Percy pov

The whole day passed by in a blur. I was pacing the floor waiting to change back so I could see Annabeth. I don't know how, but in the few short weeks she's been with us, she's become such an important piece in my life. Not only because of the curse. She has no idea about that, so it isn't affecting her feelings towards me. It's the best feeling in the world when I'm with her. I forget all my troubles, doubts and worries. It's like time stops, so that I can savour every moment until I have to leave. I hate leaving though, I don't want to. Because then I must wait for a whole day in this cursed form until I can see her again.

To distract myself from staring at the clock, I decided to plan our night together. I want to get to know her, and I want her to get to know me. That's when I get a half decent idea. I'll ask her to pick a room in the castle, her favourite room. And we spend the night there.

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At midnight on the dot there was a knock on the door, punctual as always. I opened the door to find her beautiful grey eyes looking right back at me. Almost instantaneously I was entranced, I then remembered the greeting I'd rehearsed at least thirty times before she came.

" You look beautiful ". I said while keeping my eyes on hers. Just as I said I would. She was dressed so simply but she made it look effortless.

And just as I predicted in our conversation earlier, her face practically invented a new shade of red. She broke the gaze to look down at her feet in embarrassment.

I suggested my idea for the evening and she smiled very mischievously. Didn't even hesitate a single moment and grabbed me by the hand and started running.

" I'll take that you like my idea. " I say laughing as she twists her way through the corridors as if she's lived here her whole life. Of course her hand still has a firm hold on mine, so I'm following close behind. Once we reach our destination, she lets go of my hand. I immediately miss the warmth of her grasp. I take a moment to catch my breath, I hadn't expected to run tonight. After a few minutes or so to take in my surroundings, I almost laughed at myself for not guessing where she'd dragged me.

Of course she chose the library.

She opened one of the large wooden doors with seemingly little effort. It was impressive because I know for a fact that one of those doors alone probably weighed as much as her. If not more. She looked at me with a quizzical look. As if wondering what it was I was thinking about, or why I haven't followed her closer to the door. I also realized the dumbfounded expression I must have in my face.

" Are you coming, or are you just going to stand there? " She said with so much of a sarcasm in her voice.

" Yes, of course. I'm coming. I just haven't been here in a while. " I replied as if being broken from a trance.

I followed her inside and watched her as her eyes light up as she looked around for a book to choose. She eventually chose a thick book with a greyish blue cover. On the front was silver etching to form an image of a building. I didn't get a chance to read the title, due to the awkward angle I was seeing it at. Though to be fair I would've had trouble reading even if it was looking at me straight in the face.

It's not that I can't read, my mother had always made sure I kept up with my schooling. It's that I had a great deal of trouble when it came to reading or even writing. Sometimes my letters and numbers would switch. Or I'd mix up the order of the words on the page.

This was going to be interesting to say the least.

"Just to let you know, I'm not the most avid reader. " I warned. " You're probably going to have to help me quite a bit. "

" That's no problem. I've read this book so many times I know it like the back of my hand. " She explained while placing the book on the table. She looked at it with a longing smile. As if she was entranced by the picture and the words on the cover.

" Then why did you pick it? " I questioned. Causing her to look straight at me. " Why pick something you've read to the point of memorization when there are so many other options out there? "

She looked down at the book, took a deep breath in, and looked at me.

" This was my mother's favourite book. " She began. I could see tears swelling up in her eyes.
" It seems ludicrous, but I've always wanted to be an architect. That was my mother's wildest dream. And my hope is to one day fulfill it. "

" Why haven't you mentioned our mother before? " I asked. I could tell right away that I shouldn't have done that. She started crying in her hands. And not just simple tears, small sobs.

Once she finished crying, she looked back at me. Then she broke her gaze into my eyes and looked at my newly wet shoulder.

" I'm sorry, I shoul-" She started before I cut her off.

" There is absolutely no need to apologize. I can dry off my shirt. I'm sorry I upset you. " I said placing two of my fingers under her chin and lifting her head gently so that she was looking at my face. " If you don't want to talk about it, we don't have to. " I said as I pulled her into a hug.
" I know what it's like to loose someone you care about. "

" Thank you " She said as she leaned back from my embrace. Once she wiped her face with her pocket cloth, she picked up the book and placed it back on the shelf.

" Why don't you pick something?" She says.

" I don't think you'd be interested in my type of literature " I said with a slight hint of nervousness in my voice. I'd never told anyone about my love for marine biology. The sea was my fathers favourite place. And mine too at that.

" Try me ". She said.

"Alright then. But don't laugh at me. " I responded. Putting a great deal of emphasis on that last sentence.

