A/N: This is going to be a short fanfic of about only 2-3 chapters. Earlier I was going to make this a oneshot but then it crossed 20k words so I decided to split it into chapters. I wouldn't lie and say that this one is a happy one. Also, I might be switching POVs for just a few lines or something because I want you guys to know all the different facets to what is happening.
The inspiration to write this hit from a Reel on Instagram. I don't remember whose it was. This is an AU where a scar appears on your cheek every time you make a promise. If you keep the promise, the scar disappears but if you break the promise, the scar remains on your face forever. More about this 'scar system' would be explained through the story.

Disclaimer: PJO and HOO belong to Rick Riordan

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Chapter 1:

Percy POV

I parked my car in the parking lot of the New York University and got out. It was the first day today. The atmosphere was buzzing with eager students. Some eager to learn (very few), some eager to make friends while some eager to bully others. None of that kind bothered me. Because I was among the 'very few' category—actually here to study.

I had decided that I was going to major in Marine Biology and minor in Greek History. I knew those two weren't remotely related but the sea was my passion and reading about the ancient Greek history was my hobby.

Even if I knew tentatively what my career goals were, I knew that my college days were going to be a disaster. Not that I minded. I knew what the reason was. After I got out of the car and walked down the parking lot, every student's gaze fell on me and there was a shocked look in their eyes. Don't meet their gazes, calm down and walk forward. You had expected this. I told myself.

All the students, be it freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors, everyone was staring at me with shock and apprehension. Or rather, they were staring at the permanent, big scar that ran down my cheek. Whispers started all around me and I didn't need to hear them to know what they were about. I had expected this—all of it. I was sure the whispers said something along the lines that I couldn't keep any promises. That I was a freak and took big promises too lightly. I told myself not to be bothered by them. That's what I had been telling myself for almost the past entire year. I hadn't had enough time to heal from the vow I had broken but eventually I would. Right?

The scars had a system. No one in the world knew how it happened. The scientists had given up research on it. The bigger the promise, more prominent the scar. For example, if I borrowed someone's pencil and promised to give it back, a scar would appear on my forearm or on my palm. If I broke the promise, the scar would stay forever and If I kept it, the scar would fade away. It wouldn't be that much big of a scar because if the promise was broken, because the consequences of it wouldn't be that big. How each promise got classified was also a mystery but it just happened. Many people had scars on their wrists because of unbroken promises but they weren't seen as freaks because the classification made it clear that the consequence of that broken promise wasn't big. Meaning, the promise also wasn't that serious.

My scar on the other hand, it was the worst scar anyone could ever possess. The scar of the biggest promise 99% appeared on the cheek. Maybe because it showed the world what you'd truly done. Maybe because it would be the first thing you'd see after looking at yourself—the proof of the vow you'd broken. It often indicated a promise that would have the biggest consequence if it were to be broken. There were very few people who had this kind of scar.

As a result of this system, promises were never taken lightly. That was a good thing in my head—not taking anything for granted. But now, the people feared to make bigger promises itself. Proposing to someone and vowing to spend your entire life with them became a rarity because of the scar and the shame that would come with it if it was broken. Part of the reason was also because the scar stayed till the promise was fulfilled. So, if someone vowed to be there for their entire life, the scar would too technically be there for their entire life. That's why long-term promises were also weren't made commonly. People played safe. Most of the couples who wedded, did not promise to take care of one another in sickness and in health and till did death did them part. They altered the vows and made that they would only try to do so. I felt that was pathetic.

A love that was believed to last wouldn't be scared of a mere scar.

I sighed and shook my head, trying to rid it off its thoughts. I didn't need to start of my day like this. I needed to get better and not think of the scar a lot. I steered my thoughts. The only thing I was looking forward to was that Jason was going to study with me in this University as well. All of the others had chosen different paths. Let's see, there were too many of us but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hazel and Frank had gone to New Rome for college. That was a big relocation and they were too far away from our group. But they said that they would still visit us in the holidays and sometimes all of us would go. Grover was still in NYC but he got into the Columbia University.

Piper had opened her YouTube channel and she was now a motivational speaker and social media influencer. She decided to not go to college at all. Her dad supported her in that, though a bit reluctantly and her mom was more than happy.

