Annabeth Chase and the Last Olympian

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

My anger dissolved the second I stepped into the strawberry fields. I found myself instantly regretting the harsh words I had said to Percy. What had I been thinking, calling him a coward? If anyone was the coward, it was me. The one who couldn't even tell a guy she liked him.  Not Percy, who was risking his life for the fate of the entire world. Maybe Silena was right. Maybe I was letting my jealousy of Rachel show too much.  

I waved hello to the group of Dionysus and Demeter kids tending to the strawberry plants. They wore large floppy caps to protect their skin from the sun, and sunscreen tipped their freckle covered noses. They waved back with happy smiles. They never seemed to mind visitors, and I was grateful for that. The strawberry fields had a calming effect on me, and I was known to come here often to relax.  

I stepped into the cool shade of one of the tool sheds and allowed myself to release any composure holding me back from crying. I breathed steadily and let the tears slip away like my anger. The sweet smell of grass and strawberries mixed with the stench of rotting wood and sweat had a dizzying effect. I shut my eyes tight and my conversation with Percy replayed in my head.  

"You're a coward, Percy Jackson!" His eyes were wide, his lips parted.

The worst thing was that the look on his face wasn't anger. It was surprise, pure bewilderment. If he had at least shot back with some lame comeback, then maybe my heart wouldn't be as heavy.  

I decided to take a proper approach to the problem.  

Why are you crying? I asked myself.

Because I called Percy a coward when he didn't deserve it.  

Why did you call him a coward?  

Because you were jealous of him and Rachel.  

Why are you jealous?

Because I'm in love with the idiot.

What are you going to do?  

I'll try not to care as much with Rachel. She's just a stupid mortal girl anyway. There is no way that she... and Percy...  

I wiped my eyes. I was definitely not apologizing to Percy. It was partly his fault anyway. I tightened my ponytail and wiped my cheeks. I was just about to leave my "chamber of weakness" when the door opened.  

"Beth?" 

A fresh wave of tears rushed to my eyes at the sound of Charlie's voice. I rushed into her arms and she held me protectively in a sweet smelling cloud of her perfume, Chanel No. 19. She gently pushed me back and wiped away my hot tears. "Let's sit," she said, pointing at the empty wooden crates beside us.  

Once we were comfortable, she asked the question that I was dreading the most. "What's wrong?" 

I shook my head. "How did you even find me?" 

She narrowed her eyes. "I asked first." 

I sighed. "Fine." I went on and explained what had happened between me and Percy. When I finished, she nodded understandingly. "I thought that it might've been boy trouble," she said.  

I didn't like the way she said that, all smug-like. "What's that supposed to mean?" 

She smirked. "Come on, Beth. I know you have a little something for the son of Poseidon. 

I felt my cheeks grow warm. "How did you find me anyway?" I asked, trying my hardest to change the subject.  

She laughed. "You're not the only one who can use the video shield to her benefit, Beth!" She winked. I felt my pits warm up and caught a whiff of my strawberry scented deodorant. How did she know?