LAWFULLY WEDDED: PART ONE

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Song of the Chapter: Needles and Pins by the Ramones

I saw her today, I saw her face
It was the face I loved, and I knew
I had to run away
And get down on my knees and pray, that they go away
Still it begins
Needles and pins
Because of all my pride
The tears I gotta hide

Two Weeks Later

"I mean, we've barely been talking the last few weeks," Annabeth said as she put on some mascara, staring critically at her face in the bathroom mirror. "Except for the tutoring session."
"Oh, wasn't that a disaster?" Piper called from where she was sitting on Annabeth's bed, deciding between two dresses that both looked fabulous on her.

"Not really. It was just… awkward."

Annabeth could hardly remember it without cringing. They had gone to Aunty Em's, Percy had tried to buy her food, she had refused. He had asked to split a piece of pie, she had said no. It had been all the math work with none of their usual banter, which had made it essentially hellish. Annabeth could tell that Percy still didn't know why she was so angry, and that he desperately wanted to ask, but he never did. So she had just continued to review synthetic division of polynomials until the check had come.

"Huh," Piper mused. "I thought it was all going to calm down between you two after the meet. You just got along so well!"

"I did too."

"At least you're coming to the wedding."

"Wouldn't miss it," Annabeth muttered as she glanced at her closet. "Do I even have anything to wear?"

"Wear that dress from the Snow Ball! It was so pretty."

Annabeth frowned, remembering her first time getting high and the wild goose chase she had sent Percy, Piper, and Jason on. "There are some interesting memories in that dress."

"Who cares? It's pretty."

Annabeth's dad poked his head in to the room after knocking. "Hey girls, I got Sally and Paul's present wrapped. Are you all ready to leave?"

"Just one minute, thanks Dad," Annabeth responded, waving him off.

"Thanks for driving us, Dr. Chase," Piper chimed in.

"Of course girls! It's not every day you get invited to a wedding," he said, smiling as he closed the door. Annabeth cast her dad a tight smile, willing him to leave the room faster.

"You gotta get changed, Annie," Piper called from her bed.

Annabeth cast one more look at the grey dress hanging in her closet. The Snow Ball felt like years ago, even if it had just been a few weeks. She had been in such a different place. The thought of having a crush on Luke surprised her now— since then, all it had been was Percy. It had probably been Percy even before the Snow Ball, if Annabeth was willing to admit it to herself.

Which came with it own problems. Including the fact that it seemed like Percy was taking Rachel Dare as his date to his mother's wedding. Alright, Annabeth didn't exactly know that for sure, but that was just the feeling she had gotten. And she kind of wanted to be a little mad about it.

"Annabeth, you better get that dress on. We have to go."

Annabeth bit her lip and snatched the dress from its hanger. "Will you turn around?"

She would have preferred that Piper left the room so she could have changed alone, but if she didn't see Annabeth's body, that was good enough. Piper turned around, still scrolling through her phone and commenting occasionally on the things that she saw on Instagram as Annabeth pulled the dress on.

When she zipped up the back, Annabeth took a moment to consider how the dress felt on her. It didn't seem like she had gained any weight since she had last worn it, but still— she could never be too sure. She resisted the urge to step on the scale to weigh herself, knowing she couldn't do it with Piper here.

Annabeth settled for a deep breath before she plastered a smile on her face and turned to Piper. "Ready to go to a wedding?"

"Leo, what are you doing?" Annabeth hissed across the aisle as she saw Leo pull a mess of rubber bands and paper clips out of his pants pockets. "What is that?"

"Don't worry about it, Bethie. Keep your hair on," Leo smiled back. "Just something to keep me entertained."

Annabeth smiled at Leo's antics as she leaned back in her seat, glancing up at the venue. It was a smaller, elegant home that Sally had tastefully decorated in shades of navy and turquoise. A simple altar had been set up at the front of the room, with several rows of white chairs laid before them.

Annabeth poked her head over her shoulder, hoping to catch a glance of Percy before the wedding began. She knew that he was one of Paul's groomsmen, explaining why she hadn't seen him earlier, and she couldn't stop the nervous bubble from forming in her stomach when she thought of him.

