No matter how cold or mean people are, everyone has feelings, so think before you speech.
I greet the pool area with my Delta and a few other "help Percy pass" supplies. I see him on the bleachers with his own stuff, waving me over. A smile graces my face and his grows bigger. For some reason, whenever I'm around Percy I just feel happy. The sad thing is that most of my good mood vanishes along with him. It's weird, sad, pathetic, and I've only known him about two days.
Still there's a spring in my step as I hurry up the bleachers to reach him. Surprising, he has all of his stuff out, minus the book from hell, and ready to go. I sat down next to him and could hear him humming "Fun" from Spongebob.
"Seriously? Can't you hum a catchy song at least?"
"It is catchy. I mean 'F is for friends who do stuff together, U is for you and me', now that's deep."
I roll my eyes and laugh. "No, it's for a kid's cartoon that was supposed to be for adults. It's like singing Disney songs, you don't do it in public."
"Want to bet?"
"You wouldn't dare."
Percy smirks and starts belting "Under the Sea" out at max volume. "What have they got, lots of sand? We've got a hot crustacean band-"
I start laughing. "Please stop singing and save it for your shower. We have to get you a B."
"Not until you burst randomly into song Wise Girl."
I pause, then glare. "I don't sing in public."
"I'm not asking for a Disney song, any one is fine."
I bite my lip. I've only sang in front of the four people I live with and Callie. I've never sang in any music class, the subway, buses, or anywhere else because... well I don't know actually. It draws attention and I hate that, so that's probably the answer.
"Do I have to?"
Percy looks at me with concern. "If you're scared-"
"I'm not scared."
"Okay, sing the next song that plays on the radio."
I realize that Coach Kym had turned on the radio. I blame Percy's screaming, I mean singing. I hear the announcer say they're back from commercial break and I prepare myself. Hopefully it's not rap or hip hop. Thankfully, I recognize the song as a 2001 number that Thals would sing sometimes. I add a few words and leave others out because I don't remember completely.
"I'm making my way downtown, walking fast, faces pass, and I'm homebound. Staring blankly a head, just making my way, yeah making my way, through this crowd." I can't tell what instrument Percy starts tapping out with his pencils, but it matches pretty well.
"And I need you."
Tap, tap, tap of a pencil.
"And I misss you."
Tap, tap, tap of pencils.
"Now I wander..."
"If I could fall, into the lie, do you think life would pass me by? Because you know I'd walk a million miles to be with you tonight."
I didn't sing it all that loud or past that point, but it was enough for people to look over at us. I blush and realize I probably look like a weirdo. Percy's smile makes it all worth it though.
"Well, you did good, even if you got some words wrong. I can't judge because there's a song called "I'm high on Mexican monkeys" that I sing on the subway."
I raise an eyebrow. "Don't you mean "I'm up all night to get lucky"?"
It's Percy turn to be embarrassed. "I guess it is, so that's why I won't complain as stated in the last example."
"Thanks, now you should start your work."
He pulls the seal pout. "Can't we goof off for another few minutes?"
I sigh and press my fingers to the bridge of my nose. "No you need to work on typing flashcards that I'll print later."
"Can I still sing Disney songs?"
"Um, how about no. You can sing whatever comes on the radio Seaweed Brain."
"Fine, but you have to sing some with me Wise Girl."
"Why?"
"So you don't feel left out of the team."
"What team? If anything this is a duo."
"Technicalities, but please."
Damn that seal pout. "Fine, but I'll stop if you don't get at least half done."
He fists bumps the air in victory. "You won't regret this."
I smirk and carefully hand over my Delta. "Don't make me."
For the rest of the period, we sang and worked through what Percy had to do like the seven dwarfs. We're not terrible but we're not the best singers either, but we learn that we're pencil tapping pros. We continued to get a few looks, but everyone got used to it half way through. Eventually, it came to an end like all good things must. I sigh and pack up my laptop and Percy packs his stuff in his backpack. I feel myself come down from my Percy high and I'm not lovin it.
It's stupid. I have had my fair share of crushes, six, all before the age of fifteen. After freshmen year, I stopped thinking about romantic options and looked toward college instead. None of the past boys have ever made me feel this way. Maybe it's becausePercy Jackson's special that's why, okay thought blocking that.
