Warning: This chapter contains violence and swearing. There is a reason this is labeled T and if you feel like you can not handle this content, do not read. Just check out my other stories J
Annabeth's POV
Two weeks after the incident my parents announced that with all the publicity Luke and I were getting, they were going to expand the business…again. I was against it. That'd mean that Luke and I had to keep fake dating for even longer.
Luke and I haven't been caught in a single photo or anywhere together in the last two weeks and the press was buzzing. Rumors had already started to surface which was great for the company, but bad for me. My parents thinking that we purposely avoided being out in public praised me for coming up with such a clever way of getting publicity. I remember feeling so guilty that I had lied to them, but that was only the first of many.
If they only knew, I thought. Snapping fingers clouded my vision pulling me out of my thoughts. I was brought back to reality and I realized my mistake.
Luke's aunt was waiting patiently for me to answer a question I didn't know was asked. Luke stared at me expectantly, but I knew he already caught my mistake. His eyes were hard as they glared into mine and I knew that it was too late. I gave her an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry." I apologized not knowing to whom exactly.
"Can you repeat the question?" Luke's aunt brushed off my carelessness laughing, not noticing how Luke's hand on my waist tightened tremendously. My heart thumped loudly in my chest and I knew it wouldn't stop until punishment was over.
"It's okay dear, I was just asking how about your parents! How are they?" She asked.
"They're doing well, the business is booming!" I spoke clearly, not wishing to worsen my punishment.
"That's fantastic, tell them I said hi! You know we used t-"
"I'm sorry Aunt Carol but we have to go. My father just texted me that we needed ice, so I'll see you later!" He said as he guided me away.
My legs felt like lead as he dragged me to the parking lot. He greeted people and flashed friendly smiles at them on the way out. Nobody suspected what horrible things he was about to do.
We walked into the parking lot in silence and when we reached the car he stormed off letting go of my waist. I rubbed my left side knowing that there would definitely be a bruise tomorrow. My hands were shaking and I felt like crying. I was scared-no terrified to go inside that car. I knew that once I got in the abuse would start.
Luke slammed the car door waiting for me to come in. I took a deep breath as I slowly walked to my side. I put my hand on the handle and pulled. Sitting down and shutting the door I barely had the chance to even glance at Luke before his palm connected with my face.
My head snapped the opposite direction as I bit my lip to prevent any noise from escaping. I felt the familiar sting on my right cheek as I looked up at his enraged face.
"You stupid bitch!" He yelled giving my cheek another painful slap. I whimpered clutching it. There would surely be a bruise tomorrow and a few others by the end of tonight.
"How dare you embarrass me like that! Do you know how stupid that made me look?"
"I'm sorry-"
"Shut the fuck up!" He roared and I winced, but stayed quiet.
"Did anyone say you could speak!" He asked and I didn't respond. I was too scared.
"Answer me!" He raised his hand and I flinched. I quickly shook my head no and he furiously started the engine.
"Just wait…" He threatened and took off speeding.
He didn't say anything for the entire ride and we drove in complete silence. I could feel my hands shaking as I held onto the bottom of my dress. My black dress. I just prayed that in a few moments it won't be covered in blood. I should've known this would happen. Every time we go to one of these social gatherings I always end up hurt. Physically, mentally and emotionally. I should've never agreed…but what choice did I have.
"Get out." He said in a low voice and I raced out of the car. My fingers trembled as I opened the door and I could feel Luke walking right behind me. No one was home because they were all at the party, leaving me to fend for myself. As soon as the door was opened I was pushed roughly inside. I gasped.
I fell to the ground, quickly curling myself into a tight ball to protect any vital organs. I heard the door close behind me, before a sharp kick was delivered to my back.
"Get up!" I screamed as another blow was delivered, refusing to get up in fear of what he would do to me.
"I said get up!" A sudden pain erupted from my scalp and I whimpered as he grabbed hold of my hair. I latched onto the piece of hair trying to ease the pain.
He yanked me up and my head slammed against the white wall. That's when the punching started.
His fist came down hard on my temple and the room started to spin. He punched me in the stomach and I hunched over gasping for air. I could feel the bile rising in my mouth. While I was hunched over he punched me in the face making black dots swarm my vision. I fell to the ground, where Luke continuously started to punch me.
