Hey guys! How is everyone? Just so my readers know I love all of you! And it MAKES MY DAY if you love my stories. Really I feel like I've done something right if even just ONE person likes my writing. It just makes me happy.

So another chapter and another sad tale. This was a little sad for me to write. Just because it brought up so many old memories I was crying when I wrote it. It's not fun feeling this way. It's almost like you're thrown out of your body and everything is numb. Anyway...Annabeth starts to feel some of the signs of depression.

"Cause you are not alone. I'm always there with you

And we'll get lost together till the light comes pouring through

Cause when you feel like you're done

And the darkness has won

Babe you're not lost

When your world's crashing down and you can't bare the thought

I said, "Baby you're not lost."

-Lost Michael Buble

December 9th, 2014

It's not lack of sleep.

It's not just a bad dream

And it's not going away.

It's been almost a week since I first had the dream. I didn't understand it at first. I was basically being insulted by my own mind. I was always in a dark place huddling in the only corner with light. With each passing day the light covered less and less space. I'm scared of the day that I'll have no light to stand in. I don't want to be surrounded by darkness when he's insulting me.

I can't call him Annabeth. Obviously he's a man; my voice can't get that low. And I can't call him 'the voice' because I'm not twelve. So I settled on Luke. (Fun fact: Luke was the blonde boy that tugged on my ponytail in the first grade. He moved away but his name just associates with bad so…)

Luke has been making his appearance every night. Though I've never actually seen him. He's basically just a voice yelling in my ear when I'm dreaming. He reminds me constantly that he's in my mind.

How do I get rid of something I mentally created to make myself feel bad?

I haven't told anyone about him; not even Percy. What am I supposed to say? Oh hey when I'm sleeping and sometimes during the day a voice that I named Luke insults me? Yeah I'd have a one way ticket to crazy town. I think Percy knows something's wrong though. And I know Alex can sense it.

I want to tell them. Honestly I do. I'm just not sure how.

Brittany hasn't let up. I think she's getting some kind of thrill off of my misery. Every day it seems something new has been added to that stupid website. I started texting numbers back saying I would block them if they texted me again. People started emailing, calling and even trying to get ahold of me through Facebook.

It's never ending. They won't leave me alone. I've been considering getting rid of my phone and using a messenger pigeon. I'd name him Malcolm.

Anyway class is ending. I just needed to get this off my chest. I don't know what I'm going to do though. If I keep this to myself I think I might go crazier.

-The almost mentally insane Annabeth Chase.

I closed my journal just as the bell rang. I rubbed my sleeve against my running nose. I've had a running nose and headache all day. I can't wait to get home. "Only lunch and two more periods." I told myself.

As I stood up, placing my bag on my shoulder, one of the cheerleaders Avery I think her name is stuck her foot out. Her four inch heels were long enough to trip me, sending me crashing to the floor in front of the class.

I blushed instantly and sat up. I don't have the energy to fight back. So she smirked at me and laughed at my expense as she and two boys walked out. I rubbed my nose again and started to pick up the pencils and items I had dropped.

Two girls managed to look sorry for me as they passed; though they didn't stop to help me.

Why would they? You're worthless trash.

I sighed and finished picking up before standing up and walking out into the hall. Kids were everywhere; heading to lunch or to class depending on their schedule. I put my head down and tried to avoid as many of them as I could.

I bumped into one girl with a nose piercing. She looked at me like I was garbage before scoffing and shoving me aside. Looking around it seemed like everyone was looking at me that way. My mood shot down even further and I wiped away the small tears that had formed when I reached my locker.

After exchanging books I sighed and placed my head in the locker. It smelt like strawberries, thanks to the spray I left in here. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine myself anywhere else. I don't want to be here. Be here with them.

I coughed a couple times but kept my face in the metal container. Hopefully nobody was left in the halls to see me. That would be awkward.

"Beth?" Percy chuckled out behind me. "What are you doing?"

Now it's awkward. I coughed again and shrugged.

"Wallowing in self-pity." I answered him. My voice was a little raspy and I coughed again.

"Babe are you sick? C'mere get your head out of the locker for a sec."

I honestly didn't want to but his voice was caring and soft and I couldn't stop myself. His hand instantly went to my forehead and neck. I stood unmoving as he felt my body for a sign of a fever. His brow was furrowed in confusion. He suddenly leaned over to kiss my head. His soft lips and comforting smell making my eyes close.

"Well you feel warm. Maybe you have a cold. Want me to take you to the office?" He asked kindly. He's perfect.

Then why's he with you? Brittany's right. You're holding him back from something great.

Shut up Luke! I yelled as loudly as one can mentally.

Ask him. Ask him why's he's with you. I honestly want to know the answer. Or see him stutter and lie his way out.

I tried my best to ignore him but I just started to feel worse. Plus with my headache and sore throat I just didn't want to fight anymore. I simply shook my head and moved to place my head back in the locker. The cold metal felt nice against my warm skin.

"Hey C'mon let's keep your head outta there." I could feel Percy's strong arms wrap around me as he gently tugged me out of my locker. I whined in protest but he ignored it and shut the door. I felt him tug me closer and soon I was in his arms.

"What's wrong?" He asked quietly. My arms fell limp to my side.

"Nothing. I just want to have my face in my locker and think about sad stuff. "

"Annabeth-"

"Nope can't hear you I'm thinking about sad stuff."

Like the fact you're a whore. Oh! And a liar mustn't forget that.

Okay to much sad stuff….Percy's arms tightened around me and I looked up at him. My chin resting on his chest. He smiled softly at me but I couldn't smile back. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach and I just couldn't smile. I stared up at him though; wishing my eyes could show him what I was feeling. Tell him what was happening.

