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Percy held on to Annabeth's wrist tightly as her legs dangled thirty feet above the air. His heart was thudding against his chest as he leaned against the railing. He wasn't sure if he could make it, but he had to. He wouldn't let Annabeth fall. He wouldn't.
Annabeth's other hand, which was free, was holding on to one of the carvings on the wall which was not really reassuring. If not for Percy holding her she was sure to tumble to her death.
"Give me your other hand." Percy grunted as he held out his hand or rather tried to. Percy cursed his arms for not being longer.
"I'll fall." Annabeth said. "You can't pull me up."
"I won't let you fall." Percy said as he tried to reach for her hand. "Annabeth, trust me."
"I-I" She said looking like she was about to accept defeat. Percy tried to step on the railing to reach her but then realized that there was the possibility of him slipping.
He looked into Annabeth's eyes which held fear. "Trust me."
He saw her swallow and then slowly close her eyes. He panicked for a moment thinking that she was about to let go but instead she let go of the wall and in an instant Percy caught her other hand.
She gasped as she opened her eyes and realized that she hadn't fallen. Percy let out a yell as he pulled her over the railing and they both tumbled onto the ground.
They both were breathing heavily and it was after a minute that they realized they had their arms around each other. Annabeth pulled away quickly and sat up taking Percy with her.
He looked at her angrily. "What were you thinking? That you would just throw your life away like that?!"
Annabeth looked confused. "What-I-" She tried to say but Percy was on a roll.
"Did you even think about anyone before you decided to kill yourself?" He continued looking beyond pissed.
"Per-" She tried again but he didn't let her.
"All because of some stupid guy that you-"
"PERCY!" Annabeth yelled which finally made him shut up. Annabeth took a deep breath. "I wasn't going to kill myself."
"What?" Percy said his voice sounding worn out as his shoulders slumped.
"I was simply standing on it. I do it all the time. This is kind of my special spot." She said hesitantly not meet his eyes. "You just startled me and then I...fell."
" " Percy said feeling dumb. He rubbed the back of his neck as they both searched for something to say.
"So." Percy said breaking the silence. "Wanna grab some ice cream? I know a great place."
Annabeth looked doubtful. She didn't want to say yes but at the same time she didn't want to deny him either. It had been a long time since she had done anything with a friend. She didn't realize how much she missed that until Percy had offered her. She frowned as she remembered something.
"I-uh- I have an early dinner with my brother and his girlfriend, Amanda. She's cooking tonight. Wouldn't wanna be late." Annabeth tried smiling but Percy could look through her façade and understand that she was lying. He didn't question her though.
"Oh. When do you have to be back?" He asked raising his eyebrows.
"Eight" she said a little too quickly which increased Percy's suspicion. He checked his watch. "Well it's six now. I promise I'll have you back before eight."
Percy rolled his eyes as Annabeth looked back and forth. He grabbed her hand, which startled her a bit, but she didn't complain as he pulled her along to wherever he wanted to go.
"How does this look?" Rachel said holding out a red halter top against her torso. Rachel had decided to go to the mall with Piper and Thalia to pick something out to wear for her 'date' with Percy or so she called.
Rachel was more than just interested in Percy. She really liked him and as stupid as it sounds, it was true. Even though they'd just known each other for a few days she felt like she knew him already.
Well what's there to know about? She knows he lives with his mother who is divorced. He has a serious obsession with blue food. He liked to swim and someday he would like to be a marine biologist.
So she knew the basic things a person should know about the other. That basically made them really close friends and she hope maybe sooner or later they would be more than that. Preferably sooner.
"It looks perfect." Piper said sorting through a rack of clothes. "Just like the previous nine hundred and ninety nine did."
"Thousanth time's the charm!" Rachel said grinning as she looked at herself in the mirror. She heard Thalia groan behind her.
"I know I shouldn't have agreed to come to the mall with you guys." She said as she pushed her face into a rack of clothes. Piper giggled beside her.
"Oh come on Thals." Rachel said. "It's important that you come. After all, he is your cousin."
She pulled her head out of the bunch of clothes. "Yes he is and that's why I know that he won't like that top you're holding."
Rachel's eyes widened comically. "You couldn't tell that to me earlier?"
Thalia simply snorted while Piper pulled out a beautiful blue laced top. "Now that, he'll like." Thalia said raising her eyebrows. Rachel looked at it for a while then sighed. "Will do."
"So what's his type. I mean has he ever had a girlfriend?" Rachel asked as they walked towards the counter.
