Chapter 20: Meeting his Family

Annabeth

Did I fell asleep before?

In my vision, I was sitting in the passenger seat of someone's car. There was a boy my age in the driver's seat. He had a messy mop of onyx hair that's longer than average, a bit disheveled with sideways parted bangs, accompanied by a well-defined jawline and a pretty face to match. I would say he's more than just a little attractive, and it was hard to stop myself from staring at his well-built figure which was the most captivating part of his body. A-Actually, I was wrong. Something else was much more captivating than everything I just described.

"Annabeth." He called my name.

When he turned to me, his wavy and glowing emerald eyes shined brighter than even the brightest star in the North Pole. It didn't help that I could get lost in them forever if I wasn't already lost in them.

"We are almost there." He said before turning forward again.

Gaining a bit more awareness, I woke up to the sound of an engine running. It wasn't loud as it was muffled by the falling rain outside. There was a constant tapping noise against the windshield and hood as the car passed through the storm. It almost felt like peaceful and relaxing background noise one would find on the internet. The only difference was that it's real and I was right in the middle of it.

"Mmm…" I tried to stretch my arms.

It didn't work. Something was restricting my movements. Not only that, but whatever it was, I felt warm within it. It wasn't the sweltering warmth that one would get really uncomfortable in. In fact, the heat and temperature were perfect enough that I felt… perfect.

"You awake?" I heard a random cough beside my left before those eyes settled on me again.

Slowly but steadily, I grew aware of my surroundings. The peaceful dream I had was all but gone now, replaced by recollections of what I was- wait a minute… Eehhh!

"Percy!" I almost jumped. My eyes shot wide open at what I remembered.

It was real! The dream I had was real!

Surprising even myself, I came to realize how sudden my reaction was because following right after, a screeching sound of tires on wet pavements stopped my beating heart cold. My center of gravity was forced to shift toward the door on my right. Now drifting randomly through left and right while on my seat, I was screaming at the top of my lungs once the car swerved out of control only to- Oh thank goodness!- caught itself upright and back on balance.

There was a loud thud when all four wheels caught traction with the asphalt and pretty soon we were driving down the road normally once more.

"…!" The atmosphere was tense and silent. Nothing was being said and every muscle in my body grew rigid. The only thing that's audible between the driver seat and passenger seat was our breathless erratic breathing.

Meanwhile, I had one hand gripping the edge of my seat. The other one was…

"A-Are you trying to get us k…kill?!" Percy raised his voice to an almost uncomfortable degree.

Eyes wide for a completely different reason, I couldn't do anything except stare unflinchingly at the windshield and what's outside. The wipers were going back and forth constantly, and it seemed like the weather hadn't let up yet. It was still raining with a heavy downpour, but at least there wasn't thunder or lightning anymore.

Out of the corners of my eyes, I saw the same boy next to me gripping the steering wheel with such a firm grasp, I could only imagine how much I had startled him with my abrupt shout.

As much as I was to blame, it couldn't be helped. Waking up inside a strange car with the one boy who I had to develop a crush on, all the while sleeping soundly right next to him, was something way beyond what I would do in any normal circumstances. It was only after my hazy memories return; the specifics of what happened before I ended up in his car while he drove us down the freeway, did I relaxed and calmed down a bit.

"I- I am sorry…" I barely got it out of me. My body was still frozen solid.

Able to tell his pulse was rapidly beating just as fast as mine, I- wait a minute, how did I… how come I can feel how hard his heart was beating? I finally turned sideways to my left, catching glances at Percy, and saw how tense and rigid his whole body was too. My gazes traveled lower until I met his arms still holding onto the steering wheel like our lives depend on it, and just like that, I got my answer.

"Jesus Christ…" I didn't know if Percy was praying or if it's just his way of cursing at me, probably both.

My eyes were glued to my left hand holding tightly onto his forearm, and I was gripping him to the point where it's likely to leave a bruise. Perhaps that's why he was swearing too.

