"Hey, you okay?" Percy asked me.
I bit my lip, nodding briefly without meeting his eyes. We were sitting at the kitchen counter, waiting anxiously. I couldn't tear my gaze away from the clock on the wall. The hands pointed to places almost opposite of each other, the time being "3:52." My mom was scheduled to arrive at the ranch in eight minutes.
I didn't realize my hands were shaking as they were folded up on the counter until I felt a warm palm engulf them, stilling the nervous movement. My eyes flitted up to Percy's, who was watching me in concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked again, his voice more firm.
I took a deep breath. "I'm fine. There's nothing wrong, I'm just . . ." I trailed off, not exactly knowing where I was going.
To be honest, everything was wrong right now. After that big fight that I had with my mother, the last thing I wanted to do was see her in person. Every second now I was putting up barriers in my mind, building a strong wall so I wouldn't collapse under my mother's yells and arguments and the unbearable headaches that would follow once she got here. I knew she wouldn't like what I had said to her, but I wouldn't want to take it back anyways. She needed to hear it all.
But that didn't make my anxiety disappear.
"It'll be okay," I said. However, my voice sounded as if I was trying to believe that sentence myself.
Percy gave my hand a squeeze. "Well, if you need anything, I'm always available."
I managed a small smile. "Thanks, Percy," I said quietly. My hands moved as I rearranged one so I was holding Percy's hand in return. He gave me an encouraging grin, his green eyes shining warmth.
Just at that moment, the door opened and someone stepped in. I quickly retracted my hand from Percy's and whirled around.
Athena Chase, my dear mother (please note the sarcasm), stood there in all her stubbornness and pride. The first thing I saw was her gaze that had instantly gone to our recently intertwined hands. Then she turned her sharp eyes to me. Taking a deep breath, I steadily returned her stare.
Her eyes narrowed, and she didn't even offer a greeting to either me or Percy, who had now stood and was watching us both warily. Poseidon came down the stairs. He'd offered to go pick my mom up from the airport, but she had declined, saying she wanted to take a taxi. Despite his generosity, he looked rather relieved that he didn't have to. They hated each other for some reason, so the two of them in a car alone probably wouldn't end well.
"Hello, Athena," Poseidon said. She nodded tightly in return.
For a moment, everyone stood there in awkward silence.
"Do you want anything to drink?" Poseidon ventured.
She shook her head. "No. I would like to speak with my daughter. Alone."
I grit my teeth, not saying anything. When Poseidon sent me a questioning glance, I dipped my head in confirmation. Let's get this over with.
"Alright, then," he said. "You can go out to the stables or barn." He looked like he was forcing the words out. Poseidon had become something like a surrogate father to me, caring and protective. He hated this, knowing I was going to get an earful.
But his son hated it more. Percy's eyes were flitting between all of us. They finally rested on me, an anguished light in them. He didn't want me to go alone. If he could decide, he would go with me, but then he'd try to defend me and back me up and my mom would hate him and he would be dragged into this huge mess. I didn't want him to do that.
So I sent him a half-hearted reassuring smile, walking towards the door. As I passed my mom, I could practically feel her aura of cold anger.
I led the way out the door. The rain had come, as promised, but there was a slight break now. Drizzles splattered the wet concrete, making spheres in the puddles as I trudged to the stables. If I couldn't be with Percy or Poseidon, I at least wanted to be with the horses.
Ducking into the large building, I made my way to Porkpie's stall. His head popped out, almost knocking off the cowboy hat Percy had given me, which was hanging on a hook by the stall entrance. The yellow horse nickered a greeting as I patted his head, then he turned a wary eye onto the newcomer.
My mother walked up, standing a few feet behind me. None of us said anything. She just stared at me while I kept my back to her.
But this waiting was getting under my skin. I needed something to happen. Even though I hid it well, my ADHD did act up a lot.
So I pivoted, putting my hands on my hips. "Go on. Yell at me. Scream. Tell me I'm the disrespectful daughter, and that you wish I could've been more like Malcolm."
She didn't respond. Instead, she cocked her head, studying me. It wasn't friendly, but at least she wasn't shouting at me.
Her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun, whereas mine was falling unceremoniously around my shoulders. She was in a business suit, tight knee length skirt and matching dark grey jacket, with professional high heels that were way overpriced adorning her feet, while I had thrown on some jeans and an old t-shirt, the cuffs of the denim shoved into my boots.
Everybody said we looked alike. But other than the same hair and stormy grey eyes, I found all that bogus. I was nothing like my mother. After all, how can you be like someone who just bosses you around? You have to look up to a person and want to follow their actions to actually be like them.
"Well?" I urged, now crossing my arms.
"How are your lessons going?" she asked. Her voice was tight, tense.
