Chapter 2

POV: Annabeth

"You're telling me I spent all of last night talking to and making out with a stranger, and not only did he not try to take me to bed but he also helped you carry me and Thalia to the Uber? And you have no idea what their name was or anything about them?" I asked, flabbergasted at what Piper just revealed to me.

"Yep," Piper said matter of factly, "Any other questions or can I go do my schoolwork?"

I waved her off and slammed my face into my hands. I knew nothing about this boy, but I wanted to know. He seemed nice and courteous, and wasn't just interested in getting in my pants. Piper had told me that his eyes almost never left mine when I was talking. I had to find this mysterious man. I didn't think that we would fall in love or anything, but I just needed more information.

I got up from the table and slowly made my way to my bedroom, where I changed out of my work clothes and fell into bed. Usually I would spend the night working on building plans for my portfolio, but I was exhausted and had a lot to think about. I was just about to fall asleep when I heard the distinct sound of my phone vibrating on my nightstand. I rolled back onto my back, picked up my phone, and opened it up.

I scrolled through my notifications and noticed a text from someone named Seaweed Brain on my phone. Seaweed Brain? Wait, that was the name that Pipes said I used for the mysterious man last night. The text message read: Hey Wisegirl. I had fun last night. Hope to see you again soon. I chose to ignore the message for now, knowing I was too tired to make a good decision.

I fell asleep with thoughts of Seaweed Brain in my head, but my dreams were not nearly as pleasant. I dreamt of Him and my 3 torturous years of beatings, cheating, and gaslighting. I dreamt of the first time I walked in on Him cheating on me, and then I dreamt of a week later, the first time he hit me. I didn't know what to do at the time. I was still in college and he was paying for where I was living. I didn't want to burden my friends with my issues and I hadn't seen my family since I had graduated high school.

So I stayed. I suffered through the abuse and the cheating. I started cutting myself off from my friends, knowing that they would put themselves in harm's way if I told them about him. Eventually they found out though. I could only keep them from the truth for so long. One evening when he was out with one of his other girlfriends, Thalia and Piper broke into the apartment furious at me for cutting them off. Before they could launch into their tirade though, they found me lying on the couch with a bloody nose and a nice big bruise developing on my cheek.

I knew from then I couldn't hide it anymore so I let it all out. While explaining everything to them, Piper went and started packing up my stuff and making sure that I got out of there. After I was packed, we waited for him to come home, and when he did, he was mad. He came in, red in the face, immediately making his way to where I was sitting on the couch. He failed to notice my two friends, who had stopped in the hallway upon his entrance. He came up to me and slammed a fist into my face.

That was enough for Thalia who immediately sprung onto his back and pulled him down to the ground where she started to beat his face. "Annabeth is coming with us, and you are going to fuck off. If I ever see you again, I will not hesitate," Thalia said through gritted teeth, "Let's go Annie." She grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door, Piper following close behind.

It has been two years since then, but I still dream of him almost every night. He haunts me no matter how hard I try to forget. My therapist says it's normal and I will get better over time, but I'm not convinced. Somehow though, Seaweed Brain was able to make me feel better and I at least wanted to meet him and thank him.

I woke up later around four in the morning. This also happened frequently, because of my dreams. I would lay in bed for hours most mornings, processing what I had dreamt and crying for the years I lost to him. I continued to lay in bed even after Piper left for class. I had the day off luckily, as those dreams left me worse than usual today.

Once Thalia left for work I got out of bed and decided to get out of the house. I needed to be doing something. I took a quick shower and got dressed in leggings and an old Harvard hoodie that was my mom's. I made my way out of the apartment building and started walking to my work. Even on our days off you could often find Piper and me at Godly Nectar, working on schoolwork or just hanging out.

I made my way into the shop, avoiding the line of customers that was nearly out the door. I looked towards the counter where I saw Sally working away like a madman to make the coffee and the other employees, Silena and Beckendorf, taking orders and running the food. Sally noticed me and I gave her a look as to say Do you need Help? She shook her head and I went and sat down on one of the loveseats in the corner.

Thirty minutes later, after the rush had died down, Silena brought over my usual order of the biggest black coffee possible and a blueberry scone. "So Annie, did you have a good time at my party?"

I gave her my best glare before responding, "Its Annabeth. And honestly I don't remember much. Did you happen to see me talking to anyone that night?"

"I didn't see you at all after we spoke at first. Why?" she inquired then suddenly gasped, "Oh my gods Annabeth did you meet a boy?"

I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. I apparently did meet a boy but I had no idea who it was and wasn't sure I wanted to respond to his text. "I guess? Apparently I met a boy but I have no idea who and neither does Piper. I was hoping you saw who it was." I could feel the weight of my phone sitting in my pocket with an unopened text on it.

"Well, I didn't, sorry. Hopefully you can find him. I've got to get back to work now or Sally will have my head," Silena chuckled. I was thankful that she left, I needed some time alone to think. I pulled out my phone and opened the text from Seaweed Brain. I hadn't a clue as to how to respond so my fingers just went on autopilot: Heyy Seaweed Brain. I had fun too. Would love to see you again soon as well.

I hit send before I could think and immediately regretted my message. Did I seem desperate? Would he not want to actually see me again? What if he was just being courteous? Doubts plagued my mind about both him and what I was to him. I decided to ignore any more texts and just try to relax for the rest of the day.

I left the shop around five in the afternoon and made my way to one of my favorite places in the city, Chiron's Library. It was an old bookstore that sat about ten minutes south of my apartment. It was run by a middle aged man named Chiron Brunner. Mr. Brunner was like a father to me when I moved to New York for college. He consoled me when I was homesick and celebrated me when I graduated with honors from Columbia. He was one of the kindest people I've ever met, and I really needed to talk to him badly.

I walked into the door, a bell ringing over my head. Mr. Brunner rolled out of the back room and his face lit up when he saw me. "Ah, Annabeth, long time no see?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry Mr. Brunner. I've been busy with work and I finally don't have to work doubles anymore to make rent."

"That's great dear. But I sense that you did not just stop by to catch up. What's bothering you?" He asked, his voice laced with concern. So I explained it all to him. The party, the still continuing nightmares, the fear I held for relationships. I laid all my cards out there and when I was done and I looked up. Mr. Brunner was giving me a sly smile and didn't seem to grasp the weight of my issues.

"What are you so happy about?" I questioned. As far as I was concerned, I was having a crisis. But he just chuckled and took off his glasses.

"Annabeth, I'm happy for you because for the first time since Him, you had a good night's sleep. But only after being in the company of the mysterious Seaweed Brain," Mr. Brunner informed. He was right of course. No matter what, I almost always had nightmares, but after the party I came home and slept like the dead. No disturbances. Hell I even almost slept too late.

"You see Annabeth. Luke-"

"Don't say his name!" I spat out.

"Sorry. He was a horrible person. Just awful. But he should not prevent you from moving forward and living your life. Don't let Him break you permanently. I'm not saying this mystery man is the love of your life, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy your time with him. Text him back and see where it goes. Just know that if something goes wrong again, Thalia will kill him," he assured.

Once again. He was right. Mr. Brunner was always right. He knew exactly what to say and exactly when to say it. Nothing that ever came out of his mouth was unimportant. I listened closely and I made a decision. I would ask out Seaweed Brain.

After thanking Mr. Brunner repeatedly, I left the bookstore and started walking back home, thinking about what I should say. I figured my best bet would be to make it home and ask Piper. She always knew what to do in these situations and she was my best friend. She would never lead me astray.