Hello my awesome Nerdie Birdies! So; this chapter is long, long with the actual content and also long with the dedications (hahahahaha). There is a Part One and Part Two so don't just look below as I normally post; and be disappointed if those who reviewed aren't there. You guys are probably above. :)
Anyway; you guys are so awesome! Thank you for 34 reviews in just two chapters! I am so amazed; I am so thankful that I can always receive so much love and support! I've been really downcast today, but replying to your dedications just warmed me up like a hot chocolate! Okay, that simile was so cringy (I am sorry from my cringiness), but I hope you guys like this chapter! I won't talk much; but just so you know, this chapter is HIGHLY EMOTIONAL; IF YOU ARE AN EMOTIONAL PERESON (I am too hahahahahaha) BRING A TISSUE OR SOMETHING TO WIPE ON! THIS MIGHT MAKE YOU BREAK DOWN!
Okay; done with my message.
I am an evil writer for writing an emotional, breaking down chapter, but I will give credit on the tissue warning hahahahahahaha
Love you guys! Here is now Part One of the dedications!
0fictionluver0: I am glad you loved the previous chapter. And to your question...I sincerely don't know. It's just that...I feel like I am sometimes feeling the characters feelings. That sounds super weird, but remember the fiancé thing in It's Her, Why Her? I never expected to write that. There are so many scenes in which I don't even know I wrote and actually have decent lines. :) It's like as if Percy and Annabeth got it planned. :) Anyway, your review was so sweet! Thank you! Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
Desperate: Thanks! I am glad you liked the chapter; today is an update, that I hope you liked! I made sure to edit it and you know, perfect it to its max (hahahahaha). I hope this chapter could also be interesting to you too! :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
tinymushrooms: Hey; you did the right thing. You stood up for him. And ah; that sucks. And these words might seem emotionless but right now, I am like, darn, poor Rachel. It isn't pity; it is more like relating. I dealt through that. :( But, I know that you are a wonderful person and there are guys out there to like who you are. :) And I swear; even if he is dating someone else, he knows that you are always there for him. As a person who can defend him. That is powerful enough. Anyway; yeah. A lot of people commented on Percy hahahahahahaha. But you got to read on. Bullies aren't ALWAYS bad...are they? *innocent look* Anyway, hahahahaha #WriterStruggles! Totally get you girl! :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
America Schreave: Hahahahaha; same. I love those series. I have to admit though that America and Maxon's love was better then Eadylyn's. I don't know; I guess the Maxerica ship was always my jam. :) Anyway; awwww! That is actually really sweet of you to say that; thank you! I am glad this story is unique in your eyes. Really makes me smile. Thank you! :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
FestusLives: Hahahahaha; I remember you! :D That just sounded creepy, but I assume you know what I mean, hahahahaha. Anyway; that was so sweet of you! I am glad you are still supporting me; that is something so grand that I am so thankful of. :) And to answer your questions...I think. A lot. And grab inspiration from stories, and twist them on my own. Hahahahahaha :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
Okie dokie; that was all the dedications! Love you guys so much for the support!
And now, without further ado, let us get onto the story! :)
Percy POV:
"Don't even start with my day to come," I groaned to Leo as we were walking towards homeroom. "I have literally a literature book to buy-"
"WE HAVE A LITERATURE BOOK TO BUY?!" Leo's expression was priceless. I laughed.
"It's not due today. But yes; we have to go buy some literature books. You see; Mr. Ray is really getting on my nerves. He embarrassed me in front of the whole class, telling me to read this really freakn' hard sentence, knowing that I am dyslexic. I was lucky enough for people to not notice that I had dyslexia!"
"Awww...bro...that must have sucked!" Leo complained. "Well...we all know Mr. Ray is the worst literature teacher."
"True," I was smiling, turning towards the door where I saw Annabeth. She was already on her seat, her head buried in her arms, almost looking as if she was asleep. I softly smiled, and quickly turned to Leo who was constantly ranting non-stop about his new inventions.
"I've collected scraps of metals in the weekend, so yes, I have so much metals! My mom and dad are totally cool with me, but my mom just wants me to do my homework. Uggggg; if homework just never existed, I'd at least find school a little more appealing," Leo said.