"Hey Annabeth! Can I sit here?"

Annabeth knew that voice. Goddamnit… of all people! But she turned to face Rachel Dare, standing up to let her slide into the seat next to Annabeth. However, she didn't grace her with a smile. "Of course."

Rachel shrugged. She looked perfect, as usual. Her dress was yellow and flowy, looking both very artsy and very Rachel at the exact same time. Her hair was swept into a low bun, and her makeup was tastefully applied. "How are you doing Annabeth?"

"Fine, yourself?"

"I'm fine, you know. School is crazy. I'm excited for the wedding, though."

Annabeth shrugged. "Same." If she was being rude, she didn't care.

There was suddenly a hush, as Paul entered in a plain black tuxedo, followed by a guy who looked like his brother. Annabeth's heart thudded in her chest as she noticed Percy's absence. Shouldn't he be up there with them? Paul hovered nervously at the altar, quietly talking to the officiating judge, his eyes trailed on the entrance for Sally. Talk among the audience members had hushed, which Annabeth was grateful for. She didn't think she could take talking to Rachel Dare for much longer— who she was certain was Percy's date, even if he hadn't said so. Even Leo had put away his rubber bands to wait for Sally.

And then the orchestra began playing the "Bridal Chorus" as Sally entered. She made her way to the podium in a simple white dress with a long white veil. And Percy was leading her up the aisle.

Annabeth's heart thudded in her chest as Percy walked up the aisle with his mother, a small smile on his face. She hadn't seen him looking like this since Snow Ball. Dear God. Not one of their best memories together. But he looked handsome in his suit and turquoise tie. Even from here, Annabeth knew that it would match his eyes. But as his eyes scanned the audience once they reached the altar, she made a point to look everywhere but him, even if she was sure his eyes lingered on her for a little longer. Remember— he's here with Rachel. Annabeth resisted the urge to glare at the girl next to her as the ceremony began.

After a beautiful ceremony that even Annabeth teared up at, the guests made their way to the reception. There was a live band playing at the front and assorted appetizers and finger food littered throughout the hall. Sally and Paul had gone off to take photos with the wedding party, so Percy was nowhere to be seen. Annabeth's heart plummeted at the thought of seeing him again.

During the ceremony, she might've had a small change of heart. She hadn't really been fair to Percy, had she? Even if he was going with Rachel, he didn't know that he had made her so upset. He didn't even know that she liked him— and he wouldn't, if Annabeth had anything to say about it. She would stop being mad at Percy. Or try to. But she wouldn't stop being mad at Rachel. The girl just rubbed her the wrong way. She was so artsy, and perfect. She was skinny, too, the kind of girl who was somehow both slim and curvy at the same time. And she came from a wealthy family and went to Clarion Ladies Academy. Percy could do a lot worse.

Like Annabeth.

These were her thoughts as she moved towards the table that Piper had claimed for all the teenagers near the back of the room. As she neared, she couldn't help noticing someone familiar who had claimed a seat.

"Grover? Is that you?"

Grover Underwood turned around, holding hands with a pretty redhead Annabeth had never seen before. "Annabeth Chase!"

"Oh my God Grover, I can't believe it! I haven't seen you in years!" Annabeth grinned, giving Grover a hug. "And who's this here?"

"Hey Annabeth!" said the redhead, standing up and shaking her hand. "I'm Juniper, Grover's girlfriend."

Annabeth grinned and gave Grover two thumbs up. "Well, it is very nice to meet you Juniper. What'd you all think of the wedding?"

"It was really nice, but we came in late," Juniper smiled. "We were at a protest on campus this morning and couldn't find the time to get away until a little later."

"Oh, right. Remind me where you go?"

"Bard, just up in Dutchess County," Grover grinned. "You'll have to come up and see us sometime, Annie."

"I'd love to!"

"Are you going to be a counselor this summer?"

Annabeth shook her head. "I, ah, don't really know." Annabeth had been planning on it, but after everything with Percy, it might be too hard. She didn't want to spend an entire summer with him if there was no chance that he liked her.

