Chapter 14
-Annabeth-
Percy shuts off the smoke alarm while Paul opens a couple windows to let the smoke vent out of the apartment. Annabeth is apologizing profusely about accidentally burning some of the cookies she and Sally were trying to make as one of the desert snacks for after dinner.
"No, don't be sorry. These things happen, it's not your fault, dear," Sally says, trying to calm Annabeth down. She puts on some oven mitts and pulls the cookies out of the oven. They are black as charcoal. "I should've been helping you with them. This is my fault." She adds as she places the cookie sheet on the counter to cool off.
"I don't understand how I can mess up so badly with cookies!" Annabeth groans, frustrated. She presses her fingers to the bridge of her nose.
"Nobody can be good at everything," Sally says. "It's alright, dear, really. Believe it or not, I always used to burn cookies or anything else I tried to bake."
"That's not possible," Annabeth protests. "You make the best cookies!"
Sally laughs. "That's because I've had years and years of practice. I'm sure someday you'll get the hang of it." She pulls her into a comforting hug, taking Annabeth by surprise.
She's not used to this kind of affection from a family. Her own mother would always try to teach her to be perfect in the kitchen and every time something got ruined. She'd almost burned down the kitchen once while dealing with a pan full of grease that caught fire. She didn't know better and tried pouring water on it in the sink. Instead of helping her put out the fire and calming her down, or even so much as a hint of helpful advice, her mother berated and scolded her for being so reckless and endangering the safety of their family.
Percy's family was nothing like that. Sally wanted to see how Annabeth could handle cookies after she inadvertently messed up a couple other dishes. Beyond those two dishes and helping Annabeth with the cookies, she was also checking the turkey in the oven and the cranberries in the pot. Paul was helping Percy set up another table for their guests that would arrive later that afternoon so they couldn't do anything else until the smoke detectors went off and the whole apartment was filled with smoke. They were all so kind and forgiving to Annabeth, so much so that she actually started crying into Sally's shoulder once she got over her shock from the hug.
"Oh!" Sally gasps in surprise. She rubs her back soothingly, the feeling reminding Annabeth of Percy whenever he rubs her back.
"I'm s-sorry," Annabeth gasps, trying to control her emotions.
"It's okay. Would you like some water or something?" Sally offers.
"No, I'm okay," she replies. She pulls away from the hug and wipes her tears away. She feels a hand on her back and turns to she Percy is standing next to her, a worried expression on his face.
"I'm okay, really," she repeats. "It's just... I'm not used to... well, family..."
Her throat tightens again at the thought of her family. She instinctively wraps her arms around herself and leans into Percy's side.
"We'll let you have some space, okay? Don't beat yourself up for it," Sally says with a kind smile.
Annabeth nods and lets Percy guide her to his room while Sally and Paul both continue to cook.
Once the door is closed, Annabeth sits on the bed, pulling her knees to her chest. Percy sits next to her and gently rubs her back.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asks her softly. "You don't have to if you're not ready."
She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, Perce..."
"Hey it's alright," he says, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and holding her close. He kisses the side of her head to comfort her. "Like I said, you don't have to."
She leans her head on his shoulder and they sit in silence for a while. It's not an awkward silence. It's strangely relaxing - nothing but the sounds of the city below and the occasional pot or pan in the kitchen.
She closes her eyes and breathes his scent, finally allowing her legs to relax. She anchors herself to Percy.
"How do you always do this?" she asks him quietly, not realizing she's actually talking.
"Do what?" he asks.
Annabeth shakes her head. He always seems to make her feel better. She feels safe with him. Her fear and her worries just seem to dissolve until there's just her.
"Nothing, just thinking out loud," she says. "Umm... Thank you... For everything."
His eyebrows scrunch together with concern. "You're not leaving are you?"
Annabeth smiles. "No I'm not going anywhere, Seaweed Brain."
She's not running away.
Not this time.
...
Eventually, she and Percy leave his room and rejoin Sally and Paul in the kitchen. Annabeth offers to cut some of the fruits and vegetables for a fruit and veggie tray. It's one of the few things she can do in a kitchen without screwing up.
Percy checks on her every once in a while as he makes another side dish.
"Wow, that tray looks great, Annabeth!" Sally says once she finishes making the tray.
Percy looks over and the lopsided smile that forms on his face makes Annabeth's heart jump.
"Yeah, that looks awesome! You're pretty good with a knife, too," he says.
