So, this is what happened:
~ Remember Annabeth getting her ankle hurt after rock climbing? Well, she's still laying at home, doctor's order, and Percy's there with her
~ Oh and remember Annabeth's suggesting that she bring Joan to the park? Well this
is where left we off...
_Fonts' variation will appear before every chapter on this same spot_
Bold - A/N
Underline - setting/time
Underline Bold - sub setting
Italic - flashbacks, letters, notes, song lyrics
Italic Bold - texting
Italic Underline - texting
Bold Underline Italic - third person in text, extras
"Do you want to bring your scooter with you to the park?" He asked Joan cutely. Annabeth was enjoying herself with the dog that followed them to the door, craving for attention from Annabeth and wishing to go out with them. "We're not bringing Benzo by the way Beth." He told his girlfriend after seeing Benzo's excited moves.
"I know, not planning to." She said, patting Benzo one last time before reaching for the door knob. "Scooter?" She pointed at the small, blue scooter behind the door in the corner.
"Yeah, take it."
Lifting it up and opening the door at the same time, she made the scooter bump into her shin. It was more than normal for her to bump into stuff, since she wasn't really coordinated and rather clumsy most of the times. Still, she yelped, bearing the pain as it shot up her nerves. Percy shook his head, it was something that would happen on daily bases. He wouldn't say that it didn't hurt him when he saw Annabeth getting hurt, but he surely couldn't do anything about her clumsiness, it wasn't like she would kill herself by bumping into stuff accidentally, she didn't even get injuries, bruises were always considered normal for athletes.
"Clumsy as always." He commented, before Annabeth could protest, he added. "And uncoordinated like usual."
"Don't act like you're any better." She retorted. Her eyes landed on Joan who was frankly waving her small slim arms wanting to get down onto the floor. Percy obeyed and let her get on her scooter.
"Do you know how to get to the park Sophia?" He asked, kneeling to her level. She shook her head, Annabeth cooed over how cute she was when she did that silently in her mind. "Can you remember where to turn if I tell you that now?" He asked again, in the same sweet and gentle voice. It was rare to hear Percy use that voice. He had a soothing voice for her, but this gentle voice was only reserved for his sister.
"I'll try." Joan said.
"Okay, if you can remember them, that means you are smarter than Annabeth." He said, pointing at Annabeth who was watching their conversation from above. Looking slightly offended at his dedication. "Annabeth can't remember which way to go, so if you can, you are better than her." Joan nodded, Annabeth just face palmed, she couldn't argue with that, because she really wasn't familiar with directions and memorizing routes and all that shit. "Do you want to be better than Annabeth?" He asked Joan, who nodded enthusiastically.
"I'll beat her!" Joan said defiantly, pumping her small fist in the air.
When they got to the park under Joan's lead, Percy high-fived her and led her for ice-cream. Annabeth followed behind.
"You just have to insult your girlfriend to encourage your sister don't you." She hissed at him.
He stuck out his tongue at her. "Bros before hoes. Family before friends." He grinned cheekily. Taking the ice-cream cone handed over by a young girl behind the counter.
"I mark your words Jackson." She said warningly, then sauntered off, with both Percy and her ice-cream in hand.
"Why do you get to have two?" Joan asked feeling like she was been treated unfairly.
"Because I am better." Annabeth joked, then bent down next to her, offering both ice-creams. "Which flavor do you like better? You can have one."
"I like chocolate." She said, pointing at the blue ice-cream. Taking the one from Annabeth's hand. "Really? I get two? Percy won't allow that." Joan looked slightly worried.
"It's fine, I allowed it."
"Really? Are you sure that Percy won't mind?"
"Yup. I am very sure." Annabeth kept her words simple to a two-year old. Smiling down at the girl who was enjoying two ice-creams happily.
"Hey where did mine go?" Percy asked from behind Annabeth, snatching hers from her hand and taking a big bite off it.
"I offered it to your sister." She answered nonchalantly, pointing at the innocent little girl who stood next to her scooter while licking two ice-creams, looking busied. Percy groaned. "You said family before friends right? So I'm sure you don't want me to have it, so why not give it to your family." She smiled.
