A/N Please check out my other pjo fanfic "A pirate's life for me"
Chapter 12
Maps
Percy
Pain shot up his leg as he hit the tiles of the swimming pool. Gritting his teeth, Percy pushed himself harder, trying to ignore the dull pain throbbing from his ankle. It was the second swim practice he attended after his accident and still he felt as though his leg hadn't healed at all. He kept swimming freestyle until he reached the other end of the pool, knowing that the Coach and the rest of the team were watching him closely. The first swim meet of the season was only a week ahead and he had to show the best of himself, if he were to remain as team captain. When he finished his laps, Percy dove underwater, letting the tears spill from his eyes. The pain was agonizing. He surfaced, glad for the goggles that hid his face from the rest of the team.
"Jackson!" shouted Coach Hedge, as he leaned from the edge of the pool to face him. He eyed him carefully. "Are you all right?"
"Fine, coach" Percy grunted, pulling the goggles out of his eyes. He knew he must have looked pretty bad, but he didn't avert his gaze from the coach. "I can continue" He added firmly. There was no way he was going to meet any more practices, no matter how much his leg hurt.
Coach Hedge didn't seem too convinced, but he sighed and patted him on the back. "Well take it easy kid. You don't want to hurt yourself before the swim meet" He said, his voice almost sympathizing. Percy looked at him surprised; it was maybe the first time he saw that look in the coach's face. The coach left with a last nod and Percy turned to continue, but he came face to face with Annabeth.
"Are you okay?" She asked him, placing a hand on his shoulder steading him. A few strands of blonde hair were plastered against her face and she was flush from exertion, but she looked as beautiful as always.
Percy looked over her shoulder and saw Luke smirking at him from his lane. He hugged Annabeth and gave him the finger. Luke scowled at him and continued his own laps.
"I'm fine. I just have to keep practicing if we want to win next week, right?" He asked, pulling back to look at her in the eyes.
"Yeah, I suppose you are right. But, don't go too hard on yourself, okay?" Annabeth said, looking anxiously at him. Percy wasn't used to anyone looking at him like that and it made him ridiculously happy. None of the girls he had previously dated ever seemed anxious about him. Nor did his friends. Yet Annabeth seemed to think that she was the one who should take care of him and not the other way round.
"Okay" Percy replied. "In fact I am so fine that I challenge you to beat me in freestyle" He said, smirking at her. "You don't stand a chance"
"Please don't cry when I beat you, Seaweed Brain. I won't go easy on you just because you are hurt" She winked at you and headed over at her lane. Percy smiled and put on his goggles. He was so going to win this.
break
Percy groaned as he felt the hot water splash against his face. All his body hurt from the two-hour training. He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of relaxing in the shower but opened them again because he was sure he was going to fall asleep if he didn't get out. The muscles in his back hated him when he reached out to open the shower door. Percy wrapped a towel around his waist and headed for his locker. He did feel a little better than he did when the swim practice began, or at least his confidence did. He had managed to beat Annabeth in their little contest, although he wasn't entirely sure she hadn't let him win on purpose.
He hoped not.
The last boy in the locker room patted him on the back sympathetically murmuring a goodbye. Percy winced from the pain but waved back. He hastily dried his hair and got ready to head out of the room. Annabeth was going to give him a ride home since Percy had still not convinced his mum that he needed another motorbike. Or even a new car.
"Why in such a hurry, Jackson?" Luke Castellan said, leaning against the locker room door, effectively keeping it closed. He had a malicious look in his eyes, despite the smile on his lips. Percy tensed and stopped in front of him.
"Get out of the way" He said angrily. Please get out of the way. He was not sure at all he could take Luke at his condition. He hoped he looked intimidating enough to make him go away without a fight.
"I hope your girlfriend won't be too worried when you are a little late, Jackson. After all, maybe she would even be glad not to have to carry your sorry ass" Luke smirked, clearly enjoying the effect his words had on Percy.
Percy could feel his face turning bright red. He balled his fists making a superhuman effort not to lounge himself at Luke. But the words couldn't get out of his head, no matter how hard he tried. It was exactly what he was thinking all this time; the feel of hopelessness intensified inside him. Luke smiled even wider, as if he knew exactly what was going on inside his head.
