Percy and Annabeth-Their future

College Girl

 "I can't believe she's actually doing it," Percy said, sipping his coffee gingerly. I nodded.

"I know. It seems like such a huge jump for her." 

Outside, Sophia was loading all her stuff into the car. We were planning on flying with her to Stanford, but she didn't want to make it any harder than it already was. 

"Logan will help me," She promised on his behalf. "And I'll FaceTime you the minute I get to my dorm." 

It still didn't really seem- real. How could Sophia be going to college when just yesterday she was going to her first day of preschool? 

Taylor and Lena had begged to go with her on the flight- they'd gotten so close over the summer, and to have her leave without knowing when we'd see her in person next was weird for all of us.

But she was 18. Lena and Rion were already 15. Tay and Luke were 13. All of them, all grown up.

Rion and Logan struggled to fit Sophia's suitcases in the car; there were a lot of them, and our car was no truck. Eventually, they used Luke to push them all in, and Luke was laughing like crazy. He and Ri still seemed like such babies to me. It was weird to think that soon, they'd have their own kids. 

That was another thing I was worried about- as much as I loved Paige, if Sophia did that to me, holy Hades would she get it. She promised not to come back with a baby until after she was married, and she promised not to get married while she was in college. 

"Mom," she had moaned, "You don't have to lecture me on this stuff- I would never do any of that! Drugs? Pregnant? Married? Gods, you're so overprotective." Underneath, I knew she got it- I needed to know that she was responsible enough to handle this huge leap forward from child to adult. 

                                                                                        ~~~

"All ready?" Percy asked. Logan and Sophia squished into the backseat so that Percy and I could properly escort them to the airport.

"I think so," Sophia nodded slowly, reaching for Logan's hand. Her knee was shaking with nervous energy. I turned around and gave her an encouraging smile; she could do this. I knew she could. 

I could see the soubt hidden behind her confident eyes, the shroud that covered the truth: she was scared out of her mind. But this had all been her plan, it was exactly what she wanted. I just hope it really was what she wanted. 

The drive to the airport was easy but quiet. Well, Logan and Percy and I chattered a little, but Sophia's mouth was zipped shut the enitre time, other than the short 'Yes' or 'No' answers we got from her a few times.

"It'll be great to be in California- the weather's so nice. Don't you think, Sophia?"

"Yeah."

"I hear there's amazing shopping nearby. That should be fun, right Sophie?" 

"Uh huh."

"Are you excited?"

"Sure." 

I felt bad for her. But I knew anything I said would just make it worse. She had to get through it on her on, and she knew that. 

We finally arrived, and tears welled up in Sophia's eyes. 

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Percy asked as he lifted her bags out of the car and lugged them to the desk. She sniffled, but nodded. "And you're sure you don't want us to come? I can get us tickets if you-"

"No, Dad, I need to do this." Percy just looked at her, wrapping her in a bear hug. 

"I love you, Sophia Jackson," He smiled, kissing her head. "And be sure to call when you land, okay? Promise?" 

"I promise." Then it was my turn to say good bye. I watched Percy clap Logan on the back before Sophia dove into my arms. 

"Love you, Sophia," I said. "You'll be amazing at Stanford. And you can call whenever you want- I'll answer. I promise. 

"Thanks, Mom." She said through her tears. Then she took her bag and Logan's hand and entered the airport. Percy and I held our breath, waiting for her to come rushing back out, saying that she couldn't do it. She didn't come back. 

"Gods," Percy said once we were driving. "She's actually doing it."

"I know," I shook my head, still  unbelieving. It really didn't seem true. How could she already be a college girl?

"I just hope she and Logan stay together; they're perfect for each other. He's going to help her a lot while she's away. At least we know she's in good hands." Percy had actually grown to really admire Logan. The kid had been through the ringer a time or two, first with his sister, and then his mom, and Gaea throughout. 

"He'll take care of her," I sighed. 

When we got home, Lena and Taylor were making consolatino brownies for themselves, and Rion and Luke were elsewhere. 

"I think they're playing video games downstairs," Taylor said. She was looking more and more grown up by the day. 

Lena sighed. "It's weird not having Sophia to help us lick the bowl," 

"Or to help us eat the product of our chemistry," Taylor said, taking a lick of chocolate from a spoon. 

"How did she take it?" Lena asked. Her brown hair had developed a slight curl to it at the ends, and she was pretty happy about it- it became her favorite thing to ask Sophia about. 

"Pretty well," Percy nodded, tasting some of the raw brownie mix. "She only cried for a moment or two."

"She cried?!" Taylor cried. "Aww, I feel bad. Lena, we should've gone."

"No, that would've made it worse. Then it would be a bigger, more elaborate goodbye, and if we started crying-"

"Yeah, you're right, that would be bad." 

Sophia called us at 11 o'clock to say that her plane had landed. It was only 9 o'clock there, so she and Logan were going out to dinner in San Francisco and then heading to their hotel. 

"I really miss you guys!" Sophia said. 

"Don't worry, sweetie," I smiled. "We miss you too."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Oh my gods, guys: SOPHIA WENT TO COLLEGE! To be honest, I'm kinda sad that they're already all grown up. Like, geez, can you guys slow down? It's like they're my own kids, haha.

I saw Mockingjay Pt. 1 today, and oh my goodness was it good! A bunch of my friends didn't like it, but I don't know why- I loved it!

I'm babysitting my brothers tonight while my parents go to a Christmas party, so maybe I can pull out another update! Cross your fingers!

I also want to congratulate one of my best friends, @claryandjaceforever on 29k reads! That's a huge accomplishment, and I'm so proud of you! Can't wait to see you so I can give you a huge hug!!! You've received 488 votes in total, and you've only been a member of Wattpad since May 17th, 2014, but people love your writing, me included, and they're going to keep loving it! XOXOXO

QUESTION OF THE CHAPTER: Where do you see the other kids going to college?

XO

~PercyAnnabeth20owl