Chapter 29
Annabeth
I was always avoiding Percy, Piper couldn't even speak to Jason and Thalia couldn't even face Nico.
What happened to us?
At least we're going to leave soon, right?
I walk in and look down on my feet right away, I didn't even snap back to the boys irritating me. They're so immature.
"Class, as you all know, finals is going to be in a few weeks," Ms. Ackerly says in a shrill voice.
It's today for me.
"Ah, Ms. Minerva, you know where you should be. You may take the test in the library," she says.
The intercom sounded.
"Sorry for the interruption, but may I have Mr. Grace, Mr. Jackson, Mr. di Angelo as well as Ms. Jupiter, Ms. Venus and Ms. Minerva in the principal's office please," a rough voice speaks.
I was just as uninterested as I walk out of the classroom, ignoring all the curious glances.
"You may take the test after," Ms. Ackerly shouts from inside the class.
Really, all she cared about was the stupid test.
The hallway was quiet, as my heels echoes with each step. There were footsteps growing behind me. Her little heels make me smile, I hold her hand in mine.
"Nervous?" I ask.
"It was what we wanted," Piper shrugs.
I wasn't entirely convinced that it was what we desperately wanted after all.
Another hand grips my arm.
"This is it," Thalia whispers as I knock on the door.
The three boys following us from behind. None of us utter a single word to each other. There was silence aside from the squeak of the rubber shoes and heels clicking.
"Come in," a muffled voice says.
I turn on the doorknob and step inside with the other two. Chiron stands beside the headmaster's table and the headmaster is, well, passed out.
"Ah, the six of you. Close the door."
And the lecture begins…
x
By the end of it, we have a half-drunk principal and a disappointed teacher.
"The three of you are dismissed. This is will be your last warning," Chiron tells the boys.
They all just nod stiffly and walk out. They're in this mess because of us and they didn't even blame us.
Shit, they don't even deserve us!
"You know what this is for you girls," Chiron gives us a pointed stare. "You were warned, lots of times. I am especially disappointed in you Annabeth, you're a bright student."
Chiron doesn't do favoritism, he treats everyone the same. But I feel like I have failed him and it was the embarrassment of the century.
"Sorry Mr. Brunner," I mumble.
His stare turns to Thalia and Piper, "That also goes for you two. You are newly enrolled here, and yet you're over the line."
Thalia bravely speaks up, "Does that mean, we're expelled?"
He lets a long sigh. "Girls, sit."
Obediently, we follow.
"Tell me, what makes you want to get out so badly?" He asks out of curiosity. "Don't try to lie because even I know things that you also do, Ms. Chase, Ms. Grace, Ms. McLean."
That was the cue where our jaws dropped.
Piper stutters,"W-what? I do not know w-what you mean."
I start, "Well I guess we were upset when Bianca set us in a public school, even worse, in New York."
Chiron looks bored,"I made an agreement with Ms. Di Angelo to take care of the three of you. I know you are upset that you were suddenly enrolled here but expulsion isn't the right way. "
Thalia frowns, "What did Bianca exactly say? Besides, the sooner we get out of here, the better"
He's just exasperated. "I wish we had this talk sooner but now the decision is in his hands," Chiron jerks at the principal's direction.
Thalia sneers," How is he even the principal?"
That was the big question.
A sudden change of subject. "You are dismissed," Chiron orders.
The three of us walks out of the office. What we didn't expect was, there they are, waiting for us. They all looked worried. The three undeserving guys are waiting for us.
When Percy's eyes meets mine, I freeze. Before I knew it, my legs have taken me down the hall.
I just couldn't see him. Slowing my pace, I walk numbly to the library to do my finals.
x
It was another rainy day. That's oddly weird, it's early May. I'm on the last day of finals, then I'm off to LA. Again, I left my umbrella. I pull up my hoodie and started running.
A car passes by me, followed by a yell.
"Annabeth!" That voice rings in my head. It's a signal I have to walk away. I turn around sharply and stride quickly out of the way. The driver stops in the middle of the road and got out, chasing after me. The person catches up with me.
"Stop. Running. Away." He pants.
I didn't dare to look up.
"Are you serious? You're Annabeth Chase?" He mumbles the last part.