Thalia had decided that she wanted to join the military so she chose a college suitable to that. Her decision had particularly surprised Jason. I mean, he knew his big sister was tough but he hadn't realized her inclination to the military. Even I hadn't. But I knew that if she wanted to do something, she wouldn't stop till she did it.

Nico was studying Paleontology and Will was studying Medicine. They were in the same college and were roommates too. Leo was in the same college as them and was studying to become a Mechanical Engineer. He lived on the campus too but he lived alone. He lived in a room full of his inventions and models so he didn't really want any roommate to disrupt it. All three of them lived across the city.

The core group—Me, Grover, Jason, Piper, Nico, Will and Leo had made a rule. It was that we would meet on the third Saturday of every month. All the 7 of us and we would Video Call Frank and Hazel. It helped us keep in touch and also strengthened our friendship past the point of ever breaking. No matter the distance. Me, Jason and Piper met comparatively more since, of course, he was now in my college and also because Piper lived on the way to my house.

I walked towards the lockers where I saw Jason leaning against his. "Hey, man." I slapped Jason on the shoulder once I reached him.

"Hey. How are you today?" He asked me with concern that I was sick of but still appreciated.

"As I was yesterday, and the day before, and the day before." I smiled.

He chuckled. "Fine. Do you have our schedules?"

"Yep. I printed both of ours from the mail you sent me."

"Thanks, man."

"Anytime. We both have a Geology, English and Statistics together. All else different subjects"

"That's great." He said. "Percy?"

"Yeah?"

"You'll be fine, right?"

I gave him a skeptical look. "Of course. What makes you think otherwise?"

"It's just that…"

"The way people are staring at me right now? The way they look at me and see a person who takes promises lightly in this world where it is socially forbidden? They know I have a scar, Grace. They don't know why I got it." I pointed out. "Neither do I have the intention of telling anyone about it. I don't need to justify myself to anyone."

He nodded at me because he didn't know what to say. Nobody actually knew what to say to me. I understood that. If I were in their shoes, I would have the same predicament as them. It was natural. I didn't expect him to console me or anything because it wasn't going to change things.

We walked in silence to our first class—English. All the way to it, I could hear whispers about me and assumptions as to why I got the scar. Why this world took promises seriously and not what someone had gone through was beyond me. I ignored the people, as I had done for the past 9-10 months or so. In the class, the both of us sat beside each other at the back. The students were now also whispering about Jason, maybe even assuming that he had played a role in what was on my cheek. I could deal with all that was being said about me but I would not tolerate lies about him. He had already been dragged through the actual gossip rags because he was dating the 'YouTuber Piper McLean'. The last thing I wanted was some gossip rag picking this up, that he was hanging out with a boy with a massive scar of his face, and then print something obnoxious like he had a role to play in how I got it just for the sake of a minor conspiracy, something to keep the teenage readers enticed.

The first class dragged by and I didn't pay attention at all. I just merely glanced through the reading list I was going to have to endure this year and kept it aside. My dyslexia and ADHD weren't going to make it easy. The only thing I had achieved in the first hour was to keep my mind off the things I shouldn't think about. I had just traced patterns in the clouds as I saw them, molding them to my perspective. I was wishing if all the things could be done like that—molded according to the situation. I was wishing for the impossible. Again. Things I could not change.

The bell rang loudly and I jumped in my seat. Light laughter rang out in the class. I ignored it and got up. I didn't even need to collect my things because I hadn't even taken anything out of my bag. I waited for Jason to get up and then we walked out.

"Jason," I grabbed his attention.

"Yeah?"

"I think you shouldn't sit with me in the classes we have together." I told him.

"Why?" He looked at me as I was being ridiculous.

"They'll whisper about you too. And you've got a reputation to keep up, don't you?" I smirked, trying to lighten this up. "Your girlfriend is famous and you're going to be in a number of sports in the college. You don't have to be seen with the guy who can't keep promises."

"Bullshit." He seethed. Shit, he was angry. "I'm gonna sit beside you in every class we have together. I don't care what the others say. I'm not going to leave you on your own."

I was really stunned with the amount of anger in his voice and the way he didn't care what others thought about us. Jason always thought about what others would think but was he keeping that aside for me right now? But his words that he was not leaving me on my own were the only ones that hit me hard and I replied only to them.

"I don't need a damn babysitter, Grace. I am fine. I am healing. I am good."

