Hey guys~
Sorry for being gone so long, I guess I was looking for inspiration. And I found it! So here I am, hope you guys enjoy!

Percy POV:

"Can I guess?" Thalia said.

"What?" I questioned.

"Was it Drew?" She asked.

I sat there, wondering how to respond. I had dragged Jason and Thalia aside to speak to them. When I glanced back at the picnic blanket, I saw the others were trying to process what just happened.

"We'll take your silence as a yes," Jason observed.

The sun caught in my eyes and I shielded them from the light. I glanced at others walking past. Laughing. Smiling. Talking. They didn't understand. No one did. My eyes fell to the floor.

"What did she say? What's going on? Does Drew know something about you that we don't? Is it about Annabeth?" Thalia inquired.

"You should really learn how to bite your tongue, Thalia." I looked up into her eyes; they were wide with shock and pain. "Ah... I didn't mean... Sorry. You're just asking too many questions..."

Jason put his arm on my shoulder, "We're sorry. We want to help you. Tell us."

I shook my head and sighed. "What a crappy situation. I'm turning back to my roots, aren't I?"

Jason shot me a concerned look, "Are you?"

Thalia interjected, "Percy. Please, tell us."

I closed my eyes, "I guess you are the best people to tell. You already know... about my past."

Jason muttered, "You don't mean..."

I sighed, "And if I did?"

"Then talk to us. Talk to us and let us help you."

"Okay."

Annabeth POV:

"Silena... Why did you bring me behind this tree?"

She spoke flatly, "Because we need to talk."

I rubbed my neck and glanced around me. The sun was beginning to set. My head was pounding.

"What's up?"

"...I don't trust you, Annabeth."

My eyes widened, "What?"

Silena balled her fists. "I-I don't trust you. You're too sketchy. How did you get on Percy's side so soon after meeting him? One of you mentioned Greece at the party, right? If that's true, how did you two end up at the same school? Why would Luke and Drew have a grudge against you? You didn't do anything to them, or so you say. Do you think you're better than them or something? You must, considering how you acted to us before. What makes you think you're a part of our group? Who invited you, huh?"

Why... Why is she saying this to me? Did I do something wrong? I looked in Silena's eyes. What did I do to enrage her so deeply? She looked at me as though I was a criminal, as though I had stolen something from her. But what was it?

"Silena did something happen-"

"There you go again!" She announced, flabbergasted. "You're so arrogant."

I felt my eyes well up in tears. My lip quivers. No. I won't cry. I won't.

"I-I think I should leave. Goodbye, Silena." A single tear escapes my eye and I curse myself.

I take the fake glasses I wore and crushed them under my foot. The glass shatters into fragments and I turn my back to Silena, running in the other direction.

"Wait! Annabeth!" Her calls are futile. I continue ahead, dolefully. I wasn't certain why I accepted this as genuine. The smiles they gave me. The reassurances they presented. They were all as fake as the glasses I disguised myself in. And now, they were shattered. I couldn't breathe; the sky turned into lava and I found no oxygen to inhale. My heart clutched and my eyes stung from the cool breeze.

My instincts brought me to my family. He stood alone, gazing into his phone. I tapped his shoulder.

"Annabeth? Your eyes are red, have you been crying?"

I collapsed into his arms. They were warm and familiar to me. "Please take me home..."

He looked at me and nodded, "Let's go. My bike's in the front."

We walked in silence to the school entrance. Will took me through the trees so we could avoid other students. I appreciated that.

He had brought his tandem bicycle, so I assumed he had come with Meg or Calypso. Hopefully, he didn't blow them off for me.

Will hopped on the bike and I followed, my feet identifying the pedals. I put my bag on my lap so that it wouldn't be in the way.

"Ready?"

"Probably not."

We set off, propelling our legs in syncopation. I suddenly remembered all the times before that we had done this. After school, in the park, alongside the sidewalks and roads, to the store, to parties and playdates, around the arch. The clouds suddenly crossed the sun, blocking the sunlight. I gripped tight onto the handlebars and felt cool air brush by me. I suddenly noticed a shadowed figure standing behind me.