I stammered uneasily, "I am sorry…"

Eventually, a loud sigh escaped from his tense voice as we drove a bit more, but he didn't sound calm by any means. I couldn't blame him for that before he made sure I know just how much of a close call that was, "Look, it's okay now. But you know we almost had a crash, Annabeth…"

I tilted my head back and forth and tried to convey that I understood him. Yet, all I managed to do was barely whispered a soft yeah before my voice broke. Eventually, the reality of what happened settled with me and I almost wanted to throw up right on the spot. I felt sick to my stomach, but more than that I felt guilty for causing such danger in the first place.

"I am sorry." I apologized with more emphasis.

Percy sighed for a second time, and this time he seemed to have caught his composure before he let out a few more just to calm his nerves. I was a bit surprised that he could recover so fast. In contrast, I was still a frightful mess after causing a near accident while going at least sixty miles down the freeway.

"In any case, are you okay?" His voice sounded smooth now despite having to go through a near-death experience all because of me, "You are not hurt, are you?"

I shook my head automatically like a robot, "I am fine."

There was a short pause from Percy as he looked at me with his green eyes. I returned his gaze out of instinct, finding strange reassurance when his worries filled the wavy glows of his emerald orbs. He was studying me while paying attention to the road at the same time, and for a brief moment in my head, I wondered how he could do that so smoothly.

"You sure?" Percy asked casually, "You don't look fine though."

Subtly hinting at his forearm, I gazed downward to where I was holding him and realized what he was saying. Immediately, I loosen my grip and let go of him right away.

"I am fine…" I said awkwardly, though I had no doubt embarrassed blushes were already on full display for Percy to figure me out.

I definitely tried to hide it from the boy next to me, but it seemed to have no use because I was shaking like crazy. Anyone would notice, even more so for someone as observant as Percy. It was also pointless to resist how terrifying I still felt. Percy noticed like he always does, and before I knew what he was up to, his right hand was suddenly on my left hand as he held me gently atop the armrest.

"…!" I grew stiff and a silent wordless gasp left me.

I almost flinched when he held my hand softly. Luckily, the frightful shivers from causing the car to swerve hide that abrupt reaction perfectly.

Oh my God! Is he really—?

My senses grew wide awake in alert mode as soon as he pressed his palm on the back of my hand. I expected it to be just like the many times we unexpectedly held hands, but it felt totally different this time around. He felt so soft, so warm, surprisingly tender with his fingers, and very comfortable that I- I unintentionally responded in tandem with his soothing motions. I squeezed him back.

Of course, I felt hot right away and my entire body grew red, but his gesture also had a strange effect of easing me until all my worrying thoughts were nothing but mere past memories.

"P-Percy-yy?" I managed to say his name while giving him a puzzled look.

Still looking forward while he drove with only one hand, Percy was looking so casual and nonchalant that I couldn't help but keep my eyes on him. Not able to read his emotions, I felt like he was hiding a bunch of puzzle pieces behind the other side of his face so I couldn't solve it. It was mildly infuriating. Plus, he looked so… I didn't know why, but right away I fell head over heels for his calming gesture. He made me gulped a few times…

"You are okay, Annabeth." Percy said as gently as possible, "Though I've got to admit… That was a stupid thing for you to do. I thought you saw something I didn't, that's why I…"

He let out a soft amusing chuckle, "You are lucky I am not a new driver, or else I wouldn't know if I could steady the car while in the rain. Anyway, let's not do that again, okay?"

Somehow, everything Percy was doing: holding my hand while his fingers slowly weaved into my own, turning a simple friendly hand-holding gesture into one that gave me goosebumps, leaving burning heat trails up to my cheeks… all the while doing everything he could to reassure me with his calm and collected words, not to mention his naturally levelheaded nature that instantly steady me…

I was at a loss for words…

Right at that moment, I could feel so many breathes being caught in my throat that I didn't have time to think of a response to what he said. Instead, I just stared at him with a small, barely noticeable nod.

Just like always, Percy picked up on my subtle response- no matter how obscure or difficult- and nodded back with a satisfying smile, "Good."