"You're really gonna be the death of me." He muttered in her hair as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and buried his face in the crook of her neck. "She can't have two ice-creams, it's too much." Annabeth ignored that, she'd already see that coming from him.
As a slight compensation of having no ice-cream, she took pity on him, and decided to share hers with him, knowing that she wouldn't end up with much if she let Percy eat it with her. But she loved him too much to see him without anything to eat.
"Eww… She just bit it, and you're eating it. Percy you're gross!" Joan pointed at Percy who was taking a bite of the ice-cream that Annabeth passed over her shoulder to his mouth. He was still hugging her, and not intending to let go of her.
Annabeth chuckled. "You go boy, explain." Laying her head back on his shoulder. Enjoying the sun shining on her face for a moment and listening to Percy trying to explain to a kid why it was okay to share food. Laughing at her boyfriend as he struggled to explain, and failing in the end.
"Never mind, you'll understand that when you get older."
"That's what every kid hates to hear." Annabeth stood on Joan's side, who nodded, still bugging her brother. Annabeth's eyes landed on something not far away, she tried to wriggle out of it, but didn't succeed, now she found an opportunity and used the chance to escape Percy's grip, stuffing the ice-cream in his hand as payment, she scurried off sneakily. Percy stared at her retreating figure but said nothing.
"Wanna go play over there with the swings?" He asked, diverting the topic, which was successful on a child.
"Will Annabeth join us later?" She asked innocently.
"Yes, she will."
That reassurance made Joan at ease.
From afar, a girl's scream could be heard. Turning towards the source of the sound, Percy saw Annabeth laughing at a couple, whom, staring at the silhouettes, Percy identified them as Jason and Piper.
"You're not gonna live till tomorrow." He could hear Jason's playful empty threat. Hearing Annabeth's giggle and occasional yelps, he knew that Jason had started his physical revenge.
"Wait Percy's here? Knew you two won't be anywhere without each other." That was Piper's voice, only she would relate everything to gossip and forcefully say that there was something romantic going on between two people.
"What happened?" Percy asked as Jason pinned Annabeth under his arms, Piper skipping towards them delighted with a soccer ball in hand.
"I tackled Jason and stole his ball from behind, then went 'boom!' at Pipes, making her yell." She struggling under Jason's grip, though still wanting to laugh at their reactions. "What? I'm just that fast."
"Is that a challenge Chase?" Jason quickly responded.
"Might as well be." Annabeth replied nonchalantly. Piper immediately went for Joan, interested in the little kid.
Jason on the other hand, as much as he liked kids, he would choose soccer over children. Percy, completely disabled at playing soccer just resumed babysitting his sister.
"Free style." Jason demanded.
"You're on." Annabeth accepted. "Challenge accepted."
"They both played indoor football right?" Percy asked after awhile into the play. Apparently no one bothered to answer him, so Piper did.
"Yeah, at least that's what Jason told me." Piper answered.
"Nutmeg queen!" Annabeth exclaimed, raising both her arms up showing victory. "Come on, is that all you got, man?" She taunted.
"I let you win that easily because you're a girl." Jason challenged.
"Show me then, prove to me that you won't be beaten by a girl." She raised her voice challengingly.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." He warned and took the ball from her.
Showing off their skills, none of them backed down. Challenge after challenge, none of them were ready to admit defeat. Until Percy made them stop.
"Annabeth, your ankle." He reminded.
"I know, it's fine." She called back, still trying to get the ball off Jason, but Jason stopped.
"Wait, you're injured?" Annabeth looked puzzled, she groaned, knowing the preppy 'safety first' Jason wouldn't play with her. "Why didn't you tell me? We can play this another time. No one wins this time okay? We can play this after you're healed, I don't want to injure you more."
"It's just an old injury. Just injured again last week, but it's fine. It's so minor." She whined, not really knowing why the people around her was making such a big deal out of it. Jason gave her a look, and she stopped her complaints, looking at Percy for help, but he gave her the same look Jason had just given. Sighing in defeat. "Okay, okay. I'll stop." Then checking the time on Jason's watch, she said, "oh and Percy, your friend is coming remember?"
