Chapter 19

A/N: You might have already noticed, but I usually try to avoid explicit descriptions since I'm not too comfortable with them, but for the sake of the story, there is a bit more written than I'm used to. It might not look like much, but it's still new territory for me.

Edit: Please keep your reviews peaceful, even if they are directed towards the characters of the story.

-Annabeth-

"Because we're probably the only ones who understand where you're coming from."

That was unexpected...

"I don't think you do," Annabeth says bitterly. "You and Bobby always got what you wanted. You never had to worry about anything. Me? I was always tossed aside."

"Mom and Dad always got you stuff, too, Annabeth," Bobby speaks up.

"Yeah, but I didn't like how they just handed it to me. I wanted to be able to work for things, especially the older I got," Annabeth argues. "I would've been fine with cleaning my room or doing the dishes and get allowance money like all the other kids from school, but no. I didn't have to work for anything and I don't like that. It feels wrong to me."

"Okay, you have a point there, but that's not a reason to get mad..." Bobby says.

"Bobby," Matthew interrupts. "She's mad about how she's being treated, not about getting stuff handed to her."

"Oh..."

"So what's your point?" Annabeth asks. "Why do you two suddenly care?"

"Mom and Dad make us do stuff we don't like, too. I want to be able to play games and hang out with other kids at school. Mom drives them away for me, too," Matthew confesses quietly.

"Me too," Bobby adds. "Because she doesn't want 'poor people to influence us' or something like that."

"I think she said corrupt," Matthew corrects his brother.

"I know Mom thinks I've been corrupted, but I don't care what she thinks," Annabeth says.

"Are you really okay with leaving the family? For... what's his name, Percy?" Matthew asks.

"If it means I'm free of Mom and Dad's tyranny, then yes. They'd rather I date Luke Castellan over Percy and Mom only met him yesterday for like five minutes!"

"He's more than your friend, isn't he?"

Annabeth sits down and sighs. "Yes, Percy's my boyfriend. He's done more good to me than anyone else, besides Thalia. Luke, on the other hand, I don't know what they see in him. He really is nothing but a creep. In front of Mom and Dad, he acts like a good guy. But the moment they're not watching..." She shudders at even thinking about him.

"I know we might not have been the best brothers, but I for one think it was awesome that you stood up to Mom and Dad," Matthew says. "Something needed to be said, but we're too afraid to do it."

Annabeth looks up at her brothers in surprise. "Wait, so you really don't like how things are here? Even though you have everything?"

"Well it took a while longer for us than it did for you," Bobby replies. "But we have noticed that Mom and Dad seem to just use you and we don't like that. Plus, we're not little kids anymore, but Mom is always babying us."

"I tried talking to Mom about it once, but she brushed aside that conversation," Matthew grumbles.

"First I've heard of it," Annabeth mumbles.

"It was right before you left the first time and started living here in New York. The last time we were here?"

"Oh, that explains why mom was giving you a weird look that day," Annabeth muses. "Wait, so if you started caring then, why didn't you talk to me sooner?"

"I tried, but you just shut me out of your room like always. Not that I blame you, though."

Annabeth starts to feel guilty now. All this time they were trying to reach out to her, but she always thought they were pestering her so they could get something.

"I really am a terrible sister, aren't I?"

"No, you're not a terrible sister. We weren't really good brothers so the fault is ours," Matthew says. "Bobby and I have been wanting to see you again so we could tell you. Mom wouldn't let us call you otherwise I would've done that a long time ago."

"Well, if this is a long and complicated apology, I accept it. And I'm sorry for pushing you two out, too."

"Apology accepted."

Annabeth smiles softly, then blinks. "You said before that you wanted to show me something?"

"Oh, yeah! Bobby, you remember where we put it?"

"Yeah! Want me to get it right now?"

"Yes. And don't let Mom see it!"

Bobby runs out of the room, leaving only Matthew and Annabeth.

"You mean to tell me you wanted to show me something, but didn't bother to bring it in here?" Annabeth laughs.

"Yeah, I know. I didn't think about that, but all the shouting earlier didn't help, either," Matthew says, blushing with embarrassment.

A few moments pass before Bobby returns with a small box in his hands. He places it next to Annabeth and stands by his brother, grinning excitedly.

"What's this?" Annabeth asks.

"Merry Christmas, sis. Open it," Matthew says.

Annabeth smiles and looks at the card on top of the box. "From Matthew and Bobby, to the bravest sister ever - aww you guys."

"Yeah yeah, whatever, just open the box!"

