Hey guys! This is one of the few chapters where I haven't planned what'll happen. I had a HUGE case of writers block which sucked, since I was hoping to give you guys quick updates :( Anyway, I'm just going to let my imagination take the reins. That's never a good idea, but too late! Anyway, sorry if it sucks, and I hope you guys enjoy!

Song Inspiration: Goodbye by Secondhand Serenade

Annabeth's POV

Today's the day. The day I finally figure out the truth. It's the day before the trial, and I have to know why. Why all the lies, abuse, and hurt. The day that I see Luke.

I crawl out of bed, gingerly removing Percy's arm from my stomach. He doesn't know that I've scheduled a visit with him, and I plan to keep it that way. I don't need him to come with me, I have to do this alone. I softly grab my crutches and make my way to the bathroom. I prop them next to the shower and shut the door quietly. I change out of my hospital clothes to a blue sweater and black pants. I don't bother putting on makeup. Everyone already knows about the bruises anyway. I scrub my face and brush my teeth, trying to make as little noise as possible. Anyway, he sleeps so heavily I doubt he'd notice if I slammed a book next to his face.

"Just like 6th grade," I whisper, remembering when I first met him. That was so long ago, back when my only worries were studying for the next honor's lit test. It seems like a different life. I run a comb through my hair and walk out of the bathroom with my crutches. Percy is splayed out on the bed, snoring and drooling everywhere. "Seaweed Brain," I mutter.

I grab a red and yellow apple from a gift basket and walk out the door.

His hair is dirty and unkempt, not shiny and golden like it was before, but dark blonde and streaked with dirt. His fingernails are bitten and dirty. His bright orange jumpsuit is an ugly contrast against his skin. The dark bags under his eyes are prominent. His eyes are no longer bright and alive. Just faded and old. Luke. I am sitting across from him, with just a glass window separating us. I am not afraid, I cannot be afraid. He cannot hurt me anymore.

"Hello Annabeth," he speaks, his voice broken. He can't even look at me in the eye. I stare at him directly, my hands clenching with anger. Face to face with my living hell. I can barely even formulate words.

"Good morning, Luke Castellan." I speak formally, not showing any emotion. He says nothing, just stares at his knees. Minutes pass, and my temper begins to boil. "At least have the decency," I growl, my fingernails digging into my palms. "To look me in the eye." He turns his head slowly, showing the eyes that used to elicit fear and pain in my body. My body tenses, and anger begins to rise in me. I can't show weakness. "Why?"

"What?" His voice is low and hoarse, and he genuinely looks confused.

"Why all the secrets, the lies, and abuse?" I ask harshly. "Why would you do this to someone you supposedly loved?"

For a moment, he's quiet. His eyes look down and glint in the harsh white light. A tear slides down on his cheek, splattering on the white

tables. This isn't right. Monsters don't cry. "I'm so, so sorry, Annabeth." He sounds like his old self, back when we were both happy. His voice is small, unlike the screams he used to throw at me almost daily. He sounds truly remorseful. And that is what scares me the most.

"You haven't answered my question," I say coldly, trying to ignore his tears.

"And you haven't changed a bit," he smiles slowly.

"That's not true, thanks to you," I reply. "Well?"

His smile disappears. He breathes in deeply. "I have a twisted way of thinking, as you have probably figured out. Ever since my dad left, I—I needed something to be permanent in my life. You were the best thing in my life, and when your friend came along, I was jealous. I thought I would lose you."

"And you thought hitting me daily would convince me not to break up with you?" I say, the venom in my voice palpable. "Interesting strategy."

Luke winces. "I won't try to make excuses for that. But doing drugs—It messed up my way of thinking, it clouded my judgement."

"Do you realize how much suffering you put me through?" I ask softly, trying to control my temper. "How worried I was!?"

"Yes, and I am incredibly sorry for all that I put you through. I know I don't deserve it, but please, please forgive me."

"It's not enough to say "I'm sorry," Luke." I mutter. "I came here to know the truth, but also to say goodbye."

He doesn't look me in the eye. "So this is goodbye."

"I suppose. Goodbye, Luke." I stand up, and grab my crutches. He winces when he sees the difficulty I have walking. I am almost out the door when I hear his voice.

"Annabeth?"

"Yes?" I reply. What else could he want?

"You and Percy, you aren't just friends, are you? The sadness in his voice breaks my heart.

"No, Luke. We aren't." I walk out, and my tears flow out as well.

Song Inspiration: Kissing in Cars by Pierce The Veil

I walk into the room and I see Percy sitting on the bed, looking down, his foot tapping. "Percy?"

He jumps up and rushes to me, the anger in his eyes visible. For a second, I forget that he isn't Luke and I brace myself for the screams and slaps. He grabs my shoulders and I hear him ask something, but I don't know what. I've learned to block it out. He lets go of me when he notices my clenched hands and tight expression. "Annabeth—I'm sorry." He pulls me into a hug and I begin to notice the tears streaming down my face. I back away and wipe my face.