The fight left his eyes as he saw which words of his stuck with me. "I know you are. But the way you've shut yourself up from everything since—"

"Don't say it. Don't you dare say since what. I'm doing well today. I haven't thought about it since the morning. And what could I do except shutting myself up? What would you have done? Would you have gone about life as if nothing had happened? I certainly can't. I can't move on and I don't want to try. You know what doesn't make me feel lonely? The memories. I'm not going to start forgetting them just for the sake of moving on. They keep me company at night. They keep me stable. Because that's what's remained of the past, Grace. Just memories I can't give up. Nor will I ever." I said, wiping down the tears that had slipped past my cheeks and walked away. From him. From others. And wishing I could walk away from everything.

But how was I ever going to walk away from the scar on my cheek and the emptiness in my heart?

The rest of the classes went by slowly and the progress I had achieved since the morning was in the dustbin. I was back to square one. But this was just the first day of mine—out in the world, the real one, after getting the scar. I'd surely do better next day, right. Right?

I went by to my locker after the day had ended and opened it. It was empty because I hadn't kept anything inside it today. I closed it again and leaned against it, staring at the open sky. White clouds were floating around with the slight pace of the breeze. I felt like I was a cloud. Just dragging myself where the wind led me. But I wasn't the beautiful looking white cloud. I was the dark, heavy cloud who held the storm in it. I just hoped that when the storm inside me ended, I wouldn't dissipate like a real cloud would. I ran a hand through my hair and looked down. My eyes had filled with tears again but my shaggy hair covered my eyes as I stared off the floor. I wiped my eyes and turned towards my locker, hiding myself.

"He's kinda hot. In an emo kinda way." I heard from behind me and I turned around. But I didn't directly look at the speaker. I looked down again and looked at the group from the corner of my eye.

There were about 6 people standing and talking. 3 guys and 3 girls. 2 of the guys looks a little similar so I guessed they were brothers. The guy which was left, had an arm around a sophisticated but kind looking girl. Might be his girlfriend. They made a great pair. One of the other girls had very curly bright red hair, who I suspected said that I was hot and the other one looked sturdy and had a greater build like she worked out every day with weights.

"He dresses well." Said one of the brothers and I instinctively inspected what I was wearing. It was a blue t-shirt my mom had gifted me and black ripped jeans. The first things I found when I opened the closet. I didn't even give it a thought while wearing.

"Everyone's saying that he's a maniac. See the scar on his face! That's the biggest I've ever seen. Such a pansy. Can't even keep a promise that big, why make it?" The sturdy girl said and my hands clenched into fists.

"Clarisse! You don't know anything about him. I didn't expect you to judge him so quickly." The kind eyed girl chided.

The sturdy one—Clarisse opened her mouth to say something but the kind eyes girl's boyfriend interrupted her. "Silena is right. You shouldn't judge that guy just by the scar. What would you say if someone judged you for being a tomboy? What if someone called you out on you liking to workout or on your weight? Would you stay silent then? You wouldn't." He said in a stern voice.

"Yeah, she'd probably kill the person." One of the brothers said.

"All I'm saying is that you don't know a thing about him. It's not in your place to say something." The boyfriend said.

"Absolutely right. Have you even spared him a glance? Not his scar. Him. Did you even look in his eyes and see the troubled expression in them? Did you see the tears flashing in them?" Silena said and my head shot up. How did she see that? No one was supposed to see that.

My eyes fell straight on hers and she looked momentarily shocked. But then she proceeded on to give me the kindest of smiles I had received since I walked into the campus. I tried to lift my lips, reciprocate the smile, but they just wouldn't lift. I hoped that now she would read my eyes and see that I wanted to smile at her. I looked at her boyfriend too, appreciating that he didn't chose to judge me and that he chose to stand by his girlfriend. Such good people were hard to see in this promise ridden and driven society who didn't see you for what you are but saw you for the number and density of your scars. After giving them both another grateful look, I slung my bag over my shoulders and started to leave. I was going to meet Jason at the entrance and drop him off at Piper's since his car was broken. Leo was fixing it. I'd always wondered how he worked magic over cars and things as such. It was as if they talked to him. Like the sea used to talk to me. But I hadn't been there for almost 10 months. So, I didn't know if it would anymore.

"Hey, wait up." I heard the voice of the kind eyed girl just as I was walking away. I turned.

She was still standing where she was previously so I walked up to her. Her friends had moved a little behind and were chatting amongst themselves.