"Nope." Thalia said popping the 'p', "Not that I know of at least.
He's more of the shy and reserved type. Simple but elegant. You know what I mean?"
"Uh huh. I guess." Rachel replied as she paid the cashier. Piper scoffed. "Just chill. You want Percy to like you for who you are not for what he would like for you to be."
"And there's the love goddess." Thalia said teasing Piper as they walked out of the store. "But yeah, Pipe's right. Anyways I-"
"Hey guys?" Piper said nervously interrupting Thalia as she pointed out at two people opposite to them in walking out of an ice cream shop. It was Percy and Annabeth.
"What's he doing with her?" Thalia and Rachel asked simultaneously which Piper found a bit creepy.
"The date's tonight right?" Thalia asked not taking her eyes off the pair.
"Yeah..." Rachel said trailing off, then shrugged. "Whatever. They're just friends. Maybe they decided to hang out."
"Hmm..." Thalia said then quickly turned towards them frowning. "I don't like him hanging out with her."
Rachel made an uneasy face then nodded. "Me either."
"Why not?" Piper said frowning and they both turned towards her. "I mean, what's wrong with that?" She said defensively.
"Uh because she's bad news?" Thalia supplied.
"And how would you know? You just came last week!."Piper shot back and then realized it was a little rude. Thalia looked away. "Right. I'll uh, I have to go." She said as she walked away in the opposite direction.
"Way to go, Pipes." Rachel said sarcastically.
"Well I'm sorry okay? But it's true." Piper said huffing and crossing her arms. Rachel put down her shopping bags angrily.
"What's it with you and defending her all the freaking time?" She questioned.
"She's our friend Rachel! Annabeth's our friend! And more importantly she's your best friend." Piper said exasperated.
"Was, Piper." Rachel sneered. "Was."
"That doesn't even make sense!" Percy exclaimed laughing as they were walking with ice cream cones in their hands.
"It does actually." Annabeth said matter-of-factly. "Because of the fat it blocks the arterial veins and so later on it results in heart attacks and-" She stopped abruptly noticing Percy staring at her with a smile on his face.
"Sorry." She said blushing. "I know I'm a nerd."
Percy waved it off. "It's kind of cute actually." He said licking his mint chocolate chip ice cream which was in fact blue in color. If Annabeth found anything weird about that she didn't say anything.
"Although, you did ruin ice cream for me." He added and Annabeth smiled. Percy wondered what he could do to make her laugh. It had become his personal agenda to get her to laugh. Everyday he would google, yes literally google jokes to tell Annabeth so that she would at least laugh at one, but so far he had been unsuccessful.
"So, you participating in the Battle of the Bands?" Percy questioned. Annabeth shook her head in return.
"Why not?" He didn't see any reason why she shouldn't. She had an amazing voice. A voice that she could make a career with.
"Singing's not my thing." She said and Percy snorted. "Could have fooled me."
"Why are you not participating?" Annabeth shot back and Percy cheeks immediately turned red.
"There's a reason for that." he said nervously. Annabeth raised her eyebrows. "And what's that?"
Percy remained silent for a minute then took a deep breath, closed his eyes and muttered something like 'you can do it Perce.'
Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight
People started giving them weird looks as Percy sang with full volume not caring about what others were thinking. It wasn't that Percy's singing was particularly bad it just wasn't...pleasant. Annabeth couldn't hold it in longer as she bursted out in laughter and Percy kept singing smiling at her.
Heeey heeeey heeeey
Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one track mind like me
You gave my life dire-
"Okay okay!" Annabeth exclaimed trying to catch her breath. "I get it! You can stop now."
Percy immediately stopped singing and started laughing with her. With a jolt he realized she was laughing. She was laughing. He felt so happy that he could hug her but he knew that wouldn't be appropriate. She had just begun to open up to him. He didn't want to push her back to her original place with his stupidity.
"And that is why I don't want to participate." He said grinning proudly. Annabeth was still giggling. "Oh come on it's not that bad."
Percy raised his eyebrows.
"Okay it's awful." Annabeth admitted. "But hey, there are other stuff besides singing. You must be good at something right?"
"Swimming."Percy said nodding. They walked in silence for a while when Annabeth brought out a question.
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you get so freaked out about me suiciding?"
She knew she shouldn't really be asking personal questions like that and she would totally understand if he didn't tell her. It just made her look in his eyes at that moment when she fell told her that this wasn't the first time something like that had happened to him. She was sure of that. How, you may ask? That's because she had seen that look in her own eyes. Very often. When anyone came to close, she would always flinch. She didn't like personal contact. That's why she always kept everyone at arm's length. She didn't want to get too close to anyone. They always end up hurting her. That's why she had to keep Percy at arm's length. She couldn't get close to him too. She wouldn't make that same mistake again and anyways, Percy was better off not knowing about her dark side.
