Beyond All Expectation (Percabeth)

Chapter 22: Piper's House

Annabeth POV:

I knocked on the front door nervously. As I waited for a response, the winter wind picked up and I squeezed my coat closer against my body. Snow crunched beneath my feet. 

I looked around at the street. It was beautiful - the snow looked picturesque, the Christmas lights and decorations were dreamy, and the houses were breathtaking. The street I was on was completely empty and surprisingly quiet for New York. The walls to the buildings were a warm red, the windows were long and large - every house looked like an old warehouse that had been converted into a home. It was amazing. 

Welcome to Tribeca, one of the richest neighborhoods in Manhattan, I thought. I had no idea Piper lived here before today. 

I jumped slightly as the great, green door, opened wide. A man was standing behind it. 

"Oh, um, hello..." I stuttered. "I thought-"

"-I'm sorry, Miss, but Tristan has expressed countless times that he doesn't want his fans knocking on his front door," the man said gruffly. He was dressed in a smart uniform and stood as straight as a ruler. I gulped, feeling intimidated. 

"Tristan?" I asked quietly. The man rolled his eyes. "I'm not here for Tristan..."

"Well, Meryl Streep in next door and Harry Styles is down the road. I'm afraid you've got the wrong-" 

"-Edward! Let her in, she's my friend," Piper appeared by his side, red-cheeked as if she had been running. 

"Oh, I'm sorry Miss McLean, I didn't recognize her," the man, Edward, looked embarrassed. 

"She's a new friend," Piper said proudly. "Edward, meet Annabeth. Annabeth Chase."

"I'm dreadfully sorry, Miss Chase, do forgive my mistake! I thought you were another one of Tristan's fangirls. They come knocking all hours of the day. Here, come on in, let me take your coat," I stepped cautiously inside and let Edward take my coat. He hung it on a nearby coat rack and my mouth fell open as I stared around at the house. The ceiling was impossibly tall, the design perfectly modern, the windows large and the staircase grand. This place was wealthy enough to rival Jason's place, and I'm sure he didn't have Meryl Streep as his next-door neighbour. 

"I'm sorry, did you say Tristan... as in Tristan McLean? The Tristan McLean?" I turned to Edward. The man's face dropped as he looked awkwardly between me and Piper. 

"I'm sorry, Piper, that's my fault," he looked terrified, as if she might fire him. 

Piper, looking thoroughly embarrassed, tried to give Edward a reassuring smile. "It's not your fault, Ed, I should have told her sooner. Annabeth," she smiled at me. "One thing you might want to know about me is that my Dad is Tristan McLean - yes, the actor."

My mouth fell even wider open. "B-But... what! You never told me!"

"Because it's not that much of a big deal..." she said quietly. 

"I'll leave you two for now," Edward said awkwardly. "Um, Miss McLean, we'll be leaving in an hour precisely."

"Thank you, Ed," Piper nodded, and she looked at me again. "I don't like talking about it; him being my Dad. Because as soon as people find out they only see me as the daughter of Tristan McLean The Famous Actor, they stop caring about me. It's not as great as it sounds, having a celebrity as a Dad."

I stayed quiet for a moment, and then nodded reassuringly. "Not a problem with me, I still care about you," I smiled. "But, look, can I get my coat back? I just found out Harry Styles lives down the street so I have somewhere far more important to be."