"Five days away. Are you excited?" Annabeth asked as she stared down at her phone. Her finger hovered over the button to call her father, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Even after talking with Reyna, Annabeth just had this block. She already identified why: fear.
Annabeth was scared that her father just wouldn't be able to understand her. She didn't want to lose him. Annabeth didn't want to be without a parent that loved her. The other members of her gym experienced that, and they all took it in different ways. Annabeth knew she wouldn't take it as well as any of them.
Annabeth put her phone down. She couldn't afford to dwell on it any longer. Her focus had to be on the upcoming fights. Annabeth would give all of the support that she could for them, and by the time next week, she would put all of her energy into preparing for Arachne.
"Hazel?" Annabeth questioned as she turned to look at her friend. "You okay?"
"Huh? Yeah. Sorry," Hazel began as she looked up at Annabeth. She had been sitting on a bench and was looking down at her ankle.
"Everything okay?" Annabeth asked as she sat on the bench across from Hazel.
"My leg hurts," Hazel admitted. "It has been ever since I sparred with Reyna. When I caught her in the jaw with that kick."
"It looked like you were hobbling after that," Annabeth commented. "Does it still hurt?"
"A little," Hazel answered. "I'm just not sure if I hurt it badly or if it's just sore from how much strength I put in that kick."
"Did you hear or feel a pop or a snap?" Annabeth questioned. Hazel seemed to think about it and then shook her head. "I think it's fine then. Just keep an eye on it."
"I will," Hazel promised with a smile. She slowly stood and started to change. Annabeth averted her gaze and looked back at her locker. They had spent the first half of the day going over their notes about their opponents and working on techniques and how to counter what their opponent might do. There was still a lot to do, but they were all working hard.
"Are you excited for your fight?" Annabeth asked as she slipped on her shirt.
"I am," Hazel answered. The door to the locker room opened, and Annabeth turned her head to see Reyna round the corner. There was a fresh bruise on her lower jaw. "Reyna! I'm so sorry!"
"It happens, Hazel. Nothing to apologize for," Reyna waved off as she rubbed her jaw and walked towards them. She opened her locker. "Like I said earlier, it was a good kick."
"I'm surprised you didn't get knocked out," Annabeth added. Reyna glanced at her and smirked.
"Never been knocked out before. It's not going to happen in training," Reyna promised. She grabbed her phone and typed a text. Reyna put her phone down and started to rub her injured wrist.
"How does your wrist feel?" Annabeth questioned as she fixed her ponytail and put on deodorant.
"Sore," Reyna shrugged. She slipped on her shirt that had the gym logo. Reyna stretched and groaned softly. "I'll be back. I should get ice."
Annabeth nodded, and Reyna closed her locker. She walked out of the room. Annabeth closed her locker and turned to leave. Hazel cleared her throat and spoke, "Reyna seems like she is doing better. Is she?"
"I think she is," Annabeth answered honestly. "I just hope she stops trying to keep it bottled up."
"I wish we could help her," Hazel began.
"Just be there for her," Annabeth suggested. Hazel nodded. "You have a good one. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow," Hazel flashed with a bright smile. Annabeth walked out of the locker room and into the gym. She was staying late to help with the self-defense class that Lupa taught. This would be the first class that Reyna had attended since her car wreck, and a lot of the kids had been asking about her.
Annabeth hoped that doing the self-defense class again would help lift Reyna's mood. Reyna did seem better since she broke down crying, but at this rate, it was only a matter of time until she exploded once again if she didn't find a better way to let her emotions out.
Annabeth heard a door open and turned to watch Lupa walk in with the kids. She smiled at them and saw Nico waiting by the door. He was filling in for Mellie while Lupa looked for a replacement. Annabeth leaned on a ring as the group of kids approached. They all varied in age, so Annabeth had to adjust her teaching methods for each one. Not that she minded.
"Afternoon everyone," Annabeth greeted the kids. They all gave her various greetings and focused completely on her. Lupa moved to her side. Annabeth glanced at her. "Is Ian missing today?"