"Fuck!" He groaned.
"Language. Two-year-old present." Annabeth warned amusingly. "Take Joan back with you and I'll be back in a bit, wanna catchup with Pipes for a bit."
"Take Jason with you if you can." Piper added. Jason looked offended, but followed Percy, getting the message that his girlfriend wanted to get rid of him for the time being.
"So, what's up? Aren't you excited for the fashion show? You're not only going to miss a whole week of school, you're also going to have time to shop around Paris. Isn't that what you've dreamed? What's bothering you?" Annabeth asked once the boys were out of earshot.
Piper's old troubled expression resurfaced. "I haven't tell anyone yet, but… I'm pregnant." A tear of frustration slid out of the corner of her eye and rolled down the side of her cheek.
"You're what?!" Annabeth exclaimed. "The fuck?! Oh god. That sucks! Why would you fuck him before attending such an important event?" Not wanting to pressure her, but that really were the questions that popped into her mind when she first heard the news.
"I don't know. I'm too stressed, and sex is a good way of relieving stress." She defended herself.
"What're you going to do about it then? Abortion?" Annabeth asked, calming down from the shock.
"I don't know. Should I tell Jason?"
"Duh."
"How?" Piper was even more stressed.
"I don't know, you've just told me that by blurting it out. I don't have the experience and I don't really hide things from Percy, we just blurt out everything on our mind when we're alone, so there really isn't much trouble for us to talk about awkward things." She offered weakly. "All I know is that you have to tell him and you guys have to come up with a plan of what to do with this thing growing in your uterus." Annabeth said, pointing at Piper's flat stomach.
Piper was silent, she stared out into space. "What do you reckon?"
"Will a bump form before your fashion show?" Annabeth asked after a moment of silence.
"I don't think so."
"Then I think, I don't know, it's just an amateur suggestion from an amateur, maybe you can just pretend it doesn't exist and walk the show. But, that is, with the permission given by Jason." Piper groaned, flung herself at Annabeth and burying her face into Annabeth's chest. Annabeth hugged her back awkwardly.
"I'll probably just do that."
"Go to Jason first before deciding on anything." She said at last. As if someone called, Jason appeared in front of the pair, obviously had walked Percy home already and back.
"Ready to go Pipes?" He cheered. "What happened?" When he saw the teary face of his loved one.
"Piper has something to tell you." Annabeth said and stood up and left, giving Piper an encouraging smile.
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Not wanting to get home in a rush, Annabeth decided to take a detour and stroll around town. Percy could suffer on his own with his ex all he wants, it wasn't really Annabeth's concerns, she knew that Percy wouldn't do anything stupid, or if he did, she could… Just watch and decide after it happened.
The sun was setting, falling under the horizon in a painfully slow speed. The hot summer blaze still blowing at full speed. Already in shorts and tank-top, and a pair of slippers, Annabeth still felt that she could just wear a little less. She wouldn't mind living in a fridge for the rest of the day or perhaps the rest of the summer?
Stuffing her hands into her pockets and saunter down the street, taking the furtherest route back to Percy's house. Avoiding her phone in the pocket, not wanting to get it all wet with palm-sweat, she kept wiping her palms against the inner fabric of the pockets. Humming a random song that she most likely hated, peering into the windows of the shops that looked really cool inside. Though Annabeth could use some icy snacks, she realized that she didn't have any money on her. Dismissing the thought, she continued her stroll.
Her pleasant afternoon was not disturbed until she reached the open of a turn leading into an alley that was rather famous for colonization styled buildings. Feeling like taking a look at the infamous buildings, she turned right and walked into the place. There wasn't much people, at least not as much as she thought there would be. Shrugging inwardly she walked deeper into the hallway, but was soon attracted to what seemed like arguing voices.
"When I stuff this in here, you eat whatever that will be stuffed into your mouth. You hear me bitch?" The rude and loud voice sounded strangely familiar to Annabeth's ears. As if the voice came from, not a gang leader, but a friend of hers; or at least, an acquaintance. She walked closer to the source of the voices. Turning another corner into an even more hidden place. The space looked more like a trash storage.
