Annabeth Neverending Read Online Free PDF Page B

couldn’t articulate. In the blink of an eye, the mystery has been solved. But my realization is simply too much to process. I’m alternately paralyzed with shock and charged with excitement.
    So I was reincarnated. Why hadn’t I thought of that before? Then again, everything is always much clearer in retrospect. I think now that a little part of me always knew, or at least suspected. I’ve always been called “precocious,” unusually “knowledgeable” for my age, and most tellingly, an “old soul.”
    Our personalities may be as different as our circumstances, but Ana and I share one soul. And a penchant for symbolic gold jewelry. And — the more I know him through my memories — a yearning for Sethe .
    Oh, Sethe…
    “Annabeth! Annabeth!”
    I feel fingers pressing so hard into my shoulders they’re sure to leave black - and - blue marks. It takes me a few seconds to understand that Howie is behind it.
    It’s jarring to see Howie’s ruddy face and find myself lying on the pink carpet in my embarrassingly girly bedroom. Seconds ago, ages ago, I was on my bed. I must have rolled off while I was passed out.
    I manage to pull myself to a sitting position. Howie throws himself around me, holding me tight. I can’t remember the last time he’s shown me so much affection. It’s nice to know that underneath his gruff preteen exterior remains some semblance of humanity. Howie must realize that this lengthy embrace makes him seem sensitive, because he drops his arms to his side.
    “You were having a seizure!”
    A seizure?
    A seizure ?
    This is a terrible new wrinkle. Fainting is one thing, but seizing? Can’t you bite your tongue off when that happens? There’s no way a seizure can be good for you. I just hope it isn’t all that bad. Although I know it is. In fact, having a seizure makes me so upset it practically causes another seizure.
    I struggle to collect myself. I can’t let Howie get involved. I must control this situation to the best of my ability. And if my mother finds out, she’ll take over.
    “Of course I was. Look, I’m on some new medication for my sleepwalking, and it’s one of the side effects. I’ll discuss it with Mom. Obviously I need to switch to a different drug.”
    The thought of trying any other drug for my sleep issues, when none of them made a bit of difference, rattles me, even though this is all a lie.
    “Just do me a favor. Don’t say anything to Mom or Dad about my meds. They don’t want to stress you out.”
    Howie grows thoughtful.
    I continue. “They can’t know that you know. You’re lucky they want to keep you out of it. Otherwise, you’d be dragged to the hospital again for my treatments. You don’t want that, do you?” I ask, banking on Howie’s hatred of the place. He always complains that the vending machines never have anything good — that isn’t expired — and that he has to sit in an uncomfortable chair for hours while sickly patients cough and hack on him.
    “Fine. I’ll play dumb,” he says.
    “Thank you. It really is for the best.” I’m simultaneously impressed and ashamed by my lying skills.
    I pray that Howie doesn’t tattle on me. But I can’t let my fears about him blabbing ruin this moment. The moment when I discovered who I was, even if, thanks to Maine’s stringent laws on adoption, I’m still not entirely sure of who I am.

    During my open period, I head to the dank, underutilized York High library. This is usually a prime make - out spot. At least that’s what I hear. Bernadette sure knows her way around it. Let’s just say she’s become quite an expert on the Dewey Decimal system.
    I pull a thick wool sweater over my turtleneck, but it still isn’t enough to keep me warm. I really wish they’d turn up the heat in here. But I can’t say that in public. Ever since my rude awakening from that last vision, I’ve been uncomfortably cold. I’m a Mainer and should be able to withstand the most frigid of temperatures. And this