“I tried to talk to Annabeth, but she was acting like I'd just punched her grandmother.”

“Annabeth glared at me like she was going to punch me. But she did something that surprised me even more...She kissed me.”

“Percy (talking about Annabeth):"I found myself staring at her, which was stupid since I'd seen her a billion times. 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.”

“I need to talk to Clarisse," Annabeth said.I stared at her as if she'd just said "I need to eat a large, smelly boot.""What for?”

“Dance you guys!" Thalia ordered. "You look stupid just standing there." I looked nervously at Annabeth, then at the groups of girls who were roaming the gym. "Well?" Annabeth asked. "Um, who should I ask?"She punched me in the gut. "Me, Seaweed Brain." "Oh. Oh right.”

“Hey, ugly!" Annabeth yelled. I hoped she was talking to the giant, not me.”

“But you'll be killed!""I'll be fine. Besides, we've got no choice."Annabeth glared at me like she was going to punch me. And then she did something that surprised me even more. She kissed me.”