The Events of Olympus Resort | A Percy Jackson Fanfiction

Chapter 16

Percy POV

I've never seen Olympus beach as crowded as it is tonight. All down the beach, bonfires light up the strip with groups of people huddled around each one. There are tents out and picnic blankets, and it's unbelievably warm considering how late it is, so everybody is dressed in shorts and loose tops.

Even if there weren't mini American flags and red, white, and blue plastic cups everywhere, I'd still be able to tell it was the Fourth of July simply because of the smell. Nothing says July fourth like the smell of barbecue. I try not to let the smell make me hungry.

As I begin making my way towards the water, I have to walk through all these groups of people, and I've got to say it kind of makes me feel like a loser to be walking alone. All around me I'm surrounded by happy couples, all with their arms wrapped around each other and smiles on their faces, and it certainly doesn't help that I'm going to be meeting up with Thalia and Jason, both of whom have dates tonight.

Everyone else in our group has already been here for about an hour. Unfortunately, I got caught up at this little thing called my job, so I'm running a wee bit late.

I keep my eyes peeled for my group as I walk along the beach, and when I finally spot them, I immediately feel my heart leap in my chest.

I had no idea that Annabeth was going to be with us.

I mean, I should've been able to infer it on my own because of how close Thalia and Annabeth were getting, but for whatever reason, it just didn't even cross my mind that she would be here tonight.

Annabeth is facing the water, her long ponytail swaying as she talks to Thalia. She wears a giant grey t-shirt that is so big, it almost completely covers her shorts.

I quickly start straightening out my shirt and attempting to brush out my hair with my hands before realizing it's a lost cause. Here goes nothing.

I've barely taken two steps in their direction, however, when Thalia notices me.

"Percy!" She shouts, waving me over. She gets a couple of glares from surrounding groups, but if there's one thing Thalia Grace cares absolutely nothing about, it's what other people think of her. "We saved you some Takis!"

I smile, shaking my head.

On the blanket, Thalia sits on Annabeth's right with Luke on her other side while Piper sits on Annabeth's left, Jason bringing up the outside.

"Hey guys," I say as I walk up. Everyone gives me a wave.

"Here man," Jason says, patting the space by his side.

I move to go sit next to him, when all of a sudden, Thalia shrieks, "No!" And practically dives over Luke to get to the outside of the blanket. We all look at her like she's crazy.

"Thalia what--" I start.

Once she finally gets into a sitting position again, she shrugs, trying to pass off as casual. "There's barely any room left on the blanket on that side," she says pointing to the spot next to Jason. "Just sit there." She motions to her old spot between Luke and Annabeth. Luke rubs the a spot on his arm where Thalia had just kneed him in her attempt to climb over him.

My cheeks go hot at the idea of sitting next to Annabeth, but I know that if I try to get out of it, it will look like I don't want to sit next to her. And trust me, that was definitely not the case. I notice Annabeth shaking her head at Thalia with a disapproving smirk, but I don't have enough time to try and psychoanalyze what it means because I'm too busy blushing.

I sit down. "Hey."

Annabeth shoots me smile. "Hey seaweed brain."

I shake my head with a grin. Then, with a glance over at her smug expression, I can tell that Annabeth is pleased with herself for making me smile, so I lightly elbow her in the ribs to knock her ego down a few notches, which makes her burst into laughter.