Worked on this for two straight days. A bit choppy at the end cuz its one in the morning and i just finished. Made it extra long though because of the extra wait that was on.
Chapter 16
"What's wrong?" Percy paused half way through his meal. A pang of guilt rising to Annabeth's throat again at how she was only able to scrounge for him her family's meager leftovers. All that was in his eyes were contentment however as he scanned her face again.
"Nothing," she lied while looking at him as if he were crazy. Hoping her masked expressions would be undetected this time. That he wouldn't pursue it.
But of course that's not how it played out. This was Percy, face reader extraordinaire.
How can he always tell?
"You look… exhausted."
That day, (Sunday) in a nutshell: 5 a.m wake up, Lady lessons until one, lunch, studying until five, work out until nine. The meals were meager and the hours long.
Annabeth couldn't last like this and she knew it. Her mom's quest to force her into becoming the perfect lady was killing her. She had to put her foot down she had to say no to her mother-
Shut up, shut up, shut up.
"A tad tired, but I'm perfectly okay," She shrugged nonchalantly. The heaviness of the lie burdening her bones.
I'm breaking.
"You sure?"
She nodded. Keeping her stare directly on her sketch page as she flicked the pencil over it in a decently orchestrated way. Trying to look perky and awake even though she felt as if she could stumble into slumber at any moment.
"What are you doing?" the question followed with a foreign curiousness. The perplexion in his voice sounded a tad fake as if he were trying to make conversation to weed out why she was lying to him.
Annabeth avoided his burning green eyes.
"Completing a plan."
"For what?"
"Piper. I promised her a whopper prank and here's the result."
"Oh…"
She continued to scratch her pencil across the paper briskly. Writing out formulas on the sides and doodling images that might come together if executed well. The growing silence was only challenged by the occasional brisk breeze whistling through the trees outside. The treehouse ever so slightly swaying with each stream of air.
It was like being in a cradle again.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Percy broke the silence again softly. That concern in his voice making her bristle a bit this time.
Annabeth scoffed and set her pencil down. Forcing herself to meet his worried eyes head on as she inwardly bubbled with contrasting emotions.
"I am perfectly sound, both in mind and body. My only seeming problem is the relentless male to my left assuming I am a damsel in distress of sorts."
"Really?"
"Perseus. I'm fine."
Liar, liar.
(Shutup, shutup, shutup.)
Percy didn't look convinced. He pursed his lips and held up his hands as if to surrender. This sad concern returning to his eyes as he stared at her quietly.
"Okay. Whatever you say," He backed down. Turning away as if to give her space.
Annabeth returned to her work that was spread across her lap. Rolling her eyes at him even though she knew he was onto her. He knew she wasn't giving him the truth of the matter. That she was bottling it up.
It was barely a minute later when she felt his broad smooth wing slip behind her and hug to her back. Her own wings shivering at the timid contact.
He wasn't even acknowledging his own action. Just staring wistfully out over the forest. Pretending like he didn't notice her somewhat surprised expression and how it melted into a soft grateful smile. Or how she leaned slightly into the welcoming embrace.
It was his way of saying he'd be there for her, even when she wasn't ready to tell him what was bothering her.
And she adored him for that.
-{:oOo:}-
"Scathingly brilliant." Piper gleamed with mischief. "When you stated a doozy of a prank, well I didn't expect such masterful results!"
Annabeth took a bow whilst grinning. "Thank you kind lady. Your words hath set my heart a flutter."
"Anytime oh dashing prankster. I hath been told I am a heartless flirt." Piper winked. Her joyfully mocking tone taking on the same shakespearean words.
Annabeth couldn't help but chortle at her. For a moment, everything in her life was feeling right. The homey smell of coffee was drifting through the air deliciously, while the early songs of birds echoed over the streets just outside.
However, it was dreadfully early and Annabeth's weariness was seriously starting to take a toll on herself.
"Now, where do we start?" Piper smiled deviously while flopping into the cushions of her princess like bed. Her ruffled PJ's were mismatched and seemed to capture her essence in some strange way. The dawning sun sending beams of warm light slanting through her room from the balcony. The open glass doors allowing the air to come and go as it pleased.
I climb way to much just to visit friends.
"Well, what day is it?" Annabeth answered her question with another question. An unapologetic air of rascality surrounding her as she smirked.
"Monday." Piper replied with that ever wondering look on her face. Bunching the sleeves of her sleep top over her hands as if she were cold.
"And after school on Mondays…"
"... everyone goes home?"
"The custodians Pipes. The custodians come in to clean the drafty place. Which means, the doors are unlocked for a few measly minutes to let them-"
"We're breaking in?!"
"It's not breaking in if the doors are unlocked Pipes."
"... yes it is..."
"No, it is simply trespassing. To break in, one must break something."
"Are you warping logic for your own sake again?"
"Nevermind," Annabeth sighed and rolled her eyes at her best friend.
"Here." She tossed her the little sack. The soft contents containing nothing but clothes. Black masks and goggles and such that she dug out of the basement. A few trinkets from Malcolm's boyhood days, when his favourite halloween costumes were of villains and superheroes.
"I've got the rest of the supplies stashed at home. After school today, I'll sneak out and we'll get to work!"
Piper peeked in her bag. Her eyes lighting up as that ever mischievous smile lifted up the corners of her lips.
"And so the prank will go off at lunch tomorrow. Correct?"
Annabeth nodded eagerly. Grinning from ear to ear. The warmth from her paper coffee cup made her fingers prickle as she shifted the cup between her hands.
"How marvelous!" Piper's smile got impossibly wider. "Tuesday is going to be perfect. Just imagine, first our grande finale prank and then that positively dreamy date with Jason!"
Annabeth's heart instantly crumbled.
Shit.
"Oh… right," she mumbled. That one burning memory of the kiss bubbling through her brain as the regret rose from her gut once again. How Jason smiled at her, how they danced around each other verbally before somehow bending to their impulses. To their alcohol ridden systems that pushed them to dive deeper into the comfort they found in one another.
I have to tell her… I…
"Give me a few minutes, and I can get ready in a jiffy. Heaven forbid we're late and shatter that angelic reputation we've so meticulously established with the teachers." Piper sounded happy. A little bounce in her step as she shuffled spritely to the bathroom while wiggling her arms from her Pajama top.