"It's okay." I mumble, trying to calm myself. "And I'm sorry for leaving, I just had to do something."

"What'd you do?" He asks, taking my hand and leading to the bed. I don't want to tell him. He wouldn't understand that this was something I had to do. And I'd rather not deal with any more fighting.

"I'd rather not say," I mutter, standing up and taking my crutches.

"Why?" He asks, standing up. "Where are you going?"

"Bathroom," I say. He blocks the door leading to the bathroom.

"Why won't you tell me?" Percy looks like a little kid, asking why he can't get a new toy.

"Percy, please move."

"Not until you tell me why."

"Percy Jackson!" I glare at him. He grins and suddenly kisses me. I am taken aback, but quickly kiss him back. When I pull away, I ask,"What was that for?"

"I miss those famous Wise Girl Glares of yours," He smiles cockily. "And I like kissing you."

"Seaweed Brain," I laugh, pushing him out of the way. "I'm gonna shower, be right back."

"I need to shower too," he whines. "I'll go with you!" He grins and wiggles his eyebrows.

"Pervert!" I yell, pushing him out of the bathroom.

Percy's POV

I hear Annabeth's voice singing from the bathroom and I smile. She's so amazing. She can hit all the notes perfectly without even trying. I stand up and lean against the door to get a better listen. She's singing a song I've never heard of, and it doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard. After a few minutes, I hear the water stop. Then, a few minutes later, a loud scream.

"Percy!" I open the door and see my girlfriend standing on the toilet seat with a towel wrapped tightly around her. Her face is pale with fear, and she's dripping wet. She's pointing at the floor.

"Annabeth! What's wrong?!" I ask. She's shaking from fear, or maybe cold.

"D-don't you s-see it?" She asks. "It's right there!" I squint and see a tiny black speck on the floor. No, not a speck, a spider. A very, very tiny spider. I choke back a smile and gently take the spider in my hand. I open a window and fling out the little spider. I close the window and walk back to the bathroom. I reach out to help Annabeth down, but she flinches from my hands. "They touched the spider." I roll my eyes and grab her hips, gently setting her down on the floor. She's freezing.

"T-thanks," she mumbles, hugging me tightly.

"That's it?" I ask incredulously. "That's all I get for saving you from that giant spider?"

"Shut up, Jackson. That spider was big."

"I've seen pushpin heads that are bigger," I say cockily. "In fact," I mutter, noticing how close we are to each other and how small her towel is. "I should've probably thanked that spider."

Her eyes widen and she pushes me away. "You pig!" Then she slams the door in my face.

I love her so much.

Annabeth's head rests against my chest, and I breathe in the fresh smell of lemons in her hair. I twirl a strand in my fingers, enjoying the quiet peacefulness. She has on earphones, and I hear the faint sound of muffled music.

"Wanna hear some music?" She asks.

"Sure." She hands me an earphone, and I plug it in my ear. I am greeted with the sound of loud singing, ear-shattering drums, and heavy electric guitar. I yank it out, my eyes wide. "That was horrible!"

"Take that back!" She yells.

"No!"

"Take it—" I cut her off with a kiss, and she slowly relaxes in my arms, her hands combing through my hair. I feel her steady heartbeat against my chest. After a few seconds I hear her mumble something. "Take it back."

I pull away and grin at her. "You're too stubborn. Fine, I take it back, happy?"

"Very," she laughs. She leans over me to put her silver iPod on the bedside table. She squints at something then frowns. She picks up something then turns to me. "Percy, what's this?" In her hand lays a crumpled scrap of paper with numbers scrawled on it. My father's phone number. I'm silent, not knowing what to tell her. "Is this someone else's number?" Her voice is small, and her eyes look sad and betrayed. I'm not sure what she means, then it hits me.

"No, Annabeth! I love you!" I say, panicking.

"Then what is this?" She says, her voice no longer small. Her eyes are angry, and the paper is is crumpled tightly in her fist.

"It's hard to explain," I say hesitantly. She smiles, no happiness in her expression.

"Fine." She lays down, her back facing me. She's too quiet.

"Annabeth, I can explain—"

"Then explain." She turns around and sits up, her eyes analyzing my every move.

I take a deep breath and tell her everything. She looks at me, her gaze no longer cold. She's silent the entire time. I finish my story and sigh, a weight being lifted off my chest.

"So, that's it?" She asks quietly. "You're moving to Chicago."

"I don't know, really. I still haven't decided."

"Oh." She's quiet. She lays down, and her head accidentally lands on my chest. "Sorry," she mumbles, and begins to sit up.

"It's okay," I say, gently pulling her back down.

Then we slowly drift to sleep together in silence.

Hey! Hope you enjoyed, sorry if it was bad! By the way, if any of you have been watching the World Cup, tell me which team you were rooting for! I was rooting for Honduras (My mom's from there) but they sucked :( I'll try to write another chapter ASAP!~Wisegirl869~