Annabeth laughs and puts the card aside to open the box. Inside is a clay-bead necklace that had been painted with different colors and in the center of the beads is a small locket with pictures of all three of them encased in it. The picture sparks a memory that Annabeth had long forgotten; it was from their trip to Hawaii one summer a few years before, right before Annabeth started high school. They were gathered around a sand castle that they had made together and even though it was clearly falling apart, they couldn't have been more proud of it. Annabeth doesn't know what had happened since then to make her forget about that moment, but she realizes that was the first time she felt really close with her brothers.

"You guys made this?" she asks, holding the necklace.

"Bobby likes to play with clay and it gave me an idea. We found this picture buried under a mountain of others, but I remember that day clearly. I figured that on a bad day, you could look back to that day and remember the fun we had," Matthew says.

Annabeth smiles and runs her fingers over the roughly-made clay beads. She sets it down and pulls her brothers in for a hug. "I love it, thanks you two."

...

Later that evening, dinner was void of conversation, but the food was good as it had always been. Frederick and Christina called to the boys that dinner was ready, but never acknowledged Annabeth, which was perfectly fine by her. Frederick didn't even look up from his work tablet next to his plate, either, but he at least said something to her.

"I thought you left."

"You would want that, wouldn't you?" Annabeth retorts.

He grunts and goes back to reading his tablet, occasionally scooping food into his mouth. A few moments of awkward silence go by, disturbed only by the clinking of silverware against plates.

"So..." Bobby starts talking. "Are we still doing presents after dinner?"

Christine and Frederick glance at each other for a moment before turning their attention to Bobby. They smile as if nothing's wrong.

"Why, of course we are," Christine says cheerily. "It's Christmas, after all."

Annabeth rolls her eyes in disgust. She hates that tone her mother has with her brothers, which was one reason she hadn't like them before. But after what they've talked about earlier, she can't be angry at them anymore. They feel the same way she does to some extent and that is enough for her to forgive them. As for her parents, she doubts they got her anything she actually wanted so she's not getting her hopes up. All she wants is to see Percy or her friends, and she knows her parents won't let her do that. Not today. Maybe not even tomorrow.

After dinner, while the maids collect the dirty dishes off the table, Matthew and Bobby lead Annabeth to the living room where the tree and presents are. Frederick and Christina enter after another minute.

"I want to pass them around," Bobby says to his mother.

Christina just smiles and nods. "Alright, dear, if that's what you want, then go ahead."

Bobby smiles and starts picking at the pile of presents, handing some to his brother and piling his own next to him.

"Would you like some help?" Annabeth asks Bobby when he tries moving an apparently heavy box.

"Please?"

"Annabeth, your brother can handle it by himself. He's a strong young man!" Christina scolds.

Before Annabeth can protest, Bobby calls out. "I want her help!"

His short outburst stuns Christina a little, and after scowling at Annabeth for a moment, she huffs and starts reading a magazine. Annabeth walks up to Bobby and helps him pick up the box. It has her father's name on the tag from her mother so she walks over to him and sets it by his chair. "This one's yours, dad."

"Mmhmm, okay."

"From mother," she adds.

"Yes, well, carry on..."

Annabeth frowns and goes back to helping Bobby with the rest of the presents. After everything's passed around, Annabeth takes in how many each person has. Matthew has six presents, Bobby has eight, Frederick only has the one while Christina has 6. Annabeth looks down at her two presents, one from each of her parents.

"So... who goes first?" Annabeth asks. "Are we doing oldest to young-"

"Bobby goes first," Christina interrupts, her tone a bit harsh.

"I think Dad should go first this year," Bobby says. "I always go first, I want to see what Dad got."

"Yeah!" Matthew says. "He only has the one, so why not get that done now?"

"Boys, you've always wanted to go first," Frederick says.

"I'm with them," Annabeth says. "It's not a big deal, mother. Let dad open his."

Christina scowls at Annabeth again, but looks over to Frederick. "Well, dear?"

He looks at the boys and at Annabeth, giving her a much softer look than her mother had given her, and sighs.

"They're right. I've only got this one so why not?" He leans over and starts unwrapping it.

Annabeth stays in her seat, but the boys both gather around their father to get a better look at what he got. Once the packaging was torn apart, Frederick smiles and inspects his present. It's a collection of various model aircraft, still in their boxes, waiting to be put together.

"Dear, how did you know I wanted this?" he asks Christina.

"I saw you staring at those on your tablet one day. As much as I don't like that sort of hobby of yours... I didn't know what else to get you," she explains. "It's not like you'd have time for them, anyway."

"Oh, I'd make time for this. Thank you, dear," Frederick says.

"That's so cool, Dad!" Bobby exclaims. "Can I help you put them together?"

"Sure thing, bud. Matthew, would you want to help, too? There's a lot here that needs to be done."

"Yeah! Sounds fun!"

Annabeth can't help but smile, but inside, she feels hurt. Jealous, even. She never got this kind of attention from her father, even less from her mother.

