Annabeth really would rather have a starving chimera come after her right now.

It's got to be easier than this.

She swallows the lump in her throat.

Oh, gods. If she's going to cry, she'll really be pissed at herself.

"Scorpius, I'm so sorry," she says. "I think you're really - really awesome and I like you so much, but it's just ... there's so much going on back home, and I can't -"