"I-I- my sister." He said and Annabeth noticed his grip on the ice cream cone tightened. "Sarah. She killed herself. Jumped off a bridge." Annabeth wanted to say something but she felt that Percy wasn't done yet.
"She was um- autistic." He said and looked at her nervously. He knew it would be a touchy subject for her. Of course he wouldn't tell her he knew. The little friendship that he had got out of her would be ruined in a second if he did that. He would wait until she trusted him completely. "She fell in love with this guy, Noah, and well they got married. They looked just like a normal happily married couple until six months after their weddding. I found out-I found out-" Percy paused, finding it hard to tell.
"It's okay. You don't have to tell me." Annabeth said softly.
"No, I want to." Percy said shaking his head. "He used to hit her. Sarah thought he was simply stressed and would forgive him every night but it didn't stop. The bruises kept increasing, he kept coming home, late and drunk. One night she came home to find him with another woman in their bed."
Annabeth gasped lightly at that she put her hand on her mouth. "She lost it after left a note for mom and a voice message for me. I was there when she jumped. I couldn't make her stay. I couldn't." He said and looked away to hide a stray tear that fell from his eyes. He didn't want Annabeth to see him like this.
Annabeth felt tears fill her eyes too. Not only because the situation was entirely dreadful but because she could sympathize with it. She realized she was seeing a completely vulnerable side of Percy. Not the always-happy-go-lucky Percy she'd seen since last week.
"But what I hate the most," Percy continued. "is that man using her inability to respond back with the same vigor. He took advantage of her situation, Annabeth! Just like that!" he exclaimed.
"Sometimes we have to go through all the tough times in life." Annabeth said slowly. "You can't help it. You can't do anything to make it better." She said pushing a curl back behind her ear. "But in those times what you need the most is for that one person to be there with you. That person who's shoulder you can cry on. That one person who you can trust inevitably. You were that person for her Percy." Annabeth said softly looking at me. "She was lucky to have you as that person."
Percy nodded. "Because, trust me. It sucks to have no one." Annabeth said almost choking up. Percy wondered if she was referring to herself but he didn't question. He figured they both had opened up to each other enough for one evening.
"Sometimes people just need a little help, you know?"
"- and so I started painting and holding exhibitions. I really love it, you know. It's my passion." Rachel continued talking seated from Percy across the table.
"It's like when you go and you see a really great band live for the first time, you know, and nobody's saying it but everybody's thinking it: "We have something to believe in again." I want to draw that feeling. But I can't. And if I can't be great at it then I don't want to ruin it. It's too important to me." She said smiling and Percy could see that certain glaze in her eyes.
"That's really great." Percy said smiling at her. "How you can find something and be sure that is what you want."
"Hmm.." Rachel said as she twirled her straw in her smoothie. He figured something was bothering her but didn't know what. Maybe she had to write a really long essay or something? He wasn't sure but he wouldn't ask her. She would tell him if she wanted to.
"Percy..." Rachel said hesitantly and he thought that she was finally about to tell him. "About today evening...I saw you with Annabeth."
"Oh." Percy said sitting back. He didn't really know what to say. Okay so she had seen him with her. So what? He could hang out with Annabeth right? It wasn't like since they were 'dating' or whatever that he couldn't hang out with other girls right? He didn't know a thing about relationships and how they worked. Sure he had his first kiss which was really wierd because the girl was a year older to him but he didn't know the basic stuff.
There was a board hung up in the restaurant they were in. It said 'Love doesn't knock often and when it does,you just have to let it in.' Percy felt like it was taunting him. Taunting his situation.
"Thalia doesn't like it and well I don't feel really good about it either." Rachel said nervously.
"We're just friends, Rachel." Percy said clearing that fact. He didn't want Rachel to think that he was just leading her on when in reality he wasn't. She was the one who brought up the date. Not him. Not that he didn't like Rachel. He felt things were going a bit too fast for his liking.
"I know that." Rachel said quickly. "I just-"
"What's up with you and Annabeth?" Percy questioned instead putting his arms upright to hold up his chin. "You two always skirt around each other's names. You don't like her and she acts like she doesn't know you or doesn't want to. What's the actual story?"
"She was my best friend." Percy raised his eyebrows at the word 'was'.
