(A/N) Hey guys So I'm hoping to finish this story by the end of summer, and I think I can do it! (Bob the builder, can we fix it? Bob the builder, yes we can!) Any who… let's just get to the story.

Annabeth POV

My head was still reeling as Mr. Brunner began to lead me off to his office. He didn't say anything, but somehow, that managed to make me feel guilty. So I turned to him and informed, "You know, Shelly is the one with issues."

There was a long pause before Mr. Brunner gently reprimanded, "Shelly has been in my office before, and of her own accord. But that's not the point, everyone has their own problems to work out. It's not my place to judge." With that, he turned a pointed stare on me. I wanted to go hide. There was something about this man that made me ashamed of the person I was.

I turned hard eyes on him to appraise him. His beard was trimmed neatly and his curly brown hair was polished as well. There was a twinkly in his eyes, though the set of his mouth indicated a serious nature.

"You know what? I'll go with you. If nothing else, at least you'll stop bothering me," I laughed nervously. I might not have wanted to talk to him, but I'm smart enough to realize when there's no point in arguing because I would only lose.

I walked and he rolled along for awhile until I saw a room with a poster on it. The sign read "Mr. Brunner's Office" with lots of smiley faces on it. He smiled when he saw it before telling me, "My daughter made that for me."

My step faltered. For some reason, it was surprising that he'd share that with me. Maybe he was trying to prove that we could be open with each other, that we were friends of a sort.

We moved inside and made ourselves comfortable. The room was a serene cerulean color that could easily turn violent and accusing. "Now, Annabeth. Is there anything wrong? Anything particularly stressful in your life?"

"No." Lie number one. My mouth curled up in awry smile. How many false statements would pass my lips in this room.

Mr. Brunner said nothing. Something in his eyes suggested that he knew I was lying. He stared at me, and my mouth dried. I couldn't help but feel nervous. "While you think about what you need to talk about," He stopped talking as though he thought I'd interrupt him. When he saw I wasn't, he continued, "I'll call your parents."

Now that I had to protest to. "No! You… you can't." I told him desperately, not bothering to conceal the pleading notes in my voice.

He lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Why not?"

"They just can't know I was here."

"Why not?" He questioned me again. But it wasn't sharp, like he was interrogating me. It was gentle and prompting.

"I… we don't really get along," I whispered. The memories came rushing back, and I watched the scene unfold.

"No, you need to take her. I can't deal with her anymore, you're never around, we're about to divorce. Please, just take her," My father was pleading.

I was watching the scene behind the cracked door of my bedroom. I pressed my eye closer, thinking that if I was nearer I could see the thoughts of my father too. My mother was a beautiful woman, with dark hair and gray eyes that flashed and swirled. And just then, they were stormier than ever as she snapped, "I told you. It's too dangerous."

"I love her, and I can't stand to know that she's in danger, "My mom told the man softly. "She's your child too."

"But I don't want her! I never wanted her!"

I gasped. I backed away, flopping down on my bed. I grabbed my teddy bear and whispered, "Mommy must not love me either. Or she'd fight harder, she'd take me with her! Daddy doesn't want me."

I sniffled as tears started to pour out of my eyes. My seven year old self had been smarter than most, and I knew what it was like to be uncared for. "But you love me, right, Teddy? And Luke and Thalia love me."

But even to a child as young as I was, that wasn't enough. It would never be enough, because nothing can replace the love a parent gives to their child.

I hadn't realized it, but I was gripping the table violently. "They don't want me. They hate me; I was just some stupid mistake. They try to tell me they love me, but they don't." My voice took on that same coldness that it always did when discussing the people who brought me into this world.

"Are you sure that's true, dear?" My. Brunner asked kindly.

I nodded. "Of course. My dad said it himself. And my mom is never around; they divorced so now I'm stuck with my step mom. I hate her."

Mr. Brunner seemed to think this over. "What did you do then?"

I smiled sadly as more nostalgia washed over me.

"Luke!" I beamed, running to hug my hero. I was only ten years old, and he was my very best friend. "Thalia!" I said, turning to the other person that I cared about.

Luke ruffled my blonde curls, "Hey, Kiddo."

I kept smiling as we ran off to go to the park. Luke and Thalia were staring at each other, secret looks passing between them as they communicated without words. My heart hurt a bit and the smile fell off my face.

No one loved me like that. And Luke never would, so who else was there?

And at ten years old, I began to experience heart ache.

"I had friends. Luke and Thalia. But even they had each other. I was still alone, in a way." I whispered, knowing that I didn't have to tell him anything.

Mr. Brunner nodded sympathetically. "Now, when Luke… left, how were you affected?"

I scoffed at him angrily. "How was I affected? How was I affected? My heart was ripped out of my body, and I didn't think I'd ever heal." My laughter was almost maniacal, and at that instant I can see where people would call me crazy. I almost believed it myself.

"Is that why you…?"

I glared at him. I could see he wasn't accusatory, just wondering. Wondering and concerned. I was about to explain when there was a sharp tap on the door.

When the guest walked in the door, my jaw dropped a little. When I got over my shock I demanded, "Percy? What are you doing here?"

(A/N) Sorry if this is a little shorter than it usually is. I should update in about a week, maybe a little sooner since I left you guys hanging :P