The Heroes of Olympus: The Demigod Diaries

by Rick Riordan

It was almost enough to make me turn vegetarian, except for the pesky fact that I loved cheeseburgers.

I stepped forward. Call me old-fashioned, but I wanted to keep his focus on me and not Annabeth. I think it’s polite for a guy to protect his girlfriend from instant incineration.

But Annabeth and I had been fighting together for years. We knew each other’s abilities. We could anticipate each other’s moves. I might have felt awkward and nervous about being her boyfriend, but fighting with her? That came naturally. Hmm…that sounded wrong. Oh, well.

“Her name is Annabeth,” I said. “And she’s one of a kind.”

She opened her mouth and closed it again. I don’t leave her speechless very often. I have to enjoy those rare moments.