I glimpsed back to see nothing but a figment of my imagination. There was no one there. I'm just being paranoid.

We proceeded forward, and I left all my false hope behind.

Piper POV:

"Well, damn. The social's almost over."

Nico groans. He was lying on the blanket, facing the sky, now a shade of saffron and nacarat (bright red-orange). Clouds littered the sky, covering the sun. I could even see the moon, faintly. "Guess so. Those idiots better come back soon; my mom isn't going to be happy about waiting."

It had been about an hour since Beth and Silena left. We didn't know where they had gone, so Beckendorf and Leo went out in search of them. Frank and Hazel left as well; they mentioned something about dinner with Grandma Zhang. Reyna was packing up the ice cream with others who helped volunteer. Thalia, Percy, and Jason were still having their serious chat. Grover went with some girl on a walk around the block a few minutes ago. Now, only Nico and I were here.

"How's your life?" I asked, bored out of my mind.

"Decent. Mostly crappy. You?" He requested.

I wasn't sure. Jason was as usual, all nerdy and geeky and adorable. Homework was a pain in the ass, not that it wasn't always. I had started singing lessons just last year after Jason forced me. And, choir sucked because I had to get up early in the mornings. "Also decent."

A breeze crossed by and I listened to the soft swish of the trees. A leaf fell into my lap and I studied it for a moment. Northern Red Oak. Russet red. Dull. Fragile. Light. Cold. "We might have to ditch them."

"Maybe."

Barely anyone was here, excluding the few kids who volunteered to clean up and the kids who were waiting for their rides. This whole social was a mess; we hardly spent any time together, and now no one is even here? What kind of joke is that?

I hummed a melody that brought me to rest. I saw Nico extract his phone and go on his messages. I would do the same, but my phone was nearing to dead.

I picked a weed from the ground next to me. It was a dandelion. The seeds were vast and delicate to the touch. I always hated that people disliked weeds. I, personally, thought they were beautiful. Even if they aren't roses, they still have beauty, like all things.

I made a wish and blew it out, the seeds dispersing around the fields. (If I tell you the wish, it won't come true!) I caught a seed in the air and studied its features. How someone could not find this beautiful, I'm not sure.

The air smelled sweet and new, like fresh cantaloupe. Mmm, cantaloupe.

Silena dropped next to us, "Hey, I'm back..."

I turned to look at her; she seemed worried, "You okay? Where's Annabeth?"

She hid her face in her knees, "I messed up... Why did I say that to her?" I glanced over at Nico who shrugged at me.

"Did she leave?" Nico requested.

"Yeah... I tried to run after her, but she seemed really hurt..."

I moved next to her and put an arm over her shoulder, "Hey, it's going to be okay. Don't worry, we can talk to her later. For now, just calm down."

She shook her head, "No, you don't understand. I-I said some awful things... It's all my fault... What should I do?"

"Silena, calm down please." I tried to weave some charmspeak into my voice, "I'm sure you didn't mean to hurt her feelings. Annabeth will understand that."

What did she say?

She looked up at me. I felt a tugging at my heart. "Thanks..."

"No problem."

Leo and Beckendorf came running down the field, "Silena!"

"Silena, where were you?" Leo asked, huffing. He and Beckendorf seemed a little worn out after running around the school in search of her.

"Sorry Leo, Charlie... I was looking for Annabeth."

I guess Beckendorf got the message I was trying to send and stopped pressing. "Let's go home, Sil." The three of them left us, heading to Leo's mother's car.

"Neeks, maybe we should run away. This is too much drama for even me."

He chuckled, "Maybe. That would be too much work, let's just hide."

We both laughed together, warming me up in the cold weather. "I didn't think it'd be this cold out. Didn't it say it'd be 50° tonight?"

"Yeah, though the wind makes it feel colder. Should we go wait in my mom's car? She just told me she was in the front."

I thought we should, but then I felt guilty for leaving the three of them. "You go if you want, I'll stay back for them."

He shook his head, "No, then you'd be here alone. I'll wait with you."

