Soon You'll Get Better

33.

33.

The Beach

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Annabeth POV

"What exactly are we doing here?" Percy asked as I pulled up at the park.

"Pwaying. Duh," Estelle answered.

Percy sighed. "I'm really tired, Wise Girl. So if there's any other reason for me to be here other than for 'playing' purposes, let me know cause I want to go home."

I laughed. "We're just hanging out here, Seaweed Brain. I even brought a picnic for us."

"Pwicnic!" Estelle cheered.

"Estelle," Percy said gently. "Can you be a little more quiet?"

"Why?"

"Because I have a headache and you're not helping," Percy explained bluntly.

"Hmmph!"

"It's okay, Estelle. He didn't mean it. Your brother's cranky today," I whispered to her. "He's in a bad mood."

"Why?"

"It's his normal self. Cheer him up, okay?"

"Okie."

"Hwug, Pwercy! Hwug!" Estelle said, flinging herself onto Percy.

"Ow, Estelle," Percy groaned. "Fine, fine. I'll get out of the car."

"Yay!"

Percy winced. "Wise Girl, this better be something special. Or I'm going home."

"What makes you think this won't be special?"

"You took us to a park. With Estelle. What do you expect us to do here?"

I shrugged. "Race you to the field!"

He sighed and watched as I raced with Estelle.

"Not fair!" Estelle complained. "You hwave lwongwer lwegs thwan mwe!"

I laughed. "Help me set it up?"

She nodded.

I laid out the blanket and put the picnic down on the table.

Estelle was in charge of setting up the food. "Want a bwue cwookie, Pwercy?"

"No thanks," Percy declined.

I sighed and walked over to the other side of the blanket. "What's wrong, Seaweed Brain?"

"Nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing."

"It's nothing, Wise Girl. I'm just tired."

"Well... want to... eat? I brought some sandwiches and pizza."

"No thanks," he declined again. "I'm not hungry."

Percy never denied food.

"Okay... want some water?"

"No. I'm fine, Annabeth."

"Okay then."

Then, he sighed. "I'm sorry. Chemo makes me cranky."

I raised an eyebrow. "I've noticed. But don't worry about it."

He gave a weak smile. "Can we go home now?"

"What are you going to do at home?"

"Take a nap."

I laughed. "You can do that here. Come on." I patted a spot on the blanket for him. "Sleep."