Third Person:
Percy and Annabeth wandered through the endless halls of the Labyrinth, wondering if they'd ever make it somewhere important. The one detail that made this quest even more unbearable was that the two would not stop fighting.
Percy sighed, "Gods, why is my life like this?"
"Would you stop complaining and deal with it?" Annabeth fumed, "you're always so negative."
"Sorry, but with being a demigod, there is only negative."
"Maybe you'd think differently if you actually tried to think positively about the world."
"The world sucks," Percy deadpanned. Annabeth rolled her eyes.
"You're stealing the motivation and energy of both of us, Percy!" Annabeth was sick of being in this stupid maze with the most infuriating person on the planet.
"Well, maybe you should think positive, Annabeth." Percy mocked. Annabeth cursed under her breath.
"Why on Earth did I choose you of all people to come along on this quest with me?" Annabeth thought aloud.
"I don't know, why did you?" Percy asked, sarcastically. The two continued wandering aimlessly among the halls. A loud roar coarsed through the halls. Annabeth on instinct yelped and grabbed onto Percy's hand. She noticed as Percy squeezed her hand back, his hand shaking slightly. He then realized what he'd done and pulled his hand away. He brought his hand to his pocket and grabbed out Riptide, pulling off the cap. The sword sprung to life, and lit up the room with a light blue glow. His green eyes glanced around the room, scanning for threats.
Annabeth POV:
"I don't see anything…" I whispered. I looked around nervously. Nothing was worse than knowing something is there, but not seeing it.
Kind of like how you love Percy. Aphrodite whispered in my mind. I shook it off. That love goddess was always meddling where she wasn't wanted. She constantly was trying to convince me that I was in love with Percy, when I'm not. How could I ever be in love with a person like him? He wasn't smart, he was a son of Poseidon of all gods, and he was just plain annoying.
But you like that. You like that it seems like a forbidden love. You like the way his hair falls in his eyes, as well as the way he pushes it away. You like that he's kind, funny, loyal, and always puts others ahead of himself. You like that he makes you laugh, the way he fights, his beautiful sea-green eyes.
"Shut up, Aphrodite!" I winced, realizing I'd just said that aloud. Percy raised his eyebrows.
"Aphrodite's been talking to you, huh?" He asked. "What about?"
"Nothing important. Sorry."
Percy hesitantly turned a corner, raising his sword higher to check for monsters around him. She watched his green eyes intently, noticing how they shined darker when he was nervous or in battle, but brighter when he was joking around with his friends. "What?" He asked, noticing her staring.
"Oh nothing. I just zoned out about. He nodded, his eyebrows furrowed.
The way he's so concentrated is just adorable, huh?
I growled lowly in annoyance. Why did she always have to do this? Why did she have to be even more annoying than Percy was?
Do you really think it's me that has these thoughts?
"What?" I questioned, confused.
"I didn't say anything." Percy spoke, making Annabeth flinch.
"I wasn't talking to you." Annabeth said.
"Okay? So you're just chatting with the voices in your head?" He said, smirking. His eyes lit up a bit.
"Shut up, Seaweed Brain."
"Fine, Wise Girl." I felt herself smile at the nickname. It wasn't even an insult.
Because your dear Percy doesn't have the capability of insulting someone. He's too kind?
"How does she read my thoughts?" I inquired.
"Are you talking to me or your invisible love goddess friend?" Percy asked. I laughed.
"I was talking to myself, actually."
"Add psychotic to the list of things you are." I rolled my eyes, but still laughed.
See? He makes you laugh.
I'll give her that one. Percy definitely makes people laugh.
"What else is on the list about me?" I said, sarcastically smiling at him and fluttering my eyelashes.
"Flirtatious apparently." I blushed. She was only joking around, but I guess it didn't really matter too much.
"I'm surprised you knew a word as big as flirtatious."
"Hey, I said I was psychotic earlier. Aren't you proud of me for that?"
