Maya Clarkson

                                    

                                          
Not a lot happens in my life- but I like the peace and quiet. Like Annabeth- my absolute best friend. I loved hanging out with her- we both loved books, comparing them to their movies, we're on the academic team, and we're next door neighbors. Lately, Annabeth has been really distant, almost sad, so I'm hoping that inviting her to my house for the weekend will put a smile on her face. 
                          
Hey Annabeth! What's up?
                          
Chores. Anyway, while I've got you I want to tell you I want you to come to my house this weekend. It's not fair that we always go to yours, and I'm sure your parents wouldn't mind the free private time.
                          
Well, that was unexpected. But I text her back anyway. 
                          
Sure! I'd love to! 
                          
Great! Come over around 5? 
                          
I'll be there! See you then. 
                          
I pack a small bag, adding plenty of chocolate and candy to the mix. I wrapped up the essay for English, and went downstairs to tell my parents goodbye. 
                          
"Love you mom, love you dad." I say. 
                          
"Love you too, sweetie." 
"Be safe!" They respond together. 
                          
I didn't knock on Annabeths door- we never really do. She walks into mine, I walk into hers. (#BestFriendGoals, right?) 
                          
"Hey Maya! Come on in." She motions behind for me to follow. I drop my bag off at her room, and follow her to the kitchen.
                          
"Maya! How lovely to see you!" Helen, Annabeths step mom, says with a smile. 
                          
"You two, Mrs.Chase!" I say. 
                          
"Annabeth, you-know-who called saying that he will be here at seven." Helen says, smiling sweetly. 
                          
"Thanks for letting me know. Are we doing pizza or takeout? I'll call now." Annabeth asks. 
                          
"Ask maya! She's our guest after all!" Helen suggests. I ponder the options.
                          
"Takeout." I decide. 
                          
"Alright. I'm ordering for our second guest too." Annabeth says, dialing the number. 
                          
**Later that Night** 
                          
Three unopened takeout boxes sat on the counter, but otherwise, the rest of our boxes were around the living room- on tables and the floor, and armrests of chairs. We're laughing and having a good time- it's perfect. 
                          
"Wait, so Mr.Chase found out there was gonna be another girl in the house, so he decided he'd take the boys for a camping trip?" I recall. 
                          
"Correct. He doesn't even like me having two ladies over for coffee." I chuckled, but noticed Annabeth checking her watch- again, the fourth time in the last ten minutes. 
                          
"Annabeth, I'm sure he's fine. Planes get delayed all the time." Helen assures her. I've yet to know who this boy coming over is.
                          
"Helen, you know what all can happen." Annabeth says worriedly. Helen gives her a sad, sweet, soothing smile. I love how much making up has made them stronger. I know Annabeths mom left when she was little, and they didn't  get along great in the past, but it's good for her to have a mom figure. 
                          
Just then the doorbell rang and Annabeth leaps out of her chair to answer it. I hear the door open, and Annabeth screaming, "Percy!" I walk over to the door and find hugging a tall, dark haired figure. He was holding on tight, like his life depended on her. 
                          
"Oh gods, Wise Girl, I am not going on a quest that long again." He murmurs. I walk back to the living room silently. 
                          
"You've seen him, then?" Helen asks. "Seen them? Nothing stronger. No couple- not even Fredrick and I- compare to that." When the boy walked into the room, he was holding Annabeth, who seemed to be attached to the boy who walked in the house. 
                          
"Give her a minute she'll come out." The boys voice is slightly surprisingly deep, but soothing. "I'm Percy." He says, sitting on the couch. 
                          
"Maya, nice to meet you." I respond. 
                          
"Well, I got movies for y'all, and then I'll leave you to it!" Helen leaves, comes back with a stack of movies, only to leave again. Annabeth comes out of the crook of Percy's neck, reaching for the stack of movies and throwing one at me. Then another. 
                          
"Choose one, and pop it in." She says. I choose the romantic one. Surprisingly, Percy doesn't complain. Honestly, he just seems  content to have Annabeth in his arms. 
                          
I don't know if I trust him yet. 
                          
Annabeth stayed in Percy's lap- only getting up to get popcorn and drinks. Halfway through the movie, Annabeth fell asleep on Percy's chest. 
                          
"Y'all aren't gonna get a separate room?" I ask him. 
                          
"I'm not waking her up." He says softly. He gently brushes the hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. He plants a gentle kiss on her forehead, and she shifts, so he lifts his arm up, allowing her to bury herself further into his chest. He put his arm back down, slowly rubbing her back. 
                          
"Do our truly care for her? Or are you looking to get something from her?" I ask him. 
                          
"For the last three years, she had been my reason for waking up, coming to bed, going to work, my lifeline. My everything. I would drop everything I have to make sure that she's okay. I would walk through Hell and back if I had to." He says. "I don't know who I am without her." 
                          
I stare at the couple a second more before adding, "Wow, a lot more serious than I thought it would be." 
                          
"I should hope so. We got married last year. We decided that even though we're eighteen, we were ready, and we knew that nothing was gonna drag us apart. So we did it. I'm ready for the mini me, though." He smirks. 
                          
"Okay, hold up. I didn't know she was even married, and now you're talking about a mini you?" I question. 
                          
"She hasn't told you anything? She's two months pregnant. We've been married for thirteen months." He says. 
                          
"Wow." At this, the movie ends. 

                          
"Well, I'm going to sleep. Night Maya." He says. 
                          
"Good night." I say, and my last thoughts for the night are wondering how he can fall asleep in such an awkward position.