"Yes. We wouldn't want them to suspect a thing." Annabeth hummed in agreeance. A somber look on her face as Jason floated around her mind.
I have to tell her.
-{:oOo:}-
The execution of Annabeth's plan was practically immaculate. As prepared, they snuck into the school while the Janitors were busily attending to the ancient classrooms and made quick work of the cafeteria space.
Annabeth dressed as batman, and Piper dressed as the green arrow of course. Just in case they were spotted in the vicinity.
Overall, it took roughly three hours of work to accomplish. They both, however, went home tired but satisfied.
Naturally, Annabeth snuck out later to visit Percy and bring him food. Being extra careful that no one was following her before she slipped into the darkness of the woods.
To her somewhat annoyance, Percy noticed her general lack of energy. Again.
"You need more sleep." He looked at her with his head slightly tilted. Trying to meet her eyes.
"Nonsense." Annabeth scoffed.
But I do…
(Shut up, shut up, shut up.)
"You look… frailer." Percy observed. That quiet worrisome tone in his voice always hovering over her.
"I'm fine."
"I don't believe you," he deadpanned. His burning green eyes were hard and set as she finally looked back at him. Trying to meet his gaze with a strong defiant one but failing epically.
"Whatever," Annabeth bit back a tad grumpily while getting to her feet. "I need to get home regardless of your opinion."
Percy muttered something under his breath that Annabeth didn't quite catch. She didn't feel like figuring out what he was grumbling about anyways so she made her way to the flap and climbed out without so much as a goodbye. Feeling frustrated but not knowing why.
And he let her go.
Again.
-{:oOo:}-
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Piper whispered lowly while picking at her pasta lunch.
Their small but well positioned cafeteria table was right beside the main exit giving them the optimal view of their targeted area. The tall wide windows across the room had the only emergency door to the field and gave them a terrific view of a few far reaching mountains. They had claimed this table from day one and had been the birthplace for their best prank schemes. It was only natural that their last prank was carried out from this spot.
"It's elementary Pipes." Annabeth grinned devilishly. Taking a hasty bite into her sandwich knowing any moment it could be spoiled. "All I'm doing is releasing the inner mayhem that resides in all teenage girls."
"You realize how terribly wrong this could all turn out, right?" Piper muttered again. Her flighty eyes flying to the ceiling to scan the panels hiding every little piece of their plot. Her little brown wings fluttering once or twice in nerves.
"I'm well aware." Annabeth assured. Conscious of how her own wings felt twitchy. "I may have gone a little over the top, but trust me Pipes. If this does go off without a hitch it won't be something that's easily forgotten."
A tense silence followed. The type of silence that just leached into your bones and forced you to feel the nerves and jitters that were ever present. The mounting moments seeming to bear down on your chest as you waited for the release, the scare, the sudden turn.
Annabeth wished she had matched the timers to her own watch. She wished she knew the exact second the first stage would go off.
But that would take from the thrill of it all. It would steal some of the excitement.
"Lunch is almost half over," Piper pointed out. Her eyes still to the ceiling as she swirled her plastic fork between her fingers. A drop of pasta sauce reddening the corners of her lips.
"I know." Annabeth was having a hard time keeping her wings in check.
"Did we set something wrong?"
"I… don't know. Perhaps?"
The usual clatter and noise of the student voices went unnoticed by the two as they waited patiently. Occasionally shooting each other worried looks as the seconds rolled into minutes.
"Look!" Annabeth gasped as a triangle of shivers triapsed down her spine. Her wings shuddering with a whisper of hiss'.
The panels started to move. Only every other of the foamy white panels were slowly, quietly slipping away in a checkerboard pattern. The intricate system of hooks and yarn hiding in the pipes of the ceiling were working. The motor powered reeling system had lived up to Annabeth's design.
"Powder." Annabeth breathed in anticipation. Her heart jumping excitedly in her chest as the heavy sacks hidden in the paneling tipped. The students finally looking up and noticing. Pointing and gabbering as some jumped to their feet.
Clouds of multi coloured powder floating, sinking, swirling to the floor and coating everyone in bright colours. Reds, pinks, blues, yellows, greens, purples, oranges, navys. They were all there.
Screams of confusion and delight broke into the room as the world around them became nothing but vivid colour. Just breathing air tasted salty and hard as the filaments started settling in every nook and cranny of the cafeteria. Annabeth withheld the urge to cough as her own body was covered in the stuff.
Wasted lunches and contaminated drinks were then forgotten as some of the girls started laughing while others whined. Either trying to brush it out of their hair or giggling as they blew it into their friends faces. The lunch room looking like a field of ground up corals.
While the mayhem started, Piper and Annabeth grinned at each other.
"Water."
The red yarn attached to the ancient sprinkler system whipped back and grew taut. The little mickey mouse lighter Annabeth picked up at the gas station lit a flame, and the sensor went off.
Streams of water went sprinkling in wide circles with a angry hissing noise. The cold droplets raining down in quick heavy sparkles that chilled Annabeth's skin and ran down her neck. The squeals from the girls growing louder as the water was mixed and churned with the power of their movements.
It was invigorating.
On a side note: Annabeth was lucky to hit that dye sale. She was positive the place would look all the better because of it. The girls uniforms would be quite improved as well.
Click. The sharpness of the noise at first rattled Annabeth slightly but then she realized what came next. How that lovely reeling machine finally pulled away the piece of paper blocking the connection between the old ipod, and the intercom wire. Her heart skipped a pump. Her wings flapped against her back soggily.
"Music!" Piper and Annabeth screamed together over the noise. Their smiles as wide as oceans as Annabeth grabbed Pipers hand and went skipping through the muddle of wet and colorful bodies staggering around. The rain seeming to intensify as the lights flicked off and intercoms started booming.
The bouncing beat reverberating throughout the caf in thick sweet melodies.
"Care to dance?" Annabeth bowed in a severely proper way. "It is our song after all."
Beaming regardless of how guilty they looked as Piper feigned bashfulness. Her crisp white blouse now mostly a dripping blue and yellow.
"Why Annabeth, I'd thought you'd never ask!" She cried over the quick strum from guitars and pounding drums.
And they danced.
Hair flat and wet, blouses soaked in colours and youthful rebellion, and eyes sparkling like a million diamonds. More students joined as they jumped and twirled in the mess of the cafeteria. Hoots of laughter sporadically hitting the air as students starting singing along.