"Sure, Percy." For once, they weren't fighting, only joking around with each other. But it didn't help that Aphrodite wouldn't stop trying to convince me of love that wasn't there, and never would be there. How could I possibly love Percy? That was ridiculous! And just the thought of it made me more annoyed at Percy, just for existing.
"Gods, we should stop talking about useless things and get going." I said.
"So, I assume you don't want to hear the rest of the list?" Percy grinned.
I pondered for a moment. "Tell it to me as we're walking."
"Sounds good, owl head." I sighed at his antics.
"Wise."
"Explains the nickname you gave me."
"Annoying."
"You're more annoying, but okay."
"Well, you're definitely smart, so I'll say that."
"Okay." I was surprised that his list was actually mostly positive things about me.
"Ambitious."
"Really?'
"Oh, one hundred percent. You're constantly talking about how you want to be an architect, and just talking about your future in general. There's so many things you want to accomplish in life. I'm jealous you know where you're going."
"You don't?"
"Have you met me? I never know what I'm doing."
"You'd make a great marine biologist."
"You think so?"
"Well, yeah. Minus the fact that you're stupid."
Percy sighed. "I figured that was coming."
"It's true, Kelp Head."
"Whatever." I wondered if when I said that stuff it hurt his feelings. He seemed so strong and non-emotional all the time that I never thought it bothered him.
It might make you feel better if you tell him your list of things about him. Aphrodite suggested. I hated that it was actually a fairly good idea.
"You wanna hear my list of things about you?"
"Definitely. I'm intrigued to see whether or not your entire list has something to do with my stupidity."
"I'll try to keep it positive."
"All right. Go ahead."
"Um…"
"Wow. Wonderful."
"Shut up, Percy. How about… brave."
"Brave in a reckless way, or honorable way?"
"Both, honestly."
"Pretty accurate I'd say."
"You're definitely funny."
"We all knew that."
"Always sarcastic"
"No, never." Percy said sarcastically. Annabeth fell into a fit of laughter at this.
"You're loyal, sometimes in an excessive way, but nonetheless…"
"It's my fatal flaw."
"Yeah."
"And…" I considered whether or not to say this. Was it really necessary for me to mention this?"
"Yes?"
"I guess the best trait about you is your sea-green eyes." Percy chuckled.
"Good to know you admire my eyes, Wise Girl." I blushed.
"Not many people have eyes like yours. And they change shade based on your emotion."
"So do yours."
"Really? I guess you must look at my eyes a lot too, then, Percy." Percy blushed at this.
"As you say 'not many people have eyes like yours.' It's hard not to notice, and it's slightly intimidating too."
"I intimidate you?"
"Obviously." I grinned shyly.
"That smile, however, is not intimidating."
"Wow, okay. So I shouldn't smile ever."
"No, just smile around the people you like, the people you don't find it necessary to intimidate. So, you know, never smile when you're around me." I chuckled.
"Too late. I've already done it."
The two walked on, and suddenly I got the overwhelming urge to wrap he arms around Percy. I assumed that was Aphrodite's doing. The walk was boring. The only times I felt somewhat entertained was when Percy spoke to me.
"I kind of want to make a list of negative things now." Percy said.
"You want us to get into an argument?"
"Not necessarily, but likewise it gives me a boost of adrenaline when we argue. It's fun." I smiled at the fact that I felt the exact same way.
"I'll start." I said. "Annoying, big headed, overachiever, way too energetic, overwhelmingly loyal."
"Hey, the other ones are true, but big headed? I don't think so."
"Keep telling yourself that."
"Okay, my turn. Annoying, prideful."
"That's it?"
"I can't think of anything else other than that. There's not too many negative things about you." My heart swelled at that. My eyes stung a little. I'd composed a whole list of things wrong with him, and Percy ended up just saying another kind thing about me.
"But you forgot something on my list." Percy said.
"And what's that?"
"Annoyingly hot." Percy said, winking at me.
"Ha. Sure, Percy, but I think my list is still accurate."
