The Stories of Our Heroes

Milk and Popcorn

Annabeth's POV

"If he pulls that one more time I going to tell him to take those blueprints and shove them up his-"

Mew.

I momentarily stopped my grumbling about my architecture firm employee when I heard... what was that?

Mew.

I pulled out my dagger. How could a monster get into the heart of New Rome? I quickly took in my surroundings. I mean sure, if I got attacked right now Percy would never let me live it down. I was walking through the alley that was a direct shortcut to our apartment, even though he always told me not to go this way. He worries way too much. So, brick wall to my left. Brick wall to my right. No monster behind me, towards the main street. No monster backed up in the alley, towards the apartment. So where was it?

"Alright, buddy," I growled. "I've had a long day, so just make it easy on yourself and come out right - oh!"

Something brushed against my leg. Something fuzzy and small.

Mew.

Oh gods, a kitten. A really, really cute kitten.

"Well, hello there." I knelt down and held out my hand. It hesitantly rubbed its head against my knuckles. I scratched behind its ears and it started purring.

"Aw, you're just too sweet," I muttered. I stood up and looked around. There weren't any people living right around here but that didn't mean it hadn't wandered. I certainly couldn't just leave it.

"C'mere baby, do you want to come with me? C'mon, we'll get you something to drink and eat..." I continued to talk to the kitten as I scooped it up. It didn't protest. Instead, it crawled to sit on my shoulder. I felt my throat close up.

"Just like Small Bob," I whispered. The kitten just purred in response.

By time I was opening the door of the apartment, I was already in love with the adorable little thing. She rode on my shoulder the whole way home, pawing at my face and chewing on my hair.

"Alright here's the plan," I told my kitten. "We're going in there, and I'm plopping you on Percy's lap and you're just going to act all cute so he has no choice but to love you. I think he's usually a dog person, but he'll make an exception, I'm sure of it." I stepped inside, and the kitten was silent.

"Hey, Wise Girl," my boyfriend called, his voice coming from the bathroom. He was rummaging through the cabinet, not looking at me. "Do we have anymore dental floss? I can't find any."

"Since when do you floss?" I asked, still keeping hold of my surprise.

"Since I ate popcorn a few minutes ago."

"Well, I don't know. I'll help you look." I walked into the bathroom and casually set the kitten on the counter.

Mew.

"What the Hades?" Percy muttered, standing up.

"Okay, I know we don't really need a pet and she might belong to somebody but I found her, well actually she found me, and she's just so cute and sweet and I love her and we have to keep her and she looks just like-"

"Just like Small Bob," he finished for me. Then the kitten just leaped right onto Percy's chest, no fear. He caught her and chuckled.

"Aw," I cooed. "And she really likes you. Can we keep her? Please? I'm not backing down."

"Yeah, yeah, I can't say no to those two faces." He tapped his index finger to the kitten's nose and then to mine.

Percy will say I squealed, but he can't prove that. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Alright, kitten needs milk and I need popcorn," I exclaimed, dragging my two favorite things into the kitchen. Percy laughed and the kitten mewed, curled up on Percy's collarbone. I had forgotten all about my bad day.