Is he really smiling? After what I've involuntary did…

"Well, care to tell me why you'd scream like that?" Percy asked. I could tell he was thoroughly calmed now as he carried on driving like nothing too serious just happened.

Putting me on the spot, I blushed, "It's nothing. I was just-"

Really surprise that I was in the same car as you… That's my answer to his question, but I didn't say it knowing how annoying he could be. I had no doubt he would make fun of me endlessly for having such a wild reaction. Besides, I saw an inkling of a smirk over half of his lips, and I got the feeling he already had a few ideas himself too.

"Come on, princess… I think I have a right to know after you scare me like that, right?"

Ugh, I absolutely hate his guts, but why am I feeling so elated all of a sudden?

Instead of keeping the grim atmosphere after my dangerous stunt, Percy effortlessly turned the whole mood around with his easily affable personality. It's one of his many charms and the many reasons why I couldn't stop liking him. Like always, his carefree gesture was already having an impact on me and I felt more than a few smiles ready to pop up on my face.

"Shut it, Percy. I am not letting you know…" I forced a weak glare at him only to receive his puppy-like pout instead. I instantly melted and crumbled by his cuteness.

He knows… He totally knows…

As per usual, it seemed like Percy would always have a one-up over anything I throw at him, making me feel impossible. Hence, I was habitually biting my lips and inner cheeks to avoid letting him see me in such a vulnerable state. It didn't work whatsoever. In the end, I could only complain awkwardly, an embarrassed blush on my cheeks, being forced into a half-witted smile, "Gosh, you are so mean, Percy…. Don't ask me about it if you already know."

My reaction immediately brought a wild laugh from Percy. He made me blushed more and more until I couldn't handle him, then I turned sideways and smacked him in the arm with my other hand, "You stupid, idiotic, annoying jerk."

Despite all these insults, I was ultimately glad when Percy was able to ease both my mind and body. Not overwhelmed with fear anymore, it was all thanks to Percy being a reliable goofball, for not blaming me one bit, and for reassuring me by just being there. I was beginning to love that about him.

Of course, I huffed away to hide all my real feelings before I took a moment to assimilate to my surroundings.

As expected, the rainstorm was still raging, but the thunder and lightning seemed to have stopped completely. The wide endless highways and forests that surrounded each side of the roads gave away that we were inside Long Island now. Leaving the city behind, I was in Percy's car while he drove us onward: to see his mom in the hospital, and I was only tagging along because-

Yep, I remembered now. My phone broke in the middle of the day, and because of it, I lost contact with my mom and Owlfred. I could only imagine how worry sick they both were at the moment.

Before I ended up in Percy's car, I was having a study date with him in the same place we had that awkward dinner last time. We were having fun, joking around, and I was genuinely enjoying my time with him until he got an emergency message from his dad. Rushing out and leaving me alone, I was so worried for him that I did something I normally wouldn't have done.

It was how I ended up soaked from head to toe after I chased him down in the pouring rain. He eventually explained the situation to me, and I remember hugging him close to reassure him that I was going to be there for him.

Oh my Gosh… I hug him!

A sudden chill ran from the base of my spine all the way up to my head, then tingles pass through every single nerve cells on my body resulting in a spontaneous shiver. Filling my head with that specific recollection, the way I out of nowhere hugged him, the way I leaned my head on his chest while I held him still with my hands on his jacket…

I still remember the rushing thumps of his heartbeat when my right ear was pressed close enough to hear them. The mere memory brought a very visible and embarrassing blush to my face.

Now that his laughs were slowly easing, Percy said humorously, "Well, I might have a few ideas why you would…"

When he shifted to me with a lively grin, I wasn't able to stop him from catching the sudden redness on my cheeks before a snarky smirk grew over his lips instantly, "Why are you blushing like that?"

Taking me by surprise, I quickly hid away from Percy so he couldn't see me growing even brighter than a perfectly ripe tomato. No doubt he was ready to laugh at me again, so before that become a reality, I diverted the topic away in hopes that Percy would be merciful and not embarrass me anymore, also as a very weak attempt to save face.