But of course since I'm Annabeth Chase and the universe seems to hate me right now I ruined the moment, in the worst possible way. While I was staring up at him, trying to use eye communication, I forgot that I was sick. So I ended up sneezing.

Right on his face. My snot was on Percy's face.

I winced as Percy shut his eyes; horribly disgusted. He kept one arm around me but used the other to wipe his face off. I gave him a sad look and mumbled a sorry. I wiped my own nose when he opened his eyes.

"You know if I didn't like you so much I'd probably be disgusted. Well I am but I still like you."

I sniffed but managed a small smile; my lips barely lifting. I shook my head before placing it in the crook of Percy's neck. I took in the smell of the ocean and tried to calm myself.

"Hey what's been going on with you? These past couple of days you've been….I don't know sadder? Kind of on edge… Did I do something wrong?" I shook my head and wrapped my arms around him. I nuzzled my nose against his neck.

"Annabeth I love hugging you." He squeezed me gently trying to emphasize his point. "But can you talk to me for a second?" He paused before adding in a soft tone. "I'm worried about you."

I sighed; I have to tell him. He may think I'm crazy and he may run away after I do but I think I should. Just his tone and the way he's looking at me there's no way he can't care about me.

"I'm…I'm…" I couldn't get the words out. Instead, fast as lightning tears started to roll down my face. I couldn't stop. Luckily I wasn't making any noise but Percy panicked when he saw the steady tears. I sniffed and desperately tried to make them stop but I couldn't.

I ripped myself from Percy's grasp and grabbed my bag.

You're pathetic. Crying in the hall because of YOURSELF? What's wrong with you?

Luke kept taunting me and Percy looked too stunned to say anything. I shook my head and wiped the tears away, though more just came.

"I'm sorry." I whispered before taking off down the hall.

0~0~0~0~0

The door was locked and the room was dark. I ended up stealing the keys from Nathan and leaving school early. I felt awful about it but I couldn't stay there. My Dad bailed me out though and called and excused me.

Nobody was home when I got here. Benny was sleeping on the couch when I walked in. She happily ran to me but I wasn't able to greet her with as much happiness as she seemed to have. I simply patted her head and left her downstairs.

Now sitting in my open window, on foot dangling out I wasn't sure what to do. It's around five so my brothers should be home soon. I know my Mom's home. She tried getting in; after staying silent for five minutes she assumed I was sleeping. Man if only…

Percy and pretty much everyone else tried getting ahold of me. Alex made it very clear that we would be talking later. I spent a good twenty minutes blocking numbers off my phone. At least I can make that stop. I just won't look at Facebook or my email anymore.

I sniffed again and wiped my eyes. I was finally able to stop crying but the damage was done. Percy probably thinks I'm weak or a huge crybaby and my nose was stuffed up. It's never been this bad before. My head was pounding and my throat sore. I felt awful.

But it wasn't just a sick feeling I…I felt bad about myself. Maybe the reason all this was happening is because I'm not as good of a person as I made myself seem. What if I really was a bitch or a whore like all those kids seem to say? My best friend is a dog for Gods sake. What's wrong with me? I'm a freak.

I felt lost; hopeless. I don't know what happened but my life has pretty much gone to shit. I've never felt this way before. I'm normally pretty confident about myself. I hate waking up in the morning feeling awful. Luke seems to know what to say to ruin everything.

I decided I wasn't going to sleep tonight. I have tests coming up anyway. I should be studying and if I get bored I'll watch YouTube or Netflix or something. I can't hear Luke again. I can't feel that way.

As another pain in my chest started I sighed. I could feel it; though I didn't really know what it was I could feel it. I was slowly slipping into the darkness. I could feel myself being consumed by it. Luke and Brittany were taking me by the hand and tugging me right in.

0~0~0~0~0

Around seven is when the pounding on my door started. I haven't moved from my spot at the window and I knew this was going to happen. I saw Thalia and Percy walking up the road twenty minutes ago. Alex's voice was heard right against the door.

"She won't come out. I've been trying for twenty minutes."

Thalia scoffed. "Please! Move aside."

I continued to stare out the window as Thalia attempted to pick the lock. She was able to, the click breaking the dead silence of the room but because of the chair I placed under the doorknob she couldn't open it. She pounded on the door, making it shake a little.

"Annabeth open the door! We need to talk to you!" She shouted. I paused but answered in a broken voice.

"There isn't anything to talk about." I answered weakly. A few more tears started to form.

Geez do you ever stop crying? You bring this feeling on yourself. You make it too easy.

"Annabeth? Baby, please open the door. I want to talk to you. I don't think any different of you. I just want to know what's going on." Percy said quietly.

Liar!

I don't know why. And I really can't help it but I have a weakness for Percy. And I think he knows it too. I found myself quietly moving the chair and opening the door. Thalia was angrily pacing the halls, Alex was sitting on the floor and Percy had flinched back. His head was leaning against the doorway.

"I'm sorry." I said, pathetically.

Percy shook his head and smiled before pulling me to him. He kissed me quickly, the force shocking me a little. My eyes slowly closed as his lips moved against mine. I hesitated but eventually I let myself slump against him. I tilted my head to get a better angle, my arms moved up his chest until they were around his neck. His own arms rested on my hips. He pulled away with a sigh but gave me a quick peck to make up for it.

"Never be sorry for being upset. This is about Brittany isn't is?" He asked quietly. I nodded and gestured for him to follow me into my room. I looked down at Alex, he seemed both sad and disgusted but followed us as well.

I made sure to shut and lock the door again so Thalia couldn't get in. She wouldn't understand. I barely understand what Luke is. I don't know what's going on but maybe Alex and Percy can help me figure it out. I feel lost and I need them to help guide me.