hey friends! I told you I would update again soon! This means we are one chapter closer to the Christmas one! (Which will probably be chapter 24) This is all so exciting. So anyway, here's chapter 21!
Annabeth ended up going back to Jess' apartment with Jess and her mother. As soon as Jess and Annabeth were alone, the questioning began.
"Was that actually your mother?" Jess asked.
"Yes, it was," Annabeth replied, smiling.
"So we were just in the presence of the Greek goddess Athena, and only you and I knew?" Jess' look of shock made Annabeth laugh.
"Basically. You'll get used to the idea eventually. You didn't see her in her godly form, not that anybody could."
"I'm not even going to ask. I'm still trying to grasp the idea that the Greek gods are real."
"It's weird, I know. Most demigods don't believe it the first time they're told, either."
They talked for a little while longer until Annabeth decided it was time for her to go home and possibly take a nap.
Once home, she was surprised to find Percy still there.
"Did you not go home?" Annabeth questioned as she walked in the door.
"No, Malcolm and I just hung out for a while. It got late, so I just stayed here," Percy explained.
"And you just never went home?"
"I went home this morning. I came back to take you out on a surprise date."
Annabeth smiled and pecked his lips. "Let's go then, Seaweed Brain."
"I hope you didn't have any other plans," he said once they were walking the streets of New York.
"I kind of wanted to take a nap, but this is much better," Annabeth responded. "Where are we going anyway?"
"I was thinking of walking in Central Park for a bit. Then, whatever else we decide to do."
"Sounds perfect." Annabeth linked her hand with his.
The day was beautiful, perfect for a walk. Annabeth relayed the events of the day to Percy.
"Athena came to see you while dress shopping?" he questioned, shocked. "Are you absolutely sure of this?"
"Yes, I am," Annabeth laughed. "She even told me that she wants to be more involved in my life."
"That's great, Annabeth!" Percy exclaimed.
"I know. It'll be like I have an actual, real mom. Not a step-mom, a godly mom, or a Sally Jackson."
"You know my mother would adopt you in a heartbeat if you asked."
"That, or she'll make us get married so she can actually say that I'm her daughter."
They both laughed, and they continued walking until a girl heading in the opposite direction walked right into Percy.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" the girl exclaimed then scanned Percy. "Let me make it up to you, cutie."
"No thank you," Percy said raising his and Annabeth's interlocked hands.
"Your loss," the girl huffed then walked away.
"I hate when that happens," Annabeth sighed.
"What do you mean?" Percy asked, leading her to an empty bench.
"Girls that aren't me express interest in you, a lot. Sometimes you don't even notice. I know you love me, but I still feel really insecure when that happens," she explained.
"You want to talk about not noticing? I watch a lot of guys check you out daily, and it bothers me to no end."
"Oh."
"However, what just happened did give me a reason to bring up why I wanted to take you out today. I've been thinking a lot since our talk in the car," he trailed off, pulling a small box out of his pocket. "We are nowhere near ready for marriage, but I figured a promise ring would serve my purpose just the same as an engagement ring. No matter what happens, I promise to be right here next to you, helping you and making you stronger, because that's what you've always done for me. You have always been the one person who I can love and hate so much at the same time. Will you be with me forever?"
Annabeth found all of her previous insecurities falling away. "Did you practice that in a mirror?" she asked before pulling him in for a kiss.
"Can I take that as a 'yes?'" Percy asked, pulling away. She kissed him again before allowing him to slide the ring on her finger.
They got up and walked for a while until they reached an area with a lot less people.
"Percy, Annabeth!" a voice called.
Annabeth turned quickly to see Grover and Juniper picnicking near a group of trees.
"Grover!" Percy exclaimed then they did their weird 'bro thing.' Annabeth didn't really understand.
"Hi, Juniper," she greeted her friend.
"Hello, Annabeth," Juniper smiled warmly. "How have you been?"
"We're still alive, so pretty darn well. Some days are harder than others, but we'll get by. We're going to a dance this week, so that might be a nice distraction," Annabeth said.
They looked over to see their boyfriends talking animatedly about something.
"Percy really needed some time with his best friend. He just looks so relaxed. I haven't seen him like that in such a long time," Annabeth stated.
"The war was tough on everyone, especially because it happened so soon after the second Titan War. Grover is still on edge about almost everything. It's almost like he expects something else bad to happen," Juniper said sadly. "He's been trying to so much time with me recently, and I think that might be why."
"Hopefully, we won't have to deal with anymore Big Prophecies in our lifetime."
"Don't jinx it!"
They stayed in silence for a little while longer while Percy and Grover talked.
It feels like just yesterday I went on my first quest with those two, Annabeth thought as she observed. Never in a million years would I have been able to predict where the three of us would end up.
"Ready to go, Annabeth?" Percy's question pulled her out of her thoughts. "You look like you are in desperate need of the nap you mentioned earlier."
"Yeah, let's go," Annabeth replied and hugged Juniper goodbye.
When she hugged Grover, he hugged her back tightly and said softly, "I know you two are having a tough time with flashbacks. You aren't completely alone in this, you know; you don't have to just rely on each other. All of your friends will be here for you, always."
"I know. Thank you," Annabeth replied stepping back and grabbing Percy's hand.
They all bid each other goodbye, and parted ways. Once back at Annabeth's, they both fell into bed.
"It was really nice seeing Grover today. I've missed him," Percy said quietly.
"I know; I could tell. It's probably hard not seeing your best friend all the time," Annabeth replied.
"I get to see one of my best friends all the time."
"Is this the moment when I say something like 'aw, you're such a sweetie!' ?"
"It's the what I was aiming for."
"Keep aiming." Annabeth smiled at her boyfriend widely.
"I will." Percy reached over and began tickling her.
"Percy!" she shrieked.
"What's wrong Annabeth?"
"St-op!"
"Aw, you're no fun, Annabeth." Percy pouted then went to kiss her.
Annabeth leaned away. "No! No kisses for you. Not after so rudely tickling me."
Percy chucked and put an arm around his girlfriend, pulling her close. "I love you, Annabeth," he said softly, his breath warm on the back of her neck.
"I love you, too," Annabeth replied as she toyed with the new ring on her finger, "So much."
Such a cute ending, right? QOTD: Who likes How to Train Your Dragon? My sister and I rewatched the first one and watched the second one yesterday. LITERALLY THE BEST MOVIES EVER
Until next time!