Dear God! What has become of me since meeting Percy? Where is the standoffish version of Annabeth Chase who is cold and calculating to everyone and doesn't take kindly to being teased?

"…." I was as quiet as a mouse. It didn't help that his amusing smiles made me feel weak to the bones before I finally asked sheepishly, "A-Anyway, w-when did I fall asleep?"

His fingers squeezed me lightly. I fidgeted, trying my best not to let that affect me too much. Our hands were still connected on top of the armrest, but more and more we were inching off the sides- to the passenger side of the seat… I didn't want to let him go though, and seeing as his frim yet gentle grasp squeezed a little tighter over my fingers, I took a wild guess and figured he didn't want to let me go either.

Luckily, my prayer was answered when Percy didn't bring the previous topic back up. He did leave me with one last knowing smirk though- I really did want to smack the back of his head for that overly smug look- but it was significantly better than letting him tease me forever, so I'll take that over the latter anytime.

Percy thought about it for a bit before he came to an answer, "Hmm… I guess when we were about to leave the city. I was just across the bridge when I saw you sleeping."

"I see," I replied and suddenly noticed something I should have before. I couldn't believe it took me so long to realize that my clothes…

More specifically, my school uniform… It should have been soaking wet still, drenched to the point where water would drip constantly all over the leather seat. It wasn't. Not one bit. Strange, as I remember the pouring rain made sure all my clothes were wet. Now, it was only a little damp and even dry in some places… I was referring to- well, it's self-explanatory.

What's more—

"Ah-Choo!" I sneezed out of nowhere.

While I was never too loud when I need to sneeze, that was probably the loudest I've had. It was pretty embarrassing. Even more so when Percy was right by me with his eyebrows raised.

"You still cold?" The sudden concern in his voice melted my heart.

I shook my head, "Mm-hmm… I am fine."

Already aware of the heating system turned on at full power, air vents of the car were blowing hot air into the interior, enough to make it real cozy but not too much where it felt like a steaming sauna. Besides, it seemed like the passenger seat had a heating function as well, or else it wouldn't explain why I feel so warm and comfy leaning on my back and sitting down.

"Do you want me to turn it up?"

I didn't want Percy to do anything. In fact, everything he did since letting me come with him; especially when it was because of his own family and had nothing to do with me, was already more than what I could have asked for. Again, I felt guilty for relying on Percy more than I should have, and to take any more of his kindness seemed borderline shameless. If it could be helped, I wasn't going to make him help me anymore.

"No. It's perfect actually. I am fine. It feels good now…" I finished just before an out of nowhere, heated velvet blush filled my cheeks. I grew pink on my face while the rest of my body grew red and warm, then I was pretty sure Percy noticed my hands getting a little sweaty too.

Doing my best to be nonchalantly and cool, I shifted my other hand above my side and lifted a separated piece of heavy blanket on top of my body, bringing it further up until it was halfway toward my face, "A-And thank you for…"

Just say it! Stop being so shy! Why are you feeling shy anyway!?

It didn't take long before he figured out what I was saying.

"Oh. Yeah… of course! No problem." Percy suddenly grew pink too and his words shuffled.

I held the edge of the cotton fabric a little tighter in my right hand.

"I couldn't let you sleep while soaked like that, so I just— I hope you don't mind?" Percy turned the question back to me, "It's just a family blanket. Don't worry. It's clean."

I could tell. It smelled freshly of lavender and it was nice and smooth to run my hands across. It was large too, no doubt something to keep his family members warm in case of anything.

I shook my head and smiled, "Mmm, I don't mind Percy. Thank you."

Our blushes never ebbed away, but whereas mine was about to fade over time, Percy's blush grew and grew until he was the one bright red like a tomato now.

"Y-You're welcome," He said while facing forward toward the subsiding rainstorm outside, "I don't want you to get sick either when you were stupid enough to come after me in the pouring rain, you know?"

