Woot woot! Nearly missed the deadline, honestly. Writing has been kinda stagnant for the past few days. But the update still made it (possibly not on time though…)
Disclaimer: my coauthor (MANation) and I do NOT own the song lyrics used. They're from the song Someone You Like by The Girl and the Dreamcatcher. Check it out, if you want!
Sorry to the person who suggested a song - we've had this one in mind since the last… three chapters, yeah. But we still might be able to incorporate a few lines… possibly.
Disclaimer two: I don't know anything about architecture. Or architects. Other than that Annabeth would make a great one. So forgive me if I fudge stuff up.
Thank you to all who review! I really appreciate it.
Enjoy!
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Silena squeaked in excitement, clapping her hands together like a child. Piper rolled her eyes, but smiled at Annabeth.
"I'm happy for you," she said, playfully pushing her shoulder. Annabeth laughed.
"Thanks guys," she said. "It means a lot."
Silena waved her hand dismissively. "Anytime, darling. Me and Piper will always be here for you."
"Piper and I," Annabeth corrected automatically. She shook her head. "Sorry, that was mean. You've been really nice lately and-"
"No, you're right," Piper interrupted. "Good grammar is important." Judging by the look on Silena's face, she disagreed, but she didn't seem really offended.
Silena clasped her hands together. "Okay, ladies, now that emotional fun-times are over, let's relax and watch what we came here for!"
"Actually, I'm pretty sure you came here to make me fess up about my love life," Annabeth muttered under her breath, though she lacked any real malice. She plopped down next to Silena and Piper on the sofa.
"Aww, Beth," Silena whined, "you ate all the ice cream."
Annabeth shot her a withering look. "I'm also pretty sure I saw both you and Piper with cartons in your hands and spoons in your mouths, but okay, sure."
Piper smirked. "Well, 'Lena, it's a good thing you buy loads and loads of ice cream for Annabeth all the time, huh?" She stood up, stretching her legs. "I'll get more anyways. I've been sitting so long, my feet are numb!"
Annabeth settled into her couch, Silena already talking over their mindless entertainment. She'd had enough seriousness for the day. For now, she was content to not feel anything heavy for a while.
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Percy rushed into his room, slamming the door behind him. He'd practically ran home, blowing through the house with barely a, "Hello," to his mom before running straight to his room.
After his time in the elevator with Annabeth, the melody she'd inspired was stuck in his head, growing more and more defined all day. For the first time in a long time, he needed to make music.
He yanked his closet door open, throwing clothes and junk aside. Finally, he found his old friends, leaning against the corner collecting dust.
Almost reverently, he pulled out his old guitar, as well as a simple black notebook.
He pulled a pen out of his bedside table and threw the book open to one of the few blank pages left, right at the end of the book. He would have to get a new one soon, if he started writing music again. The thought almost scared him as much as it excited him.
So much was happening so quickly, it seemed, Percy felt like he could barely keep up.
He took a deep breath. Focus. None of that matters now. All that matters, in this moment, is this.
The chord he strummed was very out of tune, and he winced. Of course it would be out of tune, I haven't used this thing in forever.
After impatiently tuning the guitar, he strummed a few chords to be sure. Then he called his mom into the room.
He didn't look up when he heard the door open, nor when he heard the soft, excited gasp she made when she noticed what she was holding. He just started the melody in his head and let the words flow out of him.
Percy sang with everything he had, the tune just cascading out of his mouth. He barely realized what he was singing, caught up in the music and the sounds and the familiar sensation he hadn't realized he'd missed. And, all too soon, it trickled to a stop.
Hearing a sniff, Percy looked up, smiling. "Hey, Mom."
Percy's mother wiped her eyes. "Percy, that… that was beautiful."
He scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed. "You… you really think so?" He looked up, eyes wide and hopeful, and Sally was reminded of Percy back in high school - before everything went downhill.
"Oh, definitely," she assured him. "It was amazing."
"Ah…" Percy brought his hands down from his neck and started fiddling with his fingers. "Do you think you could… remind me what they were? I, um, don't exactly remember."
His mother opened her mouth and sang the lyrics as she remembered them. "I might never stop your sorrow, fix you up good as new~ but that don't mean I can't hold your hand in mine~ whew!" she laughed. "You definitely have that talent in this family!"
Percy typed it into his phone and pocketed the small device, turning to smile at his mother. "Thanks, Mom."
