A/N: several people told me about my mistake regarding Annabeth's weapon. You are right, she did get a sword. However, I write most of these chapters when I can't sleep at night, so my brain isn't fully functioning and I often don't have the resources to fact check (meaning the books that are on my kindle which is almost always dead) sorry if little things like that are wrong and they bother you, but it helps my story to flow so all I can say is deal with it if it's wrong. You are still always welcome to point out my mistakes! Knowing I messed up is better than not knowing.
This story is crap anyway. I just write it because it's fun to write and I may as well share with you guys :) Enjoy chapter 15!
It was time for campfire, and Annabeth really wanted to stay. However, she and Percy needed to be back for school the next day.
"Let's go say 'goodbye' to Chiron," Annabeth said right before they left.
"Leaving so soon?" Chiron asked when they came up to him.
"Yeah, Annabeth won't let us skip school tomorrow," Percy said. Annabeth playfully hit his arm.
"Understandable," Chiron replied, "Education is very important."
"Very true. We aren't sure when we will be back, but I definitely want to make another trip here before summer," Annabeth said.
"I cannot wait until whenever that may be. Have a safe journey," Chiron bid them goodbye.
Once in the car, Annabeth decided to bring up what happened at dinner.
"So, Perce, at dinner you didn't seem to be eating much," she started.
"I wasn't very hungry. I was thinking," he replied.
"About?" she prodded.
"Our flashbacks. I want to know if there is a way to stop them. They haunt me all of the time, and I have no idea what to do about it," he confessed.
"There isn't much we can do, Percy. There's always therapy, but a mortal psychiatrist may not be the most of help."
"It's not fair to us. It doesn't help that the flashbacks aren't just about Tartarus either. You had one from the battle on the bridge during the second Titan War, and I've seen so many people's deaths that it scares me. It's almost like Tartarus just wants to throw every horrible thing we've ever had to see right back into our faces."
"We'll get through this together. It may take just focusing on school and each other for a while, but we can do it. Maybe living a life as normal as possible will help."
Annabeth reached over to grab Percy's free hand. He glanced her way and smiled. They held hands as they drove home in a comfortable silence.
She dozed off at some point, and when she awoke, they were parked by Percy's apartment.
"This isn't where I live," she joked.
"No, but traffic was pretty terrible, so we got back pretty late," Percy explained.
They had previously decided that if they got back late, Annabeth would stay at the Jackson-Blofis household. She had packed a bag, and it was waiting for her in the backseat.
"Are you sure you didn't just drive slowly?" she jokingly asked.
"Shut up, Wise Girl," he joked back.
When they reached the apartment, Annabeth called Malcolm to let them know that they got back okay.
"How was everyone? Was Bethany handling the kids who stayed this year well?" Malcolm asked.
"Everyone's fine. They all say 'hi,' and Bethany is doing great. We actually got a new little member today. Her name is Sophia. Mom claimed her really young, too, because she can't be any older than eight or nine," Annabeth replied.
"Wow, I can't wait to meet her. I assume she looks just like the rest of us."
"Basically."
"You need to go to sleep Annabeth. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Malcolm."
While Annabeth was talking to her brother in the kitchen, Percy was in the living room. Sally must have woken up at some point because she was talking with Percy when Annabeth walked in.
"Hello, Annabeth," Sally greeted tiredly but with a smile.
"Did I wake you, Sally?" Annabeth asked, concerned.
"No, not at all. I woke up right before you two walked in the door," Sally reassured her.
"Okay, good," Annabeth sighed then yawned.
"Your options for sleeping tonight are my bed or the couch. Mom says that I have to take whatever one you don't pick," Percy said with a pointed look towards his mother.
"I said that you couldn't sleep in the same area unless the situation called for it," Sally laughed and lightly shoved her son's shoulder.
"Yeah, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth teased. "I think I'm going to take your bed just so you suffer."
"The couch isn't that bad, Wise Girl," he replied with a smirk.
"No flirting; bed time," Sally and walked back to her room.
"Goodnight, Percy," Annabeth said.
He walked over and kissed her.
"Let's not see each other until morning, okay?" he murmured then pecked her lips again.
Annabeth smiled then took her bag to Percy's room. His room was nothing new to her. Blue. Pictures from camp. Would be a mess if his mother didn't clean it for him.
She quickly changed into pajamas then laid in bed. Even his bed smelled like the sea which made her laugh quietly to herself.
Sleep didn't come at all which annoyed Annabeth. She found herself tossing and turning.
"Oh, my gods, I give up," she groaned and shoved her face into the pillow.
The TV was suddenly turned on in the living room, and Annabeth smiled at the irony.
Guess he can't sleep either, she thought.
She stayed in bed for a little while longer then decided to go join him.
"What are you watching?" she asked quietly as she walked into the room.
"I don't even know. Some cooking show. I can't sleep," he replied while looking up at her. "Come. Sit. Watch."
Annabeth laughed and moved to sit by her boyfriend.
"I bet if I tried, I could cook really good," Percy said.
"You mean 'well?'" Annabeth corrected.
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do, and you probably could. If by chance you can prove this to be a fact, you can cook for me every day."
"Is that your way to avoid having to cook?"
"I may be smart, but cooking is not a talent that I possess. If you can cook, I'm set."
Percy laughed and pulled her close.
"My mother is insane. I don't know why she thinks that we would do anything with her and Paul in the next room," he said quietly.
"She is just in protective mama bear mode," Annabeth said with a shrug.
"The funny thing is, I don't know which one of us she's being protective over," Percy said with a laugh.
"Probably her baby boy," Annabeth cooed and reached up to pinch his cheek.
"As if," Percy scoffed. "You're the daughter she never had."
"That's good then. It would rally suck if your mom hated me."
"Your mom hates me."
"Not true. She hates your father. After you've saved the world twice, she's grown to tolerate you."
"Well, as long as she tolerates me." Percy rolled his eyes.
"Just be glad that I love you," Annabeth joked.
"Love you, too, Annie," Percy joked back.
"You should know better than to call me that."
"I do."
Instead of answering, Annabeth sat up to kiss him. It wasn't too heated; it was short and sweet. Settling back into her boyfriend's side, she finally felt herself getting drowsy.
Annabeth looked at Percy who seemed to be nodding off as well, then let herself fall into darkness.
They awoke to a curious looking Sally Jackson-Blofis standing over them.
"Did the situation call for it?" she asked. It was obvious that she was trying to be in authority, but her smile was peeking through the facade.
"We couldn't sleep," Percy said innocently while rubbing his eyes.
"Fine, I'd rather find you two out here rather in Percy's bed," Sally said, her smile more evident now. "Breakfast is ready."
"Like actual breakfast? Not a bar?" Annabeth questioned, perking up a bit more.
"Eggs and bacon," Sally replied.
"Real food!" Annabeth exclaimed then ran into the kitchen.
She could hear Percy's as he walked in behind her.
"You're adorable," he stated then kissed her cheek.
"They ate quickly and got ready just as fast.
"You two want a ride?" Paul asked as he was walking out the door.
Percy checked the time and replied, "No, thanks, but we have enough time to walk."
"It's getting cold out," Paul warned.
"We'll be fine."
Paul left and Annabeth turned to her boyfriend. "Ready to face the day?"
Did you like it? Sorry for not updating recently, but I got really into watching Torchwood. If you haven't seen it, it's a spinoff of Doctor Who. If you like Doctor Who, you'll love Torchwood because it has Captain Jack Harkness (insert heart eyes emoji). It's more mature, but it is soooooooooo good.
Does anyone else have any summer obsessions? Maybe I can check them out and we can obsess together!
Until next time my friends!