I can't look at him. "Look at me" His voice cracked like he's broken.
Instantly, I look up. He looks much worse than I'd seen him in the past few weeks.
My eyes began to water and I started screaming," Yes! I am! I had to! I'm a wreck Percy! Just look at me!" I broke down in sobs.
He just stood there, pulling me in an embrace just like Luke did, but this was different. We had something between us.
Had.
"Annabeth-"
"No, Percy. Why are you like this? I'm the one who lied to you. The one who hurt you. Why are you being so— so… nice?" I say as I start smacking his chest, struggling in his arms.
"Annabeth listen. I- I don't care whether you're a Chase or a Minerva. I don't care. I like you Annabeth! I don't care you lied to me, but if this is what I have to face through to be with you, I'll bear it," He chokes on his words.
' I like you too.' I scream in my head, but couldn't get the words out.
I stop sobbing, just hiccups while I stay silent.
He shakes me. "Say something."
Still silence.
"If- if you don't feel the same way. I get it." He takes a step back and starts walking away.
I couldn't do it. I can't.
Fight for what you love Annabeth.
It hurts! It hurts not being with him!
That's love. Now go, chase after him.
My legs follow my conscience and by the next second, I had my arms wrapped from behind him.
"Annabeth? Wha-" Percy asks, confused, but I cut him.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for everything." I hug tightly.
He turns over and faces me.
Now I'm facing his front. I'm implanting my face into his hard chest. I didn't care about that.
It's now of never Annabeth.
"Percy. I- I like you since I first laid my eyes on you. Even before that. Since Laura told me stories about you. But I-" I can't go on anymore.
Keep yourself together. Do not cry.
I stop crying and look at him, straight in his green orbs.
"I'm sorry."
He just look down on me and pulled me up into a long kiss that still gives me butterflies up till now. My heart was hammering to my chest but I couldn't care less. I love him.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. Stop saying sorry. Annabeth, I like you. I'm falling for you. Hard. I fell for your unique personality, your smartness and you're sly like a fox. Im falling deeper in love." He manages to say it.
I smile, but it was a sad smile.
"Percy. Im in love with you already. Into this deep hole. It hurts so bad avoiding you that I-I don't even know what to do." I hug him as he presses a kiss to my forehead for what it seems like an eternity.
Rain drips on our clothes and we're thoroughly soaked as we stood there on the sidewalk.
"Perce, I have to tell you something-"
"Can we restart everything?" I just look at him which he took as proceed.
He got down on one knee, holding my hand in his. "Annabeth Minerva, would you do the honor of being my girlfriend? And going to prom with me?"
I know what you think. He asked me out already but because of this conflict, it's different alright.
"Percy I-," I squeak, "I-I can't. I'm sorry. I just can't."
He looks crestfallen like I just rejected him. Technically I did but.
"It's that guy from the other day isn't it?" He frowns.
"Luke? No! it's not like that!" I freak out..
"Then what?" He shouts bitterly. A dejected tone, like there's no purpose in life.
I sigh. I knew I had to tell him this. "I'm going back to LA" I say in a wheeze.
Even in this noisy splash of rain, the tension was unbearable.
"I'm sorry," I apologize. "I know, you want this so so so badly. I do too, but I'm never going to make you happy."
His scowl disappears and he looks calm. "Stop apologizing. It's alright. Go and chase your dreams to LA."
"But you-" I was at loss of words.
He smiles tersely. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Good bye Annabeth, you taught me a lot."
He walks away and left me there. Even after I clear things up. I feel defeated.
Why do I feel that something's missing?
Feeling crushed, I make my way home.
It's not supposed to be like this. It's not supposed to end like this. I didn't even recognize the emotion behind those green eyes. It was sadness, dismay and sorrow all swirled into one.
Turning the knob of the apartment's door, I race to my room and lock the door where I slid down and cry behind the door.
Why am I even crying? I'm the one who rejected him. I should be relieved, one less problem to carry when I go back to LA.
I got frustrated and threw my guitar across the room, and it broke into pieces before actually trying to sleep. With no success, I scream at the top of my lungs into the pillow. Before I figured out what happened, I doze off.
Somewhere at the back of my mind, a green-eyed, black haired boy is playing in my memory, that made my chest tighten.
