Most of all, he craves to see her – Annabeth - in the flesh, not just a vague memory of gray eyes and curly blonde hair. Placed in the middle of Son of Neptune.

You don't look terrible – you're beautiful, he tries to tell her, but as always, his throat closes on his words, forcing them back inside.

"He makes her laugh when she needs it the most, even when her heart is breaking apart and the world seems much too dark for such brightness to even exist."

The dream always ended when she screamed herself awake, terror making her voice go hoarse. She would wake up trembling, tears prickling the edge of her eyelids as she repeatedly told her self that it was all a dream; nothing from it had really happened.

Lily rolled her eyes at her best friend. "Oh, stop being so boy crazy, Marlene. I've had more than my share of hot guys with attitudes." Marlene winked mischievously. "If you're hinting that James Potter is hot, Lily, you're never gonna hear the end of it."