Anxiety

        And so there he is.

        Just standing at the bottom of a hill, looking very, very content and happy and excited and amazed and all that other fuzzy stuff. Great. He has an arm around some pretty, dark haired girl-in-a-toga's neck, and she's looking a bit nervous. Just perfect.

        He'd probably gotten himself mixed up in a whole other relationship with some other gorgeous girl with ten times the wit, skill, and beauty than I do, and I could never, ever compete. Of course he was loving on this other chick, while I was worrying my butt off and trying to find him. Him, Percy Jackson, who I'd fallen in love with from age eleven and finally had gotten to kiss me (well, actually, I'd kissed him… same difference) just about nine months ago. And he'd most likely forgotten all of it. It crushed me.

        I race up to the deck where the stairs were (this was definitely not your common warship) that we are going to get off on. Percy is at the bottom, grinning like there is no tomorrow. Well, you're optimistic, possibly not even knowing what the hell is on this gigantor boat. He was also in a toga. I stifle a snort. Classy.

        My heart beating at 500 beats per second, adrenaline rushes through my veins. I am so nervous. What will I do? If he doesn't remember me: I guess he'll just stand there while my heart shatters into crystal shards. If he does remember me: I shall pummel him until he begs for forgiveness for not coming straight to me, then kiss him senseless. Personally, I like option two.

        I mentally shake myself. I am getting more melodramatic by the day. I think it's because I'm hanging out with Piper and the rest of her Aphrodite gang. Whatever, at least they keep me brushing my hair when I feel too awful to do anything else. Not that I care, though.

        Leo sneaks up behind me, surprising me out of my thoughts. "Lost in your dreams of me, sunshine?"

        I jump, and reply, "Whatever, Flaming Valdez. You'll have Percy to answer to now."

        He slumps his shoulders in mock defeat. "Aw, man. Guess my fantasies are crushed."

        I roll my eyes, and ask, "Hey, when are we actually going to land? We got here about fifteen minutes ago!"

        "Whenever Sparky is ready. He's the peacemaker."

        As if on cue, Jason and Piper walk in, holding hands. They really are an adorable couple. Maybe they'll get married and have cute little kids and Thalia will be an aunt. Their children would be adorable!

        I mentally smack myself again.  I'm getting way too emotional as well. Also, I've been reading those ridiculous teen romance books.  Adds a couple points to my cheesiness.
        Anyways, Jason says grinning, that we'll land in about one minute. Then we'll traipse down the makeshift stairs from the deck and I'll find out my true destiny. Ominous. My heart hammers faster, if possible, and I start biting my lip.

        "Stop worrying so much, Annabeth. Calm down," Piper says somewhat soothingly, patting my shoulder, "You'll be fine! Just chill!"

        I shoot her a "duh" look. As if I could be anything but worrisome and nervous. At this point, however, before I can give a clever comeback, Sparky pulls Piper, Leo, and I up the stairs to the deck. "Come on, guys! Showtime!"