A/N: Hello everybody. Sorry for the little delay on posting. I had major writers block, but I'm back with some more ideas! Enjoy chapter 27!
Annabeth's flight was on the day of New Years Eve. The airport was hectic, but when isn't the airport hectic?
Both of her parents were working, so they had all said goodbye that morning. Matthew and Bobby were the most upset about her leaving, but she promised to try to visit over the summer.
Darian drove Annabeth to the airport. "Wouldn't it have been easier to get a flight tomorrow?" he asked as he desperately searched for a parking space?
"Probably. But my friends are having a New Years Eve party tonight, and I want to surprise Percy," Annabeth explained.
"Ah, yes. The boyfriend," Darian teased.
"Hush, you. I miss him."
They finally found a parking space, and Darian helped her get her bags out of the car.
"You want me to walk you in?" he asked.
"I'll be fine. Thanks for driving me out here."
"No problem. See you next time you're in San Francisco?"
"Of course."
"Bring that boyfriend of yours, too. I'd like to meet him."
"Will do. I'm sure he'd like to meet you, too."
Annabeth quickly hugged her new friend and grabbed her bags.
When someone lives in New York City, they tend to be okay with large crowds of people. Annabeth was just getting used to suburban life, and she was thrown into the overcrowded airport.
After dodging many people and waiting forever in line to get through security, Annabeth found herself at her gate. She was about twenty minutes early.
Hoping that no monster would want to go through thousands of people to get to her, Annabeth pulled out her phone and called Percy.
"Hey, Wise Girl." Just the sound of his voice caused a wave of happiness to rush through her body.
"Hey, yourself. Got any plans for tonight?"
"Originally, no, but Jess is forcing me to go to a party at your place. Not sure how she convinced Malcolm to let us party there, though," he explained with a laugh.
"I think that he still kind of likes her."
"Even after their terrible date?"
"I'm a personal believer of the fact that he just has no idea how to act on a date and screwed it up."
"Makes sense. What are your plans for tonight?"
"Not sure. Most likely just staying in with the family. Though, I might do something with the people I met in the park."
"I hope you have a good night regardless of what you end up doing. I'm kind of disappointed that we won't get a New Years kiss."
"You'll get over it."
"Glad to know you feel the same way, Wise Girl."
"I don't need you, Seaweed Brain. I have plenty of suitors in San Fran who would love to give me a New Years kiss."
She heard laughter instead of a reply. "Did you seriously just say 'suitors?'" he asked.
"Maybe," she replied, laughing. "I should go. Susan wants me to help her cook."
"Okay. Talk to you later tonight?"
"We'll see. Love you."
"Love you, too."
Annabeth hated keeping secrets from Percy, but she knew that the look on his face would be priceless.
Checking her watch, she saw that it was almost 4 o'clock, when her plane was scheduled to leave. In approximately six hours, she would be back in New York.
Boarding the plane was hectic, but Annabeth was glad to see that she would be sitting next to a woman who looked to be in about her sixties. Last time, she sat next to a middle aged man that gave her weird looks for most of the flight.
While everyone else shuffled about the cabin, the woman said, "This might be one of the most annoying parts about flying. Everybody always takes so damn long to sit down."
Annabeth laughed. "Very true," she agreed.
"My name's Andy. What's yours, dear?" the woman asked.
"Annabeth."
"Ooh, unique. I like it. I've always liked unique names considering how much I relate. You don't too often run into women named 'Andy.'"
"You don't often run into anyone ever named 'Annabeth,'" Annabeth pointed out.
"Good point." Andy laughed.
"So what's taking you out to New York on New Year's Eve?" Annabeth asked the older woman.
"My daughter and grandson. I couldn't make it out for Christmas because of work, but I'm trying to make it for New Years, which I think we'll just barely make."
"How old is your grandson?"
"He's two, and he's the most adorable little boy. His name is Charlie. He constantly babbles nonsense, and I think that he's gonna be a big talker."
Annabeth smiled sadly, "I had a friend named Charlie."
"Had?" Andy picked up on the sad tone in her voice.
"He's no longer with us. Boating accident."
"I'm sorry, dear."
Annabeth felt a pang in her chest. Beckendorf was the first of many to die that summer. She could almost feel herself on the battlefield.
Suddenly, Annabeth found herself having to control her breathing. This was the last place she needed to have a flashback.
