~ Hey Angels ~
It's Wise Girl Wednesday!
I've been off school for the last few days with a cold so I had more time to update. Yay!
Who's excited for Christmas?! I know I am. If it doesn't snow in England this year, I swear, I will be having words with Zeus.
To all my American cousins, have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow. I'm sending all my love x
Dimitri Jinx - It's ma girl! Super happy you liked the chapter. Hahaha. I know, I like making Rafael charming to annoy both Annabeth and my readers ;) I just love him. I'm gonna respond to your pm in more detail so yeah. Love you! - AWG
Cinder Luna - Aaaawww thanks girly! I will make sure to add in lots of protective Percy for you ;) Also, I already pmed you this but I'm so glad you updated The Order! If you're reading this people, go check out my girls story, it's about percabeth in a shapeshifting wolves universe. It's frickin' amazing! Lots of love, AWG
Hermione Historia Chase - You reviewed! I missed you girly but I'm so happy you're back. I hope you liked the chapter. Let me know soon bc I value your opinion more than aaaaanything! LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH! MWAH! Your girl, AWG xoxo
Jessica L - Hey gal, your account name came up anyway so dw. Glad you liked it...I have some bad news. It's possible I may have made Annabeth ignore him for a while...but honestly, it's for the best! She'll meet her mother, become a new woman and the reunion will be epic. That was a major spoiler so ssshhh. Hopefully not many ppl are reading this. Oh, don't even get me started on his death, I was mad to say the least. Aaaaww, yh christmas will make you feel better. Well, what a douchebag. You're probably way out of his league anyways. Lots of love, AWG xxx
Book Fanfiction - Hey, I promise there are some much happier moments coming very soon! Aw, babes I hope you're okay, you'll get through it. I'm just glad I can help even a little bit with my writing. I promise I won't make you wait that long again. Of course I gave you a shout out, your reviews mean the world to me. Lots of love, AWG x
(more responses at the end)
So yeah, about this chapter. I'm sorry, it's long. Is that bad? The review responses bump up the word count quite a lot.
This is just the down stage with a little drama and angst. It will pick up in pace afterwards, I promise.
There's a scene in here I'm hoping you guys will really like. It's got a bit of fluff, a bit of drama and a bit of sadness. Actually, there's 3 but anywhoo.
Enjoy...I hope.
Chapter 2
Little Losses
Annabeth POV
Wednesday 7th October
I awoke feeling worse than ever; reality sinking into my veins like thick liquid metal. It spread through my body making my arms and legs feel heavier.
This would be my last term of school and what freedom I had left. I wouldn't be able to fall back on my friends today if I started grieving again. I wouldn't have Percy and he wouldn't even know why I was ignoring him.
One by one, I was losing everything.
I slumped out of bed, turning my alarm off and dragging my feet over to my wardrobe. After I'd said goodnight to Percy yesterday, Helen had kept me up most of the night to help her clear up and do some computer files that she didn't understand. Come to think of it I didn't really help her I did it for her while she sat back and watched me bend my back over. Her raging superiority was becoming almost unbearable these days.
Without really caring, I grabbed the first thing I could get my hands on from my closet. I pulled on a pair of black leggings, a white tank top and a light grey Nike hoodie. I probably looked like a slob but it was the least of my worries. I ran my fingers through my hair in the mirror, it was messy but I didn't care.
The rest of the morning was just as unbearable as the funeral. I spent the whole time putting on a fake smile for the customers at the café, pretending like I was happy and positive about life when, in reality, I was far from it.
I'd stuffed Percy's tracksuit jacket, the one I'd slept in at the weekend, into my school bag, having no clue how I was going to give it back to him but I couldn't exactly keep it. It just made me sadder—maybe it would be the last time I spoke with him. If Rafael was trying to isolate me, he was doing a pretty good job of it so far and with my Dad gone, everything just felt hopeless.
I walked through the car park with my hands in my pockets and my head down. I felt like the old Annabeth again, the one without a stomach or a voice. It was horribly disheartening. One step forward, three steps back—that's what life was like for me.
"Hey Annie! Back from rehab?" Someone called and I turned to see Drew and Rachel pulling into a space near me with Calypso sitting quietly in the back.
"Is it true your step mom caught you smoking crack in the basement?" Rachel grinned.
A painful twisting feeling began to knot in my stomach and I knew, I just knew that this was going to be a horrible…horrible day. They didn't even know my Dad had just died. Would they be so cruel if they did? Probably.
