The Secret of Us (PJO X KOTLC crossover)

-14-

Annabeth's pov

School doesn't feel like school without the familiar laughter filling my ears during break, the usual discussions about books during lunch, the little slip of notes we give each other during class when it gets boring..

Percy's been trying his best to make me feel better—which I'm thankful for, but it just......... isn't working. He brings me cookies that his mom made daily (Which I had to say was awesome) but it doesn't–can't lift up my spirits because Sophie's the only one able to do it.

I sighed as the talent show came up, we planned on doing it together this year; Sophie and I. We were going to sing together, since Sophie always wanted to sing with me. I glanced out of the window beside my seat and stared longingly outside.

-time skip-

It's been a month since Sophie left, I tried talking to other people but alas, they think I'm weird. Sure they think I'm nerdy, but what's wrong with that? Percy and I became closer due to the frequent amount of time he tries to lift my spirits, and the incredibly large amount of time that I've had a sleepover at his house.

He made me feel.... free. Like I'm floating in the sky on a fluffy cloud, free from the chains that held me back. This is going to make me. Change me.
But do I care? No.
As long as he changes me, takes me out of my old human shell.

So that was that......... and now I think it's the end of semester?
Dang does time flies, "Annabeth? My mom's here and she wants to ask you if you want to come over to my house for dinner?" Percy asks me.
"Sally?? Sally's here?"
"Yeah, and she's standing outside of her car." Percy said, gesturing outside.
"Oh yeah sure wait a sec, let me text my mom first." I replied, fishing out my phone.

Sally and mom became quite close after Percy and I came over frequently. As we found out, Percy's dad and my mom were college classmates once; but lost in touch. So thankfully due to us they start to reconnect again.

"Mom says ok" I replied and closed my phone, and Percy dragged me away as I finished putting away all my books for Christmas break.

Dinner was amazing as usual, Sally's cooking should be considered restaurant-level. "Thanks mom for dinner, I'm going out!!" Percy announced abruptly, taking my hand and dashing out.
"Do you know how to ride?" he asks, turning to 2 bikes.
"You bet" I smiled, really smiled this time.

The evening air blowing in my hair as I ride behind Percy, the sun in front of us setting. I can't think of a better picture than this.
This is what I want my life after retirement to be like. I thought silently.

"What are you thinking about right now Annabeth?" Percy shouts over his shoulder and over the flapping winds.
"How I want my life after retirement to be like this." I shouted back, unable to contain the smile slowly making its way onto my face.

We arrived at a beach. the sunset splashing pink and orange colors on the sea and the waves pouring it all out with its teal-ish blue waters. The sand seemed like gold under the sun, the moon rising to its position slowly with the sun doing the opposite. I threw my bike on the sidewalk and dashed into the waters.

The cold waters made me shriek, causing Percy to laugh and splash me, I splashed back. It soon became a giant splash-war zone and we ended up soaking wet from head to toe.

"Oh mom's gonna be sooooooooooooooooooo mad" we said in unison, looking at each other. But we never felt happier. More............ free.

I'm baaaaaaaack!!! And welcome 2025~🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉2024 was such a wild ride coming from y'all so thank you, for making it so memorable and exciting. I promise to update more frequently now on and oh boy.......... This story is reaching towards its end. So hold on tight while things may get a bit out of control?? Keep reading to find out!! But for now, peace out!! ✌️
-Avery