A/N: People, here's an announcement. I rarely make announcements, so please read it. From now on, I'm going to respond to everyone of your reviews in the next updates, because there are people that I cannot reply through personal messages, so I decided that replying in public will be better. It will be at the very end of each chapter. So, if you have reviewed between the last chapter and this chapter, you can check the dedications below for my reaction to your comments.
I will not make
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break
The way you did, you fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
Listening to the voice and the lyrics made his heart shattered into pieces. He knew what was the impact on her of what he had done, but he never would have thought that it would be reflected in this way. He thought of worse, but never would he ever came upon her in this devastated state. He knew it would affect her, but never knew the cut would be this deep, this hard to heel. His knees almost gave him in, but he stood still, putting more weight on to the door frame that he was leaning against. Staring at the other side of the door frame in front of him, he went through his past, he thought he had considered all scenarios, yet he was wrong; he thought he had understood her well enough, again he was mistaken.
Because of you
I never stray to far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
She didn't mean to blame him for everything. She never blamed him for anything. This was originally written and influenced by her relationship with her dad, and not her breakup with Percy, but at this moment, it seemed to be fitting perfectly well, even better than her situation with her family.
I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with
During the two weeks before she graduated, she didn't need to fake anything, she was still herself, despite her change in style and everything. She didn't need to fake a smile or a laugh for anyone's sake, on one cared about her anymore. Her heart wasn't whole when she started her life by herself, her heart lost a piece already the time she started to pick up things. It was already unbreakable, not in the way that it was too strong to be broken, but in the way that it was already shattered into pieces that couldn't be broken into more bits.
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
She wasn't blaming anyone, or letting anyone take the blame, there was nothing to blame to. This was just the impact of everything tragical thing that happened in her life. This 'you' in the story weren't referring to any specific person, she wasn't thinking of anyone in particular when she wrote it, it was only based off her father, but it was not for her father nor for Percy in this case.
I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known
Better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
It was the same every night. It was true. Every single line of this song was true about her. She didn't want Percy to feel guilty, heck, she didn't even wanted him to hear it. Songs were now the only thing for her to express her feelings, her life was too recked for her to sit in front of a diary and pour her heart and soul out. No, she didn't have that patience anymore. Her life was no longer peaceful. She thought maybe her peaceful lifetime had passed the minute she left college.
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life
Because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
Because of you
Her song was finished. The sound lingered in the air.
She sat stiffly with her hands still on the keyboard, but couldn't decide whether to play on or to stop. Not that she didn't have a song in mind, actually, she was about to compose one right that moment as she was about to start. A voice coming from the door frame startled her.
I'm so glad you made time to see me
How's life, tell me how's your family?
I haven't seen them in a while
You've been good, busier then ever
We small talk, work and the weather
Your guard is up and I know why
She whipped her head to the direction of the voice. Percy was surprised by himself as well, he never knew he could sing, let along sing at this very awkward moment.
Because the last time you saw me
Is still burned in the back of your mind
You gave me roses and I left them there to die
Annabeth didn't know how to react and what to think, she just sat there, petrified as she listened to his voice. He was not off key. Much to her surprise, he actually had quite a beautiful voice. She knew that he wasn't the one who wrote this song, and she knew that the scenarios inside was similar to theirs, but not the same.
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right
I go back to December all the time
She also knew that this was him apologizing to her, and wanting another chance but this was not what she wanted to get out of him, nor did she want him to hear her whole song.
These days I haven't been sleeping
Staying up playing back myself leaving
When your birthday passed and I didn't call
And I think about summer, all the beautiful times
I watched you laughing from the passenger side
And realized I'd loved you in the fall
And then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind
You gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye
She knew she could, and she had been thinking of giving him another shot, but when reality comes, it all seemed too fast for her.
So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December all the time
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
I'd go back to December turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time
Her confidence of confronting him came and went. Not that she didn't want it, she was still beyond ready. She thought she was, but it turned out she wasn't when reality hit her.
