Hey guys! Although there are still a bunch more chapters in this fic, I wanted to hear your feedback, and see what you guys would like to read next! Currently, there is a live poll on my profile where you can pick which story you would rather have posted next!
Also, a quick disclaimer: This chapter handles themes of panic attacks and anxiety. Additionally, noted in the chapter, several coping methods are shown.
Annabeth looked down at her outfit, suddenly feeling ridiculous. She wore a white turtleneck, paired with a simple black skirt. When she looked into the mirror earlier, she was happy about how she looked.
Now, as she stared up at Drew's mansion like home, a sickening feeling crept down her throat, making her wish she hadn't come. She glanced back at Helen's car, and remembered the awkward conversation they had on the way. The car was now pulling away, and Annabeth now wished she was at home having a "family dinner."
She scratched the back of her neck, and breathed in deeply. Percy would be there, and that would be good. She wouldn't have to worry about anything, because he'd be there to help her out.
Annabeth started up the steps to Drew's house, wondering if she could just open the door, or knock. She soon deduced it was etiquette to just let yourself in, and go from there.
Pulling out her phone, she sent Percy a quick text, notifying him of her arrival, and headed in.
The inside of Drew's house was just as impressive as the outside. The room was large, and flooded with people drinking, dancing, making out, and talking. It was overwhelming.
Bright party lights flashed everywhere, though the entire scene gave off a dim vibe. A vibe that definitely didn't sit well with Annabeth. She knew instantly she did not fit in.
She pulled out her phone once more, checking to see if Percy had texted her back. He hadn't.
Annabeth took a breath in, and another one out. He would reply soon. He was reliable.
Maybe I should just look for him, Annabeth thought, It's so big and loud here, he probably didn't notice.
She squeezed through the mass of dancing people, some that Annabeth recognized, others that she didn't. As she made her way through the crowd, she got closer to what she assumed was the kitchen. She sighed. Sanctuary.
As she walked in, a low voice whispered into her ear. "Hey, who are you?" Annabeth turned around quickly, to see someone, a person she vaguely recognized from school talking to her. He smelled of bear, and his entire appearance was just unnerving.
"I'm…" Annabeth stuttered. "I'm going…"
"Going?" Okay, this guy was definitely drunk. "That's interesting," He continued, but Annabeth was already walking away quickly. "Wait? Where are you going?" The guy stumbled closer, but was soon absorbed by the crowd of people, probably to make some other person uncomfortable.
Annabeth approached the kitchen, where she recognized several other people chatting and drinking. She leaned against the wall, and inhaled through her mouth, hoping not to breath in the unflattering smells around her.
She took out her phone once more, and checked the time. It read nine o'clock. Percy had to be here. He had too.
She walked away from the wall she had previously been leaning on, and went outside to the backyard. She took a deep breath once more, and released it. As she walked further into the backyard, she saw Drew, and promptly winced.
Drew was talking to someone Annabeth vaguely recognized who usually was in her posse. She looked annoyed, and was tapping her foot against the floor. Annabeth inched forward as to hear her conversation.
"I can't believe he's not hear yet," Drew was saying. "Like, Percy said he would be here. He said he would say 'Hi,' or like," Drew looked over dramatically, "you know."
"Yeah." The girl talking to her said. "You two are just so cute."
Drew beamed at the girl. "I know right?"
"And that girl who's always hanging around with him, what's her name? Like Annabell or something?" Annabeth winced. "She's seems so desperate. He's probably just stringing her along. Like, he has you to choose from, back off Annabell."
"Of course, like, I was talking to Percy the other day, and he said he was just talking to her out of obligation, being the nice guy he is. She doesn't have any friends so, you know, it's the right thing to do." Drew said, though not in the kind and confident way that last statement was supposed to sound. It sounded mean and just… horrible. Annabeth felt her heart rate come up. "Plus, like Percy and I, we have a history. We've made out and stuff. I don't think they've even kissed,"
"He'd probably get scared away," The girl replied, "She has like, no, experience."
Annabeth stumbled away, hoping Drew wouldn't notice her. She turned away quickly, and ran back into the room.
Her heart rate was increasing more and more. The lights, the music, the sound, all of this was just so overwhelming. She couldn't take it. This wasn't her scene. This would never be her scene. Percy didn't like her. He was just playing around.
He was going to arrive later, and Drew and him would be together. He probably wouldn't even remember Annabeth by the end of it.
She was right about him all along. Before they'd met, she saw him as narcissistic, rude, and dumb. That's all he was. He had left her alone, without any regards to her feelings.
The room was spinning now. Annabeth had to get out. As she pushed her way through the crowds of people, she held back a barf. She continued on her way, faster and faster, until she stopped at the door, and opened it, running off into the night.
She settled down onto the sidewalk curb, and sat there in a fetal position, rocking back and forth. Maybe if she shut her eyes tight enough, this wouldn't be happening. Maybe this would all be a dream, and Annabeth could go back to her own normal life, with writing as her only escape.
She could live with that. The world was unreliable, she had now learned. She had lived for years just having a sanctuary within her own words. Why stop now?
A tear fell down Annabeth's cheek, and she frantically swiped it away. "Don't cry," She whispered to herself, "Please don't cry."
It was too late. She was crying. If she stayed in this position long enough, maybe no one would notice. Maybe-
Annabeth flinched as she felt a warm hand settle onto her shoulder. "Are you okay?" A voice rang out, one she didn't recognize. She looked up, but her vision was blurry due to the tears, she could make out several features- dark skin and curly hair. Could it be Hazel?
"I-" Annabeth stuttered. "I don't know. I don't think so."
Another girl, who had tan skin and a long brown braid then spoke. "That's a stupid question Hazel, of course she's not okay." So it was Hazel. Then who was this other girl.
She felt the two girls sitting next to her, and slowly lifted her head. She turned to the girl she didn't recognize. "Who are you?"
"Oh." The girl said. "I'm Piper."
"And I'm Hazel," Hazel chimed in. "If you forgot."
"I didn't forget." Annabeth said, tears still streaming down her face.
Piper shifted herself so she was facing Annabeth. "So," She said. "What's wrong?"
"I-I" Annabeth choked a tiny bit, but did her best to describe what happened in non-specific words. She told them the what, but not the who. She didn't know why- but she wasn't ready to say Percy's name yet.
When she was finished, both girls looked at her sympathetically. "I'm sorry," Hazel said, "But no matter how nice he was to you, no guy that gets you like this," Hazel motioned towards Annabeth. "Is worth it."
"I know," Annabeth said, putting her head into her hands. "I just- he was just so-"
Piper sighed. "Hey," She said. "Could you please just let us know who this person is? Maybe we can help."
Annabeth exhaled shakily. "I guess." She closed her eyes tightly. "Percy-" She said. "Percy Jackson."
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you are excited for what's to come, and how this will end, because I sure am!
Also, again, apologies (...not really) for the last chapter, it was unavoidable, I had to do it… what can I say? Writers are evil.
As always, thanks so much for all the support! Every favorite, follow and review means so much to me, and I hope you are enjoying reading this as much as I'm enjoying writing this.