Grover smiled kindly. "Well, you should consider it. I did it when I was going into my senior year and it was seriously one of the best decisions I ever made. It's how I met Juniper."

Juniper nodded. "I'm happy to talk to you more about it, if you're interested."

Annabeth was going to politely deflect Juniper's offer, but they were distracted by a series of cheers coming from the guests gathered closer to the entrance. Sally and Paul had just entered, hand in hand, smiling and laughing as the wedding party trailed after them.

Annabeth smiled at the couple, but her eyes were mostly looking for Percy. And she found him right next to the entrance, smiling and laughing with Rachel.

Annabeth pressed her lips into a thin line and turned away before she hit something. There was no way she was going to be a counselor— not if it meant dealing with all of that. Thankfully, she was distracted by the band striking up a fast-paced song and Piper grabbing her hand to get her to dance. Annabeth let herself be led to the dance floor, hoping she could get rid of the memories of what felt like it would be an awful, awful night.

Several songs later, Annabeth and Piper had retired back to the table, both of them having exhausted themselves on the dance floor. They slipped their shoes off under their table, trading quick remarks between themselves about the wedding.

"And Jason just looks soooo good. Have I mentioned that?"

"Just once or twice or a thousand times."

"Well, it's true. I want the entire world to know I have a hot boyfriend."

Annabeth laughed, but she was busy scanning the dancefloor for Percy and Rachel, who had been dancing together not long before. Annabeth had just continued dancing with Piper, hoping to ignore Percy. Luckily, Rachel was nowhere to be seen, but Percy was talking to Paul's parents closer to the dessert tables. Her lips turned down, staring at him. "Piper?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't want to be self-centered and keep talking about myself—"

"Just say what you need to. It's okay."

Annabeth tried to keep the tears back. "Why doesn't Percy like me?"

Piper quickly grasped that something really was wrong. "Oh honey, come here." She pulled Annabeth closer and ran a soothing hand through her hair. "Why do you say that?"

"I just think he likes Rachel," Annabeth said, spitting out her name. "Look at her. She's so… perfect." Annabeth's anger probably was not helped by the persistent grumbling of her stomach, after she had deemed most of the food too unhealthy. She'd been nibbling off the vegetable platter all night, which hadn't been quite enough sustenance for dinner or for the added dancing. "I just don't get it. Why not me?"

Piper continued running her hand through her hair. "Don't jump to conclusions, Beth. I don't know how Percy feels about you, and I'm not going to make his mind up for him. But you can't find worth in him, Annabeth. The only place you can find it is in yourself."

"I just want someone to think I'm pretty." It was a whisper out of Annabeth's mouth. It was the most honest she had been with Piper in a very long time.

"Annabeth, the only person who can make yourself feel pretty is you," Piper said back. "I had to learn that too. I'm not beautiful because Jason thinks I am. I'm beautiful because I think I am."

Annabeth nodded. "You're right. Sorry about that. I feel better now."

Piper looked at her suspiciously, easily seeing through Annabeth's words. "You sure about that?"

"Yeah, of course. Actually I think I'm going to run to the bathroom," Annabeth said, her voice wavering. "I bet Jason wants to dance with you."

And with that, she was off.

It wasn't like Annabeth was crying. But she stared at herself in the mirror, in the body that felt too big and too awkward to be beautiful, in the face that was too awkward to ever be pretty. With a harsh laugh, she was reminded of the Snow Ball. How could she go back out there and see Percy laughing with Rachel, falling in love with her all over again?

Annabeth slammed her hands down on the sink. She hadn't really cried, so her eyes weren't that red, but anybody who cast a long glance her way could at least see her red cheeks. She furiously wet a paper towel, trying to make herself look more normal and still keep most of the makeup on.

Then the door opened, and Annabeth glanced over to see who had come in, only to roll her eyes and look back at the mirror. Rachel Dare. Of course.

"Hey Annabeth. How are you liking the wedding?" Rachel asked politely, stepping up to the mirror to touch up her lipstick.

"Fine."

"I really like that they have a live band instead of a DJ."

"Sure."

