Disclaimer: All characters belong to Rick Riordan. Storyline is mine.
Chapter 1
Annabeth
I was there with Percy when we walked into first grade together, I was there when his first tooth fell out, I was there on the first day of high school, and I'm here with him now, at his mother's funeral. It is not the first funeral I've attended, and I was fairly sure I knew what to expect, but watching Percy as he tries his hardest to be strong breaks my heart in a way I've never experienced before. Maybe it's because I know that it doesn't matter how strong you pretend to be, there's always going to come a time when you break down.
The funeral and graveside service went by in a blur. I hardly heard anything the speakers said, I was too focused on Percy. Now I'm sitting next to him in the reception hall, wishing there was some way to take away his pain. I scan the room, taking in the white orchids placed carefully on each table, the slideshow projected on one wall, showing all kinds of pictures of Percy's mom, and the mourners all dressed in black. In one corner there's an L-shaped table displaying different photo albums and some writings that Sally had hoped to get published someday. I spot an old oil portrait I did of her. I made her pose for it last Christmas, planning to finish it as fast I could and give it to Percy as a gift. I can feel my eyes burning as I remember how alive she was then, she could barely sit still for the painting. I can't help but think about how quickly all of that life had been shut out.
"Annabeth, are you okay," I hear a timid voice beside me.
I jerk my head around to face Percy, blinking the tears away. "Yeah, I'm fine, thank you. But- how are you doing? You seem so. . . closed off."
His eyes meet mine for a brief second before they snap down at his hands. "I just, want this all to be over."
I continue to stare at him, begging him to say more. I haven't seen him cry since the day we walked into his house and found his stepfather, Paul, sobbing on the couch. It took awhile for him to explain what had happened, how Sally had been in a terrible accident and had died at the scene of the crash. The joy that was previously in his brown eyes was slowly shattered by deep sorrow. I could see everything written on his face. All of his plans for the future, ones that always involved Sally by his side, seemed to be leaking out through his eyes, leaving wet streaks on his face. He sank to his knees, and sobbed into his hands, unable to move. Soon, Paul moved to him and wrapped his arms around Percy. They cried together. Before that day, I had never seen Paul show any hint of sadness. He was always bright and happy. I stood there, listening to the ugly, heartbreaking, sobbing, and soon enough I felt tears streak down my face too. Feeling like an intruder on that intimate moment, I went into the kitchen. I stood shocked for a moment, and tried my best to compose myself. I stayed the entire day, determined to be strong for Percy. He's never really talked to me about it, or asked me for any kind of help since.
Today his face is a closed book. His features are all carefully schooled into a blank expression. I can tell how much he's focusing to keep his eyes trained downward, and his mouth a straight line. I reach over and lift up his chin, just a little bit so that he's forced to meet my eyes.
"It's okay to cry, Percy, it's okay to be sad," my voice breaks a little at the end, and I drop my hands into my lap. He gives me a short nod, his eyes shining from unshed tears.
"I feel like everything has changed, Annabeth, like even the parts of my life she hasn't touched are never going to be the same," he says desperately. He looks at me like he's begging for some kind of an answer, any solution to this all too permanent problem.
I try to not look as broken as I am at the site of him so desperate as I say, "It won't be. Nothing feels the same. But I'm still going to be here, I promise. "
"I know," he whispers hoarsely. No doubt there was a painful lump in his throat. "I know I can come to you, if I need you. I'm okay right now."
He just barely manages the saddest smile I've ever seen. Right now, I want to shake some sense into him. I want him to see that there's no reason for him to lie to me. I want him to be able to talk to me. Instead, I just give him a small smile back.
"Just tell me when you're not okay, okay?"
He nods again, and we spend the rest of the reception in silence only broken by people coming by and wishing Percy the best. They all keep telling him he's so strong, his mother would be so proud of him. None of them seem to notice how much pain Percy is in, and in that moment I wish I wasn't the only one who could see the mask he's putting on.
I wish Percy would take off the mask and talk to me.
I get home that night exhausted. My black dress drifting onto the bed around me as I collapse into it. I sigh and cover my face with my hands. The house is so quiet most days, it has been for years, seeing as my mother is barely home. I remember all the times Percy has helped me through my hardships. All the lonely nights my mom wasn't here, all the art galas she couldn't attend. He was always with me. The unfairness of it all washes over me. The fact that Percy, the loyalest person I've ever met, would have to go through this. Or the fact that Sally died in a terrible accident. These thoughts swirl in my head for hours, and I let the tears fall. I know that tomorrow I will be strong, for Percy.
Eventually, I fall into a fitful sleep, hoping that tomorrow will be a better day.
A/N: Hey, I hope you liked the first chapter! This is my first fic and I'm really excited to keep this going! Please review and tell me what you think.
