Helllllo everyone! Guess what? It's Tuesday and I'm updating! I will admit that I wrote this chapter literally today in the early evening, but hey, it's up! This one is a long one, partly to make up for the end-of-the-day update, sorry to keep you waiting!
Percy is back in New York for the holidays and Annabeth is dealing with postpartum depression. And their paths... cross? Read on!
Percy POV
Right as I yank my luggage off of the carousel my phone buzzes. "Hi mom."
"Hi sweetie. I'm circling around the pick-up zone, where are you?"
"I'm at the second building towards the end."
"Ok sweetie, I'm coming."
It's so refreshing to hear my mom's voice. I messaged her a few times to let her know I'm coming. She was still a little mad about me leaving in the first place, but in the end she was thrilled that I'd be coming back.
A blue Prius pulls up and my mom jumps out. "Percy! Oh honey, I've missed you beyond words."
"I missed you too, mom," I say as I bury my face into the crook of her neck.
"Hop in the car, mister. You have a lot of explaining to do." Here it comes. Brace for impact.
After years pass, we finally get home where I'm greeted by Paul. He tells me how worried he was and that I've grown up so well.
Mom seemed to take the news pretty well, no doubt Annabeth already told her most of it. I just reassured her that I was okay and made sure she wouldn't come looking for me. I'm surprised that CHB sent out a search team to find me. Do people really want to find me?
At their apartment, we have dinner. It was a little awkward, to say the least.
"So... Percy, how have you been?" Paul asks.
"Good," I reply shortly, then stuff spaghetti into my mouth so I don't have to talk. It's a tactic I learned at past family gatherings. Food solves everything.
He nods. "Ummm... when are you coming home?" he says tentatively. Mom tensed up.
I look down at my food and swirl my fork around. "Honey, you don't have to answer," my mom says.
"I-," I sigh. "I don't know. When I'm ready I guess."
They nod. "I left to give everyone some peace, myself included. I have a good life there, and it seems like everyone is fine here too."
I think my mom thinks that I'm planning on staying there because she says, "No, we miss you terribly."
I smile. Paul gets up to put his dishes away. I think he feels a little out of place, and I don't blame him.
"Percy," my mom starts, taking my hands in hers. "I missed you so much, okay? The way you're talking makes me think that you feel unwanted. We all missed you." then she whispers, "Annabeth included."
My breath hitches. No, that's not possible. I shake my head. She's mad at me, furious even, and she has every right to be.
My mom looks very conflicted. Her eyes dart from side to side as she thinks.
"Don't worry, mom. I'm fine." It doesn't seem to help, though.
"Well, I'm glad you're happy where you are now," she says quietly. "It's all she wants you to be."
Huh, did I hear that correctly? Maybe it was the wind or the cars passing by, but I swear I hear her talking about Annabeth for a second.
"Oh, Percy! The seven are having a reunion tomorrow. Thalia was talking to me about it a few days ago. I'm sure everyone would love to see you."
Love to see me? "Thanks for letting me know, mom."
She give me a look that reads you're not going, aren't you?
"Look mom," I start to explain, "if anything, everyone is going to be mad and-"
"Percy, how many times do I have to tell you that no one is angry at you anymore!" Uh oh, she's yelling, this is bad.
"Okay, mom."
"I don't want to force you," she lowers her voice, "but it's really make me feel better if you went to the reunion. At least to just say hi. I think some social interaction would really benefit you right now."
"Okay, mom." The words slip out before I can hold them back. Wait, but what if she's there?
My eyes widen. My mom seems to read my thoughts and smiles sadly. huh? "Don't worry. Annabeth isn't going to be there."
I know that I should be over her by now, heck, it's been 6 months! but I can't help but be a little concerned that she isn't coming and that mom is sad. "Did something happen?"
My mom aviods my eyes. "N-no, honey. She's just... a little sick right now."
Sick? "Really? Is she okay?" Yikes, I sound really concerned. Well, it's okay to be concerned for a friend, right? Yeah, that's completely normal... right?
"She's fine, Percy." Mom sounds tired, so I drop the subject.
We go on talking about her job and new recipes and other things through the night.
-timeskip-
I'm on my way to Thalia's place, where the reunion is happening. I don't have anyone's contacts anymore, so I guess my presence will be a surprise.