Everything's okay, she thought to herself. That war is over. Everyone who died, died heroically. Everything's okay. Everything is okay.
And for the first time ever, Annabeth stopped herself from having a flashback. This needed to be recorded in her journal once she got home.
"Are you okay, Annabeth?" Andy asked.
"Yeah, flying just makes me a little nervous, that's all," Annabeth, sort of, explained.
"So what is the cause for a teenager to be flying all by herself to New York on New Year's Eve?" Andy asked instead of pressing any further.
"I'm flying home. I was visiting my dad, stepmother, and brothers this week. I don't get to see them often," Annabeth explained.
"Any reason why you aren't spending New Year's with them?"
"I considered it, but I was missing my boyfriend. He doesn't know that I'm coming home tonight, so I'm surprising him at a party our friends are having."
"That's cute. How long have you two been together?"
"That's a loaded question. He's been my best friend since we were twelve. Technically, we got together in August of last year, on his birthday, but I had feelings for him for so much longer."
"Got together on his birthday? Better hope he doesn't forget your anniversary," Andy joked.
"He's such a seaweed brain; it's a good thing that he actually knows when his birthday is," Annabeth laughed so Andy would know she was joking. "We should probably get married on that day, too. Wouldn't want to push our luck with his memory."
"Marriage? Pretty early to be thinking about that. Not that I'm one to judge. My husband and I were married as soon as we were eighteen. This is just the motherly side of me speaking, I guess."
"Well, obviously we aren't planning on getting married soon. That would be ridiculous. Someday, though," Annabeth said, toying with her promise ring.
They kept talking about different things: Andy's life, Annabeth's brothers, Andy's grandson, Annabeth's love of architecture.
"Please prepare for our descent," the pilots voice sounded over the plane.
"Did we actually talk for five hours?" Annabeth asked, holding back a yawn.
"I think we did. What part of New York are you going to?"
"I'll probably stop at my boyfriend's apartment to freshen up because my brother had everybody over at our place," she explained and told her the building Percy lived in.
"You're kidding. My daughter lives in that building. She'll be picking me up at the airport, and I'm sure she would love to give you a ride."
"That would be really great, actually."
After the long process of getting bags, Andy pointed out her daughter to Annabeth. She looked familiar, so there was a slightly less chance that they were actually murderous psychopaths.
"Ivy!" Andy called out and her daughter looked over. She wasn't kidding about loving unique names.
"Mom, I'm so glad you're here!" Ivy exclaimed and they hugged.
"Ivy, this is Annabeth. She's headed to your building, and I told her we would give her a ride," Andy explained.
"You're the Jackson boy's girlfriend, right?" Ivy asked. "I've seen you around, and Sally talks about you like you're her own daughter."
"That's me. You don't mind taking me, do you?"
"Not at all."
When they reached the building, Annabeth repeatedly thanked Ivy and Andy.
Sally was surprised to see Annabeth standing at her door so late.
"Hi, Annabeth! I thought that you would still be in San Francisco."
"I decided to come back a little early. I know Percy's at my place. I was wondering if I could take a quick shower here so I don't feel all airplane-y when I see him?"
"Go right ahead. I just washed some of Percy's clothes if you want something clean to wear."
"Thank you so much," Annabeth said and hugged Sally.
"No problem. Now, go, be quick."
After the fastest shower of her life, Annabeth threw her jeans back and a hoodie of Percy's that was laying with the clothes his mother washed. It was his new one he got from the swim team, and it had 'JACKSON' written in large letters across the back.
"Bye, Sally. Thank you, so much, again!"
The walk to her apartment was cold and pretty annoying with her bags, but there were no cabs to be found. The welcoming heat of her building felt amazing.
There was music playing quietly in her apartment when she walked in. All of her friends were spread out amongst the living room and kitchen. The TV was on in the living room, and, thankfully, that's where Percy was.
Annabeth was able to sneak past him while quietly saying 'hi' to other people on the way to her room.
She returned to the living room just in time for the final countdown.
5... 4...
"Hey, Seaweed Brain."
3... 2...
"Annabeth?"
1...
They were kissing before the first person even shouted "Happy New Year!"
I know it's long past New Year's, but it's still January. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this I swear.
QOTD: Does anybody have any interesting/unique names?
Until next time!