GUYS IM SO SORRY! I know you've all been waiting so patiently for this update to come out and it's taken me forever. If you were one of the people that PM'd me you know I usually responded right away so I was still active on here and stuff I just wasn't updating because I've barely had any time to write lately. Piece of advice to all my amazing readers: enjoy school before college because once you get to college there's no going back. I've been studying my ass off and still find it so hard to get the grades I want in my classes cause the content is so hard. It's a big adjustment and finals are only a few weeks away which means I'll be crying for a good week of my life lol. And it's not just academics either. Socially everything is intimidating too. While I've been here I've managed to literally make 1 friend…that's it. At least I picked a college close to home but it's still been a really lonely experience for me cause it's hard for me to speak up and start conversations cause I'm so introverted you know? I don't know sorry this is really long but if I have any readers in college it'd be awesome to hear some of your thoughts. Especially if your in your first year like me. On another note holy crap over 800 reviews on this story! You guys always lift my mood I'm glad I have you all! Ok I'll stop ranting. Enjoy!
Review Responses:
Book-Nerd-1014: Thanks! I know I thought the outfit was perfect for a skating date as well! Glad you enjoyed all their little moments as well. Percabeth will forever be one of the cutest things to ever exist lol.
Satoru Ryoma: I totally get what you're saying about focusing on their relationship now and don't worry that's what I'll be trying to do for the following chapters. As for the missing piece of Percy's past wow you're a clever one aren't you? Yes, there's still a secret that he hasn't revealed yet and it should be coming relatively soon!
Bjecbear: Aww thank you so much! As for the number of chapters left, um I don't really know if I'm being honest. Usually I just write and the story takes its own direction until I feel it's a good time to end it. I still have more ideas for chapters in this fic tho so it's not completely over yet.
Disclaimer: Don't own
The sounds of a big audience and music filled the air. Annabeth took a deep shaky breath in attempt to calm her nerves. It didn't help much. Her heart was pounding so loud she was sure you could hear it from a mile away. It was yet another competition day. The second to last one of the entire season actually. Sectionals had some of the best skaters of her age. If that didn't make someone nervous she didn't know what did.
She was in one of the many dry rooms at the ice rink where sectionals was being held. Luckily the rink had only been about a 2 hour drive from where she lived. Some people had to travel way further than that to compete. The time was currently 1:15pm and she was supposed to be in the ice arena waiting to skate since she was up soon like Rachel was. Christina was probably figuring out ways to murder her right at that moment but she was too busy trying not to blank on her entire routine to care.
She'd watched some of the girls she was competing against skate earlier when they were rehearsing and needless to say, Annabeth felt like a beginner compared to them. Their jumps and landings were so structured and solid that it made her question everything she was doing. She didn't even have Calypso or Piper to calm her down because they were no longer skaters in the competitions for the season.
Meanwhile in a different part of the building, Percy was searching everywhere for the blonde-haired girl. Piper, Thalia and Calypso were right behind him. Jason, Leo, Will and Nico had offered to save all of their seats while they looked for Annabeth after Christina had walked by freaking out about the fact that she'd lost one of her skaters.
They decided to split up to cover more ground in the giant rink they were in. Percy found a random hall and headed down it. While walking he discovered that several doors were locked. Right when he was about to give up and start looking somewhere else, he saw one door to his left cracked open just the slightest bit. He walked in hesitantly, creaking the door open a bit more.
Annabeth jumped at the sound of the door opening more. She looked to her right and immediately caught the pair of familiar sea green eyes staring at her nervous and pacing form. She couldn't help when a feeling of relief washed over her upon seeing him.
When Percy entered the small room his gaze instantly went towards a head of familiar blonde hair. She looked beautiful with her hair up in a perfect bun, a few strands framing her face. Hiding her skating outfit was her quarter zip and track pants over top. Her makeup was neatly done. He'd found her but she didn't appear to be doing too well. Her facial expression showed that she was scared and nervous. Since she was standing up Percy could only assume that she had been pacing across the room as well. She stopped once he'd walked in.
"Hey-"
"Percy" Annabeth sighed in relief, cutting him off mid-sentence. She felt her body react before her brain and rushed over to him, throwing her arms around him in an embrace.
