because whenever he's not around it feels as if something is just incomplete, just wrong. It's an uncomfortable feeling one does not want to feel. And I know everyone feels the same way because I've seen them miss him whenever he is busy in swim practice or not around during the vacations. Yes, we do enjoy within ourselves during those times, but his absence is always felt. The way he steals my food, teases Jason, always takes Piper's side in a fight, purposely annoys Thalia- we miss it all in his absence.
So in times like these, when he seems so detached and withdrawn, like he's in his own world, it feels as if he is revealing a part of himself which he has always hid behind those smile. As if we are just now seeing the true Percy Jackson. But maybe I am wrong. At least I hope I am.
"Let's go guys" Percy suddenly says, snapping out of his thoughts.
We all gather up our things and head back home. After a light dinner we all go to sleep early. I immediately crash down on my bed as soon as I change, tired from my day at the beach.
I can't help but think about what Thalia and Piper said to me yesterday. It's true. He won't ever let me down, I know that. I have always loved the way he laughs, slightly clutching his stomach. You could get lost in those sea green eyes of his. His soft black hair makes me want to run my fingers through it. His soft pink lips makes me want know how they would feel against mine. His tanned, muscular body makes me want to run my hands over his defined abs. The little crease he gets when thinking hard, the little frown he gets on his face when he is sad, the way he pouts at me slightly puckering his lips, the way his alluring eyes widen slightly when he is excited over something, the way he says he loves me, the way he's a complete mama's boy and kisses and hugs her as soon as he gets home, his weird obsession with blue food, his love for skating and swimming- I love it all. It's an endless list.
I didn't like it when girls were trying to flirt with him at the beach. I was relieved when Piper brought Percy along with Jason, away from the girls' stares.
I suddenly realize I have never liked the way schoolgirls fawned over him. I never liked it when girls would come up to him, asking him out. I always thought it was because I was annoyed of them going after a boy. But I think I know what it was now. Jealousy. I was happy that he was always oblivious to the attention he was getting. I was secretly relieved whenever he turned down a girl. I didn't realize it yet, but I do now. Every hug he gave me, every peck on the cheek or on the forehead I got- they meant a lot to me. I now understand the flutters I get in my stomach every time he says he loves me.
And maybe, just maybe, I am falling in love with my best friend.
Maybe I always have been in love with him and just never realized it until now.
Percy's pov:
I am really tired from my day at the beach today. The resurfacing memories during the sunset didn't help either.
Someone knocks at my door just as I am about to call the night off.
Dad is standing there at my door when I open it.
"May I come in?" he asks raising an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Of course dad" I say stepping aside and closing the door behind him.
I sit opposite to him on the bed and wait for him to say something. He just looks at me for some time before sighing and slightly ruffling my hair.
"You've grown taller son. Your hair too" he says cracking a smile, the crinkles around his eyes showing.
"Yeah I have to get a haircut soon" I say running a hand through my hair. It's true. Mom and Annabeth both have been pestering me for a long time now to get a haircut.
He sighs again, looking down at his hands, then meeting my eyes again.
"I'm sorry Perseus I haven't been able to give you much time since you arrived" he says using my real name. I hate it when they call me by that.
"It's Percy, dad. And it's alright, I understand" I say smiling sincerely.
"I read the files by the way. The ones you told me to go through yesterday. I've made the required changes. Just go through them once more" I say referring to the files I went through yesterday.
He chuckles and says "2 years Percy. It has been 2 years since you have been handling this old man's company. Even in New York, you approve and correct files and projects via email. I completely trust you with your work now son. Just send the files directly to the clients."
"Fine dad" I say sighing.
He always does this. He says I've learnt well. And he believes that I will take the correct decisions. I remind him I'm eighteen and haven't even started going to the university yet, hence completely capable of making mistakes one wouldn't want to in a billionaire business. He just chuckles and says 'Oh, but you're much wiser Percy, and I just taught you to utilise that sharp brain of yours to it's full potential. Moreover, if you ever make a mistake, I'm always here to pull you by the ear and teach you the correct way.'
"So, how's Sally?" he asks me, bringing me back to the present.
"She's good. About to complete her book which is why she couldn't come this time." I reply smiling. Mom's going to publish her first book soon which is why she's quite busy right now.
"That's great. She sent me your graduation pictures you know, since I couldn't be there myself. You don't how badly I wanted to be there for you that day. But know that I'm really proud of you son." He says smiling proudly at me.
"So tell me about that blonde friend of yours" he says changing the subject, a playful smile on his face.
"Jason you mean?" I ask knowing that he was referring to Annabeth.
He rolls his eyes at me and says "you know who I'm talking about."
"Annabeth's just my best friend dad. Nothing more." I say sighing. I don't know why everyone thinks of us as a couple.
He looks deep in thought and observes me carefully for a few minutes. I know he believes it when I say I see her as nothing more than my best friend. That's the thing about my dad. He knows when I'm telling the truth and am absolutely sure about something. Most importantly, he believes that I'm capable of making my own decisions now.
"You sure she feels the same way Percy?" he finally asks me frowning.
"What do you mean?" I ask in confusion.
"Nothing" he says shaking his head. "I'll let you people figure it out yourselves."
"Good night Perseus" he says smirking at the use of my original name and pats my shoulder before leaving the room.
"Percy, dad!" I call out as he leaves the room chuckling.
I finally go off to sleep, thinking of all the work I have to do tomorrow.