"Cat caught your tongue?" Drew snorted. I didn't even bother to defend myself, I just turned and walked away, ignoring their snarling insults behind me. I scrunched my eyes shut, doing my best to block them out but what good did it make?
Song Tribute: [Ocean Eyes – Billie Eilish]
It felt like everything was moving in slow motion as I pushed the school doors open and slipped into the overcrowded corridor. I was invisible again. People rushed around and picked fights with freshman. Girl gangs grouped together talking about the latest Instagram posts and America's next top model. Boys scampered through the corridors with basketballs or footballs, messing around and gaining irritated glares. The world went on—storming ahead while I was crawling, stumbling, scrambling behind.
Some part of me would miss it, though, from the crazy students to the thoughtful teachers. I'd miss Miss Daniels and Miss Kelly, maybe even Coach Hedge. I'd miss it all…
I held Percy's jacket in my hand now, looking at it sorrowfully. Everything about it just screamed Percy, from the smell, to the style, to the warmth it gave me when I held it. I brushed my fingers across his small name on the front, left side. It said 'Percy' in curly white letters, so simple and perfect. Not enough people would know that behind that name was the most amazing guy that could ever grace this great planet. A selfish part of me wanted to steal it and keep it forever but I had to let go now. It was the only way.
I gulped, pulling my hood up and manoeuvring my way through the corridor unnoticed. I reached Percy's locker. The populars weren't hanging around it like they usually were so I took my chance. I began to open the lock, he'd told me the code a few days ago. I felt privileged to know it but I knew this would be the first and last time I'd need it.
It clicked and just as I pulled it open, I saw him. He looked as irresistible as always, if not more so because I couldn't have him. He wore beige suede high tops, dark grey sweatpants and a black hoodie sweater.
He was laughing at Leo, who was telling everyone his best chat-up line, as he slung his arm over Grover's shoulder and held a basketball under his other arm. He then began to bounce it on the floor and dribble it forward before passing it back to a grinning Jason. Jason spun it on his finger before tossing it back to Percy who caught it easily and began doing really neat tricks with it. Girls, of all ages, swooned over him as he smiled that perfect smile, his eyes lighting up the way they always do when he's playing sport. He didn't even realise.
It was only when Jason had slung an arm over his shoulder that he looked up and saw me. They were a fair distance away, but I could see his expression. He smiled so brightly at me, I almost gave in and ran over there to hug him.
I smiled weakly, still holding his jacket in my hands. His smile dropped instantly, and he frowned with concern. The others all turned to see what he was looking at in confusion, but I didn't look at any of them. I was looking at him and only him.
'Annabeth?' He mouthed and before I could stop myself I was mouthing his name back.
I frowned at myself for being so weak as my heart swelled in my chest almost unbearably. With a nervous gulp, I turned to place his jacket in his locker and shut it softly. Then I walked away, back the way I'd come.
I used my hood and my hair to hide my face but it wasn't long before Percy was running in front of me and taking my hand in his.
"Hey, hey, Wise Girl, stop." He murmured softly. "Talk to me." I gulped, doing nothing but keeping my mouth shut and gently pulling my hand away. "Annabeth…don't." He said seriously. "I understand you're grieving, believe me I do, but pushing people away will only make you feel worse." He spoke softly but he just didn't understand that it was more than that.
I took a shaky breath, pushing past him and trying to walk away desperately. I felt his hand catch at my wrist and with a gasp, I swiftly turned back to him. He'd taken a step towards me, his arm outstretched with a gap between us. His body language completely directed towards me. But it was eyes that really caught me. They were softer and deeper than ever before. I could drown in those eyes.
Time stilled as our gazes locked.
He was looking at me like he'd never looked at me before. I let out a shaky breath as he took another step forward, closing the gap between us. Slowly, he brushed my hood back and before I knew it, he was cupping my cheeks and gently pulling me towards him until we were inches apart. I gasped.
"Don't you dare shut me out, Beth." He half commanded, half pleaded.
I sighed, looking up at his ocean eyes. I had to tilt my head back and he had to crane his neck just to get a look of one another. I didn't even care if people were staring.
"What's the point in letting people in if they're just gonna leave you?" I whispered.
"I would never leave you." He murmured, tightening his grip on my cheeks and brushing his thumb across one gently.
