Disclaimer: I do not own PJo or HoO, all rights to Rick Riordan.
Modern fun was coming to the camp. A paintball tournament.
This afternoon, everyone was to participate in at least one game.
Annabeth was leaning towards the survival round as she could but she could just get shot and be out.
She gently stroked her owl as it perched on arm. Her eyes glazing over the buzzing demigods roaming around the grounds.
Gossip roared with the excitement of the paintball tournament, as many of us haven't experienced it. They also fight traditionally, so guns weren't exactly their forte.
Annabeth was nervous but didn't really care for the event. It was just another insignificant waste of her day. But she couldn't help but let her thoughts drift towards Percy. He intrigued her in ways she couldn't comprehend.
She shook it off as a mere emotion. It couldn't be a crush, as her stubborn streak got the better of her.
Anyway she didn't even know him, she thought in frustration.
A nasty scowl swept across her tan face. The daughters of Aphrodite, known for their excessive flirting and quest for love.
They swarmed around the green eyed boy, no room for escape. At first Annabeth didn't know why Percy was here or why he was famous already, apart from "Capture the Flag."
Until she heard that he defeated a Minotaur. to say she was impressed was true, but she was jealous of his opportunities, to leave this...cage.
Bound to stay and wait for the day of a quest, and some wannabe comes in as though he is a superstar. Her glare hard as she didn't like his attention or popularity.
Whether it was the friends or limelight she could never have, her wise thoughts told her to believe, in time.
But what is time, a simple ticking clock or the beginning and the end?
Why speak in riddles child when everything is clear? We were made to be the strongest, show them our strength with their deaths, it persuaded.
It's voice was as cold as ice but slyer than a cunning fox. It had age on its side as though it has experienced something in the past.
She couldn't trust this so called power, even now when all seems murky, like swimming in polluted waters, blind to see.
Her owl nipped her hand, springing her out of her twisted thoughts. The faint glow of a smile, painted her lips as she continued to stroke her friend.
She looked back to were she last saw Percy, he was gone. Not that it bothered her.
She walked gracefully towards the stands to sign up for an activity.
Survival, that way she could get out so quickly no one would notice that she got out with her own gun.
She grabbed the pencil and scribbled down her name itching to leave the crowed arena.
She scrabbled away in a fast walk, not that anyone cared for her presence. Seen as a shadow, never always visible, but when noticed, becomes insignificant.
That was she was seen as nothing more, maybe even less.
She made her way to her cabin, until she heard the call of Percy.
"Annabeth," he yelled over the crowd.
She froze, submissive to his voice. She didn't turn around, too shock to even hear his footsteps behind her.
"Hey!" he panted.
His hands rested on his knees, catching his breath.
"Hi," she whispered, not meeting his eyes.
After all, it was those eyes that made her melt.
He placed a warm hand on her shoulder, she flinched at the sudden contact.
It was foreign.
"You ok?" he asked.
His eyes roamed her ridged face, emotionless. It annoyed him for some reason. He was unable to see her, her true self.
"Yeah..fine. What do you want?" she asked fidgeting on the spot.
She still didn't look at him, he saw this as a sign to get to the point of this conversation, believing that she didn't want his friendship.
"Oh, I saw that you put your name down for survival, in the paintball challenge today. I was wondering if you wanted to team up?" he asked shyly.
A sheepish grin grew on his face as he scratched the back of his neck. Must be a habit.
Only then did her eyes reach his, surprise stretched through them.
Sirens went off in her mind, not knowing if this was a truck from the other campers to humiliate her. Or if he was telling the truth.
He hasn't betrayed her yet, but what if her decides to turn his back for his 'buddies'.
"Oh...well then I suppose-" she rambled until she was cut off.
"Percy!" Grover screamed, galloping towards them.
Annabeth's head dropped in disappointment but quickly masked it to her usual emotionless state.
Not till Grover arrived to the two did he notice Annabeth's presence.
"Oh, hey Annabeth," he nervously greeted.
Annabeth only nodded at the greeting.
"Excuse me," she pardoned and walked off with her owl flying over head.
Percy and Grover watched her fleeting back, one in curiosity, one in confusion.
Percy was annoyed at the mysterious character but who doesn't love a good puzzle?
Annabeth's face flushed with embarrassment as she strode away from the pair. It wasn't the fact that Grover had arrived, but that she was talking to Percy. It didn't deem fit of their conversation, it was a hierarchy, him at the top and her at the bottom.
The siren rang signing the beginning of the paintball carnival. Chiron gave instructions while Dionysius placed bets on challengers. Flicking his cards between his fingers and cursing his Father's punishment.
Annabeth made her way to her starting post, at the back.
"What are you doing here, wise girl?" a voice questioned in disgust.
Annabeth shivered at the tone, Clarrise. Annabeth's number one fan. Noting the blunt sarcasm as it was intended.
Annabeth turned to face her speaker, bring her polite self.
"To participate," she stated in a monotone voice, not caring of this never ending conflict.
"Whatever, just watch your back," she sneered and turned on heel to walk back to her groupies replaying the story with fiction and lies.
Annabeth sighed knowing this cycle, day in and day out. Clarrise would question or threaten her, Annabeth replies in boredom and Clarrise storms of and tattle-tales.
Games began with fire. Music played and gun shots rang. Before long her event arrived much to Annabeth's dismay.
Chiron read out the rules and answered any questions. They were quite simple, get shot three times and you are out.
The horn blasted and demigods were off, some out in a matter of seconds, some running off.
Annabeth's owl scouted overhead for any conflict she would have to endure.
Once she ran to a secluded spot she caught her breath. Her plan was flawless shoot yourself three times and she didn't have to put up with this tiresome game.
Silence misted the forest. This was such a drag.
Paintball shots lifted to her ears as well as the groans of defeat and cries of victory.
She say down on the crunching leaves sitting patiently with her eyes drifting shut.
"Yo! Wise girl," a warm voice greeted.
Annabeth immediately tensed, knowing the giver of that nickname but knew from the depth of the voice it was Percy.
"What do you want," she sighed as she didn't even bother to sugarcoat it.
She opened her eyes to see that he was standing right in front of her.
Her body felt relief, the pain from her sides still fresh but numb in the presence of Percy.
"Well, I want to team up with you. So you up for it?" he asked hopefully.
Pout and puppy dog eyes locked and loaded. To those eyes she couldn't say no but one voice beat her to it.
An ear splitting scream came from the woods. Not too far away from there position.
She saw her owl flapping its wings away from the scream.
"Ew, that bird just pooped on me!" it roared in disgust.
Oh gods! This was not going to end well.
Out of the bush came a sight that would make the most serious situation possible hilarious.
And it all started with the stupid game of paintball and her owl pooping bombs.
Hello everyone who has read this Chapter! I am terribly sorry that I haven't updated sooner but this chapter was deleted so I had to start all over again.
I sorry if you guys wished it was longer and I apologise for that.
Please no flames (hate)!
Vote, Comment and Read!!
Thank you,
~FanFiction_PJo_2000