Annabeth was never very fond of her mother. Not many memories of her had stuck in her mind, and if they somehow managed to, the bad ones outdid the good ones.

If you can even count a memory of her 'good'.

When did it all start, exactly? Maybe it was when Annabeth was five, and her mother had never been such a mother figure to her. Never around, never quite there. Her birthdays: alone. First day of school: Nowhere. Ooh, this one took the cake! When at age seven Athena left the picture permanently; off to travel the world with no warning whatsoever. It was up to Annabeth to figure that out when she woke up to no one in the house that day. The girl wasn't sure if what she felt. Or what she had to feel. Sadness? Sorrow?

How could you feel sorrow for someone who was never there?

Frederick knew that he had to be the parent figure. And he tried, he'd really tried. But Annabeth couldn't help the feeling of neglect crawl against her skin at every memory of the woman. She kept it to herself because- who would even listen?

"Annabeth." Athena greeted with a slight nod of the head. She smoothed the black fabric of her blazer down, the finely woven material seemingly having no wrinkles.

Her? Annabeth thought, mouth slightly agape with shock. Just why... Was she here?

"A-athe-" She stammered weakly. Annabeth straightened her posture as she fixed her wording. "Mother."

Annabeth expected some sort of memory- flashback- to come into mind, when she saw her mother. Nothing came. All she could feel was- well, nothing. Dullness of the silence. Yet at the same time, all of them. Anger. Confusion. Rage, fear, and... pure shock. Annabeth could barely manage to move a finger before Athena cleared her throat. She winced.

"It has been a while since I've seen you." Athena smiled softly. "Are you doing alright?"

How dare she smile at me. Annabeth clenched her fist before hiding it behind her back, discreetly hidden. She could imagine her knuckles turning white at the action as she forced a smile on her face. Hopefully Athena wasn't someone who was keen with people's emotions.

"Yes. I am." She simply replied, her smile forming into a tight line. Her eyes gleamed with a certain distaste. "Why... Why are you here?"

"I'd like to talk to you. Is that alright?" Athena looked over towards Elizabeth, who Annabeth forgot was standing there. Her grey eyes peirced into Elizabeth's ones. She smiled nervously.

"U-uh," The maid looked over to Annabeth, where she was silently pleading with her not to let her go with Athena. "Of course, ma'am."

Annabeth looked down at the floor.

"Well, come on now. I don't have all day." Athena ushered her over to where she was starting to walk away, giving her an expecting look.

"Alright." A beat of silence. Continuous footsteps.

"So, Annabeth," Athena said as the two walked. Her heels clicked annoyingly on the wooden ground. "I've heard news about you entering the selection. I never thought that you actually did it, though..."

"Is that so."Annabeth deadpanned, staring straight ahead into the distance. It took all her self-control to not burst out and to make a run for it. That seemed like a great option.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She suddenly asked.

Annabeth's lips twitched upwards into a irritated smile. She could almost swear that the world was going red. "You never asked, mom." Annabeth dryly responded, emphasizing on the last word. "You were halfway across the world and you didn't bother to even call me or dad."

"I suppose you're right." Suppose? Athena continued. "So, why did you enter?"

"Well, I mean-"

"You can't go off marrying some prince. How you got this far is beyond me." She coldly stated. "Honestly."

The gardens stood meters away from the two, the air humid and sun beating down relentlessly. The place seemed more... Bland. Could that be Athena's doing? Possibly. Annabeth seemed more

"Is that so." Annabeth sighed as she fiddled with her fingers. There were two outcomes that she could think of. One: she tells her mother that the prince and her are merely mutuals, that's all, and her being there for the purpose of helping him. Or two: lie. Say that she's there to compete in the selection.

( If there was a option three, then Annabeth would take it. Unfortunately the universe does not work like that. Its always this or that; right or wrong.)

(Maybe the universe was just doing its job. If so, that gave Annabeth all the more reason to hate it.)