I frowned. "Fine."
"Do you like the horses?"
Ookay . . . this is weird. "Yeah, of course," I replied slowly.
"Really? Even if they, say, buck you off and give you a concussion?" Her voice had finally risen to that angry tone, confronting me.
I let out a sigh. "Phew, mom. You had me worried there. I thought something was wrong-you were actually having a nice conversation with me."
She narrowed her eyes. "Get rid of that sarcasm, Annabeth Chase. Answer me."
Biting the inside of my cheek, I said, "How did you find out?"
Athena scoffed. "Oh, please. I'm your agent, I figure these things out."
"Funny, I thought you were going to say 'mother'," I spat. "But it looks like the position of being an agent to your daughter comes before being a parent. Makes sense."
"Do you not listen?" she demanded. "Stop with the sarcasm, we just need to have a clear, logical and wise talk."
"Logical?" I said, taking a step closer, my own voice rising to match hers. "'Logical' is the exact opposite of every single one of the conversations we have. And don't get me started on wisdom. I know people sometimes nickname you the 'goddess of wisdom,' but if that was true, then we wouldn't even need to have this conversation. Your brain wouldn't be so muddled up and you could see my side of the argument, which makes perfect sense."
"Teenagers." She said the word like it was a curse. "They always think they're right. They think they've got everything under control, that the world fits right into their palm. Guess what? I know that's not true! I've been there, Annabeth."
"So have you just come all the way to Colorado to tell me that what I'm doing is stupid?" A few horses had looked up at the shouting, but I paid them no heed. "You're the one who sent me here. So if you think this is stupid, then take me away. Because apparently whatever you say goes."
Athena let out a huff, shifting her stance. "What if I did? What if I told you you've become disrespectful and too lazy here at this secluded ranch, and that you are going to come back with me to California?"
My stomach clenched, but I didn't let that show. Instead I rolled my eyes in a dismissive way. "You wouldn't do that anyway. You want me in this movie because it could bring lots of money. Therefore I need to stay and learn to ride."
"You know there's such a thing as other ranches, right?"
I turned an accusing eye onto her. "Now look who's being sarcastic."
She ignored me. "I could easily transfer you, but you don't want that, do you?"
I was quiet for a second. Not because I didn't know the answer to that question, because, gods, I wanted to stay here. I didn't want to leave.
"No," I replied quietly, looking at the ground.
"Is it because of Percy?"
My gaze shot up to her. "What? What do you mean?" I queried cautiously.
"I'm not stupid, Annabeth. I know you like him."
"I do not-"
"I can tell. I hear the way you talk about him, the way you looked at him just now. I think you're losing your touch in acting, I can see right through you."
I grit my teeth. "There's nothing going on," I said slowly, accentuating each word. "He has a girlfriend!"
"Looks like that hasn't stopped you."
My jaw clenched as I looked away, trying to take control over my anger. "I told you, there's nothing going on. And nothing ever will be."
She narrowed her eyes. "Good."
"Why do you care?" I said.
"Because," she said simply. "Because he's not the kind of boy you want to hang with, Annabeth."
"Oh, I highly disagree. You don't know him like I do. Percy is better than most guys I know. Better than most guys in general," I fumed. She can say anything about me, but she can not insult Percy.
"Better than Luke?" my mother said quietly, her tone challenging.
I actually took a small step back at her words. Luke. That word brought in a rush of feelings that battled with my newly accepted feelings for Percy. I didn't know which one was stronger at the moment. Percy or Luke. They were exact opposites-you'd think I'd be able to decide. Luke is smart and solemn, Percy is adorably dumb and goofy. Luke is world-wide popular, Percy is popular in this small town in Colorado. Luke's name makes butterflies rise in me, Percy's name makes me want to smile.
But the two biggest differences was that they lived in different worlds. And Luke-he lived in mine. The Hollywood world, the one with fame and fortune, movies and parties. Percy lived in this humble world, with close friends and nature as companions.
As if she read my thoughts, my mother said calmly, "You're home is in California. It's not here. Every time I get the chance to speak with you, I realize you are slowly forgetting your real home, Annabeth. You need to remember that you live among movie stars, being one yourself. You live as an actress, not some nobody like the people in this town. You are higher than them."
"Oh, because that doesn't sound at all arrogant, mother," I spat.
"But it's true," she countered. "And you can't deny that. California is where you belong, with me and Luke and acting. Don't let these false ideas of happiness here lead you astray. You're better than that. You're an actress."
"Have you ever thought that maybe I used my acting on a daily basis?" I said suddenly, having had enough of this.
She frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Have you ever wondered if every day, when I wake up and smile and wave for the cameras and people and everything seems perfect in my life, that maybe I'm acting? Maybe not everything's as perfect as it seems? Maybe I'm not that happy with my life?"
