Hi again! I was going to post yesterday, but I forgot. Oops. My apologies.
But here it is!
We got a new summary (still working on it, though).
We (me and my co-author, MANation) are starting to write chapters in advance - mostly because I set a deadline and we get stuff done early…? Anyways, not sure if it'll be important in the future, but just letting you know.
OoOoOoOoO
Annabeth needed this massage more than she'd realized.
It wasn't a particularly good one; he dug his knuckles too hard into her back, didn't focus long enough where she would've liked and all in all seemed rather sloppy about it. Still, she was full of stress, and this hurt in a mostly pleasant way.
Beside her, Silena - well, she appeared to be flirting with the masseuse.
"Silena," she groaned. "Please, shut up."
Silena winked at her but otherwise ignored her request. Annabeth sighed in frustration.
"Try to relax," her masseuse said. He sounded bored. "It'll feel better if you relax."
I thought the whole point of this was to make me relaxed, Annabeth thought. If I could relax on my own why would I even come here?
Still, she said nothing and tried to do as he asked, to little avail.
After that, Annabeth really just tried to tune out the world. The way this masseuses' hands either didn't know what they were doing or just didn't care enough to do it well, or Silena's attempt at flirting (which Annabeth vaguely noted seemed to be going well), and all the noise from the people passing by in the mall itself.
She decided to let her mind wander. At first her thoughts drifted to Luke, which prompted her masseuse to again ask her to relax- He's the one annoyed with me? This is his job!- so she tried to clear her mind again and go elsewhere.
She thought about that art piece on the cover of that book, the one with the lone boy staring at the ocean in the pouring rain. It evoked powerful emotions in her; it was melancholic and sad, but also… liberating.
It was dark, stormy and raining, and the sea looked powerful, wild and violent, but the boy didn't seem to mind. Or maybe he just accepted there was nothing he could do about it. He just stood and watched. Let things be as they were. Let go.
Eventually, Annabeth felt two light taps on her shoulder, signaling her ordeal (massage) was finally over. She rolled her shoulders, a grimace on her face. Before, she was tense; now she was hurting and tense.
She decided to pay for both of them- Silena had gotten her that dress and those earrings earlier, so she thought it was only fair- then made her way outside, stretching as she did so.
Silena caught up a few moments later; she'd been getting the number of her masseuse, and Annabeth hadn't waited for her. "Beth~ that was rude!"
Annabeth raised an eyebrow at her. "You don't seem to be bothered too much, considering how wide you're smiling." Silena stuck her tongue out at her.
Annabeth rolled her eyes, but when she looked at Silena again, she frowned. "Um, you've got a little something right here…" she said, raising her hand to point to one of her own teeth.
Silena's face froze. "Really?" she squeaked out. Annabeth simply nodded.
She immediately began digging through her purse to find a mirror. "No, no no no, I did not just make myself look like an idiot in front of-" as she held it up to her face to check her teeth, she didn't see anything. Realization dawned on her, and she scowled at Annabeth, who was struggling to keep a straight face.
"You," she said, her voice low and menacing, "are lucky I'm being extra nice to you today."
Annabeth busted out laughing. "Oh, come on," she said, walking towards the malls' exit, "you know that was funny."
Silena followed, her expression stiff. "That definitely was not funny. I nearly had a heart attack!"
Annabeth waved her hand dismissively. "You're being dramatic. You'd be laughing if it was me."
Silena's eyes narrowed at her. "I would never do that to you because I am a good friend!"
"Ouch. I guess I deserved that." Annabeth smiled sheepishly at Silena, who still looked upset.
She sighed. "Sorry. And no, you are not just a good friend- you are the best friend."
Annabeth wanted to gag at how cheesy that sounded, but it had the intended effect- Silena's expression softened and her eyes turned misty.
"Oh, Annabeth!" she squealed, as she tacklehugged her friend so hard they nearly both fell over.
"Whoa, easy! I love you too, now get off me!" Annabeth yelped, laughing as she tried to pry her friend off of her.
Silena looked up at her, eyes wide. "You really mean that?"
Annabeth sighed and patted her head. What a child. "Yes, Silena, I really meant it. Today has been… what I needed, I think, even if I didn't want it. So thank you for making me get out of the office today. And for being a good friend."
"The best friend," Silena said proudly.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Yes, Silena, the best friend, now don't let it go to your head, and would you please get off me?"
Silena stuck out her tongue again, but finally released her death grip on her, and they kept walking.
The sun was just setting as they made their way into the parking lot. This really did take all day, Annabeth thought. Still, she felt like in the end it had been worth it. She wasn't completely over Luke yet; she needed proper closure, a face to face meeting for that, and even then it might still hurt for a while. However, she could finally accept she deserved better out of a relationship.
Just as they were about to part ways as they headed for their separate cars, Annabeth hesitated a moment, then pulled Silena into a tight hug.