" How about this. " She started. " You go get a book on this mysterious unknown topic. I'll have my eyes closed so I can't see what it is you pick until it's in front of me. "

" Sure. " I said. This seemed interesting enough.

She made a big dramatic gesture to cover her eyes. Then I went into the back area where we kept the favourite books in the whole library for safe keeping. I already knew exactly what book I was going to get. It took me practically no time to find it. It was a larger leather bound book with the title embossed in gold lettering
' wonders of the sea ' I pulled the well worn book down carefully from its shelf and carried it back to Annabeth. I placed the book in front of her, trying my absolute hardest to not make a sound.

" Okay, you can open your eyes now. " I said pulling her hands from her eyes. She looked down at the books and her eyes widened.

" Why on earth would I laugh at you for picking this? " She said, with an extremely dumbfounded look on her face.

" I don't know. I guess this isn't something I like to share with anyone. " I explained.

" Shall we read then. " She said, carefully opening the books cover.

" From the beginning I guess. I'm assuming this is one of the few pieces of literature in this library that you haven't read yet Wise Girl. " I said with a cocky grin on my face.

" Really? Wise Girl " She repeated, laughing a little at her new nickname. " The best insult you could come up with is actually a compliment. "

I then realized my slight error and tried to play it off. " Why yes Wise Girl, because only you would pick this place out of every room in the entire castle. " I said while gesturing to our current location.

" Alright Seaweed Brain. " She said with a grin similar to the one I'd given her moments before.

" Why Seaweed Brain? " I asked.

" Because, you love the sea and only a dimwit could come up with a lame excuse as to why my nickname is actually a compliment to my intelligence. " She replied.

We spent the next few hours reading about marine life. Her helping me stay focused and read, and me going off on wild tangents about my favourite animals.

I couldn't think of anything better.

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We walked back to the study hand in hand. Laughing and coming up with different nicknames for each other. Though I think the winners are Wise Girl and Seaweed Brain.

This was so perfect. I felt so amazing, just holding her hand and being with her. She made me feel unstoppable, I felt so comfortable around her. I could truly be myself. The person I was all those years ago.

I think..... I think I might be in love.

This might break the curse.

When we reached the study I opened the door slowly, as a warden would for a prison cell. I carefully planned out my movements. I turned towards her and brushed one of her princess curls out of her face.

" Annabeth, there's something really important I want to tell you. " I started. To make sure she was listening.

She smiled at me, with her gorgeous smile and replied. " Is there something wrong Seaweed Brain? "

" No, no. Nothing's wrong. In fact I've never felt better. " I said. " What I wanted to say was. I know we've only known one another a short time. I don't want you to think I'm moving too fast. " I said while taking her hand and interlacing our fingers.

" Look at this" I said presenting our interlocked hands. " Our hands fit perfectly with one another. "

I continued, while keeping our hands together.
" But, I like hanging out with you more than anyone else. Every time I'm with you I feel like I'm on cloud nine. You make me feel ways I never though I'd feel. I now know what word best describes that feeling. "

Using my other hand I placed it on her waist and pulled her close. Her breath hitched at the sudden closeness.

" I- I think I'm in love with you. " I said, looking straight into her eyes.

Then with one motion. I closed the gap between us and pressed her lips to mine. I couldn't describe the feeling even if I tried. It was better than amazing. More perfect than anything I ever could've imagined.

When we broke for air I looked outside a window and saw that it was almost sunrise. Once again I had to make in untimely exit. I looked into her eyes and searched for an answer.

I couldn't wait any longer. I was running out of time. Though I made sure I was polite this time.

" Goodbye, and thank you for the best night in a library of my life. " I closed the door and leaned my back against it.

Once my adrenaline calmed down I walked over to my friends. Who'd all been eavesdropping from the other part of the room.

The girls were squealing. Even Thalia, and that's saying something. We all stood at the balcony, waiting to feel the warmth of the sun on our human skin. A luxury we hadn't had in years.

But as the sun rose and daylight began to shine. Something terrible happened.

We all went though with our all too familiar transformations. There was only one explanation as to why this'd happened.

She didn't love me.

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Hey guys I'm back. I think 2025 words kind of make up for not posting in a while. Also, sorry not sorry about the cliffhanger. Don't fully freak out on me yet, I swear in the next chapter there will be explanations. As always, leave and criticism or ideas you might have in the comments. Last thing, I'm considering putting this book in the Wattys let me know if you think I should by going back and voting for all the previous chapters.

As always stay amazhang,
- Buddy_2002 💙💙💙