Annabeth's smirks at him and points it at him, keeping her distance so she doesn't accidentally stab him. "If there's one thing I'm good at, it's using a knife. Don't you dare forget that," she teases. She expertly twirls the knife between her fingers before putting it on the counter.
"Are you sure you didn't teach her how to use it, Percy?" Paul asks.
"Me? No. The only good I'm at with a knife is cutting and dicing ingredients," he says.
Annabeth gives him a quizzical look. "Wait you actually cook?"
"Sometimes. Mom usually beats me to it, though."
Annabeth smirks. "Well you're just everything any girl would want, aren't you?"
Percy blushes. "Annabeth..."
She giggles. "Oops. Did I say that out loud?"
Sally smiles and silently leads Paul out of the kitchen.
"I don't know what you mean," Percy says.
"Hmm let's see... You are strong..." She takes a step towards him. "You're kind..."
Another step.
"Honest..."
Another step. She's right in front of him now, looking up into his sea green eyes. It's taking every ounce of concentration to not jump into his arms.
"And you apparently know how to cook."
He smiles at her. "Well, some day I should come to your apartment and cook for you."
"I agree. What can you cook?"
"What do you like?" He asks, his voice full of confidence.
Annabeth's smile widens and she can't help but bite her bottom lip.
"Just about anything. Feel free to surprise me."
Her hands find their place around his neck and she gazes into his eyes, memorizing the color. His hands rest around her waist, keeping her close to him.
He's amazing, she thinks to herself.
She knows she needs to be careful though. Something as fragile as a romantic relationship can be easily shattered. She doesn't have experience with relationships, other than the occasional awkward talks Piper has with her. She recalls Percy having two other relationships and both of those didn't sound very intimate and both of them were very messy in the end. She's hoping that third time's a charm for him but she also knows hope can be a dangerous thing.
She trusts him, though deep inside she can't help but be scared. She doesn't want to be another ex on his record.
A timer goes off, cutting through Annabeth's thoughts. Percy lets go of her waist and shuts off the timer before opening the oven and carefully checking the turkey. The aroma of the cooking bird pours out of the oven and fills the kitchen.
Annabeth hums when she catches the scent. Her mouth starts watering, eager to get a taste of it later that evening.
Percy closes the oven and sighs.
"Are you okay?" Annabeth asks him, taking his arm with hers.
"Yeah. It's just hot in here," he replies.
Annabeth nods in agreement, but then decides to be cheesy. "Do I need to step out of the room?"
Percy laughs and squeezes her hand. "Maybe."
She smacks his chest playfully. "Well I'm going to get some fresh air. You're welcome to join me if you want."
"I have to stay in here and keep an eye on the food."
"Very well," she says. "I'll be on the fire escape if you need me."
...
-Percy-
Rapid knocks erupt from the door and Sally gets up from the couch to answer it. Percy's still in the kitchen, making sure everything doesn't get overcooked or dried out, when he hears his mom greeting their first guests. He finishes checking the turkey again before exiting the kitchen to see who arrived.
"Hey Perce!" Grover calls out.
"Grover! You actually showed up!" Percy exclaims, being a playful jerk to him.
"Hey, when do I ever miss out on your mom's cooking?" he defends himself, knowing full well that his best friend is just messing with him.
"How was your family?" Percy asks then, giving Grover a bro hug.
"Eh, same old," he replies, waving his hand a bit.
"And who is this young lady you brought?" Sally asks, referring to a beautiful girl standing behind Grover.
"Oh! This is Juniper," he says. "We met at the last 'Save the Wild' rally."
"Are you two a thing or...?" Percy asks while Sally shakes her hand.
"Percy, don't be rude," Sally scolds.
"It's alright," Juniper says, blushing lightly. "It's nice to meet you."
"To answer your question," Grover says. "No. We're just friends."
"For now, anyway," Percy jokes, earning him a smack from his mom. "Ow, okay okay, I'll stop!"
"Hey, what did I miss?"
Percy turns around and smiles upon seeing Annabeth entering the living room. "Annabeth! Okay, so you already know Grover..."
"I do," she says, a suspicious tone in her voice.
"And this is his girlfr-"
Smack!
"Ow! Okay! Friend! His friend-"
"Juniper!" Grover interrupts. "Jeez, Percy, you're such an asshole sometimes."
Annabeth and Juniper laugh and Percy starts defending himself. "Hey, I'm not the one hitting people for no reason!"
"You're giving everyone a reason to hit you, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth laughs.
"No I'm not," he says, pretending to pout.
Annabeth rolls her eyes and stands next to him, pinching his side -he yelps and retreats to the couch- before properly introducing herself to Juniper.