I smiled and we stayed together. The bright sky was darkening to a magenta-fuschia shade and there was now no one else at the school except for us. The social had ended 5 minutes ago.

Finally...

Jason, Thalia, and Percy walked over to us. Their eyes were cold and hard and their hands were in their coat pockets.

"It's about time... where were you guys?" Nico questioned.

"It's a long story that I don't wanna get into again," Jason sighed. His eyes were panicked and troubled.

I smiled, "No problem. Let's head back home now." Thalia nodded and the four of us, Jason, Thalia, me, and Nico, walked to Nico's mom's car.

"Hey, Pipes," Percy asked, "What happened to Bethy and Silena?"

I rubbed my head, "Long story. Summary, Silena said something to Annabeth and then she left and Sil ran all over looking for her. Eventually, we found Sil and she told us. Then she, Leo and Beckendorf left."

Percy frowned, "I hope Bethy's okay... I'll try to call her. See ya guys tomorrow."

Thalia waved and skipped away. Jason said bye as well as me and Neeks. We got back to Nico's mother in front of the building.

"Do you know how long I've been waiting here? 20 minutes. 20 minutes!" Nico's mom remarked.

Nico barked, "You can blame those two. Piper and I were bored out of our minds waiting."

Thalia rolled her eyes, "Okay, we're sorry. Let's head back now, we still have school tomorrow."

Jason's eyebrows raised, "Thalia concerned about school? What is this insanity?"

She slapped him, playfully, on the back. Nico's mom started the car and we rode away. I settled my head on Jason's shoulder and he placed his head on top of mine. His heartbeat comforted me.

Jason said, loud enough for only me to hear, "You weren't waiting too long, were you, Pipes?"

"Nah," I replied in a similar tone, "Only about 40 minutes, no big deal..."

He chuckled lightly, "Sorry. I know you were excited about the social."

I fidgeted my hands in my lap. "Honestly, I'm more concerned about what the hell happened to Silena."

"Oh yeah, you said something about her to Percy right? What happened?"

As I retold the story to Jason, he listened, thoughtfully.

"So, she didn't say what she told Annabeth?"

I shook my head, "Only that she regretted it. I hope Annie's okay, I didn't see her leave."

Jason mumbled, "I think I saw her going to the front with Will."

I smiled, "Good, at least she's getting back safe. Honestly, I don't know where Annabeth came from; she's like an angel honestly."

Jason agreed, "She's a godsend, that's for sure. At first, Percy teased her like anything. I'm glad they ended up getting along. I don't know how she just became our friends so quickly; it's kind of ironic. I guess it was just destiny."

I led my hand over to his and gripped onto it. His hands were always so warm and big.

He brushed my hair behind my ear and kissed me on the forehead, "We were destiny too."

I replied, "It was meant to be."

Annabeth POV:

We had ridden in silence the entire ride back. I wasn't sure if Will was biting his tongue or just didn't know what to say. I was thankful for either.

He pulled up at the curb of my house. I pulled my leg off the pedal and pushed myself off the seat, onto the street, bag in hand.

"Hey, Annabeth."

"Yeah, Will?"

"We gonna talk about this later?" A glimpse of concern crossed his eyes.

"Mhhm," I nodded. My eyes were red and puffy from tears, my nose runny. His brows furrowed. "I promise."

He nodded in response and biked away. The driveway was empty meaning that dad was out at his night job; he was a cashier.

I sighed and slowly strolled up to the door. My hand flew to my neck for the key and I unlocked the door, stumbling into the house. The house smelled of something burnt, so I assumed my father had attempted to cook.

My assumption was correct.

The kitchen was a mess, pans, and bowls all over the tables, the sink overflowing with dirty dishes, ladles, and spatulas covering the surface. I could barely even see the table.

"Gods, that old man needs to take a cooking lesson..."

I pulled up my sleeves and attended to the congested sink. Cleaning the dishes brought me to ease. It was sort of like a metaphor.

As I scrubbed a pan clean, I imagined I was clearing up my emotions, scrubbing them clean of the events from today. My phone began to ring.

It was Percy.

