Troubled

36

chapter thirty-six
annabeth

After a few more agonizing days at the Grace house, Easter break was finally over.

Every day felt the same at the Grace house. Beryl would try to befriend us, much to Thalia's distaste, and then get drunk in time for dinner.

On the actual day of Easter she was much calmer, maybe since she was expecting Thalia and Jason's father to show up, who didn't.

The flight back was long and boring but it finally ended, leaving all of us exhausted. Thalia drove us back to school where we said our goodbyes to each other and headed back to our dorms.

After assuring Thalia she could head over to the dorm without me, I made my way to a dorm I knew to be Percy's.

One knock and the door swung open, revealing a girl with tons of freckles and long auburn hair.

"Annabeth, I haven't seen you in forever!" Grover's girlfriend, Juniper, said as she instantly pulled me into a hug. "What are you doing here?"

Juniper was short and skinny with pale skin and beautiful hair. I hadn't seen her in nearly a year, but on the few occasions we'd met she'd always been pleasant.

She led me into the dorm where Grover was sitting on the bed. He gave me a sheepish wave before returning to some weird instrument made of pipes that he was tinkering with.

"Oh, I was just wondering where Percy was," I admitted. "How have you been, Juniper? I feel like it's been forever."

She nodded. "Oh, I know! And Grover's told me all about you and his new roommate who I have yet to meet."

"Percy's not back yet?"

Grover shook his head as he threw the pipes down in defeat. "No, but he texted me that he'll be back any minute now. If you wanna see him you should probably head to the parking lot."

"Thanks, Grover. I'll catch up with you later Juniper, okay? How long are you staying?" I asked as Juniper led me to the door.

Juniper shrugged as she tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. "Just for the rest of tonight. But come back to the dorm with Percy when you've found him, I really wanna meet him based on what Grover's been saying about him!"

"I will."

I rushed out of the dorms and made my way towards the parking lot, cautious not to slip and fall. Even though Percy and I had called each other nearly daily over break, I still missed him.

Then I spotted him. He was several feet away, a bag in one hand. He was using his free hand to wave at a car, presumably with his mother in it.

A grin spread across my face as I instantly rushed over to him, clearly overjoyed. He grinned as he was able to spot me despite the lack of light.

He instantly dropped his bag and whatever he was holding to pull me closer to him in a kiss.

"I missed you," he whispered in my ear as I held onto him tightly. "Never go to California again."

I laughed. "I promise I will not ever again. At least not without you."