I felt a twitching on my nose and raise both my eyebrows at him, but he clearly knew and expected that reaction because he chuckled uneasily after.

"I guess I should thank you too." Percy said sincerely, "Earlier, for calming me down…"

I looked down at myself and nodded softly without meeting his gaze, "Sure."

"And uh… If- if this is worth anything…" He was about to bring up something, but that pause and hesitation gave away that he was trying to find the best way to say what he wanted to say.

Thinking that I had a clue what it might be, I was way too naïve to believe I figured him out.

Percy brushed his other hand over the top part of his messy onyx hair, the same hand that was holding the wheel steady left it completely!

"P-Per-"

I almost screamed which would have startled him again, but what I didn't realize was he had already let go of my left hand and his right hand was reaching out to grab hold of the steering wheel. Throughout the process, I counted at least three seconds where he was driving sixty miles with no hands. It was impressive, terrifyingly impressive. Now, I realized just how lucky I was that it was Percy in the driver's seat. It was a seamless switching, and I turned silent at how easy and cool he made it seemed.

"I- I think…" Percy was covering half of his face as mumbling words came out of him in between blushing stammers, "I think you… look pretty cute when you are sleeping."

"Oh." The innocent me replied.

I hadn't realized what was said then, but when my brain finally put two and two together, I- I was… speechless was more of an apt representation for a situation like this. Mouth agape, there was another short moment where the circuit system in my head blew its fuses and during that time, my eyes were as wide as they could be. Even after it was fixed, I couldn't recover from how wrecked everything was with that one comment alone.

"…" Percy was as silent as he was nervous on the other side of the car.

As if he was waiting for a reply from me, I mustered up all my willpower, all my strength, every ounce of my energy, only to move my lips an inch and formed the beginning of my response. Now all I've got to do was repeat that a thousand more times and say what I wanted back to him.

It was so, so, so very much difficult.

"Th-thank you…." I blew a sigh of relief in my head for saying it with every piece of me still intact.

As I hugged the blanket even further up my face, the car kept forth- only seven minutes until we reached the hospital according to the GPS- while we both became utterly silent, spending the next seven minutes to calm our steaming faces down.

-Line Break-

To be honest, I wasn't sure what I was expecting when we get there. I thought about staying inside his car would be a good idea while Percy went to see his mom. After all, the whole situation was a little awkward for me. We weren't close. As a matter of fact, we've only met a week before.

And yet…

"Are you sure? I really don't think that's a good idea…" I hesitated while walking down a white corridor.

Much to Percy's relief- and strangely to mine as well- the nurse at the front desk told him his mom wasn't suffering from any serious injuries. She couldn't go into the specifics, but the accident that caused the injuries was more than severe. Apparently, she was very lucky to have suffered minor injuries only.

Intrigued, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of accident it was.

"It's fine," Percy reassured me for the infinite time.

Of course, that encounter with the nurse couldn't go without some awkwardness. Without any trouble, she let Percy through with the sign-in, but as soon as she turned to me next to Percy, she raised her eyebrows and said family members only which didn't surprise me.

Percy did have his way though, insisting that I could come along with him even when I agreed with the nurse more than I agreed with him. Reluctantly, I signed in and received the visitor patch, which was how I found myself walking down the south side of the hospital while following Percy.

The hospital was located in a rather empty suburban area of a particular county. Let's see, if I remember correctly, Percy lived in a place called Syosset, which was why the hospital was named after it. At first glance, it wasn't difficult to see that the place was a quality one. Four stories tall, the place was nice and very clean, and everything seemed newly renovated and in order.

I was pretty sure Percy's mom was well taken care of. After all, everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing, going to where they belong. The only person who was out of place was me…

"Really, Percy, I just don't feel comfortable if I come with you." I tried to reason with him.

Getting a sense of how stubborn he could be; a quality that I undoubtedly possess as well, I suppose… Percy waved my worries off like it was no big deal. I sighed. If only he could use his clueless brain more, then he might have realized that this is my first time meeting his parent. Both his parents actually…

Just that realization alone almost made me want to take that cab in the end, regardless of my fear that I would be at the mercy of whoever that stranger was. Well, it faded quickly and fear found itself back to me, overwhelmed my feelings to the point where I felt like meeting his parents wouldn't be so bad, at least compared to the latter option.