"Yes?"

"Hi. I'm Silena Beauregard and this is my boyfriend Charles Beckendorf."

"Percy Jackson." I shook hands with both of them.

"So, you're from New York?" Silena asked.

"Born and brought up."

"That's cool. The both of us too."

"What are you going to major in?" Charles asked.

"Marine Biology."

"Wow. We've got a nerd in the house."

I chuckled. "Not so much of a nerd." I didn't tell them I had ADHD and Dyslexia which were quite the obstacles to be associated with the definition of nerd. The last thing I wanted was pity; now that Silena had already seen my troubled eyes. "But I just happen to love the ocean."

"That's amazing." Silena complimented.

"Thanks, I guess. What are you both majoring in?"

"I'm doing Greek History and Silena is doing English literature."

"And you guys called me nerds?" I raised an eyebrow and both of them laughed. "I'm minoring in Greek History."

"Great. I saw you in that class." Charles said.

"So, have you made any new friends yet?" She asked me.

"Not new ones. I know Jason Grace. We were in the same high school."

"Jason Grace is Piper McLean's boyfriend, isn't he? I've read about him a bit. Please don't think I read gossip rags." She blushed. "But I adore Piper so pictures of them flash in my Instagram feed."

I smiled. "I didn't know their pictures just came up on Instagram."

"Oh, they do. Don't you have that app?"

"I'm not on any social medias." I shrugged.

"Woah, okay." Charles laughed. "Definitely a nerd."

"Also, I'll pass on the message to Piper that you adore her. She always loves to hear from her fans." I smiled.

"You're friends with her too?"

"I am. But please don't disclose this. The last thing I need is girls hounding me for Piper's phone number."

"Of course, I won't I'm sorry. I'm just such a big admirer. I won't say a 'fan' because whenever I say it, just some slutty group of screaming girls comes in my mind. No disrespect to the ones who are real fans though. It's just my vision of that word." She laughed. "I would say I admire her and the way she speaks."

I smiled at her. She was such a genuine person. "Do you want to meet her?" I asked.

She stayed silent and I urged her to answer. "I mean, yeah! But I don't want to be an imposition, you know. There are so many fans of hers and she must be having a tight schedule and all." She trailed off.

"I can maybe plan something up. I'll let you know. Can you both give me your numbers?" I asked and we exchanged numbers.

"Percy, you can count us in as your new friends." Charles said. "And not just because you're taking my girlfriend to see someone she loves." He added.

"I know. I don't think you're capable of being fake." I looked at Silena.

"How can you say?"

"I'm just good at reading people." Ever since I had to occupy myself with other things in order to not think of the past. "Though, Piper is best at it. I look forward to being friends with you."

"Likewise. Perhaps you'd like to meet our friends too?" Silena looked at me hopefully.

I was a little skeptical but still agreed. She squealed which reminded me a lot of Piper and then called all of her 4 friends over. Once they were all there, I got to know that the red-headed one who called me hot was Rachel Dare and the boys who looked alike were really brothers. They were studying in the same grade but they were not twins. The older one was Travis and the younger by a few months was Connor. They were quite mischievous and they loved to irritate Clarisse.

"Nice to meet all of you." I said politely and then there was an awkward silence. Suddenly, I remembered that I was supposed to meet Jason. "Shit, I need to go. I was to drop Jason off to Piper. I'll see you guys tomorrow." I told them and turned on my heels. I ran across the parking lot to see an annoyed looking Jason standing in front of the hood.

"I'm so sorry, man!" I said.

"Apologize in the car. I don't want to be any later than I already am." He grumbled as we both got into the car. I quickly put my seatbelt on and revved the engine.

"Now apologize." He said.

"First let me apologize for snapping at you after the English period. I'm sorry."

"No, Percy. I'm sorry. I should've understood—"

"No. You don't have to understand me every time Jason. That's not possible and not right either. I was just…its still so hard. Even after all these months."

"I can't even imagine."

"Let's not talk about this. Let's talk something…happy, for the lack of a better word." I said and he snorted.

"Give me my explanation for being late right now. I need to tell it to Piper." He sighed and chuckled.

"I made some new friends." I said and his head whipped towards me.

"You what?"

I gave him a look. "There's this girl Silena and her boyfriend Charles. They seem nice people. Never once mentioned the proof of a big broken promise on my cheek nor judged me by it." I told him.

