Chapter Six: What A Surprise

Disclaimer: I do not own Rick Riordan's
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
and the Heroes of Olympus Series, and I do not
own the songs I put into this book either.
I only
own my fan made characters and of course
the plot line.


Added SongsIn Order of Appearance
No Songs used in this chapter


~Author's Note~

I'm back with a new chapter. Please enjoy.


It was later that day that Annabeth was discharged from hospital, filled with reassurance that she was recovered as best as she could have been in the hospital.

But if she was being completely honest, no part of her was okay.

Last night… she wished she were dead… because she was completely alone in that moment. Her best friend had told her she wished Annabeth was dead…

It had left her more scared than anyone could ever truly comprehend.

Since meeting Percy a year ago, she was a completely different person than the one she knew she used to be.

She felt as though she had been blinded, more so, she was shielded from all the bad… until she opened her eyes for the first time in years and saw the world for what it truly was.

Full of chaos and anarchy and destruction.

It was a bitter and lonely an hateful place… all the brightness slowly dying because of the true meaning of what reality was, how the vicious cycle of real life actually moved until a person felt on the edge, drowning with absolutely no escape.

As she sat in the lobby of the hospital waiting for Charles to come pick her up, she was left to think deeply about many things.

She had made a decision last night.

She was quitting music…

She was going to attempt to buy out her contract so she could leave this life behind, but she didn't know where she was going to go from here. All she honestly knew was that she was going to sell her house and stay in seclusion in her apartment, away from prying eyes.

But there was things she needed to do, to make things right, after all she had to make sure everyone she worked with was okay.

She found out she was in the same hospital as Hazel and Frank.

Frank had gotten a hell of a fright when he found Annabeth in a hospital bed…

He sat with her and listened to her… talked to her and listened to her as she spoke, which was a reprieve since he was the first person to let her speak truly about everything.

He was a shoulder for her to lean on as she tried to figure out every complex and confusing step of her life, and he offered her some words of advice.


"Annabeth, this in the end is your choice to make but if there is one thing I can say with certainty, it's that when once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." Frank said with a warm smile on his face.

Annabeth chuckled, "Quoting Leonardo Da Vinci." She said with a smile on her face.

Frank chuckled, "I've been taking courses at a college, trying to find my footing and move on from music but it's hard when dedicated so many years of your life to your dream, only to have it all crumble around you." He said with a soft whisper and a saddened smile.

"It also isn't easy when you have a kid to think about now too." She said softly as she bit her bottom lip.

Frank nodded, "She's so perfect though… so perfectly okay and beautiful… and she's mine and Hazel's." He said as he ran his hand through his hair. "I don't what the hell I'm supposed to do. They Hazel will wake up soon… and I haven't seen her since that day… I got to the apartment… and she was gone… and never came back… I didn't even get the chance to… fuck." He said as he groaned into his hands and dug the heels into his eyes in frustration.

Annabeth placed her hand on his knee in support. "It's okay Frank. You can talk to me." She said softly.

"When I saw those pictures, I was so so so angry… I've never been so angry in my life… and I just… I needed to get it out, and then… when I was calmer… I went home, hoping she was there so I could talk to her… but everything was gone." He rubbed his face as he pulled his hands away from his face and revealed his red eyes, "In my anger I had broken the television and left the apartment in a mess… when I got back, it was cleaned up, there was a new television, better than the one I had, the house was tidy, all the photos were turned down so I couldn't see them… and her clothes were gone… and there was a note with an envelope with money in it." He said with a defeated sigh.

Annabeth looked softly at him as she placed her hand over his and gave a comforting squeeze.

"She wrote something so simple. 'I'm sorry, Frank. I am sorry I'm not good enough for you, and I'm sorry I lied to you. Here is all the money I owe you for everything you helped me get, rent included… and the money for everything else. I sold everything to pay it all back so you don't have to worry about anything… and I'm sorry I hurt you. I hope you'll be happier without me. Good bye Frank…' I checked the money… it was everything… she didn't want to be indebted to me… have no ties with me because I hurt her… and she didn't want to hurt me anymore… and I didn't know she was pregnant and now… now I am a dad with her… and I don't even know if we will ever get along…" he said with a thick and heavy voice.

"Frank… we all do things we regret… I know I have done things I regret… big things… but the first step to moving forward to trying to be better, work things out and ask for forgiveness… in my case, I know I won't get that back… but I still can move forward instead of stalling in this life." She said softly. "Take your own advice. Steve Maraboli said, 'It is important that we forgive ourselves for making mistakes. We need to learn from our errors and move on.'" She squeezed his hand with a soft smile, "You have to forgive yourself first… and I know I have to do that too." She said softly.


