The boy who grew up

3

I helped finish packing the boxes into the car and looked at my now empty apartment sadly. I had several happy memories here that I didn't want to leave behind. Mom and I making blue food together, Annabeth playing at my house with me at age 8, Grover, Nico, and I celebrating my 14 birthday, Annabeth and I dancing in the rain.

Flashback: Percy and Annabeth 11 years old

Annabeth and I were sitting outside of my apartment, we were lounging on a bench and listening to Katy Perry's song California girls. I groaned and buried my face in my hands, I absolutely hated this song. Annabeth laughed at me and began singing along just to spite me.

"Californa girls, we're undeniable..." I quickly clapped my hands over my ears and glared at the grey eyed beauty, she in return smirked at my immaturity as I stuck my tongue out at her. We sat there in silence and I removed my hands from my ears and closed my eyes, praying for the accursed song to end. Once it did I sighed in relief until the next song came on.

"Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor." my eyes widened and I gave a side ways glance to Annabeth who was smiling and mouthing the words. She looked so serene as bobbed her head to the music. My heart sped up and a blush crept it's way towards my cheeks. Need You Know by Lady Antebellum had turned on and stirred my emotions as I watched my beautiful best friend smile at me. Without thinking I stood up and held out my hand to Annabeth.

"Annabeth, may I have this dance?" I asked her nervously. I felt like a complete moron but I couldn't help it. She looked at me in surprise, but then she smiled.

"Sure seaweed brain." she whispered and took my outstretched hand. I began grinning like a idiot but I didn't care. I had 2 left feet but I didn't care. She put her other hand on my shoulder and I put mine on her back. I didn't have the guts to put my hand on her waist. We swayed side to side.

"It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now." I grinned at these lyrics, I did need Annabeth. She was my best friend, my first love. I didn't know what I would do without her. She protected me, teased me, helped me up when I was down. Annabeth smiled at me and my heart stopped and I grinned back at her.

Then the rain started to pour which woke me up from my love sick thoughts. Annabeth's eyes widened as she tried to sprint inside. I held her hand so she couldn't escape.

"Let's just finish this song." I pleaded and she rolled her eyes at mr playfully. She stayed and we continued to dance. Her curls flattened to her face making her hair look straight. Even though she was drenched she still looked beautiful, I couldn't believe that she actually wanted to dance with me. My heart raced as she pulled me into a hug. I rested my chin on her forehead and sighed happily. This was really happening, I'm with my dream girl.

"Let's go inside before you get hypothermia seaweed brain." she said fondly, pulling away from the hug. I didn't realize that the song was over. Annabeth ran inside, leaving me in the rain as giddy as a fool. Still smiling I picked up the radio and sprinted inside. Annabeth Chase danced with me in the rain.

End of Flashback:

"Percy, dude are you okay?" I brushed stray tears from my face and looked up to see Grover, Nico, and Bianca looking at me in concern. I missed the 11 year old Annabeth, the one who didn't care if a was a loser, the one who would dance in the rain with me, the one who was my best friend. Now she's gone, a self centered monster took her place. I have to come to terms with that. She hates you now, she doesn't care that your leaving. I felt bitterness and anger take over my emotions, she didn't want anything to do with you now. She hates me so I should hate her. I thought angrily.

"I'm fine, I'm just gonna miss you guys." I lied. Yes I was going to miss them really bad but that's not what plagued my mind at the moment. Nico stepped towards me and wrapped me in a man hug.