Chapter 2

(Heart made of glass, my mind of stone)

Walkin' out of town

Lookin' for a better place

Something's on my mind

Always in my headspace

Annabeth had met Piper during her freshman year at NYU. She had just lost Miss Britney and had been drowning her sorrows at a nearby bar. Piper had walked up to her and had promptly cut her off before she blacked out. Piper had patiently listened to Annabeth rant about her dead cat, generously offering a shoulder to cry on. She, an absolute stranger. She had asked about Annabeth's dorm address and had made sure she reached home safely. That was the first time since Annabeth had moved back that she found comfort.

A couple of days later she had again run into Piper at a nearby Starbucks. Annabeth had been way too embarrassed by her behavior that night, the constant nagging thought- what would Mother say if she found out - preventing her from acknowledging Piper. But even then Piper had taken the empty seat opposite to her and had asked her whether she was okay. Annabeth had last heard those words almost 2 years ago. There was a warm and welcoming glint in Piper's eyes that made Annabeth warm up to her. She had then thanked Piper profusely and the two became quick friends, and soon each other's support system through late-night cramming, pervy professors, absent mothers, and just life in general. Junior year of college they moved into an apartment together. Annabeth felt as if she had again found a family.

Almost a year ago, during Christmas Piper caught a severe case of pneumonia. She had to be admitted to a hospital. It was that moment Piper deemed fit to reveal to Annabeth that she had SCID. To say Annabeth was livid after finding out that her best friend had hidden such a crucial aspect of her life from her would be an understatement. She didn't know whether to hit Piper or sob. Thankfully, Piper recovered after a month of being bed-ridden. But fate was not done with her.

Now, Piper was again in the hospital for the last 40 days, without much improvement. Annabeth's life routine had gone from late-night movie marathons, hidden away in the coziness of their apartment with her favorite person in the world to sitting beside said person's hospital bed, begging her to not leave her alone.

Annabeth rushed through the glass doors of the hospital and her fears were confirmed as soon as she saw Tristan. He was kneeled over, with his head in his hands. Annabeth was terrified, she wanted to run away just so she could deny the glaring reality. She took slow, hesitant steps towards him. She pinched her sides, with increasing force as she got closer, in a desperate attempt to wake herself up from this nightmare.

"Tristan", she whispered.

Piper's dad looked up at her with bloodshot eyes, "She- She's gone. They said, Annabeth, she, my beautiful daughter's gone."

"No, no, no, no, no, please no, please, please, she can't do this, she can't just leave, Piper-", Annabeth's knees buckled and she found herself breaking down in Tristan's arms. Part of her, the subconscious part, that still hadn't registered the situation, felt guilty. Here she was crying and shaking, and the man who had just lost his daughter was comforting her.

She steeled herself, she had to be strong for him too. "It will be okay, she's just resting, she's okay, we will see her again, not today, or tomorrow, or the day after that, but we will, someday, then we can both scream at her for leaving like this okay?"

"She went in her sleep, she looked so serene Annabeth, she was ready you know, she-she-my baby."

Annabeth knew that. Piper had long ago accepted her fate. She had always known she was living on borrowed time, she used to tell Annabeth that she was just thankful for another day.

Only a week ago when they had been binging The Office, laughing way too much for it to be considered appropriate for a hospital, Piper had suddenly said, "I'm tired. "

"Tired? Oh my god, I'm sorry, I'm keeping you awake, you should rest, I'll be here when you wake up, we can watch the next episode then, or do you need me to call-"

"Ann! Breathe. I mean I'm tired, in general, of all this."

"What? What do you mean Piper? "

"Look", she sighed, " Don't get me wrong, I love you and I love dad and I am more than happy that I get to see you guys every day, I'm more than happy that I've made it this long, but this past year, this is not how I want to live, so if -"

" Piper McLean shut the fuck up! "

"No, Annabeth, you should know this too, you need to know this, I am okay with going"

That doesn't mean Annabeth was okay with it. She didn't know if she ever would be.

She called in sick from work the next day. That was a huge mistake. The apartment was full of memories, memories of Piper, her stuff lying around that Annabeth hadn't had the heart to move, in hopes that Piper would do it herself one day, the phone numbers of the guys she used to try to set Annabeth up with, that stupid lamp with hydrona africanas printed on it that she made her buy on a whim. All of these things were painful reminders of what she had lost. Annabeth cried herself to sleep.