"It's okay… I don't want to leave you in the car anyway." Percy said while following the directions on the signs, "Look, if you are really that worried, you can wait outside on the benches. We can think about how to get you home afterward, okay?"

He's really caring in that way, isn't he?

I finally decided to come clean and honest, "Percy… I appreciate it, I really do. You've already been a great help. But don't you think it's weird for me to drop by your family's emergency unannounced. Plus, you and I… I mean, we aren't that close. We are just classmates at school and it's not like I am-"

It seemed like he was finally picking up on my subtle hints, but he surprised me with his response.

"I know we are not… but I promised myself that I was going to keep you safe with me until we can find a way to get you home, so stop thinking too much. Like I've said, my family is very easygoing. Just be normal and you'll be fine. Okay?"

Soon as he gave me every reason to stay, his pace picked up a little faster which wasn't a problem for me. I caught up with him easily only for him to stop in the middle of his track and stumbled backward out of nowhere.

Thump!

Catching me by surprise, I clumsily smacked face-first into his back, hitting my nose right beside his shoulder blade. It squeezed uncomfortably and I sniffed a few times, probably ready to sneeze at any moment. What's more, the momentum when I bonk into him- his center of gravity might as well be an unmovable object- made me stumbled backward too.

"Whoa!" Luckily, he reached out and held my hand to steady me, "Sorry. You okay?"

I gulped. The way his green eyes gleamed as he held me still… I felt another rush of goosebumps on my arms. I withdrew my hand quickly and nodded awkwardly, "Mm-Hmm."

If my eyes didn't deceive me, I was pretty sure Percy blushed a bit too.

"Ahem…" He cleared the air, "We are here."

His eyes grew wider and a little bit more impatient once we reached the room where his mom was staying. He stood in front of it for a moment, then he turned to me.

"Okay. You want to wait here?" Percy asked and pointed to the benches lined along the hallway.

I was nervous, totally freaking out when he put that decision on me. Any girl in their right mind would choose to wait outside, but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to say it. Half of my mind was still preoccupied and it couldn't help but linger on some of what he said before.

Safe? Percy wanted to keep me safe?

Somewhere deep down in my melting heart, I was really scared that I actually wanted to go with him inside the hospital room where his mom was waiting. I had no reason for feeling that way, but it just happened and I couldn't help it. It only grew stronger from that point forward.

"Yeah, I'll wait out here." I let Percy know quickly before I could regret saying something else.

Percy shot me that short smile and slid the door opened, "Okay. I'll be back."

He went inside the room and slid the frame back in place, yet I couldn't stop but notice him not shutting it fully and left just a small gap. It must have been an accident, and I thought about closing it for him but decided it was better if I didn't bother.

Sigh…

I took a seat on the benches beside the door. It wasn't particularly comfortable, but it was better than standing so I won't complain. Facing a floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked a small garden courtyard, at least I could look outside and not be bored with nothing to do. I lifted my bag from hanging beside the chair and put it on my lap.

After being soaked thoroughly from head to toe, not to mention being slammed by raging wind, it seemed like God was finally done with his temper tantrum. The thunderstorm was finally clearing up after the torrential downpour, and there was just a hint of the setting sun breaking through the grey clouds.

I sighed again.

Of course it clears up now... only with my rotten luck, I guess.

Despite all these punishing trials I've suffered, I was more or less glad in some ways. The specific reasons were still a bit unclear to me, but ultimately, I knew it had something to do with the boy who was just a door frame away. I seriously didn't know why, but somehow I was able to push every little annoying feeling out of my mind whenever I started thinking about him.

Percy… What is happening with me and Percy?

It was all up for interpretation, and I wasn't in a hurry to figure it out.

"I am fine, Percy. You don't have to worry so much." I suddenly overheard.