I honestly thought about picking up, I'll be honest. But what would I say? 'Hey, Percy! Huh? Yeah, I totally started bawling like a baby really dramatically and fled from the party! Sorry for ditching you after going off about you ditching me! You're the best!'

Yeah no.

I was such a hypocrite! And smashing my glasses like that? Oh Annabeth, you're so overdramatic!

I was way over the line. I mean, everything Silena said was true. I took the whole thing for granted.

"Ding, dong~"

I ran to the bell, "Coming, dad. You're home early!"

I pulled the door open and it wasn't my dad.

"Hey, Annabeth."

My legs nearly gave out. "Luke? How the hell did you get my address?"

"Dial it back, I asked Noah."

Noah!? That loser actually gave out my address? What a jerk!

I swallowed, "What do you want?"

He gestured behind him, "Let's go for a walk."

"Pass."

He smirked, "Aw, don't be like that; I could just give your address out to all of my friends..."

I shuddered, "Okay, fine. Let me get my coat."

"Take your time, Beth; I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

I shut the door behind me and stumble into my closet, grabbing for a coat. I need to call Will.

I could have just texted him then, but I didn't want Luke popping his head in. Gods, what do I do?

For now, I'll walk with him. I'll keep a hand on my phone though.

My hand glided up to the knob and twisted the door open.

Luke smiled, running his hand through his rough blonde hair, "Let's go, Annabeth."

I gulped and hesitantly walked through my driveway with my worst nightmare.

Percy POV:

I guess I told them. Should I feel I relieved? Like a weight has been taken off my shoulders? Because instead I feel like I just dropped two weights onto their shoulders and now we're all being weighed down.

Annabeth left somehow, most likely with Will or her dad or something. Ditching her was a stupid move, I know, but she technically left first with Silena.

"Perseus Jackson!"

I flinched back to reality. My mother was in front of me.

"What in the world is wrong with you?"

I rubbed my eyes, "I don't know, nothing really."

"Then why are you running your hands through your hair? You only do that when you're anxious, Percy."

I pulled my hands out of my hair onto my lap. "Mom, I'm fine."

She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah, you're fine and cows are raining from the sky?"

I widened my eyes, "Really?"

She glared at me, "Don't act stupid. So, would you mind going out tonight to get some things from the shop? I'm a little busy here."

My mom regularly requested me to go and purchase things or take care of errands because she was engaged in her job.

"Can't. I actually have an important assessment tomorrow," I replied.

My mom sat next to me, "Really? What subject?"

"Math. Curious?"

She replied, "Just asking. Maybe you can go and then come back and study? It'll only take like half an hour."

"Maybe for you! It takes longer to bike there!" My mom fidgeted with her fingers. I closed my laptop, "You okay?"

She smiled, "Of course. Hey, does anyone else take the test too?"

I thought for a second, then answered, "Grover, I think."

"Why not study with him then?"

I laughed, "Study with Grover? Mom, what are you talking about? We would definitely get distracted! You know that! Are... are you trying to get me out of the house?"

She went mute and the bell chimed. She swore, "I told him to come at 6..."

Judging from her attitude, there's only one person this could be.

My bag was slung over my shoulder and I tucked my laptop inside of it. Then, I walked over to the door and yanked it open.

"Dad?"

"Percy! Hey! You're never here when I come by!" My dad was wearing his work clothes; I assumed he had just come from a meeting. His face looked tired and sweaty as though he hadn't gotten the chance to sit down in years. Still, he smiled at me his pathetic state.

I glimpsed over at mom, "When he comes by?"

She looked away, "Your father stopped by a couple of times."

What?

"Why didn't you say anything?"

She, still looking away, softly spoke, "Percy, can you go up for a few minutes?"

I asked again, "Mom, why didn't you tell me dad was coming by?"

"Percy, go up to your room."

"Mom-"

"Percy." Her words, now firm, came surging out, "Go to your room."

I looked back at dad who smiled sympathetically, "Percy, listen to your mother."

Falteringly, I walked over to the stairs and climbed up to my room. As I slid into my room, I was still confused. Why was dad coming over? What were he and mom talking about?