The first dance to ever take place at Geneth All Girls Secondary School.
At some point the dollar store glow sticks came spinning down from the ceiling and pelted them against their heads and wings. Illuminating the dim room with more splashes of colour, and enticing more shouts of glee.
Annabeth let out the most unladylike whistle as she danced and twirled. Weaving between the tables and urging some other students to be more lively. Join the fun!
Droplets of water went flying off their flapping wings and waving arms as still the sprinklers persisted. The cold numbing their fingers, but the fire of adrenaline coursing hotly through their veins.
"What in the name of hell is all this?!" Mrs. Dodds came shrieking in through the door. A snitchy pig tailed girl tightly following her heels with a smug expression.
Great. Annabeth mentally deflated. Readying herself for the group tongue lashing.
However, the old batty teacher was drenched in a matter of seconds. Her cries of attention falling on deaf ears as the girls sang louder and danced harder. It only took a bold student to reach out and tug her into the mess before she was lost in the swarm of dancing bodies. Slipping to the dye puddled floor and picking up all kinds of wacky colours on her own starch white blouse.
"And the Dodds has joined." Piper gave her a giddy high five. Their excitement cut in half when a limp sandwich smacked her in the side of the head. Shock striking the both of them coldly in the heart before they turned in unison to a very impish looking girl. Her small hand armed with another sandwich as she took aim.
"Oh it's on." Annabeth smirked.
"I await your commands General." Piper shared the look with a brisk salute.
"Well then! Collect some ammo Private! We have a war to win!"
Quickly she snatched a tupperware of pitas off a table and launched them almost blindly through the sprinkling water. A glorious welp following as food met flesh.
If it wasn't mayhemic before, it was now that food was starting to become airborne. The general cry of delights growing in shrieks and yelps. Mrs. Dodds still commanding things as she went staggering through the crowd like a drenched ferret getting pelted right and left with sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Screams igniting more excitement. The chaos growing faster than fueled fire. Food flying farther, hitting harder, making a bigger mess than before.
And for a moment, it felt like this was how the day would end for Annabeth. With Mayonnaise in her hair and something like macaroni plastered to the front of her shirt. Like nothing else could make her day complete.
"Ladies!"
And there was Principal Ashton. Her eyes burning, her fists tightly clenched. Flanked by an amused Mr. Chiron and a bewildered Miss Prestin. Her very glare stopping students in their tracks. The mood turning to ice in a second.
Mrs. Dodds shoved her way out stumbling like a drunk with flattened popcorn kernels in her wrecked dripping hair, half a sandwich clinging to her face and a whole grocery store of lunches as a new outfit. (Everything on her a different colour, if I may remind you)
"How DARE you little-"
"OUT THE BACK!" Piper crouched down in the crowd before she screamed with that smile set in stone on her face and ringing in her voice. Effectively hiding her identity as the idea was sprung into the teenage driven moment.
They listened to her.
Of course they did. Teenagers that have been fed a taste of freedom will do anything as a group.
The emergency door was thrown open. Students pouring out onto the field as the emergency siren ripped over the caf and drowned out the still blasting music. Leaving behind the soaking, food coated, colour land that used to be called a cafeteria. The hundreds of footsteps pounding against the ground in waves and making enough of a tremor that your heart could just fly right through your chest.
"Alright!" Annabeth cried in Pipers direction as they linked arms. Allowing themselves to be caught up through the flow and forced towards the doors. "Nice transition!"
"Why thank you!"
There was a red yarn pulled tight from the edge of the glass back door all the way up and over the edge of the roof. Annabeth's throat twisted in excitement when she spotted it. The shiver of exhilaration rocketing throughout her system as she gave Piper another look of total enjoyment.
"Any second." She shrieked as they passed through the doors. The sunshine truly displaying how colour soaked all the students had become. The grass peppered with dye footprints and clumps of food.
Shreeeeeee
A fountain of sparks and golden light spiked into the blue cloudless sky screaming the entire way. The magnificent pop that followed unleashed a pom pom of light that glittered and fizzled before dying away.
The fireworks had begun.
Bang, Pop. The lights dazzled the crowd in hard blues and vivid oranges. Each one that fired, only triggered the next down the line. The raging light in them stimulating more cheers. The wailing teachers and huffing principle being nothing more but the icing on top.
Annabeth threw an arm over Piper's shoulders. Satisfaction glimmering in her chest.
"It's almost sad," she chuckled softly. Eyes following the rise and fall of each entrancing explosion of light. "That next year we won't be here creating beautiful wrecks such as these. That this school will once again know what peace feels like."
She felt Pipers arm casually land around her shoulders a moment later and pinning her tie dyed wings. The cracking snaps from the fireworks had occasionally interrupted, but Piper got the gist of it and smiled all the same.
"You said it yourself," the tangy haired brunette simpered softly. "The war is over. Peace is inevitable. But if you ask me, I'd say we won."
The sirens were still calling out from inside the school. Trumpeting across the field like a demand for order and organization. But beneath the noise of it all, Annabeth could still make out the precious sounds of thumping boisterous music singing defiantly on.
The colour patched students were watching their firework show in awe. Some still high on the energy of it all chased each other in circles while pelting glow sticks at one another. A few were even dangling by their legs from the low crabapple trees that lined the drive. Their kilts flying up as Miss Prestin begged them to come down.
Mrs. Ashton was at the door of the gym, leaning heavily upon the frame. Listlessly staring out onto all of Annabeth and Pipers hard work. Not an expression to be held on her face as she just stood there. Wild students looking the exact opposite of prim and proper, the siren, the un-authorized fireworks.
"Mmh," Annabeth observed with a slight tilt to her head. "You don't suppose we broke her. Do you?"
Piper shook her own head whilst wrinkling her nose. "Naw, if anything, I'd say we made quite an improvement on her character. I mean, look how calm she is in such a time of peril!"
"How delightful. She must be very grateful for us," Annabeth giggled in return.
Before Piper had time to reply a new urgent cry of a siren grew stronger. Dominating the field as heads craned to the drive.
"Oh look. Firefighters!"
-{:oOo:}-
"And now for the grand finale of my day; my date with Jason!" Piper squealed while shooting a fist in the air as if it added to the spectacularness of it all. (It kind of did.)
