Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1 : The Lightning Thief - MISSING SCENES

The Brave Blonde Is Afraid Of... Spiders? (Between Chapters 15 & 16)

Percy had seen Annabeth a bit freaked out before, but there was something so concerning about her reaction to the robotic spiders.

Annabeth was typically only freaked out by legitimate threats like Medusa. Sure, the spiders were a bit threatening but not so much to reduce her to a screaming, terrified mess. Percy had never heard her scream like that, it was honestly a bit worrying to hear. And why spiders? Was the level-headed blonde secretly an arachnophobe?

The trio was quiet for a few minutes during their walk back to the diner. Percy was absolutely soaking wet, something he hadn't had to experience in a while thanks to his water abilities. Annabeth was also drenched, the water flattening her hair to her head. Grover just seemed worried for the both of them. That had been quite an unpleasant experience to witness as well.

"So..." Percy started awkwardly, breaking the silence. Annabeth gave him an irritated glance. "You're afraid of spiders?" he asked, slightly turning his head to the young girl. He really hoped that it didn't come across as teasing or bullying. Lord knows there were silly things that spooked him a bit. He wouldn't poke fun at her for being afraid of something that could be venomous.

She didn't answer his question. Instead, she just looked away to hide that her face had gone bright red with embarrassment. Athena's little runaway was afraid of spiders? Honestly kind of pathetic...

"I'm not judging" Percy reassured upon seeing this reaction. "I just..." He trailed off, searching for the proper words. "I've never seen you that scared before" he settled on with a small smile, to which Annabeth hesitantly looked back at him as if bracing herself for bullying that would never come. "I was worried about you back there"

"Well, seaweed brain" Annabeth shot back, but there was no malice in her voice and Percy recognized that. "You don't have anything to worry about. After all, you'd be dead if it wasn't for me back there" she added. Percy chuckled. "That is true"

"You guys are finally tolerating each other" Grover said with a huge smile that made both demigods groan. He got between them, though slightly behind, and wrapped his arms around them.

"Now" the satyr continued. "Let's go find Ares"