I Think I Always Knew That I loved Her......

Annabeth's Birthday/July 12 ~ Chapter 9

Percy's POV

I'm 100% sure that I like Annabeth. I like really, really like her. It's only been a little over a month since school got out but in that short time the feelings that I had, that I didn't understand, only grew. I can never seem to get her off my mind and believe me I tried. I don't want to lose our friendship just because I like her and she doesn't like me. That's the other thing, I don't know if she does or doesn't like me. Sometimes it seems like she might and other times I have no idea. I'm holding on to a shred of hope that she might, but I feel like I'm starting to lose my mind. It doesn't help either that she always looks so beautiful, to me she is just so naturally stunning. I have to force myself to look away most of the time. It also didn't help that the rest of our friends were always teasing us, especially Leo. I swear they were turning into our parents.

Today was Annabeth's birthday, July 12th. I was so happy just thinking about it. My best friend was turning 16! I also felt a bit sad. Annabeth had told me a few weeks ago that her parents had decided to take a small vacation back to California and they were taking her with them.  They had a lot of family over there and it was a nice spot to vacation. I was taking it kind of hard. They were gonna be gone for two weeks! I didn't know if I could go that long without seeing her. Remember when I said I really liked her, well I really, really, really like her. I didn't know if I could restrain my feelings for her anymore. It was already so hard not to scoop her up into my arms as it was. And now she was gonna be leaving me for two weeks. I found myself starting to internally freak out. And she was supposed to leave tomorrow morning!

I was still laying in bed. It was like 8 in the morning. I had woken up and was going to catch some more sleep, but thoughts of Annabeth and my dilemma took over my brain. I had about two hours before I needed to be at the Chases for a small birthday party between our two family's and then later we were haning out with the gang to celebrate with them. 

I was snapped out of my thoughts by my mom knocking on my door.

"Come in mom!" I shouted.

She opened the door and gave me a small smile.

"Good morning sweety." She said sweetly.

I sat up on my bed and yawned. "Morning mom."

She sat on the edge of the bed.

"Honey I have something I need to tell you." A sad expression showing on her face.

"Okay?" I said unsure.

"So as you know the Chase's are going on vacation." I nodded

"Fred told me that Athena and him hadn't told Annabeth yet, but..." She staled. A frown starting on her face.

"But what?" I asked sounding very confused, which I was.

"But Athena got a much better job offer in California and she's gonna take it." Her gaze dropped from my eyes for a second.

"What?!" I shouted. I hugged my knees to my chest, suddenly feeling like I needed to rock myself back and forth.

She made eye contact with me again.  "They weren't going to tell Annabeth until tomorrow night. They knew she would never leave you willingly." She explained in a hushed tone. My heart soared for a split second thinking of how Annabeth wouldn't want to leave me. It quickly turned back to an achy feeling.

"They have a moving company already booked to bring them their stuff once they're over there." She continued. Seeing how distraught I was she placed a comforting hand on my arm.

"Mom what am I gonna do?!" I quietly exclaimed feeling like a might start crying.

"If I were you I would enjoy every second that you can." She said with a sad smile.