"Yeah..." I turned to him and smiled.
"And..." Leo and I sat on our desks, his was beside me towards the left, and he kept talking about all these knew robots he invented. I just nodded, as if I was paying attention, but in real life, he wasn't who my eyes were glued onto.
It was a blonde.
But not just a normal blonde; a blonde that sincerely hates me.
I guess she's the first blonde-haired girl that hates me.
I wish I hated her too.
"...and Percy? Hello?" he was putting his hands in front of my face, waving it around to grab my attention. "HELLO! H.E.L.L.O-"
"What?" I glared at Leo, annoyed. He cracked a smile.
"You're daydreaming," he grinned. "What; is it about that chic over there?"
"Don't call her a chic," I realized what I said, and I swear, I didn't even know what I was saying. Every girl is just a normal chic; a normal play toy to play with. It was the way we believed in those girls; that is how we perceived who was worth the shot and who wasn't. And I was labeling Annabeth something totally different.
Damn it; this isn't me.
Leo looked startled, and I swear, I wanted to just bury myself into a hole. What is wrong with me? She's just another of those squealing girls that shop! What the heck Percy Jackson! Shut up...no. Don't like her. She's probably poor.
Find another flaw...find another flaw-
Ah! In P.E., she has shoes that look so old, I don't even know if she can afford any.
She only puts her hair in a ponytail. Not even a braid, or let loose. It's boring.
She's so small compared to all the other girls in the school. She's not so tiny but compared to me, she's really tiny. While I am six feet, she's like...five feet five inches? Somewhere around there.
She is so lame, I was laughing when she was eating next to Polly, the girl that everyone makes fun of on text. (A.N. I want to see if you remember Polly. She was never addressed as 'Polly' but her situation was mentioned in a chapter. Review if you remember what chapter it was from. :D )
Annabeth always tries to get Malcolm's attention in homeroom; darn, it is pathetic. He's a nerd! A nerdy boy! What is so good about him?
Well...Percy...he's smart.
Damn it; does she likes smart boys? Should I study more often?
DAMN THIS PERCY; WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
I realized I was way too silent, and Leo was sketching in his desk luckily, forgetting about everything. I was totally mind blown by my attitude. I don't need to impress her. I don't need to compare myself to useless people. I'm damn fine with who I am, and I don't need her to make me rethink about me being presentable.
The thought was eating my alive.
I stared at the clock, which still had plenty of minutes left.
I was angry.
I really needed to let my anger off.
And I realized at that minute that someone will be late to class.
Annabeth POV:
Malcolm would be coming by now.
I didn't understand why he isn't coming.
It's going to be homeroom in just a few minutes.
Why isn't he here?
I was tapping my fingers on the desk nervously. I am sure that he came to school. Besides; he always wakes up early to ditch me. He hates me; ever since I came to this school as a senior, he wants to avoid me as much as possible. It came to the point where he'd wake up really early just to fix himself breakfast, wash up, and go straight to school. At six am (the usual time I wake up), I would trudge towards the kitchen to fix him and me some breakfast and wake him up like I'd usually do, but he isn't there. There was no breakfast fixed for me, exactly like how I always treated him. There wasn't any note. He wasn't even in a hurry. He was just...gone. But I know that he'd come around this time. He wouldn't be gone! He's here.
But...why isn't he here?
After another minute passed, I couldn't stand the anticipation anymore. The anticipated feeling that something was very wrong was slowly eating me alive. And yes, I can be patient but the bad hunch I was getting was about to make me explode.
I had to get out of here.
I stood up, no one noticing that I was getting out the classroom. Quickly placing my backpack under my homeroom desk, I walked towards the door, but suddenly froze when my eye caught of glimpse of something that made my skin turn pale, and my stomach to twist painfully.
It was the empty desks of the raven haired boy, and Jason.
My mind was nothing more but fixed on finding Malcolm.
The hallways were empty, but I didn't care if I had to scream through all the echoing.
"Malcolm!" I yelled. I was running towards the hallway, scanning it as tears were beginning to form. Everybody is in class; where is he? Why is he gone; Malcolm-
I heard a scream.
