YOU-TUBE, ME-TUBE, AND PERCY-TUBE: Chapter 21~ I'd Choose Him

PREVIOUSLY ON YOU-TUBE, ME-TUBE, AND PERCY-TUBE:

I know, it's kind of rude to be recording this without her knowing, but I knew that she'd never anyone hear her sing if they were there —so why would she let them record it?

Sometimes, just from hearing her sing, I learn more about what she's feeling that whatever she tells me herself. Annabeth wouldn't just tell me straight out that she's depressed about the departure of our new friends.

She'd rather face the consequences than be weak like that. Annabeth has learned weakness once, and she vowed to never go back.

I worry about her, I really do.

But right now, she needs to lift her head up, and return to the Annabeth Chase we all know and love.

ANNABETH's POV:

Why does singing remind me of him? That was a rhetorical question, you know. It seems like nothing will get my mind off his unruly black hair, or shining blue eyes. There I go again. Thinking about him. I've resorted to using pronouns rather than his name; crazy, I know.

My way to 230-Fifth was a dreary ride. It wasn't raining, but the day itself just looked gloomy. Depressing, isn't it. I sighed. What's the point of going to work if I feel like this? It's not like Percy's gone forever… just… Oh gods, I've said his name again.

This isn't working. I need a distraction. A distraction from him. And I need it quickly. Maybe work will get him off my mind. Who knows? One can always hope.

That's me; optimistic Annabeth. Only, that's dream Annabeth, where everything was back to how it was before he had to leave. We don't live in dreams and as much as you watch Inception, it probably won't ever happen; at least not for another decade. We live in real life, where we are now.

Thalia's told me that I've grown to be more quiet and sarcastic ever since he left. Yeah, because there's absolutely NO reason at all for me to be sarcastic or morose. The thing is, she's right. I've changed.

And quite frankly, I don't like it.

Walking into 230-Fifth, I hold my head high. I wasn't very known around here — known, but not overly popular — until I met him. Then, people began paying more attention to me, trying to talk me into getting his autograph or what not.

But it means they know that he left. That he left me. Several people shot me looks of sympathy, sometimes even coming up to me to give me their condolences. I accept them gratefully, but not completely overjoyed by them.

"Annabeth," Katie, a fellow waitress, called. She and I are friends, so I'm more willing to talk to her.

"Oh, hi, Katie," I replied, pulling a smile for her sake. She made me look into her green eyes, and we stared at each other, before Katie pulled back.

Katie sighed, running a hand through her hair loosely. "You loved him, didn't you?" she muttered, looking at me sorrowfully. "Oh gods, Annabeth. You really fell for him." She pulls me to her body, engulfing me in a hug, and that's when the entirety of the situation come crashing down on me.

Before I know it, tears begin to leak out of my shut eyelids.

She led me to the woman's bathroom, out of view of the public eye. "I-I love him so much it hurts. But I can't love him…" I mumbled, sobbing.

She sighed and sat down on the lounge chair, beside me. "Annabeth. I know you love him, but ever since he left, you haven't been the Annabeth we all knew."

I looked at her, my eyes red, and vision clouded with tears. "Did Thalia put you up to this?" I asked suspiciously, hiccupping in between words.

Katie smiled slightly, shaking her head. "No. But if he loves you as much as you love him — which I'm sure he does — he'd want what's best for you. For you to follow your dreams. Which right now, means getting off this rear end of yours, dry your tears, and go serve some tables. That's the only way you'll earn the money for Harvard, so you can get your degree to fulfill your dream. Not mope over just a guy."

Taking a deep breath, I rubbed at my eyes, trying to push the tears back. "Yeah. Okay. I need to get on with my life. Right." I dabbed at my eyes. "He's just a guy. Oh, but he's not 'just a guy'. He's Percy Jackson, a beautiful sea-green eyed, sweet, amazing —,"

That's when Katie whacked me in the head. "What the heck, Katie!" I yelled, rubbing my tender head.

She grinned at me. "Girl, you have tables to serve."

Glaring at her, I took another deep breath. "Fine," I said, standing up, fixing my dress. I walked out of the bathroom lounge, Katie behind me. Before I exited, I turned around. "And Katie?"

"Hmm?"

I grinned. "Thanks. A lot."

"No problem, Annie. If you need someone to whack Annabeth Chase into the right mind, I'm open," she smiled.

…

"Welcome to 230-Fifth, my name is Annabeth, and I'll be your waitress for tonight. What can I start you off with this evening?" I asked, monotonously, brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face, before I looked up at the guests.

Before me, was a girl, my age. Her hair was a chocolate brown color, some sections of it in small braids, while the rest was left in choppy layers. This girl's eyes were like kaleidoscopes, the color changing from blue to green depending on how you look at them. An old ski coat was hanging on the back of her chair, in contrast to her elegant dress she had on. This girl was Piper McLean.

Which meant the blonde man with electric blue eyes like Thalia, was none other, than Jason Grace! I looked at them with a new burst of energy. "Piper!" I cried, as she stood up to give me a hug. "Wow, I haven't seen you in forever!"

She smiled at me. "It's good to see you, Annie! You're rocking that dress of yours," Piper complimented. "Oh, and this is Jason Grace, my boyfriend."