"I'm thinking of wearing my cute white top with the sweetheart neckline and my dark skinny jeans. Or maybe I'll-"
Piper rambled on as they leisurely walked down the wide marble floored hallway of the school. The victorian styled peak in the ceiling, and the well set greyish tiles in the floor didn't match the lines of sturdy sandy lockers drilled to the walls.
The school day was officially over.
After the fire fighters came, half of the girls fled just for the fun of it and the other half went parading back inside. Tracks of dye following their movements like tracers and marking up the expensive floors in such a permanent way that Mrs. Ashton came close to fainting.
The rest of the daily classes were dismissed so the student body could all pitch in to clean up the glorious mess.
Annabeth didn't mind, although she was a touch disappointed that writers craft class was off for the day. Who was she to complain though.
With so many hands, and so many workers, the mess was mopped up in no time. However, the tables, chairs, floors and splashes of walls were forever dyed in different hues. No matter how vigorously they were scrubbed, sprayed or wiped the colour stuck. It was a mark Annabeth and Piper had forever imprinted onto the school.
The same effect seemed to be on the students clothes and skin.
Girls left that day looking like the colour palettes from sesame streets.
"You're coming over right?" Pipers seemingly random babbles of clothes broke into a sudden question. Her eagerly bright eyes landing on Annabeth in a hopeful look.
"I already plan on being punished for my unearthly appearance." Annabeth gestured to her figure containing a kaleidoscope of colours. "If I'm caught hanging around the forbidden, I just might be put up for adoption."
"But Annabetthhh," Piper whined. "You said you could!"
"That was before I incited a world changing article." Annabeth poked her playfully. "And besides, we have all of Uni to hang out. I just have to make it there."
The brunettes wings drooped. "Fiiiinee."
"Miss Chase?"
Annabeth instantly got prickles that raced down her spine like wheels of spikes.
Mrs. Ashton's hard glare and cold eyes were holding something like a triumphant aire in them. The way she stood so coolly next to their lockers spoke of unmeasurable trouble as her fingers tightened in there clasp. She seemed to be biting back a cruel smile.
(Not to mention it was never good to be singled out after a prank.)
"Yes?"
"After a thorough check we found this in your locker. Care to embellish?" The haughty Principal produced the yellow and orange packaging of the fire works. The slightly crumpled cardboard was stiff in her fingertips and was pointed in an almost threatening manner at Annabeth's neck.
Her heart plummeted all the way down to her toes before catapulting back up. A shot of cold blood blossoming in her chest and flying throughout her veins in one quick pound.
But how! I threw that out! I didn't even store anything in my locker when we-
The article. The way she blew off Mrs. Ashton when she was asked to retract her statements. Mrs. Ashton hadn't found her out. Mrs. Ashton was under the burning pressure of those agents to make her look like nothing more than a prankster. Framing her to look like a trouble maker. Effectively discrediting her statements in the article.
If people thought she was nothing but a mischievous teen, no one would take her statements seriously. She would be back to square one with getting Percy home safely and no one would care if she disappeared herself. Her mother would find out, her mother would pull her from University. This was it.
I can't admit it. Annabeth slightly panicked. Because then the whole gig is up.
She swallowed dryly and tried to catch her breath. Tried to keep her wings from fluttering.
But I can't deny it. I can't prove my innocence. I'm NOT innocent and that's exactly the problem.
And she was stuck.
Mrs. Ashton had no idea she had actually pegged the real pranking queen. She'd nailed her villian to the wall without even realizing it was her with the mask off.
She was just trying to appease the government.
"I… I…"
"What were you doing in my locker?" Piper demanded suddenly. Her acting face on and a bright indignant anger igniting her face. "I don't pay tuition for the Principal to scrounge around in my personal belongings like a distempered raccoon!"
Mrs. Ashton's face fell. Knowing just as well as Piper that this was all a charade. "Your locker?"
"Of course my locker. Annabeth and I switched lockers at the very beginning of the school year! We informed the office. But that pile of unorganization and mess hardly gave us a word of confirmation."
Annabeth's heart flittered as she watched her best friend. Eyes wide as Piper took that fall for her.
Mrs. Ashton's eyebrows furrowed darkly. "And pray tell Miss Mclean why you had the fireworks wrappers in your locker?"
"Because I pranked the caf! I pranked it and I'm proud!" Piper cried loudly. Defiantly settling her hands on her hips as girls by their lockers turned to stare. Pipers little show turning into quite a spectacle.
"This school needed fun! It needed freedom! It needed colour! And I provided all of it! So do your worst Mrs. Ashton. It's the end of my high school life! I'm going out in STYLE!"
From the back someone whistled and another cheered. The bright faces of their fellow schoolmates circling around them as Mrs. Ashton's frustration grew.
"And how was Annabeth Chase a part of this?" She demanded harshly. The red from her face starting to migrate to the tips of her knobby ears. Her voice going raspy as always when she was beyond immeasurably mad.
She needed dirt on Annabeth to quench the demands of the government. She needed Annabeth to be seen as a bad student.
"Annabeth? My faithful sweet best friend Annabeth?" Piper turned to the blonde dramatically. Not even caring to give a performance that seemed real. She was just playing with the principle head. Knowing that the principle didn't have real evidence. That she was just shooting blanks. "Why Annabeth is as innocent as a newborn lamb, as blameless as a soft free dove and as honest as an angel."
Theatrically, Piper took Annabeth's hands in her own. Her eyes locking onto her grey ones as the blonde bit down a confession. She didn't want Piper to take the sole punishment. But this was the only way.
And they both knew it.
"Annabeth my darling," she fell to one knee in a histrionic fashion. "I have done a great sin. How can you ever forgive me?"
"A crumpet will serve for justice. Bring me a single unblemished crumpet." Annabeth joined into the act naturally. And although they were a sight to behold, Annabeth had a pit in her stomach.
"A crumpet!" Piper jumped to her feet. Still clasping Annabeth's hands as she spun her around joyously. Smiling broadly with every twinkle in her eyes. "Nay! A whole platter of crumpets! Only the best for my-"
"Oh enough of this!" Mrs. Ashton barked. Teeth practically bared as she yanked Piper away in one fluid motion. "Miss Mclean. My office. Now."
"But how does one reach the underworld?" Piper didn't miss a beat.