Sally strolled into the living room, carrying a laundry basket filled to the brim with clothes. "So," she said, setting down the basket and unloading the clothes into neat piles. "Who's the lucky girl?"
Percy flushed. "Um, I don't- there's not really someone, it's just…" he trailed, turning his phone over in his hands.
Sally laughed. "Percy, sweetheart, you have been living in my house since you were born and I know you better than that. Tell me about her."
His eyes remained fixated on the device in his hands. "Ah, well, there's not much to say- you know, just- she's nice and pretty and… well, successful. I don't think I really have a chance, Mom."
His mother stopped folding the laundry temporarily to touch his arm gently, her hand warm from the heat of the recently cleaned clothes. "You always have a chance. Just don't stop trying."
Percy bit his lip. He didn't want to argue, but he figured a girl like Annabeth would always be too good for a guy like him, and that she'd know it, too. Still, he didn't say anything. He knew it would hurt his mom's feelings.
Sally sighed at Percy's silence, and began folding laundry again. They sat like that for a while, as Sally began to hum what Percy knew was her favorite song - the one that reminded her of Dad. Percy absentmindedly picked up the tune on his guitar and began to play, filling the apartment with music.
For a while they just roamed the apartment like that; Sally cleaning or cooking dinner, with Percy helping as needed, all the while drifting back and forth from conversation to song. It was a natural back and forth; their talks led into the music, the music generated discussion, with Sally often picking up the backups to the songs she knew. She wasn't always on key, but it didn't matter. To anyone listening, Percy carried it on his own, but no one was listening. This was for them, and no one else, just like it used to be, and that was enough.
Laughter filled the apartment, along with the songs. Percy's voice was nearly hoarse by the time they sat down for dinner; he wasn't used to singing as much as he once did. Sally stares at him fondly.
"Do you think you're back?" she asked kindly. Percy paused mid chew.
"I don't know," he said, mouth still full. "I hope so."
She lightly smacked his hand. "Chew before speaking, dear. And I hope so too," she added softly. "It's been lonely ever since…"
Percy nodded. When he stopped playing music, in some ways it felt like their home had become a house. He knew they both missed those days, and he really hoped he could bring them back, if not for him, then for his mom.
He loved her a lot, and felt she deserved the world, which he knew he'd never be able to give. She had given up a great deal for him; losing out on his diploma to take care of her and the hospital bills? He could handle that.
"So," Sally started, "would you care to tell me about the person who inspired you to come back? I know you don't think you have a chance with her, and I don't know if you're right, but I'd like to know about the woman who captured my son's heart," she said fondly.
Percy smiled. "Sure thing, Mom. She's… her name's Annabeth. She has blonde hair, and these stormy grey eyes that are absolutely striking and… maybe a little deadly," he laughed, "I think her smile is the most beautiful thing in the world, too.
"She's also really kind, even though she hasn't had the best life. And she… doesn't take very good care of herself, but she has really great friends that I'm sure will always help her. She really cares about other people, too.
"I…" Percy blushed. "I really like her."
Sally sighed fondly. "I'm glad you found someone who makes you so happy."
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Annabeth lay in bed, staring blankly up at her phone screen, scrolling through the seemingly endless emails from various clients and coworkers about the projects she was working on. She had sent Silena and Piper on their way just a few minutes ago, though she discreetly made an appointment for Percy and Piper to meet later this week.
I'll reply to them tomorrow, she decided, tossing her phone to the side. Right now, her mind was too distracted to even think about work.
Instead, she was thinking about the events of the day… the elevator… the talk… Percy.
The way he made those goofy little jokes that were somehow awful and hilarious, which he often laughed at harder than anyone else. She particularly enjoyed when he would double over, because when he'd come back up he was usually breathless and glowing.
A sharp ding! broke her out of her reverie. Oh gods. Did I just wax poetic about how great Percy is? Ugh, what is happening to me?
She shook her head to clear her traitorous thoughts, clicking on the calendar notification.
Attending: scheduled meeting with R. tomorrow
Annabeth put the phone down in favor of the book she had bought at the mall a week ago. A distant thought nagged at the back of her mind when she stared at the cover.
Skimming through the book, Annabeth noted that most of Dare's early art seemed to be of the same boy on the cover. And yet, his face was never shown in any of them.
How odd, Annabeth mused. But whoever he is, he must have been very special to her.
She read over the odd requests Dare had sent. Annabeth studied the possible locations for the studio, analyzing the cost and possible architecture of each and every one. This was a really big opportunity for her company, and she could not afford to mess it up.
