"Do you have dragons here?""

"Doesn't everyone."

She raised an eyebrow. "You got something to say to me, Seaweed Brain?"

You'd probably kick my butt."

You know I'd kick your butt."

I brushed the cake off my hands. "When I was at the River Styx, turning invulnerable . . . Nico said I had to concentrate on one thing that kept me anchored to the world, that made me want to stay mortal."

Annabeth kept her eyes on the horizon. "Yeah?"

Then up on Olympus," I said, "when they wanted to make me a god and stuff, I kept thinking-"

Oh, you so wanted to."

Well, maybe a little. But I didn't, because I thought-I didn't want things to stay the same for eternity, because things could always get better. And I was thinking . . ." My throat felt really dry.

Anyone in particular?" Annabeth asked, her voice soft.

I looked over and saw that she was trying not to smile.

You're laughing at me," I complained.

I am not!"

You are so not making this easy."

Then she laughed for real, and she put her hands
around my neck. "I am never, ever going to make things easy for you, Seaweed Brain. Get used to it.

Whoa Connor Stoll said Back up . Zoom in right there.
What ? Annabeth said nervously . You see invaders ?
No right there - Dylan's Candy Bar . Connor grinned at his brother . Dude it's open and everyone is asleep . Are you thinking what I'm thinking ?
Connor ! Katie Gardner scolded . She sounded like her mother , Demeter This is serious . You are not going to loot a candy store in the middle of a war !
Page 165

Annabeth ignored me while she scribbled on her inspection scroll , giving both cabins a one out of five . I found myself staring at her , which was stupid since i'd seen her a billion times . She and I were about the same high this summer , which was a relief . Still, she seemed so much more mature . It was kind of intimidating . I mean sure , she'd always been cute , but she was starting to be seriously beautiful .
Page 70

How can I explain to anyone that stories
are like air to me,
I breathe them in and let them out
over and over again.