I whimpered a little. I couldn't help it. This whole thing was too painful—too overwhelming. I dropped my head, shutting my eyes for a moment as I tried to hold back tears. I felt him press his forehead to the top of my head and I took a shaky breath.
"Percy…" I whispered, unsteadily. "I just need to be alone for a while." I looked up at him again and he lifted his head off mine slightly.
"How long is 'for a while'?" He frowned but there was understanding in his eyes. I couldn't answer that because 'for a while' meant forever. The longer I took to respond the quicker he began to work out the answer for himself.
He shook his head. "Don't do this." He pleaded but I slowly reached up, gently pulling his wrists from my cheek and he breathed heavily. It was like he couldn't bear it and neither could I.
"Go talk to Rachel." I smiled softly, holding his wrists up. "I know she misses you."
"I don't wanna talk to Rachel, I wanna talk to you." He frowned and my heart jumped in my chest.
I frowned sorrowfully. "I'm sorry. I just...I can't." I whispered, shaking my head and letting go of his wrists as I backed up. "I'll be leaving soon anyway so you might as well just let me go now."
His eyes widened at that and I froze, realising what I'd just done.
"What?" He choked. "What do you mean you're leaving?"
"Percy—" I whispered.
"What do you mean you're leaving?" He cut me off more firmly this time and it was like I couldn't disobey him.
"Helen's pulling me out at the end of the semester." I murmured and his expression dropped. He scrunched his eyes shut, dropping his head and clenching his jaw. He was angry, I could tell. I couldn't bear to see him like this.
I slowly reached up and smoothed his hair back out of his eyes as I cupped his cheek with one hand and pulled his face up to look at me. "Annabeth—" He murmured in a pleading voice but I shushed him softly.
"She can't afford it, Percy." I whispered. "I'll be okay, I promise." I assured him, dropping my hand from his cheek. "She's getting me to work longer shifts at the cafe and I'll be working on her files most nights so it's fine. You know me...keeping my hands busy distracts me." I shrugged. "Maybe it'll help with the grief."
"Is there nothing I can do?" He practically begged. "Nothing at all?"
I smiled softly, gently pulling his hand from my wrist and he caught his breath. "No Seaweed Brain." I whispered. "I'm sorry, this is the way it has to be."
"Couldn't you just stay with me until the end of the semester?" He murmured with a pleading voice. "Please...I'm not ready to say goodbye yet."
My heart swelled in my chest and I shuddered a little. "You gave me my life back, Percy."
I smiled blissfully, remembering all those happy memories; when I'd swam again with him, eaten chocolate for the first time in forever, had my first water fight, had my first motorbike ride, skived off school for the first time and so much more. It was all so precious. I'd keep those memories forever and ever.
"Now let me give you back yours."
"I don't want it without you." He frowned as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Everything fell apart after that. It was like this huge screen between us just shattered and I was seeing him for the first time. Really seeing him.
"Percy, don't—" I pleaded, looking away and he tried to move towards me but I held my hand up to stop him. My hand collided with his chest, sending shivers all over my body. I balled it into a fist nudging him a little but he was too firm to move back at all. I sighed heavily, looking up at him. His eyes were so soft and desperate, I didn't know what to do.
Suddenly, I had an idea. It was a cruel idea but it was all I had.
"You owe me a favour, Percy." I murmured. His eyes widened and then narrowed in surprise with a frown as if he couldn't believe I was really doing this. "Well I choose this." I said firmly. "I agreed to get in the car with you, now you have to agree to let me go my own way."
"That's not fair, Annabeth." He said, a little astonished at what I was asking.
"I want you stay away from me." I said, trying to sound confident but it came out as more of a plea. He shook his head desperately and I began to back away from him. I could see the other populars slowly hovering over to us. Silena was frowning at me with such pity, I couldn't bear to look at her face anymore, but Percy's wasn't much better; he looked so miserable.
"You owe me this." I said clearly and firmly and with that I walked away, pulling my hood up and disappearing into the mob of people. I couldn't even look back on pain of seeing his distraught face. I just wouldn't be able to stomach it. So I held my head high and just kept walking.
Walking on and on though the storm.
~xXx~
Percy POV
"You owe me a favour, Percy." She started, timidly as if she wasn't confident with what she was about to say.
My heart stopped.
I'd often read about heart-stopping moments, or seen them in movies but you never really understand the feeling until it's right there in your own chest. Painful and suffocating. I couldn't hide the clear shock appearing on my face—the sudden realisation of what she was saying.
How could she?