Percy returned it wholeheartedly, his arms encircling her protectively. Things between the two of them had been going pretty great. It had been a little less than two weeks since their first date and since then they'd gone out twice more. One time with friends and one time without. They weren't exclusive, but Percy was hoping to change that soon.
The first thing he noticed when he was hugging her was that she was physically shaking with nerves. Percy had always known Annabeth to be such a confident and fearless person, seeing her so scared surprised him. He rubbed her back soothingly with his hands.
"We've been looking everywhere for you. What's wrong Princess?" He asked lowly.
She took a shaky breath before speaking. "I don't know if I can do this Perce." She whispered into his shoulder.
His arms tightened around her before he pulled out of the embrace while still keeping her close. He caught her gaze with his own, staring at her like she was crazy.
"Are you kidding me? Of course you can do this! You've been skating for such a big part of your life and you love it!" He encouraged.
Annabeth sighed. "I know but everyone out there is so good."
"And so are you."
"You're just saying that cause you're my-… uh my um…"
Percy's eyebrows shot up teasingly in surprise and Annabeth felt her face flush. She had no idea how to finish that sentence. There wasn't a label on what they were. She loved that Percy was being respectful and taking things slow with her, but it was only getting more confusing as the days passed and they were getting closer and closer.
"I'm saying that because it's the truth. Annabeth, I don't think you realize how talented you really are. I've never met someone as passionate about skating as you. You captivate the audience every time you get on the ice and there's no doubt in my mind that you're meant to be here. Hell, the judges are crazy if they don't pick you to go to U.S. nationals."
Annabeth smiled. Her heart started beating faster but she was pretty sure it had nothing to do with her nerves this time. She pulled him back into a tight embrace. He chuckled and hugged her back.
"Thanks Hockey Boy" She mumbled into his chest.
"Well I hate to break up this adorable Percabeth moment but if Annabeth doesn't get onto the ice in ten minutes she won't be skating." A voice spoke up from behind them.
Annabeth jerked away from Percy. Over by the door stood Piper, Thalia and Calypso with looks of relief on their faces. Percy and Annabeth blushed at Piper's comment.
"How long have you guys been standing there?!" Annabeth asked.
"Long enough for me to want to gauge my eyes out." Thalia commented.
Calypso rolled her eyes and shoved Thalia's shoulder. "Doesn't matter, right now we just need to get you in there!"
The five of them rushed out of the room and towards the ice arena. They had to separate once they got inside because Annabeth had to wait where all the other skaters were. Her friends wished her luck once more and she thanked them.
Percy waited for the three girls to leave before he gently leaned down to give her a light peck on the cheek. Annabeth blushed for the fiftieth time in the last ten minutes and stared at him adorably in confusion.
"Good luck Princess. You're going to be amazing."
And with that, the raven-haired boy headed back up to the bleachers where the others were sitting. Annabeth bit her lip and smiled giddily, the giant knot of nerves in her stomach slowly unraveling.
Annabeth took her starting stance, anxiously awaiting the music to start her routine. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, blocking out the audience around her. She'd chosen a song that was meaningful to her. Every time she'd heard it she'd always imagined her father singing it to her in apology for what he'd done. As soon as the first note left the speaker she began.
I'll Be Good-Jaymes Young
I thought I saw the devil
This morning
Looking in the mirror, drop of rum on my tongue
With the warning
To help me see myself clearer
She started out skating slowly, her white figure skates gliding across the ice smoothly. She did a few backward crossovers, her blue dress flapping with the wind created from the speed.
I never meant to start a fire
I never meant to make you bleed
She picked up speed, spreading her arms out wide in a graceful position.
I'll be a better man today
She managed a near perfect double Lutz, her skate crunching the ice beneath her when she landed it.
I'll be good, I'll be good
And I'll love the world, like I should
Yeah, I'll be good, I'll be good
For all of the time
That I never could
Her movements complimented the song beautifully. Throughout the chorus she executed several jumps including two toe loops and an axel. It was clear by the look on her face that she had a connection to the song, skating as if her life depended on it.
