28. Sorrow

A/N: I am so sorry for not updating. We just moved into our new house, and we didn't have any wifi till today, and I've had to help pack/unpack. So, I've been busy and without any way to update lately. But, I did have some time to write, so I have a few chapters ready.

And I saw that a lot of you were asking if this was a multi-chapter. I'm not sure if I said this in the last chapter but this is a three (possibly four) shot.

Dedication goes to all my new readers. I've noticed I've been getting a lot of people favoriting(sp?)/putting my story/me on alerts, as well as, like, 7 new reviews. Thank you guys!

Disclaimer: FANfiction, people. Hence the word "FAN".


"If anyone asks, I'll tell them we both just moved on. When people all stare I'll pretend that I don't hear them talk."—Kelly Clarkson, Cry


Annabeth's POV

Percy was gone, and it was all my fault. It was me who had been irrational; me who didn't have faith; me who willingly made-out another guy. The scene from yesterday exploded in my mind, coming to life with the loud clang of stunned silence and bright flashes of angry tears cutting down my face.

"I love you with all my heart, Annabeth. And that's okay if you don't love me. Just… if that's the way you feel, then goodbye." He brushed his warm lips across my cheek and looked at me with those beautiful sea-green eyes. For a moment I was lost in them, drowning in the ocean and my only life vest had a tare right above the heart. Percy ducked his head, turned and walked away.

I wanted to run up to him, to call out to him, do something that could fix it, but I was stuck waist deep in shock. So I stood there, my gaze burning a hole through the floor where my boyfriend—er, ex-boyfriend, had just stood. Tears crowded my bottom lashes, waiting eagerly to jump. My breathing picked up pace and my hands started to shake. I sent a watery glare at Harry, who just raised his hands in a "sorry" gesture.

I blinked once, twice. Sounds melted into the background, leaving me alone in a new reality where everything accommodated a slight gray hue. My tongue tasted like sandpaper. I licked my lips and was surprised at the salty taste. Something wet and slimy was running down my cheeks. Hesitantly, I stuck my tongue out again, scooping up the tears on the edge of my tongue and hiding them from all prying eyes.

But the tears were falling too fast for me to stop. On an impulse I sprinted from the dining pavilion to my cabin. I slammed the door shut, sending a shudder along the beams and throughout the entire room. I tried to comprehend what had just happened. I could only recall snippets; it felt like my brain was flooded.

Giving up, I slid down the door and hugged my knees to my chest. Tears sloshed around inside of me, staining my lungs the color of tears. I let the sobs take control of me. My body trembled and even my stupid bones hurt from the effort.

So I sat there, weeping and moaning and wishing I hadn't been such an idiot. I didn't care if anyone heard me. I can't hold on to my dignity when it's slick with tears.

I cried until my head started pounding, and even then I did. Eventually the tears clotted behind my eyes and all I was left with was a broken heart and a throbbing headache. I counted the pulses in my head, slightly comforted by the steady pounding. I fell asleep soon after that, the constant thumps lulling me to sleep like a lullaby.

I woke up on a tear-stained pillow in my own bed. It was closer to morning that night, but I didn't have the energy— let alone will— to get up. One by one my siblings came to, but I just turned over and closed my eyes, slipping in and out of consciousness.

I shook my head, ending the flashback, but the pain was still fresh. Percy had unknowingly ripped open my chest, got in it and stomped on my heart. I felt so weak, so… vulnerable, that it was slightly nauseating. My thoughts were scattered, leaving me to gather them and try to piece them back together again.

The guilt of it all was overwhelming. It pricked at my fingertips and numbed my face. It washed over me like ice water, dousing me to the bone. I shivered involuntarily. Me and my stupid pride, I thought. I just had to show him up, didn't I?

"Annabeth?"

I jumped out of bed, half expecting Percy to be standing there saying we needed to talk, and that he forgave me. But I had to remember that that kind of stuff only happened in fairy tales where the princess wore in glass slippers and ball gowns. I glanced down at my own feet, dirty from running around barefoot all the time. I looked at my clothes; old pajama pants and Percy's swim team shir-

Percy. I'm wearing his shirt, I thought. A wave of sorrow crashed over me and I had to fight to stay conscious.

"Hello… earth to Annabeth?" The voice shook me out of my reverie. My eyes slid upward and saw who was standing there was most definitely not Percy. My heart dropped a bit in my chest.

"Malcolm? What are you doing here?" I winced at how hoarse my voice sounded.

What, now it's against the law to go in my own cabin?" he asked, each word glazed over with sarcasm.

"You know what I mean."

"Fine," he smiled, sitting down on the bed directly across from mine. "You need to leave. It's two o'clock. You've already missed breakfast and lunch."

No," I protested, falling back onto my bed. "I don't wanna. It… it hurts too much," my voice dropped to a whisper at the end, but Malcolm could still hear me. He sighed.

Annabeth… I'm not one to give you advice on breakups, as I've never experienced one," a course of jealousy ran through me. Malcolm and his girlfriend, a nice little Apollo girl, were doing just fine. And here I was, a supposedly wise child of Athena, making rash decisions over petty rumors that ruined ours. "But I know that moping in here isn't going to solve anything."

"I don't care. It's not like he's gonna take me back. I kissed Harry, right in his face, when all I had to go off of was a rumor. Gods, what's wrong with me?" I shouted, slamming my palm against my forehead.

"You were being overprotective, jealous, arrogant, prideful, and— even if you don't wanna admit it— just a little bit attracted to Harry," he said.

I sat up and looked him in the eyes. His sparkled with sympathy and love and compassion. I was really glad I had him in times like these.

I nodded my head. "Okay. Let's go."

A huge grin stretched across his face. "You're serious?" I nodded my head again. "What're you going to do?"

I'm going to go talk to Percy. I can't lose him. Not like this. We love each other— I love him— too much," I declared, still trying to fully convince myself that he still wanted me… still loved me.

Malcolm seemed to sense that, because he said, "Have you seen him?" I shook me head no. "He's been a complete wreck. Fell off the lava wall, tipped over his canoe, and lost every challenge of swordplay. Not to mention he hasn't eaten at all. I'm surprised he hasn't collapsed yet. He needs you, Annabeth. Even I can see that."

I smiled a small, timid smile. My eyes felt even puffier with my cheeks pushed up. "How do I look?" I asked, afraid of the answer. Malcolm laughed. I mean I knew I looked bad, but was I really laughing bad?

"Annabeth Chase, caring about her looks?" he scoffed.

"Shut up and tell me how bad it is. In case you haven't noticed, I'm really not in the mood."

"Alright, alright. It's not that bad, actually. Just take a quick shower and change close and you'll be good to go," he assured me.

"Okay. Do you know where he is?"

"Where who is?" I gave him a look.

"Who do you think?" I countered, gathering a new change of clothes and my lemon shampoo that I knew Percy liked.

"Percy? Oh, you know him. Sword arena or the beach," he said. Malcolm wished me good luck and got up to leave, but when he was at the door I stopped him.

"Wait. Malcolm?" I squeaked. He spun back around and looked at me with a "go on" sort of expression.

"Thanks. For everything." I smiled, hoping he understood just how much what he just did meant to me.

"You're welcome, Annabeth. Now go get him!"

"I will," I laughed, feeling all my previous sorrow evaporate into the air. "Trust me, I will."


A/N 2: Okay… lame ending and it barely fits the prompt, but that's what I wanted to do.

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*cricket cricket*

Dang it.