The Annabeth I knew would never do something so cruel. She couldn't. She wouldn't.
"Well I choose this." She said more firmly now as if she was setting it in stone. "I agreed to get in the car with you, now you have to agree to let me go my own way."
"That's not fair, Annabeth." I shook my head, my voice breathy from the sheer shock of it all.
"I want you stay away from me." She told me. It was a soft command but a command nonetheless.
I could barely believe what was happening—couldn't bear the thought of losing her. My head was shaking now as if like clockwork, trying to come to grips with it all. Trying to reason with my mind why this was happening—that it must be some kind of nightmare I was about to wake up from.
She backed away and I began to panic. My friends drew closer, standing behind me as if for support or pure curiosity at what was going down. I wanted one of them to say something—to persuade Annabeth not to do this.
In my head, I was screaming at Silena or even Thalia to come out and knock some sense into her. But none of them did, and I was so fixed on Annabeth that I didn't turn around to face them. They might never know that I was in desperate need of their help in that moment. Too little too late.
"You owe me this." She finished with a firmness to her voice that I'd never heard before.
It felt as though I was scrambling for words then. Desperately fumbling for a solution and screaming in my head whilst standing absolutely still in reality. Frozen in panic. Miserable and helpless. I could feel a violent shake beneath the surface of my skin—could feel the raw emotion trying to break through like the eruption of a volcano. It's that feeling you get when you desperately want to do or say something but your so in shock and helpless to the situation that all you do is stop and stare.
Before I knew it, time was moving too quickly—pulling the rug out from beneath my feet and she was turning away from me. And as she walked it felt as though the breath had been knocked right out of me. The pain was indescribable. The whole school could have begun crashing down and I would have still stood here, frozen in place, torn to pieces and helplessly broken like that little boy I once knew. So many years ago.
Maybe he wasn't as gone as I originally thought. Maybe he was still here. Maybe he'd always been here, hiding beneath the surface. Waiting for the right moment to emerge and bring me to my knees.
It felt as though I would actually fall to my knees but I stayed strong, refusing to crack in such a public place. I had a reputation in this school that I couldn't afford to lose.
I took a swift, desperate step forward as if it was one last reach for her but she was already gone. Her small figure disappearing amongst the crowd
There was nothing left to do but walk away too now. So before I could do anything stupid, I turned my back and walked in the opposite direction, pushing past the others.
"Perce—" Grover started but I was already walking away.
"Percy, wait. She didn't mean it." Silena tried. "She'll come around."
I just smirked at the ridiculous thought, shaking my head. They didn't know Annabeth like I did. When she wanted to shut someone out…she'd shut them out forever. I pulled out a cigarette, lighting it and putting it between my teeth. School rules were the least of my worries and that was just one of the first I was about to break today.
I marched to the edge of the corridor, flipping up the fire alarm case and punching it with my fist. I did it so swiftly that no one noticed other than my friends who were watching my back. I needed to get out of here and the commotion of students and teachers now rushing around the corridor, drowned out some of the thoughts in my head. My friends who were calling out for me, got lost in the masses of people and I disappeared from sight.
And that wasn't even the worst of the stupid, reckless things I did that day.
~xXx~
Annabeth POV
Monday 12th October
You'd think that a few weeks into the semester you'd start getting used to things but with everything going on—things weren't exactly that easy.
It had been just as horrible at school today as it had been all of last week. Every day was the same; dismal, draining, lonely. I hadn't spoken to anyone since Wednesday when I asked the others to stay away from me. It felt like so long ago since we'd last spoke that they could have almost been just a figure of my imagination. Like maybe I'd never been friends with any of them. Maybe I'd never known Percy at all. It was all just some silly dream. Some unattainable idea I'd childishly come up with in my head.
I'd felt more like the old Annabeth now with nobody but the voices inside her head to keep her company. I was too much like the old Annabeth. Maybe I was worse than her because when I walked through those corridors, I wasn't even a ghost anymore…
I was just non-existent.
Work was heavy. Heavier than ever before. My hours at the Café were longer and harder. Helen had got me cleaning for Miss Miller again today. I had started last Thursday, doing the usual jobs I did at home like dusting, washing, dry cleaning and gardening. When I wasn't at Miss Miller's, I was sat at my desk; doing computer and file work for Helen.
It was more than double my original workload.
I didn't complain though. In a way, I was used to it—just not to this extent but I could bear it. It helped me to forget about things I didn't want to think about. It was a distraction.