"I don't intend to marry the prince." And she doesn't. Athena tilts her head to the side.

"Well then..?"

"Me and the prince, Percy," She boldly starts off. It takes all Annabeth's confidence to stops her hand from trembling. But, Gods, she's failing horribly. Pathetically so. "He offered me a deal if I were to enter. I accepted it."

The saying was so simple. Yet so out of context.

"A deal? You two have been making deals? Just how do you-" Athena paused, bringing an hand to pinch the bridge of her nose. "Just how do you know the prince?"

"We've been friends since I was eight. You wouldn've known if you called me since then."

She sighed. "Annabeth... You can't do this."

Annabeth frowned deeper. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Athena looked over to her. "I'm sorry. But I can't let you participate any further."

Can't participate any further. Who was she to tell her what to do? And why? Must she have to ruin everything for her?

"The prince will undertand, I'm sure of it. Just request for your elimination already." Was it getting cold out there, or was it just her? Annabeth struggled for a response.

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"Percy and I made a deal; And I-" She clenched her fist harder. "And I agreed." Annabeth started to explain on how Percy needed her to be there. How she would gladly accept and help him, all without being a big part of it. It seemed as if Athena wasn't listening- she knew that from the very beggining.

"Thats why I need to stay-"

"Annabeth!" She barked, herr once soft gaze turned into a more cold, more harsher one. It held obvious distaste in the situation. "I already know what you're going to say. You'll help him. Maybe develop feelings for him along the way. Let me tell you now: Its not going to work."

Why did that hurt?

"I told you, I don't intend to marry him! So please, just let me.. Do this. I won't prolong it any more than I have too." Annabeth pleaded. there was another reason for her desperation. Hidden in the need of helping her friend, there was... a urge to do more than that. Every time she thought about it, it just got worse. The feeling of bile rising in her stomach every time Percy smiled at another. When she couldn't do but watch as she was left behind in a unfair world.

She knew exactly what is was. And Annabeth was done pretending like she was clueless, but what could the girl do about it?

Helpless. Inexperienced.

She hated that.

"It looks like you don't get it. Do you seriously think that you can compete with royalty? Nobles?"

She continued. Just a twinge of fake sympathy coated her voice. "You aren't one of them, Annabeth. I know that you're aware of that fact. I understand that you want to help the prince, but once you fall for him, you'll surely get your heart broken." Another beat of silence. This time, it was much more longer.

"Unless," Athena's eyes were wide with sudden realization. "Unless you already have."

Annabeth stayed silent. She forced herself to, because who knows what worthless words would sprouting from her mouth if she did?

"You're wrong." She said in defiance. "I'm not as incompetent as you think, mother. I haven't gotten my heart broken. Percy has done nothing to me." That was true. She hated the selection, because who could she blame for her feelings of inferiority? Percy? The participants? They were all innocent; just going along with whatever the selection ruled.

"Then leave. It's the best for you. You've done enough."

She never thought something so unexpected could happen. So uncalled for. Annabeth never thought that her mind could be swayed by someone that was never wise herself, tempting her to leave.

Yet here she was, recalling her choices like a frantic maniac.

"Let me be clear, just so you know." Athena plucked a green leaf from a nearby tree, before letting it drop to the ground. "You aren't worthy enough to be with the prince. It's only a matter of time before he realizes that, too." Annabeth already knew that. From the very beggining, she had been telling herself that- over and over again.

"I'll leave it to you to decide. I'll be leaving the kingdom in a week. That's all the time you have to decide." She finished, leaving Annabeth alone in the garden. The wind rustled her hair, landing in her line of vision. She didn't bother to push them away like she usually did. Annabeth stood there like time had stopped- because maybe it had? It certainly felt like it.

Maybe it was time.

.

.

That night, her wounds throbbed like they were freshly cut.

