Annabeth woke the next morning huddled in her plush chair and Percy's coat draped over her. It smelled like his cologne from high school, which she wasn't complaining about. It was intoxicating. Everyone else aside from Reyna and Nico were still sleeping, so she attempted to fall back asleep herself, until a ding! from her phone pulled her into reality.

"Shit!" she grumbled under her breath. She had spent the whole night here without telling anyone where she was going. She fumbled with her phone before checking the lock screen. Almost twenty texts from her parents and a few calls. Five texts from her brothers. Nothing from Luke. "What a piece of garbage," she mumbled, pulling herself out of the chair and stretching. She was so worked up in not texting Luke last night, which hadn't proved to be an issue for him, that she had forgotten all about her family. She felt horrible that she had caused them so much worry.

She sent a quick text to her mom informing her of the situation, and left it on the chair, along with Percy's warm coat.

"Morning, Sunshine!" Reyna said as Annabeth walked over. Annabeth laughed and attempted to smooth down her hair.

"What time is it?" she asked Reyna, catching a knot in one of the ends of her curls. Reyna glanced down at her watch with scrunched eyebrows.

"9:45." Annabeth sighed, giving up on her hair. Great. She had stayed her all night. "You guys talked for a pretty long time last night," Reyna said, wiping off a spot on the counter. "When y'all finally fell asleep, we were almost out of coffee." The girls both laughed quietly, trying not take wake anyone else up. Annabeth glanced over at Nico, who was counting the cash in the register. He seemed happier than he had been in high school, when he went through his gothic faze. Back then, his father had owned Argo's, but he seemed to have done a great job in taking care of it.

"So, Nico," Annabeth drawled, catching his attention. He looked up from his task and raised an eyebrow at her. "Got any . . . special guys we should know about?" she asked innocently. He rolled his eyes, but she detected a glimmer of amusement creeping into his face.

"I'm not talking to you about this, Annabeth." He went back to counting money, but Reyna shared a look with Annabeth and started his story for him.

"His name's Will Solace."

"Reyna!" complained Nico, but she paid no attention to his complaints.

"He's in Medical School at A&M and they've been dating for a year now. Not necessarily what I'd consider Nico's type, but they're cute together," she finished. Annabeth giggled at Nico's red face. Nico acted all "tough guy", but Annabeth knew he was awkward deep down inside.

"Ugh!" Nico said, and threw his hands up in exasperation when Reyna started laughing too. He ran into the kitchen, sheltering himself from their teasing.

"He looks happier," Annabeth commented once he was out of earshot. Both of the girls looked after him, even when Reyna spoke.

"I knew him before Bianca died, and he's getting to be there again. When he finally opened himself up to having friends again, he got a lot better. Then Will came along and he was definitely the turning point."

Annabeth nodded and glanced back at the group of people sleeping by the now extinguished fireplace. She felt like she had done the same thing as Nico in one night. She had gone from miserable to happy just from opening herself up again.

"When did Percy give me his jacket?" Annabeth asked Reyna, not remembering him draping it over her. When she had fallen asleep, she had curled up into herself to try and stay warm. It was a very Percy thing to do though, so she couldn't say she was very surprised.

"I was just getting ready to ask you. I didn't see him last night." Annabeth contemplated that. He was getting harder and harder to read, or maybe that was just Annabeth getting more and more lost every time she looked in his eyes . . .

Where had that come from? She had a husband. She had a commitment to someone.

And yet, she felt any fucks she actually gave about Luke Castellan slipping out of her fingertips.

"Can I borrow a piece of paper, Reyna?" Annabeth asked, staring directly at Percy. Call her crazy, but she felt pulled towards him. Maybe it was to get revenge on her husband, or maybe it was because she actually had feelings for him. Right now, all she had in her mind was Percy and his sea green eyes.

"Sure, why?" Reyna asked, grabbing a notepad from underneath the counter. Annabeth shrugged and took a pen from the jar by the register.

"Just want to write a quick thank you note."

Thanks for the coat. I owe you one. Maybe drinks?

Call me

(458)203-3491

Annabeth

Annabeth left after sticking the note in his jacket pocket. She didn't want to be there when the others woke up and possibly get caught staying even longer. So, she hugged Reyna and Nico and made her way out of the shop. The blizzard had stopped late last night, and now all that was left was a soft powder that was barely even there.

Annabeth found walking down the streets pleasant. She recognized many of the homes and stores from when she was a little girl. Then she realized where her walk would end. At a house with a man who had hit her. She wasn't in the comfort of her friends any longer. She was on her own in startling reality. She almost started crying because she was afraid. She had seen the light now, and she didn't want to go back to the darkness.

She kept walking, hoping she would be able to face her fears.

