him, in all of his glory.

15. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦

"Goodnight, love you" were Percy's last words to me yesternight.

In all of the months that I've known Percy, I don't think I've ever felt this way for anyone ever before. At first I really didn't admit that to myself. I've been on my own for a very long time, so naturally I didn't want to ruin the only friendship I've had. And also have you seen him? He is tall, has the prettiest green eyes, his amazing hair and his beautiful tan. I cannot contain myself sometimes when I'm with him. I just assumed he didn't have any feelings for me, because why would I. Until yesternight when those words came out of his mouth.

He once told me, just at the start of our friendship, that he doesn't open up to people quickly. I told him I'm like the opposite, I open up very quickly. I love too much. He laughed at that. I asked him if he had ever been in love. He nodded, but didn't say much. Only that he doesn't use I love you lightly anymore, only when he truly loves someone.

So add one and two together and that leaves me with that. Maybe I was overthinking it a little bit, but something about him telling me that, and his little signs does make me think he likes me atleast. Or that's what I hope. Because I don't think I can be on this quest any longer if he doesn't just kiss me.

Anyway, I woke up feeling strange, not only because of my thoughts about Percy, but also because I realized we are so close to ending this quest. And end the nightmare altogether. I'm not scared but I do have a feeling I should be. We still don't know exactly who we are facing. And what she is capable of. But I do miss a proper bed, so whoever she is, I hope she is easy to defeat.

I was the first one up, and so I decided to prepare some breakfast with the low supplies that we have. We have some bread, cheese, a boiler, some eggs, a pan and instant coffee. I decided to go for some cooked eggs with a slice of cheese on top. I cooked all three eggs as the sun was slowly rising up. I made some coffee and woke up the rest. Malcolm had a little portable radio so he just put on the worst 80s station, and let us suffer through it.

"This is pretty good. What made you get up in such a good mood?" Malcolm suddenly asked.
"Not sure, I just feel like we are so close. I mean we are entering the park today." I said.
"Yeah but we still don't know the exact location of the cave. It could be an hour hike or a 5 day hike." Percy said.
"Oh yeah. I forgot about that." I said.
"I think we'll be able to figure it out once we get into the park. We'll get a map, use my amazing geology skills, sunny's visions and maybe a ranger's help. We'll be there in no time!" Malcolm said enthusiastically.
"I hope so, we still have to get rid of some stuff as well as buy some new food and supplies. If we have to drag all of these things into the park for 5 days, we'll be dead before we can even reach the cave." I said
"You are right. Let's keep our emergency kits, our tents, sleeping bags, our flashlights and batteries, cups, ropes , and our clothes." Percy said.
"What about my radio?" Malcolm asked
"And my books" I asked
"Yeah maybe get rid of the radio, it only has like 4 stations anyway. And maybe get rid of most of your books. You've read them all anyway." Percy said.
"I guess you have a point, it's just kind of sad to just throw them away." I said.
"My radio does not have just 4 stations" Malcolm suddenly said sadly. Me and Percy started laughing.
"You never know when 'Take on me' might save your life!!!" Malcolm said. But even he couldn't take that statement seriously and he started laughing.

We headed into the town center after donating the stuff we got rid of. First we had to take a stop at the grocery store and some hunting stores for some last supplies. We eventually even got rid of our big bags, and swapped them for some smaller ones. They still fit everything and were easier to carry. Way better for the big hike that we are going to be facing.

We walked towards the station to get our tickets for the park. Malcolm told us to wait while me and Percy waited outside. He was wearing a camp halfblood shirt with some oversized jeans. His hair was curly and the sun hit his skin just right. I was so mesmerized by him. Until my creepy staring moment was stopped by Malcolm walking back out.
"Guess what, they don't have any trains that go to the park in the next 2 days. Apparently a heat problem with the tracks, and because the tracks are old, they have to cool down manually." Malcolm announced.
"Shit." Percy said
"Yeah pretty shit indeed. I think we have to wait it out. There is no other way for us to get to the park." Malcolm said.
"Well. There is one other way. We can always hitchhike to the park. We have done it before anyway." I said.
"Yeah but that was just a 30 minute drive to the station. This is more like a 2 and a half hour drive. We can be stuck with a monster and we wouldn't know. We can die." Malcolm said.
"We can always die Malcolm, we are on a quest." I said
"We are so close though. If we mess up now, it'll all be for nothing." Malcolm said. He looked at Percy.
"I think we should hitchhike. Like you said we are so close, so no time to waste. We can just sit in the back." Percy said. Malcolm didn't like this. He sneered.
"Ofcourse you agree. Stop being so fucking careless. We can't risk this, or we'll lose it all." Malcolm said.
"What do you mean careless? Last time I checked you wanted to sleep in that fucking motel, and you were gone mytiple times when WE needed you, Malcolm." Percy sneered back. Malcolm got closer to Percy.
"Whatever, you're being a prick right now. I've helped many times and I'm not going to defend myself, because I frankly don't have to." Malcolm answered.
"Fuck you. You have no idea how time plays a part in this whole quest. We haven't got all the time you know." Percy said. What did he mean by this?
"I have no idea? I'm smarter than you. What the fuck are you even saying? You know something, we don't?" Malcolm said. I suddenly noticed they were standing very close together.
"It's none of your business. You act like you're so intelligent and wise, you think you know what's best but you're really just ruining this quest. We could have done this without you." Percy said. And not long after that, Malcolm hit Percy across his face. I quickly stood up and held back Malcolm. Percy looked up. His lip was bleeding. He looked furious and wanted to hit back until he noticed that I was still there. He took a step back. "What the fuck guys? My Gods, you are not children. So stop fucking acting like one. I thought you guys were finally getting along. But no all it had to take was some stupid comment for you guys to start fighting again. Fucking godsdammit. All I want is to just get along, get that fucking necklace and sleep in a normal bed again. And frankly I want to do that as quickly as possible because I'm tired of being so fucking anxious all the time. Percy tell Malcolm you are sorry for saying all that. Malcolm has been extremely helpful and we do indeed need him. Malcolm say sorry for hitting Percy." I yelled. I was furious. This was such childish behavior, I simply couldn't believe it. They are both older than me but are acting like this. Its fucking ridicilous. Malcolm looked at Percy awkwardly. "Fine, I'm sorry Percy, for hitting you." Percy looked annoyed. "And I am sorry for saying that. You have been of great help." Percy said with a slight tone of sarcasm and sincerity.
"Great, okay, let's just find a ride and get the fuck out of here." I said.