"Thanks," she whispered. "For today."
Just as quickly she let go, and promptly started laughing at the shocked look on her face.
"Did you just hug me? Like, on your own?" Silena asked, stunned.
Annabeth just smiled, the warmth from the sun soaking into her after a long day. "No idea what you're talking about," she said and abruptly turned on her heel and walked away.
Silena stood there, arms still raised slightly, frozen in shock.
As Annabeth got in her car, she looked back one last time, still smiling brightly, and called out, "Oh, Silena? Bright and early on Monday. We've got work to catch up on."
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"Nice to meet you, Percy. I'm Luke."
Percy smiled. "Well, Luke, I was just heading home, but is there anything else I can do for you…?" Percy sort of trailed off by the end of his question. What could I do for him, I'm a janitor? And why am I being so formal?
Luke tried to suppress a laugh. "No, thanks though man, I appreciate it." He sighed. "Honestly, there's no reason for me to be here either, I guess, so I'll walk out with you."
Percy nodded and they both turned toward the door. Once outside they both turned in the same direction and began walking.
Luke, a little awkwardly, asked, "Headed for the subway?" Percy nodded again.
"Well, guess we'll have each other's company a little longer then!" Luke smiled again in a friendly way, and Percy couldn't help smiling back. Luke seemed like a very charismatic person.
It was a little weird at first, but as they walked they made idle chit-chat and gradually both of them started to relax. By the time they reached the subway entrance they were talking and laughing like old friends.
As they walked down the stairs they passed a large poster on the wall advertising some pop star's newest album. She had a probably-fake tan, 3 inch heels, skimpy clothing and bleach blonde princess curls. Percy would have forgiven all that, if her music was any good.
Percy figured judging people every now and then wasn't so bad.
As they walked by, Luke glanced at the poster and winced. Percy tilted his head questioningly.
"You alright man? I mean, I think her music is bland, repetitive and clearly missing any solid understanding of what makes a song good, but-"
Luke waved his hands dismissively and began walking again. "No, no, that's not it." Luke then narrowed his eyes at Percy, though the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned. "But by all means, tell me how you really feel."
Percy's ears turned red. "I've just got a thing for music, alright? It's important to me, and the idea people listen to that garbage and think it's music makes me feel a little sick sometimes."
Luke listened to his little rant thoughtfully, but just as he opened his mouth to ask about it, Percy cut him off. "So if it wasn't the music, what was the problem?"
Luke frowned slightly. He looked back at the poster and sighed. "If you were trying to let someone down easy, how would you do it?"
Percy blinked in surprise. He looked back and forth between the poster and Luke, gears slowly starting to turn in his brain. Luke, noticing a lack of response, figured out what Percy was thinking and started laughing.
"No, that's- that's not who I meant," he choked out between laughs. He straightened up and gathered his thoughts. "She just reminded me of someone. Loosely."
"Ohhhhhh," Percy said. He resisted the urge to say, no wonder you want to end things, then, because that would be rude. Instead, he tried to think of an answer to his question.
After a moment, he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry, man, I got nothing. The only girl I've ever dated dumped me because- because she didn't feel like our life paths were in sync."
He thinks that was one of the things she said. Among other, less flattering things, but he'd just met Luke, and he didn't want to unload his problems onto a stranger.
Judging by Luke's expression, he seemed to realize there was more to that story than Percy was letting on, but thankfully he said nothing. He just closed his eyes, leaned back and sighed.
"So why do you need to let this person down gently?" Percy asked. He didn't mean to pry into this persons' business, but he was nervous and just wanted to talk about anything other than himself.
Luke pursed his lips. "Well," he started, "it hasn't really been going well for a while now. We've been drifting apart; she's spending way more time on her work than she used to, I've been traveling a lot more for mine, you know how it goes."
Percy nodded, despite having no idea what either of those things were like. Luke continued.
"We see each other less and less, we talk less and less, we enjoy spending time together less and less. This relationship has really been over for a while now, but she's kept trying to make it work, and she's still important to me, so I've sort of just… let her keep trying."
Percy felt bad for him; it seemed like he was a good guy in a difficult position. Then, Luke said,
"But it didn't work. And I- I got way too drunk one night and I… I sort of… messed up," he mumbled.
At that point, Percy might've been inclined to think less of him, but his face was twisted up with such shame and genuine remorse Percy still felt bad for him. He was still in the wrong, but at least he was sorry about it.
Percy gently patted him on the shoulder. It was weird to be comforting a stranger who had just admitted to cheating on his girlfriend, but Percy didn't like to see people be sad. He almost had to help, however he could.
"I'm not sure what to say, man," he said honestly.
Luke took a deep breath. He tried to smile, but it didn't really touch his eyes. "You don't have to say anything, Percy. Just listening has been a big help already."