My past has tasted bitter
For years now
So I wield an iron fist
Grace is just weakness
Or so I've been told
I've been cold, I've been merciless
She stopped in place, emphasizing the pause in the music and keeping the audience on edge.
But the blood on my hands scares me to death
Maybe I'm waking up today
She used the whole rink to her advantage, skating gracefully from one end to the other. She performed another Lutz followed by a double axel as the chorus started for the second time.
I'll be good, I'll be good
And I'll love the world, like I should
I'll be good, I'll be good
I'll be good, I'll be good
Percy watched her intensely, completely enraptured by her as the song slowed down and her movements mimicked the beat.
For all of the light that I shut out
For all of the innocent things that I doubt
For all of the bruises I've caused and the tears
For all of the things that I've done all these years
She skated in a circle with one leg up in the air while the other skate drifted on the ice and the long note sounded.
And all
Yeah, for all of the sparks that I stomped out
For all of the perfect things that I doubt
I'll be good, I'll be good
And I'll love the world, like I should
Yeah, I'll be good, I'll be good
For all of the times
I never could, oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh
As the song wrapped up she executed a couple more jumps, landing each one on a different part of the ice. She ended with a simple Lutz and then skated back towards the middle as the last few notes of the song came from the speaker.
For all of the times I never could
All of the times I never could
As soon as it was over the audience went crazy. She noticed Percy and her friends cheering as loud as they could. She cast a smile in their direction and her eyes immediately caught Percy's who had nothing but pride in his eyes. Her heart swelled in her chest as she quickly skated off the ice to stand with the other performers who praised her as she walked by them. Rachel was the only one who didn't, a look of pure envy on her face. The redhead had skated a couple performances before her and Annabeth would be lying if she said it wasn't one of the best performances in the competition so far.
There were three more performers after Annabeth was done. Everything was a blur as Sectionals came to a close and the scores for each skater was tallied by the judges. There would be three figure skaters moving on to the final competition otherwise known as U.S. Nationals. Annabeth truly could not believe that she'd made it so far.
And that was why when she heard her name come from the speakers as one of the three skaters moving on in the competition she nearly passed out.
She could spend several minutes trying to explain everything that happened after her name was called but it would probably end up being a bunch of jumbled words and unfinished sentences. In simple terms, it was pure and utter chaos consisting of Christina nearly hugging the life out of her, random strangers clapping her on the back, Rachel giving her a death stare out of jealousy, and her accepting a medal for being in the top three.
If there was one thing she was sure of in those moments following the announcement it was that she had the biggest smile on her face and it wasn't going away anytime soon.
Percy shuffled his way through the huge groups of people exiting the ice arena. He found his way to the skate rental lobby area and searched frantically for the familiar face of the girl he called Princess. He knew he looked like an idiot with a prideful smile on his face that wouldn't leave but he didn't care. The others were somewhere behind him lost in the crowds of people, but he could worry about finding them later. Right now, his focus was on one girl in particular.
He was about to shout Annabeth's name in hopes of getting a response but before he could he was tackled nearly to the ground by said girl. He managed to regain his balance, keeping them both upright while he embraced her right back.
"Whoa easy there Princess. I'm not a brick wall." He joked, grinning cheekily as she laughed into his chest.
"I made it!" The blonde-haired girl said happily, pulling away from the hug slightly.
"Well I'm not surprised. Of course you did." Percy replied nonchalantly.
Annabeth smiled as Percy pulled her into another hug, the second one not as intense.
"You were amazing Chase."
"Thanks Jackson." They stayed like that for a few seconds before the others managed to find them.
"Ugh will you two just get together already? I swear I feel like I've been waiting an entire year for you guys to become a couple." Will Solace muttered as Annabeth and Percy separated.
The two blushed, looking at the ground shyly. Percy cast a sideways glance towards her but she failed to notice it because Piper, Calypso, and Thalia were soon attacking her with hugs and shouts of congratulations. When everyone had calmed down Annabeth quickly headed towards the locker room to change while the others waited for her.
When she entered the locker room some of the other skaters congratulated her once again and she thanked them. It was only when she caught the eye of a certain red head that her smile slightly wavered. Rachel hadn't qualified for Nationals and obviously was not taking it well.