"Sis, open one of yours now!" Matthew says.

"She can wait," Christina says.

"I only have two," Annabeth points out. "This won't take long."

"Annabeth..."

"Dear, it's fine, let her go ahead," Frederick says.

Annabeth picks up one of her gifts, a small box with her dad's name on it since he's being relatively nice to her tonight, even after considering earlier that same day. She tears open the wrapping and notices both of her brothers are standing next to her now, watching her unwrap. Normally, she'd demand some space, but she can't bring herself to do that anymore.

She opens the small box after finishing off the wrapping paper and sees a pair of owl earrings inside. She gasps softly and smiles.

"I'm going to be honest with you," Frederick says. "I didn't know what else to get you, but I thought of you when I saw them. The eyes are pure diamond and the body is silver."

"That's a bit exp-" she's about to say expensive, momentarily forgetting where she is. "Sorry, I mean... Thank you. I love them."

"Owl earrings," Christina says, humming with satisfaction. "A fitting animal for a Chase."

What is that supposed to mean? Annabeth thinks, although she does love owls. She thinks maybe she could wear them the next time she sees Percy.

"Next gift!" Matthew says to her, then, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Oh, right," Annabeth says, picking up the thin gift from her mother. She unwraps it and stares at the platinum credit card that has her name printed on it. "Umm... thanks, mother."

They were talking about cutting me off, so what good would this be? she thinks.

"Now, listen, Annabeth," Christina begins. "That card has a condition with it."

She looks at her mother with suspicion. "What kind of condition?"

"Don't see that Percy Jackson anymore and you can keep using the card. If you decide to go back to that poor school, you won't be able to use it."

Annabeth glares. "So you're trying to buy me into the family? That isn't going to work."

"You'd rather be poor then?"

"I'd rather be happy."

"And all this wealth doesn't make you happy?"

"Wealth isn't the problem, here, mother."

Christina's expression darkens at Annabeth's tone.

"Now, now," Frederick says. "Let's not do this. It's Christmas..."

He's interrupted by the doorbell and everyone goes quiet for a moment.

"Are we expecting someone?" Annabeth asks.

"Actually, there's one more present from me," Christina says, then calls to the maid. "Charlotte, get the door for us!"

"Yes, ma'am," the maid, Charlotte, replies from the other room.

A few moments later, footsteps approach the living room door and a knock is heard. Christina gets up from her chair and opens the door all the way.

"Glad you could make it, come in, we're all in here!" she says.

"Thanks for inviting me, Mrs. Chase," an eerily familiar voice says.

Annabeth's blood freezes and she turns towards the now open door. Her eyes widen in shock as Luke enters the room and he greets everyone else.

"Mr. Chase, a pleasure to see you again as well," he says with a kind smile.

"Likewise, Luke," Frederick says with a nod. "I believe you already know Matthew and Bobby?"

"I remember them, yes," Luke replies.

"And of course, you know Annabeth," Christina says, her gaze shifting to her daughter.

Annabeth jumps up and takes a step back, her body feeling tense already.

"Annabeth, how are you? It's only been a few days but it feels like a lifetime has passed since I last saw you!" Luke says, a charming tone in his voice. His eyes look genuine, but Annabeth knows that he's putting up a mask in front of her family. Just like he did the last time he saw everyone.

"What are you doing here, Luke?" she growls. "I told you to stay away from me!"

"Annabeth, don't be rude!" Christina scolds.

"No, it's alright, Mrs. Chase," he insists. "I'm sure she doesn't mean it. You see, there's this guy from school named Percy Jackson and he's a troublemaker. He's probably had a bit of an influence on her. I tried to stop it but she wouldn't talk with me."

"I've met that boy and I'm not impressed with him. Annabeth says you're a creep and that you sleep with other girls," Christina says bitterly. "Of course, I don't believe a word of that."

"And you shouldn't," Luke agrees. "Like I said, Percy has a negative effect on her. He's been spreading lies about me for a while now."

"They're not lies! Everybody knows it, just ask around!"

"Annabeth, we've already told you that Luke is a respectable young man," Christina scolds.

"You don't know him like I do!" Annabeth shouts.

"Annie," Luke says, taking a few steps towards her. "I would never hurt you."

"Stay the fuck away from me!" Annabeth shouts, taking more steps back.

She can't go back any further because the only ways out of the room are right in front of her, behind Luke and Christina. She could try to run around them and head for the doors further across the room, but Luke could cut her off. She can't overpower him so running through him isn't an option. She backs into the corner and glares at Luke.

"Don't come anywhere near me," she warns him.

"Annabeth, darling," Luke says sweetly. "Why are you so afraid of me? I'm hurt now."

"Bullshit you're hurt!"

"We'll leave you two be to talk things out, alright?" Christina says. "Frederick, boys, come on."