~xXx~
The clock struck 3 in the morning when I finally shut down Helen's laptop. It wasn't exactly a striking office picture, just a tired teenager with a messy blond bun and puffy eyes, sitting on the couch in her pyjamas; light pink shirt and shorts to match. Lord Sugar would not approve.
I yawned, starting to feel the downside to drinking coffee late at night. This was the ultimate caffeine-infused low; that sudden drop you get after temporarily experiencing Cloud 9.
I furrowed my brows, stretching into the air with a soft moan. All these late-nighters were not doing me any good and my body was struggling to cope. This is coming from the girl who goes to sleep at 9 o'clock every night.
For a while, I sat stroking a sleeping Zoey on my lap gently. I'd gotten used to her sleeping next to me while I did the files late into the night. She and I had formed a sort of alliance now if you can call it that. She no longer despised me, I thought, she now only found me mildly tolerable.
Dazed and shivery, I lifted Helen's laptop and placed it on the coffee table before checking my phone. I had several missed calls and texts from the girls. They had all tried at least two or three times to communicate with me in school but I wouldn't let any of them get through to me. Even Luke had tried to talk to me a few times, he'd been kind and sweet and part of me still liked the good side of him that I knew was in there somewhere, but he never succeeded in getting through to me. No one did.
Maybe it was because I was doing what Rafael had told me to do or maybe he was right, and I did prefer grieving on my own. Sure, it was lonely, but it gave me space to think and time to heal by myself. Maybe it was my sense of pride and feeling like I didn't need other people's pity. I wanted to get through by myself so that at the end of the road my achievements were mine and mine alone.
I didn't open any of the texts in the end, I couldn't do that to myself but when my eyes caught on his name, I couldn't stop myself from reading the single one he'd sent me.
I know you don't wanna talk and you probably won't even read this but I just hope you're okay Wise Girl. I'm sorry about today. I never wanted to make things harder for you.
I gulped, turning my phone off instantly and closing my eyes to take a deep breath. And as my eyelids closed, I started to vividly remember what had happened earlier that day.
~oOo~
Day six of staying away from Percy and absolute torture.
I'd gone comfy again in dungarees, a white V-neck T-shirt and black suede slip-on Vans. I shoved my fists into my pockets and kept my head down, using my long blonde hair to hide my face.
My eyes felt heavy today, I hadn't slept too well last night and the walk to school had seemed even more dreary than usual. In the days after the funeral, I'd slowly fallen into a pattern of not really sleeping properly and it often messed with my concentration at school.
I was still feeling shaky, and even the smallest things could cause me to burst into tears unexpectedly—like finding one of my dad's old handkerchiefs in the laundry and suddenly panicking about what to do with it. It was a huge blow to my self-esteem really, I'd never been one to cry but nowadays it seemed that crying was all I ever did.
God, I'd seen my future so clearly before and now...nothing. Nothing at all. It felt like I was suddenly being surrounded by misty grey fog, blind to where I was going but aware that I was still fumbling my way through, trying to get at least somewhere.
I began fiddling with my necklace again, suddenly aware of distant murmuring or shouting in the background. I was so out of it I couldn't quite tell. The noise was coming from behind me, but I didn't bother turning even when people began rushing over to whatever exciting event was happening down the corridor. It all seemed so unimportant now as I made my way to the exit for the end of the day.
I was suddenly jolted out of my thoughts by a hand tightening at my wrist and yanking me around. My breath caught in my throat as my heart leaped at the sudden change in direction and I found myself face to face with Thalia Grace.
"Thalia." I breathed, a little shocked at her expression which was ridden with worry. Thalia never worried. Her electric blue eyes shone with it, intense and pleading while her jaw was set firmly as if she was gritting her teeth.
"Annabeth, please, I need your help." She said, using her eyes to bore into mine. Things might have been different if it had been Piper or even Silena standing in front of me, I would've assumed that they were trying to get through to me again, but Thalia was different. I got the feeling that she respected my decision to go my own way even if she disapproved of it.
She had finally understood that I'd wanted to be left alone and so she had. But now that she was actively grasping my wrist to get my attention desperately as though this was her last resort, I couldn't help but listen to her.
"It's Percy." She murmured, looking back at what I could now see was a mob of people cheering and yelling at something I couldn't see. "He just snapped at Luke and I couldn't stop him." She told me, eyes wide. "Please, he'll listen to you." She begged.