Athena stared at me for a second. "You can't be serious. You love acting."
"Yes, I love acting. I love it so much. But I also love-I love simplicity. I love waking up in the morning to pure silence except for the nature outside. I love having nobody rush up to me and beg for a picture or autograph. I love not having the constant threat of Paparazzi or whatever taking notes of my every move, just waiting to find a mistake. I love it here. I feel normal." The last part was a whisper, a desperate tone filled with longing.
It was so true. I had become attached to everything about this ranch. The horses, the people, the nature.
"So, yes," I wrapped up. "I love acting. But if being an actress means you're bossed around by a mother and are forced to wake up each day and fake happiness when I could find it for real somewhere else, I'm not sure acting is the thing for me."
There. The words were out.
And my mother didn't seem to fully register them for a second. Her grey eyes were wide, staring straight into my obstinate ones.
"What?" she hissed. "Don't be stupid."
"I'm not being stupid," I said. "I would keep being an actress if you could just subtract all the things I just said. But that's not happening."
"Annabeth, you've got your head in the clouds. Acting is what's best for you," she said sternly.
I exhaled harshly, raising my hands in exasperation. "Gods, how many times do I have to tell you to convince you I'm being honest?"
"As many times as you want, but it'll be pointless, because you'll never make me agree to this-this wild and absolutely foolish thought."
"There!" I said, pointing. "You act like everything I do needs to have your approval! You may be my agent, but until you start acting like my mother, I'm never going to let you have a say in my personal life!"
We were both flushed from fury, glaring into each other's faces.
I don't know what would've happened next. From the look in Athena's eyes, probably something not very good. But then someone walked into the stable.
Both of our heads snapped to the entryway, finding Percy standing there. He looked between the both of us. If he was smart, he'd sense the unbearable tension lined with rage and get out of here as fast as he could to safety. But instead, he squared his shoulders, standing there.
"What are you doing here?" my mom said coarsely.
He replied quietly. "I came here to make sure Annabeth was okay."
Athena rolled her eyes. "Don't be stupid, she's fine. Now go."
Percy ignored her, instead walking over to me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. The one simple, kind action made me want to cry into his shoulder. One tiny touch from him could strip down all my walls and make me defenseless and unprotected.
"Are you okay?" he asked me, staring directly into my eyes.
Gods, he was brave. Not everybody would directly defy my mother-she could be quite scary.
I nodded slightly, but he frowned, not believing me.
"I said leave. I need to speak with my daughter," my mother said through gritted teeth.
Percy, bless his amazing, stupid soul, just swung around to face my mother, me behind his shoulder. "Then talk."
She rolled her eyes again. "Do you know the meaning of the word 'alone,' boy?"
He shrugged. "Maybe. I think I learned sometime. My name's Percy, by the way. Nice to meet you, too."
She wrinkled her nose, staring at him like he was a piece of garbage on a sidewalk in the city. "I need to speak with my daughter."
He stroked his chin, pretending to think. "Hm. Let's take a vote. All in favor of me staying, raise their hand."
He raised both of his while I just shook my head in wonder at his audacity. Then he grabbed my hand, pushing it high. "Ah, looks like I'm staying," he stated triumphantly.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, hiding a smile. "Percy, just go."
Failing to take notice of my words, he just continued to Athena. "Feel free to keep speaking. Don't worry, I won't judge." Behind his back, in plain sight for me but hidden from Athena, he crossed two fingers. I sent my eyes to the ceiling.
My mom had been staring in shock. I think this is probably the first person to outrightly resist her command, and it happened to be an eighteen-year-old boy.
"Excuse me?" she spluttered.
"You're excused. Now what were you saying?" he said politely. I stifled chuckles behind my hand, but Athena's next words took that away quickly.
My mom seemed to have regained her composure, and she said coolly, "I was just telling Annabeth that I'm taking her back with me to California. Today."
My eyes flashed up to meet hers in horror. She couldn't be serious.
I couldn't see Percy's reaction to that, but his back tensed up quickly, and his fist clenched.
"She agrees to this?" he asked after a few tense seconds. It sounded like he was forcing the words.
"No!" I burst out. "No, I don't. Mom, you can't do this." I took a step forward, placing myself in front of Percy. I watched my mother. She let no emotion show, no sign of what she might be thinking.
"I don't think that's quite fair," Percy said sternly. "If you want a say in Annabeth's life, you better show some care as a mother before that."
Athena's jaw dropped. She looked like she was going to slap Percy, and I got prepared to stop her.
Percy and I both waited with bated breath.
