Chapter One

-Back to December-

A Percy Jackson Fanfiction

five years earlier.

"Annabeth!" Percy called from behind my back. I whirled around, meeting his sea-green eyes. His shaggy black hanging low, shielding the illuminant glow that usually shines. His clothes were as equally as drenched as mine, seeing how the hard rain attacked us in the school's parking lot. I was heading towards my hand-me-down pickup truck that is at least 20 years outdated. Thanks, Malcom.

"Yes, Percy?" I pushed the wet strands of hair framing my face back into my now-low ponytail. His nose sagged slightly, and his eyes wandering off, vast beyond my face. He got this far away look in his eyes. "Percy!" I said, snapping my fingers in front of his face. The green orbs started at my fingers. A cheeky grin plastered his face, and he took one hand to scratch the back of his head while his high-cheekbones dotted with red.

"Sorry, my ADHD is out of control." He chuckled nervously, looking away. I tugged at my trench coats sleeve, waiting for his reasoning behind stopping me. Seconds ticked by.

"Percy." I said. The clouds turned darker every millisecond passing. "What do you want? It's pouring and I need to get home before I catch a cold." I said in the nicest tone I could handle at the moment.

His stare returned to my face, and a calloused hand reached to brush a stray hair away from my face. He flinched back the same time I did. He mumbled a small apology and took a deep breath. "Um, well, would you like to…" He hesitated. "Go on a date tonight with me?" He said quickly, avoiding my gaze once again.

"Okay."

His face formed into a mask of shock, then into a smile. "Alright. Can you meet me at the Grecian restaurant? It's an equal distance between our houses." He asked nervously, probably thinking I'd demand him to make an hour drive to my house to only go to a restaurant that's 30 or so minutes away.

"That's fine." I replied, earning a relieved sigh from the 15-year old teenager in front of me. "What time?"

He checked his watch briefly, and replied, "Eight O' Clock?" He tugged on the sleeves of his black hoodie, and looked into my gray orbs.

I smiled. "Sounds good to me." I turned around and walked to my rusty truck. I stumbled a bit on the soaked asphalt.

A pair of hands grasped my waist, steadying my balance. A pair of lips brought themselves to my ear and whispered in a husky voice, "Don't forget to wear something nice." I let out a gasp. "Drive safe." The pressure on my waist left, copying the heat that once visited my ear.

I unsteadily made the rest of the way to the truck, and opened up the rusted door. I jammed the metal key into the engine, and turned it several times until the ancient engine roared alive. I turned on the headlights, and backed out of the parking lot to go home.

The drive down the highway was quiet, the radio knob sticky and half ejected again. I pulled into my driveway 5 minutes later, hearing two audible shrieks from inside. I climbed out of the truck cab and walked to the wooden door. Once opened, I saw two crying twins, a frustrated father, and a mother trying to calm down the children. I put my hand on my father's plaid shirt, stopping him from pacing.

"What in the world is going on?" I demanded. Bobby tried to reply, but it came out as an inaudible cry.

"Annabeth," Fredrick said, "We're moving to San Francisco. The plane leaves tomorrow at six."

One Last Kiss

I stumbled down the shag carpet stairs, grabbing my key off of the hook by the front door. Fredrick explained everything, and I felt bad about Percy. I told him I'd be gone for an hour or two. I said my goodbye's and ran outside into the rusty truck. I glanced out the windshield at the clouds. I hope the forecast was right. I pulled out of the driveway, and onto the highway. If I recall correctly, this was the fastest way to the restaurant. I wore a knee length black and purple dress, which bloomed out at the bottom and a matching cardigan for the top.

I pulled into the side parking lot of the Grecian restaurant, and walked to the door. Percy stood there, a bouquet of roses in hand, and he wore a suit with a tie that matched his eyes. I mounted in front of him, hesitant of what I had to say next. Two seconds later, thunder rumbled, and rain poured down. Darn that forecaster.

"Annabeth, come on in before we get soaked." Percy tried to usher me inside.

"Percy…" I said, almost sadly. He took his hold off of the glass door and it closed itself. His hair matted to his face from the wetness, as did mine. "I can't do this." I swallowed my pride, along with my confidence. I sighed. "Percy," I began.

"No, no, no." He mumbled, gripping his hair, squishing the rose stems and shutting his eyes. "Please, Annabeth," He begged, his eyes staring into mine. Green on gray. "Please, I beg you, don't be like the rest." I could vaguely see tears in his eyes, despite the rain. "Don't leave me."

I swallowed thickly. "Goodbye, Percy." I turned around, and headed back to my truck."

"Wait-" He said. I spun around. "Have these." He handed me the semi-squashed roses. "In reminder of me." I took them without saying anything. He turned around, heading towards his car on the other side of the building. I wobbled my way to my truck, and let it all out. I cried.

One Last Kiss

As my family and I boarded the plane to San Francisco, I regretted everything I did. I sat between my two fighting brothers, mildly depressed at this situation. I pulled out my notebook, and started to draw. Drawing is my escape from reality. When I was done, my hand was smeared with pencil lead and we were halfway through the flight. I eyed the picture warily before I closed the notebook. It was a picture of the vase of roses I left in my room. Withering, dying, just like my sanity in this situation. I can't survive much longer.

five years later.

I sat in Central Park, admiring the view I haven't seen for five years. I had just returned to New York for a business transfer. I majored in the field of medicine, I got a great job opportunity in my home town. Tomorrow is my first day at the hospital. As a surgeon and a general doctor. I held the cup of steaming Beans Coffee, and I almost dropped it when I eyed a mop of black hair. It's been five years and I haven't forgotten what he looked like. I saw the man go into an area of woods. I cautiously followed him. There is a 5 percent chance it was him.

Who cares? My conscience says. Worth a shot anyways. I got up. And hugged my jacket closer to me, and walked through the December wind to the man. I ran a little to catch up to him, which was a terrible idea. My foot got caught on a tree root, and I went flying. My coffee flew a good five feet forward, missing the mysterious person by a hair. I landed in a puddle of mud. The man turned around.

His sea green eyes pierced through me. His once sweet smile had turned into a grimace. I wiped off some of the mud with my gloves and stood in front of him.

"Who are you and what the hell do you want?" He asked me angrily.

"You don't remember me?" I frowned. I should have known better. Why would he remember me? "I'm sorry for that night, Percy."

His face dawned into realization and then into a scowl. "Annabeth Chase." He spat untastefully at my face.

He was so loving… so caring… "Percy-"

"Save it. We're done know. It was six years ago." He turned around and walked away from me.

"Five years ago." I sniffled. He turned around. I gave him a watery smile as a traitor tear slipped down. I haven't cried in five years. I can't believe I'm doing it in front of the one person who hates me. "It's been five years. I haven't been able to sleep since that night, Percy." I choked out. "I still think there's that sweet, loving, caring boy, I once knew in there, somewhere, at least." I said, and I picked up my coffee cup and walked away without another word.

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