A moments silence past between us and I looked past her at the growing crowd of students, probably cheering Luke and Percy on. Encouraging them to hurt one another, like this was all some sort of sick game. I couldn't take the thought of Percy getting hurt, even if I knew Luke was no match for him. Then I found myself nodding to Thalia.
It was big of her to ask this of me, since last time something like this happened she'd spun into a mad jealousy cycle over Percy and I. She didn't like the fact that Percy listened to me more than her sometimes. I didn't understand it myself really.
Relief circled in her eyes and we began rushing down the corridor. I dropped my bag on the ground at some point, pushing my way through the crowd. People scowled and yelled insults at me but I didn't care. All I cared about was stopping this madness, with or without social anxiety.
I finally broke through the crowd with Thalia at my side. I couldn't see the other populars anywhere, I guessed they'd been swallowed up by the crowd. My eyes landed on the two figures standing in the middle and I was early enough to see Percy throw a sucker punch to Luke's left jaw. He looked mad, really mad. He gave Luke a look that was even worse than the look he'd given Charlie Bennet when he'd found out he'd slept with his ex-girlfriend, Rachel.
His white T-shirt was crumpled and his army green bomber jacket was hanging off his shoulder scruffily as though Luke had tugged at it, scrambling to get a grip of his shoulders. I sucked in a breath when I saw that his bottom lip was bleeding.
Luke stumbled away, bending over a little as he clutched his jaw in pain. Percy backed up, giving him the space to recover because he had always been a respectful fighter, regardless of how much he hated his opponent. He spat blood onto the ground and as crazy as it seems I actually thought he looked kinda hot doing it.
"At least give me a challenge, Castellan." He scoffed, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet, prepping himself for the next round. As though there even were rounds and this was some kind of boxing match, all for fun.
Luke began to laugh but it wasn't a nice sound. He wiped his mouth, smearing a little blood over his cheek and stood up straight to face him. "Cockiness won't get you anywhere, Jackson." Luke sneered. "Especially not with her." He added, looking dead straight into his eyes and Percy glared daggers at him.
Who were they talking about? Thalia?
"Watch your mouth." Percy warned but Luke just smirked.
"What, you think just because you're the popular, tough guy she'll go for you?" He scoffed. "Don't make me laugh."
Okaaay, maybe not Thalia then.
"You're projecting." Percy jolted his chin up at him.
"Am I?"
"Someone like you doesn't even deserve to look at her." Percy spat.
"Wanting her all to yourself now, Jackson?" Luke growled.
"No. I just want to keep guys like you away from her." Percy shot back, clearly and confidently, his voice ringing through the halls as eager students watched on. I didn't even know what they were fighting about.
"Try and stop me." Luke challenged.
"You asked for it." Percy shrugged casually before lunging at Luke again.
It was when Percy had suffered a punch to the face and his nose started to bleed that I couldn't watch anymore. Thalia nudged my shoulder, begging me to do something that would stop this madness.
Percy stepped forwards, wiping his nose but before he could hit Luke in return, I pressed him back against the lockers forcefully.
"Percy, stop!" I said, sounding, oddly, commanding. His eyes widened at the sight of me, he hadn't seen me watching this whole thing and was catching a glimpse of me for the first time. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out.
I dropped one hand from his chest and turned back to Luke. "That's enough!" I frowned at him. "Both of you!" I said, turning back to Percy and ignoring the whispers. "You're unbelievable. Try fighting with your heads for a change instead of spilling blood all over the floor because I'm sick of cleaning it up for the both of you." I said, looking between them and feeling a little shocked at my sudden outburst.
"He started it!" Luke protested, glaring at Percy and I'd already dropped both hands by now.
"I don't care who started it! It ends now!" I frowned. "Is it so hard to figure that if you can't get along then, for God's sake, just stay away from each other?"
"I'll stay away from him if you do." Luke said, jolting his chin up at me and I just looked at him, a little puzzled. There was a sudden awkward silence and I didn't know what else to say.
"Oh, so now I'm the bad guy." Percy huffed, throwing his arms up in the air and breaking away from the lockers a little. "It's you she should be staying away from."
"Me, what did I do?" Luke frowned.
"Are you serious?" Percy looked at him incredulously. "If I hadn't gotten through to Thalia soon enough, you would have had your way with her and she'd be dead right now." He spat. "And if you think for one second I'd let you even touch Annabeth after that, then you are seriously mistaken!" Percy glared at him and my heart skipped a beat.