There was no schedule. You can thank the backlash of the invasion for that. (Maybe Annabeth was a little thankful too.) Guards and poilce alike were cramped in the palace looking for evidence and suspects of the recent events, so things had temporarily delayed for a while. That was fine. But do you know what wasn't fine? Annabeth.

Pain, everywhere. Where was it from, exactly? Maybe from the pure sadness that the blonde was feeling, or maybe from beating herself up to much. She had went to the training grounds privately to let out her anger on a poor straw dummy. By the time she was doe, the tightly woven material was falling at the strings.

Annabeth didn't bother to make a effort to talk. Nor her maids or new friends (Piper and Calypso) bothered her when they saw the right frown that day. It was all so... Strange. She wasnted to vent to someone, rant about how much of a dirt bag her mother was. At the same time, she wanted no one to acknowledge her. It was fine. Annabeth would figure her own feeling out for now. Like she always has. The anger was gone now. Along with the guilt of simply being there.

Gods, it really hurt.

It definitely hurt when her own mother told her she was practically worthless compared to others. Like a little insignificant bug that has to be erradicated. The little visit Athena have re-kindled a flame kept inside of Annabeth for so long. For bad or for worse, that didn't matter.

So when Annabeth felt tears stain her pillow, she wasn't surprised.

When the girl was about nine, she promised herself to not show any hint of emotion of sadness in public. That included crying, for that could be considered a sign of weakness. Weakness wasn't a word she was used to.

But when you're all alone and depressed, it's good to cry right? Annabeth read somewhere that crying can ease pain. Its a way humans express their emotions; as it was not a sign of weakness in any way. Crying was as simple as smiling. So she could make a exception, just this once.

It felt horrible. Her sobs wracked throughout her body in a sad attempt to stiffle them. Hands were trembling, eyes were watery, and voice was shaky than ever before. It took a lot of self control to not hiccup. The pillow beside her was now hugged against her chest, Annabeth curled up on it. Her bedside lamp was still on. She didn't bother to turn it off quite yet.

Due to her silent sobs, she failed to notice her tap on her window. And the sounds of someone climbing up the thick vines leading to her large room. Not did she notice the room of her window being silently opened, glass creaking oh-so quietly.

In her haze of blurry eyes and scratchy throat, Annabeth just barely noticed the figure looming over her. She froze in sudden terror.

Annabeth rubbed her eye with a free hand, wiping the hot tears away. If she pretended she was sleep, they would leave, right?

Until they hugged her.

Her first thought was blank. Confusion mixed with a little fear. Who would climb up to her room at this hour? A intruder?

"Wisegirl." The voice, Percy, mumbled softly. "What're you doing still awake?"

"What are you doing here?" Annabeth retorted back, turning to face him. Percy paused for a moment, scanning her features. Oh. Right. She had been crying a few seconds ago."

He gulped, hand coming over to cup her face. She just stared balnkly up at him. "Have you... Have you been crying?"

"N-no! Not at all! My allergies have just been kicking in. No need to worry." Annabeth quickly tried to hide her voice that was raw and scratchy. Percy seemed to notice the attempt. She tried her best to keep the water out of her voice; but gods, she failed horribly. Pathetically so.

"I'm sorry." Annabeth's voice cracked, eyes suddenly watering. "Its nothing. I'm sorry."

Percy stared at her, still cupping Annabeth's face softly. "Who the hell did this to you?" His sudden change of tone made her eyes widen.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're crying." He said. "So, who did this?"

So many people, Annabeth thought, So many that I can't even recall. Is what Annabeth wanted to say. Maybe she should keep quiet. It would be better to fake a lie, but hiding from Percys expression, he wasn't in the middle for games.

Maybe.

hey hey hey! how are you guys doing? It's been a while, I know, but I'm just busy on tumblr as of now. a lot of things have happened since I last updated.

anyways, I'm really excited for the last day of the school year! my grades are gonna be terrible but that's alright. I hope you guys get good grades tho! please don't take me as a example lol-