"What do you think?"

Annabeth shrugged.

Rachel didn't say anything for a few moments, but as Annabeth was preparing to leave, she turned around. "Annabeth, wait."

Annabeth hovered, her hand wrapped around the door handle. "Yes?"

"What's your problem?" Rachel Dare asked, suddenly looking not at all nice and perky like Annabeth normally expected of her. "Are you mad at me, or something?"

"Why would I be mad at you, Rachel?"

"Cut the crap, Chase." Annabeth narrowed her eyebrows at this new, confrontational Rachel Dare. Maybe she didn't know her as well as she thought she did. "Look, I'm not quite sure what's going on, but you've been short with me all day and I know I didn't do anything to you. So what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?"

"Yes."

"Nothing's wrong."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "That's the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard. What is it? Did I do something? Are you mad I'm back? Is it about Percy?"

Bingo.

Annabeth tried to keep her face neutral, but something must've given it away.

"Aha!" Rachel muttered. "I knew it. It is Percy. Do you like him, or something?"

"What? No!"

"I thought you were a better liar than that."

Annabeth was done arguing. She was done fighting and being angry. It was basically all she had done for the past few months, after all. "Fine, Rachel. I like Percy. Is that what you want to hear?"

Rachel nodded. "I'm not surprised. Not after the way you look at him, after all. It's pretty obvious— to everyone except Percy, obviously."

"What? Really?" Annabeth cringed.

But Rachel kept talking. "You know Annabeth, I really did love him. I don't know if he loved me back, and people make fun of me for saying I was in love with someone sophomore year, but it's true. I was. There's no one like Percy."

"Why are you telling me this, Rachel?" Annabeth asked, squirming under the girl's gaze. Now that her Percy secret had been revealed to yet another person, there was nothing more she would have liked to do that call her dad and get out of there immediately.

But Rachel kept powering on. "You know, it doesn't exactly make me happy, but Percy does deserve it. We'll never be together again, even if I ask him out."

"You— you've asked him out?" Annabeth's voice was barely a whisper. "When?"

Rachel cast her a surprised look. "Oh, just now. I asked him to dance. He said no, that he was looking for someone else. You know who I think that was?"

Annabeth felt something warm begin to form in her chest. Could it be?

Rachel continued. "Percy is a great guy, Annabeth. He deserves someone like you. I suppose I don't like it, and I never really will, but," she shrugged, "he deserves someone who he can be there for. Percy just never really got me. He's a natural protector, you know. That's all he wants to do. I just… didn't need that. I was too free-spirited, or something, I guess, and besides, it's kind of hard to have a girlfriend who goes to Clarion Ladies Academy."
"I can take care of myself," Annabeth muttered, but her head was still spinning around. She couldn't believe all the things that Rachel was telling her. Annabeth wanted to think she was lying, but she was pretty sure that Rachel was telling the truth. And if Annabeth was connecting two and two correctly, that would mean that everything was about to change.
"I know you can," Rachel smiled.

"Why are you telling me this, Rachel?"

"Because it's time for me to move on from Percy. I still talk to him all the time, you know. I see him whenever I come back into the city, just because he's so nice to be around. He helps remind me of who I want to be, rather than what my parents do. But I haven't been fair to him. I've kept him hung up when he should be moving on with the person he's always really wanted to be with."

Annabeth couldn't form any words.

"He's always had a crush on you, you know," Rachel said wistfully. "I knew."

Annabeth had heard enough. She opened the door. "Bye Rachel."

But Rachel chased her out into the hallway. "Where are you going?"

Annabeth kept stalking down the hallway towards the front entrance. "I'm calling my dad and I'm going home."

"Why on Earth are you doing that?"

"Because you just dropped a bunch of bombshells on me, Rachel, and I want to go sort them out!"

Rachel grabbed her hand, stopping Annabeth from pushing the front door open. "No, Annabeth! Get back here!"

"Why?!"

"Because you like Percy and Percy likes you. It's simple."

"No, no it isn't." Annabeth said, her voice barely a whisper.

"Why isn't it simple?"