"By following the cries of condemned souls of course." Annabeth hummed sweetly whilst waving her tie almost flirtily.
"LADIES!"
"Ah, Hades beckons. Well I'm off my darling. Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!" Piper started skipping off happily with a fleeting flutter of her fingers. The show of dramatics now over as the tie dyed brunette when flouncing around the corner with Mrs. Ashton hotly on her heels.
And she did it. She riled up Mrs. Ashton enough to chase her. To give Annabeth a window to escape.
Her best friend. Her chum. The girl who just took the bill for her.
And I kissed Jason…
Annabeth never felt more horrible in her whole life.
-{:oOo:}-
Annabeth sat on the hard marble step of the school for an hour. Knotting and unknotting her fingers as she anxiously awaited for the result. The punishment. What Piper would have to do in retribution to the crime she claimed to have done alone.
Mr. Mclean came screeching in his fancy dancy car at some point. Looking flustered and rushed as he took the stairs two at a time. Barely offering Annabeth a simple hello before disappearing behind the dark wood of the thick old carved doors.
As time trinkled by, she grew impatient. She wanted to know what was happening. She wanted to know how Piper was going to pay for this.
She just wanted to know.
So ditching her shoulder bag on the steps, Annabeth went tip toeing around the side of the school. Pressing her back against the cold stone of the walls as she angled herself carefully around the windows and behind shrubs. The branches catching at her clothes and hair as she cursed them over and over under her breath.
She took extra care when passing the Principal's off east facing window. Ensuring she wasn't seen as she sat crouched with her ears wide open.
To her sinking disappointment, she couldn't hear a thing.
Instead she trekked on. Passing the second window before coming to the middle one on that face of the building. Sneakily, she slipped up and took a peek inside. The hallway with wrought iron light fixtures were the same as always. Barren floors, drab walls, and lights that challenged the sunshine pouring in from other windows.
And there was Piper.
Sitting on the worn smooth wooden bench right outside the principal's office. Her head tilted back against the rugged surface of the wall and her eyes wandering the ceiling as she twiddled her fingers. Not exactly the picture perfect photo of a condemned criminal.
Quietly, Annabeth tried the window and let out a delighted chuckle when it gave. Swinging the large fixture outwards and grinning at Piper as the brunette snapped to attention, surprised.
"Damage control?" Annabeth asked. Resting her forearms against the window frame as she whispered.
"They're contemplating on pulling me from walking the stage at grad."
Annabeth winced. A needle like stab entering her heart at the thought of it all.
"Do you suppose they will?"
"Dad's arguing it out with Mrs. Ashton right now." Piper sighed dismally. "Either way I've missed my date with Jason. I hope he doesn't think ill of me."
Annabeth scoffed. "Who could? He'll understand. I know he will."
I kissed him. I kissed him. I KISSED HIM.
"Well, you better make yourself scarce General. If Principal Ashton catches you meandering around here, you'll be in hot water again." Piper urged softly. A half smile curving up her lips as she encouraged her to leave. Almost as if she were sayings it's okay. Go.
"You're gold Pipes." Annabeth shot her a pursed smile. "Completely gold. Call you tonight?"
"After six. That is if the wicked witch of the west will make up her mind on a punishment by that time."
"Okay."
With a last apologetic look, Annabeth sunk back into the shrubs. Chicken hopping her way to the front of the school while cursing even the descendants of the branches that dared to snag at her. A hook tugging at her heart at how everything was unfolding. How everything she screwed up seemed to get worst.
I need to fix this. She resolved. First chance I get, I'll tell her.
She was just scooping up her bag when she felt a firm tap on her shoulder.
Screaming in alarm, Annabeth twisted and wrenched her bag around in an act of un-metitated self defense. The heavy book bag flying around with an impressive amount of thrust.
Thud.
Her book bag collided into the shoulder of a very surprised looking Jason Grace. His balance being lost the instant it collided and sending him flailing to the ground like a flag with no wind.
…. Crud.
"Aahhhh…." Annabeth stood there awkwardly for a full moment. Staring, staring, staring, with nothing to say other then an unsure noise.
"Grason Jace- Aceon Face- uhh I meaaan…." She stuttered. Fluttering between helping him up and panicking in front of him like a live show. Her wings shuddering so hard against her back she wanted to tear them from her shoulders and see if they would just fly off on their own.
"Jason Grace." She finally found the words. Her entire face a burning red as her heart pounded bells into her ears. "You startled me."
"You did a number on my sense of fear as well." He grimaced in an amused way while rubbing his shoulder.
Annabeth wrinkled her nose in guilt. "Did I hurt you?"
"I'm fine…"
"Oh… kay.. Great…" Annabeth shuffled her feet. That suffocated feeling crawling up her throat all over again. The feeling of his lips on hers was swimming around her brain no matter how hard she tried to ignore it.
"Piper's in a knot of trouble at the moment. She… might not make it tonight…"
"I suppose it has something to do with the rainbow theme in your wardrobe?" Jason gestured to her shirt while looking her up and down.
For a moment she felt so exposed that she could've crawled into a hole and called it home. But Jason was right. Was was as big of a collage of colours as everyone else had been. Green had primarily stuck to her shirt and neck, but there was a decent amounts of yellows, purples, and reds to call her a rainbow.
She looked like she was on the ad campaign for Skittles.
And let's not even talk about the amount of food she was currently modeling.
"Prank." Annabeth explained loosely. "She got caught for my sake. It's not her fault."
"Oh."
"Yeah… well. It was nice seeing you." Annabeth looped her bag over her shoulders. Her wings trembling as she turned to leave.
One step away, two steps almost three as Annabeth held her breath before-
"We should talk."
It was low, and shy and said with the most seeping shame Annabeth had ever heard. And although it was spoken to the ground, Annabeth got it crystal clear.
For a moment, her mind just said no. No she didn't want to talk. She didn't want to feel uncomfortable. She didn't want to remember that night.
"We should," she replied softly. Her back still facing the golden boy. Feeling the truth weighted in her statement made her wings limper.
They did need to talk. She needed to sort whatever this was out. She needed to make sure Jason knew everything she was feeling and how that kiss meant nothing. Even though she wasn't entirely sure of it for herself.
"Would you like to take a drive?" Jason offered before clearing his throat. His nervousness somehow soothing her own jitters.