"When are you going to get over that? It was like—" Luke started but I cut him off.
"Okay! What is going on?" I shook my head, standing between the both of them, side on now. "What are you two even arguing over? I don't understand."
Silence.
"You, Annabeth." Percy eventually said a little bluntly and I looked up at him, slightly puzzled. "We're arguing over you." There was a sudden silence again and for a moment I just stared at him before turning back to Luke, still shocked. He had the same expression as Percy; unreadable.
I didn't even know what to make of the situation. All I knew was that my lips were parting in shock and I could hear my heart pounding hard in my ears. They were both looking at me now, along with the rest of the crowd, expectantly as if I had the answer to this sticky mess.
I didn't.
With a heavy sigh, I raked my hands through my hair stressfully and turned my back to them for a few moments. I caught Thalia's eyes, asking her what to do but the look she gave me was just as puzzled as mine. She didn't have an answer and neither did I.
"I was just trying to protect you." Luke said and I whipped my head back around to face him.
"I don't need your protection." I told him firmly but kindly. "And I don't need yours either." I said, looking at Percy, trying to make this a fair answer. "I am not a child." I told them and to my complete and utter shock, my voice sounded strong and confident. "I'm stronger than I look."
"I know that." Percy murmured. "I've always known that."
I looked at him, a little soppily. "I never asked for any of this." I whispered before taking a breath and turning to Luke because looking at Percy made things a lot harder. "So whatever obligation you two feel you have towards me, forget about it."
"Obligation?" Percy scoffed incredulously. "As if caring about you is nothing but a duty to me." My breath caught in my throat as his sea-green eyes melted my whole body. "As if I could just toss you aside and move onto the next thing just like that."
"Percy..." I whispered. "Don't. You promised me." I pleaded, thinking back to the cruel but necessary favour I'd asked of him.
"I didn't promise anything!" He snapped back, his eyes intense. "You forced this on me like I didn't have a choice! And I refuse to back down so easily, Wise Girl." He frowned.
My breath caught at the mention of my nickname and I looked away before I could cry.
"Do I really mean that little to you?" His voice came again, softer this time and sounding hurt.
My head shot up and our eyes met once again. "No." I whimpered. "Percy, it's not like that. You just...you don't understand."
"Well I'm trying, aren't I?"
I gulped, deciding to look at Luke now because I couldn't bear to look at Percy any longer. He looked confused like the rest of the students which was understandable because they had no idea what we were talking about; the favour and all.
"Who's side are you on?" Luke frowned.
"No ones." I breathed, my voice weak. "I'm not picking sides. It's not fair of you two to make me choose."
Percy sighed heavily, leaning back against the lockers and I looked at him once more. He did not look happy about my choice of words then.
"I'm sorry. I won't fight anymore, if that's what you want." He said softly and I caught my breath. He was agreeing to stop fighting just like that and for me as well. I couldn't believe it. I didn't believe it.
"Golden boy living up to his reputation." Luke sneered. "You make me so—"
"Jealous?" Percy finished for him but he seemed less mocking now and more bored or tired of this situation.
Anger flickered across Luke's eyes and before I knew it he was lunging at him again and Percy was straightening up to defend himself.
"Stop!" I shouted at Luke, planting my feet on the ground between them as I pressed my hand on Percy's chest, pushing him back against the lockers and held my hand up at Luke, barring him from Percy.
"You hurt him, you hurt me!" I blurted at Luke before I realised what I'd just done. I gulped a little, still in shock that I'd said that in front of all these people.
Then I glanced up at Percy almost sheepishly. My hand was still pressed firmly to his chest and he was stuck to the lockers, looking at me in disbelief. His mouth a little open as he frowned at me, a little puzzled. It was like he didn't even realise that I cared about him more than anyone here and that ignoring him was one of the hardest things I'd had to do in my entire life and that I would stand up to a hundred Luke's if it only meant I could protect him.
I bit my lip nervously as my hand slowly slid off his chest and looked at Luke. He was looking at me too, eyes wide and fists clenched by his sides. I could hear the blood thrumming in my ear getting louder and louder, soon I wouldn't be able to hear myself think.
"Annabeth." Percy whispered, stepping towards me a little and I caught my breath, taking a step back.
Before I could turn and run away though, because that's all my head was telling me to do, he was reaching for my hand and pulling me closer, urging me to stay with him and it seemed as though that was all my heart was telling me to do. But with all these people around to watch, I couldn't breathe. Some part of me just wanted to be alone with him whereas the other part just wanted to be alone.