Not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous. I keep getting distracted, stupid ADHD! One time, I crossed the street while cars were still whizzing by. Annabeth used to say, "You make me worry, Seaweed Brain. One day, you're gonna get yourself killed!"
Oh... Annabeth.
I want to see her so bad, but I know that I can't. It'll be awkward, she hates me, and... I just can't. I don't have the guts. I don't know what to say.
Thalia's house is a 20 minute walk from my parents' apartment, and it's nice to get some fresh air... well, as fresh as it gets in New York.
As I pass by the library, I can't help but think of all the memories I've made there. Mostly, goofing off while Annabeth studies, or at least tries to.
Before I know it, I find my feet taking me into the library.
I walk to the corner that Annabeth and I used to sit at. It's not too crowded today because people are working, but there are some kids here because it's technically winter break for them. I'd never go to the library during a school break, but Annabeth would, so of course, I'd follow her.
I tip-toe to our old spot, half expecting her to jump out from one of the bookshelves. But, nothing happens. The table and chairs are empty, with new marks and scratches.
One thing I noticed, is that the world doesn't stop. No matter how you're feeling, the world keeps turning. At first, I was upset. How come no one stopped? How come no one cared? But, then I realized that it's nature. It's a force that cannot be stopped. So, I just let the weight of the world drop from my shoulders and let myself drown in the "honk honk" of the cars, and the screaming sirens. Now, I find peace in chaos, because nobody can see me cry.
I realize that I'm staring at the old table and probably look like a creep. I start to make my way back out when something catches my eye. Down the aisle, someone is wearing a Yankee's baseball cap.
No. Freaking. Way.
You're kidding me.
I walk around the book shelves as quietly as I can. I don't want her to see me, but I have to see her. It might not be her, tho. Shut up, brain.
My vision blurs out everything, except her. I'm as close as I can get. I'm pretending to be interested in some books on a nearby shelf and also popped on my sunglasses for extra measure.
She's got her nose in a book and her mind is likely in whatever world the book is taking her to. I wish I got to be the one to take her around the world, instead of that book...
I smile to myself. She's gorgeous, as usual. It's winter, so she has on thick baggy clothes, which make her look so cute and small. One thing is a little different, though. She looks exhausted, and worn out. I fight myself against my will to not go over there and give her a hug.
I look down at my phone to check the time. Shoot! I'm gonna be late. Trying to be as nonchalant as possible, I swiftly walk by her and make a beeline towards the exit.
Phew, good thing she didn't see me.
A few blocks later, I make it to Thalia's place. I'm a little nervous about everyone's reactions, but I don't plan to stay for long. Considering it was awkward to have dinner with my parents, I don't think I've survive an hour with these people.
I haven't really figured out how much I'm going to tell them. I think I'll just play it by ear and see how much they know first.
One thing is for sure: I'm not ready to come back, so I will not disclose my location.
After taking a deep breath, I knock on the door.
Annabeth POV
I wake up at 11am feeling terrible. Every since the adoption, I've been completely out of it. It's partly the emotional impact, but also the physical impact. My whole life has gone haywire. I knew that I was going to give her up, I had already made my decision. ...but I never knew it would be this hard.
Some days, I just cry. I cry until there are no more tears. Then I get dizzy from exhaustion and dehydration and fall asleep.
Sure, it's not the healthiest lifestyle, but I can't help it. It's like I'm a hormonal teenager all over again with raging mood swings.
I can't deal with myself. I need some fresh air.
Deciding I need to at least look slightly presentable, I wear a loose sweater with some thick pants. I still haven't lost all the baby weight, so I need to cover it up.
Keeping an entire pregnancy secret was a lot harder than I thought. There's the physical aspect, but also the emotional one too. I think I've drifted away from the seven. I don't have anyone to really vent to. I mean, Sally is amazing, but sometimes I feel like I need someone my own age to talk to.
Uggh, my life's a mess. Not to mention that I look like a zombie. My under-eye bags look like they are carrying my weekly load of groceries. My face is all around puffy, and my eyes keep closing on their own.
After staring at the ugly girl in the mirror for as long as my eyes would let me, I head out.
I don't have anywhere to go because I don't really meet up with friends anymore, so it's no surprise I find myself at the library.
