I woke up a week later after the Thalia/Grover incident feeling oddly wary and nervous. When I thought hard, I realized the simple reason why; Annabeth. Not only had she been cold shouldering me lately, but she'd also informed me that the project was almost finished. This filled me with unprecedented sadness, and I wished there was a way I could prolong it. However, all good (and painful) things must come to an end, as Areopostle says.
Why do I get the feeling I said that wrong?
Anyway (stay focused Percy) I got out of bed and hit the showers. Thankfully, it was Sunday, the day of rest and no school. Theoretically of course.
"Percy! You still have twenty seconds, so STOP COMPLAINING!" Annabeth yelled, and I resisted the urge to moan with pain. We were trying, wait, what the hell am I saying? I was trying out a new exercise called the "electric chair" and let me tell you, it hurts like shit.
I'll explain it to you even though you can probably figure out for yourself. First you have the choice of using a wall or not. I never got that choice, but whatever, just saying. Next, you bend down like you're sitting on an invisible chair and you hold that position. Painful right? But that's not the worst of it, as Annabeth also makes me do it wearing forty pound weights.
"Aaanaaaa…" I complained, and Annabeth sent me a viscous glare. I noted that her face was flushed slightly, though I was in too much pain to pay much attention to it.
"If you're going to ask whether or not your done, don't, or I'll add on another minute."
I was silent for the longest 20 seconds of my life.
--
"Ow, I can't feel me legs." I moaned as I unbuckled my weights and slumped onto the couch. Annabeth soon followed and sent me an irritable glare.
"What do you think you're doing? You still have to cook!" Annabeth ordered, and I glumly slouched down even further into the couch. When I showed no sign of moving, Annabeth shot me a furious glare, causing me to slowly get up and make my way to the much hated kitchen.
Then I remembered what Chef Finn had said to me about becoming a good cook, and felt myself grin. I'd show Annabeth I could cook, and then maybe she'd be a bit nicer to me. I rifled through a French cookbook out of curiosity, Annabeth seemed to enjoy French food.
But cripes, the stuff was hard to make. And it had really big and complicated words like simmer and bouillabaisse. I quickly gave up trying to cook French food; Anna's household probably didn't have the ingredients anyway, and settled on good ol' fashioned curry and smoked fish, Japanese style.
Once I'd chopped the fish and started boiling water, I let out a smile. This meal would be perfect. As I worked, I slowly let my mind wander. How had Annabeth become such good friends with someone famous like Chef Finn? Their temperaments didn't seem very compatible (both being voracious and difficult) and yet the two got along just great. In fact, Chef Finn could make Annabeth laugh, a feat even I hadn't accomplished yet!
So caught up in my musings was I that didn't notice the fact that my food was burning until it was too late.
"Percy? Percy! Why is there smoke coming from the kitchen?!" I heard Annabeth yell, and I came too and cast a glance at my food.
"Aw shit." I said angrily as I began coughing. Black smoke billowed everywhere as the curry I'd worked so hard to make burned, and I grabbed a bucket of water and dumped it on the ruined food.
There was a fwoosh! as the water hit the hot food and sent out an explosion, and I was thrown backwards from the force. Pots and pans went flying everywhere, and the fish I'd been baking landing right in my hands.
"Yeow!" I shouted as the hot meat scalded my hands, and whipped the fish away as fast as possible. At that point, Annabeth came in with a murderous expression on her face. She stopped dead and stared at the wreckage that was once known as a kitchen, and I felt time slow down as her grey eyes board holes into mine. Then she did the must surprising thing of all.
Annabeth began to laugh.
Shaking her head helplessly, she moved forward and helped me to my feet. I was too stunned to say anything and watched as, still chuckling softly, Annabeth made her way around the room, picking up the mess I'd made and putting it back in its place. When she finished she grabbed a bowl and filled it with cold water before setting it on the counter of the now clean kitchen. Finally she grabbed my burned hands and dunked them into the icy cold water.
"Aagh!" I cried as my hands burned like fire from the cold contact. I whipped my hands out and Annabeth's good humor dropped instantly.
"Put your hands back in, dumbass." She ordered, and I slowly put my hands back in, more afraid of Annabeth then the pain I would feel from the cold water. After several minutes, the pain seemed to suspend itself, and Annabeth told me to take my hands out.
I complied, and Annabeth grabbed my arm. I felt a tingling feeling shiver through me as her slender fingers touched my arm, but decided not to comment. Annabeth led me to the living room and then went to a shelf and pulled down a first aid kit. Taking out some of those long band aides and some cream, Annabeth walked over to me and put some of the soothing cream on my still hurting hands. Then she wrapped the band aides around my hands and I stared at her.
"Uh… thanks, I think." I said lamely, and Annabeth shrugged, looking suddenly annoyed.
"Don't mention it," She said before heading back to the T.V. Then she stopped and glared at me with dangerous gold eyes. "And I mean it. Don't mention it to anybody or I'll kill you." She threatened, and I gulped nervously.
