The End of Me

I can do this.

The 2 weeks that we had together went by faster than I liked, I didn't want it to end but I knew it had to. I couldn't do anything about it, it is "the will of the gods ", at least that's what Chiron said. The weight of this was just like holding up the world on my shoulders once again. I can now understand the pain and suffering Atlas endures, the only difference is that mine was shattering.

I looked over at Annabeth as we anxiously held each others hands while we waited for our parents to pick us up, I scanned her hair for that white streak we both had gotten together but it was nowhere in sight. My heart was in my throat. I can't believe that after all these years, after everything we've been through,our time together has come to an end. Annabeth must have felt my eyes on her when she turned to me and gave me a small smile.

"Hey. You okay?"

"Yeah." It came out of my lips as a whisper with the fear of the lump in my throat getting the best of me. Annabeth looked at me with her soft, grey eyes; even though they were sad I still saw the best of me in them.

"Perc-" she opened her mouth but was cut off by a loud honk that came from a green suv, her father got off the car and walked towards us. My grip on Annabeth's hand tightened as he came closer and closer, to take her away from me.

"Annabeth, sweetheart!" He said as he gave her a hug, I was forced to let go of her hand. As he parted away from her he put his arms on her shoulders and gave them a squeeze "my, look how much you have grown."

Annabeth forced a laugh and reached for my hand "Haha hey, dad-" her father's arms fell away from her once he saw our fingers intertwined.

"Percy Jackson. How do you do, son?" He gave me a stern look masked with a smile as he held out his hand before me to shake.

"I'm alright, sir. How about yourself?" I replied with my brave face on. I am not afraid of him but of what else he might take away me; he's already ripping the better half of me away.

"Good, good. I am doing great, thanks for asking.We're all excited for the big move and happy to have Annabeth back home." He looked over at her and clasped his hands together "well, we should get going. We've got to make some final arrangements before we hop on a plane and head to Miami."

"Oh, yes definitely. But before we go, do you mind taking my bags to the car while I say goodbye?" She asked.

"Sure, pumpkin. Don't take too long."He smiled as he strung her backpack on his shoulder.

"I won't. Thanks, dad." She nodded at him as she handed him the handle to her suitcase.

"Okay, your brothers and stepmother are all excited to see you." He smiled as he turned to walk away. He was 3 steps away when he turned back to look at me with a sad look, "It was nice seeing you again, Percy. Take care."

I nodded at him with a smile and waved as he turned back towards his car. I couldn't risk having the whole camp witness me have a breakdown. My hand fell away to my side as I turned to my girlfriend.

"Annabe-" she cut me off by wrapping her arms around my neck and placing a salty, tear soaked kiss on my lips.

"Words are not going to do any good right now, Percy. I already know how much you love me, you've told me countless times." She smiled as she wiped the tears from my cheek, I didn't even know I was crying. I looked down at her and placed a strand of her soft hair behind her ear, I did this slowly because I knew this would be the last until we meet again.

"Don't.Leave." I croaked out as she burst out in tears and buried me in her hair as she hugged me so tight. This was the last I was going to have from her, I prayed for it to last forever.

"You know I can't do that." She whispered. We were just pulling away from the hug when her dad honked the car horn at us to hurry it up. "I have to go now,"She blinked away the tears that were left and sniffled "Oh my gods."

"Iris Message me,Send me letters, promise you'll visit; please." The words came rushing out my mouth in a state of panic, the moment was finally here, she was really leaving me.

"Yes I promise," she nodded and turned back to the car and gave a thumbs up to signal she was on her way. Once her eyes were back on me she smiled and took my hands into hers "I love you, Perseus Jackson."

"I love you, Annabeth Chase." The words rolled off my tongue before we had our last kiss. We were pressured because her family was watching impatiently but it was bittersweet none the less. I felt her warmth leave my hands, lips and heart as she pulled away.

"Bye, seaweed brain." She managed a small laugh through the tears staining her face. The small, hopeful smile I wore slowly slipped away as she turned and walked away from me to her parents' car. Everything was in slow motion to me at this point. Annabeth waving goodbye,the commotion, the cars, the sea of bodies that swarmed around me.

I don't know how long I stood there frozen when my mom stood before me, snapping me out of my trance. "Percy? Honey, are you okay?" She asked with a voice full of concern. I looked up at her and couldn't help but smile, I've missed my mom.

"Yeah, I'm better now," I nodded at her "hey mom." The worry line on her forehead disappeared as she broke into a big, shiny smile as she enveloped me in a bear hug.

"Hey,you! Ooooo I've missed you so much, Percy." She laughed as I gave her a tight squeeze, matching her strength in the embrace. She pulled away from the hug and caressed my cheek "look at you, you're such a handsome young man. Let me tell you, Annabeth is one lucky girl- oh speaking of Annabeth, where is she?" My mom looked around in the crowd in search of that familiar head of blonde hair. "Did she leave already?" She turned back at me.

"Yeah..she left already." I answered softly, my mother's eyes softened as she saw the sadness in mine.

"Oh,Percy. I'm so sorry, honey." She placed her hand over her heart. I quickly blinked away the tears, I don't want to go through this again.

"It's fine,Where's Paul?" I quickly changed the subject. My mother gave me an understanding look and a small smile.

"Paul's at home waiting for us. We should get going now, dinner is going to get cold." She said as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder, I picked up my duffle bag up off the floor and started towards the car with my mom "oh, I forgot to mention," she unlocked the doors of the car "we have a surprise for you."

I opened the passenger side door and got in "oh yeah? What is it?" I asked as I threw my bag in the backseat. I already had a clue as to what it could be but curiosity got the best of me.

"Mmm you'll see." My mom replied as we got in and she turned the car engine on.

"Is it blue?" I guessed and looked over at her with a smile.

She laughed and changed gears to reverse. "You know it!" I couldn't help but chuckle and roll my eyes playfully, of course it's blue.

As we drove along the interstate, I looked out the window;thinking about Annabeth and how unbearable this seems to be. But with the sun shinning through the clouds and my mom singing along to "This is War" by Thirty Seconds to Mars, I had this feeling of hope and thought that maybe, just maybe, I can do this.