Disclaimer: I do NOT own these characters! At all. They all belong to the fabulous Rick Riordan.
ANNABETH POV:
I checked my watch. 3:12. I hadn't slept in a week and a half, but then again, I don't sleep much anymore.
Most people have sleep that is full of dreams and joy, but mine are plagued by nightmares and memories.
It was a clear summer night, and on nights like these, it feels so good to sit on the ledge roof and dangle my legs over, the warm breeze making my hair tickle me. I'd like to say I do my best thinking here. I closed my eyes, and it was so peaceful. I heard the door to the roof open and close, but didn't bother to look and see who it was. The only person that comes up here is me and occasionally my overprotective brother, Matt. I just leaned back, my arms propping my weight up beside me, head back with my eyes closed. He jumped onto the balcony in a sitting position on my right.
"What are you doing up so early?"
My eyes snapped open and I whipped my head around to see who had spoken. That was NOT Matt. I didn't recognize him, but he had black hair that looked like he had just been on the beach, sea green eyes, toned muscles, and the tan of an athlete. Long story short; he was hot.
"Couldn't sleep," I mumbled as I turned back to resume my previous position. Normally hot people don't just come up and talk to me, so I really have no idea what to do. "Yeah, me neither. I just moved here and I start school at Charlotte High school this fall. I'm really nervous." He says. So he just moved here. That's why I don't recognize him. "Oh," is all I say. I thought maybe he didn't sleep regularly, in which case we would have something in common. He interrupted my thoughts, "What's keeping YOU up so early?" He asked. "Umm... Uhh..." I wasn't expecting him to ask. What do I say?! I can't just tell him everything. He wouldn't understand. "You know... nightmares, monsters under my bed and in my closet, the usual..." I laughed nervously. He's going to see right through me. Surprisingly, he didn't push me and just turned to go. "I hope you... Get some sleep? Goodnight... I'm sorry, I just realized I don't know your name." He said. "Annabeth," I replied. "And you are...?" I asked. "Oh, I'm Percy."said Percy. "Well, nice to meet you Percy. Goodnight." I said. "My pleasure, Annabeth. I'll see you around." He said. And with that, he left the rooftop.
I finally let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. Trying not to have a flashback while keeping a steady conversation is really hard. But now, nothing was stopping me from being sucked into the past.
I'm eight years old, cowering in a corner. I had learned to cope with pain differently then other people, so I just curled up and ignored it for as long as I could. Judging from the sharp pain in my side, he was kicking me, and had likely broken a few ribs. With every hit came another new insult. "Your... mother left... because... of... you!" he said. "It's... all... your... FAULT!" It was like this every day. After the first few months of abuse, my mother had taken me and my brother and ran. We moved across the country to get away from him.
Eight years have gone by and I'm still having nightmares. Fun, right? That's not even the best part. My nightmares are different from most people's. My dreams are night terrors, which means that I feel the pain, and I can't wake up until it's over. A lot of times I scream and wake other people up, so I've learned to stay awake for about one and a half weeks at a time. At which time I'll just collapse wherever. Which reminds me, it's coming up. It'll probably be tomorrow. It's kind of like a period, though. You have it on a loose schedule so you can expect it, but sometimes it comes earlier and sometimes it comes later. Mostly, I've been home schooled, so this inconsistency doesn't affect me much, but I'm going to public school for my sophomore year. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm not nervous. I'll just lie low and try to keep out of trouble. I checked my watch again. 6:48. Wow, how time flies when you're worrying. Until next time, roof.
~short line break~
With my legs dangling off the edge, I slipped forward. That's right folks, I just jumped off a roof. Well, slipped. Dauntless, I know.
Right onto our apartments fire escape.
I bet you actually thought I jumped. I'm not that depressed. Climbing in through the window, I was going to start on breakfast, but my mom had beat me to it. That was odd. She never made breakfast unless we were having company.
Unless we were having company!
Percy and his family just moved into our apartment complex. I face palmed myself.
"We're having the Jacksons over, aren't we?" I asked, peeking through my fingers. "Yes," she answered. "Remember? I told you yesterday? My goodness, Annabeth. You need to pay attention!" she scolded.
Shit, I thought. I was still in my clothes from last night AND I was entering the stage where I could possibly collapse. He was going to think I was some sort of hobo! I dashed to my room and yanked on a clean t-shirt, jeans, and a leather jacket. At least I've got one problem solved. As I walked out the door to my room, I yanked my wavy, untamed hair into a messy ponytail just as I heard my mom answer the door and greet our guests. Damn it. I wouldn't get to tell her beforehand, but I could tell Matt. I sat in my seat at the table and tapped twice on the hardwood surface to let him know my 'episode' was supposed to come very soon. That's right, we have a code, because we're juvenile and stupid. Well, not really stupid.
When I decided to go to public school this year, we both decided that I need an indiscreet way to let him know at school just in case. Three taps means that it's happening right now and I need to find somewhere private immediately. Hopefully I wouldn't have to use that one today, but feeling the way I do, I wouldn't be surprised. I can usually feel them coming on, but symptoms show very fast.
Anyway, he seemed to get the message because he looked at me with worried eyes, but nothing could be done about it now because the Jacksons were seating themselves. I glanced up at the boy sitting beside me and was surprised to find that it was Percy.
I assumed that he might not want to come to a breakfast with his mom and neighbors, I mean, who would? He looked at me with recognition, but I shook my head slightly. I wasn't supposed to be on the roof because of my episodes, but I go up there almost every night. He was NOT going to ruin this for me. My mom broke the awkwardness first.
"So Annabeth, this is Percy. He'll be a sophomore at Charlotte High in the fall too. You guys can learn the halls together." She said. I turned to face him, but he spoke first. "It's alright Mrs. Chase, we've already-" Obviously he didn't understand the look I had given him before, so I butted in.
"Nice to meet you, Percy. I'm sure we'll get along famously." I interrupted, offering my hand. He shook it uncertainly until I gave him a look that said 'go along with it!' Thankfully, he did.
"Pleasure's all mine, Annabeth." He said, looking me straight on the eye. At the worst moment possible, I started seeing dark spots cloud my vision, and averted my eyes. Quickly, I tapped three times on the table. Matt glanced up at me, and seeing the green face I had on, he helped me out. Turning to look at Mom, he spoke. "Mom, may Annabeth and I be excused?" He asked. One look and she knew what was going on. A slight nod was all I needed to stand unsteadily from the table. As I got up, I could've sworn I saw a worried look on Percy's face, but I must've imagined it. I barely knew the guy, and he just seemed too cool (and hot) for me. Once we started school, he'll see me for the freak that I am and ignore me just like everyone else did before I was home schooled.
After clutching onto Matt's arm and stumbling down the hallway, I finally reached my bed. Collapsing into its layers, my last thought was of Percy with his cute, worried look on before I passed out from exhaustion.
A/N: I know everyone says this, but this is my first fan-fiction ever and I would love it if you could review and tell me things. Like if:
-the chapters are too long
-the chapters are too short
-there's bad grammar (I seriously hope not B/C that would be embarrassing)
-your cat had babies
-you hate me with every fiber in your being
-you want me to continue the story