"But..." Matthew begins, but Christina isn't having any of it.

"Now!"

Reluctantly, the two boys follow their parents out of the living room, shutting the door behind them and leaving Annabeth and Luke alone.

Luke's nice guy façade vanishes and he grins while approaching her. "Alone at last. And this time, you don't have your boyfriend to protect you."

"I can protect myself just fine, thank you," Annabeth snarls.

"Can you? Last I checked, I'm a lot stronger than you, my dear."

"You think I don't know how to protect myself? That's pretty arrogant of you."

Luke is now standing right in front of her, his blue eyes staring down at her face, and drifting lower. Annabeth shoves him away, but he recovers quickly and grabs her wrists, then pins her to the wall.

"My my, you are a feisty one," he says quietly, a tone in his voice that makes Annabeth's skin crawl. He grips her wrists with his left hand and keeps them pinned above her head.

"What are you doing?!" Annabeth cries.

"Oh, nothing," he replies, grinning wickedly. "Just going to give you some special treatment is all."

Annabeth pales and struggles against his grip, even trying to kick him but he stands in a way that makes it difficult for her to move. He lifts his right hand to her face and brushes her cheek tenderly, slowly sliding it downward. He brushes past her neck and shoulders before stopping at her sides.

"Well, this is a predicament, isn't it, babe?"

"I'm not your 'babe'!" Annabeth protests, still trying to break her hands free, but his grip is too tight.

"Aww, that's okay, babe," Luke says. His hand drops to her waist and he lifts the corner of her shirt.

"Wh-what are you doing?!"

"I told you," he whispers. "I want to give you some special treatment."

His hand slips under her shirt and snakes up her abdomen.

"Luke, don't... please..."

"Oh, so now you're talking nice to me? It's a little too late for that, Annie."

Annabeth shuts her eyes tight and continues to struggle to no avail. Luke's hand snakes higher still, finding a place where it shouldn't be.

"Why are you doing this?"

"I told you, haven't I? You're going to be mine one way or another," he says, cackling right after.

"Stop it, Luke!"

"There's still something in my way," he mutters, ignoring her demands. His hand drifts to her back and he finds what he's looking for. He undoes the claps, loosening up her bra and pushes it away, allowing him to fondle her directly.

Annabeth whimpers and keeps struggling. "Stop... please..."

Luke doesn't say anything. He just grins and continues what he's doing. Annabeth does the one thing she can think of and screams as loud as she can. Luke shouts and lets go of her to cover his ears, leaving himself wide open. Annabeth kicks him as hard as she can and runs. She makes it to the doors just as they opens.

"Annabeth? What's wrong?" Frederick asks her. Christina and the boys are right behind him. "We heard screaming!"

"HE'S WHAT'S WRONG! YOU, LUKE, AND MOM ARE WHAT'S WRONG!"

"Calm down, young lady!" Frederick orders. He sees Luke groaning in pain on the floor and rushes over to him. "My God, what did you do?"

"You can't be serious!" Annabeth shouts, tears streaming down her face.

"Did you hit Luke?" Christina asks Annabeth, furious. "How could you?"

Annabeth's anger boils over and she stares at her mother. "How could I?! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT HE JUST DID!"

"And what would that be?" Christina demands.

"HOW'S SEXUAL ASSAULT FOR ONE!"

Christina steps back. "What? He wouldn't do anything like that!"

"What makes you so sure?!" Annabeth screams. She keeps her arms crossed over her chest.

"How many times do we have to tell you that he's a good young man!"

"ONLY IN FRONT OF YOU! HE JUST GROPED ME IN THAT CORNER!"

"I did not!" Luke squeaks.

"See, he said he didn't, so stop lying!" Christina snaps. "I don't know what your problem is, Annabeth, but you can't accuse someone of these things just because you don't like them!"

Annabeth falls silent, staring at her mother. Everybody is staring back at her.

"You... you really think I'm... Lying about this?" Annabeth says, starting to sob.

"I-I didn't mean..." Christina tries to say, but Annabeth isn't having any more of it.

"You really think I'm lying about this?!" she cries. "You think I would lie?! You'd sooner believe HIM?! OVER ME?! YOUR OWN DAUGHTER?!"

"Annabeth..." Christina says softly, stepping towards her.

"Stay away from me! All of you! You can cut me off from the family wealth all you want! You don't actually care for me! You've never cared about me! So just leave me alone!" Annabeth sobs. She bolts out of the room and goes to her room to grab her bag, but realizes she never brought it inside from her car so she grabs her keys and bolts to her car. She jams the key into the ignition and starts the engine, quickly backing out of the driveway. She sees her father running out after her, but he's too late. Once Annabeth gets on the road, she steps on the gas pedal and speeds away, headed towards the city.