"Are you sure about that? Take a real good look at me." I complied, looking at him. He was rather muscular, but not in an overwhelming way. He must've gotten his muscles from fighting. He wore his usual outfit: jeans and a swim team sweatshirt. I looked at his face. His trouble-maker smile, his sea-green eyes, his unruly jet black hair.
You definitely think he's hot. Aphrodite whispered menacingly.
Annabeth noticed Percy trying not to laugh.
"Are you checking me out?" He asked.
"W-what? You said to- wait. You set me up!" He laughed.
"I so got you."
"Whatever, Seaweed Brain. And I was not checking you out."
"Oh, that's believable."
"Whatever, Seaweed Brain."
Finally, the hallways opened up into a large room, with paintings of Greek gods and heroes on the walls. A luminescent white light lit the room. Percy walked over to a painting of a beautiful girl standing next to the god Eros.
"There's Psyche." He said. "I bet you're proud of me for knowing that." He winked in an adorable way that made me blush. Wait. Adorable? What was I thinking? He was the most annoying person on the planet.
I told you so. You love him. Aphrodite told me. I ignored her.
"That one was easy. Everyone knows that story."
"But I'm not everyone. I'm Percy." Percy said slyly.
"I know that."
"I'm sure you do."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I dunno."
I laughed at him, then set my backpack down on the ground. I slid down against the wall until I reached the ground.
"Tired?" Percy asked, sitting next to me.
"Yep."
"You sleep. I'll keep watch"
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." I slid off my sweatshirt and put it on the ground as a pillow, but as I was about to lay down, Percy snatched it and put it on his lap. I laughed lightly and rested my head in his lap, grateful that I didn't have to lay on the ground. He slipped off his sweatshirt and put it on top of me as a blanket.
"Thanks, Seaweed Brain."
"Anytime, Wise Girl." I'd never felt my heart swell more than when he said that. Gods, why do I suddenly keep having these thoughts?
My dear, you've always thought these things. You're just now noticing that you're thinking about them. Aphrodite said.
How am I supposed to fall asleep with you constantly talking to me? I asked her.
What you mean is 'how am I supposed to sleep with Percy sea-green eyes right above me?' She mocked.
That's not true.
It is, and you know it.
Whatever, Aphrodite. Just let me sleep.
You won't.
Shut up.
Finally, even though Aphrodite had said I wouldn't, I drifted off into sleep. But of course, I again lost to Aphrodite, as my dreams were of Percy. First, it was all things I had seen: All the quests we'd been on, Percy joking around with his friends, him swimming at the lake (I accidentally looked that time. I wasn't spying or anything…) But then, I saw things that Aphrodite wanted to happen, like Percy and I dating. I saw us on some kind of flying ship, with me cuddled up to his side. He leaned in and gently kissed me. I felt myself wishing he would do that in real life, and not just in dreams. STOP THINKING THAT, ANNABETH! I yelled at myself. But then I saw something about his past I wish I had never seen. I saw a young Percy, probably six or seven, with his mom in an apartment in New York.
"Okay, Percy. I know it's a Saturday, but no setting fire to the house while I'm at work, okay?" Sally said with a smile at her son.
"Do you have to go to work, mom?" Percy said with an adorable 6-year-old voice, but I saw actual fear in his green eyes. "You're gonna leave me with him all day?"
"I'm sorry, honey, but you know I have to work."
"Okay, mom. Bring me home blue candy?"
"Of course, Perce! In fact, as long as you're good to Gabe, I'll bring home twice the amount of candy you usually get!"
Percy smiled with content. "Okay, I'll try."
"Good, honey. See you soon. I love you."
"Love you too, Mommy." And with that, Sally left the house, off to work. Percy nervously tip-toed down the stairs, into the kitchen. He went to grab a bowl from the cupboard, but he was too short. His fingers barely touched the bowl, but it was enough to knock it off the shelf. The bowl fell on the floor and shattered. Young Percy flinched, but it seemed it wasn't because of the sound, but because of the consequence of breaking the bowl. An overweight man came into the kitchen, his eyes scanning Percy angrily.