There's this table in the corner that no one really goes to. It's pretty scratched up and worn, but Percy and I used to go hangout there.
Now, it looks more worn out than ever before. I guess new people have made this place their hangout spot. I smile, sadly. No time to stop and dwell because the world keeps moving and people change.
I crouch under the table. Percy used to sit under the table and watch Netflix while I studied. He'd sometimes draw on the underside of the table. That was, until I found out. I'd always yell at him because it's considered vandalism. He claimed that he was "making his mark". Whatever that's supposed to mean.
There are many drawings and words under there. Some of them Percy's, some of them not. My heart stops when I see a little drawing in the corner. It's a heart with the letters A and P. Under it, Percy wrote: I'll never let go.
Tears unwillingly well up. It meant a lot to us, the word "never". We were never going to break up, that's what people told us anyways. and I remember when I was hanging on the edge of the parking lot ground, about to fall into Tartarus, I told him to let me go. He said never. It was our thing.
I hear a shuffle of footsteps. Shoot! People are coming. I hug my legs and hide out until they recede. I hear voices chattering, talking about plans for tomorrow. Talking about the weather, talking about anything and everything.
The world won't stop for you. That's what I've learned after grieving many deaths and a loss worse than one.
I get out a piece of paper and write a haiku. I know it's something Apollo does, and quite badly at that, but I need to express how I'm feeling.
In the end, it reads:
No one saw me cry
Cars whiz by, people talking
the world keeps turning
I tape it to the underside of the desk, next to the heart. No one will see it, but I'm glad I at least got my feelings out.
This table has too many memories, if I stay here, I won't be able to leave. I came here for some quiet chill time, and as of right now, I'm about to bawl my eyes out.
I settle into a table down the aisle and start my book.
A few hours roll by, but I'm too absorbed in the book to notice. It's great to be somewhere else right now. My life is a mess, but the main character's life is amazing. When I was a child, I found myself living the life I wanted, through books. When things got bad at home, I'd always turn to books as an outlet. Why deal with a bitch-y step-mother when you could be battling dragons with your sister on a different planet.
Books let me live infinite lives.
People come and go at the library. There's a guy who is looking for books in a nearby aisle. I love to just browse the shelves because I'm bound to find a good book that way. I wonder what he's looking for...
Well, I don't pay too much attention. The book is getting good.
I'm just about to get lost in my book when something pulls me out of my imagination.
A smell.
I know this smell. It's the ocean, and sea spray, and... no way.
I look around. There's a guy who just turned the corner, but other than that, no one moved. It must've been him.
I quickly pack up my things and follow the guy who turned the corner. I didn't see him clearly at all, but he's the only one that was walking by.
When I get to the entrance, he's already out the door and on the streets. He seems to be in a rush. Did he see me? There's no way.
Luckily, he gets caught up at a light, so I have a chance to catch up.
It's him alright.
With his worn out sweatshirt and messy hair, I'd recognize him anywhere. I try to get a better look at him while not being too obvious. I don't want him to see me. It'll be super awkward. Plus, he's probably mad at me.
I gasp. He looks different, yet the same. His hair is shorter than usual, probably cut it recently. He looks... more mature. Not like the goofy teenage boy I fell in love with.
I sigh. What did I expect? People change. If you don't keep in touch, you change in different directions. I had a little sliver of hope that we'd reconnect, but he seems to have changed a lot.
Not to mention, I gave up his daughter. The thought stills me. My legs lock and I can't move.
How can I be stalking my ex when I gave up his child. He doesn't even know.
When the light changes, people walk across going every which way. Everyone has a place to be.
I just stay put, unable to move... and watch him walk across the street, away from me and out of my life, again.
Summary: Sally convinces Percy to go to a reunion with the seven, but he stops at the library and sees Annabeth. Careful to not be seen, he darts out of the library. Annabeth is dealing with postpartum depression(post pregnancy blues) and is feeling out of it. Her eye catches a certain someone with a mop of messy hair and follows him. After realizing that they are different people, she stays put and lets him walk away.
Wow! This was like 3k words guys, hope you're satisfied. Lemme know you're thoughts/reactions/opinions in the reviews. Also, don't worry, I have a plan for Percabeth, hehe. Peace out!