Chapter 9

Annabeth knew something was up with Percy. For the past week, he looked like he had something he wanted to reveal, but was afraid to do so.

The shooting, thankfully, was nearing its end. They had shot all the major scenes of the film, now all that was left was the promo for the film and singing the remaining songs for the musical.

Shooting became harder, since it was hard to hide the fact that they were dating. Every touch, every laugh had to be modulated to prevent them from becoming the front page of the news. But Annabeth thanked her lucky stars that Percy had actually agreed to hide the fact that they were dating. He said that he understood where she came from, and wouldn't push her till she was comfortable. When he said such things, Annabeth felt that she truly didn't deserve him. Which person would find a guy who was this sweet and easy going as him?

However, once they went back to his place under the pretense of practicing lines, they let loose. They would either snuggle up and watch a sappy rom-com, while laughing at certain overly mushy scenes, or ensue in a make-out session that would lead to a round of sex, leaving them drained out. What Annabeth loved about Percy, and what she definitely never saw in Luke, was that he never forced her into anything. He seemed as content with snuggling as he was in having sex.

It had been four months since they began dating, and surprisingly Luke hadn't spoken to her since. She was curious, but relieve over powered her curiosity, and she didn't think much of it.

However, Percy's strange behavior was troubling her. Each time she would mention Thalia, or speak about how relieved she was that Luke wasn't troubling her, or generally ask him about his day, he'd look guilty. He also started zoning out a lot, which annoyed her to no end. So, after dealing with it for a week, she decided it was high time to ask him about it.

Hence, after their shoot was done for the day, Annabeth told Percy to come over to her place for dinner. Now, Annabeth rarely called Percy over, because there was a great possibility that her mother might be over, and make a rude comment or remark over her friendship (cough, relationship, cough) with Percy. To avoid those unnecessary complications, she only invited him over when her mother was out.

However, today she was more concerned about Percy than she was scared of their relationship coming out in the spotlight, and invited him over. Percy, being the sweet guy he was, asked her if it was really alright. She shrugged and said, "I can deal with my mother. She is supposed to be out, but she said she was unsure. If she's home, we might as well break the news to her." Also, it wasn't like their relationship was a total secret. In one accidental make-out session near the stables, where they were previously shooting, Piper came across them. So, Piper and Jason knew about them too (even though they swore to keep quiet about it).

Once they entered her home (a small studio apartment she rented during the shoot), Annabeth made her way to the kitchen to pour them a glass of wine, and took out her nacho's platter (she was nothing if not meticulous and well prepared). Percy was already seated on her sofa by then, scrolling through his phone. When she sat down, he jumped a little and hid his phone.

She sighed. It wasn't going to be easy to get him to reveal whatever was bugging him. But she was seriously concerned, so she faced him.

"Percy", she began, "What's going on with you? You're worrying me. Each time we talk about something, you zone out. If I mention my past, you look guilty. Not to mention you've started jumping whenever I appear. Do you have something that's bothering you? You know that you can talk to me about anything."

Percy looked immensely guilty when she finished. Then, he looked down and mumbled, "I don't want to hurt you."

Annabeth froze. She began thinking of all the worse possible situations possible. The major one was so bad, it made her shiver when she thought of it, but it seemed it was what she had been fearing ever since they began dating.

It made her laugh nervously, and she rose, trying to put as much distance between them as possible. She wrapped her arms around herself, a protective measure she developed over time. "If you don't like me", she forced out, even though she felt her voice couldn't come out, "then please leave. I couldn't bear to hear you say it. I must've done something wrong to make you feel this way, but believe me it wasn't my intention. I'm just grateful to have got a chance to date someone as kind hearted as you Percy. I really do love you." Then the damn dam broke and she broke down in tears.

Percy, bless his kind heart, was with her in a second, wrapping his strong arms around her lithe frame. She tucked her head into the crook of his neck, using his scent to calm down, as she had done many times before. Percy held her closer, and kissed the top of her hair.

"Annabeth", he began to say fondly, "I would never leave you. I love you so much, that even the thought of leaving you never crossed my mind. When I said that I didn't want to hurt you, I meant that I didn't want you to leave me. I'll tell you what's on my mind, but before that I need you to promise you won't flip, and think of it with an open mind."

Annabeth looked up at Percy, gazed into his sea-green eyes, and nodded. Percy carried her princess style to the couch, and placed her there, before sitting besides her.

He wrung his hands together, before saying the words she never thought she'd ever hear.

"Thalia is alive."

Ooh, another cliffhanger…. don't worry. The final two chapters are coming out soon. Please continue reading, and check out my other works in the meantime.