I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile, so good to me, so right
And how you held me in your arms that September night
The first time you ever saw me cry
Maybe this is wishful thinking
Probably mindless dreaming
But if we loved again I swear I'd love you right
I'd go back in time and change it but I can't
So if the chain is on your door, I understand
But this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying I'm sorry for that night
And I go back to December
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine
I'd go back to December turn around and make it all right
I'd go back to December turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time all the time
She had forgiven him long long time ago, what she wanted was not an apology, she wanted an explanation, an explanation came from his own mouth and not by the others. She knew the truth already, she just wanted to hear it from his own mouth.
After a moment of silence, she stood up and walked to the door.
"How much did you hear me?" Annabeth asked in a soft and vulnerable voice. Percy hadn't been hearing this voice in what seemed like forever, he knew that she would only show vulnerability in front of him, and he cherished that. He loved how opened up she would be in front of him.
"Everything." He replied softly. Annabeth nodded. He thought she was going to push past him and walked away.
But, what Annabeth did next was shocking to him, he almost fainted by her move.
Annabeth hugged him. She buried her head in the crook of his neck, taking in the faint sea smell.
It took a while for him to realized what was happening and he gladly returned the favor.
"I didn't want to make you feel guilty. I blamed no one for my life and condition now." She muffled into his neck. He hugged her tighter.
A while later, she pulled away, much to his disappointment.
"You are losing your scent and turning into a mixture of perfume." That was all she said before waking down the stairs to the kitchen, where Sally was still preparing for the dinner. He followed and chuckled at her last comment. She ducked her head to hide the smile that was making its way up to her face on to her lips. She bit her lips from her to start laughing.
Just as she got to the bottom of the stairs, the doorbell rang. She walked to the door and pulled it open. Percy was standing behind her looking at who it was from a distance.
When the door opened, there was an awkward silence, because the two people that came in was the last two people Annabeth wanted to see that night.
"Hey… Um Annabeth, didn't expect to see you here." Nico said awkwardly.
"I'll just bring this to Sally." Thalia said quietly and walked past them, greeted Percy on her way, and walked into the kitchen with the food she brought in hand.
After the two went in, Percy was about to follow, but stopped when he didn't see Annabeth moving.
Annabeth closed the door and leaned into the corner between the door and the wall next to it. She closed her eyes and put her head in her hand, while massaging her temples using one hand. She restrained the urge rub her face because of her heavy makeup. Percy walked to the door slowly, and cautiously.
"Hey, you okay? What happened between you three?" He asked in a cautious voice, as if he was pulling a trigger of a gun pointing to himself. Gently he took Annabeth's and that was on her head and removed it so he could see her face. She took a deep breath and told him. "I'm fine. You go first, I'll be after you." She opened her eyes and looked at his concerned eyes. Looked away to prevent herself from drowning into them. He nodded slightly and released her hand that he didn't know he was still holding.
"Guys, what did you bring?"
The whole dinner went smoothly. Yes, only smoothly. Maybe the mood was not so happy, but at least drama was prevented. They tried to talk, but failed to find a subject, so they were all basically listening and answering Sally's questions. Sally seemed to be sensing the discomfort between the four of them, so she tried to make the mood lighter by asking questions, she had asked a lot more than she usually would.
"Percy, can I talk to you?" Nico said, as the four of the left the table and went to the living room. Percy nodded and followed Nico out the door.
"Annabeth —" Thalia started, but was ignored by Annabeth by her asking Sally whether she needed help or not.
"Here, let me help." She went up and took the dishes from Sally and put it in the sink. "Might as well help since I'm staying the night." Annabeth added at Sally who was still insisting that she didn't need help.
"Annabeth, it's fine, I will have Paul help me. Go." Sally insisted.
Annabeth went out of the kitchen, Thalia went up to her desperately wanting to talk to her to solve their friendship problem. She walked past Thalia and went upstairs. Came down seconds later with a guitar in hand.
"What are you doing?" Thalia asked. Annabeth just glared at her then turned her attention back to the guitar. She sat down on the couch, guitar on her lap. Percy and Nico were still talking outside about something, Thalia sat down on the floor thinking of ways to approach Annabeth and explain.
Annabeth started playing.
You don't want me, no
You don't need me
Like I want you, oh
Like I need you
She closed her eyes, and continued to strum the guitar and sang.
And I want you in my life
And I need you in my life
She was just making that up right on the spot. This wasn't something she had written. Ignoring the opening door. With her eyes still closed, she continued this slow song, while strumming the guitar.