"I told you I don't have it." A weak protest came from a girl, followed by a scream of torture from that same girl. Hiding behind a concrete wall, Annabeth peeked her head over to take a closer look at the gangs and the poor victim. Then she gasped, luckily, her voice was covered by the continuous beating and cussing of the men around the poor teenager.
She stood out into the open, completely unafraid by the previous punching and violence displayed by the boys that were obviously from a youth sub-culture.
"Keeping your voices down would help with hiding don't you think?" Annabeth broke the silence that could only hear the boys panting, all heads turned towards her, they all froze. Her cool voice sent chills down their spine.
"Annabeth?" The leader pronounced her name in slow motion. All the other gang members were ready to attack, but was held back by the one gesture of their leader.
"Yes that's me. Glad that you still remembered my name. Mark." She said in the same cold voice, addressing the leader with a sound of distaste and contempt, then her eyes went past him, the movement of the girl behind him diverted her attention. "Lift your head." She commanded, her tone softer and gentler.
The girl, beaten badly in the face and everywhere on the body, looked up slowly, fearing that Annabeth would be the 'big boss'. Shivering with terror, she shrunk even smaller in the wall. Her eyes couldn't meet Annabeth's, but that was enough for her to recognize the victim.
"You're fucking up my former roommate?" She accused, although still remaining on her spot, she knew that sub-cultures had the idea of territory, and as an outsider, she shouldn't move around freely within their space without permission and act all she want. She knew she would be outnumbered if she started fighting the boys, although Mark probably wouldn't allow that to happen, she still needed to stay cautious. Since it was quite some time since she had talked with him. "Kate?" She asked the girl, who nodded in the smallest movement, still scared. "You fucking knew her Mark!" Glowering at the gang leader, she looked back to where she came, she could still make a clear sighting of where to exit. "Bring her to me Mark." She demanded, and when Mark's men moved to do so, her stern voice came down again, "you do that yourself. And don't you dare hurt her." She warned. It was their victim, she couldn't just go up there and grab her, it was a hidden rule of gangs that all sociopaths knew.
After the girl, Kate, was brought to her safe and sound, Annabeth stepped in front of her to protect her. "Now tell me the reason behind all these violence." She demanded, stepping closer to Mark.
"Why can't we just beat the two of them together, and beat the crap out of them?" A member got impatient, but was soon shushed by another guy, who Annabeth recognized as Ethan Nakaruma.
"Because she's his crush. She got him all wrapped around her fingers for some reason." Ethan replied, lowering his voice trying not to let Mark hear it. But he did. In a series of swift motion, he bent down and picked up an used tin can and thrusted in Ethan's direction.
"You have five seconds before you lose the chance to negotiate with Kate." Annabeth pulled Mark out of whatever trance he was in earlier. He looked at her, trying to find fear in her eyes, but all he could see was determination in the endlessly deep steel gray eyes.
"Her dad owes me money." He gritted his teeth and hissed out every single word, loud and clear.
"Well, then you went for the wrong man." She stated simply, her voice laced with contempt that ignite the anger within Ethan's gut.
"You don't tell him what to do." He stepped up, shoving Annabeth by the shoulder. Annabeth was slightly caught off guard by the sudden act from him, but hid her surprise well. She turned her attention back on Mark, ignoring the furious looking Ethan who looked ready to blow fire.
"The man you're after doesn't acknowledge family and friends, let along a daughter. He doesn't give a fuck about the people around him apart from the cash stuck up in his ass." Annabeth poked a finger, pointing at his nose. She knew that when negotiating with a sub-culture leader, after saying something offending, you have to show that you were only interested in the issue you were interested in. "I won't give a fuck if you killed that man, but if you tortured my people, you're not going to get anything from me."
Turning to look at the shivering Kate behind her, she approached her, but she flinched and cringed. Annabeth understood the message immediately, correctly read and interpreted the body language and the signal sent off from it. Kate was still in shock and needed time in a safe place. Deciding to give her the space she wanted, Annabeth just soothed her verbally. "Can you walk?" She asked, trying to use a gentle voice that she did not have.