But it wasn't a loud scream. It was a soft, but torturous scream. It seemed as if I was far away. But he was here. In this building, somewhere hidden. I started to speed myself towards the sound, and I swear, my skin went pale when I realized where the sound was coming from.
And let me tell you; the scream wasn't somewhere that I wanted it to be.
Let me proudly announce; the boys bathroom!
I heard screaming, that was so faint, but it was still a scream-
...and Malcolm screamed when the raven black haired boy stepped on Malcolm's fingers, crushing them under his weight.
The flashback was so overwhelming, that I didn't even realize that I collapsed on the boys bathroom, which leaned in and I toppled into the ground. The smell of chlorine reeked from the bathroom, but due to Malcolm's cries of pain, no one even noticed the door open.
"You said you'd owe the debts," that taunting voice was killing me. Breaking me. I wanted to punch him. Scream at him. Tell him to go away. I need him gone. I needed him away. I couldn't deal with any other dreams that were going to stay in my mind. I couldn't-
"Please...mercy...please..." I heard the weak voice of Malcolm beg, coughs erupting around the bathroom. "Please...I'll get it out of my sister's account. I promise."
"Sisters? Why, does she have a job? How can she have a job when you don't?" it was the raven haired boy. Beautiful sea-green eyes, that paralyzed me not because it was beautiful but because it haunted me.
"I don't help at all...to her...I'm a burden," my heart broke immediately when I heard that. Malcolm didn't realize how much I love him to the point where I'd skip one of the years I've always wanted to experience; junior year. The feeling of having the stress pile up at the shoulders, important exams all lined up in one week, the pressure...
And then all of it would be over.
And that feeling is what I've always wanted...but I lost it. For him. And he thinks that all he is to me is a burden; when I've lost something I've wanted so bad for him out of truly loving him?
He was my only family member; a bratty brother, but I still love him very much. When Aunt Patricia threw is out, I was a freshman and he was a junior. We had to find our own home. Patricia was our legal guardian; but under the law, she broke all of that. She threw us away, abandoned us. We had to find our own home, to live in. And debt collectors came. And everything was stressful. And the only family member in my life was truly Malcolm. He has hurt me, opened scars that were meant to heal, but he was still my brother. No matter how much he wanted to run away from me, he and I shared the same blood. I am part of his family. And I am not willing to find him hurt.
"...why, Mrs. Dodd is about to come. The bell has rung," Jason disclaimed.
"Well..." I had a really bad hunch. "We should probably finish things off. Jason; give me the broom."
And the minute I heard that, I ran there I saw Malcolm putting his arms around his face. That sea-green eyed boy was so close to hurting my brother.
So you know what I did?
Everyone expects probably yelling stop.
Or maybe pushing that bully.
But instead, I pushed Malcolm and quickly defended myself by holding the broom.
At first, the response to that damn bully was clearly shock. He was staring at me, his mouth agape. But he didn't stop trying to push the broom at me. His muscles were tense, his stare intensifying...
And then, he dropped the broom.
The sounds of the boys restroom was so silent, it wasn't even a joke. All we heard was just the soft dribbles of the broken sink, or the fan buzzing. But that was all.
"Percy...I think we should go," Ah, so his name is Percy. I looked at his name pin and it was written: Percy Jackson.
Ah, so his name is Percy Jackson.
I looked at Percy and his eyes suddenly became soft.
"What are you doing here?" his voice was a whisper, and I swear, I wanted to punch him so bad. But the moment was so intense, that my mouth went dry and I couldn't speak. It was his stare, that held intensity but also softness, that made me speechless.
"Answer me," his face went closer to mine, me looking at him who was staring below me. "What are you doing here?"
"I..." Okay, please Annabeth. Stop being the damsel in distress. You're acting as if you can't speak. You were given freakn' ears to hear words, and a mouth to respond. SO RESPOND!
"I..." he repeated, his voice slightly teasing. "I what?"
"Jackson, leave her alone," my eyes broke the stare and I adverted to Jason.
And then, I realized that everything broke.
I pushed Percy off of me, and straightened my uniform.
"What are you guys doing?" I straightened my tie. "What is wrong with you guys? How dare you start hurting a classroom?"
