Broken Paradise [A PERCABETH AU]

Chapter 2

The sun hung low over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose. Annabeth Chase squinted up at her mother, Athena, who walked beside her with that quiet, graceful certainty that Annabeth always admired. Mom wore a loose messy bun, her shiny black curls gleaming in the sunlight. A pencil behind her ear as she gazed nervously at her clipboard. Annabeth looked at herself. She wore a simple black shirt, with jeans and purple light up sneakers. Her hair was in a tight ponytail, a few strands of hair falling out and framing her face. She didn't care too much about her appearance, but she dearly wished she looked more like her mother.

The air was thick with the scent of saltwater and something sweet, like jasmine or coconut, Annabeth wasn't sure, carried by the wind. Waves broke gently against the pale sand, and the rhythmic sound of them crashing was soothing—if not for the nagging sense that something was just beyond reach, something important Annabeth couldn't quite name.

"I hope you're okay, Annabeth. With our decision to-"

"Move? Momma, it's safer here. Besides, he's not here." Annabeth mumbled. Mom sighed in relief.

"Do you want to...er, go visit the beachside?" Mom asked her, nudging Annabeth's shoulder. Annabeth brightened, she liked the beach. This one was pretty.

As she nodded, her mother smiled down at her. "Ok then. Later, if you'd like, we can go to the beach." she said. Annabeth nodded, knowing that 'later' meant it was probably not going to happen.

"Momma, if you have work stuff, can I explore the town?" Annabeth asked, slightly hopeful. Athena had moved them both there because of work, and so, most likely, it wasn't going to be the most relaxing vacation ever.

"Uh, sure, yes. Would you like to do that now? I can get you a tour guide or something, hold on." she offered, pulling out her phone. Annabeth shook her head. If she was going to explore, she was going to do it herself so she wouldn't be bored to death. Whenever Athena had taken Annabeth to a tour guide, she already knew all the facts about each place, she really just wanted to see them, and explore them for herself. The stupid tour guides weren't telling her anything that she didn't already know. They'd always call her a smart young lady though, which Annabeth always appreciated.

"Wait–what do you mean by now? Do you already have work?" Annabeth groaned. Mom nodded her head, and Annabeth desperately hoped that the meaning of a nod had changed from yes to no.

"But momma we just got here!" Annabeth cried, extremely frustrated. Annabeth had already had to deal with situations like this many times, and she was only seven. Based on all the books she read about family, that wasn't normal. It wasn't very enjoyable either.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go." Mom apologized as she kissed Annabeth's forehead. Annabeth grumbled a goodbye, and before her mom had the chance to say or do anything else, she huffed off towards a large crowd standing around a rather large palm tree. What was so special about the palm tree, she didn't know. But she planned to find out if it meant avoiding her workaholic mother.

"Percy! Come down!" A woman yelled. Annabeth scanned her face. She was obviously tired, her face fixed with exasperation, but a tiny smile was tugging at the corners of her lips, which meant that she was slightly amused. Percy was evidently her son. Annabeth looked up at the palm tree, and sure enough, a small boy her age clung to the top of the tree, smiling down at all the people clapping for his bravery.

"Oh for heaven's sake–" the woman cried out, turning towards the roaring crowd. "He's seven! If he falls, he could get seriously hurt! Stop clapping and clear off." she ordered. Annabeth watched the woman with admiration, and watched the crowd as they hurried off.

"Mom! They were my fans!" the little boy, Percy, cried out unhappily. The woman turned back to him, her face slightly more tired, and much less amused. Annabeth walked up to her and tapped her on the shoulder.