Annabeth's POV:
The last time I was in a hospital was three years ago. My parents had just gotten into a car accident. By the time I made it through the New York City traffic, they were already gone. I remember sitting in a white room with uncomfortable chairs, crying my eyes out. I remember hugging Bobby and Matthew and never letting go of them. I even remember the nurse's name who delivered the horrible news. I never thought I would have to relive that day. I made a silent oath to myself that I'd never come back to this hospital. Yet, here I am. I muster up all the strength I can manage, and open the door.
It smells the same- clean and sterile. It's quiet and everybody is minding their own business. I walk up to the lady at the front desk.
"Excuse me, can I have a room number please?" I ask quickly. She holds up a finger to me, silently telling me to wait.
"No, ma'am you don't understand, it's an emergency." I say impatiently.
"Fine, name?" Her tone is crisp.
"Matthew Chase."
"Okay, let's see," She drags her finger down what I assume is a list on her computer, "Ah, yes Matthew Chase, room A one sixteen, pediatric ward."
I mumble a quick, "Thank You," and break out in a run to the Pediatric ward. After getting lost a few times, I find his room. I knock rapidly and barge in.
I see Matthew laying down in bed, a white sheet just below his chin. He is smiling, which lifted my spirit a fraction. I see Bobby sitting on the bed down by his feet. And Maggie is seated at his bedside, her hand in his. I smile at Matthew.
"Hey Annabeth, glad you could make it." I laugh at his antics, and make my way over to the other side of his bed. I take his other hand in mine.
"How are you feeling?" I ask.
"I feel fine, if you don't count my broken ankle." I look towards Maggie, surprised at the news. She looks at me apologetically.
"We just found out he has a broken ankle." She explains. I nod my head towards the door, signaling that I want to talk to her.
"Matt, me and Annabeth are going to talk outside. Just call if you need us, we'll be right back." Maggie tells Matthew. I nod my head in agreement. I kiss Matthew and Bobby on the forehead and make my way outside.
Once we are safely on the other side of the closed door, Maggie starts to speak.
"They say it's curable. They're saying that we caught it at a really early stage. His doctor keeps saying how lucky he is."
I let out a breath of air, that I didn't realize I was holding in. "That's great news. What kind of treatment does he need?"
Maggie's face turns ashen. It almost looks like she's going to cry. "Chemotherapy."
"Maggie, if we can get him through this, then we'll do whatever it takes." I try comforting her.
"No Annabeth, you don't understand. Matthew's insurance won't cover it."
My heart stops. I don't have a job. All Maggie has is retirement checks. How the hell are we supposed to pay for chemotherapy? "I'll have to get a job."
"Yes, me too." Maggie says.
"No, Maggie I can't let you do that. These are supposed to be your golden years. You've done enough for this family."
"Annabeth, if you're going to stand here and try to talk me out of this, then I'm leaving and going back inside that room."
I smile at her. "You're insane, Maggie."
"I'm an old lady, what do you expect? I'm not going to become a prostitute." I laugh at the thought. "If anything, I'll become a substitute teacher again."
"Are you sure?" I ask warily.
"Positive. Now go visit that brother of yours. And try to make him laugh. I hear it's the best thing for cancer."
That's Maggie for you, thinking that the world's problems can be solved by a simple little giggle.
I come home to see Thalia sitting on the couch, watching crappy television. I make my way over to her.
"What happened? One minute you're here and the next you're running out the door."
"I'm sorry. I got a call from Maggie. Matthew hurt his leg and when they did an X-ray, they found cancer cells. I rushed down to the hospital. I forgot to tell you where I was going." There is a giant pause in the room as Thalia takes in what I just said. When she speaks, it's quietly, as if I'll break if she says the wrong thing to me.
"Holy shit. That's terrible. I'm so sorry." She wraps me in a big hug. I was grateful for it. I really needed one at the moment. "Is he going to be okay?" She asks.
"Yeah, but he needs Chemo. And his insurance doesn't cover it." My voice cracks at the end of the sentence. I can tell that Thalia is trying to come up with a solution.
"I could call up my Dad, ask him for mone-"
I cut her off. "No, Thals I couldn't ask you to do that for me. You know I hate charity."