"What happened?"
"She changed." Rachel said looking anywhere but his eyes. "All of a sudden she started skipping classes. Stopped meeting us." She then looked up at him with a new fire in her eyes. "She was the one who pulled away Percy! She didn't want to be friends with us. That was pretty clear."
Percy simply nodded. To him it sounded like Rachel was trying to defend herself. Try to show that she wasn't at fault at all. Come to think about it, it did sound logical though. If Annabeth was the one who didn't want their friendship then they couldn't do anything. But they could have tried. They did try didn't they?
"It's okay Rachel. I understand." he said placing his hand on hers. Maybe it was the wrong move because he saw a change in her eyes instantly.
She stared at Percy for a while, then her gaze shifted to his lips. Before Percy could comprehend what was happening he felt her lips against his. Whoa! He thought. Wasn't this too soon? After a few seconds or what felt like hours Percy pulled away nervously. Rachel looked at him, her light green eyes now a shade of dark. She looked away her cheeks starting to redden.
"I'm sorry." She said quickly. It was a minute after which Percy spoke. "Look...Rachel. I like you. As a friend. Maybe it's too fast? I mean...we could try but..."
"I understand Percy." She sighed. "You want to get to know each other first." Percy nodded but she continued. "And of course you're new here so it's going to take time-" But Percy had already zoned out and his gaze had shifted to behind Rachel. It was on a certain blonde. Annabeth. She was wearing a hoodie and her arm were wrapped around herself. She looked back and forth as if fearing that someone was following her. She took a turn and disappeared from Percy's sight. Wasn't she supposed to be at home? Her brother's girlfriend was cooking dinner right? Or was she?
"- and I think it would be better if we just stayed friends." Rachel finished bringing Percy out of his reverie. "Right." He said. "uh Rachel. I just remembered something important. I'll meet you tomorrow okay?" Before she could respond he gave her a quick hug and took off after the street Annabeth had taken.
Percy noticed her entering into a white villa. It was pretty dark and the lights weren't so bright so he couldn't figure out the words on the board. Only something along the lines C_ M _ BL_D O_RP_A_E. There was a wide yard in front of the villa and a blonde girl greeted Annabeth at the front. Suddenly a little girl who looked about 3-4 years ran towards Annabeth, her shoulder length blonde hair whipping back and forth as she squealed. Annabeth picked her up and the what the girl said next made Percy's heart lurch. "Mommy you're here!"
"Okay...no that's wrong!...slow down..." Sandy said huffing and panting trying to keep up with April. They were playing Just Dance and clearly April was winning. The little girl had a lot more energy as her blonde hair flipped left and right as she danced.
Sandy on the other hand looked ready to dig her own grave. Her legs gave out as she lay sprawled on the floor. April switched off the game. "Aww Aunty Shan you can do better."
"Yeah...well your aunty Shan isn't as young as she used to be." Sandy said closing her eyes. She smiled at the 'Shan' part. She had given up on trying to make her say San with the sound of an S.
"But you're 15!" April protested squatting down next to Sandy.
"Your point?" Sandy asked opening one eye. April huffed. "I mish mommy."
Sandy eyes opened fully as she sat up. "Yeah me too, sugar." Then she smiled slowly. "But you know what? You're gonna meet her real soon."
April crawled into her lap. "Why don't I jusht go and meet her?"
Sandly laughed twirling the little girls hair in her finger."You don't get to leave the house alone until your at least 30 okay?"
"Maybe even 40. Discuss it with your mom."
Just then Calypso appeared in front of them smiling like she knew something they didn't. "April, someone's here to see you."
April's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "No way." She literally ran outside with Sandy and Calypso chuckling and trailing behind her.
Outside Annabeth was waiting with a huge smile on her face. April squealed and jumped into Annabeth's arms. "Mommy you're here!"
"Yeah I am." Annabeth said as she kissed her cheek. "And I'm here to take you home."
"Forever?" April asked excitedly. Annabeth's smiled faltered at that. She looked at Calypso for help.
"Uh no sweety. It's for a month." Calypso said and April visibly got disappointed. "But if you behave then you will." Calypso corrected.
April immediately perked up at that. She nodded her head furiously. "I will!" Annabeth kissed April on the cheek again.
They all laughed as Sandy walked towards them. "What? She gets all the kisses and I get what?"
Annabeth raised her eyebrows. "Aren't you too old for that?"
"Never too old for you honey." Sandy joked and they laughed. "I missed you." Then she rolled her eyes. "Even if it's been only a month since last time."