I finish packing up and see him standing up waiting for me. I smile and pull myself up. "See you Seaweed Brain, I have to go take notes on Shakespeare."
Percy face turns into one of disgust. "I hate that guy and see you too Annabeth."
I turn and walk down to wait for the freshmen to be done. After a few seconds, Nico comes over looking rather happy and amused.
"Did someone give you a happy meal or were you checking Will out the whole class."
Nico face erupted in red. "I-I wasn't-I mean-I-"
"Save it di Angelo. You're not the only detective in town."
The red started to vanish and a grin spread like the plague. "True Chase, so how are things going with Percy?"
It's now my chance to turn cherry. "I blame the stupid seal pout." Nico looks at me like I'm crazy. "Never mind."
"The fact that you labeled one of his expression shows that you care."
I glare. "I don't care."
"Yes, you do. There's nothing wrong with that."
I run my fingers through my let down curls. "Nico, what if he knows all my dirty little secrets and his whole opinion of me changes, hates me, stops talking to me, or he wants to get involved?"
Nico pulls me away from the herd and into an alcove under the bleachers. "He won't hate you or anything like that Annabeth. The most likely course of action is that he tries to fix everything."
"I'm just as worried about that as the others."
"Then try to not get attached or tell him only one or two."
It's actually not a bad idea, and I get to pick. I nod in approval. "Thanks Nico. Oh, Thals wants you to come over for movies this weekend."
Nico was about to complain when Will pops his head in the alcove. "Come guys, time to go."
Nico gets out with Will and follows him over to Lou and Cecil. I shake my head at them and trail the crowd of freshmen.
Callie and I go through the day with ease and are using lunch to relax at our tiny table like every other day. We also use this time to discuss what the weekend and Friday looks like.
"I'm helping Leo with Festus tomorrow."
"How's the Mcshizzle's car at the moment?"
"It'll only be a few more months at the most and a paint job."
"Figures, but he better give me a ride."
"I don't think he'll drive it to school. He's works part time at a car repair shop, he won't waste that money for gas to school."
"Good point. Do you want to come over this weekend?"
"Isn't it the movie marathon?"
"Yes, and Jason is bringing Piper while Hazel invited Frank and Nico's friend group to their home."
"So, hosts can bring non family?"
"Yep, we started that about two months ago so we could all finally meet Piper not through Jason and Leo. Hasn't Leo asked you?"
Callie shakes her head. "I usually spend time with my five older sisters on Saturdays, so Leo probably didn't want to ruin that."
"Well are they coming over?"
"No."
"Then I invite you to come over to prank Leo and Jason for revenge."
We talk a little more, then I feel that I might pee myself. "I'm going to head to the bathroom."
"Okay, just hurry because there's less than fifteen minutes left."
I nod and quickly start the walk to the bathroom. It's not that far away, but half way there, I feel like I'm being watched. Panic fills my whole being. I break into a sprint done the empty hallways and dive into the bathroom. Before I can even make it to a stall, someone grabs my wrist. I want it desperately to be a teacher, but I know it's not.
"Let go of me Nakamura."
I feel a mouth next to my ear. "Not going to happen Beth."
I struggle. "Get the hell off my wrist, or I'll kick you in where the sun don't shine."
He grabs my other wrist and I do kick him there. He doesn't fall down, but his grip tightens and I can't feel my feet on the ground. I keep kicking and squirming as I'm carried into the wheel chair stall. Ethan turns me around to face him and tosses me to the floor. I land on my but and stop my head from hitting the door. He keeps my arms over my head as it starts to happen, but I don't stop fighting. I see he's wearing the usual, because he doesn't want to chance leaving any proof. It hurts my wrists, it hurts my lower areas, it hurts my back to me picked up each time and slammed, and it just hurts. I don't scream, I don't cry, and I don't talk. After what feels like a life time, the final slam occurs and a condom thrown to the floor. Ethan lifts up me up by his hands at my throat area.
"Let this me a lesson Beth. I don't like it when you spend time in a pool close to another guy. You think I wouldn't find out?" I know he can't tel, butl I freeze for a second. I knew he would find out, I just hoped it would take longer. "You're mine Beth, and you better remember that." He squeezes at my windpipe until I'm choking before dropping me. I land on my feet and crumble to my knees. I glare up at him as he exits the stall.
