The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4)

by Rick Riordan

“Think positive. Tomorrow you’re off to camp! After orientation, you’ve got your date—” “It’s not a date!” I protested. “It’s just Annabeth, Mom. Jeez!” “She’s coming all the way from camp to meet you.” “Well, yeah.” “You’re going to the movies.” “Yeah.” “Just the two of you.” “Mom!”

Annabeth nodded. Despite how serious she was acting, I was happy she wasn’t mad at me anymore. And I kind of liked the fact that she’d broken the rules to come sit next to me.

Her hair had come loose and was hanging in a tangled blond curtain all around her face. Her gray eyes looked almost black. “I’ve wanted to lead a quest since I was seven,” she said. “You’re going to do awesome.” She looked at me gratefully, but then stared down at all the books and scrolls she’d pulled from the shelves. “I’m worried, Percy. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked you to do this. Or Tyson and Grover.” “Hey, we’re your friends. We wouldn’t miss it.” “But…” She stopped herself. “What is it?” I asked. “The prophecy?” “I’m sure it’s fine,” she said in a small voice. “What was the last line?” Then she did something that really surprised me. She blinked back tears and put out her arms. I stepped forward and hugged her. Butterflies started turning my stomach into a mosh pit. “Hey, it’s…it’s okay.” I patted her back. I was aware of everything in the room. I felt like I could read the tiniest print on any book on the shelves. Annabeth’s hair smelled like lemon soap. She was shivering. “Chiron might be right,” she muttered. “I’m breaking the rules. But I don’t know what else to do. I need you three. It just feels right.”

Annabeth glared at me like she was going to punch me. And then she did something that surprised me even more. She kissed me. “Be careful, Seaweed Brain.” She put on her hat and vanished. I probably would’ve sat there for the rest of the day, staring at the lava and trying to remember what my name was, but the sea demons jarred me back to reality.

Annabeth turned to face the audience. She looked terrible. Her eyes were puffy from crying, but she managed to say, “He was probably the bravest friend I’ve ever had. He…” Then she saw me. Her face went blood red. “He’s right there!” Heads turned. People gasped. “Percy!” Beckendorf grinned. A bunch of other kids crowded around me and clapped me on the back. I heard a few curses from the Ares cabin, but Clarisse just rolled her eyes, like she couldn’t believe I’d had the nerve to survive. Chiron cantered over and everyone made way for him. “Well,” he sighed with obvious relief. “I don’t believe I’ve ever been happier to see a camper return. But you must tell me—” “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” Annabeth interrupted, shoving aside the other campers. I thought she was going to punch me, but instead she hugged me so fiercely she nearly cracked my ribs. The other campers fell silent. Annabeth seemed to realize she was making a scene and pushed me away. “I—we thought you were dead, Seaweed Brain!” “I’m sorry,” I said. “I got lost.” “LOST?” she yelled. “Two weeks, Percy? Where in the world—” “Annabeth,” Chiron interrupted. “Perhaps we should discuss this somewhere more private, shall we? The rest of you, back to your normal activities!”

“Hard to admit we need a mortal’s help,” I said. “But it’s true.” Annabeth glared at me. “You are the single most annoying person I have ever met!” And she stormed out of the room. I stared at the doorway. I felt like hitting something. “So much for being the bravest friend she’s ever had.” “She will calm down,” Chiron promised. “She’s jealous, my boy.” “That’s stupid. She’s not…it’s not like…” Chiron chuckled. “It hardly matters. Annabeth is very territorial about her friends, in case you haven’t noticed. She was quite worried about you. And now that you’re back, I think she suspects where you were marooned.” I met his eyes, and I knew Chiron had guessed about Calypso. It was hard to hide anything from a guy who’s been training heroes for three thousand years. He’s pretty much seen it all. “We won’t dwell on your choices,” Chiron said. “You came back. That is what matters.” “Tell that to Annabeth.”

percy is such a boy

“We’ll try, Ms. Jackson,” Annabeth said. “Keeping your son safe is a big job, though.” She folded her arms and glared out the kitchen window. I picked at my napkin and tried not to say anything. My mom frowned. “What’s going on with you two? Have you been fighting?” Neither of us said anything. “I see,” my mom said, and I wondered if she could see through more than just the Mist. It sounded like she understood what was going on with Annabeth and me, but I sure as heck didn’t.

“So,” she said, “it’s Annabell, right?” “Annabeth,” Annabeth corrected. “Do you always dress in gold?” “Not usually,” Rachel said.

PFT

“We’ll follow the path,” she said. “The brightness on the floor.” “The brightness that led us straight into a trap?” Annabeth asked. “Lay off her, Annabeth,” I said. “She’s doing the best she can.” Annabeth stood. “The fire’s getting low. I’ll go look for some more scraps while you guys talk strategy.” And she marched off into the shadows. Rachel drew another figure with her stick—an ashy Antaeus dangling from his chains. “Annabeth’s usually not like this,” I told her. “I don’t know what her problem is.” Rachel raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure you don’t know?” “What do you mean?” “Boys,” she muttered. “Totally blind.” “Hey, don’t you get on my case, too! Look, I’m sorry I got you involved in this.”

I made quick introductions, since Tyson and Grover had never met Rachel. Tyson told Rachel she was pretty, which made Annabeth’s nostrils flare like she was going to blow fire.