You can't see me, no
Like I see you
I can't have you, no
Like you have me
She wasn't really sure if the lyrics came out like this because of her friendship with Thalia or because she wanted to start over with Percy.
And I want you in my life
And I need you in my life
She didn't mean to dedicate this to anyone, it just came into her mind, and she just wanted to avoid the awkwardness and the bitter conversation that she was probably going to have with Thalia.
Love
Love
Love
Not caring about the change of her surroundings. She carried on with her new song and with that pace.
You can't feel me, no
Like I feel you
I can't steal you, no
Like you stole me
And I want you in my life
And I need you in my life
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la
Still strumming the guitar absently, she opened her eyes and looked up. He saw Nico darker than usual; Percy wasn't exactly in a great mood; Thalia had her hands covering her face. Annabeth took it as they all heard the song and was thinking that it was meant for them. With a sigh, Annabeth shut her eyes trying to forget the scene before her. She blamed herself for making this whole thanksgiving's environment unpleasant and uncomfortable. Maybe it was the best for her to walk out of their life, and stay alone.
I'm not listening to you
I am wandering right through existence
With no purpose and no drive
'Cause in the end we're all alive, alive
She started. She had no idea where that came from, nor how would she continue.
Two thousand years I've been awake
Waiting for the day to shake
But it seemed like that the words just flowed out of her mouth like water.
To all of you who've wronged me
I am, I am a zombie
Again, again you want me to fall on my head
I am, I am, I am a zombie
How low, how low, how low will you push me
To go, to go, to go, before I lie down dead
This clearly reflected what she thought of herself in the world. Her position and her identity.
Blow the smoke right off the tube
Kiss my gentle burning bruise
I'm lost in time
And to all the people left behind
You are walking dumb and blind, blind
Now come to think of it, it seemed like a bad idea to start a band, because it didn't end well.
And two thousand years I've been awake
Waiting for the day to shake
She should've known that she wouldn't succeed in socializing. Relationships, friendships, frenemies. People around her eventually walked out of her. That was like a routine in her life since she was born.
Dear all of you who've wronged me
I am, I am a zombie
Again, again you want me to fall on my head
I am, I am, I am a zombie
How low, how low, how low will you push me
To go, to go, to go, before I lie down dead
Oh dead, Oh dead, Oh dead
She should be getting used to it by now. Twenty years already, she should've learned that it was never easy for her to be in a long-term relationship or friendship.
To all of you who've wronged me
I am, I am a zombie
Again, again you want me to fall on my head
I am I am I am a zombie
How low, how low, how low will you push me
To go, to go, to go, before I lie down dead
Course people and wronged her. They thought she was a great friend, although she indeed was, but bad things always seemed to be happening on her.
Thalia and Nico bid them goodnight and went different ways. It was only Percy and Annabeth left. There was an awkward silence, then Annabeth stood up, putting the guitar aside and walked towards the kitchen. Percy didn't follow. He didn't know what to do. Annabeth just sung two songs that she had just made up, and the lyrics were not so positive, whether it was about someone or not, it was not something you wanted to hear during Thanksgiving.
"Sally, can I talk to you in private?" Annabeth stuck her head in the kitchen door looking at Sally, who nodded and stood up in response.
"Upstairs?" Sally pointed to the stairs.
"Sure."
"So what do you want to tell me?"
"I need to apologize."
"What? You did nothing wrong —"
"No, Sally. Listen, you sensed the unusualness in the atmosphere when we were having dinner right? And I noticed that you were asking more questions than before, you were trying to lighten the mood by trying to carry on with some talking. I really appreciate that, and thank you. I wanted to say sorry, because I am the cause of all this." Sally was about to say something to defend Annabeth, but Annabeth continued. "I'm not particularly on good terms with Thalia, and I'm not sure what's with Nico and I, and the things between Percy and I are complicated. Basically everyone was not on good terms with me, but Thalia and Nico were good, so if this dinner was without me, it would be better and happier. I also don't think I should stay the night. Thank you for the offer though. I don't want to make the atmosphere in your house dark and heavy. I tend to do that a lot wherever I went, I don't know why exactly, but I don't want to make things bad in your house especially on this day."