"Well, I'm glad for you." He smiled. "I'm no longer angry at you for being late."

"Your girlfriend has turned you into a beauty queen too, your Grace." I chuckled.

"I'm not a freaking Duke." He laughed.

"Come on, it was a good pun." I reasoned.

I could see his softened eyes to see that I was joking and making puns like I used to before I got the scar permanently. It was just to keep him satisfied, to make him not feel guilty for the situation I was in though it wasn't even remotely related to him.

"Fine." He mocked me and we sat in silence till we reached her home.

"You coming up to meet her?"

"No, lover boy. I don't want to be the third wheel." I replied.

"I understand. Text me when you reach home."

"Yes, Mum." I sighed. "Oh, could you tell Piper to text me when she has the time."

"Sure thing. Bye Perce." He said and I drove away from Piper's place to mine.

I lived with my Mom and stepdad Paul and my stepsister Estelle. But I was thinking of moving out when I turned 18 in August. That would give all of them privacy and they wouldn't have to deal with my constant mood swings. My home was not far from Piper's. I reached home in about 10 more minutes because there wasn't any traffic at this time. Otherwise it would've taken 20-25 minutes.

I unlocked the door with the key I had and stepped in.

"Percy is that you?" Mom's voice came from inside.

"No. Its Satan." I joked. "Who else would it be Mama!"

"Pervyyyyyyyyyyyy." The sound of my one-year old baby sister fell on my ears and shortly after she came running to me as fast as her tiny feel could get her to.

I got down on my knees and she flung herself into my arms. No matter how many times she did that, the feeling never got old. She reminded me of someone who used to do the same thing upon meeting me. I clutched on to my baby sister and inhaled her baby shampoo scented hair. After a few more moments, she struggled in my grasp and I released her.

"Now, young girl. I am not Pervy." I laughed. "I am Percy. Say it. Per-cy."

"Pervy." She said again and I heard my mom's laughter. She was standing in front of us. I was so caught up in Estelle that I didn't notice her.

"Should I be worried that she's basically saying that you're a perv."

"Oh, she's just saying that because she can't say Percy yet. Isn't that right, Elle?"

"Yeah." She nodded vigorously.

"Good girl." I said and blew raspberries into her neck.

She laughed and writhed. "No! Pervy stop." She laughed again as I didn't release her. "Pervy stopppppp!" She said and I finally stopped.

She heaved, exhausted from laughing. I set my bag down from my shoulders and picked her up in my arms. She instantly laid her head down on my shoulder. It was the best thing in my world now—my sister setting her head on my shoulder, maybe even snoozing off. I rocked her gently in my arms. Maybe she was exhausted from all the running she did. I went after my mom, into the kitchen and standing there.

"How was your first day?" My mom said. She too had a couple scars, but they were on her wrists.

"It was nice. Made 2 new friends. A girl named Silena and her boyfriend Charles."

"That's good. I'm glad you're liking it."

"Oh, you have no idea." Sarcasm dripped from the sentence.

"Percy…" She trailed off and I knew what was going to come next.

"Yes, mom. I know what you want to say. I am not going to forget. I am not going to move on." I said quietly because Estelle was dozing off but my anger was evident in my controlled tone.

"I understand." She said, exasperated but I cut her off before she could say something more.

"I know. But…let's just not talk about it, okay?" I pleaded with earnest. "We've been through this for the last 10 months and do you see any changes in me? No. There's a reason. And the reason is I don't want to. You know that too." I spoke and she nodded.

"Is she supposed to sleep right now? She won't sleep early in the night." I added, changing the subject.

"She isn't supposed to but we can't help it, can we. We can't wake her up. Let her sleep. I'll deal with whatever happens at night." She smiled.

I smiled back and went into Estelle's room to place her in her crib. She lay there in it, peacefully sleeping. In that moment, I wished I could get this sleep—restful and satisfying. I smiled at my baby sister and turned on the monitor, picking up the parent one. I handed it to mom.

I told her I was going into my room to sort out notes and stuff and went right in to take a shower. After that I sorted my books out, made a to-do list and started reading whatever that was taught today. Maybe I had become a nerd. But it was a reminder of something.

It took me a lotta time to read with my Dyslexia and my ADHD leading me astray ever so often but I completed todays work. Gods damned, who would say I was a soon to be 18-year-old! I shook my head and made my way to the kitchen for dinner as it was almost time for it.