As I fell into my bed, I pulled out my computer and began working again.

"Oh, so apparently 5:30 is 6:00 now?"

"You always yell at me for coming late so I came a little early! How is it you find a way to get angry for everything I do?"

"Oh, so 30 minutes is a little early? And I could've convinced him to leave if you'd given me 5 more minutes!"

So she did want me to leave.

I pressed my ear to the floor and I could hear mom and dad pretty well.

"Listen. I'm tired of these pointless meetings!" My mother's voice was shrill.

I heard my dad respond in his low, rich voice, "They're only pointless because you have no intention of listening!"

I heard a scoff, "Then find something worth me listening to!"

"Even if I did, would you really change your mind?"

She yelled, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you have no purpose of letting me help Percy."

Help me?

"You wouldn't be helping him! That's called a short cut, Poseidon!"

"Can you demand me to sit by idly watching him struggle? Is that my responsibility as a parent?"

She groaned, "Of course not! He isn't struggling! He comes back home every day with a smile on his face and I would know."

"That's now, Sally! Sooner or later, the two of you are going to be needing money for college. You can't possibly pay for everything, yet you refuse to accept any help? Why? The only way to pay the fees is for Percy to get a job!"

My mother's voice was strong, "No. He does not need to do that. As his mother, I should-"

"And as his father, I shouldn't?"

My mother hissed, "Yes, you shouldn't! If I did let you pay the fees, then what? He becomes a rich, spoiled brat?"

"Like me?"

"I didn't say that!"

"You thought it, though."

She sighed, "Poseidon, you just never listen!"

I closed my ears. They would never stop arguing, after all. I looked outside; it was still bright enough to go for a walk. Studying could wait for a while; there's no way I could study like this.

The window slid open and I slid out of it, climbing into a tree. My phone was in my pocket, so I would be fine coming back at like 6 if I could check the time.

As I lowered myself down the tree, my phone chimed. "Great timing," I muttered.

Right when I reached the ground, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and hit answer, "What's up?"

"So, how is it?" A low, smooth voice says.

"What?" I hear a familiar voice: Annabeth.

"You know, the walk. You seemed a little hesitant at first. Did anything change your mind?"

There was a pause. "I guess I felt less like you were a bad person."

This was a call from Luke. Oh, gods, that means...

My bike was sitting on the side of my garage; I rushed over to grab it.

I was definitely not going to be back by 6.

Annabeth POV:

"Less like a bad person?" He mused.

Ugh. You are the worst person.

"More or less."

He smiled, "I think I'm growing on you, Annabethy."

No; no you are not, please go away.

I shrugged and continued to walk with him. He had asked if there was anywhere I wanted to go with him. Hell seemed like a nice place for him.

"Ooh, let's go there," He grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him as we walked to wherever he was leading me.

We were basically in front of a shed. Well, not really a shed.

Me, Will, and Alice called it the clubhouse. We would bring our homework here after school and work on it since no one really came by here. Afterward, we'd play games together until the sun set and our parents called us home.

"Actually, I think I should get back now, my dad will be worried..."

He tightened his grip on me, "What's a few minutes?"

I gulped and followed him into the clubhouse. It was dark now, so I could barely see anything inside. Luke used the flashlight on his phone to help us see.

"Isn't this cozy? Let's sit," he tapped on the chair next to him.

"Luke, I really can't stay..."

He frowned, "Are you sure? I don't know what I'd do without you... Well, I have a basic idea..."

Luke threw his arms around me and pushed me onto the chair. He sat on top of me, holding my hands down.

"What the hell? Luke, get off," I screamed, attempting to break free.

He smirked, "Maybe if you ask nicely..."

This asshole...

My heart beat fast as he brought his face closer to mine. "Luke, please, just..."

"Oh? So you can say please! I thought your tongue was only sharp. Maybe it's grown dull from fear."

"Fear of what? What are you doing, Luke?"

He licked his lips, and my eyes widened. "You bastard! No, get off!"

Luke only grinned, "There's that razor-sharp tongue again. Luckily, mine is also notably piercing. What would happen if they crossed, I wonder..."

