Percy and Annabeth Ch. 21

Percy's PoV. Chapter 21.


    Annabeth and I walked out of the infirmary holding hands. It was dark outside, looks like dinner just finished. Chiron trotted up to us and patted my lightly on the shoulder.

"Good to see you're up, Percy. What you did was very brave, we wont be seeing any monsters here for a while and if they do, they'll think twice about crossing lines with you." He chuckled.

"But how did they get in? How did they get past Thalia's tree and Peleus?" I asked.

"We still don't know, but it's best not to ponder this. Your mother came a couple days ago to pick you up, we told her what happened. She wanted you to go home as soon as possible, so you should get packing tonight and Argus will drive you home." Then he went toward the Big House.

I felt Annabeth squeeze my arm a little and lead me to the beach.

When we got to the shore, she sat down and patted the spot next to her. When I sat down next to her, she asked, "Can we talk?"
"We already are." I smiled. She forced a smile, it wasn't as bright as her real smile.

"Well... Why did you save me?" She said it boldly, straightforward, I was surprised.

"W-what do you mean? Because you're my friend."
"No. You said you would go to the Underworld." I don't remember her being conscious when I said that. I didn't know what to say.

"I... I would have."
"Why, Percy? Besides that I'm your friend." What did she want me to say?

"We... I... Well... You know how... When you're little, you just wake up and feel happy? Every day, you live for yourself?" She nodded, and looked at me. Expecting more.

"Then every day, you lose a little more motivation to get out of bed. And pretty soon you lose the will to even live... But then you find something; a reason. Like a career, or family, or hobby." I looked at Annabeth, she was moving her finger lightly over my arm and hand. She was looking down so I didn't see her expression.

"Anyway, I think you're my reason and I-wouldn't-know-what-to-do-without-you." I said fast, looking down immediately, scared of what she would think.

I felt her stare on me and tried not to look up.

"Percy, when I was... Unconscious, I guess, I heard everything you said. Do you really mean it? What you said?" She asked me.

My mind shot to when I said I loved her, so many times when I thought she died. I got really nervous so I started stuttering random noises.

"You don't." She muttered. I looked up at her, and she was starting to cry.

"What? Annabeth, don't cry. I- I didn't m-mean- I-I..." I tried to say it, I did, I really did try but it wouldn't come out.

"You don't." She repeated just as quiet. I felt her rip her hand from mine and the sprinted to her cabin.

"Annabeth! Wait! I do love you..." But it was only a whisper.