"Annabeth, your a smart girl. Think wisely. I respect your choice. I don't think you're a bad influence. You didn't ruin anything or cause the change in atmosphere. You really didn't. But I understand that you need space to think right now, to get everything straight. Just remember that you're always welcomed here okay?" Sally hugged her and let her go.
"Thank you Sally." Annabeth whispered. Looking down, she turned around and headed out the door.
Ignoring Percy's questioning stare, she walked out of the front door with her coat and her keys.
"I thought you are staying the night Annabeth." Percy shouted after, and followed after her. He stopped at the door frame when he saw her walking towards her car. He hesitated.
Annabeth walked towards her car, and walked towards the drivers side, but didn't get in, instead, she leaned on the door and pull out a stick of heroin. She had already gave up on everything and everyone in her life, why couldn't she take one. She had broke it off with everyone she cared about, life didn't matter to her anymore. Lighting it, she started to inhale the drug slowly.
In the five years, Annabeth had no tears to shed anymore, she didn't know when to cry or laugh, she didn't know what expression to show. To her there was no expression left in her, she was void and empty. She was done with everyone and everything in the world. She had suffered from mild depression before, but didn't take pills, because she thought she didn't need them. Although that was a big mistake, but she still lived after her attempt to cut herself. This time was no difference, using pills to control depression was useless for her already, she didn't want to get well. She was hopeless.
Deep in thought, she continued to suck on her heroin.
She only got out of her trance when the smoke was been thrown out of her hand. Her eyes snapped open, and met a pair of sea-green eyes with glinting tears in them. She didn't even have time to look away when a pair of warm and gentle hands cupped her cheeks and a soft salty lips smashed on hers.
Her mind went even more blank, if that was possible. She kissed him back. Her hands slowly went into his hair as she sucked his bottom lips gently. Their lips moved synchronously. Her tongue automatically started to twirl with his. She ran her hand through his hopelessly messed up black hair. His hands wondered into her thick black coat, and snaked around her waist.
"What was that for?" Pulling away for breaths, she asked breathlessly.
"You promised me you'd stop. Why?" His voice explained his watery eyes. He pointed to now went out smoke on the floor that he pull out from Annabeth.
Annabeth didn't look, she just closed her eyes, not knowing what to reply. She pushed everyone away, far from her, and she thought she was a free sprit now, but didn't know that Percy would always be after her no matter what.
As if reading her mind, Percy spoke again, this time in a helpless pleading voice that he had only used with her. "Please, Annabeth, please stop pushing every person who cared about you away, please, just stop. Okay? I beg you." Annabeth seriously didn't know what to react to this action of appeasement, never had Percy acted this helpless and this desperate for something in front of her before. This was seriously the first. She silently hoped it would be the last, too.
She turned her face away from Percy, eyes still closed. He caressed her cheeks and was still caging her. Looking at her pleadingly. She knew she would give in with just one look at his eyes. She wanted to give in to him, but she couldn't let her pride drop, her dignity. She still couldn't swallow her pride and gave in, she wanted to fight till last minute. The Annabeth Chase never gave in, even when it was the wisest decision at that time. Hubris and arrogance.
"Yo, did you favorited this song because it is about blue colors, and that somehow has something to do with me?" Percy sitting on his bed in his mom's shirtless, his hair still dripping water. He just came out of the shower. Scrolling the playlist on Annabeth's phone had been his habit ever since, because he might get a chance to hear her sang her own song that she occasionally recorded on her phone. Annabeth was on her stomach, opened her eyes a little, and tried to squint out where was she.
Ignoring Percy's question, she propped herself up on both her elbows. "Why am I here?"
"Heroin surely clears someone's mind huh." Percy snorted.
"Is that my phone you're holding?" Annabeth asked sleepily. Percy nodded and grinned. "Playlist? Seriously Percy?" With that, Annabeth put her head down and stared at Percy blankly.
"I asked you why did you favorite the song Colors by Halsey."
"Because I like it. Duh."
"Any other reasons? Like because it's about blue and that relates to me?"
"You self-centered jerk." She closed her eyes wanting to get back to sleep and ignore Percy who was attempting to annoy her. Percy sniggered at her retort. "How did you know my password?" Annabeth suddenly asked.
"You never change it." Percy said in a matter of fact tone.
"And you still remembered? Five years of not touching my phone." She raised an eyebrow in amazement.