She returned to work after the funeral, almost a week later. People didn't know what had happened. All around her, life went on as if nothing had changed. They weren't wrong though, nothing did change for them. But Annabeth's entire world had gone off the axis.

Annabeth had always wondered if it was worth it if anything was worth anything. From an outside perspective if one single person, being, suddenly wasn't there anymore, what difference does it make? Was that supposed to make it easier to let go?

However, one closer look at the life of said person would make you see the adventures they had, the love, the joy, even the displeasure and pain they left behind. Their life, reduced to mere fleeting memories. Was that supposed to make it easier to let go?

"Miss Chase? Annabeth?" Someone snapped their fingers in front of her face. She looked up to see Wilkinson leaning on her desk, a disapproving look on his face. Great.

"Yes sir? "

"After almost a week of absence, one would think you will work harder to make up for the lost time, but you seem to be frolicking in some fantasy land."

"I-I wasn't, I'm sorry sir, It won't-", Annabeth was seriously getting sick of people interrupting her.

" This laid-back attitude is the reason you didn't get to head the project Annabeth, even after this I can see your work ethic hasn't improved a bit. Now I see why you need the name Chase to be here."

"What? I'll have you know, I have the perfect qualifications for this job, I was hired because of my merit, not because of my mom."

"You tell yourself that Miss Chase, but you are nothing without Athena's name, even after you rejected my generous offer, you are still here, just because you are Athena Chase's daughter. This behavior is completely unethical."

Annabeth saw red. Before she could even comprehend what she was doing, her hand moved on its own accord and punched him square in the jaw. "Don't you lecture me about ethics, you son of a bitch. How the fuck do you even sit in that seat of yours knowing you have no real talent except being a class A- jerk ".

With that, she grabbed her purse and left the building, too far gone to deal with the consequences of what she had just done. At least, Piper would've been proud of her.

Apparently, today was a day of surprises for at the front door of her apartment was a parcel addressed to her. Who would send her something? Had the firm sent the termination of employment notice already?

Locking the apartment door, she made her way to her room and opened the parcel. It was a flip phone.

Is this some kind of a joke?

Switching it on, she found a message that read, "Go to voicemail". Shrugging, she pressed play.

" You will die in seven days", breathed a raspy voice. What?

Then she heard laughter followed by, "Always wanted to do that. I wish I could see your face right now, but if you are listening to this, I obviously can't. "

Annabeth's breath caught in her throat. She had longed to hear that voice every morning for the past week. She was positive she had started hallucinating.

"Don't worry, I won't go all 13 Reasons Why on you. I made this voicemail because you know me, always had a flair for the dramatic. I know it is really weird but I made this the day after we had that talk in the hospital, you know which one. I know you are a stubborn bitch and you didn't listen to me that day but you have no choice now. Ann, I'm sorry, I'm sorry for leaving you. But you have to understand that I will be happy, wherever I go, maybe I'll go to hell, huh, I just hope Satan's hot. I'll be gone Ann, but you are still going to be here. You need to know that I don't want you to waste away your life like you used to before you met yours truly. I am not gonna be around to babysit you anymore, harsh, I know but you need a wake up call, and I want you to get a hold of yourself and move on. Fucking live, please.

I'm the one dying and I have more fun than you do. Don't mope too much, I know I'm awesome but you gotta stop with the loath fest. Just make me proud Annabeth. Have fun for me. I'm content with how my life turned out but will you be able to say that when you have become an old hag? So please, just do whatever wild shit you used to do back in that weird town of yours. Go crazy, for me, you are not alone Beth, you never were, just open those fucking eyes and see. If you want to get drunk in my honor, go drunk dial him, I did find his number for you. Just have adventures so that when I see you again, you don't embarrass me in front of ghost friends. I don't have any regrets and neither should you. Well, I do have one regret, not calling Athena the stuck-up bitch she get my point right?... K, I'm getting sleepy now, so I'll hang up. Go make Mama proud. I love you, Annabeth."

Annabeth was frozen. She couldn't think, she couldn't blink. She did not know how long she sat there just listening to the voicemail again and again. The gravity of Piper's words was slowly dawning on her. God Piper. Still looking out for her. Annabeth wiped her tears and played the recording again.

The ringtone of her phone brought her back to the land of the living. She picked it up without looking at the caller ID.

