I'm back! Sorry for the wait. Anywho, here's the next chapter. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: If I was rich, I'd live in my own personal library.
Chapter 14
6 ¾ pages
Monday, October 7th
Annabeth POV
Mondays. I absolutely despise them. Everyone assumes since I'm a good student, I like school. Nope. I don't like it as much as the next person.
But, as Mondays go, so far, it wasn't too bad. I was feeling pretty good after Piper's sleepover. I went downstairs and greeted Helen with a, "Morning."
She regarded me with a frown and didn't answer. I was used to this by now. Helen didn't like me much, and my dad's never really around. I still felt like I had lost the only family I had left.
But, like I said, it's getting better.
I grabbed my backpack and headed out, not bothering to say 'Bye' over my shoulder, and started on the familiar route to school. I knew it by heart now.
I hummed as I walked. Like, actually hummed. As if I was in some cheesy romance movie or something. I wrinkled my nose at the thought. Where had that even come from? My brain is so weird sometimes.
I arrived at school. I looked at my watch and realized I was actually early. That's a first. If I had known I had this much time, I would've slept more.
I went in and headed for the library. I smiled as I entered. Libraries were the place to be. "Well, hello, Annabeth!" The librarian, Ms. Finn, is a friend of mine. She's in her early twenties, with auburn hair and sparkling green eyes.
"Hi, Ms. Finn." I replied.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Lucy?" Ms. Finn frowned.
I smiled. "Sorry, it's a habit."
"Politeness? A habit?" She shook her head wonderingly. "Only you, Annabeth." She gathered up some discarded books off a table. "How have you been?"
I shrugged. "I'm assuming you know about my 'situation'."
Ms. Finn nodded sadly. "I'm sorry, hon."
I shrugged again. "What can you do?"
"No one can control these things." Ms. Finn agreed. "But only a fool believes they know everything."
I smiled. Ms. Finn was just like that. She spouted out wise sayings and quotes. And at the most appropriate times, too.
I checked the clock. "I should go, nice talking to you!"
"Goodbye!" Ms. Finn called after me.
Outside in the hallway, I bumped into someone. "Oh, sorry." I said.
"You're not forgiven." The snobby voice of Rachel Elizabeth Dare met my ears.
I suppressed a groan. This girl was horrid. "Okay." I then proceeded to walk away.
I heard an affronted gasp, then Rachel making some snide remarks to her friends. I rolled my eyes. Drama queen.
I saw Piper standing outside our homeroom door. "Hey, Pipes."
"Annabeth." Piper answered. I could tell she was being extra caring today, since I told her about my mom. "How are you?"
"I'm doing well." I replied. "You?"
Piper smiled. "I'm great. We should probably head inside."
"Yeah." I agreed. I went in with her and she actually sat next to me. Not Silena, or Thalia, me. It made me feel happy.
~o0o~
At lunch I sat with the populars. It was pretty fun, though I was getting some nasty looks from Rachel.
"Hey, Annabeth!" Silena said in greeting as she sat down.
"Hello." I answered
"How are you today?" She inquired. I looked between her, Piper, and Thalia and gave them a look that said, Knock it off.
Silena smiled apologetically and I replied, "I'm fine, thanks."
Percy shot me a look, pausing his conversation with Leo and Jason. I smiled innocently back. Most of the time I forget how observant he can be. My phone beeped and I glanced down at it. It was a text from Helen. I sighed, pursing my lips. It said, I need you to make dinner tonight, so don't be late.
I texted back a simple Ok and turned off my phone. "Who was that?" Thalia asked.
I looked back at Percy to make sure he wasn't listening, then lowered my voice and answered,"Helen. She's my step-mom. She's also really annoying."
Thalia laughed. "I didn't think you had it in you to insult someone."
I chuckled and replied, "If there's anyone I feel fine insulting, it's her."
"What'd she say?" PIper asked.
I sighed again."I have to make dinner tonight, so no hanging out."
"Darn." Piper looked thoughtful. "You don't have a car, right?" I shook my head. "I can give you a ride if you want." she offered.
I smiled. "Thanks, Piper, sure." Piper looked jubilant and shot a sly smile at Silena, who apparently understood what that meant and a grin grew on her face. "What?" I asked, confused.
"Nothing." Silena answered, smiling at me. I gave her a weird look and shrugged, deciding to revisit the topic later. Silena turned to Percy and asked, "You guys have football practice later, right?"
"Yup." Percy replied. "Why?"
"Just wondering." Silena turned back to us, looking triumphant.
"Seriously, what?" I asked.
"Nothing!" PIper reassured me. I could tell that something was definitely up, so I looked at Thalia.
She raised her hands defensively. "Don't ask me. I've known them for years and I still don't understand them sometimes."
I groaned. "Whatever you guys are up to, it better not get me into trouble." I warned them.
"Don't worry about it." Silena said.
Now I was officially worrying about it. What were they up to?
~o0o~
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. I sighed in relief, grabbing my backpack. I fought my way through the tide of students heading for the parking lot and found Piper. "Ready?"
"Yeah," She answered. "One second, I have to talk to Mr. Cress about the English assignment."
"Okay," I agreed. "I'm going to wait outside."
"Alright, see you in a bit!" Piper waved then turned and headed for the English classroom. I walked outside and scouted for a good place to wait. I decided to sit on the lawn under a big maple tree. I took out the book I had brought with me, City of Bones. I leaned against the tree and opened my book, letting the real world melt around me.
~o0o~
"Annabeth?" A voice shook me out of my book.
I looked up, squinting in the afternoon light. "What?"
It was Percy, with his backpack sling over his shoulder. He frowned. "Why are you still here?"