"Yea, why wouldn't I." He shrugged, still scrolling through her phone.
"You're invading my privacy." She mumbled and raised an arm lazily trying to reach her phone, but dropped on to Percy's stomach when he pulled it away from her reach. She was too tired to move it away, so she just let it rest on his stomach. Closing her eyes again as she was almost drifting back to slumber, a hand enveloping hers startled her, and made her crack open her eyes again. Percy absently grabbed her hand and pulled to his chest, near his mouth. His eyes were still on her phone scrolling through something and laughed.
Annabeth flicked him on the chin with her captured hand, scolding him for disturbing her sleep. Then, her breathing evened, indicating that she had gone back to sleep again.
"You should get up now Wise Girl, my mom made pancakes and waffles."
"Mmm… What was the time when you were scrolling through my phone?" She sat up, yawned and stretched accidentally hitting Percy in the head. She rubbed his hair absently as an apology for hitting him, not even turning to his direction.
"Around seven."
"And what time is it now?" Another yawn took over her.
"Nearly nine." He was still looking at her, and smiled. "Still not a morning person aren't ya?" He reached for her curls, but his hand was swatted away by Annabeth wearily.
"Fine, I'm up, now go away, you're annoying." She said, getting up.
"That's not what you said yesterday night?"
"Yea, I know, I over dosed to prove that you're the most annoying human being I've ever met yesterday." He laughed at this comment and turned to the door.
"Meet you down stairs." He said and went down stairs as Annabeth closed the bathroom door.
Still lazily, Annabeth sat down in the chair opposite of Percy.
"Morning Sally." Annabeth mumbled.
"Why are you in my shirt?"
"Problem?" Annabeth gave him a look.
He shook his head. "Nah, just didn't think you would wear my high school swim team hoodie." He explained. "Suits you though."
"Didn't sleep well?" Sally asked kindly, before Annabeth could think of a retort to Percy's little statement.
"Yea, this guy woke me up at seven when I slept at two yesterday." She pointed at Percy. "Hey! I just thought you would be awake by that time already okay." He protested.
"It's the first for you to wake up at seven Perce." Sally remarked, and Annabeth chuckled at this very true fact of Percy that no outsiders knew about. Percy ducked down his head pretending that he didn't hear that.
"For your information, your other clothes are all having different degree of sickening perfume smell. Only your high school clothes are not poisoned." Annabeth said after Sally walked away. Percy grimaced but said nothing, because it was quite true.
They finished their breakfast and went back upstairs. Annabeth wanted to pay a visit to Piper, and since it was already late in the morning, she decided to have lunch with her if she was free. She went into the bathroom putting on her makeup, just incase people spot her.
She saw Percy following her into the toilet as she put on her eyeliner. His face was not exactly in a happy shape.
"What?" She stopped and looked at Percy through the mirror frowning.
"I don't like you wearing makeup."
"Heard this before." She continued, ignoring what Percy just said.
Percy sighed.
"Enjoyed watching me putting on makeup? Thought you'd watched enough."
"No," he shrugged. "I was never interested in other people's makeup. I just have nothing to do." He sat on to the sink so he was next to the mirror. Annabeth raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"What is that?"
Annabeth followed his gaze to her forearm. She was wearing only her sports bra because she didn't want to smudge her makeup all over her face by pulling clothes off. "Oh." She tensed a little, because the makeup to make it look more like a tattoo had been washed off when she showered this morning. "It's just another tattoo." She tried to shrug it off, and turned her arm around so that the scar was not showing.
"This looks like a cut though?" He thought out loud. And suddenly he gasped. Annabeth eyed him suspiciously, but turned back to her applying of layers of eyeliner. The dots in his head connected and clicked. "I did this didn't I?" He grabbed her arm and started to examine the cut before Annabeth could pull away.
"Huh? No." Annabeth faked a surprised face, attempting to play dumb, because she didn't want him to find out.
"No, I mean, you cut yourself because of me isn't it?" But he was too smart this time.
Annabeth said nothing.
"You're attempting to commit suicide aren't you?" Without waiting for her answer he continued. "Damn it. I never should've left you."
"You didn't, you were unconscious." Annabeth muttered, still looking in the mirror, avoiding his gaze. She retract her arm from him and started to put makeup around it.
