It had been such a long time since she'd see all her friends again, old and new ones. Percy said that was why he wanted a big birthday party but Annabeth knew something more was going on.
Sadly, she didn't know what.
That morning when she woke up she couldn't remember her dream, which was odd. Almost every day she woke up, bathing in sweat because of her nightmares about Tartarus, remembering all the details.
Mostly the dreams started good. She and Percy kissing when they were reunited in New Rome.
Suddenly the earth gobbled her up so it felt like she was burried alive.
She started screaming but the only result was her mouth and lungs full of dirt.
Then she saw her,
Gaea's face looked even more gruesome than it was during the war. Her pure green eyes were open, which reminded Annabeth that she had woke up, of course she went to sleep again but that didn't mean it couldn't scare her.
It looked like Gaea could read her fear because the more terrified Annabeth got, the more Gaea started smiling.
Gaea spoke in a heavy ancient, sleepy voice,'You're falling but you don't know it yet.' she would say.
Then the dream image changed and Annabeth saw herself falling of that horrible cliff. Percy couldn't catch her in time so Annabeth fell. She started falling, the time Annabeth had to fell down a foot looked like forever, she'd never felt more alone in that little second because she knew what would come. But then she looked up and Percy was holding her hand.
'You're not getting away from me.' Percy told Annabeth.
'Never again.' he continued.
Annabeth knew what was about to happen and somewhere she hated herself for letting Percy fall with her. So many horrible things happened in those dephts and she took Percy with her. Basically it was all her fault.
Then the landing came. That terrible river Acheron where they'd fell in almost defeated Percy and her. Instead of seeing those sad, miserable ghosts talking to them, Athena's face appeared.
'You've failed me.' she'd said.
'But I've found the Mark of Athena! I was the first one in centuries.' Annabeth would try to defeat herself.
Athena dissapeared in the water but the wind whispered,'That's not what she meant.'
Annabeth knew why she'd might had failed her mother. If she truly was a child of Athena, she'd been smart enough to go away from the spiderwebs.
If she'd been wise and had thought. They might not have fall in Tartarus.
Again, it was all her fault.
When Annabeth turned around the water was gone, actually, everything was gone. The only thing she could see was darkness.
She knew what was happening. She'd killed one of those arai and got cursed by Phineas. She was blind.
That wasn't the worst part.
Annabeth thought Percy was gone. If he was dead or he just went away, she didn't knew. The only thing she could think of was that she was all alone here and Percy had disapeared. That were her most horrible minutes down there. Thinking she'd never see Percy again. Thinking he might be dead or worse.. Left her.
Most of the time that was the part where she woke up, screaming.
Percy would take her into her arms and whisper it was alright.
'Don't.. Don't leave me.' Annabeth'd cried,'Please, whatever you do.. Don't leave me.'
'Hey, hey,' Percy'd told her softly,'I'm here, I'll never leave you. I promise. Didn't I say that we would stay togheter?' He'd give Annabeth a smile and hug her. She loved his strong but sweet body.
But today was different, she woke up and felt strange. Next to her Percy was still asleep, obviously drooling, so Annabeth decided to take a walk in New Rome.
Annabeth loved the city, she lived here already 4 years but still the architecture amazed her.
Walking through all this calmed her down. She tried to remember her dream but for the first time in forever she didn't know what she'd dreamt.
Only one thing she still knew. A voice, somewhere deep down she still remembered what the voice'd said. Unfortunately, it was too deep to remember.
Annabeth had been thinking so hard about it she hadn't realized she had been walking through the city for hours. She hurried back to their home and woke up Percy.
When it was dinner time, it looked like even the kitchen wanted to celebrate a big party. The most amazing plates stood on the tables and, of course, a big blue birthday cake. Annabeth started laughing when she saw the cake, it was so huge. She was sure everbody could get a piece.
Percy ran towerds Annabeth.
'Hey honey.' he said and gave her a quick kiss on the lipps.
'Hi.' Annabeth greeted him,'Nice cake.'
'I know.' Percy grinned,'But that isn't the biggest thing that will happen tonight.' he smirked and walked away.
'Hey, Seaweed Brain,' she yelled at him,'you can't just say something like that and then run away!' so Annabeth went after him.
'I'm not going to tell you.' Percy laughed,'I swear it on the River Styx. It's supposed to be a surprise.'
Annabeth understood she'd need to wait till tonight.
'Okay but only if you're going on a walk with me.' she said.
'That's not hard.'
And so they walked.
They'd set the tables outside because there were too many people. It was a nice dinner. Everybody shared stories and made jokes. It felt good to be with all her friends again. Annabeth and Percy went from table to table so they could talk to all their guests.
When the sun went down, Percy came forwards. The whole audience went silent. Like they knew something important was about to happen.
Percy started with a little speech.
'I'm happy to see how many of you are here togheter. Believe me, after dinner we'll have a huge party!,' the crowd screamed happy,'but!,' he continued,'before that something needs to happen.' Percy looked at Annabeth and made the gesture she needed to come to him. Annabetb walked forward, all the eyes were on her and she felt uncomfortable. When she looked at Piper, Hazel and Thalia - her three best friends- they had such a bright smile on there face and Annabeth started to feel better.
When she arrived at Percy, he took her hands.
'Hi, Wise Girl. What 'sup.' he whispered.
'What are you doing, Seaweed Brain?' Annabeth asked.
Percy just smiled and went back to his louder voice.
'Annabeth Chase. I, Percy Jackson, wanne ask you something. We've been through a lot togheter. Most moments of our teenages years where fighting against monsters. But I didn't mind. Why? Because I had you. We were the best team I knew. We still are. I would do anything for you. I think I've prove that with falling into Tartarus with you.' the people laughed nerviously,'I would do it again. As long as I am with you. That's the only thing I want. Being togheter with you. So that's why I ask you.. Will you marry me?' he went on his knees and held a ring in front of him.
Annabeth said nothing for 5 seconds. A part of her screamed,'yes yes yes.' but another part said the oposite.
At long last she mumbled something.
'What did you said?' Percy asked her hopefully.
Annabeth swallowed and said, loud enough for everybody to hear it,'No.'
The crowd went total silent.
'What?'Percy asked confused.
Annabeth started crying,'I can't marry you.'
'Where are you talking about?' Percy's faced looked like somebody just told him someone he loved died. Hurt, confused, mad but mostly sad.
Annabeth couldn't stand to see him that way by her words so she turned around and started running. With tears in her eyes she ran away from all her friends. Who were still too dazzed by what just happened. She saw tears in Percy's eyes, which broke her heart, but she knew she did the right thing. A voice in her head told her it was alright and she should keep running.