"There is no way to express how much I hate you, and the day you own me is a day that will never come to pass you asshole!" I don't scream it, but I say it with enough force and venom and volume that he tenses and briefly turns around.
He gestures to myself and the stall. "What do you call this then?"
I glare and stand up. "I call this a crime and this is the scene of it."
Ethan smirks. "You're still going to clean it up Beth."
He walks off. I sigh and go pee quickly. I take some tp and clean the floor. There's not much to clean up this time and I flush the evidence down the drain. I then go to check myself for any noticeable injuries. My wrists look a little bruised, but throat thankfully doesn't appear to have been choked that badly. My head and back are fine. I know I bruised my butt. I just pull down my hoodie sleeves and pull up the neck.
I wash my hands and fake smile in the mirror. You'll be fine, I tell myself. In reality, I was scared shit less and in need of a good hug.
I swiftly make my way back to the cafeteria to see eleven minutes passed and that lunch is almost over. Before I can get there, I get water dumped over me. I look sides ways and see it's a group of girls from my grade. I don't feel bad that I don't know their names because they then proceed to throw glitter at me along with some other things. They giggle and snap photos and leave.
I pull out my flip phone and ask Callie if she can bring my stuff to the nurse and to skip math with me. She quickly texts back an agreement. I hurry to the nurse and almost make it unseen, until I run into someone coming out.
"Holy shit Wise Girl! You're covered in everything from Home EC to the art rooms."
I look up to see Percy, kind, understanding, loyal Percy and almost greedily take his out stretched hand. I can see Callie, who knows almost all my skeletons, come down the other end with my stuff.
"Don't worry Annabeth, I stopped by your locker and got you a change of clothes."
I smile at her, but get glitter and something wet in my mouth. I spit it out. "Thanks Callie." I notice Percy is still holding my hand and I blush. "Seaweed Brain, don't you have English in about five seconds?"
His face looked full of care and determination. "I think I'll stay here."
I was about to protest, but Callie stops me. "Just let him, besides the nurse and Mr. D are doing things right now, so no one's in there."
I don't have the energy to protest against both of them. "Fine, you can clean my dirty clothes and I need you to let go of my hand."
His turns a light shade of pink and does as instructed. "On it."
Callie rolls her eyes and we all go in. The nurse's office is like a mini hospital with a shower included-oh the bell just rang- and a stash of medical supplies. I head over to the shower, close the curtains, and toss Calypso my glittery clothes. I then proceed to do what people do in showers as fast as possible, clean.
"Callie, can you toss me a towel and my clothes." In response get a towel to the face and catch the rest. "Thanks!" Once I'm dressed, I get out and head over to the secret stash of rice crispy treats and grab three. Callie is sitting on a bed and I plop down to forge passes. Percy then sits down next to me with my now clean wet clothes in a plastic bag.
I look into his eyes full of concern and care. I almost want to tell him everything and just stupidly sob in his arms for an hour, but I don't. All this does is prove he can't deal with the rest of my secrets and slightly messed up world. I finish the notes and start eating my snack along with Callie. Percy carefully takes it, but eats it faster than either of us. Eventually, we all finish and there's this dangerous silence that a certain someone breaks.
"I'm guessing this happens often enough if you know where the snacks are stored. I didn't even know there are snacks."
I smile softly. "Well, most people usually aren't crazy or stupid enough to pull crap on me. That means they've been planning for a while, but I'd have to say this happens every month or so."
Percy looks shocked. "Are you kidding me?"
Callie shrugs. "Actually they mess with her lockers every week or two."
"And you haven't told your parents or got a teacher involved?"
I sigh. "I don't need to Jackson. I have a plan."
He raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms. "And what is your plan? Let a much of jealous, insecure people pick on you for self esteem until you graduate?" I could sense anger, but I don't know if it's directed at me, the girls who did this, or the situation.
"No, my plan stops them my senior year, and no, I will not go all Margo on them." Percy gave me a blank look. "Paper Towns by John Green? It's a movie now."
"You know I'm not an active reader, so if you said the last name I might have got it. Do you know who did this to you?"
