My phone buzzed, causing me to groan and forcing me to readjust myself. Alice was currently sleeping besides me, completely ignoring the movie (Finding Nemo, of course) on in front of us.

I pulled a blanket over Alice before slipping away from the couch and finding my phone. I clicked on my messages to make sure there wasn't anything from work.

<Percy> hey, how r you?

My heart raced as I reread the message over and over again. Ever since me and Percy's last meeting, things can been strange between us. We hadn't talked since, but the confirmation that he was single and the hug made me feel like we could work out, but his sudden lack of contact made me unsure and weary.

My hands trembled as I wrote him a text back. I read the message over and over again before sending it to him just to make sure that it was perfect.

<Annabeth> I'm alright, just tired. What about you?

He replied in a matter of seconds, which made my heart beat faster, which I didn't think was humanly possible.

<Percy> Im good. Why r u so tired? If its the project I allow you to stop working so hard im sure its perfect

<Annabeth> Oh no, the project is going perfectly fine. I'm just tired since I'm up watching Finding Nemo again for the millionth time. I swear, this is somehow your fault.

<Percy> probs is haha. Remember when we first watched that movie together? dont deny it u liked it too

<Annabeth> Well, after the millionth time it's lost it's charm.

<Percy> I have a favor to ask u for

My eyes widened as I read the sentence over and over again. What does he need? And from me?! I quickly shot back a text and waited for a reply, clearly anxious.

<Percy> I told my mom abt Alice and she wants to meet her. Shes in town soon and is bringing Estelle. I thought that they could all meet each other

I blinked quickly as I read over the message over and over again, ignoring Percy's grammatical mistakes.

I remembered Sally fondly. She had loved me ever the since the first day we'd met and she'd always been a big fan in me and Percy's relationship, but I wasn't sure how she'd react to Alice.

What if she hates me for keeping Alice away from her? I thought, anxiety building in my mind. What if she resents Alice because of what I did?

I tried my best to push those thoughts out of my mind. I peered over at Alice, who was asleep over on the couch before writing back my reply. I was being paranoid, who wouldn't love Alice?

<Annabeth> Sure, just let me know when she's available.

After a few more minutes there was no response, which made me grow even more nervous than I thought possible. I clutched the phone to my chest and paced back and forth.

God, I shouldn't have even responded, I'm such an idiot. Sally is probably refusing to meet with me and Alice. Percy's probably upset with me, that's why he took so long to reach out to me.

Then, as if to interrupt me from all these negative thoughts, my phone started ringing. Alice winced at the sound so I quickly picked it up, not bothering to read the caller ID since I didn't want to wake her.

"Hello?" I asked as I made my way into my bedroom, the phone pressed against my ear. I stood in front of my bedroom door, my free hand gripping the door knob.

"It's me," Percy's voice said, which made me smile with relief. "Thanks for agreeing to see my mom, she's absolutely ecstatic!"

I laughed weakly, glad none of my fears were confirmed. "Really? Well, I'm excited to see her again. It's been, what, six years?"

"Probably even seven," Percy corrected me, his voice suddenly strained. "Anyways...she wanted to meet you for coffee at some kid friendly place, I dunno. Should I text you the address?"

"Sure, I'll be there," I confirmed as I released the door handle and made my way over to my bed. "Just text me the time and date as well."

"My mom's seriously excited," Percy repeated, probably not even noticing he was repeating himself. "I mean, she had practically adopted you when we went out."

I couldn't help but laugh, but he was absolutely right. Sally loved me and had practically adopted, but I only hoped that that hadn't changed over the years.

"Good, because I miss her, too," I admitted with a smile. "And her cookies. Oh my god, they were heavenly! I never got why they were blue, though, but they were so delicious it didn't matter."

Percy chuckled. "True, true. Hey...hey, does Alice, like, know yet?"

Alice, I reminded myself as I stood up from my bed. I made my way to the door and slowly and silently opened it. I peaked out to see Alice still sound asleep, the movie credits rolling.

I smiled before closing the door again and nodding, turning my attention back to the phone call. "Uh, yes. She does. I told her shortly after we last talked. Talked in person, at least."

Percy remained silent for what seemed like eternity, which caused my heart to race even faster. "Oh, okay. Was...was she cool with it?"

"Of course she was," I said with a light laugh. I almost finished that sentence with you know her, but then it hit me. He didn't know her. Not well, anyways. And that was all my fault. "She was pretty calm about the whole situation. I mean, she's never really asked about you before, so I don't think she knew that her family situation was really...different."

"So she just thought everyone had a terrifying 'Aunt Thalia'?" Percy asked, and I could tell that he was grinning. Before I could respond he spoke again, interrupting my train of thoughts. "Well, I've gotta go. Let me know how it goes with my mom, okay?"

"Don't worry, I will," I replied with a smile. "Talk to you later..."

"Yeah, uh, talk to you later," he responded.

After a few more moments of awkward silence he hung up, leaving me clutching the phone and thinking of him.