The Chronicles of Annabeth & Gaia

I.

Annabeth walks out of the closet and shrugs, "None of these dresses fit me... they are awful."

Gaia rolls her eyes and suggests, "Maybe if you fixed your attitude and perspective, things would look better in your head." She grabs her chin before walking off.

Annabeth moves out of the way and sits on her bed, jumping up and down testing how soft the mattress is, "That's easy for you to say ... you live in a freaking temple, where I spent most of my time at camp."

Gaia pokes her head out, "What does that have to do with you finding a dress to wear tonight?" She thinks, "Yeah ... absolutely nothing. You're stalling."

Annabeth squints her eyes, questioning, "What would I be stalling for?"

Gaia comes out and puts her hand on her hip, "Percy ... you're scared that he's gonna come tonight, right?"

Annabeth, flustered, responds, "Why would I care what Percy does?"

"After everything that went on in the last two years, you should talk to him, let him know you're bothered by him being with her." She leans on the bed, "But tell me more."

Annabeth jumps off the bed, "I am not bothered—just a little confused on how he weighs his priorities."

Gaia reaches out her arms to Annabeth, "You have no reason to be bothered by Rachel, I promise. It's really me who should be bothered, because she's buddy-buddy and best friends with my father."

Annabeth sighs, "You always seem to make everything about you?"

Gaia applauds and gasps loudly, "That is so true, but Rachel works in our favor. She's all buddy-buddy with my dad and Percy. There's nothing that can stop us from having fun tonight at my celebration of life." She waves her hands.

The doors of the temple slam shut, creating vibrations throughout.

Annabeth, confused, questions, "Nothing can stop us, right?"

Gaia and Annabeth rush out and look down from the stairs.

"Is there a reason why you're here?" Gaia crosses her arms.

Phemonoe looks around and then looks at Gaia, "What is all of this?" She walks over and lifts up a bottle of alcohol, "You're seventeen, Gaia!"

Gaia walks down the stairs, "I am hosting a celebration tonight with a bunch of friends. You're not invited." She grabs the bottle of alcohol and places it gently on the table, "What are you doing here?"

Phemonoe sighs, shaking her head "I wanted to see my sister, it's not like every day I see you." She stares, "I do care about you ... you know?"

Gaia rolls her eyes, "You've judged me since the first time you met me, including my friends." Looking up at Annabeth.

Phemonoe looks up at Annabeth and smiles, "Hi, Annabeth."

Annabeth gives a fake smile and looks at Gaia.

Gaia crosses her arms, "You're making my Annabeth uncomfortable. I think you should leave." She ushers.

Phemonoe raises her hands, "Fine ... Fine if you don't want to follow in your calling then that's on you."

Annabeth questions, "What calling?"

Phemonoe raises an eyebrow, "You never told her?" As she looks at Gaia.

Gaia is pale as a ghost, "I don't know what you're talking about. Maybe you need some rest. I can show you to my guest room." She pushes her towards the door.

Phemonoe grabs Gaia's arm, "She has the calling of an Oracle. You'd think that she would want to follow along because she feels the connection, but she doesn't. And our father won't push her and I want to know why?" She stares at Gaia.

Gaia smiles and looks up at Annabeth, "You see what a conniving divine ego looks like? All too familiar, but you forget one thing?" As she then stares down Phemonoe.

Phemonoe and Annabeth look interested.

"What could I possibly forget, little one?" Phemonoe said, sizing up Gaia.

Gaia turns around and starts walking up the stairs, "Dad built this temple for me. And I get to determine who steps foot in it." Phemonoe motions for Gaia to wait.

Gaia mouths, "I want you to be released." As she grasps her hand, Phemonoe disappears.

Annabeth, shocked, "Do you wanna talk about it?"

Gaia stops and looks at Annabeth, "Absolutely not!" Before heading to her room.

˚₊·➵➶➵➶➵˚₊·➶➵➶➵➶˚₊

Gaia runs to give Annabeth a hug, spinning her around. "Seeing everyone here almost makes me sad that I didn't go back to Camp Half-Blood." She grabs her hand and starts dancing to the music.

Annabeth looks around. "I see almost everyone here every day. We just... get more freedom not being there," she says while still looking.

Gaia shotguns the rest of her drink. "Haven't a majority of everyone here aged out?"

Annabeth, annoyed, rolls her eyes. "Due to what has happened within the last year, they made some exceptions. Plus, I don't have anywhere to go at the moment."

Gaia, picking up on the tension with Annabeth, asks, "Do you not have anywhere to go, or are you waiting to follow behind Percy?"

Annabeth stops and stares at Gaia. "I'm not like you, always full of light and joy. That's very much exhausting. I am not good at this thing called love."

Gaia, taken aback, leans in and whispers, "This is a complete façade." She smirks. "I haven't been this alive in... years. And after what happened to Luke—" She pauses. "I was at my worst. But I refuse to go to another celebration of my life crying and thinking about what if. So have fun!" She grabs two drinks and hands one to Annabeth.

Annabeth takes a sip, wrinkling up her nose. "Do you really drink this stuff?"

Gaia bursts out in laughter. "You not being a drinker will never cease to amaze me." She glances past Annabeth.

Annabeth, taking another sip, questions, "Who are you peeking at?" She tries to turn around.

Gaia stops her and whispers, "Travis."

Annabeth, shocked, asks, "Have you two?" She winks.

Gaia nervously grabs Annabeth and responds, "We've talked about it... he told me he likes this dress."

Annabeth nods and looks at Gaia's dress. "That makes sense, I can see; all of your fruit cocktail is on display."

Travis walks over. "Annabeth, nice to see you. Uhm... do you mind if I grab Gaia?"

Annabeth smiles. "Take her away."

Gaia finishes her drink and gives it to Annabeth. Before she leaves, she whispers, "He's here."

Annabeth's eyes grow bold.