"What do you think you're doing, punk?"
"S-sorry. My f-fingers slipped." I had never seen such fear in Percy's eyes.
"Do you need to make breakfast now?" I expected Percy to make some sly comment, like "Um, if I want to live, yes." But he didn't. He looked down in shame and spoke.
"No. I-I'm sorry, sir."
"What, are you scared, little kid? You should be. You woke me up!"
"I promise, it wasn't on purpose!"
"Clean it up, or I'll hurt you worse than I usually do!"
"Yes, sir."
Percy quickly cleaned up the shattered pieces and sat on the couch dejectedly.
"Aren't you going to do something?" Gabe asked him.
"What?" Gabe seized him by the collar.
"I said, aren't you going to do something!?" Percy didn't seem to know what he meant, or what to do. Gabe threw him on the floor roughly.
"Can't you ever be helpful? Your mom should'a killed you when she had the chance!"
Percy's eyes turned a dangerous shade of green. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Figure it out."
"I already did. God, I hate you! You don't deserve my mom, or me!" I felt myself flinch, knowing he'd said the wrong thing.
"What did you say!?"
"You heard me!"
I wish the dream could've ended there, but it didn't. Poor little six-year-old Percy was punched in the face by his he was kicked in the stomach, with force. Too much force than someone as young as him could take. Percy cried out in pain, with his face bleeding and bruised.
"Next time you speak against me, I'll take a knife to your throat, you insolent child!" Percy shook with fear as his stepfather left the room. He didn't come down the stairs again that day until his mom got home. When his mom asked him about his face, he promptly replied,
"I tripped." Sally nodded and cleaned him up.
"Did you eat dinner?"
"Yes, mom." He replied. That was a lie. She smiled at him and kissed his forehead.
"All right then, head off to bed." Percy started to walk away when his mom said,
"Oh, and here's your blue candy." Percy turned with a grin and took the candy, bounding up the stairs. He tucked the candy into a drawer and got in bed.
His stepfather opened the door. "Remember, kid. Go against me, and you're dead."
And with that, the dream ended, and I woke up with a start, feeling myself start to cry. Percy looked at me with worry. "You okay, Annabeth?"
"Yeah, sorry." I sniffled. "Nightmare."
"Okay," he said, smiling reassuringly at me. I lifted my head up from his lap and looked at him. I knew that his stepfather was a horrible person, but I had never known he abused Percy. It was hard to imagine Percy looking so fearful and hopeless now that he was older and braver. His eyes met mine.
"You sure you're okay?"
"I'm sure." I spoke softly. "Hey you should get some sleep too." I lifted my jacket from his lap and put it in mine. He smiled at me, then leaned down into my lap, gently closing his eyes. I felt butterflies in my stomach, looking down at him, but inwardly wondered why I had dreamt of Percy's abuse.
Because it makes you feel sympathy for him, knowing what he's been through. And that brings up the love you have for him.
But I'll always feel guilty about seeing that!
So tell him.
Percy slept in my lap for an hour or two, then finally opened his sea-green eyes and looked at me with a sleepy grin.
"Hi." He said.
"I saw you getting abused when you were six." I blurted.
My Gods, Annabeth! Aphrodite spoke. Now is not the time to bring it up!
Percy blinked.
"Uh… w-what?" He stuttered.
"I'm sorry, but that's what I saw in my dream. Y-you broke a bowl and Gabe hurt you." I explained quickly.
"You saw that?"
"Yeah, and I felt really bad so I didn't tell you at first. I'm sorry."
"Why wouldn't you tell me what you saw!?" Percy asked, getting angry.
"I'm so sorry! I just-"
"Wanted to baby me, because I've had a traumatic life? I'd expect nothing less of you!"
Those words hurt me more than anything, and I felt tears spring to my eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I whispered.
"You think you're the only one that can handle things, and that you need to tiptoe around their trauma because of your pride."
