Reaching For The Stars

Chapter 2

Annabeth Chase

An aroma filled her nose. It was like a warm, deep smell that tickled her nose. Her mind felt sluggish as it woke up, yet the smell continued. She inhaled deeply, letting the aroma wake her up gently, like a warm blanket.

"Hmm," Annabeth hummed, stretching as she felt her back was a bit sore from leaning against the door. It was weird that her bed felt like a door. This must be the second dream.

"Good morning, Annabeth."

"Huh?" Annabeth's eyes shot open, seeing a cup of tea being held up under her nose. The dashboard held a breakfast consisting of store-bought croissants and some kind of sandwich. She blinked, confused as she looked around at where she was.

It was a small space. A dashboard in front of her with a simple breakfast. The door that she leaned against, her improvised bed in this case. Next to her sat the woman, Nebula, she met in the park. In her hand, she held a cup of tea while sending a smile to her.

She sat on a more personalized and decorated seat. Her wheel was covered in all kinds of stickers from all over the country. Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, Atlanta. Annabeth could spot almost every city. Only New York seemed to be missing among the big names.

"Here, ginger tea," Nebula said, her warm smile still present, "I don't think you like coffee, my morning poison."

"Thank you," Annabeth said, taking the warm cup from her. The motion caused something to fall off her. A blanket fell on her lap, crumbling as it folded. "Where... Where are we?"

"Well, I don't know, but you slept like a baby. Didn't have the heart to wake you early. We've just passed Washington. I bought you breakfast, nothing fancy, but, well, it's a sandwich with bacon and eggs. What else do you want in the morning, right?"

"Thank you..." Annabeth muttered as she sipped her tea, almost using the tea to prevent herself from crying. This small, on-the-road breakfast held more warmth and care than what she felt at home.

"Eh, I just made the tea. Besides," Nebula gestured to the gas station they were currently parked in, "I had to stop for gas. This old thing needs its juice."

"Right," Annabeth chuckled, holding her cup for warmth. It was not as cold as yesterday, but she could feel it would become colder. Perhaps even some early snow this year. The blond turned to Nebula again as Nebula cleared her throat to catch her attention. The woman scratched her neck, uncomfortably Annabeth would describe.

"Look, I don't want to be the responsible one, but we've got to figure this out, Annabeth. I've got nothing. This is all I have. I can't pay for school or whatever. This isn't where you want to live, on the road, selling coffee and tea in random places. Do you have any other family? I can take you there."

"I don't want to go there either..." Annabeth said softly, seeing Nebula sigh a little, looking around in her humble car/home.

"Really don't like your family, huh?"

"No..."

"Well..." Nebula took a deep breath, scratching her head again, "I ain't rich. I've got no home, only this thing, but... Well, I'm not gonna force you to do anything, Annabeth. Living with me, constantly on the road? It's not the nicest life, you know. If it snows, we're stuck in here for days. If it storms, we'll be stuck in here as well. If we're having a bad sale day, we've got no food. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

"I understand, Nebula. I am not dumb."

"I know," Nebula said, not a hint of a lie in her voice. Annabeth sighed, feeling nice to not be questioned. "But smarts and knowing are different things. In any case, I can tell you're not going anywhere. We'll make it a bit more comfy for you in here. And I'm still teaching you stuff. I may be poor, but I have studied, you know."