The Events of Olympus Resort | A Percy Jackson Fanfiction

Chapter 26

Annabeth POV

"Percy, I'm not doing it," I say, crossing my arms defiantly.

He narrows his eyes at me. "Wanna bet?"

On the lawn behind him, hoards of people walk by, all snapping pictures with their cameras and stuffing things into their fanny packs.

"Oh, I'm sure," I say.

Percy and I are on the front lawn of the Griffith Observatory, surrounded by dozens of other people, all taking pictures of the brilliant view of Los Angeles. I've been wanting to come here forever, and I was unbelievably happy when Percy offered to come with me.

Right now we're standing a little bit aways from the front entrance, and I'm itching to get in––but of course, Percy, being the goofball he is, wanted me to take a picture of him in front of the Hollywood sign first. In it, he's doing the super cheesy touristy thing where you hold up your hand so that, when shot at the correct angle, it looks like you're holding the landmark. His photo turned out great (of course it did, I'm an excellent photographer––it has nothing to do with him being inhumanly attractive), but now he wants me to take a photo too, and I'm not having it.

"It's cheesy and I wouldn't be caught dead doing it," I tell him with a laugh.

Percy raises an eyebrow at me. "Oh yeah?"

I nod my head, keeping my arms crossed. "Absolutely."

Just then, he smirks and lunges at me, wrapping me up in a bear hug.

I shriek, laughing. "Percy let go of me!"

But he's relentless. He wrestles my hands down to my sides, and I'm laughing like a crazy person. Percy is grinning ear to ear, and once he has my arms pinned to my sides, he slips his phone out of his pocket and flips the camera so that it's facing us.

"Percy no!" I say, laughing so hard I'm almost crying.

He lifts the phone up even higher. "Smile!" he says, and then opens his mouth with his head facing the side so that it looks like he's eating the Hollywood sign. And somehow, despite my struggling against him, he pulls it off.

Percy lifts his hand to block the glare so that he can admire the photo.

I just shake my head at him. "Jerk."

Percy looks up at me, grinning. "I can live with that insult because I'm pretty sure that this is my favorite photo ever." He waves his phone for emphasis, and I laugh, taking his free hand in my own.

We make our way up to the observatory, and the moment we step through the doors, I can't help but beam. A giant pendulum swings slowly inside of an observation circle, and above it, the ceiling is covered in beautiful art. It reminds me of an ancient art museum, despite the fact that the observatory is a planetarium that was built in the 1930's. I tell Percy this, and he smiles down at me with admiration.

"You're adorable," he says, kissing my cheek. It makes my stomach do summersaults.

The observatory is so much more impressive on the inside than I thought it would be. Most science museums are decked out with modern architecture––white beams and glass windows, but the observatory is riddled with these beautiful corinthian columns and victorian artistry. It makes me want to jump for joy. Science and history in a beautifully crafted building! Who could ask for more?

We pass by an exhibit that is demonstrating the tendencies of electricity. It's this spherical conductor that throws these lightning-like discharges at the walls of the alcove. I stop to read the placard description, and after a moment, Percy shakes his head helplessly.