"I'm wait- oh, wait." A message had popped up in my phone from Piper.
Sorry, Beth, something came up. Can you find a different ride? Sorry again!
The message had been sent an hour ago. I groaned when I realized I had put my phone on silent. I stood up and grabbed my stuff. "What?" Percy asked.
"Piper was supposed to pick me up, but I put my phone on silent." I showed him the message. Then something dawned on me. "Wait, why are you still here?"
"I had football practice after school." He replied. He smiled a bit. "For an hour and a half."
I groaned again. "I've been here that long?" I looked accusingly at my book. "Helen's gonna murder me." I added under my breath.
"Well, it was nice to talk with you, Percy, but I have to go." I said.
I started to walk away when Percy called out, "Wait, Annabeth!" He jogged up and fell into step with me. "Are you walking home?"
"Yes."
"You shouldn't do that."
"I do it everyday." I responded.
He frowned. "You walk to school everyday?"
"Yes." I said again.
"Don't you have a car?"
"No." I sighed. "Look, Percy, I have to go."
"I can give you a ride." He offered.
My heart missed a beat, but I ignored it. "I'm fine."
"Please, Annabeth?" He gave me puppy eyes.
"No thanks." I replied.
"Pleeaassseee?" He whined.
I almost laughed. He was so adorable.
Wait, what? No.
I thought about this. If I walked home, it would take an extra fifteen to twenty minutes. Then I'd be home almost two hours late from school. If I rode with Percy, it would take maybe five-ish minutes.
I sighed in defeat. "Fine."
"Yes!" He grabbed my hand, sending volts of electricity tingling through my body, and dragged me towards his car. It was a sea green Lamborghini, with blue waves on the bottom half. I had to catch my breath. I strapped myself in.
"What's your address again?" Percy asked, starting the car.
"922 Oakland Drive." I replied.
"Did you move?" He asked curiously. "That's not where you used to live."
"Uh, yeah." I gave him a look. "And how do you still remember where I lived, stalker?"
He laughs. "These kind of things stick in your head."
Okay….what was that supposed to mean? I stared out the window, my mind floating away.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Percy said casually.
I gave him a strange look and shrugged. "Nothing. Everything. Nothing and everything."
Percy glanced at me for a second, enough for me to see the baffled expression on his face. "What?"
I sighed and shook my head. Percy chuckled. "It's just like you to say something like that."
"Um, thanks, I think."
We rode in silence. I looked out the window again. Soon we pulled up in front of my house. Percy put the car in park and said, "Here we are."
I smiled at him. "Thanks for the ride, Percy." I opened the door, about to step out.
"Annabeth?" Percy asked.
"Yeah?"
"Do the girls know something I don't?"
I stared at him. How did he even notice that? I guess I should give him more credit. I sighed. "Percy...look, they weren't even supposed to know. I don't like talking about it."
Percy furrowed his brow. "But will you tell me?"
I smiled a bit. "Sometime. I promise."
He nodded. "See you tomorrow, Wise Girl."
"Bye, Seaweed Brain." I closed the door.
I turned and went up the walk towards the door. I hesitated before going in. Helen was going to murder me. I sighed and opened the door.
"Annabeth? That better be you." Helen's sharp voice rang in my ears.
"Yes, it's me." I answered, hanging up my backpack.
"Come into the kitchen." Helen called. I heeded her order and entered the kitchen. She glared daggers at me from where she stood. "Where were you?"
"I-" I started.
"I specifically told you to be home as soon as school was out. I was the one who had to make dinner."
Did it kill you? I thought, but replied, "I'm sorry, a friend was going to drive me home, but she had to do something and I lost track of time." And then Percy drove me. I added silently.
Suddenly, it dawned on me. Piper and Silena's sly looks, their questions, how Piper had to do something and never came back.
They set me up with Percy.
"Piper," I muttered under my breath. "I'm going to kill you."
We just stood there for a second, Helen throwing daggers at me with her eyes. "Well," she scoffed. "You're making dinner the next two nights, young lady." I shrugged in response. Honestly, I liked cooking, so this wasn't much of a punishment.
I turned and went up to my room. I flopped stomach-first onto my bed. I stayed in that position for a while, not moving until I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket. I rolled onto my back and checked it. It read:
Guess who?
There it is, y'all. Sorry for the cliffhanger, but I promise it'll be worth it. Hope you liked the Percabeth! I feel bad for Piper; she's in so much trouble. Thanks for reading!
Replies…
Silversky247: I know! I had a lot of fun developing their friendship. Thanks for the review!
ihonestlyhavenoidea123: Thank you, and thanks for the review!
kiwikraz: Nope, just referencing my Rachel in this story. Yeah, I probably would've eaten it. That was the reason they were throwing pizza at each other, lol. I got you, my dude. Percy's coming up! I know, I love them, too! I've read the books, and the movies are so good! Yeah, I can see that, but, not gonna lie, Peeta's pretty cute. That series is really good. Lol, thanks, and you're quite welcome.
Thalorighan: Thank you! I do try. Thanks for your review!
oOF: I promise there's gonna be more Percabeth. Thanks, and thank you for reviewing!
Olympus Angel: Thanks, Olympus. Here's your chapter! Thanks for the review!
Tiffany Ardley: Aww, thanks! You and Emma are the new demigods in the forum, right? Sorry I'm not on there much, I'm a pretty busy person. Anyway, thanks for your review!
JoeBob: Wow, thank you for your reviews! I really enjoy writing, so there will probably be more stories in the future. Ouch, that sucks, lol. Thank you so much! That made me so happy. Don't worry, I took a vow not to leave any of my stories unfinished. Thanks again!
