CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Sel Réunit La Plaie
As Percy lost consciousness, the guys looked over the box, opening it up and raising their eyebrows at the silver engagement ring, already making guesses of what it was worth. They ran off, leaving Percy alone, weak, drunk and dying in the dark, wet alleyway.
Two months later…
"Jason," Frank greeted, walking into Jason's dorm room. Jason didn't look up at him as he walked in, he was too busy staring at his laptop looking for some form of information, for an update. An update, which Jason assumed Frank was here for.
"Nothing new," Jason said, still not looking up at Frank. Jason looked bad. He was pale and had bags under his eyes, his hair was greasy and messy, his lips were chapped, he was skinnier than usual. Maybe it had something to do with going the better half of 86 hours without sleep.
"At all?" Frank asked, sitting at the dining table opposite Jason. "No word?"
Jason paused. "Percy was mugged after leaving New Rome," he said. "Some cop got in touch. They managed to recover all of his belongings. I told them to ship it all to Annabeth is France."
"Anything else?" Frank asked.
Jason shrugged. "I have a few new contacts. Oh, that's one of them now…" he said as his phone rang in his pocket. He answered the call and pressed the phone to his ear. "Hello?" Frank watched as Jason listened to the caller. "Oh," he said, quietly. "Thank you. Yes, um… will do. Thanks." He hung up before turning to Frank.
He looked like he was in shock, in a daze and didn't know how to react. "What?" Frank asked. "Jason, what is it?"
"They um, they found some news," Jason said. "A body washed up on the Spanish Coast. Identification shows it's… Percy Jackson."
-0-0-0-0-0-
Maybe going abroad every summer would become their tradition. Reyna and Annabeth had escaped to Paris, this time. Maybe they were running from their problems, but neither of them really cared. Surprisingly, for the first time in a long time, they were having a good time.
Reyna spent her days in Paris trying to forget both Michael Kahale and Jason Grace. Which was easier at the time than expected. She could be a lot friendlier than she first appeared to be and managed to make a lot of new friends. At first, she pushed people away over and over, but after a month or two she opened up, allowed herself to talk with them.
She even collected a few number and cheek kisses, but she never let anything go too serious. She made more friends than anything else. She just allowed herself to open up more, and she was much happier that way. Two months is Paris, and she had become a muse to them all.
Meanwhile, Annabeth ruled the right bank. She skimmed through the shops and consumed the classics, learning more French than she knew Greek. She read novel after novel, tasted delicacy after delicacy, inhaling the culture like a drug. She liked to stay educated and she was spending her summer abroad educating herself.
When she wasn't experiencing new things, she was on her laptop, so obsessively that Reyna began to worry. She often asked what Annabeth was doing, but the blond remained as secretive as ever, tapping away every night and every day.
But even though a summer abroad it one of the best things in the world, it's always better when you have an old friend from home by your side. "The cute waiter gave me his number," Reyna said, smiling as she sat opposite Annabeth at a small table outside one of the very best cafés they had found. She placed a small piece of paper down as the waiter moved away. Reyna's face fell when she noticed Annabeth was on her laptop again.
"Annabeth what are you doing?" she complained. "We said we wouldn't check in with home all vacation."
"Our vacation is ridiculously long," Annabeth said, defensively.
Reyna raised an eyebrow. "So now you're stalking Percy's social media?"
Annabeth looked down and smiled, sipping some of her hot chocolate. "I couldn't care less about him," she said. "I'm not even on his social media… Besides, he's been MIA since our break up. Jason's been calling me non-stop, but I've ignored him."
Reyna sighed. "And what is everyone saying about us?" she asked.
"Well, Catherine from my Environment Course," Annabeth mused, "said something along the lines of: Ooh la la, Paris is burning and Reyna and Annabeth lit the match. Of course, your flame is hotter than mine."
"And who's fault is that?" Reyna asked, sarcastically. "Annabeth, just as many guys have hit on you that have hit on me. I'm just courageous enough to take a leap."
"Take a leap away from your problems," Annabeth corrected. "And use cute bartenders to hide from them."
"Details," Reyna rolled her eyes. "The point is: I've been much happier since I started opening up to new people."
"No," Annabeth said. "You're secretly regretting going home because you know that when you do, you'll have to face your feelings for Jason. You know, the reason you broke Michael's heart. And you're happier when you're pretending to have moved on. But we both know, no waiters are going to help you get over Jason."
"We came to France to get over them," Reyna huffed. "At least I'm trying."
Annabeth paused. "You're right. You put me to shame. I'm returning to New Rome with a Percy-shaped cloud over my head. The thing is…" she paused, sighing. "Percy took me to Paris on our second month anniversary. I didn't tell you because I… I love Paris. And I didn't want to move or anything. But also because I've been trying not to say his name, or think about him."
Reyna sighed. "You should have told me." Silence. "Annabeth." The blonde looked up at her friends surprisingly warm eyes. "You'll be fine," Reyna promised.