He pulled my chin to him and I slapped him with my open hand. It was pointless.

"You've got some fighting spirit, Bethy. I like the feisty ones."

What... What do I do?

He crashed his lips onto me and I froze. Why?

I bit his lip and he retracted, swearing. "Damn, Annabeth... you're really asking for it..."

His scratchy lips found my collarbone, and I howled, "STOP!"

Dad? Will? Percy? Mom?

Anyone?

The door to the clubhouse swung open and I shut my eyes.

"Get your filthy hands off her, Luke."

I opened my eyes. It was Percy.

Thank the gods...

Luke sighed and got away from me, "Of course you'd come."

Percy punched him in the gut and Luke fell to the ground, groaning. "You deserve worse."

I met his eyes and he smiled, "Wise girl, let's bounce."

How can he be so nonchalant?

My legs, still shaking, led me out the door and I walked home with Percy.

Percy POV:

We walked back in silence. I didn't know what to say to her. She didn't know what to say to me.

It was late now, definitely past 6, maybe 7. I had left my bike at Annie's and ran around looking for her, so I couldn't bring her back on it. I was glad I brought a coat; It was freezing outside.

My phone dinged and I checked it. I had messages from my mom.

"Percy, where are you?"

"Come home soon, alright? We need to talk."

Damn, right we need to talk.

"Percy, how did you know that Luke was with me?" Annabeth requested.

I replied, "Luke called me and I overheard your conversation. He does this a lot so I knew what was going to happen and I came over as soon as I could."

"Oh..." She faltered.

"Are you okay, Annabeth?"

She nodded, "Yeah. It's just... I didn't want something like that to be my first kiss..."

I stopped for a second, "Wait... your first kiss was with that douchebag?"

"Maybe..."

Suddenly, I felt like a horrible person. I hoped she could just forget this whole ordeal, but how could I ask her to forget her first kiss? And why did it have to be with that dick?

I put my hands on her shoulders. "Annabeth. I'm sorry."

She laughed, "Why are you sorry? You just saved my ass! I should be sorry for dragging you out like that."

"No, let's just agree it's that prick's fault."

"Let's," she agreed. We continued walking and soon reached her house.

She groaned, "Damn it, Dad's here. I need to think of an excuse."

Lights were still on in the living room, so he was most likely waiting for her.

I suggested, "Tell him you were sorting out things with a friend?"

She shook her head, "I couldn't, he would want details and I'm already not the best at lying."

I cursed, "Okay, let me come with you. I did say I would bring you back."

She nodded and we walked up along her driveway. Before we could even ring the bell, Annabeth's dad opened the door, "Where in the world were you?"

She grinned, "Hey dad, I was just walking around with Percy."

His face was congested with concern, "At this hour?"

"Sorry, Mr. Chase, it was my fault. I should have brought her back earlier."

He looked back over to Annabeth, "Go inside, we'll talk."

Annabeth sauntered into her house, "See you on Monday, Seaweed Brain."

"See ya, Wise Girl."

Once she was gone, Mr. Chase got back to me. "I know she came back home before she left again."

"Hm?"

He laughed, "Don't play me, Jackson. I could tell she washed the dishes and sprayed air freshener all over the house. Whatever happened... make sure you protect her, Percy."

Of course, he knew. After all, I could never dupe Annabeth's dad.

"Also your parents are worried about you. Poseidon called me."

I gulped. I had forgotten about my parents for a second.

"Right, of course, I should get back home. Bye, sir."

He laughed again, "Bye, Jackson."

As I souped up blackjack, I remembered my parents' conversation.

Why did mom not want dad to help out with my college fees?

She was so aggressive telling me to go upstairs...

I flew ahead, zooming off to my house, ready to feel my mother's wrath.

Hey children ~

Hope you like the chapter (sorry it took so long, I'll try to finish the next one quicker).

Also, I know you all hate Luke right now and believe me:

It's going to be hard for him to redeem himself (if he tries).

SO YEah, I'm really busy with school and other activities, but I'll try to update quicker.

With loves,

KHO 3