Mom was still in the kitchen. "What are you doing in the kitchen still?" I asked her.

"Baking cookies." She smiled. "You can eat some after dinner or you won't have dinner at all." She warned and I chuckled.

"Elle still sleeping?"

"No. She's in her room. She's playing. Don't worry, big bro. I have the monitor on me." She waved it to me and I heard Estelle's voice mumbling something. I nodded.

"It's just us for dinner today. Paul is out with his friends for dinner. I've made sandwiches." '

"Paul is out on a school night?" I asked.

"Now, you make him sound as if he's in high school." Mom said and I gave out a chuckle. "But yes, it's surprising. Some friend of his is just in town for today and leaving early tomorrow." I nodded.

She loaded both of our dishes and we sat down on the barstools on the kitchen. Dinner was quiet but not filled with uncomfortable silence. It was companionable silence. Since Estelle had been born, silence had become quite a novelty in this house. So, every chance Mom got, she just sat down quietly either eating or enjoying a book. I understood that. But I was so grateful for the thunder that my little sister was. Her laughter, her cries which filled the house and made it boom with noise, really compensated for the silence that often rang out in my head.

After dinner, I went into my room and mom went into Estelle's. She was squealing and running around. I was sure that even though she had slept at about 4 in the evening, she wouldn't stay awake late. She would be exhausted by playing and running because she had woken up in just half an hour in the early evening. It was 7:30 right now but she would sleep at maximum 10, hopefully.

I changed into a pair of shorts and took my phone in my hand. I didn't want to sleep just yet so I just listened to some Music. Music was the 2nd thing after the open ocean that calmed me. It was something which kept my mind occupied so that it would drift to places it shouldn't. I just paced around the room, listening to the tunes blasting in my headphones.

After I was convinced that it was time to sleep, I laid down on the bed. I could hear Estelle was still up but I could hear that she was with Paul so I decided to leave them be. They needed the father daughter time.

Pulling the covers up to my stomach, I lifted my hand and inspected it. There were 2 scars on the joint of my forearm. The consequences of those promises had been none therefore the scars just looked like the creases or wrinkles of my joint, just dark in color. I guess those were the promises I had made to mom about doing my homework or something. I had done it later than I had promised her to. Something silly.

Apart from that, I didn't just have one big scar. I had two big scars. Only one of them was visible and on my cheek. The one which people judged me by. How would they all react if they saw that I had two of those kinds? Maybe then they would call me a psychopath. The other scar was just as big as the one on my cheek, but it was on my chest. Yeah, I was in the 1% who got the scar of a big promise on a different place. Maybe God took pity on me, thinking I shouldn't have to walk around, at the age of 17, with two big marks on both of my cheeks. Though it didn't really pain when the scar appeared, the hurt was still fresh in my mind from when I'd broken the promise which resulted the scar on my cheek to stay permanently.

I rested my hand up on my heart, on the 2nd scar. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I repeated in my head even though there wasn't my fault at all and closed my eyes, drifting off from the exhaustion from pretending that I was fine.

-!-

Sudden baby cries rang out through the entire house, waking me up from my sleep. I checked the watch on my nightstand. It was 4 in the morning. I got up with a start and raced to Estelle's room. She was there in her crib—wailing loudly for someone to come to her. I rushed to her and picked her up.

"There, there. What's wrong Elle?" I asked her, smoothing a hand down her back to calm her down. I rocked her back and forth in my arms. "Come on. Shh. Are you hungry? Do you want milk?" She nodded her head. "Let's go." I carried her into the kitchen and pulled out her bottle of milk which was microwavable.

Once it was heated, I took the bottle and sat down on the sofa, cradling her against my hands. I placed the bottle in her hands and she immediately put it in her mouth. I just looked at her innocent eyes as they concentrated on gulping down the liquid. I wondered why mom hadn't woken up. Maybe the baby monitor ran out of battery and she didn't realize. She had an erratic schedule today. She must have slept without having her meal and woken up with hunger right now. Her sleep schedule was actually good for a one year old and she usually now slept through the night. If she ever woke up, she woke up just like this—because of hunger.

After a few moments, I looked down at Elle again to see that she had closed her eyes while drinking. I got up with her in my arms and walked back to her room. I thought she had fallen asleep but then she pulled out the bottle from her mouth with a pop and I chuckled. Yep, still awake. Maybe she was done drinking. I went to place her in her crib but she clutched my chest with her tiny hand.