"What are you doing?"
"Making it look like a tattoo."
"I'm sorry Annabeth."
"For what?"
"For breaking my promise." Annabeth scoffed and shrugged, still focusing on the decorations of her scar. Percy looked down. "Forgive me please?"
"Why? I never blamed you for anything, what is it that I need to forgave?" Annabeth was looking in the mirror and checked her arm one last time, before turning her full attention to Percy. She stared at him waiting for him to talk, but he didn't, so she started to walk out the bathroom.
"Hey, Annabeth, you free today?" Percy asked as she entered his room.
"Why?"
"I wanna ask you something."
"About?" She was nearly finished.
"Thalia."
"Okay." She finished the last brush on her arm and started to pack up. She looked up suddenly, staring at Percy, her mouth slightly opened. Debating whether she should ask or not, she finally said. "What did Nico tell you yesterday by the way?"
"Er…" He went through his hair making it even more messy, and knotted. "That is probably not my place to say."
"That personal." She nodded. "Thalia?" She asked, changing a subject.
"Can we not talk in here in my mom's house?"
They left the house and bade Sally and Paul goodbye. They barely paid attention to the two leaving, because they were discussing on when to pick up Tyson from Ella's.
"Coffee?"
"How about we go to Frank's?" Ignoring Percy's questioning glance, she walked to her car, she unlocked the car and tossed the key to Percy. "You're driving." Percy rolled his eyes, but got into the driver's seat.
"Tell me the directions."
They didn't talk about any other stuff, and maybe the lunch Annabeth was planning with Piper today should be changed to dinner. Annabeth kept pointing directions to him, and she was also texting Piper asking her if she was free at night, or after dinner.
"Who're you texting?"
"Piper."
"What for?"
"Dinner."
"Why?"
"Do I need to tell you every single event that is going on in my life and every single thing that went through my mind?" She turned to Percy, looking slightly irritated. Percy sighed and went quite.
"Hey Frank."
"Percy! Long time no see?"
"Hey buddy, how did it go with Hazel?"
"Why didn't you tell me you know him Perce?"
"Anything between you two?" Frank asked glancing between Percy and Annabeth.
"No." Annabeth shook her head. "How did you two met though?"
"We were in the same junior high. He was a year above me. We weren't close at that time, but we kept in touch, and now he was my only friend from Junior high."
"I'm not the only one. You forgot your first love." Percy teased causing Frank to blush. "Seriously though, you still with her?"
"Yea, why not?" He shrugged but was still blushing.
"She here today?" Percy asked as they reached the counter, and sat on the high stool near the bar. Frank nodded in respond.
"Have I met her before?" Annabeth asked suddenly. Both of them turned and raised an eyebrow in question. "Your girl." She explained.
"Maybe, I'm not sure."
Annabeth turned to Percy, and silently asked the same question.
Percy shrugged. "Not to my knowledge at least."
"Have I seen pictures of her then? Her name sounds familiar to me."
"Um… Yea, you did."
"How did he know?" Frank asked confused.
"Know what?" Both of them turned to him.
"Whether you've seen Hazel or not."
"He showed me pictures."
"Or more like you stole my phone, and went through my photos." Annabeth shrugged and sipped her drink, looking innocent.
"How did you two met? It's weird to know both of you separately, but didn't know there's something between you two."
"High school." Annabeth replied briefly, wanting to drop the subject.
Frank seemed to get the sign, he nodded, and walked away, doing other stuff.
"What do you want to know about Thalia?"
"Yea, what happened to her, and between you two? She didn't seem to be that loud and obnoxious Thals this thanksgiving."
"Oh, thought she would tell you this already, since you know, you're her cousin and stuff. Nico knows already."
"But she didn't. You see, her relationship with me is not as close as hers with Nico's, so she might not tell me everything, but you're closer to her, so I thought you might know."
"Let's just say, we're not exactly on great terms now."
"How so? Care to elaborate?"
"No." She joked.
Her phone rang as she was about to explain Thalia's relationship with Luke to him. She shivered as she saw the caller. It had been more than ten years since she last talked to him. Percy was about to ask who was that, when she accepted the call and put a hand up shushing Percy.
"Dad?"