"Yeah...me too." Annabeth said softly. Then she adjusted April on her lap. "Whoa are you getting heavy?"
April and Sandy looked abashed. "Blame Aunty Shan for the late night pizza!"
"Sandy!" Annabeth protested as the girl in question held her hands up.
"Annabeth, you didn't tell me you were bringing someone." Calypso interrupted as Annabeth turned confused. She noticed Calypso looking at something or someone behind her.
'What? I didn't-" She said turning around and her words got eaten up as her eyes fell upon the raven haired boy. Percy just stood there gaping like a fish.
"Percy?" Annabeth asked panicking. "What are you doing here?" How much had he heard? Did he know? He couldn't know. No.
Percy seemed to be pulled out of his reverie. " I-uh I was just walking by and saw you and-" He stopped looking at April.
Sandy raised her eyebrows. "Oh really? And you're sure you weren't just stalking her?"
Percy immediately shook his head as blush creeped up his neck. "I wasn't!" Although he didn't have any intentions of stalking her he did kind of follow her. Wasn't that stalker-ish?
Annabeth sighed. "It's okay Sandy. He's a friend." She put April down and whispered something to her which Percy couldn't quite make out. She then walked towards him and placed her hands on her hips.
"What are you doing here Percy?"
"I just saw you and-and the girl and is she yours?" Percy blurted out and Annabeth tried really hard not to hyperventilate.
She tried for a smile. "Don't be silly. She's uh- my late aunt's daughter."
"Then why did she call you mommy? And why is she in the orphanage?" Percy was on a ramble. He didn't mean to sound intruding, but he just had to know.
"What's with all the questions?" Annabeth asked frowning. "Her parents died when she was really young so I took care of her and she thinks I'm her mom. As for why she's here that's because I'm not legally allowed yet to have her live with me."
Percy nodded and started to calm down. So the little girl wasn't Annabeth's. Annabeth hated lying about April not being her daughter. She wanted to tell April was her daughter with pride but she couldn't let him know.
"Are you done or are there any more?" Annabeth said raising an eyebrow. Percy shook his head. "I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I didn't mean to- I just-"
Annabeth sighed. "Percy. Go home."
"Yeah uh- right." He said rubbing the back of his neck. "uh bye?" Annabeth simply nodded as he left. She let out a long breath and turned towards Sandy who had a questioning look.
Annabeth slowly opened the gate to their home with April holding her hand. Annabeth crouched down to her level.
"Since it's just me and you tonight, I'm going to let you stay up past bedtime and watch The Powerpuff Girls." Annabeth said ruffling April's hair.
"I'd rather watch Goship Girl. It's sho bad for me." April replied as Annabeth opened her mouth amused.
"That's it! No more hanging out with Aunty Shan." Annabeth said laughing when someone interrupted them.
"Hey Annabeth." Annabeth turned to her side to find Piper smiling at her from the to other side of the fence. Annabeth had momentarily forgotten that Piper was her neighbour as she stood gaping at her. "Hey April!" Piper said lighting up.
Piper was the only one among apart from the orphanage who knew about April. It wasn't like Annabeth wanted her to know. She hadn't planned on telling her either, but Piper had found out. She had found out six months after April was born and had done a really good job at keeping her mouth shut as she had promised to Annabeth. Annabeth always had a soft spot for her.
April happily ran towards the fence. "Hey Aunty Piper!"
"Just Piper." Piper said smiling.
"Uh April. Could you go inside honey?" Annabeth said cautiously as Piper looked up at her. April nodded and hopped back into the house. Annabeth walked towards the fence.
"Nobody knows right?" Annabeth asked. Piper shook her head in return.
Annabeth breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thanks."
"I'm sorry about the adoption thing." Piper said softly which made Annabeth raise her eyebrow. "What adoption thing?"
Piper sighed. "I bumped into Calypso the other day. She told me that someone else wants to adopt April. I could help you, you know? If you want?"
"No." Annabeth said abruptly. "And besides why would you? We don't know each other right? We're just two people studying in a university who are complete strangers."
Piper smiled at her sadly. ""Just because you stopped being my friend doesn't mean I stopped being your's."
So that's the end of the chapter! Read, review and follow/ favorite.
NOTE: I have opened up a poll on my profile asking which story you guys want updated the most. According to your choice I will update so vote! Or if you don't want to vote just simply mention the story in a review.
Chapter 8
He didn't want to find out this way. He felt like a thief, stealing her innermost secrets without her even knowing...
Stay tuned!
RachelChaseJackson
