Chapter 1- The Best Birthday

Hi- Annabeth here! Yeah, I know Percy usually tells you these stories, but for this particular tale, we both thought it would be best coming from me.

I was standing on the top step to the Olympian throne room; the only building standing on Mount Olympus. The Cyclops builders were busy readying their building materials. There were huge piles of white marble, mounds of gold and other precious metals, and statues of all of the different gods. This was not only the day when the city I designed would be built; it was also my sixteenth birthday. The plan was that, when everyone got here, I would do the ribbon cutting thingy and the gods would use their magic powers to build the city. Then it would be a mountain wide party as everyone checked out the new city. I was so excited, mainly because of all the planning and work it took to get here, but also because you don't turn 16 every day.

"Annabeth?" It was my mother.

I turned around and saw the goddess Athena walking towards me. She was dressed in a simple white dress. A gray Barn Owl was perched on her shoulder. Her curly blonde hair was pulled back in a bun. Her large gray eyes were identical to mine and bore her usual calm expression.

"Annabeth, people will be arriving soon. You should go and change your clothes. Do not worry, everything is ready."

I was about to make a comment on how I was worried about the preparations; but my mother took the words right out of my mouth. Being the goddess of wisdom, she can do freaky things like that.

"Yes mother" I said respectfully as I turned around to go back inside.

"And, Annabeth"

I looked back "Yes?"

"Happy Birthday." And she went POOF! And disappeared.

I smiled slightly to myself.

I walked over to a room in which I was supposed to get ready. Everything was spread out just like I had left it a few hours ago. My gray silk dress was hanging behind the door. I was rather fond of this dress. Normally, I don't wear dresses at all. But this dress was special.

A few weeks ago, all of my friends had taken me shopping to find something special to wear. I had tried to say no. but had lost by their sheer wait in numbers. Thalia, Rachel, Tyson, Nico, Percy, (and most of the Aphrodite cabin who had insisted on helping) had pushed me in the car against my own will. Fighting didn't do me much good here, especially because 2 of them are invulnerable. Anyway, we were shopping and Percy had found this dress. He had called me over to look at it. I had fallen in love with it instantly.

I slipped the dress on. I stuffed my feet into some tiny, little silvery gray flats (courtesy of the Aphrodite kids, a party is never complete without painful shoes!) and tried to do something with my hair. I piled it up on top of my head and secured it with a silver clip.

I examined myself in the mirror. "Not bad" I said to myself, "not bad at all."

I wondered about so many things, how would the gods build the city? How would the party be afterward? Would anyone show up? I mean, I invited almost everyone I knew, someone would come. Percy had to, he had promised.

I then realized how stupid I was being and told the little doting voice in the back of my head to shut up!

I walked outside. Everything was so big, it took me a while to take it all in. My mother was up at the podium announcing something to a huge crowd of people, there must have been around 600! It looked like all of Olympus and Camp Half Blood had come to celebrate with me. I scanned the crowd and the saw faces I was most eager to see, except for one. Everyone was there; Rachel, Thalia, Tyson, Nico, and some more friendly faces from camp, but no Percy. My Seaweed Brain was nowhere to be found.

"And now, for the cutting of the ribbon. The duty of the head architect of this whole project, my own daughter, Annabeth Chase!" Athena said into the microphone as a cyclops handed me a giant pair of scissors. I cut a large red ribbon in front of me and POOF!

It all happened at once. Where there had been a huge pile of building supplies was a city, a beautiful city. All of my finest work had been collected in one beautiful mythological city far above the streets of New York. Everything was glowing. Everyone scattered to check out the cool new town.

I was happy, I really was. But there was something holding me back. I couldn't put my finger on it. I wasn't as happy as I thought I would have been. Yeah, it was amazing to see all of my hard work actually come to life. But, somehow , I found it hard to work up the enthusiasm.

There was something wrong. I didn't know what. I hated not knowing. I had to go some place alone and quiet in order to figure things out. And I knew just the place..

…

I was on the observation platform. I had added this little area to the plans a few minutes before the Cyclops builders had taken them away for construction prep. It was built on a small ledge on the far side of the mountain. I had been pondering what to do with this ledge. It was small and shifty and no one really went to the back side of the mountain. But one day, a few weeks ago I had climbed out here with Percy and he had pointed out what a beautiful view that the ledge had. I had woken up that morning and BOOM! It hit me; a beautiful, secretive, and serene marble observation platform; with a beautiful view of New York City. I could go on about structural supports and architectural details, but I don't want to bore you this early in the story.

So, anyway; I was leaning out, looking at the city below me yada, yada, yada. I allowed my thoughts to wonder.

Where was Percy? He said he would be here. I mean it's not unusual for him to be late. But usually he wasn't this late. Oh well, he'll be here. He has to be. What kind of boy friend is late to his girlfriend's most important night of her life?

I sighed.

I was so preoccupied in thought that I didn't hear someone walk up behind me.

2 warm arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind me. A familiar voice whispered "Happy Birthday" in my ear. "You're late seaweed brain" I said in reply. I turned around and saw him; his unruly black hair, his bright green eyes, and his gentle smile. He looked nice. He wore dark pants, a crisp, white shirt, a green tie, and a formal jacket.

"You clean up good." I said, "Maybe I'll forgive you for being late. It all depends on what you got me."

A bright smile passed over his face. "Close your eyes and hold out your hand" he told me.

I raised my eyebrows questioningly, but did what he told me, wondering what it could be. I heard a box click open. Something cold and metallic was secured around my wrist.

"Okay, open your eyes." Percy said with excitement.

I opened my eyes and looked down at a beautiful charm bracelet now gracing my wrist. It was made of silver links. Olive trees and flying owls were etched into the metal with amazing detail. On the largest link, engraved in tiny letters my dyslexic brain could barely dispatcher, it said "To Wise Girl, Love Seaweed Brain"

"It's beautiful Percy. I love it"

"I haven't even gotten to the best part." Percy said with a smile, "this is a magic charm bracelet. Every charm you put on it becomes enchanted. So you need a charm."

He took out a small box wrapped with a blue ribbon and handed it to me. I opened it. Inside was a beautiful little owl charm, with miniscule sapphires for the eyes. I was at loss for words. I put it on the bracelet.

"Now tap it." Said Percy.

I tapped the tiny charm. It grew larger and larger until I was looking at a shield with an owl molded into the front. It looked as if it were flying out of the shield towards me. It was so beautiful and perfect I was speechless.

"Thanks Percy" I said simply (it was all I could manage to get out).

I gave him a light kiss on the lips and a big hug.

"I love it Seaweed brain, and I love you too." I told him, Though I was a little worried what his reaction would be.

My worry melted away as he smiled and pulled me into another hug.

"I love you too." He said quietly in my ear.

We stood like that for a long time, or maybe no time at all. I don't know, I always get so confused during those sentimental feel good moments.

Fireworks exploded over the city. I breathed in deeply. It had to be one of the best nights of my life.

But if I had had any idea of what was to come, I would have stayed home.