So many thoughts were rushing through my head as the taxi pulled to the curb outside of the airport. Pushing most of them aside, I fished over some cash and ducked out of the cab. I tugged my phone out of my pocket and scrolled through my messages with Annabeth, trying to find which terminal she would be waiting at with her parents.

As I found the message, a notification popped up saying she had just texted me. I slid my finger to go to the newest message and read it over.

Just arrived :) Dad and Helen went to grab Starbucks with my brothers but I'm waiting by the bags. See you soon!

I was too nervous to reply, so I shut my phone off and tucked it away. I headed directly to where she was, ready to finally be reunited with my best friend.

I saw Annabeth from a distance and slowed my fast gait, taking her in and noticing all of her differences. Her blonde hair was a shade or two lighter and quite a bit longer. It was still restrained back into a pony tail, her typical go-to so that it wasn't annoying her. Her complexion was much tanner and she seemed to be emitting a healthy glow. She was wearing a plain tee shirt and shorts, her usual summer attire. Oh man, did I miss her or what?

I picked up my pace and made it over to her faster than I imagined I would. I sat beside her on the bench and waited for her to look up from her phone.

"Annabeth?" I said quietly.

I noticed a cord trailing from her phone and realized that she had earbuds in her ears. I gently tugged the left one and it fell out.

She scowled and whipped her head to face me. "What are you - Seaweed Brain!"

Her face melted into a beautiful grin and her grey eyes lit up. She jumped up and I stood with her, smiling like a little boy.

"Hey," I greeted calmly.

She punched my arm. "How are you?" she asked. "Oh, Percy, I missed you!"

I grinned and pulled her into my arms. I held her, squeezing her tightly. I traced my hands along the muscles of her back and inhaled her comforting lemon scent. 

"I missed you too," I whispered into her ear.

Annabeth retracted and cupped my jaw with her hand. She tilted my head down and looked up at me. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but my pulse was racing and I could feel my ears heating up.

"You look so different," she decided. "You're taller, and tanner, and your face is more...you know."

I wiggled my eyebrows. "More what? More attractive? Hot, per se?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "No, I was going to say more mature."

I laughed. "It's good to have you back," I teased, wrapping my arms around her once more. I just couldn't seem to get enough of her.

"Is your family expecting you any time soon?" I asked, parting from her.

She shook her head. "Nope. Helen said something about letting me have some alone time, and I don't really have that much of a curfew. We can go out if you'd like. It is your birthday, after all."

I smirked and grabbed her hand. "I have an idea."

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"Really, Percy?" Annabeth retorted. "It's your birthday, and the first day we've seen each other in a month, and you choose to come here? The pizza parlor?"

I grinned and wiggled my eyebrows. "Yep. Let's go inside."

I tugged her behind me by the crook of her elbow and she reluctantly followed. I could tell she was expecting something a bit more extraordinary, but I was convinced that she would end up enjoying what I had planned even more.

We sat in a plush red booth beside the window and a waitress immediately flew over. It wasn't Silena, seeing as she was probably unpacking after a long summer at camp, but actually her good friend Clarisse. I was surprised that she had come to work, because she was also at Camp Half-Blood.

"Oh, I thought I was done with you, Prissy," Clarisse teased gruffly.

I rolled my eyes. "One more day with me, smelly."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "'Smelly'?" she mocked. "You sound like a third grader."

I laughed, as did Clarisse. "What can I get you lovebirds?"

I held back a blush. "I'll have a Diet Coke, how about you?"

"Sprite is fine," Annabeth said.

Clarisse nodded and scribbled down our drink orders, then left the dining area.

"Who's that?" Annabeth asked curiously.

"She's a friend from camp," I explained. "She and Silena are really close."

"Oh," she said, nodding understandingly. "I think I'm going to order a Greek pizza in honor of my time over there. How does that sound?"

I smiled. "Delicious, but that's how all pizza sounds to me. Want to share?"

She nodded. "Sounds good. Here comes the waitress."

Clarisse stomped over and set down our drinks. "There you guys go. Do you know what you want?"

"Yep. We'll have a large Greek pizza. Do you want an appetizer, Annabeth?"

She shook her head. "Nope, I'm all good."

"Okay." I looked back at Clarisse. "Then that's all."

"Okay, it'll be ready soon."

"Thanks." 

As she walked away, I started, "So, tell me all about Greece."

Annabeth's expression lit up as she plunged into a detailed summary of her time out of the country. She explained how they visited several landmarks and famous structures that were "any self-respecting architects dream" to visit, like the Parthenon.

All the while, I was admiring Annabeth's...well, everything. Her face, her hair, her hand gestures, all of it amazed me. Suddenly I was anticipating asking her an important question more than ever.

"We even went to a beach against the Mediterranean Sea and swam in it. You would love it there, Percy." She paused. "Percy?"

I blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

Annabeth laughed. "Nothing. I think the pizza is on the way."

Just then Clarisse came over and set the pizza on the table. "Enjoy," she muttered, shuffling away.

"She's quite cheerful, isn't she?" Annabeth muttered sarcastically.

I chuckled. "Oh, the most. Just don't tell her that to her face."

She grinned, taking a large slice of pizza and holding it to her mouth. "Dig in," she mumbled with a mouth full of food.

I laughed and took some for myself. "It's pretty good," I admitted after I swallowed.

Annabeth nodded. "Almost as good as it was in Greece," she joked.

"Wow," I said laughing.

We carried on eating our pizza and chatting about our summers apart. I was so glad to be back with Annabeth, and I was almost ready to dive into the deep end.

Annabeth leaned back into the booth. "Ugh, I'm stuffed."

I nodded, agreeing. "Do you want to head out?"

She nodded. "Yeah, sure. What do you have in mind?"

I smirked. "It's a surprise. Let's get the bill."

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The reunion! How do you feel about it? Is it everything you dreamed of and more?! Don't worry if you aren't quite satisfied, there's definitely more to come! 

In the mean time, here's some really good Percy art I found that really represents him in this story by Fern (fern_illustrations on Instagram, go check out some of their art!)

I will see you soon with a brand new, PERCABETH!!! filled chapter :)