It was Percy's mom who spoke…

Desperately willing myself not to eavesdrop, I succeed… well, for at least a minute or so, which ironically was much longer than I expected. Doing my best to focus my gaze at the garden outside or just anything else worth noticing, I failed miserably in the end before I hesitantly pressed my ears closer to the sliding door frame. I felt really guilty for doing it, but once I began to pick up on their conversation, I couldn't stop or pull myself away.

"Mom, what happened? How did you-"

Blame it on instinct or whatnot, but my crazy mind decided to do something even worse by peeking into the small gap. It was a totally wrong and immoral thing to do, yet I couldn't help myself.

Maybe I should have gone with Percy if I am that curious… sigh.

Inside the hospital room, I saw Percy sitting with his back towards me. I sighed with relief. Meanwhile, I could see his mom on the bed, sitting upright with a smile on her face. Because of the angle of my gaze, I couldn't look beyond the full room, seeing things in parts only.

"Mom! You shouldn't have gone outside when-"

"Percy, please relax. It was just an accident. I was driving when-"

"Yeah, an accident that almost-"

I was abruptly cut off from hearing the rest, that was the end of my eavesdropping because I felt someone tap my left shoulder. You could say that I almost had a heart attack before I snapped away from the door frame. Completely red with guilt swallowing me whole, I shivered fearfully and was ready to apologize with the deepest of sincerity.

"I am so sorr-yy…"

I paused. There wasn't anyone in front of me. Thinking that it must have been Percy's father, my surprise only expanded when there was a turf of blond hair below my gaze. I eventually tilted my eyes lower and spotted a small child no older than three years old standing in front of me. He had a bright smile on his face as he looked at me.

I couldn't say anything.

"Are you my big, big brother's girlfriend?" He blurted out.

Despite being shellshock, I still couldn't say anything.

Somehow, he wasn't the only one standing in front of me. There was another kid who was at least six years old standing beside the younger one. He tried to clamp his younger brother's mouth shut with his hands after that random outburst.

"Damn it, Bobby!"

Besides not being able to speak, I couldn't bring myself to react either. Soon enough, they began wrestling and juggle back and forth like I wasn't even there anymore. I watched with a bit of disbelief and wondered where these two little boys suddenly came from. Meanwhile, I finally gather enough brain cells to realize what bobby said to me earlier.

His big brother's girlfriend… Eeehh! Of course I am not his girlfriend!

Siblings… The two boys were Percy's brothers. Both sporting blond hair and blue eyes, they looked nothing like Percy who had black hair and green eyes, at least I couldn't see the resemblances even though they were siblings.

"Matt! Stop it!" The younger one tried to slip away from the older one.

In the midst of their small fight, a voice of reason finally spoke up from around the corner of the hallway. The voice was firmed yet sounded exasperated at the same time.

"Matthew and Bobby, that's enough." It was a male voice of a much older and mature person, "What did I say about running off to where I can't see you?"

A man appeared beside us and at first glance, he was a rather tall person. If I had to guess on the spot, I'd say he was more than six feet tall with a skinny lean body. Right away, I noticed his blond hair and blue eyes that resemble the two little boys who were here as well. It couldn't be mistaken. This was their father, or rather, Percy's father!

Oh my God! He looked so different from Percy. Is he really Percy's… Wait a minute-

"Sorry, dad…" The two boys said in unison and stop fighting right away, "But we met the girl Percy's is always talking about. I thought we should say hi." Matthew spoke, "Bobby had to be rude though."

"Huh? Is she not big brother's girlfriend?" Bobby asked so innocently I couldn't blame him for reaching the simple conclusion in the first place.

I am not. That's what I was about to say, but Percy's dad finally spoke up and began to converse with me. I was really nervous.

"Sorry about my two little rascals. They say the craziest thing sometimes." He gave me a gentle and curious smile, "Well, I guess you go to the same school as Percy does?"

He noticed the uniform on me.

"Yes! I am Percy's- uh… friend. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Jackson." I extend my hand out of him to shake.

