Childhood Friends

The Beach

'Annabeth! Come on!' Percy yelled, running through the sand, towards the lapping waves, dragging a laughing Annabeth behind him.

Percy pushed Annabeth into the water before cannonballing himself right after. They crashed into the waves, feeling the cold water cool them down as their delighted laughs filled the vibrant blue sky. It was the middle of summer and they would be starting First Grade soon, together as always. 

They were on a beach in Montauk, where Poseidon had a summer job as a lifeguard and owned a vacation home. The sun was shining brightly and Percy and Annabeth could feel their ears and the back of their necks burning as they screamed and swam and played around in the blue, shimmery waves. But they couldn't care less.

'Watch this Annie!' yelled Percy, scrambling onto the pier and doing an elaborate dive for a 6 year old.

Annabeth clapped enthusiastically, giggling as Percy came up for air, wet hair plastered against his forehead and falling into his sea green eyes. She brushed it out and he smiled at her. Then, he splashed her. Annabeth screamed and splashed him back. Obviously, this turned into a full on splash war as they screamed and splashed, ending up in fits of uncontrollable laughter. They climbed out of the water, swimsuits and hair dripping, wide, goofy grins plastered upon their faces. Poseidon and Sally walking over to them with towels, which were then draped over the children's shoulders. They both got an ice cream and sat on the sand, staring out into the sea and licking happily. Annabeth's head rested onto Percy's shoulder and the sun illuminated them, tanning their skin. 

'Percy, will we be best friends forever, no matter what?' asked Annabeth.

'Of course,' replied Percy.

'Do you promise?'

'I promise.'

Annabeth pushed Percy's ice cream into his nose, her giggles filling the air with it's sweet sound. Percy mock gasped, hand to chest as he wiped the ice cream off his nose and doing the same to Annabeth. They both laughed as Sally and Poseidon looked on proudly. Poseidon coughed a few times but motioned that he was perfectly fine at his wife's concerned look. Sally leant into her husband, resting her head on his chest as his strong arms wrapped around. She gave him a quick look before turning back to watch her son and his best friend as they chased each other around, tripping in the sand and falling to the ground, just laughing harder. A smile brushed across her features as she watched the carefree children run around. She desperately hoped they would never grow up. Never see the dangers of the world. Never have their heart shattered, their eyes dulled.

The sun began to set and the beach was mostly empty apart from Sally, Poseidon, Percy and Annabeth. Sally had fallen asleep using her husbands chest as a pillow as he stroked her hair, watching the sunset and taking pictures of Percy and Annabeth, who were still chasing each other around, illuminated in the orangey pink hues of the sunset. It was still warm but not as hot so the perfect weather to stay on the sand. Soon, Annabeth and Percy plopped down into the sand to watch the sunset, faces flushed from running around for hours. They were still laughing and smiling when an atmosphere of peace settled in the air and they sat together, almost intertwined, watching the sky turn a dark blue. They gazed up at their special star for hours, talking, exchanging secrets, until Sally woke up and said they should probably go back to the cabin. They reluctantly agreed and cleared up, brushing as much sand off as possible before going inside. 

Annabeth and Percy chatted until the early hours of the morning. Whenever they laughed to loudly, they would collapse into silent giggles until they were sure that they wouldn't wake up Percy's parents. Little did they know, Sally heard it all and stayed up with them that night, silently laughing at their adorable laughs and short-lasting silences. When the children clambered out of the window to see their special star, Sally pretended to be asleep as they hissed loudly at each other to be quieter. Sally fell asleep that night with a small smile gracing her features, wrapped within her husbands strong arms. Annabeth and Percy fell asleep on the soft sand, gazing at the stars. They woke with the sun, sneaking back inside and pretending they hadn't gone on their little adventure. Sally obviously didn't notice the sand clinging to their legs and faces. She definitely didn't notice the sand clumped in Annabeth's curls, which were slightly more windswept and frizzy than the night before. She didn't notice the way their eyes twinkled in a mischievous sort of way, as though the stars were still being reflected in their eyes. No, of course she didn't.

The day was once again a picture perfect summer morning. Poseidon kissed Sally before running out to his lifeguard post. From there, he had the perfect view of his son and Annabeth, dancing and frolicking and yelling in the calm waves. 

'THIS IS THE BEST HOLIDAY EVER!' screamed Percy, jumping up and down with excitement.

The children both looked so happy, eyes alight with utter joy, grins spread across their faces as they played until it was time to go. With much protesting, they were wrapped in towels, given an ice cream cone and put in the back of the car, free to belt along to the Disney tracks to their hearts extent. By the time they got home, Percy had a very, very blue smile.