It's always what Annabeth has needed to do.

These last six months, she had held every mistake over her head… and had never started forgiving herself…

Maybe now it was more impossible with everything that has happened…

She hated herself more than she ever had… and his is why she needed this fresh start…

Why she needed to move on from her past…

She had been discharged now, and had been given some fresh clothes by her nurse who was taking care of her, helping her through the flushing of her system and the alcohol poisoning.

She was just in a pair of shorts, a tank top and a hoodie. Her sneakers were okay and her beanie was on her head and she had put her nose ring back in.

She figured it was time to embrace her new identity.

She was no longer the golden hair, princess curls, blonde hair pop star, good girl she once was. She had surrendered that and became a new reinvented version of herself and she felt happy.

Her nose ring she got a couple of months ago, just for the hell of it. It felt good to have it and it suited this version of herself, and thankfully she still had her bag. She felt like a normal rebelling teenager. Next thing she was going to do was get a pink or blue… no not, blue, most probably pink or silver or purple streak in her hair.

Being in the music business, you have an identity that the company wants based on the music you make. Annabeth could truly see what Calypso's identity was for her company so maybe it was a façade, because Annabeth's who identity was a façade… this is who she really was. She did this because she wanted too, not because she was angry or in pain, but because she felt like it.

She was embracing the fucked up reality of the world, and it was freeing.

But she still had morals.

She wouldn't drink ever again.

She wouldn't smoke ever.

She wouldn't do drugs.

She wouldn't be the stereotype of the world's youth. She had a road of self-discovery to walk but she knew eventually she would find it all.

She was accepting her fate. That she was alone… that her own friend wished she was dead, and she was okay with. She'd learn to be alright with it after she fixed everything since everything was her fault according to Thalia.

She felt a presence near her and turned her head and saw the familiar face of Will Solace, son of Apollo Solace. He looked pleased to see her so he had obviously heard about Annabeth's incident.

"Hey Annie. How are you?" He asked with that infectious but blindingly bright smile as he sat down with her on the couch she was seated on.

"I'm okay Smiles. Looking as bright as ever." She said with a warm smile. She may have issues with Apollo that are up and coming but she was good friends with Will.

"Have every reason to be. I'm getting married in November." He beamed one of the brightest smiles on his face.

Annabeth's eyes widened with cartoon shock as she looked at the son of Apollo, "You're serious. You're getting married?!" She asked with a growing smile on her face.

Will nodded with a bobble head effect, "I proposed two months ago. Me and Bee are getting married." He said with a smile. "I honestly never expected to find the kind of love I did… but I am honestly so privileged to have met Bianca D'Angelo. She is the light of my life and her family is fantastic… and she and I wanted you to be the one to come and sing our wedding song." He said shyly.

Annabeth bit her bottom lip, the mention of Bianca D'Angelo rang alarm bells loud and clear in her brain… she knew who Bianca's cousin was… it was Percy… she didn't know if it was going to be a good idea. "I don't know if that's a good idea, given my history…"

Will sighed, "I know Annabeth… but Percy said he isn't going to come. He doesn't want to see Thalia or Jason or his mother and others or be involved with media stuff… Bianca's disappointed but she understands." He said softly, "I know you are quitting music," Annabeth shot him a quizzical look, "Frank told me when I passed by Hazel's room. Look, I know you are giving up on your dream… but before you do… please… write a song for our wedding… we both trust you."

"I am pretty sure that Bianca wants nothing to do with me." She said as she leaned back into the chair.

"Actually Annabeth, Bianca asked me to ask you. She wasn't involved, and she didn't know, but she could see how much you loved Percy and she wished things were different but she understands… please." He asked softly as he looked at her pleadingly. "You are the one person I know and trust with this… because your love for music, even if you say it has died, was the most real thing I have ever seen, just like your love for Percy and Luke. Your love and devotion to family, the people you love and your music is the purest thing in the world… please."

Annabeth sighed. She wanted to get away from music, get her fucking fresh start… and now she was considering not doing that…but he wanted her to write a song for their wedding, how the hell was she supposed to write a song about love when she didn't have anyone to love, or that still loved and cared for her other than her father.

Annabeth sighed, "I don't know will… I honestly don't know if I have it left in me to do it…" She said as she ran her hand through her short hair.

