Percy's Point of View

This sucks. My best friend is basically ignoring me, and I have to go to this stupid summer camp. I just love my life.

I was being sarcastic, by the way if you haven't noticed.

Over the past few weeks, I have found myself sitting by Thalia's tree. I have started pouring out all my worries and even telling her simple things like the things I did that day. It has kind of helped relieve my—

Never mind.

From behind the tree, I spotted a familiar shadowy figure.

"You again?" I asked in a bored tone, though secretly, I was kind of happy to see her.

Yes, "her." The person revealed a bit about herself everyday that we talked. She had told me it was to give me clues to find out who she was. So far. . .

I have no idea who she is.

She says that she has short, black hair. Blue eyes. And that I've known her before.

How that Hades am I supposed to get any information from out of that?

She also insists on calling me "Kelp Head." I have a vague memory of someone else calling me that, but I don't remember.

I don't know why my stupid brain can't seem to cooperate with me today.

"Okay, kelp for brains. When are you going to that camp?" she asked.

"Don't know. Why do you insist on talking to me, though?"

"I promise I'll reveal myself when you come back from camp," she stated.

I raised my eyebrows. "Sounds very shady."

She just chuckled. "None more than you, Kelp Head. Now go back. You're leaving tomorrow!"

Styx. I forgot.

~~~
"YOU DID WHAT??!"

I slowly backed away from her, holding my hands in an act of surrender. I settled on my messy, unmade bed.

"There is no reason for this, Annabeth—" I was interrupted.

"Do you mean to say that there is absolutely no reason for me to get angry when you haven't even started packing when you knew that we were going to go to take the bus to the summer camp this afternoon!" Annabeth yelled/asked.

"I've been kind of preoccupied lately if you haven't noticed."

Annabeth face palmed herself. "What am I ever going to do with you, Seaweed Brain?"

"Not kill me?" I offered.

Annabeth rolled her eyes, hiding a smile. She went over to my navy blue suitcase. She dumped all of its contents out.

"Hey!" I exclaimed. "I worked hard, packing that!"

Annabeth rolled her eyes again. "You just stuffed in everything you could see in your closet into the bag." She checked the things that were now on the floor. "You don't even have your daily hygiene tools in here!"

She held up a moldy, brown paper bag. "What is this?"

"I may or may not have packed my lunch into the suitcase three months ago?"

She gagged while she pinched her nose to throw it away.

She turned to look at me. "You, mister, have a lot of work to do."

Annabeth basically folded most of my clothes to put in the suitcase. She could even fit in a toothbrush with toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, and body soap. I swear she discovered some sort of magical space in the bag because all of the necessary items needed for this experience. Girl magic.

The sun was beginning to set, casting red-orange rays of light over New York's buildings and skyscrapers. The glow radiating from the sun somehow made Annabeth look—

"We're here," Annabeth's voice interrupted me out of my thoughts.

I looked up from the same pairs of converse I still had from the beginning of the school year. We had arrived in Goode's school campus. The red illuminated sky was starting to fade as the few stars appeared in the sky. Apparently, I was walking "way too slow," so Annabeth took hold of my hand and dragged me to the entrance of the school where Chiron, Jason, Frank, Leo, Piper, and Hazel resided.

"I'm so sorry," Annabeth said, barely out of breath. "We're late because someone decided to pack at the very last minute."

Chiron crossed his arms. Even in his wheelchair, he still managed to look smug. "Are you sure that's the only reason?"

He looked somewhere on the floor. At least, I thought. Annabeth and I followed his gaze and landed on our still intertwined hands. My eyes widened. I hadn't realized it. We quickly untangled our fingers from each other's. I shoved my hands in hoodie's pockets, looking everywhere except at Annabeth. My face was flushed red, but I don't think anyone could really see my face unless they strained their eyes in the upcoming dark.

I think.

It was like all of sudden, Chiron's attitude was contagious. Jason, Leo, Frank, and Piper were wearing the same smug expressions. Hazel was the only one who wasn't wearing the same expression aside from me and Annabeth.

"Um, what's happening?" Hazel asked.

"Nothing!" Annabeth and I spoke quickly at the same time.

"I mean," Annabeth spoke in a much sturdier voice, "We should get going. The bus is probably getting tired of waiting for us."

We walked towards the bus, parked in front of the campus. There was a slight hiss of the release of air pressure as the bus doors opened. The yellow/orange school bus had the words GOODE HIGH SCHOOL on the sides of it. I walked up the steps to greet our bus driver. His face looked warm and friendly. He then did something that I never expected from him. It must have been my imagination, but I'm pretty sure he winked at me.

The driver's name was Argus. The bus was a two seater. Only two people were allowed in each seat. Piper and Jason immediately headed to a seat in the front; no questions asked.

"Um. Hey Hazel, do you want to sit with me?" Frank asked Hazel, shyly. Hazel furiously nodded her head, a mad blush spreading across her cheeks.

I looked over at Annabeth. "Guess it's me and you then." Annabeth nodded.

"Aw man!" Leo said. "Everyone is sitting with their future husband or wife! I have no one to sit with!"

Hazel looked over at him. "Leo, if you want, you can—"

Leo bounded over to the seat they were sharing. "Of course I'll sit with you! Thanks for the generous offer!"

Leo sandwiched himself between the two of them and put his arms around both Frank and Hazel's shoulders.

"Yup! I knew you all loved me! After, all da ladies love Leo!"

Annabeth nudged me. "Major third wheeling!"

"Hey! This is not supposed to be a three seater bus, but I'll let this pass this once," said Argus.

He seemed to know everything that was going on. It was almost as if he could see from the back of his head, since he used no mirrors to see us.

I chuckled in agreement, and for a moment, it felt just like old times. Then it suddenly transformed. A squirmy movement occurred in my stomach. My stomach tensed and tied itself into several knots and complex patterns every time I glanced at Annabeth. Red creeped up my face when Annabeth once caught me staring at her face for so long. Sweat began building up in my palms, making them clammy. I tried burying my face in my brand new black hoodie. Needless to say, these new sensations and feelings never stopped once during the bus ride.

~~~
"Percy." A shake on my shoulder left me mumbling in my sleep.

"Cookies. . . Blue. . ." I wanted to snuggle my head deeper into my pillow and never wake up.

"Wake up, Percy. We're here," a soothing voice whispered in my ear.

I slowly opened my eyelids and blonde hair cam into my sight. I rose up, stretched, and rubbed my dry, red eyes, still tired and wanting to go back to my sleep. My so-called pillow was really Annabeth's shoulder. She gave me a reassuring smile.

"We're at the summer camp."

I nodded.

"By the way," Annabeth added, pointing to a corner of my mouth, "You drool in your sleep."

I wiped it away with the sleeve of my hoodie, frantically. "Sorry!"

Annabeth's smile grew wider, "It's okay, Seaweed Brain."

I grabbed my suitcase from under my seat. (I had somehow managed to stuff it there. Don't ask.) It had wheels, so I did not have to lug it on my back. Annabeth took hers too and we walked into the aisle and out the door. Annabeth went first. I turned back to Argus who winked at me again looking towards Annabeth.

"Thanks, Argus," I said.

"You're welcome. Hope to see you again," Argus replied, giving me a thumbs up and a grin.

With that, I stepped off the bus, and it sped off leaving a minor trail of dust in the road, in front of the side walk. I dragged my suitcase behind me, entering a new adventure.