"Y-yes ma- I mean, yes Annabeth." I said quickly, and Annabeth gave a brusque nod in response. Suddenly she spoke up again.
"Percy, can you do me a favor?" From the way she asked it, I knew I'd have to do it no matter what, so I resigned myself to nodding tiredly. Annabeth gave a satisfied smirk. "Good, I need you to go grocery shopping, there's a list on the table." My heart sank at these words; she'd been planning this all along, which usually spelled trouble.
I went and grabbed the list (it was so long I thought for a moment I was going to faint) then headed out with my platinum credit card clutched in my hand. First I headed over to Jacks and bought some delicious looking Curry N' Fish, their specialty.
Then I headed to Lennie's Store for the Grocery Inclined (that title always makes me laugh. It's so weird, don't you agree?) And bought everything the paper told me to. I'll tell you, it was almost as exhausting as weight running. As I was checking out I recognized the cashier.
"Maria!" I said in surprise, and the dark haired girl looked up in surprise, and then flashed me a smile.
"Percy!" The foreign exchange student said in her accented Japanese, dark eye lashes fluttering gently. I felt oddly warm, and looked away for a moment. Then my gaze found hers and I grinned good naturedly.
"The one and only." I told her, and Maria laughed a clear, bell like sound.
"You haven't changed much Percy, how are you doing?" She asked, and I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Just getting some stuff for my friend." I told her, and Maria blinked before nodding.
"I see… well, you'd better hurry then," She said kindly. "I wouldn't want to cause your friend problems." I nodded and handed her my credit card before hefting the large baggage I was forced to carry. Maria's eyes widened in surprise.
"You're much stronger then I thought Percy!" She exclaimed as I lifted the heavy bags with ease, and I blinked in surprise, and then felt slightly embarrassed.
"Naw, this stuff's just lighter then it looks," I told her, but Maria looked unconvinced. "Look, I gotta go, see ya!" I said hurriedly, still feeling warm around the collar, before setting off.
"Okay then, bye Percy!" She called after me, and I waved in response with my somewhat free hand. As I headed back to the Inn I wondered how some of my other sorta not really friends from school where doing. I'd never really thought about it before, but I unconsciously decided to start hanging with them a bit more.
When I got to the Inn I was surprised to find Annabeth not in her usual spot by the T.V. I looked around, wondering where she was, and cautiously set the groceries on the table.
"Annabeth?" I called out, and there was no response. Suddenly I stiffened as I heard a faint retching from upstairs. Making my way upstairs, I carefully knocked on the door of the bathroom; I had no desire to have a repeat of the shower episode.
"Fuck off." Came Annabeths muffled reply, and I frowned. She sounded like her usual self but…
"Annabeth? Are you alright? I thought I heard someone throwing up." I called, and there was silence for several minutes.
"I said, fuck off Percy! And why are you back so early?" She said irritably, and I frowned before glancing at my watch.
"Annabeth... I've been gone four hours." I told her, and there was more silence.
"Whatever, just… go away, alright? You can head home; you're done for the day." Annabeth decided, and I frowned. Did she think I was stupid or something? (Don't answer that) Annabeth was clearly not alright, and I couldn't just leave her.
"Annabeth, I'm coming in." I told her, and without waiting for an answer, I barged in. A rank smell hit me first, and I resisted the impulse to gag. There stood a shaky, flushed Annabeth, looking exhausted, standing by the toilet that was the center of the disgusting smell. I was right; Annabeth had been throwing up.
"You bastard." She cursed before shivering violently and sending another jet of vomit into the toilet. I ignored this and leaned forward, grabbing her and pressing my head against hers. I felt no embarrassment, for this was how my family always checked each others temperatures.
"You're burning up." I muttered, feeling like a dolt for not realizing it sooner. But how could I, when I'd barely been near her and been too stupid to make the connection between her flushed face and frequent trips to the bathroom. Annabeth wrenched herself away, looking furious.
"I'm just fine you idiot." She snapped, and I gave her a long look. She was shivering and flushed, with a dribble of vomit on her chin. Ignoring her protests, I picked Annabeth up bridal style and headed into her room.
It was now much cleaner, with all the charts and what not for our project stacked away neatly, and I sat her on her bed. Inwardly marveling at my new found strength, I gave the angry looking Annabeth a reassuring smile.
"I'll make you some soup.I decided before heading downstairs,
again ignoring Annabeth's angry yelling. I grabbed some instant soup and then pulled out some sleeping pills. I felt bad about drugging Annabeth, but I doubted she'd rest and relax without it, too angry and humiliated by my actions.
Glancing at the dosage I poured out the required amount into the soup and then headed upstairs. Annabeth was busy throwing up into a pail by her bedside, but once she was finished she glared at me with the dull eyes of someone delirious.
Wondering what she had so that she was merely flushed when I'd first came, angry but sick and fevered when I got back from shopping, and now delirious, I gently tilted up her head and coaxed the drugged soup down her system.
