I Skip the Celebration
I’m not going to say it was a wild party—not as wild as fighting the dead, anyway.
But it was a good party, because we were still alive and with our friends.
The Apollo cabin provided the tunes, compliments of Austin Lake and his mega-tech portable sound system. We even convinced him to play some pop instead of freestyle jazz fusion, which was his normal go-to. Connor supplied snacks and beverages. I was pretty sure they’d been pilfered from
sure Hecuba and Mrs. O’Leary would’ve gotten along. Two dog mamas in one house might have caused problems. I told myself I would see my hellhound friend soon enough in California. I had to stay optimistic.
Most importantly, we managed to have a good time without re-trashing the manse. The only damage that occurred was when Valentina Diaz demonstrated her pearl necklaces of death and took out a light fixture.
Thankfully, Harley was able to fix it—it’s always good to have the Hephaestus cabin around.
“Who are you supposed to be, anyway?” I asked Valentina.
She looked at me like I was from Mars. “Coco Chanel, obviously! Scariest problematic fashion icon ever. Boo!”
I nodded like I knew what she was talking about. I’d seen how easily she could decapitate ghouls with her jewelry, and I didn’t want to make her angry.
Later, I wandered upstairs and found Annabeth on a third-story terrace that looked out over Gramercy Park. I didn’t even know the house had a terrace, but since the place was magic, I didn’t question it.
“Want some company?” I asked.
She patted the empty space next to her.
We sat in silence. It was nice to be able to do that with Annabeth. We never felt the need to be witty or cool with each other. We could just be ourselves. That was enough.
“I almost got us killed tonight,” she said.
That was neither witty nor cool, and I could tell it had been bothering her. “You’re being too hard on yourself,” I said.
She shook her head. “I heard Stuyvesant’s voice. Thinking I could summon a spirit like him on Halloween. Thinking I could handle those torches by myself … That was a mistake, like he said.”
I had a feeling she wasn’t such a fan of Peter Stuyvesant anymore. And honestly … same.
“It worked out,” I said. “The house got fixed.”
“Yes, but …” She shuddered. “My fatal flaw got in the way again. If I’d lost you because of my own pride …”
I took her hand. Her fingers were cold. “You’re not getting rid of me that easy. We’ve all got our fatal flaws, right? If yours is hummus …”
She laughed weakly. “Hubris.”
“That’s what I said. I am fine with it. It balances out my flaw of being too modest about my incredible dance moves.”
“Um, nice try.”
“Besides, I gotta believe we’re a good team because we make each other’s fatal flaws into slightly less fatal flaws. Like, maybe even fatal strengths.”
She squeezed my hand. “That doesn’t even make sense, Seaweed Brain. But I appreciate the thought. So you’re saying I shouldn’t feel guilty?”
“None of us should. Grover’s fatal flaw is apparently strawberry milkshakes, right? But sometimes life gives you strawberry milkshakes.
Then you gotta count on your friends to look out for you. We’re a team. How many times have you propped me up?”
“I’ve lost count.” “Exactly.”
She studied my face. You’d think she would’ve known it pretty well by now, but she seemed surprised, like she saw something on it she’d never noticed before.
“What?” I asked. “Queso on my chin?”
“No,” she said. “Well, actually, yes. But I was thinking you’re a pretty smart guy.”
“Could you say that again? I must’ve misheard you.”
She pushed me playfully. “I mean it. And I can tell you’re planning something. All that history about Hecate and her school, all the ghosts and
regrets hanging around this place. We repaired the house, but we’re not done yet, are we?”
“No,” I agreed.
I told her what I was planning to say to Hecate when she got home in the morning.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “Risky.”
“Yeah. I think you and Grover should clear out first. I don’t want this to blow up in your faces if she doesn’t take it well.”
“Hey, what did you just say about propping each other up? We’re not going anywhere.”
I let out a breath I’d been holding for too long. “Okay. If you’re sure.”
She leaned against me. “I actually feel better now. Thanks for talking it through. And for doing the right thing, even if it’s risky.”
“You want to get back to the party?” “Nah.” She kissed me. “I’m good.”
We sat for a while together, and I had to agree. We were pretty good.