Annabeth smiled. "I know," she said. "But you're right. I do intend to make at least one new friend in Paris."
"Well if you weren't on his social media all day…" Reyna mused.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I am not on his social media," she said.
"Then what are you doing?" Reyna asked.
Annabeth paused before turning her laptop around to face Reyna. "You remember that apartment we bought near Christmas time?" During their third year of college, dorm room rent would sky rocket, so they needed a cheaper place to stay. That's when most students moved into apartments.
"The rusty, broken thing?" Reyna said. "The nicest place we could afford? Go on…"
"I'm fixing it," Annabeth said, excitedly. "I have some guys around there right now doing everything I tell them to for a few pizzas in return. I have plans, layouts, and everything's coming together and I'm not even there! I call it: Architecture from Afar."
Reyna paused. "Well it's always healthy to replace men with work," Reyna sighed. "Luckily, we have a thing to go to tonight."
"A thing?"
"A gala," Reyna smirked. "We've been invited by a couple of very cute bartenders, that are easy to hide behind."
Annabeth paused. "A double date?"
"It is not a double date," Reyna said. "It is a group thing."
"Do they know it's a group thing?" Annabeth asked. Reyna just rolled her eyes. "Gala's sound to posh anyway. What even is it for?"
Reyna shrugged. "It's his grandparent's anniversary, and they are super, super rich. All I'm suggesting is that we go, we have a few drinks, we make some new friends. It can't hurt, can it?"
"I'm not ready to get back out there," Annabeth told her.
"Me neither," Reyna said and Annabeth scoffed. "Seriously," Reyna said. "I don't want a boyfriend. I want a distraction. And you need one. So will you be my date to this lame gala?"
Annabeth almost laughed. "Okay, fine."
They had paid for their hot chocolates in advance, so they stood up, packing up their stuff to leave. "Hey," Reyna said. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Annabeth said.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Annabeth finally understood why Jason had been so relentless with his calling. She had finally picked up the phone, five minutes before she was meant to be leaving the hotel room. One of the best things about Reyna's sister was that she could give them discounts and free same-day delivery on everything they wanted.
So she had been looking in the closet mirror at the dark navy gown with the strapless, sweetheart neckline and light shower of silver patterns on the tight waist. She had been playing with the flimsy skirt. "It's some weird Cinderella fetish, is what it is," she was saying as Reyna pinned her hair up in the fanciest bun Annabeth had ever seen, a two single blond curls falling on either side of her face. She was even made to where high heels and make up.
Reyna's time on Circe's island had paid off. She was an artist with this kind of stuff. She had turned Annabeth from a bookworm to a Goddess in just under an hour.
Reyna also looked amazing. She wore a silky red gown with a tight waist and two straps, only slightly less poufy than Annabeth's. Her black hair was let down and fell in thick waves. She had braided along the top of her head like a crown.
Annabeth was feeling better about going to this thing. It was classy, and there was much to learn from it. There would be authors and artists she could speak to, and even admirably famous architects she could get advice from. The building it took place in was a work of art in itself, an old, very big, grand hotel with amazing flooring.
Reyna had convinced her that socializing on this trip was the best thing for her and she was actually looking forward to it. Until Jason called.
She rolled her eyes as she picked up. "Hello?" she said. "Oh, I mean, Bonjour!"
Reyna leaned over her shoulder. "No, you mean, au reviour!" she corrected.
Annabeth pushed her back, smirking. "This better be life or death Jason."
What Jason had to say next made her fall to her knees in shock. She didn't say anything, or react in any way. Her face looked more confused than anything. Reyna had ventured into the other room while Annabeth was on the phone, but she looked back in. "Annabeth?" she called. "Annabeth, what's the matter? What happened?"
Annabeth just looked up at her. She couldn't think, or acknowledge anything or breath. She started having a panic attack. Her breathing picked up, heavier and faster and she fell to the floor. She was vaguely aware of Reyna's hands on her shoulder, Reyna trying to talk to her.
She was more aware of the fact that she moved so fast, she was pushed under a dizzy spell, lights came in front of her eyes and she couldn't see and suddenly: she was back in Tartarus, drinking the fire river, fighting the monsters. Even worse: When she went blind and she thought Percy had left her. Only this time: it was true.
She thought she was going to faint. She wished she did faint. When, in a hospital, a patient was in an excruciating amount of pain, like they would be in a surgery, they knocked them unconscious so they couldn't feel it. Annabeth was in a lot more pain than those patients could ever imagine, so why was she not knocked unconscious? Why did she had to bare through it? What did she do to feel this way?
"Annabeth!" a voice said near her ear.
Annabeth leaned into Reyna, seeking comfort and trying not to scream. "How?" Annabeth croaked, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. "How?"
"How what?" Reyna asked, wrapping her arms around her. Annabeth noticed a brown paper bag over her mouth and Reyna moved it away when she began to speak.