"We never expected a girl to shamelessly barge inside the boys restroom-"
"Oh please. You think that you guys can get away with," I grabbed Malcolm's arms who flinched, letting him stand up. "hurting Malcolm? How dare you guys start hurting an innocent person?"
"He is not innocent, Annabeth," Percy kept an intensifying stare. Gosh; I wish I can swipe that glint in his eye that held sweet, loving stares that seemed empty and hollow inside. He was trying to manipulate my feelings.
I knew that from experience
Let's just say Jason is one out of many examples that I've encountered.
"Not innocent? How?" I yelled.
"He owes debts," Percy answered. "He owes debts that were due two years ago. And he is pathetic enough to steal money from her sister who I think works very hard."
Malcolm was flinching under Percy's jeering stare.
"You are such a dirty boy, aren't you?" I growled. "You're rich! Look at this," I let go of Malcolm and grasped Percy's hands. He froze, and I rolled up his sleeves. Then, I tapped at his watch.
"This watch...this watch is worth more than my rental fees," I looked down embarrassed. "You're rich. You can afford so many money with just a blink of your eyes. So why are you...why are you even trying to bully someone to have your money back?"
Percy's face immediately went blank, and he yanked his hands away from me.
"I don't need you to tell me what to do," he growled. "I don't need you to come tell me that I am spoiled. I am not spoiled. He must pay his debts, for he has procrastinated. He needs to understand that he has done something very wrong. To steal his sister's money? How pathetic! He probably lives in a shack-"
"Percy, stop," Jason pulled Percy away farther from me. "Stop. Let's go. We'll just make some damn excuse to the office we were late. Let's go."
The other group members stood behind Percy, as Percy ran his fingers through his hair, glaring at me.
And without any words spoken, he left the bathroom, the boys following after him.
And I swear, my heart broke when Jason followed right behind.
I leaned against the tile walls, slowly drowning into the pool of anger and sadness. The moment was so intense, blinding me on what I could actually do them. I could have smacked him with the broom. I could have yelled at him and called him dirty names. But I was speechless, my mind totally captivated to just the moment that I have encountered.
It has been a moment, until I heard Malcolm get up. I looked at him, and he was glaring at me.
"Annabeth-"
"Please...don't yell at me," I whispered, my voice breaking exactly like my heart. As cheesy as that sounded, yes, my heart was breaking. But it isn't me actually breaking figuratively; I was breaking down mentally. It isn't the expected, "My heart was broken into a thousand pieces!". No. I am very well aware that life doesn't work that way. Crying over a broken heart and aching over being emotionally hurt doesn't get you anywhere. But mentally; that is the scariest thing to break. Your walls are collapsing, drowning you into water that you can't reach the surface of.
I closed my eyes, but it wasn't for long. My eyes quickly fluttered when Malcolm inhaled really loudly.
"I seriously don't know what to do with you," he growled.
You know; people in the outside might be looking at this situation as if he was trying to protect me.
To say that he didn't know what to do because I was hurting him from me being hurt.
But I am his sibling.
I'm not going to play dumb.
Playing dumb only hides you into the real reality.
He hated me.
He despised me.
He was annoyed of me.
I closed my eyes, tears threatening to spill on my cheeks.
"I did this for you Malcolm. I am here for you..." the once soft voice started to elevate into a yell, and Malcolm shook his head.
"You aren't there for me Annabeth. You're simply making my life a living hell," his voice was clear with hate. "And-"
"Malcolm-"
"-Annabeth?" his voice suddenly broke, and he was almost in tears.
"What?" I already felt several tears escape, rolling down my cheeks. It was crazy. I barely cried. The last time I cried was well...when the debt collectors came. And that was two years ago.
"I can fight my own battles. Don't fight them for me."
And he left the boys bathroom, leaving a broken sister behind.
Guys...I'll be real. I am actually really proud of this chapter. I know it has a lot of intensity and tension, but this story begins in that way. Bullying isn't something that is light, and has no tension. I just want to really stress the tension and emotion behind each chapter to at least accomplish how you feel about the chapter; whether it is pure sadness, anger, happiness, etc. I am working on the goal; and I am actually really proud of this chapter. :) Did you like it? Review below. I really want to know. Anyway; love you guys and here comes the dedications!