"No." She said.

"You don't want to sleep in the crib?" She shook her head. "That's fine." I pulled her up against my chest and took the milk bottle which was almost finished. "Good job, Elle." I smiled and she giggled. I placed the bottle in the shelf of the edge of her crib and sat down with her in my arms on the rocking chair which mom had bought for herself.

She immediately rested her head on my shoulder like she always did and I leaned back to rock her to sleep. "I can't sing you to sleep like mom does, though." I told her.

"No. Momma sings sweet. Pervy never sings." She said.

"That's true. But I can tell you a story. You wanna hear it?" I asked her and she nodded her head. "Great."

-!-

Sally POV

"But I can tell you a story. You wanna hear it?" Someone said and at first, I felt like I was dreaming but then I realized that the voice was coming from the baby monitor.

I sat up with a start. I thought I had heard Estelle crying but it stopped just as quickly so I assumed I was dreaming. But now I was certainly not.

"Great." I heard again on the monitor and recognized the voice as Percy's. What was he doing awake at—I checked the watch—4:30 in the morning!

Percy must have heard her crying and gone to her, my darling boy. I rushed to Estelle's room but quietly. The door wasn't closed shut and I could peep through it. I saw Percy sitting on the rocking chair, rocking Estelle to sleep again. One hand of his was stroking her hair while the other one was around her waist.

"There was once a boy. He was always happy and smiling. He was into sports and was the captain of the swim team too. He was not that good at studies but he had some help." He spoke quietly and I stood there what my precious boy was telling his baby sister. It was his story. "But then something happened and his life turned upside down. His scars got permanent. His smiles went away and an emptiness replaced the love that filled his heart. But let's not get into that. Because we only want happy things for my baby sister, don't we?" He smiled and my heart broke.

"We won't be focusing on why or how he turned into what he is now. You see, Elle, the way other's look at his scars doesn't bother him. He's used to it now and he's accepted that the world won't understand. But I want you to understand even if you may be too little right now to get what I'm saying. I'm going to keep telling you till you do because you need to know this. Don't be scared of making promises just because the outcome of it will be marked on you, Elle. If you're scared to make it, then the promise isn't worth making. I wasn't scared when I made the promises which are marked on me now. Because I knew I was going to make them come true. You have to remember to only make the promise when you're determine to fulfil it, baby girl. No matter how small it is. From a borrowed pen to a borrowed heart." His voice broke at the last word.

"I was determined to fulfill it but I couldn't. I only want to tell you that don't make a promise you're not sure about. I didn't do that mistake and nor should you. Because living with a scar is difficult but living with a scar you knew you couldn't erase ever is impossible. I have a scar I can live with. Scars are a part of life—from a promise or from a scraped elbow. But don't mark yourself intentionally, Elle. Remember that always. But even if you make this mistake, don't be scared. I'm going to be there for you when you need me. Whenever you call, I'll be there. I'll be there when you feel like you need someone and when you feel like there's no one who can understand you. I will always. And that is a promise I'm going to make you today." He sucked in a shaky breath as he smiled lovingly at his sister. "I promise to be there for you when you need me, Elle."

Percy said and a scar flashed across his stomach. It wasn't as big as the one on his cheek but it was bigger than the ones on his forearm. Tears started streaming down my cheek as I saw my almost 18-year-old but still a baby boy to me act like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. He was smiling down at his little sister as if she was the only thing that ever mattered to him now.

How did my boy become so wise? When did he grow up so much? Why couldn't I take away the pain he was feeling? I tried hard to swallow down the sob that was threatening to get out of my chest. Two broken promises of his which weren't even his fault and he was going to carry that weight forever on him. He was going to live with it as he said and there was nothing I could do about it. Not a damn thing. What was more painful than this?

"Oh, come on, Elle." He spoke quietly as he mock glared at his sister. "I had expected you to be completely asleep by now but you're still half awake. Well that's maybe because I was talking." He shrugged and she giggled sleepily. "I'm sorry. I'll shut up and you can sleep." He whispered to her, leaned back in the chair and started to rock it, closing his eyes too.

There as I watched from the door, my babies, the only two people to have ever heard my heartbeat from inside me, slept in each other's arms. The very picture of devotion.