I really hoped he didn't see me peeking inside the room.

There was a humorous look on his face when he shook my hand, "Actually, it's Blofis, but I guess you wouldn't know that."

Given that they had different last names, it just confirmed what I've suspected. I tried to smile regardless and did my best to be respectful knowing this new information.

"I am sorry, Mr. Blofis."

He waved it off, "It's okay. You wouldn't have known if Percy didn't say anything about that."

Mr. Blofis continued from where he left off, "Anyways, you must be Annabeth, right?"

I nodded before a strange sense of eeriness latched onto me, "Yes. Umm wait, how did you know that?"

He let out a chuckle, "Well, I guess my little rascals weren't wrong about Percy talking about you since he transferred to your school. Day and night, you are all that he talks about."

I felt rushing heat crept over my cheeks but I blocked it with all my might.

"Oh." I bit my lip and tried to look at the white tiled floor, or just at anything else.

I really hoped my eyes must have fooled me or something, because the moment I had that involuntary blushing reaction, I caught a glimpse of Mr. Blofis's smile with that knowing grin while the boys whispered among themselves and ended it with soft giggles.

"Um…" I couldn't stop blushing at their subtle responses.

"So, not to be rude or anything, but what might you be doing here Annabeth?" Mr. Blofis asked intriguingly without any sort of hostility toward my presence, which I was so thankful for.

I could sense his curious intention while he watched me sit on the bench right beside the room where Percy's mother was recovering. After all, I showed up out of nowhere and intruded on their family emergency, so it's no surprise that he would have that question. That's what I was trying to avoid at the beginning, but now that I was here, I had to come up with reasons/excuses why.

"Uh…" My voice stammered, "I'm-"

"Paul? Is that you outside?" The soft feminine voice spoke from within the room.

"Yes, honey. One sec…" Mr. Blofis gestured at his two boys to get inside the room, "Go inside and behave, you two."

Their whispers never faded, then the two boys walked behind the sliding door while taking one last glance at me. I couldn't really tell what they were saying about me, but it's obvious to any adults that they were scheming among themselves. I could only dread what they were about to do.

And of course, I got my answers when they disappeared behind the door.

"Mom! Mom! Guess who we found!" They immediately shouted once inside.

I grumbled.

Boys…

Mr. Blofis then turned to me with an apologetic smile, "Well, I guess you should come in too, Annabeth. Don't worry, we are all very nice. You can explain why you are here later, and maybe Percy could help you with that too." He added just a hint of amusement through that last bit, and I kept growing redder if that was even possible.

In spite of how I found myself right now, Mr. Blofis probably wouldn't have it any other way before I reluctantly followed him inside the room. It was surprisingly spacious, a wide clean room with a closet and a bathroom on the small entry corridor. The bed was placed in the middle of the rectangular square, and I saw Percy's mom from there.

Great! Now I've really met both his parents… I wonder what else would happen between us… maybe Percy is going to meet my mom now… I thought sarcastically only to regret even having an ounce of that thought passing through my head.

I've barely made eye contact with Percy's mom, but already she was singling me out with her piercing brown eyes. I didn't feel intimidated, though, probably because her gaze was softer than I was expecting while she looked curiously at me.

I began to notice Percy was doing the same thing too, except his mouth was slightly agape.

"Look! Look! There she is! It's big brother's girlfriend!" Bobby shouted and pointed at me. Despite Matthew being the more mature one, both boys were bouncing up and down beside the bed with excitement. So lively and wild, Percy's mom was probably half-delight and half-exasperated by her children right now. Well, at least I knew I was…

Everything inside this room was so cheerful and radiating with that familial warmth, but I was in anything but those emotions as an outsider. The only thing I could feel was nerve-wracking worries and never-ending thoughts.

Finally, a small smile appeared on her lips, ending the staredown between me, Percy, and the only other girl in the room.

"Hi! You must be Annabeth." The woman sitting upright on the bed spoke. Her glowing smile somehow eased my uncontrollably beating heart, "I am Sally Jackson. Nice to meet you!"