Hey peeps! Thanx for all the support on the earthquake chapter! I hope you like this one just as well!


Chapter 4

Percy's POV

I was waiting in the lobby outside of the gym for Annabeth's highest ranked volleyball game. If her team won this they would be considered the best in New York. I made sure I could come for sure to this game to cheer her on. I was waiting to wish her good luck before the game; everyone was already inside the gym waiting for the players. I was standing there getting impatient when Annabeth finally turned the corner and came out into the lobby. She smiled and ran to me. She threw her arms around my neck.

"I can't believe we made it!" she exclaimed in a high excited voice.

I laughed. 'You deserve it girl!"

She pulled away so I had my arms around her waist, she had her hands on my chest, and we were face to face smiling at each other like idiots. We stood there for a while.

'Wish me luck." She said breaking the silence.

I kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Good luck."

The other team had just served the ball over the net and Mackenzie passed it to Molly, the setter, who setted it to Annabeth, who spiked it over the net giving them a point. The crowd went wild. Annabeth looked up and smiled at me. The same thing happened again just with different people, over and over, until it was Annabeth's turn to serve over the net. Even from my seat I could tell she was really nervous. He lips pressed together and her eyebrows knotted together. She went behind the serving line and threw the ball in the air. I saw it like it was in slow motion. She had a perfect toss, but glanced into the bleachers and tensed at whatever she saw. When she hit the ball, it was low and hit the net. Annabeth looked down disappointed then looked into the bleachers again were she tensed. After that she looked like she was going to cry. I saw a man walk infront of the bleachers and outside, and Annabeth's pained face followed him out.

Annabeth played really well, and ended up winning. She just had a hurt expression on her face the whole time. After it was finished I waited next to the locker rooms this time for her. She came out wearing her jersey and jeans with her head down.

"Hey! Good job Wise Girl."

She didn't answer me. As she walked closer I saw the tears on her cheeks.

"Wisegirl, what's wrong?" I asked as she walked straight into my arms.

I realized Annabeth probably didn't want to be seen crying in public, so I opened the door to the visitor's locker room and guided her into it.

As the door closed she started her tears turned into a sob.

"Hey, shhhhhh. It's ok." I said rubbing her back trying to comfort her.

"Why are you so sad? You won!" I said cupping my hands around her cheeks.

"You did fantastic. I couldn't be more proud." I hated seeing her cry. It always broke my heart and turned my protective side on.

She shook her head and started to cry harder. I pulled her back to me.

I finally picked her up and placed her on the counter of the restroom/shower part of the lockeroom so I could look at her. She still had her head down and was crying.

"Annabeth" I said placing my hands on her cheeks "look at me."

Her tear filled eyes gave me a sad look.

"Tell me what's wrong." I whispered.

I wiped the tears off her face and her wretched sob turned into just a little cry.

"M-My dad came." She sniffled.

"That's good! He never comes!" I let her play with my fingers nervously in her lap.

"Except" she sniffled "except when I didn't make my first serve over-" she didn't finish and looked like she was going to loose it again. I cupped my hand around her cheek and used my thumb to wipe a tear from her cheek.

"What happened?" I asked slowly and quietly.

Her cry started to get harder. I could tell it was painful for her.

"He- he left!" I pulled her off the counter and let her cry into my chest.

He was so embarrassed he left. What kind of person would do that! That was the only mistake Annabeth made in the whole match! Every time she touched the ball she was perfect! How could her own father do that! She WON! I was so angry with him. HOW COULD HE DO THAT! WHAT KIND OF FATHER HURT THEIR DAUGHTER LIKE THAT! I had always thought he was a good guy!

But I had to get ober him.

I had to help Annabeth.

I didn't know how to help her in this state, so I let her cry until it subsided into a sniffle.

I rubbed her back.

"Annabeth?"

"What?" she asked in a weak voice.

"You did great today. Scratch that – you did AMAZING. It was your dad's own fault he left, not yours."

"Thanks Seaweed Brain." She said lying her head on my chest.

'You can sleep at my apartment tonight. I'm sure my mom won't mind. She's caught us in the same bed before. She knows we won't do anything bad."

She nodded into my chest, accepting my offer.

She's strong, with my help, she'll get over it fast.

Especially since my mom is making lasagna tonight.


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