Not Quite Mortal • HoO

VI. Savannah Bell

VI. Savannah Bell

After a weekend of driving, in which I drove on the highway for the very first time ever, we arrived in the city of Manhattan. Even though San Francisco was big, it didn't have the same feeling as the new place did.

Since Annabeth had volunteered to help us bring everything into our new apartment, we headed straight there without dropping her off.

"Annabeth, honey, if you ever need someplace to stay," my mother, Maya, tells her when we're mostly done. "You're always welcome with us.

Annabeth Smiles. "Thank you Mrs. Bell, but I'm pretty sure I have my living space all settled out."

My mom nods, but I can see in her face that she doesn't believe that at your boyfriend's place should be your only plan. In most cases, I'd agree with her. It's never bad to have a backup plan.

Sunday evening, Lara, Annabeth, and I sat in the lobby of our new building, waiting for Annabeth's mysterious boyfriend to turn up to take Annabeth home.

Lara was examining her just-painted galaxy nails, Annabeth had her head in a Greek book that I couldn't really read, and I was staring at the two of them, trying to come up with something to say.

I finally decided on: "Is that They Odyssey?" Pointing at Annabeth's book.

"Yeah, how did you know?"

I frowned. I wasn't actually sure. "I guess The Odyssey was just the first Greek book I can think of. And the title looks a bit like it could be those words."

Annabeth still looked a bit confused, but nodded, and we were all pulled into a conversation about what classic or mythical stories we all enjoyed.

We were so wrapped up in conversation, none of us really payed attention when a teen guy started walking towards us, so all of us jumped when he put his arms around Annabeth. I could see Lara reaching for the bronze dagger I knew she had hidden in her belt, and I was about to do the same, when Annabeth smiled and kissed the boy on the cheek.

It was her boyfriend. Of course, why did Lara and I have to be so defensive all the time? Percy was exactly as Annabeth had described, but he managed to look even more handsome in person than in the pictures on Annabeth's phone. We exchanged brief greetings, then Annabeth made sure we had Percy's phone number and address and told us to stop by sometime.

The couple left, leaving Lara bug-eyed. "They look like models or something," she said.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Maya Bell (Savannah's mother)

I watched out of a window of our new apartment as Annabeth and her boyfriend left the building, hand in hand, and chatting exuberantly.

Although it might seem like it, I wasn't completely against them living together. Not yet, anyway. I knew nothing about what they had done together.

My husband, Benjamin, and I had known each other since the age of 10. Both of us basically without parents, although Ben still stayed for the most part at his dad's place, we stuck together. Finding Ben was the best thing that ever happened to me. Finally I had someone who didn't think I was crazy when I told them about the monsters. Who didn't think I was paranoid to carry weapons with me when I could. Together, we were able to stay sane, and protected.

"Would you like some ice cream, mom?" Savannah was offering a dish with vanilla ice cream.

"Thanks," I said, and took it from her. Both Larissa and Savannah got most of their looks from me. Beautiful girls that had dark brown hair, and brown eyes. I, myself, thought I had brown eyes, but had been told by many that they were blue, or green, or some other color.

The younger twins looked more like their dad. They had the same facial features, and blonde hair, although not the grey eyes.

Taking a spoonful of ice cream, I joined my family in the living room, which still lacked some furniture, and was full of more boxes to unpack later.

Lara made her face look very solemn before raising a scoop of ice cream and saying "to our new home!"

We all laughed, and repeated the chant. Little did we know how moving would change our lives in the long run. 

What do you think of Maya?