Percy blinked, then nodded. I guess that makes sense, he thought. Luke looked up as the latest train pulled in.
"Well, that's me. I guess I might see you around, Percy." He looked doubtful as he said it, but Percy still waved anyway.
"It's been nice talking with you, Luke. You'll figure things out," he said.
Luke nodded. "Thanks, man." He paused, just before he stepped on, and looked back. Almost as an afterthought he said, "You will too, you know? Someday, you'll figure things out." Then he stepped on board and the train doors closed behind him.
Percy just sat there for a while, listening to the garbage some people called music and wondering if it was possible Luke could be right. Percy doubted it, but it was nice to pretend all the same.
OoOoOoOoO
The sky was dark and moody, painted grey with flashes of bright light piercing through here and there. Percy had caught several droplets of rain to the face already, and he did not want to be out here when it really picked up.
He looked around for a place he could duck into, and noticed a small cafe he hadn't been to before. In bold, stylized orange letters it read CHB: Coffee House & Breakfast.
He rushed over (it was already raining more heavily), and ducked inside. I should've brought an umbrella, he thought, running his fingers through his hair to try and get some of the rain out.
The cafe was oddly empty, except for one woman with blonde hair, bending over a notebook in a corner.
"Welcome, sir!" A girl with golden hair and golden eyes to match waved at him from behind the counter. Percy awkwardly waved back. "What can I get for you today?"
He stepped up to the counter. "Um… just hot chocolate. A medium, please," he mumbled quietly.
She smiled at him warmly. "Of course sir. May I get a name?"
He nodded. "Percy."
She hummed absently as she typed in his order. "That's a nice name. Is it short for Percival?"
He laughed quietly. "Perseus, actually. Like the old Greek hero. Mom said he's the only one who ever got a happy ending."
The barista's golden eyes twinkled mischievously. "That's a sweet story. Thanks for telling me that."
Despite getting the feeling she was in on some joke he wasn't, she spoke with such sincerity that Percy couldn't help but ask, "What about you?"
She paused just before she started his drink, and her brow furrowed. "I'm sorry?"
Percy clicked his tongue. "No offense, but, 'Sorry,' is sort of a strange name."
Understanding lit up her eyes and she laughed. "Oh, I see how it is. My name is Hazel," she said, returning to her work.
"And where did you get that from?" he asked.
She raised an eyebrow. "My mom?" she said it like a question, but he knew she was teasing him.
He made a face. She laughed again, and he thought he heard a small laugh from the only other patron, but when he looked over to glare at her she was just looking away.
"I'm just teasing," she said, finishing up his drink. "Apparently when I was born, my eyes were hazel, so talk about uninspired. All the green has obviously left by now though." She shrugged.
Percy scoffed. "Are you kidding? I think that's cool. The fact that your eyes were so overwhelmingly powerful that they gave you your name, then went and changed anyway, like, they'd be cool however they looked."
His expression softened. "But for real, I think it's cool your name literally came from a part of you. Like, most people have that decided for them; this thing they have to live with all their lives, and yours literally came from a part of who you are. Isn't that cool?"
Hazel had been writing out something on a piece of paper, but she stopped part way through once Percy started speaking more genuinely. It was quiet for a moment, and she looked thoughtful. "I suppose you make a good point," she said.
She smiled softly. "Most people think that's a silly reason to name someone." She slid the paper over his drink and handed it to him shyly. "Thanks," she said quietly.
Percy grinned widely. "Don't mention it."
There was a crash in the back, and Hazel sighed. "I'll be right back," she grumbled, heading off into the back room.
Percy looked around the small cafe. Nobody else had come in yet, and the person in the far corner ducked her head again just as he turned. He wondered if she had been watching that whole exchange. Maybe she was shy?
Behind him, there was a loud crack of lightning. Loud enough it briefly shook the place. Percy looked out the window; the rain had really picked up now. He couldn't even see the buildings on the other side of the street.
Resigned to the fact that he would be here for a while, he sent a text to his mom, letting her know he was safe, out of the rain and going to be very, very late.
He looked at the person in the corner of the room again. Those blonde curls seemed familiar, but he couldn't remember where he'd seen them from. Her face was currently buried behind her notebook, but he wondered if that was just because she was shy.
He shrugged. He decided to go over and say hello. If she was really that busy she'd just tell him to go away, and he could handle that.
He made his way over, seemingly unnoticed, since, as he sat down just across from her, a very familiar, very startled face lifted up from behind the pad.
"Annabeth?! I mean, uh, Ms. Chase?" Percy squeaked out.
Her face flushed. "Um, Percy, right? Listen, you don't have to call me Ms. Chase outside of work, but I'm… sort of busy right now so if you don't mind-"
Her voice was drowned out by another wave of rolling thunder, except this time when the flash went, it took the lights with it.
As they sat staring at each other in the darkness, they both heard a male voice from the back whine, "Oh, man!"
