A Little Ambrosia For Your Day (Percabeth One-Shots)

Cars with Wings and Malls for Little Girls

Annabeth's POV

"What even is a robotic car with wings that can see stuff?" I muttered under my breath as I walked up and down the little aisle of the store in the mall. "And where the hell can I find one?"

I rubbed my temple, trying to remember where I could find robotic cars with wings that could see stuff. I was in the toy car aisle, and that was about as close as I could get to finding the dumb car.

Bobby and Matthew, my step siblings, were really testing my patience, and I didn't have a lot remaining. I really wanted to make Christmas special for them, especially because we just became a family, but they didn't realize how tough they were making this for me, especially with their terrible description of what they wanted.

It was the night before Christmas Eve: the mall was lit up quite beautifully in celebration of the approaching holiday. The huge Christmas tree adorned with ornaments and bright lights was in the center of the mall, lighting up the areas around it. The lights around the mall were dimmed and all of my favorite Christmas songs were playing, and the entire setup was enough to get someone in the Christmas spirit if they weren't already excited enough.

The pleasant, bustling environment eased some of my tension. I was pretty sure Bobby and Matthew would still love me if I couldn't find exactly what they wanted, but I could never be too sure with them.

Siblings were quite unpredictable.

I wrapped my teal winter coat around me tightly as I felt a gust of wind hit me. I heard a little ring, so the wind was probably from someone opening the door.

I returned my attention to the assortment of cars in front of me, wondering what on Earth I should get for my little brothers. I picked up a random box and inspected it, humming along to the Christmas music happily.

I shot a quick prayer to the gods above, hoping that one of them could help me. There had to be one who was good with Christmas gifts... right?

I snorted at that. With my luck, I would be stuck here all night finding a gift.

A loud exhale brought me out of my thoughts. I turned to find a boy who looked my age standing right beside me, and he was running his long fingers through his messy black hair, making it stand up. His other hand clenched a navy blue beanie.

He was staring at the cars in front of him intently, chewing on his lower lip and looking deep in thought. His tall, lean frame bent down to pick up a bright yellow truck, and he turned it around in his hands. After inspecting it for a moment more, he put it back and shook his head.

"Where the hell do I find a girl's mall? Does she want me to buy the place or what?" he mumbled to himself, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his black sweatshirt. "I'm definitely in the wrong section..."

I couldn't hold back my grin. He sounded just as confused as I did a moment ago.

The boy stiffened all of a sudden, slowly turning his head to face me. He had a weird expression on his face, probably from seeing me grin maniacally for no clear reason.

"You good?"

The words came tumbling from his pink lips in what seemed like genuine concern. I couldn't blame him. I probably looked insane grinning that widely.

His startling, sparkling sea green eyes with swirls of blue brushed over the box I was holding and then me. His vivid eyes were so gorgeous, much like the boy himself.

"Uh- hello?"

I snapped back to reality. Poor guy. I had forgotten to respond to him — now he must really find me insane.