42

                                    

                                          
chapter forty-two
annabeth
                          
I hate the sun. 
                          
My eyes instantly burned as I opened them and peered around. I was still intwined with on his couch, a blanket feebly pulled over us. 
                          
Some weird cooking show in another language was blaring on the television, meaning that the movie was long over. 
                          
I stretched as I peered at my nearly dead phone for the time. My eyes widened as I realized it was nearly noon and my phone was blowing up with notifications. 
                          
One text from Thalia, simply asking me how I was doing. Another one congratulating me for punching Luke, and then another telling me not to have too much fun. 
                          
One text from my father, asking me where I was. Another yelling at me for punching Luke, and yet another one threatening to call the police. 
                          
I threw my phone back down on the couch as I peered down at Percy, who was still sound asleep, a line of drool running down his face. 
                          
"Pssst, Percy," I whispered as I tried to gently shake him awake with no success. "They're pissed at me." 
                          
This still didn't wake him, so I rolled my eyes and shook him again, harder this time. 
                          
"Percy, wake up!" I said. He groaned as he stretched and reluctantly opened my eyes to see me, which made him smile. 
                          
"Good morning," he said as he sat up on the couch. Then he checked the time. "Or should I say good afternoon?" 
                          
I rolled my eyes as my phone went off again, but I ignored it. "I can't believe we did it. We graduated." 
                          
He sighed and smiled sleepily. "Congratulations, graduate." 
                          
"Congratulations to you, too," I replied half-heartedly. "I'm kinda bummed my entire family hates me and I didn't get a graduation party." 
                          
"Well, I think we could have a party of our own," he responded. I raised an eyebrow. "I was thinking that we could go out in the city and explore as a reward for all our hard work." 
                          
I grinned. "That sounds amazing. I've just gotta get ready and throw my stupid phone out." 
                          
Percy frowned. "Why?"
                          
I shrugged as I lifted the phone and read the new message. Another one wondering about my whereabouts. "They're onto us. I'm nearly out of battery, so I'm just going to let it drain. They can't bug me if my phone is dead, huh?" 
                          
Percy sighed as he tousled his messy hair. "They just wanna know you're okay, Annabeth. At least give them that." 
                          
"Fine, I guess you're right," I responded bitterly as I pulled out my phone and shot back a quick text, which only contained the words I'm safe. "Where'd you put my bags? And where's your bathroom again?"
                          
Percy told me the whereabouts of my bag and pointed me in the direction of the bathroom before making his way to the kitchen to scour the room for some breakfast. 
                          
After locating my bags and the bathroom, I took a quick shower and then got dressed. I dried my hair with what I assumed was Sally's hairdryer and then walked into the kitchen. 
                          
Percy had located a plate of leftover blue pancakes in the fridge which he warmed up and split between the two of us. We ate in silence. 
                          
He finished quickly and kissed my cheek, leaving the room since he had to get ready. By the time I'd finished my pancakes, he was dressed. 
                          
"I can't believe I really did this," I responded. "I mean, I've been threatening to run away ever since my parents got a divorce. I even did it when I was seven." 
                          
"You ran away? At age seven, nonetheless?" Percy asked, clearly bewildered. "Where did you go?!"
                          
I nodded. "Mm-hmm. Well, I didn't get too far as I was seven, but I actually went to the Castellan house. I knew Luke from school, and I knew Thalia would often hang out there, too." 
                          
Percy's face went red. "They found you though, huh?" 
                          
"No, I'm still lost to this day," I replied sarcastically. He rolled his eyes. "Nah, my father found me after a quick sweep of the neighborhood. I personally believe that Hermes called me in, but who knows." 
                          
"Ahh yes, Hermes Castellan, your old friend who happens to be a millionaire," Percy replied mockingly. 
                          
"We're not friends, I barely even know the guy," I replied. "That was the first time I met him. The next time I went to Luke's house, he argued with May Castellan. Then the next time he was gone. I never saw him there again. I saw him in the school a couple times, but besides that, nothing." 
                          
Percy nodded. "Well, I think it's time you see the city again. Try not to act too touristy, okay?"
                          
"Did I act like that last time?" 
                          
"Just a little bit." 
                          
"Oh, shut up."