"Th-that has nothing to do with it!" Why was he making such a big deal of things? "I was trying to protect you from remembering all that stuff!"
"I don't need your protection! You don't even know what it's like!"
"I've experienced horrible things too, you know."
"Saying you understand does not truly mean you understand. Why do you think I've never told anyone about being abused, not even my mom?"
"I don't know, because you're weak and you can't open up about anything!"
Percy's eyes flashed hurt.
"I'm done with this conversation."
"Sure, just give up because you're wrong! Gods, I hate you so much! You always think you're better than everyone else, and that you're always right! Your trauma gives you no right to be cruel to other people! I always knew that being a child of the big three would get to you! It was just a matter of time, I guess. You were destined to think the world revolves around you!" I regretted my words as soon as I said them. But nothing hurt me more than when tears sprung into Percy's eyes, and I knew it was because I'd hurt him. He was silent, with no retort. I would've felt better if Percy had gone and yelled at me more. The silence was ten times worse.
"We should go." He said quietly.
"Percy-" He gathered his things and started to leave. I quickly scrambled to follow him.
"Percy, please-"
"No." He said, instantly silencing me. It felt as if my insides were crumpling. I'd never meant to hurt him. But I didn't understand why he'd gotten so angry? He didn't have the right to be mad at me. I understood that he had experienced a lot, but why did he have to take it out on me? I shouldn't have said anything, I shouldn't have told him and brought up old feelings from his past.
"I'm sorry, Percy. I didn't mean what I said.
"Yes you did, Annabeth. You said it, so you obviously believe it."
"That's not true, Percy."
"Look, I don't care anymore. I just want this stupid quest to be over with."
"Fine." I silently cursed Aphrodite for giving me that dream, for starting this fight, for making me see the pure hurt in Percy's eyes after I'd said what I said. And that's when the truly unexpected happened. Aphrodite appeared in front of us. Percy jumped. I yelped.
Aphrodite laughed lightly. "Sorry, young demigods. I didn't mean to scare you. I just want to talk to you."
I bowed and Percy did too. Aphrodite waved her hand, "that's not necessary, stand up you two." We complied and she smiled. For whatever reason Percy looked slightly unnerved. I took this time to really look at her. Brown hair, hazel eyes, perfect body. What I'd always wanted to look like. I wondered what Percy saw. For whatever reason, I felt jealousy toward whatever Percy saw in Aphrodite, no matter what she looked like, just because that's what Percy liked in a woman, and it probably looked nothing like me. I cursed myself for thinking this way.
"Feeling confused with two of the same girls in the same room with you, Percy?" Percy blushed and looked away. Aphrodite laughed, and of course her laugh had to be perfect too. I couldn't quite figure out what Aphrodite meant when she said that, but tried not to think too hard about it.
"You two must quit fighting, otherwise Percabeth might not happen."
"What's that mean?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow. I had the same question.
Aphrodite waved her hand. "Never mind that. Look, we all know that you love each other, so just get on with it and stop fighting." Percy didn't say anything, so I took initiative and said what needed to be said for him.
"I don't love him. We hate each other."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes."
"Would you rather he was dead?"
"I would actually. And I'm sure he'd want the same for me." Aphrodite glanced at Percy. He stayed silent.
"Fine, then, Annabeth. We'll see what you say later."
"I'll say the same thing. I don't love him and I never will."
"Take time to think about why Percy isn't speaking, Annabeth. And I'll see you later."
I rolled my eyes as Aphrodite disappeared in a flash of pink sparkles.
"Sure, Aphrodite. Whatever you say." I still couldn't figure out why Percy stayed uncharacteristically silent, but I didn't want to push him any farther than I already had, so I said nothing.
The halls had a very odd feel to them. The lights were blinding, so the only way I could keep track of where Percy was was to look at his jet black hair. The walls had intertwining vines with several colors of bricks. The design honestly made me feel , we made it out of that particular hall and turned into a new one, with simple asphalt for the floor, stone walls, and lights with a pretty average amount of luminescence. Once again, we were in a large room, but on the walls were several Roman gods, such as Jupiter and Venus. (Of course the Roman version of Aphrodite had to be painted there.)
