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" You saved the world," annabeth said." We saved the world." " And Rachel is the new Oracle, which means she won't be dating anybody." " You don't sound disappointed," I noticed.Annabeth shrugged. " Oh, I don't care." " Uh-huh." 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, becausethings 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 foryou, Seaweed Brain. Get used to it." When she kissed me, I had the feeling my brain was melting right through my body. I could've stayed that way forever, except a voice behind us growled, " Well, it's about time!" Suddenly the pavilion was filled with torchlight and campers. Clarisse led the way as the eavesdroppers charged and hoisted us both onto their shoulders." Oh, come on!" I complained. " Is there no privacy?" " The lovebirds need to cool off!" Clarisse said with glee." The canoe lake!" Connor Stoll shouted. and they dumped us in the water. "