"Don't mind, Percy," she tells Juniper. "He can be a bit of a dummy."
"I thought you liked it when I play dumb," he says from the relative safety of the couch.
"Sometimes," Annabeth retorts.
Percy makes a face at her and she returns the favor.
"So are you and Percy...?" Juniper begins, but hesitates to finish her question. It's clear where it was headed though.
"Unfortunately, yes. He's my boyfriend," Annabeth says, as if it's the worst thing in the world to be dating Percy.
They've gone on more than enough dates between Halloween and now to know enough about each other that Percy is certain they could make it official. He's mentioned that there is a difference between simply dating someone and being boyfriend and girlfriend. Simple dating is helpful for getting to know your partner better, but having boyfriend/girlfriend titles makes it more official.
"Wait, I am?" he asks, feigning shock.
"You won't be if you keep acting like a child," Annabeth says.
Percy smiles at her and she returns it. For a moment, all he can see is her, but he snaps out of it on his own pretty quick.
For the next hour and a half, more guests show up and the apartment fills up pretty quick. Most of the guests are Percy's friends from school and even outside of it, but there are a few of Sally's friends as well as Paul's in the mix.
While Sally, Paul, and their friends lounge in the small kitchen, Percy, Annabeth, and all their friends hang out mostly in the living room. Percy turns on the TV and one of his gaming consoles, asking everyone what they want to do.
"We can watch movies on here, or we can play some games," he suggests.
"Do you have Call of Duty?" Jason asks.
"Or Halo?" Leo adds.
"Yes and yes, but are there suggestions from the ladies?" Percy asks.
"Being considerate of us for once?" Piper asks, teasingly.
"How about something a bit more friendly?" Annabeth suggests. "Like Mario Kart?"
"I have that, too. Any objections?"
"None from me," Piper says, smiling.
"I'm down with that," Frank says.
Jason and Leo look at each other, then at Percy.
"I mean, I guess we can do that," Jason finally says.
"Ha-ooh for those who approve?" Leo asks.
"Dude, really?" Percy stares at him.
"What? The Greek guy doesn't want to do the Spartan battle cry?" Leo jests.
"We're not Spartans," Percy says. "And you call for it a lot."
"Yeah, really," Jason says. "Might want to tone it down a bit with that stuff, Valdez. Or else you might never get to have your fantasy time with Cal."
Leo turns bright red. "Hey! You said you'd never say anything about that!"
Everybody laughs.
"Dude, it's not a secret to anybody," Percy chuckles.
"Unless they've been living under a rock," Piper says.
"You mean like Percy?" Annabeth jokes.
"Actually, Percy's much smarter than he lets people believe," Jason says, glancing over at Piper as he says it.
"Oh?" Annabeth asks. "How so?"
"He called Jason a moron when asked if he should ask Piper out," Grover says.
"Oh yeah! That was right before Halloween!" Leo shouts. "That was great!"
Jason rolls his eyes, but he's laughing.
"What did he say exactly?" Juniper asks. Up until that point, she's been silent except for when she was laughing.
"Okay, so Jason was all like, 'What do you think about me and Piper?' and Percy stared at her for a moment, then looked back at Jason and said... well, Jason?" Frank says.
Jason smiles. "He looked at me dead in the eyes and said, 'You'd be a moron to not to' or something like that."
All the girls laugh a bit and Leo continues. "What I thought was even better was when Jason asked Percy about if he did ask her and his answer was 'Then you'd still be a moron'."
"He's good at figuring people out. I don't know how he does it but the guy just seems to read people," Jason says.
"Okay, so Mario Kart, then?" Percy asks, quickly changing the topic again.
Everybody agrees to it and Percy puts the disk in the console. Pretty soon, everyone, spare a couple people, has a controller and they're soon picking out their racers. They decided to start off easy with the Mushroom Cup. Leo complains that everybody is just to cowardly to have a real challenge like Rainbow Road, but Frank speaks up and argues with him about how "Literally no one likes Rainbow Road, but you!"
"Oh my God," Percy groans loudly. "Don't even get me started on that track! Annabeth is IMPOSSIBLE on that track!"
Annabeth laughs. "Come on, I agree with Leo. It's a good track!"
"I fall off on every turn!" Percy argues.
"That's because your head is full of seaweed!"
"What about me?" Frank asks. "I'm with Percy here."
"Sorry, but only Percy can be Seaweed Brain," she says, giving Percy a bright, happy smile.
"Do you ever think if he was actually born under water?" Piper asks.
