The Secret of Us (PJO X KOTLC crossover)

-11-

Annabeth's pov

I left the foster care, on my way home still thinking of how Sophie's life just got turned upside down 'cause of a car crash. I must've been looking pretty bad when I came home since during the movie marathon with Percy, he kept checking on me.

"I'm fine" I said for the millionth time today, nudging Percy by the arm. "Seriously, you've got to start believing me!!" I said, laughing.
"I do!! But you don't seem like you're fine..." Percy said, pouting.
"Perce, you know that I'm fine when I said "I'm fine" for a gazillion times today already!!" I laughed.
"But you seem like a different person after you came back from foster care....." Percy said, that.... touched a wound.

"The thing is.... I might never see Sophie again, and she's been my best friend for.... How long?? 5 years already!! I can't afford to lose her when she supported me through my parents' divorce!! I can't stand... just standing there and watching her whole world crash down and topple her over while doing nothing!! I can't!! I just can't!!!!" I screamed, emotions like a tornado in my brain, blowing off the trees I've planted and nurtured for years by their roots.

"Don't cry.... please don't cry...." Percy said, scooting over to me and hugging me for comfort.

-time skip to Monday-

Weekends were like hell, I didn't have anything to do. I used to hang out and go to the park with Sophie, have sleepovers, movie marathons, do homework together, text or facetime.
I tried calling her but her phone must've been on silent since it went straight to voicemail.

I didn't expect that much on a Monday because she might not be here, but a tiny part of me hopes, just hopes that maybe... she'll show up at school. So we could read the book I gifted her together!! That book's been on my tbr for forever!!! And I've heard lots of good reviews about it and lots of people recommend it to me, so I hope that it will be a special memory between us two; even if it's the last one we could ever have together.

I didn't seem to be able to spot her in the morning, so I began to wonder whether or not she's coming to school anymore. But I spotted her at her locker at lunch, and rushed to hug her by surprise.

"Hey girly!! Ready to read the book together during free period?" I asks, excited.
"Heck yeah!! C'mon, maybe we could even read and eat at the same time." Sophie said.
We walked into the cafeteria chatting and discussing books.
Oh how lovely it is to have a bookish friend!! You get to talk to them about all kinds of books, and it's honestly the BEST experience ever.

Sophie took out the still wrapped book and began tearing the wrapper away, her delighted shocked face warmed my heart. This girl deserves sooooo much more than the world gives her credit for.

"OMG stoppppppppppp, is this the book that I've heard people talking about??" Sophie said, surprised.
"Yasssssssssssss girly!!!" I screamed, jumping up to hug her; not caring the stares we're getting.
She grabbed her lunch and dashed to our lunch table, and took out the book and began reading. I've known for ages that Sophie's been wanting to read Peter Johnson for as long as I've known her, but her parents limit her buying books so she rarely gets to read it. Plus the school library only has crappy books that most people have already read.

We finished reading the whole series in a week, and began discussing the plot. It was generally the funnest and most memorable memory I share with Sophie, and I hope we can make more bookish memories together.