Then suddenly a demigod pounced from the shadows with a smirk. I unsheathed my dagger and Percy brought out Riptide.
"Who are you?" Percy asked.
"None of your business." The demigod said in a calm voice. "All you should know is I'm here to ruin your lives." He disappeared and reappeared in front of Percy. "Specifically yours."
Within an instant Percy and I were tied to the walls with ropes.
"How did you do that?" I asked.
"Again, none of your business."
"It's our business when we're the ones you tied up!"
"Still none of your business."
Percy sighed heavily.
"Okay, what do you want?"
"Pain."
"I will gladly give it to you." Percy deadpanned.
"No!" The demigod laughed. "I mean your pain!" The way his voice sounded nice and reasonable was alarming.
He walked over to Percy, pulling out a long, celestial bronze sword.
"I assure you I'm not with the enemy, but I've been sent by someone on your side to kill you. With that girl over there watching." I paled. If that guy tried to stab Percy, he wouldn't be able to defend himself. Percy would die. Percy's eyes widened.
"Why?"
"Well, because she hates Annabeth."
"So she wants me to die?"
"Yes, because that would cause more pain to Annabeth than if she were killed!"
"That's not true. Annabeth wants me dead."
"I highly doubt that. Anyway, time for you to die."
"Wait, can we talk about this?"
"Nope." Time seemed to move slower. I couldn't let this happen. I couldn't let Percy die. But I couldn't escape from the ropes that bound me to the wall.
"No!" I cried as the sword aimed for Percy's heart. But I couldn't stop it. I'd never felt more hopeless. The demigod's sword made contact and went through Percy's chest. Percy cried out in pain. His ropes were cut and his body fell limply to the ground. I felt myself let out a sob. The evil demigod cut my ropes and disappeared promptly to who-knows-where, not even caring that he's just killed an innocent, kind-hearted demigod. As soon as my feet hit the ground I ran over to where Percy lay.
"No, no, no…" I whispered. He looked up at me, his eyes full of pain.
"Thank you… for everything, Annabeth." He said weakly.
"You're going to be okay, Percy, I know you are."
"I thought you hated me and wanted me dead anyway."
"That was a lie. I love you, Percy." It felt as if a heavy burden had just been lifted off my shoulders. I loved him. Why hadn't I admitted it earlier?
"You-you do?"
"Yes. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you before. I'm sorry I made you think I hated you. I've loved you since we met when we were twelve." He smiled softly at me.
"I love you too." My heart ached. He loved me back. I felt tears in my eyes. "And you know how Aphrodite said that thing about me seeing two of the same girls?" He continued. I nodded, gripping his hand. He squeezed my hand back.
"That's because she looked like you."
Percy's hand went limp. I started to sob. He couldn't be gone. Gods, no! His blood pooled around him, and stained my clothes. I looked down at his sea green eyes and closed them for the last time. He shouldn't have died like this. He deserved so much more than what he got. And Aphrodite looked like me to him. I wish I had known. I wish I had asked him. I wish I hadn't let my pride get in the way of what mattered most. It was crazy to think that when someone's there and with you, you can't learn to appreciate them. You fight with them, you wish they never existed. It seemed like they were only there to hurt you. I tell you from experience, please don't do that to yourself. Don't love someone, and convince yourself otherwise. I loved Percy all along, but I let his few flaws get in the way of finally admitting I loved him. And now, I looked down at his pale face, and he was just gone. Someone that I was so used to always being there for me was gone now. I would never get over the fact that I couldn't save him. Gods, I felt weak. When you're living, it always seems like you have complete control over everything. I can save whoever I want to save. I can always prevent myself from getting hurt. But that's not true. You never can. I'd never felt such pain in my life than feeling Percy die in my arms. It would always feel like my fault. I would always remember that in the end, I never even got to kiss him. He never was mine to call my boyfriend. And now he never could be. I should have realized how precious time is sooner than he died.