"..okay."
And that's how Annabeth learned that Jason owned a really nice convertible sports car. Soon she was seated in the way-too-comfortable luxury leather passenger seat as he maneuvered them through the streets. Feeling guilty at how she was messing up his car with whatever she had tracked in from the food fight (Macaroni? Nacho's? Maybe parts of a Sandwich?) The open top was sending warm summer breezes to comb through Annabeth's hair.
But she hardly felt the joy of being in it. She was far too tense. Too coiled up. Sitting next to Jason made her feel like a compressed spring.
"I'm sorry." Jason started the conversation off sheepishly. His staggeringly blue eyes were glued to the road and refused to even glance in Annabeth's direction. (To be fair, she did look like a clown.) "I should never of… kissed you so upfrontedly and then to stubbornly ignore you? I'm a jerk. Usually I… well I thought I was good with dealing with so much… magnetism."
At the word magnetism, Annabeth felt her world go a bit fuzzy. Remembering that night with so much excruciating clarity that it felt like a flame in her skull.
She too had given in to the magnetism.
"We were drunk," she waved off easily. "Aren't there entire movies based of stupid teenagers doing regrettable things while they're under the influence?"
Jason's lip disappeared under a row of teeth for heavy second. Wetting his lips, his eyes skirted to her as if looking for an expression that wasn't there before flicking them back to the road.
"Was that all it was to you? Something regrettable?"
Annabeth's eyes fell. "No," she whispered. That bone deep ache growing sharper in her chest.
She could be wrong, but Jason might've gasped lightly. His eyes more frequently shifting to her form now.
"Listen, I'm going to be terribly blunt with you. That night, I never felt more connected to anyone in my entire life. There's… there's just not a whole lot of people like you and I out there."
Annabeth's throat twisted. "I know."
The car was directed to the side of the road and pulled to a stop suddenly making the beautiful shush of the waving trees noticeable. The dark clouds gathering on the horizon seemes to be pushing in the powerful gusts. Annabeth's wings trembling against the seat as she tried to pretend like he wasn't looking at her. Like all of his attention wasn't currently on her shambled appearance. One of his arms resting over the steering wheel as he shifted in his seat to face her.
"How do you feel about this," he asked in a very straight forward way. His soft eyes being tilted to try and meet hers. The gentleman like qualities that he possessed was enough to make her face pinker every second.
"I… I feel confused." Annabeth confessed. Finally being able to peel her eyes away from the dashboard and meet his gaze. "We make sense. You and I make sense. But… we're so similar. I can't help thinking that would be a terrible downfall. Not to mention you're supposed to be on a date with my best friend. Amongst the many other reasons, I'm currently a very very busy person-"
She was cut off when Jason's hand landed on hers. His soft eyes were ever comforting as he gave her fingers a squeeze that sent her whole arm in tingles.
"I didn't ask you what you thought." Jason reminded seriously. "I asked you how you felt. If you indeed felt anything at all."
Annabeth's tongue felt thick. For a moment she was cornered. Her mind swirling with defiant statements on how she just told him how she felt.
But he was right.
She'd been confusing her thoughts with her feelings. All the little technical difficulties had easily wrapped her up like a burrito and swallowed her full like a python. She had to stop. She had to take a step back and sort things out through her mind.
And she did.
Stealing a few car passing moments to just organize things mentally. And those measly few moments gave her the first patch of tranquility and understanding that she had been striving for. Finally she had a piece of peace of her own.
"I did feel a connection," she hummed quietly. "I think I'm only confused because I feel like that connection could either grow into a risky relationship… or a strong friendship."
"And which do you prefer."
"That's the confusing part."
"Oh I see."
"Speaking with my thoughts alongside my feelings however." Annabeth started carefully. "I think we could make very good friends if we play our cards wisely. That is, if you don't hurt Piper."
"I don't think I could take Piper out anymore." Jason said the words Annabeth dreaded. Her eyes snapping to him as her fingers tightened on the corner of her blouse. The open world outside being drowned in her own throbs of fear.
She'll be so disappointed.
"Why not?" Annabeth dared to ask. A keen intentness in her eyes as she searched the golden boy over and over.
"Well, I hardly know her and yet I already feel like I've cheated on her. I hardly know you for that matter as well." Jason turned forward again. His eyes knitted with concerns as he delicately chewed the corner of his lip. The wind slightly ruffling his blonde hair.
"Just go on one date with her." Annabeth tilted her head back in a challenging manner. "I guarantee you'll fall madly in love with her after one date."
"Why does that sound like the beginning of a story containing witches and potions?" Jason raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Well, we're strikingly similar in character. Are we not?"
The golden boy nodded.
"Then, if you are in fact anything like me you will adore Piper. It's a matter of principle."
"... you have a point."
"Trust me. There's no way you can't adore Piper."
Jason seemed to think on this for a few moments. His eyes falling off in the distance before he nodded firmly.
"Alright." he gave. "I'll take your word for it."
-{:oOo:}-
The official decision was made. Annabeth and Jason were to be friends. Nothing more, nothing less.
Throughout the rest of their little drive, Annabeth caught sight of that horrendous black car tailing her again. At first she was going to inform Jason, but thought the better of it when she realized she didn't truly have a reason to tell him.
In no time, he was dropping her off. Walking her to the door like a true gentleman and saying his goodbyes in a very pleasant manner.
Needless to say that Annabeth approved. Jason would suit Piper nicely and she, him. Even though he still made her heart fizzle from time to time she knew that things weren't meant to be for them.
Briskly, Annabeth entered the house. Dreaming of a shower and to feel clean again. The globs of food still clinging to her hair were starting to stink and part of her blouse was utterly crusty in dried sauce. She was just about to throw off her bag and go racing up the stairs like a crazy person when her mother's office door opened in a forceful bang. Her heart dropping from her chest like ice over a cliff.
"Who was that?!" she demanded harshly. Her usual calmness gone as she stomped heavily over to Annabeth wild eyed. "Who was that?!" she practically screeched again.
"Just Jason," Annabeth near stuttered. Tumbling backwards into the door as her Mother loomed over her like a rabid bear. Fear pattering in her torso. Hairs standing on end.
"Jason who!?"
"Jason Grace!"
"How long have you been seeing him?!"
"I- I-"
"OUT WITH IT! How long have you been seeing him?!"