I didn't even know I was sobbing until Luke yelled
"Shut up! You deserve this!" His hits seemed to become even harder after that and I started to feel the familiar light headedness as another punch hit my skull. Only one thought ran through my mind before I was enclosed by darkness. Am I going to die…
Time Skip
I slowly started to open my eyes as I was shaken awake. I blinked trying to readjust to the light.
"Annabeth wake up! It's time for school!" I heard the voice of my mother as she continues to shake me. I groaned slightly when she jerked my shoulder a little too hard.
"H-How did I get here?" I asked looking around my room. Was Luke here?
"Luke brought you here yesterday after the party. Don't you remember falling asleep in his car? He said you were pretty tired...Now get up, it's time for school!" She left the room after that and I slowly raised up.
Feeling the pain in not only my stomach, but my back too made me whimper. Looking down I realized I was still in last night's clothes and gently I put my feet on the floor. I get up.
Limping to the bathroom, I looked at my face in the mirror despite already knowing what the outcome would be. I see nothing. Not a bruise or scratch in sight. My face is completely flawless and it disappointed me that again my mother fell for it again. She should've seen the unevenness of the powder. Had she looked close enough she would've seen that my face was a little too flawless to be natural. Just like the perfect façade I put on every day.
I had makeup on. Makeup that I couldn't put on myself because I was unconscious. No. I didn't put this makeup on, Luke did. This wasn't the first time he had to do this and as much as I prayed for it to be the last, I doubted it would.
I felt it coming. I felt the tears build up in my eyes as I looked in the mirror, but I forced them to stay at bay. Crying only led to panic attacks and sometimes panic attacks led to beatings.
I walked out of the bathroom and got dressed. I made sure to wear something classy, but not too classy. Luke didn't want me looking too professional or too casual.
I wore a white sleeveless dress with a gold belt. I had black leggings underneath the dress and a light, brown jacket on to cover any bruises.
I put on my gold earrings, knowing how much Luke likes them along with the gold bracelet he got me for Christmas. My blonde hair was naturally curly and fortunately for me Luke liked it that way. Looking at myself in the mirror I thought, maybe he'll go easy on me today.
Grabbing my bag, I forced myself not to limp as I walked down the stairs.
"Hey Annabeth!" My dad greeted the same way he did every morning. I gave him the same soft, polite smile like always and sat down at the table.
That was another thing abuse does to people. It makes them the shell of the person they use to be. I was no exception and my family noticed the change in my behavior immediately. They just didn't know why and by the looks of it I wasn't gonna tell them anytime soon.
"How was your night Annabeth? You left the party pretty early." My mom asked me, sharing out a plate of eggs for herself.
A hard lump formed in my throat as I recalled the events of last night and I swallowed it down.
"I have a test today and I wanted to study for it before it got too late…but I feel asleep in the car." I said pretending to be sheepish.
"She really is your daughter!" Dad laughed and my mom playfully glared at him. I felt the corners of my lips turn up and I smiled slightly. That's when I heard the doorbell ring. My smile instantly vanished and unnoticeably straightened my posture.
My dad got up and opened the door and there lied my worse nightmare. They exchanged a few words before he walked in smiling.
"Hey Anna!" Luke smiled. Fear started to sweep over me like a tidal wave again, but I kept my composure.
"Morning Luke." I said back politely.
"You look nice today!" He complimented and a small weight was lifted off my shoulders. Thank God he approved!
"Thanks…" I replied and I saw my parents give each other odd glances.
"We should get going, it's getting late." Luke said flashing my parents a smile. They returned it and we got up and left.
I got inside Luke's car and waited for him to say something. He was very quiet, but he always is after beatings.
"Did you learn your lesson?" He asks in a low voice.
"Yes…and I'm sorry." I responded. The humiliation I had once felt for saying such words had faded a long time ago. There was still a slight sting every time I apologized, but I've learned to burry my pride and to submit. When you think about it, that's all toxic relationships are about. One person submits while the other dominates.
"Good." Luke nodded before he finally started the engine. Silently I let out a sigh of relief.
