"Chiron?" I could barely hear Annabeth's faint voice from a few feet away. She was trying to Iris-Message Chiron, though we were encountering some difficulty. I saw Grover praying that this one went through. Clearly, Iris must have heard us for I heard Annabeth's relieved sigh and could almost feel her shoulders relaxing though I couldn't see her. That'd been happening a lot lately. It was weird how I could know someone so well that I could anticipate their movements before they happened. Ugh. I shivered in the warm air.
I watched the entrance to the cave we were hiding in intently. Sentries had been lazily passing by from a distance all day and all night. I just hoped none came close enough to smell us, or worse, see us. A hand on my shoulder spooked me out of my reverie. I literally could almost feel Annabeth trying not to smile behind me. I knew it was she because her touch was different from Grover's. It had a forceful, determined grip with a sense of gentleness. Lately I had been sensing more gentleness whenever I came close enough to touch her. Grover's was mostly frantic and tentative. My mom's touch was warm and loving. I knew these people were my fatal flaw. In these last few months, I had taken to memorizing every detail about those I loved. I could probably tell you who I standing in front of if I was in a dark room with only them.
"Percy?" Annabeth asked.
"Yeah," I responded vaguely, still staring out into the horizon. Annabeth took this as an invitation to sit next to me. I rather enjoyed it. Having spent so much time with Annabeth on life or death missions, I found her presence comforting and secure; like it provided me with safety. She hugged her knees and watched the distance as I did. "What did Chiron say?"
"He's sending in everyone, Percy," she said softly. "I think this is going to be it."
I gulped. "It?"
"The final battle. The big one. Your sixteenth birthday will probably pass in this cave. I think this is where our last stand is going to be," Annabeth stated, more matter-o-factly.
My brilliant, advanced mind whirled through a multitude of thoughts within the next few seconds and Annabeth respected my brain at work. I finally came up with this highly educated answer, "Oh."
Annabeth looked uncomfortable. Usually friends would comfort each other here. But not this time. Let me see why. First, ever since puberty hit, Annabeth and I have been more awkward about "feelings" and being touchy. Second, usually we hung out alone. By ourselves. With no Grover playing reed pipes in the background. Third, though I was probably more in touch with my feminine side and Annabeth more in touch with her masculine, I felt more inclined to stay macho.
Those spill-all car trips like the one a few days ago don't happen often but they do happen. Especially around Annabeth. I must seem like a complete sap and a coward. I had vowed to be manlier and more dependable. But already, I felt obligated to say something. Why was I even thinking this hard? This was Annabeth, for Hades sake! Not some random girl off the street. She should be the easiest person to talk to on the planet. When did I become so self-conscious about what words came out of my mouth next?
Clearly Annabeth didn't have anything to say either and with a sigh, she got up and walked back into the depths of the cave to prepare a measly dinner. Smooth move, Percy, I thought to myself. Standing, I motioned to Grover it was his turn to keep watch. I went to where Annabeth was trying to cook. She looked up.
"You known when I said Chiron was bringing in everyone, I was serious," she said.
"What do you mean by everyone?" I asked warily.
"Everyone Percy," she replied. "Everyone. I told you. This is the final battle. This is where we make a stand, for maybe the last time. Anyone who can help is coming. Rachel, Cyclops, the Gods."
"So when you said everyone, you really meant everyone," I responded dully. She nodded; stirring whatever weird concoction she had in the pot.
"Yep," she said.
"What are you cooking?" I asked a minute later. She glared at me defensively.
"You know what, Percy Jackson, if you think you can cook better than fine. You try," she threw down the handle and sat where I was.
"Feisty," I muttered as I got up. Annabeth watched me interested from across the pot. The "food" bubbled, though I don't think with heat. Smiling, I hatched an idea. "Hey Annabeth."
She turned her head. At that moment, I took a spoonful of the glop and flung it at her hair. It landed with a satisfying plop and I burst into uncontrollable laughter. Annabeth glared at me as she felt her hair. Instead of screeching like other girls, she slowly walked towards where I was standing. Taking a handful of goop, she smeared it right in my face. Before I knew it, we were in a full-fledged food fight if you could call it food.
Laughing, I fell onto the floor, Annabeth beside me. Things weren't so awkward. It was like we were children again. It was just like old times.