"We met a week and a bit ago. He was at Octavian's party, we only went for a drive."
Her Mother's face drained from all colour. Her venomous anger seemed to slide right out of her body as she stood there motionless. Horror encaptured in every element of her expression.
"Mother." Annabeth whimpered quietly. Trying to tie down her pulse, trying to keep the roaring anxiousness from eating her up from the inside out. "Mother what's wrong…"
But Athena just stood there. Mouth slightly open, eyes wide and unblinking, hands clasped tightly together and pressed to her chest as if to find her own heart beat.
"Were you together at the party?"
"I-"
"Come child this is NO time to hesitate! Were you or were you not with Jason Grace at the Aresto's garden party?!" Her voice was hoarse and strained. Usually so honey sweet and filled with an unmovable calmness but now her ladylike tone was forgotten. Annabeth could hardly recognize her mother as she deliriously grabbed Annabeth's arms in her talon like fingers.
"Did he see you together? Did he? Did Octavian see you two together?" The desperation in her voice. The way her eyes skittered from eye to eye as if looking for an answer. How her hair became more undone with every rapid jerk of her crazed movements.
Was this even her mother?
"No- Yes… I don't know!" Annabeth sobbed. The knots of terror yanked against her gut as the tears spilled over her eyes. Her mother's fingers digging into her arms and a painful burning sensation tore through her biceps.
"WHICH IS IT?! DAMN YOU FOOLISH CHILD WHICH IS IT?!"
A hollow pocket of shock forced its way through Annabeth's mind.
Mother cursed. Mother CURSED. Mother never curses.
Before Annabeth could even grasp the words to answer her mother was shaking her. Hitting her against the door in such a deranged rage that a hot flash of agony shot through Annabeth's skull from the forceful contact.
"WHICH IS IT?!"
"Octavian didn't see us." Annabeth bawled. Her arms thrown up protectively around her head as the tears raced down her face. Dense hiccups breaking through her mouth as her diaphragm jerked with each stuttered breath. Those knots of terror turning to lead as her Mother's grasp tightened yet again. "But the butler did. He saw us."
"What did he see?" It was a hiss. A threat. An embodiment of all her rage and demented actions. Annabeth could feel the hot breath of her Mother scrape her cheek and she whimpered. Trying to escape it all in her mind. Trying to find that safe place everyone was supposed to have.
For a moment only being able to picture Percy. When he listened, how he held her, the way his wings coned around her in that lovingly protective way. His eyes, his deep sympathetic yet expressive eyes. She wanted to be there, encased by his wings, his arms. She wanted to be somewhere she felt safe. Not where she was being watched or followed or judged. She wanted to be with Percy.
Percy…
"WHAT DID HE SEE?!" Her mother drew her back and slammed her into the door this time. Firecrackers of pain stung her wings, her shoulders, her head. Everything felt so vivid, so sharp, so awful. It was as if the adrenaline cartwheeling through her system was there to make her suffer more.
"He saw Jason and I kiss," she sniveled. Hanging her head low so that her messy colour streaked hair would hide her face. Cradling her bruised head tenderly as the fat hot tears splashed the ground. She tried to keep the sobs to a minimum. She tried to hide her grief.
Ladies don't cry.
"YOU FOOL!" Her mother exploded. Throwing her against the door one last time before releasing. Annabeth's two seconds of relief of being let go were cut into by a searing pain that flared up on the side of her face.
Her mother had slapped her.
"You've ruined everything!" Athena snarled. Teeth clenched and eyes ablazed as she looked down at her crumpled weeping daughter. "Everything I've ever done!"
"Why?" Annabeth cried. The tracks of tears scorching her flaming cheek. "Why?"
Athena ignored her. By the look in the stiff woman's eyes, she was thinking. She was thinking deeply.
"By the grace of fate, all might not be lost," she mumbled loosely to herself. "Be it that the butler has a tight lip."
Then she was thinking again. Eyes lost to the distance. Stance still threatening as she stood over Annabeth.
Annabeth held her breath. Her skyrocketing heart beat filling her ears as she looked up to the woman she called mother.
"Annabeth." It was calm again. But it was fresh with hate. "You are to never see Jason Grace again. Am I clear?"
"Why?" Annabeth breathed brokenly again. Her own question startling herself at how she just subconsciously avoided agreeing with her mother.
Her mother on the other hand, surprisingly didn't seem to care.
"Because you are betrothed to Octavian Aresto."
Her heart stopped.
-{:oOo:}-
Annabeth didn't even know how she ended up in front of Percy's tree. She remembered the fight that ensued after her mother's announcement. She remembered fleeing through the back yard. Running, running, always running. The prickling rain starting in first a soft drizzle. Then a shower. Finally it poured buckets. Flashes of lightning ripped up the sky, followed by cracking booms that echoed for what felt like forever. Shivers chilled the blonde to her bones from the wet but she didn't even notice.
She was running.
And then she was just there.
Tears drowned out on her face with all the other rain, her eyes puffy from crying and her lungs huffing and coughing as she lay curled over wheezing. Wracks of trembles spazzing through her limbs as she climbed.
She tried to stifle the tears. She tried to pretend like everything was okay. By the time she dragged herself into the treehouse, she looked no different from when she was running.
Breathless, pathetic, and still covered head to toe in damn colours. To make matters worse she was still in her uniform. She was still in her blouse.
(Used to be) white blouses and rain don't mix, every girl worth her style knows that.
Then she just stood there quivering. Her arms wrapped around herself in a desperate half attempt for either comfort or warm. Hair plastered to her skull, wings drooped with despair and eyes itchy with tears. Loose ended sobs still burbling through her mouth as her swollen eyes met Percy's.
"Annabeth-" he hardly breathed. Jumping to his feet with a worried expression twisting up his face. A far growl of thunder adding to the moment.
"Wha- My gods, you're freezing!" He exclaimed. Instantly grabbing her hand and tugging her over to the dancing fire. His deep green eyes filled with that heavy concern.
"What happened?"
She tried to speak but her voice cracked. All she ended up doing was shaking her head as she sat on the stump near the flames. Letting her face drop down to hide the fresh flow of tears.
She couldn't hide the shudder in her shoulders though.