"What is wrong with you young lady?". Annabeth took a deep breath, here we go.

"Hi Mother, I was expecting this call almost an hour ago, you seem to be losing your flair."

"Annabeth, how dare you? Nevermind, I've spoken with the chair of the board, he will let it slide and Wilkinson will keep his mouth shut as long as you write an official apology".

Annabeth's mind went reeling. Piper's words swarmed in her head. It was as if she was suddenly jolted awake by a hot poker. Her heart hammered in her chest and Piper's voice was like a revelation, ordering her to grab the steering wheel of her life. She realized that she had always been slowly heading toward a hill where without a doubt she would've crashed and burned if it weren't for Piper pulling the hand brakes. Now that she was gone, Annabeth would take control. She knew what to do. She had to make her best friend proud.

"No!", she replied feigning nonchalance.

"No? What do you mean no? Annabeth have you finally lost it? Do you have any idea about the lengths I have gone to so that you can keep this job?" Annabeth didn't want to waste any more time on Athena.

"No, I don't, and quite frankly, I don't care. I am done Athena, I am done with you and your obnoxious behavior and your obsessive need to control everything and everyone. I don't even want to grace you with any explanation. You don't deserve it. Don't bother calling me again."

She was met with silence.

"And also, You are a stuck-up bitch- sincerely, from Piper".

Annabeth blamed it on the adrenaline. Well, actually she blamed it on Piper. She thought maybe Piper's ghost had possessed her. There was no other way that could explain what she had just done or what she was going to do. After the call with her mother, Annabeth had felt fresh, resuscitated. She had such confidence surging through her veins that she wanted to do something, something she never would have found the guts to do before.

She had been sifting through Piper's stuff when she saw the Instagram notification. Grover had posted a picture with his wife, announcing to the world that he was going to be a dad. Nostalgia had hit Annabeth like a bulldozer. Just like that, she had made a decision.

She had spent the next 3 days clearing out her apartment. She had sold all her stuff on eBay and had handed in her resignation even though she knew she was probably already fired. Today, she visited Tristan one last time, giving him all of Piper's belongings. They both cried a bit, she let him hear Piper's voice mail too. She thought it might give him some kind of closure too, knowing what Piper had wanted for them. On her way back to the now-empty apartment, she again received one of Athena's texts, demanding a response. At that, she smashed her phone (she didn't know why she did that, anyway, she liked how liberated she felt doing so). That feeling reaffirmed her decision. She could not live here anymore, the walls would slowly close in on her. She wanted to be free. Annabeth took one last look around the apartment, took a deep breath, grabbed that damned lamp, said goodbye to Piper's room, and bolted.

So here she was, catching a train to go back to the place she had tried to forget, after 7 years. She was going back to the people she hadn't had a decent conversation with in years. Honestly, it was a surprise that Grover still followed her on Instagram. As the train left the station, Annabeth's anxiety increased. She had cut almost all ties with those people and now she was going to see them again. Will they accept her? Shaking her head, she tried to focus on the positive. She was going to Belt Buckle now, no turning back. She was going back to the place where she had felt love for the first time in her life. She was going back to her first real family. She had to make Piper proud. That thought made her smile a bit and eased her nerves. She was going back home.

(Tear me to pieces, skin to bone)

Percy wasn't necessarily a bad guy. He was quite the opposite actually. But, sitting here at the restaurant, nodding his head to go along with whatever the girl in front of him was saying when in reality he had not heard a single word, Percy felt terrible. It wasn't as if he hadn't tried, he did put effort into the date, albeit unwillingly. He had even brought flowers. But he just did not want this. Then why on earth was he here?

It's safe to say he was threatened with various forms of torcher by all his friends and his mom. They all had schemed together and cornered Percy, especially his mom. Sally Jackson played dirty. Percy frowned at the memory.

"What?, Mom no, that's low!" He was literally about to get down on his knees and beg.

"It's not. You are forcing me to take this decision. If you won't go, neither will I." His mom was pretty adamant.

"It's not the same thing. That logic is seriously flawed."

"Desperate times, desperate measures baby, it's for your own good, you cannot live cooped up like this."

"Mom, please." Percy knew his baby seal eyes would not work on Sally, the woman was immune to them, but still, he gave it his best shot.

