You're Not Getting Away From Me

CHAPTER TWENTY: Departing

Percy's POV

I woke up way before sunrise. Yes, I do occasionally wake up before noon. Yes, it's occasionally for reasons other than breakfast. I was up so early because sunrise was when Annabeth and I were supposed to set off on our quest. I wanted to visit the spot where my devious plan of building Annabeth's Dream House was taking place. I've stared at the blueprints for hours and hours, trying to make sense of them. I didn't understand the measurements and details and stuff like that, but I had a clear image of what the house would look like. It had become my Dream House, too. I may have even added a few touches myself. I needed the specifics, though, so I needed to ask the only person who I trusted to do this (besides Annabeth, obviously).

After walking circles around the clearing enough times to make myself dizzy, I finally was satisfied I'd done the best I could alone. I headed off into another part of the woods. I didn't know if they'd be in there, but I had to hope.

I came up to Bunker Nine and knocked on the heavy door. Would they be able to even hear that? Just when I'd stood there long enough to think no one was in there, I was met by a girl in jeans and a white shirt.

"Hey, Percy. What's up?" Calypso asked me. It'd been a little awkward for us when her and Leo first arrived back at camp, but we got over. She'd found Leo and I'd kept Annabeth. No reason to be awkward. We were actually pretty good friends now.

"Hey. I didn't wake you up, did I?"

"No, but I definitely wasn't expecting you to come. Leo and I are just working on a project. Come on in."

I stepped into the workshop and about had my eardrums melted. It was so loud with bangs and machinery sounds that I have no idea how Leo and Calypso aren't deaf.

"Hold on," Calypso yelled at me. Or at least, I figured she yelled at me. I couldn't hear her. She walked behind some machine that I couldn't make sense of. The noises died and she walked back towards me. Leo followed right behind her.

"Morning, Aquaman. Or is night? I have no idea," Leo greeted me.

"Morning, McShizzle. Ok, I have a huge favor to ask you two. But it's also a secret. You can't tell anybody."

The two of them looked at eachother, then back at me. They both shrugged. "Course we'll help you. I'm a little concerned about the secret part though," Leo answered.

"Well, you can tell people when Annabeth and I get back."

If you get back, a voice whispered in my mind.

Stop it, I told myself.

"But for now," I continued, "no one can know." Calypso and Leo both promised not to tell.

"Okay," I took a deep breath. "Annabeth and I are getting married." I barely got to finish my sentence when I was attacked by hugs.

"Ow. Guys, I can't breathe," I complained. But I was smiling broadly and hugging back.

"Sorry," Calypso said, pulling away. "But this is so exciting!"

"Yes!" Leo shouted. "Can I be the flower girl?"

I laughed. "If you wear a frilly dress and bow in your hair."

"Deal!"

"Wait," Calypso interjected. "If you already proposed, why do you need our help. And why did you tell us and no one else?"

"This is why I need you guys." I pulled the blueprints out of my sweatshirt pocket and showed it to them.

"Whoa," Leo breathed. "These are crazy. But awesome. You're telling me you made these?"