The Runaway Princess

15. Any Ideas Study Buddy?

The was only one way to describe Percy's home; cozy. It was just a typical New York townhouse, but even on the outside it felt welcoming.
A decorative holly and cranberry wreath hung on the dark brown front door. The mat in front of the door was worn and wet from the rain but I could still tell that it read "Welcome" in a elegant cursive. And that was only the outside.

Percy smiled kindly as he opened the door to let me in. The first thing that hit me was the smell. A wonderful smell drifted from what I'm guessing was the kitchen. "Wow," I said quietly as I stepped aside to let Percy in. From where I stood by the front door I could see a quaint living room with a large couch and a TV hanging above the electric fireplace. The fireplace mantel was covered in framed family photos. Silently I hung my coat on the coat rack next to the door and slipped off my boots.

I walked slowly towards the fireplace, studying the photos carefully. Everyone in then looked so happy. My heart ached as I went from photo to photo. I longed to have a family like that, however my family was meant to be broken. When I was only two years old my mother left, leaving my father to raise my on his own. He then remarried to my wicked stepmother when I was about 5. Then Bobby and Matthew were born and it seemed as though my family had forgotten I existed. Finally came the accident that took my dad's life when I was 9 years old.

"Are you okay?" I heard Percy ask behind me and I quickly wiped away the tears that were threatening to spill. "Yeah I'm okay," I reply with as steady of a voice as I could muster. "Here let me show you around," he offered and I could tell that he was tying to cheer me up to I agreed.

Percy smiled and led me down the hall to the kitchen/dining room. A middle aged women around my height, stood by the oven baking what I'm guessing from the scent were cookies. "Hello dear, you must be Annabeth. I'm Sally Percy's mother," she introduced herself then proceeded to hug me tightly. Sally had long curly brown hair with a strand of grey here and there. Around her soft brown eyes were laugh lines. I smiled greeted her warmly. Percy hugged his mother, looking slightly embarrassed and suggested that he show me to upstairs.

The upstairs consisted of a bathroom and two bedrooms. "And this," Percy said pushing open the door on the end of the hall, "is my room." I nodded as I looked around the room. The walls were painted a sea blue and the floors were a dark espresso brown colour. A full bed was pushed against one wall and there was a small desk on the opposite one. Mounted on the wall facing the bed was a large flat screen 32' inch TV. A few sports posters hung on the walls along with a couple family photos, giving the room a good effect. But what shocked me the most is that it was clean. Not to offend anyone, but you don't normally walk into a teenagers room expecting it to be clean...trust me I know.
"It...it's clean," I blurt out. "I'm sor-" I start to apologize for my rude outburst but Percy cuts me off rather quickly. "It's fine. My mom cleaned my room earlier today so that it would be clean for when you came over...." He paused for moment before adding, "it's not normally this clean." I nod. I'll have to remember to thank Sally for everything before I leave.

"Okay so, history project," I say and start to pull my books out of my school bag. Percy nods and grabs his books. "Any ideas study buddy?" I ask with a smirk. Percy laughs. "We could do a short play," he suggests with a shrug. The idea rolls through my head. "That could actually work!" I say, mind mind already starting to go over several possible layouts. "We could base it off a Greek myth," I suggest and Percy smiles.
I feel the excitement course through me as I pull out my laptop and start to look up Greek myths. This is might actually be fun......
                          ~
We're about halfway through our script when I check the time. "Oh shoot!" I exclaim. "What's is it?" Percy asks, his expression concerned. "I've got to go," I say. "I'll drive you," Percy offers and I give him a grateful smile.

The drive home is silent. But not an uncomfortable silence, but a peaceful one. As if time is standing still. I lean my head on my hand and look out the window, as the sun dances on my skin. It gotten so warm out. Not quite spring, but getting there.
When we reach my house I unbuckle my seat belt and turn to face Percy. "Thank you," I say with a smile. "For what?" He asks, eyebrows raised. "The ride home, inviting me to your house....everything really." Percy smiles a boyish smile. "Well in that case, you're very welcome." I smile back before jumping out of the truck and walking up to my front door. I open the door and head inside. Once I've close the door, I race up to the living room window and wave goodbye to Percy. He smiles and waves back before driving away. I lean my head against the window, a small smile on my lips. Outside, small patches on snow and slush are here and there, but the rain melted most of it. Every once in a while drops will fall from the roof and hit the window sill. It's still cold, as it's only the beginning of February. I shiver slightly and pull my sweater over my hands for warmth.
Cold, I decide to go make a tea to warm me up. However when I go to get the milk out of the fridge I notice a note taped to the door.
It read,
Annabeth,
The boys and I get home around around seven, here's your list of chores. If they're not done by the time we get home then there'll be another much larger list of work for the week, understand? Oh and no dinner for the next week either, GET TO WORK!
Underneath that was a list of chores that read,
- Do dishes
- Make beds
- Scrub floors
- Dust
- Vaccum carpet
- Do laundry
- Scrub windows
- Clean boys rooms
- Scrub bathtub
- Put away laundry
- Clean Kitchen

I sigh and glance at the clock. The times says 5:45....okay well now I just have to do about a full days worth of cleaning in just over an hour. Time to get to work.........

A/N: Hello...thanks for reading my book! I really hope you're enjoying it! So yeah just um enjoy!