Troubled

89

timeskip—three years
chapter eighty-nine
percy

Walking through my packed living room I was greeted with congratulations, cheering, and even some people pulling me into hugs (like the very emotional Grover, who was nostalgic and close to crying.)

After four agonizing, rough years I had finally graduated from college with a degree in marine biology, much with the help of Annabeth. Now I stood in my mom's apartment, all of my boxes packed up in my room.

I was set to move out and into an apartment with Annabeth in a few short days, but since the apartment wasn't ready yet my graduation party occurred at my mom's.

My mom had went all out for my college graduation party considering the fact I didn't have a party for my high school graduation. Our apartment was decorated head to toe with blue decorations. A blue cake decorated with a graduate's cap sat on the counter along with several other blue desserts.

After getting a sobbing Grover off of me I made my way over to the dessert table and ogled at the blue cake, my mouth watering at the sight of it. Before I could grab one of my mom's famous blue cookies, I spotted my little sister, Estelle, her face covered in blue frosting from a cupcake she'd eaten.

She instantly grinned when she saw me and rushed up to me, wrapping her arms around my legs. "Percy, Percy!"

I laughed as I scooped Estelle off of the ground. "You're not supposed to be having a cupcake, are you?"

Estelle's eyes widened and her smile dropped. "Don't tell mommy! Please!"

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me," I said with a wink. "Although, if I were you I'd wipe the frosting off of your face."

She quickly wiped at her face which only resulted in more frosting being smeared around, but she only grinned triumphantly, proud of her achievement.

Before I could laugh at Estelle and help her clean her face, a soft knock on the door alerted me of someone's arrival.

"I wanna open the door!" she protested as I almost set her down. Her face grew red with anger and I sighed, deciding it was better to let her answer the door than for her to throw a tantrum in front of everyone.

"Alright, alright. I'll be right here, okay?" I told her as I set her down. Estelle nodded confidentially as I opened the door for her as she was too short to open it herself.

Once the door was open a grin immediately spread across my face. Standing outside the door with a bouquet of blue flowers was none other than Annabeth Chase.

She beamed at me and then, when she spotted Estelle, crouched down to her level. Estelle instantly hugged Annabeth.

"Annie! Annie!" she cheered. Since Estelle was so young she couldn't fully pronounce Annabeth's name, so she was forever nicknamed Annie; or at least until she could pronounce her name properly.

"Aww, are those flowers for me?" I teased as Annabeth picked up Estelle in her arms, the flowers barely in her grasp.

Annabeth shook her head and stuck her tongue out at me. "What? No! They're for Estelle, Seaweed Brain."

Estelle giggled as Annabeth pulled one of the blue flowers out of the bouquet and handed it to Estelle, who promptly grasped it and grinned.

"I'm gonna show mommy!" Estelle decided as Annabeth set her down. She rushed in the opposite direction, her hair whipping behind her as she ran.

"She's adorable," Annabeth commented with a smile. Then she focused on me again and shoved the bouquet in my direction. "Sorry I missed the actual ceremony. These are for you, graduate."