"Hey Annabeth," Jason greeted.

I gave him a hug. "How's it been, Jason?" Piper looked between us dumbfounded.

"You two know each other?"

"He's Thalia's younger brother," I exclaim, a big smile on my face.

Her eyes widen. "Oh yeah! Thalia! We're going to go visit her."

I nod. "So what would you like to eat tonight? Are you ready? Or would you like me to get you drinks and an appetizer first?" I ask, glancing at my watch. She places their orders, handing me the menus, and then I set off to wait other tables.

…

230-Fifth was busy with customers that night, so I didn't have time to talk with Piper and Jason, and catch up. Thankfully, they were still at the table when I had a break.

"So Annabeth," Piper began. "One, this is really good. And two," she said sheepishly. "Do you think you could get me an autograph from Percy?" I froze in spot, contemplating whether or not I had heard what she asked correctly. Piper immediately noticed my delay. "Anna —,"

I cut her off. "It's fine, Piper. He – I, we just…"

"JASON!" a voice cried, before a black haired girl threw herself at him. He engulfed her in the welcoming hug. "Why didn't you tell me you were here, you idiot?" she yelled, punching him in the shoulder. "I came here to see Annie, yet I find you! What are you doing here, Ja — Oh, hi."

"Oh, Piper, this is Thalia Grace, my sister. And Thalia, this is Piper McLean, my erm, girlfriend," Jason introduced.

Thalia gaped at her brother. "You finally got a girlfriend, brother!" she exclaimed loudly, drawing attention to their table, as well as embarrassing Jason. "I never thought I would see the day when my baby brother got another girl," Thalia sighed, dramatically wiping a fake tear from her cheek. "And one as pretty as Piper," she added, winking at Piper, who blushed.

"Thalia," Jason growled. She threw her arm around Jason's shoulders in a sisterly way, before turning to Piper.

"I hope you don't mind that I steal my brother for a few minutes." Piper shook her head with a grin, warming up to Thalia already. Thalia looked at me pointedly, and I knew she heard what Piper had asked before she interrupted. She was giving me time to explain. Alone. "Bye Piper and Annie," Thalia grinned. "Come, come, brother. We have much to discuss," she said, patting her brother on the head.

Piper turned to me when she left. "I can definitely see the sibling love," she laughed, before her expression turned solemn. "Annabeth," she began. "I'm so sorry for asking that… I didn't — I don't — know what happened… between you and Per-him, and you just looked so crushed that I —,"

I cut her off. "Piper, it's all right." She opened her mouth to argue, a determined yet apologetic look on her face. "Piper," I interrupted her again. "It's fine. I'll… I'll tell you."

Her kaleidoscope eyes widened, now a bright green-hazel color. "You don't have to! It'll be uncomfortable for you!" she tried to convince me otherwise.

Shaking my head, I sat down. "Piper… He's not in New York anymore…" I muttered. They widen even further and she looks as if she is going to apologize again.

"Oh, Annie," Piper hugs me. "I had no clue."

I nod mutely. "He left… After telling me he loved me," I admit, my body beginning to shake again. She holds on to me, comforting me.

"Annie," Piper repeats. Her tone is soft and soothing, just as her face is. "Don't use past tense, okay? Percy loves you. Not loved you. He'd be crazy to give you up," she reassures.

I hiccup. "But he already has."

She shakes her head. "Annabeth, if you'd choose from your dream job that you've finally gotten, or in his case, his first world tour, or a guy that you knew you'd always love, which would you choose?"

Blinking, I looked at her. Piper sighed. "He hasn't forgotten about you. How could someone forget about you? You're gorgeous and smart and funny. What more could a guy ask for? I'm just… plain ol' me. No one special."

"You're the daughter of Aphrodite!" I retorted, giving her a small smile. "And when you go into her business, you'd be the gal everyone looks up to."

Piper squeezes my shoulder. "Thanks, Annie." I become quiet again, until Thalia and Jason return. Getting up, I attempt to smile at them, but it probably turns to a grimace.

"Bye, everyone," I said, giving a small wave. "And Piper?"

"Yes Annabeth?"

"… I'd choose him."

YO! It's almost 12 pm here D: I'm so tired. Ummm um ummm… WHY AM I WRITING DEPRESSING CHAPTERS? But I liked this one :)

Don't worry, the next chapter will be more cheery! … At least I think it will… Lemme check meh plans :)

Dear Zaiden Amaya, The Guys, and The Girls: Your reviews scared me D: But they were awesome :) Thank you so much! (PS it is a laptop :D)

Thank you to everyone else for the amazing reviews! I have a big question; do you think we can get to 800? Like 50 ish… plus… D:

For some more small questions;

1) What's your favorite fanfiction and who's it by? I'm looking for good PJO or MR fanfics!

2) *HINT HINT* It's a concert next chapter! Suggest songs that you'd think would fit Percy's mood :) He did a lot of 'song writing' in the plane, and it's been a week or so since he left. Another hint is I think Calypso may just come in next chapter :)

Thanks for all the reviews again!

Thanks! Read, REVIEW, Love, and Spread the Joy!

~Fluffy Bunnies Are So Cute ~:)