I shake my head and speak with frustration. "I honestly don't know most our grade, or people in this school. I don't care about most of the people in this place. I don't want to know a lot of the people in this place." I feel Callie put a comforting hand on my shoulder. She knows how I get when I start ranting and she feels quite similarly on this topic. "Besides, why should I have to prove myself to them? If they don't like me fine, but I sleep soundly at night knowing that they're boyfriends cheat on them, they're druggies, they're failing, they think they know about the real world, they think they have problems, they're obsessed my social media, or that they're lives will end after high school. They don't have futures and I do, so if any of them meet me the in post Goode years and want to apologize and be besties, they can because then we're both on the same playing field."
He looks a little stunned to say the least. Callie whispers something about using my Delta to get on Gmail, and I tell her she can. I don't want her to me dragged into this. I look into his eyes and I know he's so close to seeing the vulnerable side of me. I also see a bit of hurt.
"I'm guessing I'm one of those people."
"No, you're not." My insides are twisting and the calmness turns to panic. I still see hurt and I know I have to fix this. "Look, I'm not good at opening up to people or dealing with emotions, and sorry if I hurt you. I didn't mean to-"
Percy puts his hand, telling me to stop. "Okay, I'm going to ask you something. If I said those things to you, how would you feel?"
I ponder that. If it was someone at that school that wasn't Percy or the other good people, I'd flip them off and walk away because I don't care what they think. It wouldn't hurt me. I think about his voice saying those things. They do hur,t and I want to take them back all over again, but I can't. That's the thing about words and insults, you can't them back or slap a band aid on. No, words, whether they're lies or truths, go so much deeper. That makes them a lot worse then punches.
"I know I hurt you and-"
"I get that Annabeth, but how would you feel?"
"I would feel hurt okay!"
His eyes soften and he comfortingly puts an arm over my shoulders to pull me close. I needed this. We sit there like this for a few moments. I hear him whisper an apology and I whisper one back. I realize I like having him as my friend, even if I get strangled because of it.
The day, like life, goes on and I meet Percy in the pool area after school for swimming. He seems better when he's teaching me, but also giving me extra care because of what happened. We joke about how people usually get everything in their favorite colors, it explains why a lot of his stuff is blue, and high school movies.
It's simple and care free with a splash after every lap because the side stroke is difficult.
"What's the point of this one?"
"I think it's to swim away from sharks."
"Why can't you just swim away?"
"I don't know, ask the sharks."
We finished up not too long after that and I handed him the printed out note cards.
"Remember to look over these."
"Yes mam." He salutes me and I smile.
It's slower than the usual Thursday night since the Yankees have a play-off game tonight. I don't mind since the game's on all the TVs. At about eight, I'm assigned a table with one woman. The strange thing is, she asks for me, and I remember dad wanted me to meet someone.
I believe she's in her late thirties since she knows my dad and she's dressed casually in jeans, a grey blouse, and hiking boats. Her hair is black and pulled in a bun, not a strand out of place. Her eyes a like storm cloud grey and guarded like mine. It's actually the first time I've met someone with my eye color. I feel intelligence come off her in waves and she carries herself like royalty.
"Hello, it's a pleasure to finally be properly acquainted with you Annabeth." She sticks out her hand and I shake it. "Well, your grip is firm unlike your father's. Now, I would like an iced water no lemon." I swiftly jot that down. "Now, hurry back because we have a lot to discuss."
I do as told after I finish up my other two tables, and telling Sil to send the next tables to other people. She didn't ask why and agreed as long as it didn't get busy. I head back over to her, sitting at a stool table for two. Once I place the water in front of her, she puts the menu down.
"I'll have the classic cheesecake, after I'm done speaking with you." She gestures to the chair across from her.
"I'm not supposed to sit down on the job."
"Believe me, it's better if you sit down."
I sigh and jump into the stool chair. "Please tell me you aren't here to tell me I'm a princess, wizard, or anything else that I'm not."
She raises an eyebrow. "No, you're still Annabeth Sophia Chase, and nothing I say will change that."
"Unless you're my escort to an arranged marriage." She gives me a pointed look. "I read a lot okay."
"Well, that's something to be proud of. Now, I'm guessing you have no idea who I am?" I nod. "My name is Athena and I'm a past friend of your father."
"Then why don't you talk to him instead?"
"Because I burned that bridge a little under two decades ago. No, I can never repair my relationship with him, and I simply don't have the time or energy."