I cried there for hours, cradling Percy close to me. What was I going to do? Just leave him there? I had no choice. I had to leave him there. I couldn't haul around his body. That was morbid and just morally incorrect. And rather difficult too. I couldn't continue this quest. I had to leave the Labyrinth, and now. I shouldn't have brought four people on this quest with me, when I should've bought three. Maybe that's why Percy died. But I knew that wasn't it. I knew the person that had ordered the demigod to kill Percy, and it was because she had always hated me.
It was Hera. Hera was the reason Percy was dead.
It took hours to find an exit. I stumbled through this horrible maze, full of grief. I looked at the several skeletons that lay amongst the ground, realizing that Percy would someday be one of them. All these people had lives, and they were loved by people. My eyes stung as I wallowed in sadness. Finally, I put my hand against a wall, trying to just rest a moment, and I saw a Greek triangle light up, and the stone behind my hand slid open. The light from the outside world hurt my eyes. Was it really that bright out? I walked out and realized I was in an alleyway in Manhattan. Gods, I was lucky I ended up somewhat close to Camp Half-Blood. People gave me odd looks as they saw my red, crying face as I walked through the streets. I called a taxi and told them the address of Camp Half-Blood. The young driver looked a bit worried. "You okay?" He asked.
"I'm fine. Just… family issues." I lied. He nodded, then drove me to my desired destination. He glanced at the location and realized there was nothing there besides a strawberry field, due to the mist. "Is this the right place?"
"Yep." I said weakly. "Just love these strawberry fields."
"Okay, then. Have a nice day." I paid him and left the cab. I walked through the borders of camp, and lots of demigods rushed over to me, curious about the quest, and why I'm crying. Chiron galloped over to me.
"Annabeth…" He said. "What happened?"
I couldn't help it. I broke down right there, collapsing to my knees. I'd never felt so tired, and so sad in my entire pathetic life.
Silena leaned down and embraced me, comforting me. "What happened?" She inquired. I finally told them that Grover and Tyson had gone to find Pan, and that Percy… Percy was dead.
We held a memorial for him a week later. His shroud was just as I expected: A sea-green shroud with a trident embroidered on it. I wish there was a way to encompass Percy's entire personality on a piece of fabric, but it was too really is no way to even describe Percy. You can say a few character traits, but you'd never really know him unless you met him. That was pretty much my whole speech the day of the memorial. Except I told them how I loved him. How everyone that met him loved him.
I cried for weeks, the realization dawned on me that I'd never ever be able to see Percy again. But for whatever reason, it never ever seemed real to me. One thing that I was glad about is that I was able to finally tell Percy how I feel about him, and that he loved me back.
I layed Percy's cabin one morning, looking at pictures of him and me strewn about his wall when two goddesses appeared to me.
"Did you learn your lesson?" Aphrodite asked.
"W-what?"
"About your pride, about who you love?"
"Of course, Aphrodite. Do you not see me right now? I'm a wreck."
"Well…" Hera said. I glared at her.
"What?"
"Percy's death was ruled unfair because I sent a demigod to kill him. And Poseidon was really mad at me. So we brought Percy back. I apologize for my actions, and will try not to kill one of your friends again solely for the purpose of ruining your life."
I hated her half-hearted apology. But what made up for it was the news that they've brought Percy back to life. The two goddesses disappeared, and Percy walked in promptly.
"Hi." He said, smirking. I felt my heart drop, and all my logical thoughts were pushed aside. He kissed me, and I felt myself sink into his arms, kissing him back. I had my Seaweed Brain back.
Things worked out for me, as you can quite clearly tell, but be warned: Always appreciate people when they're with you. They might die and you won't be as lucky as me and get them back.
Never hold back your feelings.
And never, ever be scared that things won't work out.
Because they always do.
Whether or not it's how you expected.