"No you hate people who try and help you." Thalia responds stubbornly.
I ignore her. "Maggie and I are going to get jobs. We'll find a way and work something out."
"So now you're on the job hunt?"
"Yes, big time. If you know of anything, please tell me. And it has to pay well too."
She snorts. "Good luck with that adventure."
"Thanks, I'm going to bed."
The next day I have successfully taken my history exam. And despite everything that's going on in my head, I think I did pretty well. I have spent the entire day afterwards looking for a job. I've come up with nothing. Every place isn't looking for any employees or all they pay is minimum wage. It's been one hell of a day.
By the time I get home, I'm irritable and crabby. I open my door quickly and make my way into my room. I decide to take a shower. During the middle of taking my shower, I briefly hear the door shut loudly.
"Annie, I'm home!" I hear her yell. I roll my eyes at her, even though she can't see me.
I turn the water off and step out of the shower. I wrap a towel around my body, and walk out of the bathroom, ready to tell Thalia about my bad day.
What I see makes me freeze in my tracks. Percy Jackson, in all his handsome glory, sitting on my couch. He is casually drinking a coffee and watching TV. Our eyes meet from across the room and he gives me a smirk.
"Can I ask why the Percy Jackson is sitting on my couch?" I ask, ignoring his wandering eyes.
"Can I ask why you're only in a towel?" His voice is low and soft when he speaks.
"I just took a shower, not that it's any of your business." He laughs at my response.
"You're a little feisty, has anyone ever told you that?" I roll my eyes at him. "Not that I'm complaining about seeing a beautiful woman in just a towel."
My cheeks grow red of their own accord. He thinks I'm beautiful? Not that I care or anything.
"I'm just going to go get changed." I make my way towards my room, feeling his eyes on my back the entire time.
Percy Jackson is in my apartment. Relax, he's here for Thalia. I don't even like the guy. I grab some light washed skinny jeans and a nice T-shirt and throw them on. I comb through my hair and make my way to the kitchen. I try to ignore Percy as I start to cook dinner.
"Thals, what do you want for dinner?" I yell towards her bedroom door. Percy answers my question instead.
"I'd like steak please, and maybe some mashed potatoes?" I look over at Percy's smirk bearing face. "That's great. Why don't you make it yourself?" I smirk back at him.
"Come on, a chance to make steak for Percy Jackson and you're not jumping at the chance?"
"Sorry, I guess I just don't really like you very much." He looks surprised, and slightly impressed by my answer. I hear Thalia make her way into the room.
"Put the claws away Annie, that's your new boss that you're talking to." I turn my head in her direction quickly, giving her a questioning gaze.
"What are you talking about?"
"Well you see Annie," Percy cuts in, while I glare venomously at him for calling me Annie, "I am in the market for a new assistant. And Thalia here tells me that you're looking for a job."
"I am actually. Thanks Thalia." I send a grateful smile her way. "And how much does this new job pay?" I ask eagerly. He gives me a smile.
"Don't worry, I think you'll be satisfied with the pay."
"Alright," I say warily, "When do I start?"
"Well right now. You can assist me by making me steak and mashed potatoes." A huge grin makes its way onto his face.
"Sure…boss." I plaster a fake smile onto my face. "Thalia, could I talk to you out on the balcony for a second?" I direct my attention towards her, while gathering frozen steaks from the freezer. She nods her head, and follows my pathway to the balcony, where our grill is located.
Once safely outside, I start to question her. "Did you tell him why I need the money so bad?"
"No! I would never tell him that. That's personal." She responds. Relief floods through me.
"Listen," Thalia starts, "He's not as bad as you think." I snort. "No seriously, he has a good heart. Give him a chance, he's doing this as a favor to me."
"Okay, okay. I'll try to be nice and see for myself if he really is who I think he is."
"Thank you. That's all I ask."
I nod my head and make my way over to the grill on our balcony. "Let's grill some steaks for my new boss."
A/N: It might suck, but I promise that it will get better. I wanted them to meet in this chapter, so you guys wouldn't get too bored. Tell me what you think. (: