Broken || A Riordan Universe Story

Annabeth POV~ "Yes, You're As Pretty As a Prima Ballerina."

     It's been one day since Gaea was defeated. I thought I'd feel some sort of a big weight being lifted off of my chest. But it was the exact opposite. I feel like this isn't the end, that something terrible is going to happen. As a daughter of Athena I guess it was in my blood to be overly suspicious. I didn't tell the rest of the six yet. Everyone was grieving for all the casualties; including Leo Valdez. I could barely hold onto the concept that our annoyingly funny Latino elf was gone. Phoebe, Naomi, Celyn were just at the beginning of the list of casualties. We got very lucky, since that list didn't stretch for long. I got lucky, I was still alive. Leo would still be alive if it weren't for the cut on my leg. That. Dam. Cut. I was the reason Gaea woke up in the first place. The guilt was eating me up alive. I was broken out of my train of self hatred by my too-good-to-be-true boyfriend Percy Jackson, who just opened the door to my cabin.

     "Hey Wise Girl." Percy said, his smile wasn't reaching his eyes.

     Percy was wearing an orange Camp T-Shirt and jean shorts. His hair was in its regular messy state.

     "Hey Seaweed Brain." I sighed as I got up from my desk chair.

     I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him, he held me in return. I breathed in his scent. It was a smell of home; the smell that I held onto in the depths of hell. I pulled away first, a light smile on my face as I looked into his sea green eyes.

     "Ready to go?" He asked.

     "Yeah." I replied

     He intertwined his fingers with mine as we walked out of my cabin.

     The sun was sitting low in the sky. It was around five o'clock. Percy was taking me to our spot on the beach. Every second of the day I wanted him with me. I needed him. The nightmares and paranoia were never the same with him by my side. He was my other half; my soulmate. I looked over at Percy, taking every detail in, from his jet black hair to his chiseled jaw line. He turned.

     "Liking what you see Wise Girl?" He winked.

      A blush was creeping onto my cheeks as I rolled my eyes.

     "Sure Seaweed Brain, that tree behind you is looking very pretty." I grinned.

     "Am I not pretty enough to look at." Percy said, bringing his hand to his heart mocking hurt.

     "Yes, you're as pretty as a prima ballerina." I laughed.

     "Thank you, thank you very much." He bowed.

     I shook my head as we passed the camp. Most people were just released out of the infirmary. I got out this morning. Every camper was glad to be alive. There were several memorials set up around Camp Half Blood for the campers who were no longer with us. The mood was tense. We were getting an overload of campers ever since we allied with Camp Jupiter. Things were changing around here fast. I missed the old days when it was just Percy, Grover, and me going out on quests together. At the same time I welcomed the change that was coming.

     The beach came into view. Percy ran forward, through the tall Ammophila to a secluded spot near the crystal water. I kicked off my flip flops, and let the sand tickle my toes; all while running after Percy. By the time I pushed through the Ammophila Percy was already knee-deep in the water grinning like a mad man. I sat down on the sand when I felt a spray of water on my hair; making me jump to my feet.

"Holy Hera!" I yelled. I heard Percy's low laugh. "Perseus Jackson!" I growled; putting on my best death glare.

     "Yes, your damp highness." He laughed as he bowed.

     "Oh you'll be sorry." I ran forward into the water.

     "You can't beat a son of Poseidon in his own turf." Percy grinned.

     "Watch me."

     I tackled Percy to the ground. The waves stopped, so that Percy and I were laying on damp sand. I was on top of him. He was hugging my body to his.

     "See." I said breathlessly.

     His eyes lowered their gaze to my lips. I found myself staring at his too. We had the same idea. Percy and I both leaned together at the same time to close the gap between us, until our lips touched.