I settled in my usual place on the fire escape. I occupied a blue and green striped beach chair. It reminded me of Montauk and summer's past. When my family was actually a family. Now I didn't even know what to call us. I didn't even notice as the sky turned from blue to a mix of fiery colors; I must've been out there for a while.

I watched as Percy's car pulled into his building. He must've seen me because he walked out of the garage a second later and crossed over to my side of the street.

"Mind if I join you?" he called up.

"Sure." I descended the old rusty fire escape to the bottom level and let the ladder down. Percy somehow made climbing the ladder look sexy. I turned and retreated back to my spot with Percy hot on my heels. I reached into my window and pulled out a second chair - Rachel's chair. She would join me out here on occasion. Either when I was in a terrible mood or she needed to reflect. She was the only other person welcome in my private space. Well, I guess Percy's welcome now too.

Percy sat down next to me and took my hand. I accepted it gratefully. We sat in silence and watched as the last of the sun dipped below the horizon.

"Rachel told me what happened at lunch. I'm sorry. It's my fault."

"How do you figure that?"

"If I didn't text you to meet me behind the library, Rachel would've never found out. Your secret would've been safe."

"Oh shut up. I agreed to meet you back there. It's at least half my fault. Plus we were only delaying the inevitable. They would've found out eventually."

"Have you texted any of them?"

"And say what? They don't exactly wanna talk to me at the moment."

"I don't know, just a thought. Anyways, I'm here for a reason," Percy explained. "Can you take the rest of the school week off?"

"Are you insane? Miss school? No way!"

"C'mon, you probably haven't missed a day of school since middle school."

"Since 5th grade, actually." I corrected him. Percy laughed at this.

"Exactly. Nobody will bat an eye if you call in super sick. I already booked the flights."

"Flights to where? I haven't even agreed to anything. You're certifiably insane."

"So I've been told. And it's a surprise, you'll find out when we get there. Also, I was hanging out with Ryan today too after you and Rachel left for lunch, he's a pretty cool dude. He and Rachel are coming as well."

"What are you planning!?"

"A good time. You got a problem with that?"

"If it interferes with school then maybe."

"Oh loosen up a bit. You're always so uptight about everything."

"Easy for you to say when you have everything you could ever want. It's a little harder living a stress free life with a maniacal family and no friends."

"Oh come on, you've got tons of friends."

"Not after today. Now it's just you and Rachel."

"Look, I'm sorry that happened Annabeth, I truly am. But will you please at least consider my offer?"

"Maybe." I replied. Percy grinned at this response. "What are you smiling at?"

"The last time you said 'maybe' to something was one of the best moments of my life." Percy explained, clearly alluding to our kiss earlier today. My cheeks reddened and I couldn't help but smile. "This time's going to be even better."

"I'm gunna hold you to that."

"So you're coming?"

"Oh gods, you're such a bad influence on me! Why do I let you do this?"

"Because you love me." Wow. The L word. I didn't expect that. At least not so soon. Maybe I do love Percy, maybe I don't. Honestly, I'm not sure yet.

"You're getting ahead of yourself." I teased.

"We'll see about that. Anyways, I've gotta get going - I've got dinner tonight with The Domino Trials cast. Just needed to make sure you were on board. I'll text you, see you tomorrow." Percy called over his shoulder as he descended the fire escape.

"I never said yes!" I yelled back.

Percy just laughed. "I'll see you at 7am."

I was curled up in my bed reading a good book when I heard shouting from the hallway. Looks like the family's home. It was almost 8 at this point. Sure enough, the front door swung open and the argument came inside.

I heard my dad shouting. No, shouting doesn't even do it justice. He was exploding like a nuclear bomb. I tried to drown out this daily occurrence, but it was worse than usual. I could tell he was drunk, like, really drunk.

Out of nowhere, my step-mother darted into my room, slamming and locking the door behind her. She sunk to her butt, leaning her back against the door. She had her hands in her face, bawling. We had never been particularly close, we actually hated each other most of the time, but I couldn't help feel bad for her. Normally I chose to stay out of their disagreements, but she left me no choice but to get involved in this one.

"Helen, what on earth is going on?" I asked calmly. My softer tones were drowned out by the screaming of my father as he pounded on the door.

My step mother picked her head up, looking towards me. I gasped. A black eye? Sure he raised his voice every night, but this was a whole new level. I used to just be annoyed by his antics. Now I'm downright scared. "I'm gunna kill you!" I heard from the other side of the door. "You fucking cheating whore!" My stepmother let out a half scream half sob. Well that explains it. I was downright terrified. I started sobbing uncontrollably. I've never been so scared.

Normally I would never pity the unfaithful, especially my step-mother of all people, but this was different. I knew my dad well, and she was as good as dead if he got through that door.

I looked towards her, barely able to get the words through my tears. I managed to squeak out "Barricade. Door." Helen got the message. We pushed everything we could find in front of the door - my bed, dresser, desk, and bookshelf. I was still hysterical. I needed to leave.