"Oh, come on Jackson. We both know that Annabeth is much too much a girl for you. You are not right for her" Luke continued, walking towards him slowly. Percy noticed with disdain that he was at least an inch taller than him. He straightened up and gazed at Luke coolly, feeling his eyes burning.
"And why would you think you are right for her, Luke? You go on acting like you are better than the rest of us, but I know you. I know what you did to Ethan" Percy said, pleased to see that the co-captain had stopped smiling, gazing at him with disbelief. Percy leaned closer. "I know you and your other friends cut his eye out. I saw you. Me and Nico. Only you did not know that I was there too, so you lashed out at him." He gave him a hard push that send him spiraling to the ground. Luke fell with a heavy crush. "He was just a boy, for God's sake and you ganged up on him! You make me sick" Percy grabbed Luke by the collar and pushed him hard against the door, their faces centimeters apart. He had forgotten the pain in his body long ago; all he could think about now was how he wanted to punch Luke until he couldn't stand.
"So.." Luke began, still breathing heavily. His blue eyes glittered mischievously. "So what, Jackson? Even if that is true, Annabeth would never know. Nor anyone else. Who would believe you over me?"
Before Percy could answer, Luke shifted and kicked his leg hard. Percy screamed. He fell down, black spots dancing in his vision. He swore, trying to get up. Luke stood over him, smiling once more.
"I have to go now. Annabeth would be wondering where you are and I don't want to leave her alone waiting." Luke said, kicking him again at the ribs and getting out of the locker room, laughing harshly. Percy fainted.
Break
"Here we are again"
Percy opened his eyes and saw Annabeth grinning above him. He tried to sit up but she pushed him backwards firmly. Percy looked around, realizing he was in his own room and sighed with relief. He did not want to be in a hospital ever again in his whole life.
"Annabeth" He croaked, his voice thick with disuse. "When…how…?"
"You got late, Seaweed Brain" She said, half-amused, half-annoyed. "So, I came to check on you and saw Luke coming out. I was about to ask him if he had seen you but before I could tell him anything he started running. When I opened the door and saw you, well…" She stopped, taking a deep breath. Percy felt a pang of guilt for making her experience this whole thing. He imagined how awful he must have looked, sprawled down in the locker room floor. He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. Annabeth smiled at him relieved. "I shouted for help and some kids from the team who hadn't left yet helped me carry you to my car" She saw him frowning and arched her eyebrows. "At least you did not have any serious injuries. You were lucky Luke hit the leg that wasn't hurt and you just have a bad bruise on your side"
Percy gritted his teeth. "Yeah, damn lucky. I'm going to kill that jerk next time I see him"
Annabeth didn't say anything to this; she got up and began pacing the room. "So, will you please tell me what exactly happened?"
Percy sighed, knowing that he couldn't possibly keep this from her. "He…he said something that might be true" He said carefully, avoiding looking at her. Percy stared at the ceiling and continued. "He told me about us. He implied that you would be better with him because…. Well, because of me. That I was not good enough for you. Not deserving you"
He looked at her then. He wanted to see her reaction. Annabeth came over to him and grabbed his face forcefully, kissing him full on the lips. Percy moaned into her mouth, cupping her cheek with his hand. Annabeth pulled back, leaning her temple against his, breathing slowly.
"After all the times that I have been worried sick about you and haven't broken up with you, you still believe that I think you aren't good enough for me? Percy, you must be the only person in the world who understands me. Even if we don't actually look like we match, it doesn't mean we don't. You were the first boy who made me feel loved, Percy. I don't think you have realized how much you mean to me"
Percy didn't say anything for a few moments. He savored at the feeling her words had on him. Every doubt he had for his relationship with Annabeth had vanished like a bad dream, his mind felt clear for the first time in ages. Percy held her close, hugging her tight in him.
That was all the reassurance he needed.
A/N I hope you enjoyed this! Please REVIEW and FOLLOW! Also, don't forget to check out "A pirate's for me" I will update by the end of the week!