"How do you keep going?" Annabeth asked, her voice shaky and ragged, her voice completely broken. Very fitting. Now it could match her mind, her heart and her soul. "How do you keep going when the worst thing has happened?" she sobbed.
"What do you have to change inside of yourself to survive?" she asked. At this point she was pretty much willing to change everything about herself if it meant she didn't feel that way. "This can't be true," she said. "Jason must have been lying to me, or he was wrong. This can't be true."
"What can't be true?" Reyna asked, desperately. "Annabeth, tell me what's wrong so I can help."
"No one can help," she whispered, pathetically.
-0-0-0-0-0-
Jason paced around New York, walking amongst the sky scrapers and trying to clear his head. He had taken a flight out the day before as there was some business that needed attending to in the big city. He had an address in his hand, but he made no attempt to find the apartment for an entire day.
In what world was this news the responsibility of a teenager? In what twisted, sick world, was it a nineteen year olds job to tell a mother that… that…
He found himself in front of Sally Jackson's door, breathing heavily as he knocked on it. He hated what he had to say, he regretted it before he could even say it. Why was it his job? In a sudden rush of red hot anger, Jason's fist flew through a wall – not one into the apartment, a different one – and when the door opened, Ms Jackson looked at him worriedly.
"I don't think anybody liked that wall anyway," she said. "Are you okay, Jason?"
He tried so hard to nod his head, but it shook instead. "No," he whispered, honestly. His voice was cracked; his eyes were red; he was shaking slightly. "No. We need to talk."
"What happened?" Sally asked, sitting Jason down at the dining table and sticking the kettle on, preparing to make some tea. "With Percy and Annabeth, that is."
Jason paused, shaking. He had to tell her the truth about Percy, but how could he possibly begin with telling her Percy cheated on Annabeth? How was he supposed to tell Sally that Percy had been… he hated himself for even thinking it. Percy was gone, and Jason was unable to comprehend that. How was he supposed to think or say the worst of him?
"They fell out of synch," Jason said, his throat sore. All he could feel was this pain, and this sadness. Percy had become such an extreme part of his life. How was he supposed to live now? To survive without him? Jason hadn't been able to rest, to think without him. "They fell apart."
"And you're here to tell me Percy is missing," Sally guessed sitting down opposite Jason and handing Jason his mug of tea. She seemed surprisingly calm and collected about the whole thing.
Jason paused. "I'm here… to tell you Percy has…" There was a long pause. "His body washed up on the coast of Spain."
Sally's face fell. "What?" she asked.
"Percy passed away," Jason whispered. "I haven't comprehended it myself really. Well I have, but I haven't mourned. The thing is: I'll start crying… and I'm afraid I might not ever be able to stop."
"That's impossible," Sally whispered in shock. She paused. "Can they send postcards from the Underworld?" she asked.
Jason shook his head. "Sally-" he was long since on first name terms with Percy's mother. Reyna didn't have much family, but he was still on 'Your Majesty' terms with Hylla.
"Percy's not dead," she said, simply.
Denial. The first stage. "Look, I know-" he tried again.
"He's been sending me postcards," she said, matter-of-factly. "How can he be dead and send me postcards?"
Jason paused, staring at her. "I'm sorry, what?"
Sally stood up and moved over to a cabinet, pulling out a small bundle of postcards and laying them out on the table in order of when she got them. Jason picked them up and read them. "This means he's alive, right?"
'Mom, I'm okay. -Percy' The first one said, simply.
The second one came only a week later: 'I'm still okay. Don't worry about me. -Percy'
And the third: 'I love you. I'm okay. -Percy'
There were more, about one for every week, all saying something similar, assuring Sally that he was okay. Jason slowly nodded to answer Sally's question as he read them. "Yes, he must be alive. But not for long. I'm going to kill him."
A/N: Heyy! So I was going to wait until much later to update this because I wanted to add suspense but *sigh* you know how I is.
You guys used to be so polite and kind to me! Now I'm getting 'you're evil' and 'why would you do this' ect ect. I'm kidding, I love you guys and thanks for reviewing. Nice to know you feel so strongly about this! And don't worry, things get better. Also, if it makes you feel any better, my mother read a PM I got about the last chapter and then yelled at me for upsetting people. "FANFICTION IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY!" she said. Lmao.
Now, there's something I quickly want to say about next chapter: This chapter was set in the POV's of everyone but Percy. Next chapter is mostly Percy. It may be a little hard to follow, but hopefully you'll get it. Everything in Italics will be a dream. Okay? The first scene is a dream of a memory. Not a canon memory, a memory I made up, but it's one of Percy's memories and he's remembering it in a dream.
The second scene keeps flickering between reality and dreams. Again, all dreams will be in Italics.
One of my friends found it complicated when she read it so I tried to simplify it down a little. Also: You may have noticed something new about the description. I played a game with one of my IRL friends who reads this fic. 'Spot the Gossip Girl Reference' although it's been getting a little out of hand recently and I had to give credit eventually. Only a few references. Most of it's all me.
Review before you go! -Izzy