"Please Annabeth… please. I know you still have it in you… I'm not asking you to write a fucking musical or rediscover why you love music… I'm just asking you to please write one last song… please. Just think about it…" He said softly as he stood up and adjusted his coat. "Better get yourself ready. Thalia is walking." He said as he spotted the dark haired woman approaching them.

Annabeth looked up and saw Thalia coming towards her, her hands nervously rubbing against her jeaned leg, her lip pulled between her bottom lip as she kept her eyes to her feet.

Annabeth didn't even notice that Will had left her but sighed as she looked away from Thalia, bitterness bubbling inside. "Are you here to tell me just how much you hate me again, or finish the job and break me so badly that I actually do die like you wanted me too." She said with an even, unwavering tone as her expression remained neutral.

She noticed Thalia wince and it made her a bit smug with satisfaction, knowing just how much Thalia's words had hurt her.

"Annabeth… I… I know I fucked up. Hell, it's all I've done a lot lately, just like breaking promises." She said softly. "I promised not to hurt you… but I've been doing that for months… every call you made I ignored, every text saying sorry about Percy… I ignored… I ignored you, neglected you, blamed you for it all." She said as she let out a shaky sigh as Annabeth saw Thalia's wet red eyes. "I am stupid and selfish and a fucking idiot and I'm sorry. I was wrong to say what I said… I never wished you were dead… I wish it was me… because I blamed myself for what happened to Luke." She whispered as she sat down.

Annabeth turned her head and looked at Thalia with a confused look, "Why?" She asked softly.

Thalia sighed, "He might have been okay if I had not of taken you out that day at school… he wouldn't have gone home if we hadn't of gone that day without him… it was my idea and I forgot about him. You asked where he was and I said don't worry about him. It started a chain of events… and I in effect ruined two lives… his and yours." She said with a sigh, "The truth Annabeth, the coward is me, the one who deserves to be dead in Luke's place is me…" thalia said with a sigh. "I should have been the one in here last night… not you."

"Thalia, you hurt me but belittling yourself is not going to change what happened. We were the best of friends and then everything grew toxic… we aren't good for each other… you… no we, we let things get between us, and ruin us." She said as she rubbed her hands together, "I honestly feel responsible for everything. You said I ruined everyone's future because they gave up their dreams for mine. I am never going to live that down, and I know now that you hate me. You wouldn't have said if part of you didn't…" She said as she wiped her eyes. "I feel like you and I have switched… I'm the broken person, rebelling against the world, cutting my hair, getting a nose ring and dying my hair and trying to find my identity because after all this, I don't know who the fuck I am anymore." She said softly as a tear rolled down her cheeks.

"Annabeth…" Thalia said as she placed her hand over Annabeth who flinched and stood up and started pacing. "Annabeth, talk to me."

"Talk to you? Seriously. You want me to talk to you?" She said with a disbelieving look on her face. "You want me to talk to you? That's all I wanted to do! I wanted to talk to you! But you shut me out! You pushed me away!" Annabeth said as tears rolled down her cheeks and chuckled in amusement, "I fucking tried for six months to talk to you Thalia! Every! Single! Day! But I didn't exist because you wanted someone to blame! You wanted to blame someone for Luke, for Percy, for you! And yes, it is my fault and I wanted to beg for forgiveness but you didn't give a damn." She said with a head shake.

"Annabeth, I know that was wrong of me, but you pulled away from me too!" Thalia said as she stood up, trying to diffuse the situation.

"I didn't want to be told to fuck off! Or that you hate me!" She said with a head shake. "I wanted to feel like I had someone there… but I had no one. I lost everything! You! Luke! Percy! My love for music! My reason for life! I lost it all… and I needed reassurance from you that I still had a chance, that you were still here for me… but you weren't… and I am not going to ruin your life anymore." She said as she shook her head. "Maybe I am a coward for running, in your own words, but I am doing it to make every one's lives better."

"How will you leaving make everything better?!" Thalia said in frustration and anger.

"Because everyone gets to live out their dreams!" Annabeth shouted back. "I'm leaving so you can go to Julliard. I fucking called them and asked if they would consider you again! They want you! They are giving you a full scholarship!"

Thalia was completely stunned as she stared in shock at Annabeth. "W-wh-at?" She stuttered in surprise.

"I got you your dream opportunity… to go to Julliard…" Annabeth said as she looked at Thalia. "I am leaving so you can live out your dream… I am leaving because with me here, you will always resent me for not going to Julliard… if I am not here, you have nothing holding you back. They even agreed to work your school schedule to your work schedule… without me here, your work is reduced… and you get to live the dream I took away… and I almost died last night… so I know it's a sign, because if I stay, I'm going get killed by this all… I can't do it anymore… not when I am alone." She turned on her heel and started walking out the hospital.