Percy's eyes widened, he knew about Annabeth's childhood, he knew enough to understand her relationship with her family and her dad. He put a comforting hand on Annabeth's.
"Er… Yes… Okay…" She shivered as she hung up the phone. Her face paled, she looked like she was haunted.
"Shit." Was all she said after she hung up.
"What did he say?" Annabeth didn't reply but just stood up and dragged Percy with her as she went to her car. She got into the driver's seat. "Coming?" Was all she said before Percy got into the other side. She started the car, and drove to Percy's house.
"What did he say?"
"He wants me back for Christmas."
"How is that bad?"
"You don't understand how recked my life is currently. My plate is full already without the whole music thing, and now I have to spend two days in a hell hole with son of a bitch of a father who basically disowned me, and that she devil who would be overwhelmed if the news of my death arrived." She snapped as she opened his front door. Percy didn't really know what to say, he knew it was tough in her family, but he never experienced this kind of family, so he really was about blank in this situation. "Oh and also, Malcolm's not gonna be there, which made it god knows how many times worse." Malcolm, Annabeth's half brother, and apparently the only family to Annabeth, because he treated her nicely, but because he was constantly busy on his business and his company, he didn't have time to pay attention to Annabeth, but he was the only one that cared about her.
"Hey Piper." She greeted her as both of them went in. "Nothing happened between us Piper, don't get your hopes up." Annabeth grunted as she sat down on the bean bag on the floor in front of the television, flicking through the channels, not really paying attention to what it was about.
"You wanted to have dinner with me, why?"
"Just wanted to talk." She looked up at Piper.
"About?"
"Anything, just wanted to get my mind off."
"I thought he's a good company." Pointing to Percy.
Annabeth paused. "He will be in a movie till after Christmas." She said suddenly, as she stood up again. "How about we go for a walk, and you can have your date with Jason tonight."
"How do you know that the was about to be in a movie?" Piper whispered as they walked out of the door.
"Saw it on TV." There was a slight pause and both of them burst out laughing.
San Francisco, California
Christmas Eve
"Annabeth. Glad you made it."
"Fredrick." Annabeth addressed her father coldly. Fredrick sighed in defeat and dropped his arms. Helen appeared behind him. Both Helen and Annabeth didn't say anything, they didn't even greet each other. "How long do I have to stay?"
"As long as you like."
"Then am I permitted to go now?"
"Annabeth." Her dad looked at her with pleading eyes.
Annabeth rolled her eyes and closed the door behind her, but the door hit something. She looked back and saw two people. She growled, and glared at them and his father for explanation.
A/N: Hope you know why Annabeth sung that two song. If not, you can ask me, and I will try my best to explain this whole thing. I understand if it is becoming a little hazy, because the story is getting complicated, and it will be more complicated with the relationships between the characters, and the identity of the characters will also starting to become diverse. Bare in mind that no one is actually evil in this story, the reason they act in a certain way is because it is for their own benefit, they think it benefits them and it is the right thing to do, the right choice. So there's no absolute good and bad in this story. Every character has their own flaws and their own thoughts and theories, they did everything for a reason that they believe is true and correct in certain way.
Also because I get very little reviews, so usually there will not be dedications since no one reviewed. Honestly, I don't really care about the reviews, as long as you people enjoyed reading it and I enjoyed writing them, I'm fine with it. Also, to me I think that reviews are just a way to communicate to the author, so if readers want to express their thoughts, concerns, questions about the story or anything, it is a way of telling them. So now come to think of it, if you don't review, I don't really mind, because I enjoyed writing it.
Dedication
Islingr-kun: I'm sorry about that, I was just trying to introduce a little of their background and what they are currently on, but because I'm the writer, so I have all the things in my mind, but the readers don't and I might've let that slip. I know that I spent a little more than needed on the background introduction of the characters' life. Sorry 'bout that. As I explained in the author's note in the very bottom of this chapter, this is the first time I tried long stories, and fluff isn't really my thing, I can include it as some moments, but this romance will not be the same to the other romantic stories. Because the style of the characters are a little different from the other story settings. It's more of a dark story, so I'm sorry, but since you requested, I put in some fluff in this chapter, hope you like it. Thank you for the review, and also the suggestion, I really like it. Hope you enjoyed my story so far. :)