The girl was seated on the benches between the lockers with a disappointed look on her face. She looked sad and defeated. Annabeth hated to admit it, but she almost felt bad for her so called enemy. Maybe she actually had feelings after all. Key word: almost.
"What the hell are you looking at?" Rachel stated harshly with a cold look in her eyes.
"Nothing, I just… are you ok?" She replied lowly.
"I'm fine. I don't need some pep talk or speech for you Annabel so just leave." The red head insulted causing Annabeth's feelings of sympathy to be replaced by anger.
"You know I can't believe for a second I actually felt bad for you." She scoffed.
"Like I care." Rachel muttered, shouldering her duffle bag and exiting the locker room stiffly.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. Well no one could tell her she hadn't tried to be nice to the she-devil. She quickly changed into a pair of classic blue denim jeans and a dark blue long sleeve t-shirt paired with some black converse. She took her hair out of the bun in was it and let it hang loose. Over top she wore a grey jacket. She used some makeup remover to get rid of the makeup on her face. When she was done, she made her way out of the locker room.
She wasn't expecting to see or hear what she did. She left the locker room and heard some sort of shouting coming from around the corner. Being the curious person she was, she decided to investigate.
"-disgrace! You're landings weren't all solid, your arms looked like spaghetti noodles and you were off beat at the beginning!" Annabeth heard a man state strictly.
When the shouting got closer she made sure to stop before she went around the corner so no one saw her. She listened closely.
"Dad please-" Annabeth's eyes widened. She would know that voice anywhere. It was Rachel.
"I don't even know why I bother with having Christina as your coach. Clearly we need to find someone else." The man who she assumed was Rachel's father scolded.
"No dad please, I don't want a different coach. It's my fault. I-I'll work harder for next year I promise!" Rachel pleaded desperately.
"I'll think about it. But we're leaving now." He demanded after a moment of silence.
There was a pause before Annabeth started to hear footsteps making their way towards her. Fast as lightning, the blonde-haired girl turned and ran back to the lobby area where her friends were still waiting.
Her mind was going haywire and for the second time in the past fifteen minutes she found herself feeling compassionate and sympathetic towards Rachel Dare. She had no idea how much pressure her father put her under. It took her a second to realize that's something they had in common. In her case it was her mother constantly on her back about doing well in school not wasting her time on the ice and for Rachel it was her father criticizing every little thing about her skating. Never in a million years did she think she'd ever share something in common with the redhead.
She was so lost in her thoughts she hadn't even realized she was standing with her group of friends until Nico waved a hand in front of her face.
"You alright there Annabeth? I know I'm attractive but I can't help it." He joked. She looked up, smacking his hand away from in front of her face.
"Shut up Nico."
A few of the others chuckled. Annabeth felt someone squeeze her hand swiftly and turned around to see none other than Percy Jackson. His expression held a trace of worry.
"Hey, everything ok?"
She smiled, momentarily forgetting all thoughts of Rachel. "Yeah, everything's perfect."
He cast her a swoon-worthy smile and her legs nearly gave out beneath her. God, she hated feeling so helpless around him but she couldn't help it. There was just something about him that made her soft.
"Well ok then. I say we all go out for dinner to celebrate Annabeth's accomplishment who's with me?" Shouts of agreement filled the air at his proposal.
"Thank the Gods I'm starving!" Leo replied exasperated.
"Of course you are Leo." Calypso said sarcastically, linking her arm with his as the group started walking towards the parking lot.
Percy sneakily snatched the duffle bag containing her skating stuff from her grasp. He carried it on his shoulder and this time Annabeth let him without any complaints which made him smirk stupidly. They walked side by side out of the building, Percy's hand hovering on her back as they exited.
And that's a wrap for chapter 32! Again, so sorry it took super long for me to update but I really hope you guys enjoyed yet another figure skating competition chapter. Review and let me know what you think about the slowly evolving Percabeth! Don't worry they'll be official very soon just hang in there! Anyone catch the reference I made through Will about waiting a year? Since this story has been out over a year. And what did you all think about the whole Rachel scenario? I know I always say this but I'll really truly try to update faster because you guys were so patient for this update! Love you guys!
REVIEW, REVIEW AND REVIEW!
-M