Annabeth let out a contented sigh and lay her head back, falling asleep almost instantly. I smiled fondly at her, feeling happy that the drug had taken effect so quickly, and thoughtlessly stroked her smooth warm cheek.
Realizing what I was doing, I jerked my hand away only to notice Annabeth was shivering. Frowning, I got up and grabbed a blanket. Placing it over her, I smiled in satisfaction, then frowned again as a thought occurred to me.
I couldn't very well leave a sick Annabeth at home by herself with only her uncaring drunkard jerk parents (try saying that five times fast), so I made a quick decision. Heading all over the house, I searched in vain for a phone. Cursing to myself and regretting the fact that I'd decided not to get a cell phone, I reluctantly left the house in search of a pay phone.
"Jackson residence." Odis drawled in boredom, and my heart leapt. This was perfect, now I didn't have to think up a lie to get myself to see Odis without arousing suspicion.
"Odis?" I breathed with a huge grin plastered across my face, and I heard Odis's voice catch.
"Percy? Is that you?" Odis muttered, and I nodded before remembering I was on a telephone.
"Yeah. Listen Odis, I have a favor I need you to pull off for me." I said, and I heard an inundated sigh on the other side of the phone.
"Naturally." Odis grumbled good naturedly, and I laughed. Then I was back to business.
"Listen Odis, Anna'beths sick- really sick. I'm worried about her being alone with her parents, so I'm gonna stay at the Inn tonight."
"Woah, woah, woah, wait just a second," Odis interrupted, sounding shocked and something else that I couldn't identify. "You're going to stay at Annabeth's house? Her parents'll kill you if they find out you're there, that is, if Annabeth doesn't get to you first."
"I don't care," I said with great determination. "Please Odis; Annabeth's got something really bad. I can't do this without you. Will you help me bro, please?" I begged, and there was silence for a long time on the other side. Just when I thought maybe he'd hung up, Odis spoke.
"Alright, but now you double owe me…" He trailed off and I interrupted him, feeling ecstatic.
"Yes! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the best brother ever!" I shouted before slamming the pay phone shut and racing back to the Inn. Skidding to a halt outside I frowned as I saw Mr. Chase's car parked outside the garage.
"They're home early..." I muttered before heading around towards Annabeth's window and breaking my promise to never scale her houses side again. I knew I was being stupid and stubborn and Annabeth would probably be fine by tomorrow (unless she hurt herself killing me), but I couldn't help myself. Annabeth was my friend and the thought of her alone with her uncaring parents was more then I could bear.
Clambering up the side once more, I made it to her window (which was, thankfully, open) after what seemed like hours but was actually several minutes. Jumping onto the floor I looked around and smiled at the sight of the sleeping Annabeth.
"Hey there." I whispered to her prone form before feeling my heart leap as she rolled over slightly.
"Wah... Percy, you moron..." She grunted, and I couldn't help but laugh before I realized she was shivering again. Frowning, I wondered what to do. I couldn't very well find her another blanket with her parents prowling the house, but I wanted her to stay warm.
Leaning over her to press my forehead against hers, I frowned as I felt her hot skin burn up against mine. Annabeth let a soft sigh escape her perfectly sculpted lips before frowning in irritation.
"Just hold me you bastard." She muttered, and I blinked, startled.
What the hell?
"Annabeth...?" I asked timidly, unsure whether or not she was awake. The young woman merely stirred slightly and half turned over. Shrugging it off, I started to pull away before Annabeth's arm shot out and grabbed my arm. Using her legendary strength, she pulled me onto the bed, and I felt my legs topple on part of her body while my face ate pillow.
Oh shit.
Struggling to move frantically, I managed to maneuver myself so that all of my body was on one side of the bed, but now I was at loss.
How am I supposed to get out of bed without waking Annabeth up? I couldn't help but wonder worriedly, and Annabeth half nodded as though agreeing with someone.
"You are the clumsiest idiot I've ever had the misfortune to meet..." She muttered with a half smile on her face, and I couldn't help but feel slightly amused at her mutterings. Propping myself up on one arm, I stared at her for a long time.
She was so beautiful... I felt my heart ache as I gazed at her, and for the millionth time wished that Annabeth returned my feelings. I idly reminisced over all our misadventures together, and then wondered what excuse my brother had come up with back at home.
Sighing slightly, I resigned myself to sleeping her bed. I mean, I didn't want to wake her up or anything, ya know.
I kicked my shoes off
I don't believe myself either, don't worry.
Pulling off my headphones, I gently pulled placed them on a nearby dresser. I then allowed myself to drink in Annabeth's beauty before careful moving away from her body, mindful of my future health.
"Goodnight Annabeth." I whispered before closing my eyes and slowly drifting off into the first peaceful sleep I'd had in weeks.
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Plz review I think this is a good chapter. plus i wrote 3 plz no lamz navyblac!!