I ran towards my window, prying it open. I stepped out onto the slippery fire escape. Helen followed me to the window and watched as I descended to street level, but she didn't join me. If she wanted to stay that was her problem. She'd be safe until morning no doubt, but the rest of the night is going to be a nightmare for her.

I sat on a dumpster and threw my hands in my face, sobbing. Where was I supposed to go? I couldn't show up at Mike's, not like this. The Vagabonds were likely already there, seeing as Ryan was one of Mike's best friends and they likely went over to help set up. That left me with one option.

I whipped out my phone and opened snapchat. I found Percy's contact and sent him a message.

Annabeth: Please please please tell me you're still home. (9:01pm)

Percy: I was about to leave, what's up? (9:03pm)

Annabeth: I'm coming over. (9:03pm)

I didn't wait for a reply. I sprinted across the street and into Percy's building. The doorman simply let me through, as he was unable to deal with my hysterics. I took the elevator to the fourth floor and guessed at which door was his. It had only occurred to me now that I've never actually been to his place. I knocked quietly as I tried to compose myself. As soon as Percy opened the door I lost control of my emotions once more. I threw myself onto him, sobbing into his shoulder. He hugged me back, cupping the small of my back with one hand and running his fingers through my hair with the other. He was gentle for his size, and extremely comforting.

We stood in the doorway for almost 10 minutes. He didn't say anything, but I didn't mind. It was clear he was concerned. Finally, I collected myself enough to speak. "I'm sorry." I mumbled.

"What for?"

"You were - you were about to go out." I stuttered, still unable to speak clearly.

"I'm sure it wouldn't have been that fun anyways. C'mon in, you anything?"

"A water would be nice." I managed.

Percy came back a minute later with a glass of water and a sweatshirt, which he proceeded to throw in my face. Charming. "You were shivering at the door," he explained. I smiled at him graciously and slipped the hoodie over my head. There was nothing more comforting than an oversized sweatshirt, especially from the guy you're in love with. Percy sat down next to me on the couch. I lay down on my side, putting my head on his lap.

We sat in silence for another ten minutes. He started to play with my hair at some point.

Finally, I took a deep breath. I felt Percy had the right to know what was going on considering I just burst into his apartment out of the blue on the verge of a mental breakdown.

"It's my dad…" I began. I told him about the constant drinking and yelling. The non stop fighting between him and Helen. How I felt like a stranger in my own house. And finally about the black eye. Percy was a great listener, way better than I expected. It surprised me that someone with such a perfect life could be compassionate about something like this, as if he understood where I was coming from. I started hysterically crying again. I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. I was surprised I still had any in me.

"My dad wasn't the best either, far from it," he explained calmly. "That's how my mom got into acting. He was physically abusive. Never towards me, but almost daily towards my mother. My earliest memories are him beating her senseless." Percy shuttered after this comment. I had a feeling he'd never told anyone about this. "When I was 4, my mom couldn't take it anymore. She tried her hardest to stay in the relationship for my sake, but it became clear that it wasn't healthy for me nor her to live in that house any longer."

I watched Percy intently as he relived the horrors of his past. His eyes began to water, but he trudged on. "We lived in Arizona at the time. One day when my dad was at work she packed up the car and told me to get in. We drove for hours upon hours before finally arriving in Los Angeles that night. Thankfully that was the last I've ever seen of my dad. I doubt he's even alive anymore, not that that matters. He probably overdosed on one of the many drugs he consumed on a daily basis."

I sat up next to Percy and leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him close. He accepted my comfort graciously. "The first year in California was hard, really hard. We lived in a 3 bedroom house with about 20 other people, all of us barely able to make ends meet. Then one day, miraculously, my mom got her first acting gig. She rose to instant stardom after the release of The Door. Soon enough, waves of cash started to flow in. We were finally free. She gave half of her proceeds from the movies to the other families we'd been living with before we left. She was always a kind hearted person. She wanted the best for everybody, not just herself and me. She's always been that way, and probably always will be."

"She sounds like a great mother." I commented. "I wish I had someone like her in my life."

Percy smiled as a tear rolled down his cheek. I reached up with the sleeve of my sweatshirt to wipe it away. "She's the best. Above and beyond what could be expected of any mother. Truly a special woman."

Percy and I sat together for hours that night, spilling our sob stories to each other. By the end of the night we knew everything about one another. At least about the not so good parts of our past. We developed an unbreakable bond. It's crazy how shared trauma can do that to people. Knowing that someone else had gone through something as similar and fucked up as you have, but that they somehow made it through too. There's an understanding that nobody else could even begin to understand, and a trust that comes with it. I'd known Percy for less than a week and I trusted him more than anybody else on this planet. That sort of thing doesn't come easily, especially with me.

We fell asleep together on the coach, his arms wrapped around me like a cocoon. I've never felt more comfortable, more safe, more wanted in my entire life. It felt good.