As I stared out the window I noticed something-Well more like felt something. I looked down at my ankle to see the anklet my mom gave me when I turned thirteen. It was my good luck charm, but I stopped wearing it after Luke started to abuse me. It had held no value to me anymore and looking down at it on my ankle brought a mixture of emotions.
I continue to stare at the silver owl pendant until we reach the school.
Our school was very big and to ensure privacy for all students there was a huge gate surrounding it.
We approached the gate and the monitor scanned our faces. The guard pressed a red button and the gate opened. We drove inside the parking lot and Luke parked the car.
"Smile." He commanded before getting out car and greeting the sea of people awaiting him.
I took a deep breath before plastering a fake smile on my face and getting out the car.
"Hey Annabeth!" One of Luke's jock friends greeted. I already felt Luke's eyes on me so I just gave the guy a slight nod in his direction and turned to Luke. Just like that he stopped bothering me.
"Well we have to get going! I'll see you guys at lunch!" Luke said, grabbing my arm. A chorus of goodbyes sounded, as Luke dragged me away from the group of people.
With a smile on his face he forcefully took me into the school, greeting people as we passed through. I kept my face blank as he led me to the secluded corner under the stairwell. This was the one place in the school, where there were no camera's or adult supervision. Many teens think of it as the 'hook up' spot, but I think of it as what it is. A corner.
Just how kids were punished by standing in the corner, I was punished in the corner. If I did something wrong Luke would take me to 'the corner' and do whatever punishment, he deemed fit.
Making sure no one was listening in, Luke shoved me against the wall.
"Rumor has it," Luke began glaring at me for some unknown reason.
"that there's a new kid in school today! A boy to be exact and apparently he's 'hot shit' to you dumbass girls…but I swear Annabeth, if I hear one thing about you and this Peers guy, I will hurt you in ways you never thought possible! Are we clear?"
I frantically nodded my head looking down.
"Good…Now get to class."
I quickly squired up the stairs and raced to my class. With my head down I greeted Mr. Chiron, a middle aged man with brown hair, and a brown goatee. He was one of my favorite teacher, not that I ever expressed it though. I never expressed anything to anyone anymore.
"Good morning Annabeth! I forgot to tell you on Friday, but you know how you wanted to do some extra credit? I've got the perfect thing for you to do! That I if you still want the credit."
I didn't really need the extra credit, but Luke forces me to ask for it at every class.
I nod my head, inwardly smiling. Hopefully it's something after school, to keep me away from Luke...
"I want you t-" The bell rang cutting him off. He apologetic smile met my still emotionless face.
"I'll tell you later!" He said walking behind his desk. I walked to my seat as the last stragglers came in. I took out my books and a pen waiting for instruction. Mr. Chiron cleared his throat.
"Good morning class! Today we will be learning about Odysseus. Can anyone tell me who he is?" He asked. I was about to raise my hand when the door opened.
I looked at it and I was taken aback on what I saw. The guy standing there was very attractive and I heard a few gasps when he fully entered the room.
He was lean and muscular in all the right places and for once in my life I saw a tan that actually looked natural. His black hair was disheveled mess, but he made it look purposely unintentional…That didn't even make sense!
Our eyes locked for literally a millisecond before I quickly looked down at my blank sheet of paper. I tried to busy myself by brainstorming everything I knew about Odysseus, but my mind kept drifting back to his eyes.
The second our eyes met my mind seemed to permanently engrave them. They were absolutely gorgeous! They were a bright, beautiful, sea green color that made all other shades of green dull in comparison.
"Um," He spoke his voice deep and smooth. I looked up slightly.
"I'm sorry I'm late! I got lost." He said sheepishly rubbing his neck. Mr. Chiron brushed it off, smiling and said
"Why don't you introduce yourself to the class!" Mr. Chiron had a certain glint in his eyes when he said this and I didn't miss the small unamused look the guy gave him.
The guy cleared his throat and turned to the class. I lowered my gaze so we wouldn't make eye contact again.
"Hey everyone. My name's Percy Jackson and…I'm the new kid!"
Finished! That was a pretty intense chapter! Tell me what you guys think! If you like it, good! If you hate it, don't tell me about! I can't wait for you guys to read the story line, it's going to be amazing! Don't forget to follow, fav and review! PERCABETH IS FREAKING AWESOME!