"Fine", she conceded. Percy was about to Whoop! with joy when she continued, "I'm gonna cancel the doctor's appointment tomorrow too, the cafe is pretty busy these days, you will need all the help you can. I'm going to bed now."

"Wait, Mom, wait", he took a deep breath," Fine, okay, fine I'll go, just don't play with your health like that please."

Sally's smile was so evil that even the Cheshire cat would have been put to shame."Oh fantastic, I knew you would come around, you will love her, she teaches at the high school, and Jason said she is really pretty. She will meet you at The Riverfront at 7 tomorrow, oh I'm so -."

"Percy, uh, Percy?", Percy was brought back by not one but two voices calling his name. He looked up from the menu, he was so glad that the menu was big enough to hide his entire face in, to find Calypso standing by their table with a sympathetic expression on her face that was borderline annoyed.

"Percy", she said in a stern voice, "Amanda here has already ordered, would you like something too? "

Yes, to get out of here never speak to any of you again.

"Just water would be fine, thank you! ", Percy replied with a snark.

Amanda raised her eyebrows at him but kept quiet.

They made small talk throughout dinner and Percy tried his best to seem interested. Amanda was pleasant company but he didn't want to lead her on, he just wasn't in the dating game right now. Percy couldn't make a run for it because, one, he wouldn't leave the girl hanging like this, and two, Calypso waitressed here, so she would definitely report back to Sally. Percy had liked Leo's fiance, she seemed sweet, but as soon as he found out that she was a co-conspirator in Jason, Leo and his mom's plan to get him out on a date, Percy was seriously reconsidering his judgment.

He offered to walk Amanda back to her house when the dinner ended, but she politely declined. Percy got the feeling she had caught on to his disinterest and didn't object much.

"Amanda, don't get me wrong, you seem really lovely, it's just I'm not at a place in my life where I want a relationship right now, so"-

" Hey, it's okay, I get it, it's no problem, I still had a great time tonight and… we could be friends at least? Maybe, I could get a first/last date with the owner discount at The Blue Cookie? ".

Percy's mom owned the only cafe/bakery in town, they got tremendous business. He laughed, "Technically, my mom owns it, not me, but you are welcome to visit anytime, are you sure you don't want me walking you back, It's no big deal."

"No, it's fine, I'll head out now, goodnight Percy."

As Percy walked home he wondered how he could make his mom and all his friends realize that he was happy with the way things were, he had decided to stay here. They had been trying to set him up with someone for almost a year now. Only Grover didn't try to meddle in Percy's life, he was really understanding, that or he was too busy preparing to be a father. Still, Percy's life wasn't necessarily dull. He loved this stupid town, with its stupid name and stupid people but again he was always anxious.

Percy had to be here. There was no room for debate on this matter. He owed it to his mom, he wanted to be able to give all his time to her, taking care of her. He knew his mom blamed herself for his decision when he quit teaching and started managing the cafe, but Percy didn't regret it. Percy had made a lot of impulsive decisions in his life but he rarely had any regrets. He walked past the abandoned playground and saw the dilapidated pirate ship. Well, maybe he had one regret. But no use crying over spilled milk.

Closing the door silently as he reached home, he went to his room, pulled out the guitar, and went to the front porch. He started humming the all too familiar tune as his fingers moved with practiced precision.

Percy gazed into the direction of the house that had been left unoccupied for years now and the ache in his heart grew. He would never admit it to anyone else, though he felt Grover was aware, he never truly moved on. Maybe that was the reason he broke off his engagement with Rachel two years ago. His thoughts drifted to his mom, he could not help worrying about her health even though she tried her best to placate his worries. She needed him, now more than ever, and Percy would do everything in his power to keep her safe, to keep her with him. He was done with losing people.

"So, got any action last night Jackson?" Percy looked up from the counter to see Thalia arranging a few chairs near the front booth.

"Oh my god, Does everyone in Belt Buckle know that I went, no, no, that I was blackmailed into going on a date?"

"So I'm guessing the answer is no. Ah, no surprise there. Though I feel for Sally, she might never get to hold any grandchildren because her son is a hermit."

Before Percy could reply, the door to the cafe opened, and in walked the two people Percy had wanted to deck since last night.

"You guys are dead to me. I hate both of you." Percy grumbled.

"I am so disappointed Percy, I thought I taught you well, even Jason gets some these days and he is a high school teacher." Leo shook his head, unbothered by Percy's annoyance.

