Remember Me

Chapter Seven

Annabeth's POV

Annabeth woke up in high spirits. She was glad that the biggest weight had been lifted off of her chest. And, he hugged her. Progress.

It was just a hug. She kept reminding herself. Just a friendly, hey-we-aren't-mad-at-each-other-anymore hug.

Still, she couldn't help but smile when she thought about it.

:::::::::::

After breakfast, they landed in Salt Lake City, Utah. Leo claimed that the Argo II wouldn't be able to fly much longer unless he fixed everything that the Roman cannons had done.

While the rest of the crew split up and went off to get supplies, Annabeth asked if she and Percy could stay to watch the ship while they tried to stir up some more memories. Leo agreed, but Annabeth was pretty sure that that was partly because she scared him.

They sat side by side above deck, legs dangling over the lake below. Annabeth became instantly aware of how close their hands were, and she had to restrain herself from lacing her fingers through his.

"So, have you remembered anything else so far?" she asked, not sure where to start.

"Just one thing," he said.

Annabeth nodded, encouraging him to go on.

"When we hugged last night..." Percy blushed slightly, and Annabeth felt her cheeks grow hot as well.

Just a friendly hug, the voice in her head chided.

"I remembered hugging you like that another time, in some sort of library," Percy finished.

"The Athena cabin, actually," Annabeth said. "That was right before our third quest together."

"The Labyrinth," Percy said instantly.

"Yeah. And we were going there because..." she urged.

Percy concentrated for a few seconds. Annabeth loved when he concentrated. He made this face where he scrunched his eyebrows together and his bottom lip jutted out ever so slightly. "Blank," he said finally.

"Okay, let's try this. I'll ask you questions about yourself, basic ones at first, and answer them with the first thing that comes to mind," she said.

Percy readjusted himself on the railing. "Okay."

"Your birthday," she said.

"August."

"School."

"Expelled," he said.

Annabeth couldn't help but burst into laughter. Percy joined, blushing.

After she'd collected herself, she said: "Mom."

"Blue," Percy said, then sighed. "Can't even remember my own mother."

"Hey, it's okay. Blue was a big thing for you and your mom. Although now that I think about it, I still don't really know why."

"Me neither," he said dejectedly.

"Okay, what about... best friend."

"Goat," Percy said, then blinked. "My best friend is a goat?"

Annabeth contained her laughter this time, although it was a bit of a struggle. "Half-goat, but yeah. Grover's a satyr."

Percy nodded, then motioned for her to continue.

"D.O.A."

"Records."

"Clarisse."

"Hates me."