"Like on a submarine?" Percy asks. "I mean, that'd be cool but that's not possible."
"Maybe he's half dolphin!" Leo suggests.
"Why the fuck would I-... Do I look like a fucking dolphin to you, Leo?!" Percy shouts.
"Yes!" he says without skipping a beat and everybody breaks out in hysterics.
"Dolphin boy!" Piper squeaks as she laughs.
"How the hell did we go from Rainbow Road to me supposedly being half dolphin?!" Percy asks, absolutely confused.
"I dunno-...," Annabeth gasps. She's doubled over with laughter and Jason's practically rolling on the carpet.
Percy hides his face in his hand in a facepalm. "Oh my God and I thought I was being ridiculous."
Annabeth barely manages to pull herself together just enough to sit next to Percy and lean into him. "I'm sorry, Perce," she breathes. "It was too funny."
"I should be a comedian!" Leo says.
"Can we just play the damn game?" Percy asks.
...
"What was so funny earlier?" Sally asks the group of teens. They've all grabbed food and taken their seats around the living room, some people sitting at the table and others lounging about wherever they can sit and eat.
"Nothing," Percy says. His glare falls on Leo, who just gives him a proud grin.
"Leo came up with this theory that Percy is half dolphin," Annabeth says nonchalantly.
"How did he come up with that?" Paul asks, laughing a bit.
"I don't know!" Percy exclaims. "We were just talking about Rainbow Road on Mario Kart and he just comes up with it out of nowhere!"
"It was the best thing I've ever heard from Leo's mouth," Piper says, giggling a bit.
Annabeth also snickers but she reaches for Percy's hand and squeezes it gently. "Come on, Perce, it really was funny."
He shrugs. "Maybe, but I'm still not a dolphin."
"I know you're not," she says.
"You'd know what he is more than any of us," Leo blurts out.
"What is that supposed to mean?!" Annabeth shouts, glaring at him dangerously.
"Leo," Percy warns. "Run."
"What? Why?"
"Just run!"
Leo sets his plate of food aside and runs before Annabeth could catch him. She isn't armed with anything but her hands, much to Percy's gratitude. Leo tries to reason with her, but she isn't having any of it. Percy laughs when Annabeth finally catches him and he starts pleading as if he's going to die.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I won't say anything stupid ever again for as long as I live!" he pleads.
"Don't say anything stupid about me and Percy," she warns him.
"I won't! I won't!"
She lets him go and he retreats to hide behind the couch. Annabeth returns to Percy's side and continues eating as if nothing happened.
"Dude, sometimes I think you want people to kill you with all the stupid shit you say," Jason says to Leo.
"I think it's more because I'm..." Annabeth glares at Leo. "Nevermind..."
"Yeah it's settled," Piper says then.
"What's settled?" Percy asks. Annabeth glances at her, also a bit curious.
"I think I found my new best friend," she says, glancing at Annabeth.
Annabeth blushes and smiles at Piper. "New best friend?"
"Yup. And there's no backing out of it, Chase! You're mine now!"
Percy is about to protest, saying 'Nope, she's mine,' but he hesitates. He really wants her to be his and at least for now that's how it is. They've talked about this before, but he still can't help but hesitate to say anything that could come back to bite him later on.
"And how did I come to gain this honor?" Annabeth asks.
"You're intimidating and I like it," she replies with a grin.
"Percy, are you going to let Piper say that Annabeth's hers?" Jason asks him.
"I... Well, I mean..."
Annabeth looks at him, a soft expression on her face.
"We've talked about this before," she says then. "So I'm not worried about it."
Percy smiles at her and squeezes her hand in thanks and she smiles back at him.
"So are we not going into the backstory?" Leo asks.
"I think we already know the story, Leo," Jason says.
"I don't," Juniper says.
"I'll explain it to you later," Grover says. "If you're okay with that, Perce?"
"Yeah, you can tell her," he replies.
"It's a... sensitive topic for him. I'll just say that now," Grover says. "I'll tell you everything after we leave."
"Okay," Juniper says. "I'm sorry if it got personal..."
"Don't worry about it," Percy says, trying to smile. He doesn't meet anyone's eyes.
Annabeth puts a hand on his arm and he looks at her. She has a look on her face that he sees often enough to know that she's asking if he wants to talk about it.
He doesn't say anything, or even nod or shake his head. He just takes her hand and leads her away from the group while Grover keeps them occupied with another conversation.