So immersed in her work, she didn't notice as the minutes flew by. Her eyes scanned each page, storing every detail into a different compartment of her mind.
Finally looking up from the stacks of paper, her eyes widened when she realized how late - or early - it was.
"Oh, gods," she muttered. Reluctantly setting the paper on her bedside table, she pulled up the covers, craving a massage now more than ever. Casting one final look at the boy standing in the midst of a storm, Annabeth closed her eyes and drifted into the realm of Morpheus.
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When Annabeth opened her eyes, she was standing in the middle of her childhood home. Blurred versions of Bobby and Matthew passed by, screaming as they always did. And when shadows crept out of the corners, chasing them, she realized.
They weren't playing.
They were terrified.
The shadows coalesced, revealing her stepmother wearing a stern expression, pointing the finger of accusation at her. "You did this to us!"
No.
Annabeth backed into a wall, the twins right beside her.
All three of them screamed in unison as Helen stepped forward.
Nonononono.
"How ironic," her father hissed appearing out of nowhere. "The one to cause all the problems is always the one to run away, leaving the rest of us behind to deal with your mess."
"I-" she started, but a whole opened up beneath her feet and she fell. And fell and fell and fell-
But a hand in the darkness reached out to her, and without a second thought, she grabbed it, letting it haul her up to what would possibly be safety.
It was Silena, grinning mischievously at her- no, Piper, laughing, wait. Luke, smiling softly down at her like he always did. "I'm sorry," he whispered, before vanishing.
A meadow of greens and pinks and yellows faded into view around her. She was standing in the center of a flowerfield, covered in poppies and peonies and - empty coffee cups?
Odd. She usually recycled.
"Hey, Wise Girl!" A boy with black hair and blurry features turned to - smile? Grimace? - at her. Bubbling happiness swept through her as tubs of ice cream began raining from the sky.
Silena! Piper! "Oh, hello again!"
Roses - roses? Red- no, pink, no, yellow, no green flowers that fluttered. Green… like dollars? The oppressive faces of former Presidents glared up at her, like she was the reason they were currently arranged like origami roses.
The various bills suddenly tore free from their stems, coming together into some shape. Then they began to flap again and again, almost like…
Wings! birds! Oh! Owls!
Annabeth watched, disheartened as they flew away.
"Don't be sad," the boy - now man - said. "Those who fly away will always come back." He patted her arm comfortingly, and everywhere he touched became speckled… with freckles!
Hmm.
A gust of wind blew past her, taking away the man she now realized was holding an orange sword. "No worries!" He called, waving. "I'll come back for you!"
Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, turning all of the flowers brilliant shades of yellow.
It started raining, each raindrop a different shade of blue. Water ran down her face and, oh, dear, was she crying? Why? Oh… was it because Sword Man got swept away?
How strange.
She didn't even know him, and yet… why was she crying?
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Gods, oh gods, oh gods.
Annabeth cursed as she drove. Barely missing a silver, likely expensive car, she pulled into the parking lot. When she stepped inside the building, she noticed with relief Dare hadn't arrived yet.
"You're two minutes late!" Silena called out. Annabeth ignored her.
Quickly rummaging through her bag to make sure she hadn't forgotten any papers, Annabeth leaned against the desk, trying to look as though she hadn't just arrived and nearly missed their meeting.
As if on cue, a woman with brilliant red hair and light green eyes stepped inside. Freckles dotted her pale skin, the same shade as her fiery hair. A pale yellow sun was painted - possibly tattooed - on the back of her left hand.
Annabeth stood to greet her, reaching out her hand with a smile. Her new client broke into a genuine smile, striding confidently across the room and taking her hand.
"Ms. Dare, it's a pleasure to be working with you," Annabeth said.
She laughed. "Please, call me Rachel. And no formal business talk; we're the same age, so there's no reason for us to talk like old men, right?" she asked, winking.
Annabeth laughed, letting their hands drop. "Definitely, I have to do that enough already. So, let's get to know each other a bit better before we talk business," she said gesturing for Rachel to take a seat.
Rachel plopped down, totally at ease. Annabeth took her seat smiling.
This is what she had looked forward to most about working with Ms. Dare. She had heard she just didn't care for the bizarre policies of the business world, and Annabeth was a bit tired of having to put on a show all the time.
She smiled. I think we're going to get along just fine.
