Percy Jackson The Lost Quest 2

Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The Lost Quest - Chapter Two: Shut Up, Voices, or I'll Poke You With a Q-Tip Again.


Moonlight was shining down from above as we stepped outside of the Museum, and only then did I realize how late it was. About a week ago, Chiron had sent me and Grover out to scout what was going on with local groups of monsters; which was just fine with me, since I'd had plenty of spotlight recently. Actually, more than I'd wanted; everything was clear, except for the normal amount of monsters, so I guess I finally got to take a breather.
After a while, Grover tapped my shoulder and pointed to a fountain that sent a fine mist into the air. The moonlight reflected different colors into the soft spray, and I gulped as I stared at it. I found myself making excuses as to not message Annabeth because of the thoughts I'd had recently. I guess Grover could sense my emotions, because he frowned and fished a golden drachma out of his pocket, putting it in my hand. Still having no idea what to say, Grover moved out of hearing distance so I could talk in private. Panicking, I called to him, "What if she's asleep? I-I wouldn't want to wake her..."
Grover just rolled his satyr eyes and bleated to me comfortingly, "Don't worry, Percy, just message her."
With another panicked gulp, I turned to the fountain and flipped the golden drachma into the mist, which shimmered and disappeared. "O Goddess, Accept my Offering." I stuttered, staring at the fine drizzle spewing from the top of the fountain. I didn't exactly fancy having my hormonal alarms go off on me, but I was cornered, so I stammered, "Annabeth, at Camp Half-Blood."
With a shimmer, a vision of Annabeth sitting up in bed while reading a book appeared before me. Everyone else around her was sleeping, and the poor girl looked like she was about to do the same. "Annabeth." I said softly, feeling guilty that I had waited so long again.
You see, on every third night I am away, she stays up until I message her, which sometimes I'm late for. But loyally, unwaveringly, she stays up until I send the message; often I find her asleep because of having to wait so long.
But her head snapped up as I said her name, and she smiled to me tiredly, as though it didn't matter what time it was, just that I was safe. "Hey, Seaweed brain." Annabeth said affectionately, like she always did when she called me that. "You've got to work on that lateness of yours."
Just seeing her made me feel complete, and as if I could run to her that very moment. And I think I might've, if she wasn't waiting for me to reply to her. "Hey to you too, Wise Girl." I said just as affectionately, and I could feel a warm smile spreading across my face. She obviously saw that, and smiled too. "And yeah, I know. You should have just gone to sleep, I hate keeping you up like this. You need your rest." The smile melted off my face as it turned to a frown. "Seriously, Annabeth, you look like the living dead." At that moment, I remembered my thoughts from earlier and felt myself blush, my gaze wandering down even though I tried my hardest not to.
After a moment, Annabeth looked down at herself with a frown, like I was criticizing her. "What?" She said, examining herself for errors. But now I was staring farther up, because the spaghetti straps of her camisole kept slipping down. Her skin literally shined, like satin, and I kept finding myself looking at it.
"Perseus Jackson, tell me what your looking at!" She hissed through her teeth, trying to be quiet so the others wouldn't wake up.
Her saying my real name snapped me out of it, and I looked at her eyes sheepishly while my face turned hot. Now that my teenage mind was deriving all the bad thoughts from my head, I couldn't believe how much of females and their bodies I'd been missing. The contours of their collar bones, the gentle slopes of their feminine curves, the natural sheen of their beautiful skin, and their chest...
"Percy, you're drooling."
I snapped up straight, and wiped my mouth in aggravation as she said this. Why were we guys cursed with this, why?! "Sorry, Annabeth. Hey, Grover and I have got to get moving if we're going to make it back to Camp by morning."
With that, Annabeth immediately perked up, smiling like the President had asked her to build a new White House. "You're coming back?" I nodded, and she pursed her lips to stop from squealing in delight. Every time I came back from quests, she was like a kid on Christmas morning. "I'll wait for you at the shore, Percy. I.... I've got something to tell you." I looked at her curiously, but she just giggled softly and waved her hand through the mist.
After she was gone, I felt like I was on a brand new high. Strength coursed through me, and I ran across the courtyard, with Grover giving a surprised yelp as he ran after me.
"What's going on?" He breathed, clopping along behind me as I zig-zagged around statues.
"We're going to be back at Camp tomorrow morning, Grover."
He still sounded confused, but didn't argue as we raced into the night.