"Dude, I always get some." Jason interrupted, clearly offended.

"This is bigger than you Jase, our boy Percy here has taken a pledge of abstinence, these are critical times".

"Cut it out both of you." Percy snapped. " If either of you pulls shit like that again I'll put salt and oil from Leo's garage in your coffees. I am not interested, why don't you guys get it? Last night wasn't fair to me or to Amanda. C'mon you guys."

Well, at least they had the decency to look sheepish. However, they weren't finished. Jason spoke up again, "Percy we were just trying to help, It's just that you haven't been out ever since the whole Rachel fiasco-"

"Man, I am not hung up on her. Our break-up was a mutual decision. It's been so long, we are still great friends, jeez let it go."

Thalia scoffed, he had almost forgotten she was even there, "Percy we both know pretty well that time hasn't got to do anything with feelings. Clearly, you cannot be hung up on Rachel because you still-

"Thalia", he warned," You guys cook up any story that helps you sleep at night, It's almost 7, the cafe is gonna open soon, I got work to do."

With that, he headed toward the door to the backroom to get the things for the day. As soon as he unlocked it, he heard Leo shout in exasperation," How do you do that? Every time man, every single time."

Percy snickered. The thing was that the door had a broken handle, every time you pulled it, it would detach from the socket, only Percy and his mom were always able to open the door without detaching the handle. They never got it fixed because it had become a game of sorts for the gang to see if anyone besides him or his mom could succeed. Even Leo, a mechanic always failed. Percy was very proud. When he came back, tying his apron and giving Thalia hers, he turned to Leo and gave him a smug look.

"It's talent, young grasshopper, not everyone can achieve this honor. You will have to learn to live with this failure."

"Whatever, at least I have a fiance, I'm pretty sure you are going to be stuck with Auntie Barbara for the rest of your life."

Percy snorted at that, "Tell you what Leo, the next girl who successfully unlocks the door without breaking the handle, I'll take her on a date, willingly, until then you stop pestering me about going out."

Leo's eyes lit up, filled with mischief, even Jason and Thalia looked up," Woah Jackson, Are you sure? No taking backsies."

"I am sure because if you can't do it, I don't think anyone else can."

"Fine, you have a deal. Oh, someday you are going to eat those words and I'll have front row seats to that moment."

Leo grinned, rubbing his hands together as if he had formulated a foolproof plan for world domination. Percy hesitated for a moment, but his ego wouldn't allow him to back out now. He extended his hand forward and shook Leo's.

"Deal! I'll go out with the girl, even if it's Thalia."

"Ew", both Thalia and Jason chipped in, equally disgusted. Percy couldn't blame them.

"Alright, I'm gonna head out, see you later guys, I'll drop by before I head to the station", Jason informed them, shouldering his bag. He was going out of town for some teaching conference for a couple of weeks. Percy, almost wistfully wondered whether he would have gone along with Jason if things had gone right. He banished that thought as soon as it came, he was perfectly content with his life. No second thoughts.

It was two weeks later when Grover burst into the cafe, panting. He had gone out to take his lunch break outside today, which Percy found a bit odd since Thalia, Grover, and he always ate together. He looked disheveled as he made his way to the counter.

"Percy Jackson", he screamed like a maniac. The people inside didn't even bother looking up, craziness was a defining characteristic of The Blue Cookie. However, Percy went into panic mode.

"Woah there G-man, What's wrong? Are you alright? Is Juniper alright? Is mom ok?"

Grover rushed towards him and grabbed his face in his hands. "Everything is fine, everyone is great."

"Then why are you are acting like this?" Percy tried to speak but it came out incoherent with Grover's hands pressing his cheeks together.

"I'm so happy for you, dude, so so happy!"

"Grover, you are freaking me out. Did you take something or….?"He asked, prying Grover's hands away.

You will see, tomorrow you will, wash your hair when you come in tomorrow, oh hey Thalia, you will not believe what happened." Leaving behind a confused Percy, Grover took Thalia to the break room and shut the door. Sometimes he wondered if he was the only normal person here.

What had happened? What would happen tomorrow?

A/N: Thank you all for reading this story! The support is much appreciated. I've decided to change the update schedule to Saturdays/Sundays! Also, I've tried my best to avoid grammatical errors but English isn't my first language so apologies if you find some. I hope you enjoy this chapter and leave your thoughts in the reviews!