"Why not? You seem to have put in a good deal of time and effort to talk to me."
She pauses briefly. "In late May, I'm going on a trip and I have no plans of coming back. Fredrick, would keep up defense until April and I wouldn't enough time by then. I will not postpone my journey, so the only way is through you."
I study her carefully. "You've never done me any wrong."
"Not directly, but I personally feel like I've wronged you Annabeth."
"How?"
Athena sighs and looks around the almost empty restaurant. "Go tell them to make my cheesecake."
I nod and come back in less than a minute. "Where were we?"
"I knew you're mother, back when she left you with your father."
I sat on the stool in shock. I don't think about my mother often, but I never gave any thought to where she is now. I feel like she abandoned me all those years ago and in exchange I hope she got all she ever wanted and dreamed of. That doesn't mean I'm okay with her choices, I actually resent her a lot, but I never wanted her to be harmed or fully understand how much she hurt me, okay maybe the latter to happen.
"She's dead." I say it with no emotion.
Athena looks serious. "Yes, the woman I knew all those years ago is dead."
"When?"
"A few years after you were born, I think you were four."
"How?"
"It was the stress of another pregnancy, but the guy left her, and she died in labor."
"I-I had a sibling?"
Athena shakes her head. "No, you have a half brother that I have custody of. Malcolm's only ever known me as his mom, so keep that secret to yourself."
I had a brother. He's only two years older than the twins, so he's about thirteen. What's he like? Does he play sports? Does he read? Does he have a favorite book? What would he think of an older sister? What would he think of as me as his older sister?
I voice my last question out loud. "Does even know I exist?"
"No, he does not, but he will."
I look up at her. "Excuse me?"
"In honor of the woman I knew, I'm going to do all the things she would have done with you before I leave. You should probably go get my cheesecake."
I get up in a trance and come back with her desert. I sit back on the stool. "What makes you think I need a mom?"
"I know you have a step mom-"
I speak soft and with anger. "Helen is not my mom. You are not my mom. My egg donor is not my mom. Thalia is my mom. I don't need you to be someone you're not just to avenge a dead woman who didn't give a shit about what her actions did to me for seventeen years."
Athena looked surprised and worried, probably because I just flipped off her whole plan and view of what she thought of my world. She quietly finishes her cheesecake and then looks upon me. "Who's Thalia?"
I glare at her and then burst into almost crazy laughter. "How much do you honestly know about me?"
Athena shrugged. "Your name, age, high school grades, Fredrick's family members, and that's it."
I lean onto the table and I feel myself get serious as I start to whisper. "Thalia is the woman who partnered up my the love of her life at age ten. Thalia is the woman who took in a seven year old me when I ran away from home and took care of me whenever I escaped. Thalia is a woman who found her brother in foster care and adopted him and his friend when she was eighteen and recently married to the boy she met on the streets. Thalia is a woman who graduated from college. Thalia is the woman who showed me I can achieve the impossible. Thalia is the woman who did all the things a parent should and she is my mom. I'll go get your check."
When I get back, her face is full of regret. I remember what Percy said about treating others, but no one can replace Thals. Still, I want to meet my half brother. He deserves to know about me at least.
Athena eyes me. "I'm sorry for what she put you through. I still want to make it up to you. Surely, there must me something you want and in return if we do my original plan."
"Anything?"
Athena smiles. "I'm worth about five billion thanks to my several companies and stock, I think that should be enough proof I can get you what you want."
"I want you to help play me, Jason, and Leo to go to any college we choose to attend. I would also like for three extra people to be on that list if they need financial help."
She didn't even break a sweat. "Fine, I'll find you the next time I'm in New York City."
Athena then pays, leaving a nice ten dollar tip, and I think about what I just got myself into.
I don't own The Little Mermaid, Spongebob, PJO, HoO, or "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton. I messed up a few words, so it's not breaking any rules. Also, today's Jason's birthday, the day Percabeth fell into hell, and June 28th celebrated the tenth anniversary of TLT, and the fandom in my opinion. Thanks to everyone who reviews, follows, and favorites.
If it wasn't clear by now, yes I'm continuing this story. I'd also love to hear viewers opinions for this chapter or theories, so please keep reviewing.