Feraa: Yeah! That is your opinion, and I totally respect that! :) I am glad you like this story though, as well as the previous. I hope that you enjoy this one as well. :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
The-Mystical-eye: Omg; really? I am actually really happy that I am the inspiration to your new crossover! You can post a review anytime, notifying me if you updated, OR you can PM me. I would be more than happy to read a story from you. :) And don't worry; your excitement and spirit totally lightens my day. :) And it makes me happy that you like my stories also! :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
Naenia Hathaway: I think my words were very clear on the PM ;D Anyway, how are you feeling today? I hope you're feeling AWESOME *thumbs up*. :) Also, one last reminder; you're a wonderful soul, and I am proud of you in many ways. :) Anyway; I am very thankful that you acknowledge my hard work; and as you do to mine, I respect and acknowledge your hard work too. :D Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
Shirley321: Hahahaha; well, here is an update now! I hope you like this update; wrote this with a lot of heart! :D Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
percabethfantic: AWW! That was so sweet! :D It warms my heart that first, you like my previous story which btw, I worked my heart out of. And also, I am so thankful that you are here to read this story as well, which as you said, you liked. :) I am very very happy. Your review was so sweet; it is such an honor to be your favorite author. Truly means a lot. :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
Cupcakeheart2005: Hahahahaha; do you like this chapter? I hope so. :) I am so glad you love this story bro! I updated so I hope you like this chapter because darn, that is all I'm thinking about hahahahahahahaha :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
clo7615: Awwwww; really? I am actually so happy because darn, it makes me squeal that you actually love the story, and the characters are beginning to grow on you! That is amazing! I am so happy that you are enjoying this story! Like legit, I am so happy right now. Thank you so much! :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :) And bro; happy late birthday. I dedicated this chapter for you. :)
the Oracle of Akemi: Yeah, that senses confusion about why Jason would bully Malcolm. And you'll find out if you read on. ;D And omg hahahahahahahahaha yesssssssssssss! #WriterStruggles truly does exist among people in this site! I totally can relate with you! Hahahahahahaha; hope that your stories work out sooner or later! :D Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
SapphireTrafficker: I am only going to answer a few questions. NOT because I think they are dumb, or because I am lazy to answer all of them, but because I don't want to spoil the story. So I'm going to answer a few. If your read this chapter, you can see the answer to Percy's outlook on Annabeth. :) And no; Jason or Percy did not know a soul that Annabeth witnessed the bullying from Chapter one, and still doesn't. So yeah; the rest is up for you to read. :) Anyway, Diana, that is so sweet of you! Thank you for being here to support me! You are genuinely such a caring and wonderful person; I am so grateful to have a person like you to support me! :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
thatinvisiblerose: There she is...BUTTERCUP! :) Hahahahaha; I am glad you like Annabeth's character. She's growing on me, and so is Percy. :) You'll find that Annabeth has so much more in her, so reading it might be you know...fun. :) Anyway, hahahahahahahaha #WriterStruggles! I can totally relate man; and I hope that your stories soon become successfully completed, and rather than #WriterStruggles, it can be #WriterSuccess. :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
KoalaLover-ABC-123: Thank you! That means the world; to tell you the truth, I am so glad that you feel that way! That was actually my goal, to put perspectives towards a bystander, a bully, AND a victim. I am glad you can see that. :) AND YAY! YOU READ MY STORIES! :) I am so glad! YAY! :) Well, I hope you like this chapter. :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
IamCrystalClear: You know...that was such a sweet review! Thank you so much! In advance, I have updated! I hope you like this chapter! Also, I have to say that I am glad that Annabeth is being an inspiration. I think you might like Annabeth more as you read on. :) Anyway; hope you liked this chapter and thank you so much for your support! :)
Those were all the dedications! Dang; they were a lot, but they were so fun to write! Dedications is kind of like pen-palling (does that even make sense?!). Anyway; love you guys so much! Hope you like this chapter and review to show some love and support for me to continually write! :D :D Okay guys; *group hug* love you guys ton! I'll see you in the next update. :)