Annabeth was about to explain everything to Rachel: how badly she had treated Percy, how messy their relationship had always been, how much she liked him, how much he scared her. How terrified she was of being with someone else, of having to be attractive for someone else when she felt so hideous all the time. How all she wanted was to be pretty, and how she wanted Percy to think she was pretty, but— how could he? How could he ever find it in himself to find her attractive? But before she could say all that, with tears to come with it, someone butted in.

"Annabeth, is that you?"

Percy.

He looked even better in person. You could make out his frame in the suit, and his hair was appropriately messy, though it was clear that someone (probably Sally) had tried to tame it earlier. His face was a mess of concern. "Are you good? What's going on? Rachel?"

Rachel released Annabeth's arm, casting her a quick look with clear instructions. "Oh, nothing. I was just leaving and Annabeth was walking me out."

Annabeth tried to glare at Rachel but the redhead paid her no attention while she smiled at Percy and asked him to tell Sally and Paul thank you for such a truly gorgeous ceremony. But before she could stop it, Rachel was hugging her goodbye and she was left with Percy near the entrance.

He had absolutely no idea what to say— his mouth was opening and closing like a fish. It was kind of cute. Annabeth left a sad, soft smile stretch across her face. "That was weird."

But Percy's mask of confusion slipped off of his face and was replaced by something that Annabeth knew well— anger. "You don't talk to me for two weeks, and that's what you say?"

Annabeth could feel the retort rising in her, but she pushed it down. She was just tired of arguing and being angry. "I know. I'm sorry."

Even Percy looked surprised. "You are?"
Annabeth nodded. "I was pretty irrational these past few weeks, and I took it all out on you. And I am sorry about that. I really am." She didn't know how to look at him, so she settled for the ceiling above his head and the carpet beneath their feet. Had Rachel been lying? Because if she wasn't…

"Are you alright? Seriously, you look upset. And don't lie to me this time."

Annabeth let out a nervous laugh. "I'm not. I'm not alright. I'm sorry I've been lying to you."

Percy's face softened. "Wanna go talk about it?" He stretched out a hand.

Annabeth looked at his hand, knowing exactly what it meant and what it would lead to. The hand meant recognition of things she didn't want out in the open, the conversations she didn't want to have and the feelings she didn't want to acknowledge. All the things she never wanted to make sense of.

She had a choice. She could go home and call her dad and leave Percy here, and let him go. She could slowly stop talking to him, let him retreat into the abyss of high school. She wouldn't be a counselor. It would be hard, but she could let him go, and ultimately prevent the pain she didn't want to deal with.

Or she could take his hand and go wherever he wanted, and answer his questions and ask him questions in return. She could think about what Rachel Dare had told her. She could explore the warmth in her chest whenever he looked at her, how he always made her laugh, how she loved his grin and his eyes and his voice on early morning subway rides.

Annabeth knew it would be easier to go. That was all she had to do. She could turn around and say she was tired and Percy would let her.
But she couldn't do that.

Even if she was in for a world of hurt, she wanted it.

"Annabeth? Do you wanna go?"

She looked at Percy again. He was so perfect it scared her.

"Yeah, I do," she said quietly.

She took his hand.

If you need help, please contact the following:

National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237

(Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday 9am-5pm. All EST time)

where-do-i-start-0

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The emotional conversation with Rachel sort of just... happened. I definitely wasn't expecting it to go in that direction but— hey, it did, and when you're writing sometimes the story just makes demands of you and you have to follow. At least, that's what happened here, and lucky for me it still makes sense for the plot!

There are some big plans for this story and I can't wait to carry them out. I was just reading over the plan I have all typed up and I was reminded of how excited I am for the growth of Annabeth's character. Get excited— or don't get excited. It's definitely not all sunshine and rainbows from here on out, haha!

Because eating disorders take time to get over. And no matter what Percy or the leagues of fanfiction writers think, change has to come from within a person, not from an external source. Percy will not be "fixing" Annabeth in this story. That's a major trope I want to avoid. Will he be part of it? Certainly. He's definitely an aspect, and this isn't a Percabeth story for nothing.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. See you next update ;)

- Emily