Percy yanked the sleeping bag from the floor with one determined tug and a flurry of leaves before wrapping it around Annabeth's slender shoulders. Her fractured thank you was lost in the deep crackle of the fire and the howling rain outside as Percy knelt beside her. Just the warmth of his presence seemed to needle its way into Annabeth's heart like an ember of contentment.
"Oh Annabeth," he whispered lost again. His calloused hand reaching down to catch her chin. Gently making her look at him. His deep green eyes probing for answers, her foggy grey ones fleeting and sorrowful.
When he tried to cup her cheeks Annabeth shied away. Hissing in pain as his palm brushed the bruising print of her mother's hand. His look of confusion was met with a mournful expression.
Then he saw it. The purpling bruise on her right cheek. Hidden slightly by the heavy shadows and yellow flickering firelight.
His eyes growing wide and fierce. Rage, distress, and pain floating to the surface of his beautiful green eyes as his jaw was set.
"Who did this to you?" He simmered lowly. Delicately running his knuckles over the burning area as Annabeth winced. His eyes flicking over her face with a tender gaze.
The bubbling tears spilled over again.
Sniffling quietly, Annabeth reached up and grabbed Percy's hand. His fingers slightly trembling in anger as her gaze dropped down again. Unable to handle his intense eyes.
"My mother," she croaked. Feeling him stiffen beside her. Feeling his breath being let go in one tightened exhaled.
"Your mother." he repeated with a strain. As if he were refraining from saying it in a vulgar way.
Annabeth was just about ready to start sobbing again when Percy's wing came around her. His blanket like black wing hugging to her sleeping bag swaddled figure as Percy scooted in a little closer.
Instead she buried her head in her hands. The fresh agony of the whole situation set more flaming tears down her cheeks.
"You were right," she whimpered. "She doesn't know what's best for me. She only thinks of me as a bargaining chip. As an item to be sold."
"Beth-"
"I'm betrothed to Octavian." She sobbed hollowly. Shaking her head as the snaking pain grew fiercer.
"What?!" Percy balked. Disbelief illuminating his face.
"Mrs. Aresto didn't just give my mom tons of money to start her own business. Mrs. Aresto bought me! She bought me! All- all those years of lady classes- of beauty creams and harp lessons. Everything, everything as been to groom me into becoming the perfect wife for Octavian!" Annabeth bawled. Curling forward and back as she tried to sooth her own tears.
But how could she?
She just learned her own mother sold her. The mother she had convinced herself into believing that loved her. But no...
"I don't believe it." Percy exhaled numbly. Looking nowhere and empty of feeling. "I… I.."
Then he snapped back to reality. His wing tightening against her back protectively, his arm finding her waist before he tugged her sopping wet form into his warm lap. Holding her to his chest as he rearranged the moth bitten sleeping bag around them. The heat finally starting to seep in her icy body from his torso.
"You're not going through it with it. Are you?" he asked fearfully somber. His voice rumbling deeply throughout his chest. His strong heartbeat thudding in her ear as she curled against him.
"I have to," she mewled softly. "If I don't then Mother has to return the money owed plus interest. Her business will collapse. Plus the aresto's own every single hospital in this country. If I don't marry Octavian then- then Malcolm will never get to be a doctor. He's always- always wanted to be one!"
Percy squeezed her closer. His muscular arms offering that security she so craved. His wings following in that cone shape she loved.
This was her safe place.
"Who cares about them," he shushed soothingly. "You deserve happiness too. You don't need to marry this jerk. You don't have to. Just say no!"
Annabeth shook her head. That dark sadness embedded inside of her growing like mold.
"If I don't marry Octavian, Mother will kick me out. I… I won't be able to afford University tuition, living expenses and food for you. I- I wouldn't be able to help you."
"I don't care!" Percy snuffed a little harshly. "I'll go back to foraging and hunting. I'll do what it takes."
"Until you're hurt again." Annabeth rubbed her tears into his shirt miserably. Her ragged voice cracking every so one in awhile. "Until you need medication again. Then where would I get the resources?"
"Don't worry about me." Percy uttered breathily before pressing a kiss to her temple. "I can take care of myself."
"Not with those horrible men after you! Not with the danger of being killed every day!" Annabeth fisted his shirt in her hands. The hopelessness of the whole situation striking her hard.
"No," Percy's voice was growing weaker, more desperate. "No, I won't let you."
"I have to," she whimpered again. Pulling away so she could look into his eyes. Catching the grave look in his own pools as he saw the truth in it all. Yet still he shook his head as if he were in a daze.
"No," he muttered. "You can't."
The thunder cackled outside. The pattering rain seemed to intensify as the minutes rolled by. Annabeth still bundled tightly in Percy's arms.
"I want Malcolm to be a doctor," Annabeth confessed almost timidly. Her hands twisting and snaking around Percy. "I want to get you home to your mom. I can only do these things if I comply with my mother for now."
"But-"
"Maybe I won't have to stay married to him long." Annabeth mused. "Maybe I'll uncover the secrets of the wings. Then you could get home, and I'd divorce him. Then I'd sell a book or something on the subject of wings and save up to buy my own hospital. Then Malcolm could work there."
She was dreaming and she knew it. But it felt good to dream. It was giving her hope around the subject.
"No." Percy persisted. Rising to his feet and pacing around the room. His massive black wings fluttering in agitation. "No, there has to be another way. Without you ever going near that creep."
"There's not," she muttered so bluntly, so despairingly that Percy stopped to stare at her. "I've turned this over a thousand times in my head. There's no way around this without affecting you or Malcolm."
"There has to be."
"There's not."
Crack. The thunder rammed and clashed in the sky. The sound seeming to darken Percy's face as he looked at her. His chiseled features set off by the jumping firelight.
"I… I need to think for a moment."
"So do I." Annabeth shot him a pursed look. Cheeks still wet as her eyebrows pinched up. He dipped out a second later. Hardly a sending a look over his shoulder before he took off into the soggy night.
Octavian. His name even made her feel helpless. How was she going to escape this? How could she get around this?
Before Annabeth even had time to warm her hands over the fire, a flash of brilliantly pure white light came scorching from beside her. A crash following with such magnificent reverberancy that her ears rung in anguish.
With the sound of splintering wood and brushing leaves her world broke apart and spun. The treehouse cracking and snapping to pieces around her, falling, breaking tumbling.
And suddenly she was screaming towards earth.
