BACK TO THE PRESENT
Percy's body felt ice cold. He knew he was going to pass out soon if he didn't control himself. But it didn't matter, right? Because he didn't have Annabeth anymore. The one person, other than his mom, who he loved more than life itself.
Everytime Percy got those dark thoughts about just, letting go. Of being at peace. He stopped himself because he couldn't do that to Annabeth. But now...now she probably wanted him dead. Now there was nothing keeping him in this hell of a world.
Percy could hear a voice, it was saying something important. Something he should listen to. But why? It didn't matter anymore.
Then he felt it in full force. The calmness that had swept over him had fled and the panic rammed into him. The pressure on his chest was to much and it hurt like Hades.
"In and out. In and out. Come on Perce you gotta try. Just breathe with me."
He didn't know whose voice it was, but it didn't matter because their arms were around him and they were so warm. Gods they were warm. Suddenly he didn't feel as alone as he had been feeling because someone was here. Someone cared, right?
Ever so slowly Percy listened to the mysterious person's breathing and tried to match his own to it. After a few minutes he calmed down enough to notice the person holding him was shaking. Were they crying, for him? Why?
Then he noticed the black hoody with a skull on it. Only one person he knew wore something like that. Nico. But why would Nico help him? Hold him? Comfort him? He didn't know the answer but mustered up enough energy to look up at him.
Nico. Strong, tuff, hates everyone, Nico was crying. Granted he wasn't letting loose heart wrenching sobs as Percy had just moments ago, but nevertheless he had tears leaking from his eyes.
"Nico?" He asked voice raw and sore.
Nico sighed as a little bit of the worry in his eyes ebbed away. "Gods Percy you scared me half to death." Then he grew serious again. "Are you alright?"
Percy didn't quite know how to answer this question, because honestly? He wasn't alright and hadn't been for a while. What just happened with Annabeth broke the last little bit of happiness he had been holding onto. It felt like a part of him was ripped away never to be seen again. He would've felt empty if it weren't for unbearable sadness that had settled upon him.
Percy pushed himself up and off of Nico.
"I'm fine." He said shortly, because Nico didn't want to hear his pathetic story of how he broke up with his girlfriend. He wouldn't care. Nobody would. It was his fault anyway. Everything seemed to be his fault.
"Bullshit. You nearly pass out from a panic attack and then you sit here and tell me you're fine? What the actual hell dude? And then there's the thing with you locking yourself in your room for six days? Only Annabeth believed your lie." Nico had angrily rubbed the tears from his eyes and was waiting for an explanation from the defeated looking boy in front of him.
Percy's crushing feeling of needing to talk to someone trumped his anxiety on how Nico would react.
"Annabeth and I...I broke up with Annabeth." He felt tears sliding down his skin once again but ignored them. "It's all my fault I don't know why I did it but she was going to go away to college and I know she'll forget about me I just couldn't take it and I didn't know what to do and I know I'm not good enough for her anyways and Gods I hate myself what the hell is wrong with me?!" He was rambling and he knew it but he just had to get all of those words out.
Nico realized Percy was about to freak out again so he quickly put a stop to that. He, a little awkwardly, patted Percy's shoulder. "It's okay Perce, I'm sure everything will work out. You just need to talk to her."
The thought of confronting Annabeth again scared him. She definitely wouldn't forgive him, she hated him now. With a trembling voice he told Nico, "You didn't see her face. She was so," his voice cracked a little, "angry at me."
Percy wrapped his arms around his legs to give himself some comfort, but it didn't work quite as well as when Nico had his arms around him. Would he ever do that again?
No, why would he? He probably wasn't even thinking.
Sighing, Percy got up shakily. He plastered on an obviously fake smile and turned to the pale boy before him. Though now, Percy was probably as pale as him. "Thanks Nico for uh...calming me down. I'm fine now though so I'm just going to go." Percy made to leave but Nico stopped him.
"Hey, Percy? If you need anything just...just tell me, ok? I-we I mean, all of the seven care about you." If you looked close enough you could see a slight blush on Nico's cheeks, but Percy didn't realize. He was too busy in his own head.
Flashing a quick smile he said, "Yeah I know, thanks." And walked to his cabin.
Once inside he did the only thing on his mind. He headed straight for the bathroom. He deserved this because he was stupid and selfish. Breaking up with Annabeth? That was all his fault and he knew he'd never get over it.
Maybe this is what finally pushes me over the edge. He mused.
He made two quick slices and went a little too deep on the third. Maybe he should make a fourth cut, but this time make it as deep as he could. Then he could feel his body slowly getting colder as he watched the wondrous red blood seep out.
Percy then thought about Nico. He seemed so worried, right? Maybe he wasn't, but Nico made him feel a flicker of hope. If even for a second. And he'd hold on to that. For as long as he could.