All of a sudden, the yellow house was in front of her again. She took a deep breath; she could do this. She was a strong person that wasn't scared of anybody. She was alone, so she had to trust herself.

She tentatively stepped up the sidewalk until she sat in front of the front door. Be strong. Be brave, she told herself. She pushed open the door. It felt strangely unhappy in the house for once, and none of the lights were on in the foyer.

"Guys, I'm home!"

"We're in the kitchen!" her mother's voice called out, sounding relieved. She rushed down the hall and found her family huddled over the island counter in their pajamas. They looked worried and upset, and she felt saddened that she was the cause of this. It was Christmas and her family was sick with worry because she had been careless enough to not text them last night.

"I'm so sorry, you guys. I got stuck in Argo's last night when the blizzard hit and forgot to text, and—"

"Annabeth." Her mother luckily cut her off. She was starting to ramble, and she always said stupid shit when she rambled. Annabeth looked over and saw her mother not angry, but smiling. "It's fine, sweetheart. I figured that anyways. We're just glad that you're okay," her mother said, pulling her into a hug. She burrowed her head into her mother's shoulder, feeling like she was a little kid scared by a thunderstorm again.

"Where have you been?" Luke's voice growled from the other side of the kitchen. He must have followed her in. He looked angry, and involuntarily, Annabeth felt herself getting frightened.

"I went to a bakery last night to get some coffee and got caught in the blizzard." She didn't mention anything about their fight. Not around her parents, of course. She figured they already knew though. He glared at her, and she flinched, feeling her cheek start to burn again at the memories.

"Okay. I'll be upstairs," he said, and left the room. Annabeth let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. That was pretty odd behavior for him, he normally would put up a fight and try to start an argument. She turned around to her family, who all had pitying looks in their eyes. She ignored them and forced a smile.

"Ready to open presents?" Everyone nodded and they moved to the living room. Without Luke there, it almost felt like a normal family Christmas. Her parents had gotten her some clothes and the boys had gotten her some movies. She was too distracted to be excited though. She kept thinking back to Luke. He wasn't acting like himself. She didn't want to see him again, but she wasn't sure what was happening with him, and not knowing was more dangerous than facing him.

"I'll bring Luke his presents." Annabeth's parents hesitantly handed over the gifts, obviously aware of the tensions between the couple. She tiptoed out of the living room, slowing getting farther and farther away from the comforting living room. She heard no noise from upstairs, and wondered what Luke could possibly be doing.

A ding buzzed in her pocket. An unknown number had texted her. She opened the text up and glanced at it, waiting at the bottom of the stairs. It was Percy.

Hey, Annabeth! It's Percy. I'd love to grab drinks. How's tonight sound? Seven at Bacchus? Just text me if you can.

She groaned. How stupid was she? She was insinuating a date with another man because she was angry at her husband. Ugh, she was an awful wife. She wasn't going to stoop to his level and be unfaithful. She put the phone back in her pocket, deciding to ignore it.

She creeped up the stairs, uncomfortable with the silent atmosphere. Her house was normally so vibrant and full of life. She knocked on her bedroom door.

"Luke, I brought you your presents." When no answer came, Annabeth walked in. Luke stood rigid by the window. "Did you hear—"

"I heard you. Tell me the truth. Where were you yesterday?" What an ass. Why couldn't he believe her?

"I told the truth downstairs." Luke spun on his heel and prowled over, towering over her near the door. She cowered away from him and his cruel face. He snarled at her.

"You're lying and I know it!" he growled. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. She felt tears pooling up in her eyes. "Where the fuck were you?" His grip tightened with every word.

"Luke, I'm telling the truth!" She said, scared of what he might do to her if this kept going on. He glared at her and looked her right in the eyes. She didn't want to, because he didn't deserve to see the fear and pain he was causing her. But he had her in a death grip.

"Fine, be a lying bitch for all I care." He flung her head back into the wall, and she heard ringing in her hears. He stormed to the other side of the room. She started to silently sob, the back of her head aching. She fled from the room. She was embarrassed. He had seen her flinch away; he had seen her cry.

Halfway down the steps, she remembered Percy's invitation. Right now, she didn't feel so bad about herself.

I'd love to. See you then.


Yay! I finally finished that! I got really bad writer's block halfway through, but I think y'all will like it. Next chapter is where the REAL drama starts, so get ready for some serious shit. But there will also be happiness and love and stuff like that because this is a story about Annabeth's life geting better, so I'm probably going to give you whiplash. But, ANYWAYS . . . I hope you enjoy, and feel free to review with any comments, questions, or criticism. I love to hear from you guys. I love you, my darlings! Have a wonderful day!

BYE

Grace