Unlikely Heroes

Chapter 9: Celebrating Another Year

Annabeth Chase

We stayed in the motel longer than normal. It was mainly because Aileen convinced the others to stay and prepare for my birthday. That girl is too kind for her own good. But, Gods, does it make me happy. They already bought three gifts. I could already tell they are books. It was agonizing not being able to read them yet. Luckily, tomorrow I will be released from my suffering.

I try to push myself to sleep, to skip the time ahead to the magical day. Now, that I think about it, but it is the first time that I am really looking forward to my birthday. Father wasn't a horrible person, but he doesn't know what to do. I already gathered that he wasn't prepared, and actually didn't ask for me.

My stepmother wasn't much positivity, either. She thought I was seeking attention at every opportunity, but in actuality I was being harassed and attacked by monsters. They thought I was putting them in danger deliberately. I convinced myself that they didn't love me, care for me. That is what I always thought, but the words of Aileen changed my view. I think we just needed some time for ourselves.

"Can't wait for tomorrow, eh," I hear Aileen say. "Sssh, I'm trying to sleep! Be quiet!" Aileen laughs loudly as she comes towards me.

"It's barely 7pm! You just had dinner!" she says through her laughs. "Urgh, I need to make eleven hours fly by! This was my best plan! I'm just so looking forward to seeing what you guys bought for me," I say as I push the blanket away to sit up against the pillow. It's clear I won't sleep for some time yet.

Aileen smiles as she sits down at opposite site of me. "Glad we cobbled something together for you? I have two gifts for you tomorrow!" She says excitedly. "Two? I only saw three presents on the table. Did you hide the fourth?" I asked, slightly confused at her statement.

"You'll find out tomorrow! I hope you will enjoy your birthday, Annabeth," she says. I groan in annoyance. "I'm not certain if I am happy with you or angry! You made me even more excited!" Aileen smiles even wider. "That's good, no?"

"Of course, it isn't! How am I going to sleep now!?"

I must have fallen asleep at some point. My eyes blink open as small rays of the sun fall on my face. I have to admit, running away was the hardest thing I ever did. Before I met Aileen, Luke, and Thalia, I was barely scraping by. In the end, I think it was the right choice. As I sit up in bed, I already see that the other are awake. My smile almost appears instantly. It's time!

I jump out of bed and almost run towards the small common room. When I open the door, I hear two loud pops. The air fills with confetti of all kinds of colors. "Happy birthday, Annabeth!" All three shout happily. It brings me to tears as I see them with brightly colored pointy heads. A few decorations hanging around the room.

I practically run to them to embrace them. They happily oblige as I feel their arms around me. "Wise Girl is finally nine, eh. Took you long enough," Thalia chuckles. I roll my eyes at her bad joke. "It may be early, but sit down, birthday girl. We have cake!" Luke says with a smile as he brings out a cake with nine burning candles.

"Thank you, guys... this makes my day," I say with teary eyes. "Hold your horses, girly. It will only get better. Blow the candles and make your wish," Thalia says. I chuckle and blow the candles, making my wish.

As soon as I blew them out, Thalia starts cutting the cake. Thalia and Luke sit next to me after they give me a slice. They sit down when they have their own slice, but where is Aileen?

"Where is Aileen?" I ask curiously. "Preparing your first present," Luke says, tasting a bit of the cake. "Preparing what?" I ask confused. It is then I see Aileen walking out of the room where we sleep. Her violin in hand.

"I did not have a lot of time to practice. Still a bit rusty, but I hope it will be fine. I played a lot of Beethoven and Mozart, I hope you'll like it, Annabeth," she says as she sits down in front us on a chair. She quickly tunes the violin and takes a deep breath.

The bow starts to move up and down, and her fingers gracefully dance over the strings of the violin. The room fills with music. I am mesmerized as I watch her play. Aileen's arms and hands move as she concentrates while her eyes are closed. She sways with the music as one foot bounces a bit to give the tempo. I can hardly look away from her. It is beautiful. This make me absolutely happy, I love it.

For minutes long, I enjoy the music. Luke is enjoying it as well as he listens with closed eyes. Even Thalia is enjoying it. As the last note is played, Aileen slightly bows towards us. I quickly start to clap as I beam at her. "That was beautiful, Aileen!" I compliment her. "It was! Well done, Aileen," Luke says as he joins the applause. "You should be honored. You made me enjoy classical music," Thalia adds as she claps as well.

Aileen chuckles. "Thank you, guys. Couldn't ask for a better audience. Enjoyed your first gift?" She asks me. "Of course! Enjoyed it thoroughly!"

"Good. But we have three more! Luke?" she says. "On it!" Luke says as he quickly grabs the three presents before giving them to me. "We made sure to compliment them. That you'll get some use out of it," Thalia says. I open each of the three gift with a bright smile.

The first one I open is the book I asked for. A book that talks about the newest and most impressive buildings in a modern architectural style. The second one is not actually a readable book, but more of a sketchbook. I look up quizzically at them. "Just open the third, and you'll understand," Luke says with a chuckle. The third book talks about all that you must think about when designing a building. Materials, structure, safety, and everything in between.

"I hardly understand a word that is written in there, but with your pure brainpower. I think it should be fine," Thalia says with a smile. I look up from my gifts at all three. "Thank you, I am very happy. Thank you," I say as I embrace them as best I can. They all embrace me back with equal gusto.

"Happy birthday, Annabeth," Aileen says.