The Violin That Started it Again

Epilogue 1

Percy waved his arms wildly. "Annabeth! Too many big words!"

She laughed. "See? I bet if you said the exact same thing then he would be able to comprehend exactly what you're saying."

I rolled my eyes. "It's a ridiculous and unlikely theory, but at the same time I get the feeling that it's true."

Annabeth chuckled. "Basically. Now, what are you guys up to? Did I barge into something?"

I shook my head. "Not really."

Percy shook his head as well, though it was in a more disappointed feature than mine. "Nico is definitely going to avoid what we were just talking about."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "Is it okay for me to ask what you guys were discussing?"

I feigned ignorance, asking Percy, "What do you mean? I'm not avoiding anything," I said with a small smile.

I swear I saw Percy's eye twitch. "Right," Percy drawled in a doubtful voice.

Annabeth continued to be as perplexed as ever. "I... still don't understand the circumstances. Is it okay for me to ask... or?"

I opened my mouth in order to completely shoot down the statement, but Percy beat me to it.

"Nico doesn't want another birthday party." Percy pouted, resting his chin on his palm.

I nearly slapped my own face when I heard Annabeth's sharp gasp.

"You don't want another one? Why not? Did you not like the other one from last year?"

I sighed deeply. "It's not that. I'm just too lazy."

There was a short pause before I finally got a proper response. Well, I wouldn't have called it necessarily proper.

"What?"

I chuckled lightly. "I'm too lazy to go through all of that work. I just... don't want to do anything but relax or something."

"Percy?"

He hummed questioningly, directing his gaze above my head where Annabeth's eyes met his.

"Can I talk with you about something?"

I furrowed my eyebrows as Percy and Annabeth temporarily left the table and proceeded to discuss whatever matters they wanted to from across the restaurant. If they were talking about planning me a secret birthday party, I swear I would punch them both.

They were too far for me to eavesdrop on them, so I only continued swirling the spaghetti around with my fork in an attempt to distract my mind. Occasionally, I would glance toward their direction, and most of the time I looked over there it was always Percy becoming completely flustered and Annabeth appearing to be extremely persistent about something. I couldn't even tell if they were planning a secret birthday party anymore. Well, I guess I should be grateful about that.

After maybe ten minutes or so, they returned to the table I was at. I raised a questioning eyebrow at Percy, who only covered his mouth and stared at everything but me. And... Was his face red or was that just the lighting in the restaurant?

Annabeth, on the other hand, seemed extremely pleased about whatever the outcome was for their slightly disturbing conversation. It was only disturbing because of their reactions. I mean, what did she even do to Percy? I swear, it looked as if Percy wanted to crawl into a hole and die right then and there.

My gaze shifted between the two of them to gauge their everlasting reactions before asking, "Is it wrong of me to want to ask what you guys were just talking about?"