Percy opens the window to the fire escape from his room and he and Annabeth climb out. The cold air bites at Percy's skin as he sits at the railing, letting his legs slip through the spaces and dangle in the open. The sun is hidden behind the buildings, but the sky is a wonderful shade of orange slowly transitioning into a purplish color.
Annabeth sits next to him, clinging to him for warmth but also to comfort him. Their breath turns into clouds of vapor for only a second before vanishing.
"Are you okay?" she asks him once they get settled
"Yeah..."
There's a moment of peaceful silence between them. It means so much to him that Annabeth is there with him, but he's can't help but fear that his relationship with her will only get ruined somehow. His previous relationships, everyone already knows, were messy - the last one basically ruined him. He and Annabeth have only been dating for a month, and he knows it's too soon to really say Annabeth is his. He knows Annabeth knows that, too. He doesn't want to lose her especially since she's the first girl he's felt a real connection with even though she's part of a rich family. Most of the time, he forgets she's a rich girl mainly because she doesn't act like how he thinks one would. She doesn't wear stupid expensive clothes, or jewelry, or makeup, she doesn't act like how Percy thought a rich girl would act, and he knows a couple of rich girls that love to make it a big deal to everyone else, and overall she's very nice to everyone so long as they don't make her mad. Most rich girls see Percy as a poor guy who can't get them anything. Annabeth doesn't see him that way.
"I don't know. I'm just scared of screwing up with you. I know it's only been a month since we've started dating, but I - I can't help but get scared that at any point you'll just turn around and walk away," he admits with difficulty. "I mean, you don't owe me anything. You already have everything so... I guess I just... I'm not sure what I can get for you that you don't already have."
He mentally winces. It sounds like a line from an old movie...
Annabeth looks a bit shocked at first, but she smiles and squeezes his arm. "Percy," she begins. "Are you talking about my family being rich?"
"That's part of it, yeah," he says.
"Yeah, I could get pretty much anything money can buy, but it can't buy me what I really want," she says.
Percy looks at her, catching her eyes. The colorful sky from the sunset reflects off her grey eyes, giving them a slight pinkish tint to them.
"What would that be?" he asks.
She hesitates a little bit, but she bites her lip and responds. "I just want a normal high school experience. To be able to go to whatever college I want and study whatever major I want. I want to be able to work towards my own success instead of have it handed to me like just about everything my whole life. And even with everything being handed to me, I couldn't be happy, because I didn't have a real family, either. My father was too busy with everything about his company, mother was always berating me for something, and my siblings... well I kind of distanced myself from them. I didn't feel like I belonged with them."
Her gaze shifts towards the streets below as she talks. "I just... I don't care about how much money I have, even less about how popular I am, because I just... I want people to look at me for who I am. I don't want them to see me as the daughter of Fredrick and Christine Chase; one of the richest families in the country. I like to do things for myself. The only reason I could attend Goode is because I had to beg my father to let me go. Otherwise, I would've been getting a middle class job instead of getting an education.
"So I do have something to owe you for, Percy," she says. "You're giving me an experience I could never have gotten if I stayed with my parents. You and Thalia and Piper, and everybody else inside your apartment have given me something that no amount of money could pay for. And I know you have trouble committing to relationships, but I won't walk away from you. I want to be able to commit to you, and you to me. I don't care if we've been dating for a month, or a week, or even a day. If we're dating, then even if we are trying to take things slow, there's no reason to not be committed to each other."
Her voice is soft and gentle, her eyes are shining and the look on her face is that of relief as if there was a heavy burden weighing her down this entire time.
He didn't expect her to open up like that, but he'd be lying to himself if he said he wasn't glad that she did. He raises his arm to wrap it around her and she leans into him. It's pretty clear that saying all of that was hard for her, but she seems to be trying to keep it together for Percy.
He doesn't know what he could say to help her. They came out to the fire escape to help him feel better, but now he's trying to figure out how to help her. He draws circles on her shoulder and Annabeth smiles. She hums contently and rests her head on Percy's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to rant."
"No, don't apologize," Percy says, his voice soft and genuine. "I - I'm really glad you talked to me. I didn't know things were like that..."
"I know," she says. "Nobody really did, except Thalia. Piper might want to know later one so... You won't be the last person I tell."
"Is it because she proclaimed you as her new best friend?" he asks.
"Yeah," she says, smiling.
"Well, here's something you should know about her, if you don't already know," he says.
"What is it?"
"If you think I can figure things out about people easily, she's five times better so good luck hiding things from her," he says, chuckling. "Trust me."
Annabeth smiles at him. "Duly noted."