"Annabeth! Wait!" Thalia shouted as she chased after Annabeth and grabbed her friend's arm when Annabeth ripped her arm free. "Annabeth please. Don't give this us. I will hate myself if you do this. Don't give up your dream because of me." She pleaded.

Annabeth looked at Thalia sadly as she looked at her shoes. "I've made my choice… I hate to do it… but I just can't keep losing everything because of it. This is what I was trying to protect Percy from… but in the end, it took him from me anyway." She said as she shook her head, "It is still my fault though, and I will never forgive myself for hurting him. I loved him more than this business and I wanted to protect him from this, from what happened to Luke… He deserved better than that…"

Thalia didn't say anything, instead staring at something behind Annabeth who immediately turned round stiffened when she saw Percy standing there with an unreadable expression on his face as he watched them.

"Percy…" Thalia said softly, almost in disbelief at her cousin's appearance. He was so different.

Percy gave a single, curt nod, "Thalia." He said as he looked at Annabeth with an unreadable expression, his emotions visible in his eyes as he looked at Annabeth.

"Hi…" She said nervously as she rubbed her arm as she looked at him nervously.

"Anna…beth…" He said, correcting himself as he rolled on his heels, "I… you texted me… it was by accident, asking me to give you a ride home…" He said as he ran his hand through his hair, "I… I know it was an accident, but I just had to see you were okay after I found you last night."

"Wait, you took Annabeth to the hospital?" Thalia asked in surprise.

"I was visiting Reyna's grave and found Annabeth passed out, looking as though she were dead… so yes, even with what happened, I took her to the hospital and stayed until she was awake and I knew she was okay because even though she was someone else, I still care about that person, because they are the same person." He said as he looked at Annabeth who was staring at him with a lost expression.

"I… I never thanked you for that." Annabeth said softly as she looked at his appearance. He was wearing jeans… and an orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt… she remembered Thalia telling her about that camp, Percy too.

"For what?" He said with a cautious and raised brow, wondering what the fuck he was doing talking to them.

"For saving me last night… I could have died, you could have left me there… but you didn't… so thank you. I owe you my life and many other things." She said softly as she rubbed her shoulder. "Thank you Percy." She said softly.

Percy sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I… I am here… I am not doing anything… how… how about I give you that ride home you didn't mean to ask for… and… and maybe we can talk." He said softly as he questioned his own common sense for even thinking of this absurd thing.

Annabeth bit her lip, "I… I don't want to impose. I can walk." She said softly as she rubbed her arm, "I… I don't expect anything Percy. I know I fucked up and I lied and hurt you, and I am not asking you to forgive me or anything… me texting you was an accident… and i… and I just…" She said with a sigh. "I'm sorry. If it isn't a huge trouble… I wouldn't mind a ride but I don't want to impose." She said softly, fighting off being hopeful because she knew things would never be worked out between them.

"I just… I think we need closure… for either of us to move on… I think we need to have a conversation and move on with this." He said softly as he rubbed his arm, "I think I am ready to hear you out… if… if you are willing to talk."

Annabeth nodded as she looked at Thalia who was looking at them sadly. "Percy, I just wanted to say sorry… for everything… I hope one day I can talk to you again… I'm sorry too Annabeth… for everything." She said softly as she walked away with her shoulders slumped and defeated.

Annabeth sighed as she rubbed her arm, "It wasn't her fault… she wanted to tell you… don't hate her for my mistake…"

Percy sighed and nodded, "I… I will talk to her and Jase… and my mom, I just think I need to hear everything from you… I deserve the truth, even if I don't believe it." He said softly.

Annabeth nodded, "Where would you prefer to go?" She asked softly.

Percy sighed, "Let's go to your place… it will be easier cause I'm still blocked by paparazzi." He said softly to her.

Annabeth nodded as she rubbed her arm and Percy ushered her towards his car.

This was certainly going to be interesting.


So guys, I have come to realise that when it comes to writing with a plan, nothing ever is accurate and easy to write. So far, I've changed a lot of the original plan, mainly because I lost my original stuff, and the truth is, I hear what you guys are saying about it being Percy and Annabeth but don't worry, I've got a plan for it. It starts in the next chapter and I promise it will be worth while. Let me know what you guys think of this chapter and the developments thus far.

Love you my dear fictioneers. Thanks for sticking this out with me.

~Michaela~