She nodded, though Annabeth guessed she was just desperately trying to get out of the corner, so she would bear the pain and walk by herself, because she wouldn't trust anyone, not even Annabeth. "Where are you hurt?" Kate shook her head, she didn't respond to it any further, instead, she just struggled up and started walking away. Annabeth had nothing to do but to follow.
"I can promise you information of the guys you're after, namely Kate's dad, but if you troubled my people, it means war." Annabeth warned one last time before turning the corner and going back to the main street.
Troubled of where to bring Kate, she thought of the apartment she was in yesterday. Deciding that it was an urgent situation, she didn't inform Percy and brought Kate there on her own, using the spare key stuck behind the sewage pipe beside the door. Kate was already half-conscious, and she was very thankful of Annabeth, despite not fully trusting her.
"Where is this place?" She slurred, squinting when the lights in the room blinded her eyes.
"Uh… An apartment?" Annabeth hesitated, not really sure how and what to answer, because even she wasn't sure who this belonged to and what was it for. Percy just brought her there and asked her whether or not she liked it, then that was it about the house.
"Whose is it?" Cautiously, she scanned her surroundings.
"Percy's?" Even she wasn't sure if that was true, but that was the only owner she could think of. "Gods, what had happened to you in these past years?" She checked out Kate's body, diverting the subject at the same time. Noticing that Kate was still insecure and alerted, she didn't want to force her into doing anything, so instead, she just said. "Make yourself at home." Then disappeared in the house.
Before Kate fell unconscious, she heard Annabeth's voice coming from the rooms inside, retelling everything to whoever was on the other side of the phone, that was extremely worried before the call.
"You're fine with it? Okay… Yes, yes, I will… You had fun with Tiffany? Haha, good for you… Come over when you had dinner? Sure, bring me something, anything works.
Wait, this is our apartment? As in me and yours? Really? So we have an apartment? Aw… How kind of him. Poseidon I mean. Sure, so is that an official invitation from you for me to move in with you? Haha, sure."
…
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Annabeth had too much on her plate currently, it was overflowing. She spent her rest of the long weekend in her thoughts. Prom was probably the only happy stressful thought in her mind. Kate was staying with her until she was recovered; information promised for the gang was still on her mind, but she hadn't done anything about it. Her ankle was still in no shape of playing a formal game, or doing any sports apart from jogging and walking for a short distance. Oh and let's not forget about her best friend, the model, Piper, she hadn't been hearing much from her ever since the unexpected encounter in the park few days ago.
Prom had been a hot topic ever since coming back from the long weekend. The only part of the day when she was allowed to rest and enjoy herself was the very free time in the dorm before lights out, because that was the only time she could actually cuddle with Percy and talk over everything in their life. Their relationship was never something to worry about, and the presence of her boyfriend was soothing, especially when she had to dealt with so many classified stuff that she wasn't allowed to share with anyone else.
One night, she laid on her balcony in the dorm with Percy, staring at the stars, she told him, for the first time, she muttered. Hoping that no one would hear it at the same time.
"Stay with me."
A/N: People, check my profile to see most recent announcements.
I updated just because I'm in a fine mood, I didn't plan on updating initially, but then my hands disobeyed and betrayed my brain and updated. My mind is as blank as a piece of paper because it's the exam season.
Thank you for the two loyal and constant reviewers, PoppyOhare and Fratzy.
Dedications
PoppyOhare: why thank you, for the words.
Fratzy: She does like Percy's little sister, she's just not a fan of kids in general, but of course, she'll be taken prejudice (in a good way) against her boyfriend's family. She just likes to spend time with the dog more than the kid, because she doesn't have enough patience with children that's all. She likes Percy's little sister more than any other kids in the world, she just doesn't get along with little kids because it's hard to communicate.
For those who didn't get a dedication/reply but reviewed, that does not mean I don't want to reply or I dislike your review, its simply because I didn't see it. Either because of the system's email push service or because it did not show on the reviews area. I thank all of you who reviewed, and I apologize if you didn't get recognized. Blame the system not me, I would reply to every single one if I saw them. I swear I would.