"He refuses to come inside," Lupa answered after a moment. "He won't talk to Nico or I."
"I can try to talk to him," Annabeth offered. Lupa nodded. Annabeth saw Reyna walk up behind the group of kids.
"What are you learning today?" Reyna asked. Annabeth smiled as the kids all turned and practically swarmed Reyna, checking on her and telling her how much they missed her. Annabeth exchanged a glance with Lupa, who nodded.
Annabeth walked out of the gym and into the foyer. Nico was sitting at the desk looking down awkwardly at the keyboard. Annabeth glanced to the side and saw Ian. The fifteen year old was staring out the window and had his arms crossed. His fingers dug into his skin, and there was a scowl on his face.
"Hey, Ian. How are you?" Annabeth greeted as she walked towards his side. The teenager didn't respond and just kept staring out the glass. "Do you want to join the others?"
Annabeth didn't get a response, and a frown touched her face. She spoke again, "Is everything okay?"
"Fine," Ian muttered. "I just want to be alone."
"If something is wrong, I can help," Annabeth began. Ian ignored her once again. Annabeth glanced at Nico, but all he could was give her a shrug. She heard the door open and glanced at Reyna.
Reyna walked toward them and gave Annabeth a questioning look. Annabeth shrugged. Reyna made it to their side and spoke, "Long time no see, Ian."
Ian looked at Reyna in surprise. A frown found his face as he looked away. Reyna studied him quietly, "You ready to start the lesson?"
"I just want to be alone," Ian said again. Annabeth opened her mouth, but Reyna grabbed her arm.
"Do you want to stay out here or go upstairs where you can sit down and get a drink?" Reyna offered. Ian looked at her and seemed to be thinking of a response. "Nico can show you, or I could. There's ice up there too."
Ian stiffened. Reyna didn't say anything and just looked out the window. Her gaze focused on the parking lot. Silence eclipsed the room until Ian uncrossed his arms and let his shoulders sag. He slowly spoke, "Please don't tell my mom."
"That you're getting into fights?" Reyna asked. Ian didn't answer. Reyna turned her head. "Or is she the one hitting you."
"No!" Ian said quickly, panicked. "No. She's not. I swear. She just..."
"Ian, it's okay," Reyna said softly. "I get it. I understand. Completely."
"She d...didn't mean to. She was just stressed and-"
"Acted without thinking," Reyna interrupted. "She regrets it and will never do it again, but don't tell anyone. Right? My father would do the same thing."
Reyna turned towards Ian and pointed to a small part of her eyebrow where hair was missing. Annabeth always assumed she got it from one of her fights. Reyna spoke, "My dad did this to me one day. After years and years of abuse. It doesn't stop, Ian. The excuses you're being told are only excuses."
"How do you make it stop?" Ian asked quietly. Reyna gently grabbed his shoulder.
"Your dad is still around, right? He doesn't hit you, does he?" Reyna asked. Ian shook his head. "You should tell him then. Especially if you still have the bruises. You can use my phone if you want. And, I'll stay with you at the gym until he gets here."
Annabeth watched the two. Ian nodded gratefully, and Reyna handed her phone off to him. She turned to look at Annabeth and gave her a small nod. Annabeth returned the nod and slowly walked toward her.
"How did you know?" Annabeth asked in a quiet voice. Reyna slowly looked at her.
"I used to look in the mirror like that all the time," Reyna whispered. She looked down at the ground. "I'm going to tell Lupa and stay with Ian."
"I'll tell Lupa. You just stay here," Annabeth decided. Reyna nodded at that. Annabeth smiled at her and then walked back into the gym. As she walked, she glanced back. Reyna looked back out the window and stayed a respectful distance away from Ian.
As Reyna stood there, her hand moved to her eyebrow and rubbed the scar. Then, she moved her hand to grab her wallet and pulled it out. Annabeth focused back on the gym and stepped inside.
Annabeth wanted to help Ian, but she had a feeling that Reyna had this covered. So Annabeth would focus on the self-defense class. From there, she would focus on helping Frank and Hazel win their fights. And after that?
Annabeth would go to war to keep her title.