The Runaway Princess

29. Best Kiss Ever

I woke up this morning to an annoying Susan yelling at me to get my butt out of bed and do my chores. I groaned and pulled my blankets over my head. "GET UP!" Susan ordered tearing the blanket off me. "Fine," I muttered and sat up. I yawn, as I stretch my arms before standing up. "MAKE BREAKFAST!" Susan yells from downstairs. "IM TAKING A SHOWER FIRST!" I yell back and grab some clothes before running to the bathroom.

When I'm done in the shower I throw on some Jean shorts and a loose black tank top, my blonde curls up in a messy bun. I run down to the kitchen and start grabbing all the ingredients I need to make pancakes.
I've just set the plates on the table when my phone beeps, indicating I got a text. It's probably just Hazel or Piper, I think but check it anyways. I look at the screen and notice that the message was from neither Hazel nor Piper, but from Percy. Excitement and curiosity flood my veins as I read the message.

Hey Annie, want to meet me at Central Park at say 2?

A smile spreads across my face as my fingers fly across the keyboard.

Yes.

A moment later my phone beeps again.

Perfect 😄

I laugh and roll my eyes at the smiley face, excited for the moment when 2 o'clock is present and I'm sitting with a perfect raven haired boy in Central Park.
                         ~
2:00 could not come any slower, and in process it seemed Susan deemed to make my life living hell. So far I had scrubbed the bathroom...twice, cleaned the kitchen, organized the boys rooms, bathed the cat, vacuumed the living room, washed the dishes, dusted everything, cleaned the laundry...twice, and scrubbed all the windows at least 4 times each.
I'd just finished the last window for the fourth time when I finally took a moment to breath. I sighed took a break my fingers aching. "ANNABETH!" I groaned at the sound of my name, and watched my two brothers climb the stairs. "Can you make us lunch?"
I let out another sigh.
"Mom says you had to or else there'll be consequences."
"Fine," I grumbled.
"Okay, well we want spaghetti," Bobby said matter of factly. Matthew nodded. I grumbled but stood up started towards the kitchen.

Everything was running smoothly until the pot of boiling water over flowed. "Crap!" I yelled and dashed over to turn down the stove. Unfortunately, the stupid cat chose that exact moment to walk right under my feet, causing me to trip. My hand hit the pot handle, causing the pot to tip and pour the boiling hot water all over my hands. I gasped at the sharp pain and immediately pulled my hands back. Tears pooled in my eyes and I walked towards the sink, throwing my hands under the icy water. I grimaced and look over at the stove, water ran down the front of the stove, and the pot lay on its side. Thank god I hadn't put the noodles in yet, otherwise they'd be everywhere. "I'd better mop this up before Susan sees," I mumble and turn off the tap. Almost immediately my hands start to burn again, but I ignore the pain and grab a cloth. "WHAT IS THIS?!" A voice yelled and I grimaced. There, standing in the archway was a very ticked off Susan. "YOU STUPID GIRL! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOURE DOING?! THE KITCHEN IS A DISASTER, THERES WATER EVERYWHERE! CLEAN IT UP NOW! I WANT THIS WHOLE ROOM SPOTLESS!" I felt my whole body swell with fury. "It was your stupid cat," I muttered. "Excuse me? If you want to mouth back you can clean the entire house. Or even better you can clean the house and the yard. You're such a disgrace to your father," Susan snapped. I wanted to say something but I kept my mouth shut. I watched as she strutted away. The moment she left all the pain returned. Tears fell down my cheeks as I mopped up the kitchen my hands swollen and red. However, by the time I was finished, and tucked safely in my room with an ice pack on my hands, it was 2:00. I sighed and grabbed my keys. I was going to visit Percy no matter what Susan said. My hands stung but I ignored them. Susan demanded to know where I was going but I ignored her. I just hopped in my car and drove down Central Park, longing to have Percy's strong arms wrapped around me.

I texted Percy when I arrived and he said to meet him at the fountain. And sure enough, when I walked up to the fountain there he was. Khaki shorts, button down shirt over a dark gray t-shirt, hair messed as though he'd just taken a walk on the beach, and his eyes soft and as green as the sea. However the moment I walked up his expression shifted from cheery to worried. "Are you okay?" He asked, his voice tender with concern, his eyes on my burned hands. I shook my head. He frowned and wrapped his arms around me and that was it. That was the final straw. In the safety of his arms I broke down. I wept silently into his shirt, feeling more and more empty.
When my tears finally stopped I pulled away from him and rubbed my eyes, embarrassed. Gently, Percy took my hands. Even though his touch was soft, pain shot through my hands and I flinched. "What happened?" He asked, his voice laced with worry. I took a deep breath before explaining. "Your step mom is a jerk," he says when I finish talking. I let out a small laugh. Percy smiles. "You're amazing, you know that?" He asks. I shrug slightly. "So I've been told," I joke and he laughs. "No but seriously, you've been through so much, the death of your father, dealt with jerks like Stephanie at school, your step mom treats you like a crap, and yet you still manage to be a level headed straight A student with a smile on her face," he exclaims, waving his hands around as he talks. A smile spread across my face at his kind words. "Not to mention that you're breathtakingly pretty." I feel my face heat up at that. But it wasn't just embarrassment that filled me, it was courage. And with that courage, I stood up on my tiptoes, wrapped my arms around his neck, and pressed my lips gently to his. After a moment we pulled away, but Percy must have noticed the dreamy look on my face, because he kissed me once more, and I've got to say it was by far the best kiss ever.

A/N: SECOND LAST CHAPTER!!!!!!