Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the Heroes of Olympus, or any of its characters.
Chapter Four
Apologies
Percy's POV:
I finally got out of the duct tape's firm grasp. I should've stayed there. When I went to the campfire, everyone was shooting me death glares and whispering to one another. Great. They definitely thought that what had happened on the 'screen' was real. When I tried to tell everyone that it was fake, there were a few sarcastic "uh-huh"'s and "sure"'s. I finally got Leo and Grover and brought them into the forest so that they could see the remaining duct tape pieces. They weren't there.
"Dude, it's not really going to help if you keep making things up like this..." Leo trails off.
"Yeah... Annabeth's not going to feel any better..." Grover mutters under his breath, but just loud enough that I can hear him. A new fear slices at my mind. Annabeth. I groan and fall to the ground. She's worth more than my life. I would die for her a million times; over and over again. And now she's in pain. All because of me.
"I have to go see Annabeth." I yell over my shoulder as I speed off towards the Athena cabin. All of the doors are locked. And the windows. I press my ear to the door and stay absolutely still to see if I can hear anything. I hear soft, muffled sobs. I haven't really seen Annabeth cry much, but I know it's her.
"Annabeth." I pound on the door, desperate to hear her voice.
"Go away." Her voice is much stronger than I expected, although it's still thick with tears.
"Annabeth, it isn't real. Please. Just let me in. I'll explain." I say.
"I saw it with my own eyes. Do think I'm stupid? I'm a child of Athena. I'm not gullible." She says sharply.
"Okay it was, but she forced me to. I didn't want to kiss her. And then she gave me drugs and duct taped me to the ground ." I'm desperate. I just need to really talk to her- in person, not behind a door.
"Percy, just leave me alone! Gods! I can't believe you would lie about something like that. You know, there was a time where I actually thought you genuinely loved me. But I guess I was wrong. If you don't like me, why didn't you tell me so?" Annabeth was yelling now.
"Annabeth, I love you. You know that. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I denied immortality for you. How can you think that I don't love you? I would rather die than see you in pain, and I'm so incredibly sorry for making you think that I actually kissed her. Olivia's just jealous of you. Who wouldn't be? You're unbelievably smart, you always know what to do in difficult situations, you're brave, you're not scared of anyone, you're a million times more than beautiful. And last of all, you're mine. We were meant to be together. It's like fate. This is real, actual love. I have never cared for someone so deeply ever before. You are mine, and I am yours. I will not let anything come between us, ever. And I'm sorry that this is so cheesy and pathetic but just please let me in." I say. Now teardrops dripping down my face, making my cheeks slick with the substance.
She was quiet for about a minute. A very long minute.
"Annabeth, please. Just hear me out. I'm begging you." I go on my knees, even though she can't see me. Finally, after what seems like hours, I hear a sigh. I freeze, not wanting to jinx it. I hear a click as she opens the door. Annabeth stands in the doorway. In this moment, she looks more beautiful than anything I have ever seen. Her golden locks shimmer in the soft, pale light of the moon. I can tell that she's been crying, because the skin around her eyes is red. Her gray eyes are stormy and troubled as ever, and she grabs my hand and pulls me up. I slip my arms around her waist and hold her to me. After a moment's hesitation, she places her arms around my neck. She's being cautious, like she's afraid that I might hurt her. I pull her even more tightly to me, and I chant I'm so sorry under my breath about a thousand times. She doesn't say anything, not exactly accepting my apology yet. I shut my eyes, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. Gods, I need her so much. She makes me the Percy that I need to be. She pulls away.
"Well? Hurry up and get in. You have a lot of explaining to do, Seaweed Brain." She leads me into her room and plops down onto the floor, leaning against her bed.
Annabeth's POV:
I don't know what came over me. Why I decided to let Percy in. Why I didn't let in anyone else. But something in his voice made me think twice before yelling at him to get away from me.
Percy walks in and sits next to me so that our knees are touching. He takes my hand, but I shake him off. He looks at me with genuine pain in his eyes, and I can finally see how sorry he is. But I want a full, detailed explanation first.
"Tell me what happened first. And then I'll see whether I'm going to kick you out or accept your apology." I say, more harshly than I meant to. He takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and begins to speak.
Hiiiiiiii :)
I am really super duper sorry for not updating in like five days :(
I went to the bookstore a few days ago and I was totally just lying in my bed for days, doing nothing but reading.
Buuut now I finished some of them so I got to write this chapter.
Super sorry, and don't unfollow please! :(
I love you guys :)
