Annabeth sat a little ways away from the cave. The rocks hurt her back but she didn't mind. Sniffling, she brushed away the salty water that had formed around her eyes. The sun was setting in the distance and the army began to stretch out across the plain. It would not be long now before Kronos noticed. It wouldn't be long before the fight began. It wouldn't be long until Percy had to face his destiny.
"Annabeth?" a voice asked. Annabeth rolled her eyes and positioned her body so that her back was to the voice.
"What do you want?" Annabeth asked back. Her hair had been pulled out of her ever-constant ponytail. It hung scraggly down her back. She knew it must have been greasy and dirty. Suddenly, Annabeth felt self conscious about it. The little rich girl behind her had probably taken a warm bath before getting here. Her hair was beautiful and shiny. No wonder Percy preferred her.
"I would like to talk with you, if that's okay," Rachel ventured, her voice full of warmth and friendliness.
"No its not okay," Annabeth responded back. She even snorted with laughter. Did she really imagine it was okay? She couldn't be that dumb.
"Well I'm going to anyways," Rachel declared, her voice loosing a little of the friendliness. Annabeth felt inclined to pull her dagger on her now. It wasn't like she was doing any good. Rachel sat down next to Annabeth on the rocks and squirmed uncomfortably.
They sat in silence. Rachel remained still while Annabeth fidgeted. Just another way Rachel was more "perfect" than her. Rachel didn't know anything about what it took to be a demigod. She had no idea of what they all had to go through. And now she includes herself in everything, trying to seem like she belongs when she doesn't! She doesn't belong at all!
"It's a beautiful sunset," Rachel commented, her voice confident. Annabeth snorted.
"I have more important things on my mind than the sunset," Annabeth snapped.
Rachel continued as if Annabeth hadn't said a word. "You know, Annabeth," Rachel commented. "We've never really gotten the chance to talk one on one ever."
"Hmmm, I wonder why," Annabeth mused sarcastically. Maybe because I don't like you, Annabeth thought to herself.
"I know you don't like me," Rachel said, not so kind herself now. "But you need to know that I want to befriend you."
"That makes one of us," Annabeth muttered.
Rachel sighed, annoyed. Annabeth smirked, turning her head down so that her hair covered her face. "I know what you've been through-" Rachel started.
"I'm going to stop you right there," Annabeth said, looking at her directly in the eyes. Rachel stared back defiantly. The sun hit her skin and Rachel hair lit up like a fire, making her glow radiantly. She was pretty, Annabeth admitted to herself. "You have NO idea of what I've been through," Annabeth told her. "Absolutely none. There is not one person on this earth that fully knows what I've been through."
Rachel POV
The sun stretched its final rays across the valley and Annabeth's blond hair became so brilliant that it became almost difficult to look at. For the first time, Annabeth turned to look at Rachel directly and a thrill went through her. Annabeth could be dangerous if she wanted and had a lot more experience at fighting than Rachel could ever dream of. She knew this game was going to be tricky but until Rachel talked to her fully, Annabeth would never see Rachel as more than a rival.
Rachel was an extremely perceptive person and people came to be a hobby for her. She loved watching people. She would decipher their motives and actions easily. It was as if she saw straight through people and the shields they put up to protect themselves. She could tell that Annabeth had more shields up than most people Rachel had ever encountered. However, Rachel could tell that there was something not right with Annabeth's mood. She was not usually like this. Rachel wished she could see her through Percy's eyes. She could let her guard down around him. That was a sight Rachel wanted to see with her own eyes. Maybe Annabeth could seem a little more human to her then.