"Fine." The one word she uttered sent my world crashing back into place once more. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Fine, you'll stay," she said. Her voice was calm, like the eye in a storm. "Stay here and try to prove to me that you'll be happy here. I can guarantee this isn't the world for you, but if it takes only a couple months for your naive head to wrap around that fact, then I'll give those few months. I have to leave."
"You're not staying longer?" Percy asked from behind me in confusion.
She turned a hard eye onto him. "I have nothing to stay for."
Those words hit me like a punch to the gut. She sees her daughter for the first time in a month or so and she doesn't even greet me. She gives me a lecture, then basically says she doesn't want to see me anymore.
I averted my eyes, looking to my side with controlled breathing. I caught Percy's sympathetic gaze in my peripheral vision.
"But I will send someone. Someone to watch you're progress for a day or two, make sure you're learning something, not canoodling mindlessly," my mom said further. I bit my lip, wondering who she'd send. Hopefully not one of her stuck-up, snobbish friends. But I at least got to stay. That made me happy.
With that, she spun on her heel and walked out the door, not without giving Percy a glowering scowl. He just stared steadily back until she was gone from our sight, picking up her phone to call a taxi.
Percy watched her. "No offense, but gods, is she always like that?"
I could feel tears spring to my eyes suddenly. She was so annoying, so irritating. She cared about very little, other than being successful. Sometimes I felt like I was loving her only because she was labelled my mom, and then I feel guilty.
But also sad. Because a mother is all I want, one that cares about me. It looks like I wouldn't be getting that today.
However, I squeezed my eyes shut, driving the tears away before facing Percy.
"Thank you, Percy," I said. "Even though it was extremely dumb, and now you've dragged yourself into this mess and you're probably on her hate list-which is a bad position-you stood up to her for me. Not a lot of people do that."
He frowned. "Well, more should. You deserve better." He said it casually, like it was a known fact. It still didn't stop the butterflies as they started dancing in my stomach.
But then my mind shot back to my mother's words.
She was right, however much I didn't want it to be. I belonged in the world I grew up in. I couldn't just up and leave that. My feelings for Percy were just going to mess things up, and they made my feelings for Luke even more messed up.
That didn't mean I would change anything, though. Despite my mother's disbelief, being here at the ranch with the horses and Percy had been the closest I'd ever gotten to happiness.
"Well, since she's gone, do you want to go do a puzzle?" he asked me.
I narrowed my eyes at the random words. "A puzzle? But you hate puzzles."
"Yeah, but you like to do them. Come on," he said, beckoning towards me as he started out of the stable. "But I get to pick it. We're doing the one with the fish and dolphins."
Sending my eyes skyward, I muttered, "Seaweed Brain."
But already he had me smiling, and it pierced through my fog of sorrowful longing.
We went outside just as my mom was driving away. She didn't even say goodbye.
Percy glanced at me, seemed to sense this, and grabbed my hand, pulling me along. "Let's go, slowpoke. I'm hungry."
"I thought we were doing a puzzle?"
"There's this wonderful thing called multitasking. But since I can't do that, you can do the puzzle while I eat."
A laugh was torn from me, and my mood lifted. Already my mind was picking itself up from the void it dropped in whenever my mom and I got into a serious fight. It usually took days to do so, to actually smile genuinely. And now I was smiling and even laughing in a few minutes after.
This boy.
Sorry 'bout the cliffie on the last chapter. I just can't help it. I used to accuse Uncle Rick for his awful cliffhangers, but now I'm labeling myself a hypocrite. ;)
My trip was amazing, thanks to so many of you for asking! Those reviews make me smile. They aren't just demanding for a new chapter, they're actually reading my author's notes that sometimes can be boring, and remembering them. I can't help but think, "Ah, I like that person." So thanks again!
But yeah, my trip was awesome. NYC was incredible-I loved Bryant Park especially. And Wicked was SPECTACULAR. It is so cool. :) :) :)
Q&A and the talks.
rocketgod123: No, nobody knows about the Rachel/Percy scandal but Percy, Annabeth, Sally, and Paul. They tried to keep it down. Sorry if that was confusing. Also, you'll figure out who Rachel was with later. ;)
Jedi1: Well, for Annabeth it's a bit watered down. It's fine if she has two crushes, but at least she didn't cheat on her boyfriend.
Skyline: I saw the Empire State Building from afar, but I didn't go inside. I kept looking at the top and imagining Mount Olympus. XD
UnknownPerson: Aww, thanks! But actually, I have an account on Wattpad (the username is the same as Fanfiction) and I'm writing a story on there, and I'm planning a few more already. Feel free to check it out. :)
: I'm trying to fit in a time when Annabeth will meet the others. It'll be soon. :)
awesooooooome: DON'T WORRY. You don't have to wait tragically and pine for too long. ;)
Thanks for reviewing! I'll update soon, I swear it on the Styx. Love ya'll. :)