"Don't." I shook my head, pleading with him a little now. He couldn't do this. Not now. Not in front of everyone.
"Beth, please." He murmured, his hand tightening around mine.
"Don't fight with him anymore." I whispered.
"But—"
"Please." I begged.
He sighed. "Fine. If that's what you want." He said, letting go of my hand without any emotion and I felt a hole growing in my heart. Maybe it had been there all along, it was just expanding a little more now. I couldn't help but glance at his hand and think about how lonely it looked without mine to hold in it.
He casually picked up his rucksack and slung it over his shoulder before looking up at Thalia. "Let's go." He said in a low voice as he jolted his chin up at her and she nodded without a word, moving to stand beside him for moral support.
They had always been there for each other and I could see his shoulders relax a little when she was at his side as if to prove he wasn't alone in this. It had always been him, Grover and Thalia against the world. I couldn't help but feel crushed that it wasn't me standing like that, beside him, making him feel like that. That in itself, nearly brought me to tears.
Before they went he looked at me one last time and my heart sunk when our eyes met. He sighed heavily and turned to Luke, his eyes colder now. "You so much as put a scratch on her and I won't let you off so easily next time...just so we're clear." He scolded him.
Then he turned, and the crowd parted for him out of respect. Thalia glared furiously at Luke as she followed behind Percy. "Come near him again and you'll have me to answer too." She hissed before sharply turning her head and making her way through the crowd.
They didn't look back as they walked away side by side. Not another word was spoken, and I felt my heart being crushed a little more with every step he took away from me.
Then everyone turned back to me, even Luke did and my whole body tensed up. The blood was thrumming so loudly now, I couldn't hear a thing and I was right; I could barely hear my own thoughts. I didn't know what to do other than back up and walk away.
Surprisingly, the crowd parted for me too as I walked in the opposite direction, snatching up my bag swiftly before the tears came.
After all that, I started to think about whether I was making the right decision about leaving Percy because all it ever seemed to do for me was make me depressed. I hadn't realised how dependant I'd become on him and that not only made me angry at myself but desperate to see him again and then even more angry for wanting that. This whole mess was just so confusing, I didn't know what to think anymore. I'd never been this confused before. Never.
~oOo~
The memory faded. I sighed heavily, forcing my eyes open because those kinds of memories always seemed to find their way into my thoughts when my eyes were closed and there was nothing to see but darkness.
I couldn't give into him now, not now. I had done so well in doing what Rafael and Helen had told me to do and I was managing just fine. I was okay…really, I was. I couldn't mess it all up now, I was scared what would happen to me if I did. Rafael could be watching me.
Slowly, I began to get up and a grumpy Zoey growled a little as she leaped off my lap and trotted over to her bed before lying down without another word...or bark. I shoved my phone into my pocket and turned off all the lights before climbing the stairs to my bedroom. It hurt to even drag my feet up each step because I'd practically been on them all day.
I slipped into my room after brushing my teeth and washing my face a number of times to try and get rid of the sickening feeling. I literally fell into bed, pulling the covers up around me and turning off my bedside lamp. A blissful sigh came over me.
This moment; the moment I got to lie in bed, close my eyes and go to sleep, was the moment I'd always wait for. It was all I thought about through the long hours of the dreary day.
I shut my eyes slowly and waited for the sleep to come. But it never did. Instead, I lay awake in bed all night, wondering how this was possible—to feel so exhausted and yet unable to fall asleep.
My eyelids were heavy, but my thoughts were heavier.
That night was never-ending. With each minute, an eternity passed by. It was like insomnia, tainted with the chit chat of demons at bedtime.
~xXx~
Annabeth POV
Wednesday 15th October
I was heading towards the library for lunch today. It had been another quiet morning full of awkward glances and hidden emotions. Looking at his face, I could tell Percy hated this so I tended to avoid eye contact. It was awful.
Every moment passing each other, only using our eyes to communicate because words were forbidden now, was hair-pullingly painful. It was would be so easy—to just smile or reach out to him and tell him I couldn't take this anymore. It would be so easy.
But I couldn't. This was for his own good. It wasn't about me anymore. The further I stayed away from him, the further Rafael stayed away from him and the safer he would be. That's all I wanted; for him to be safe.
I wore comfy clothes which I had been doing more and more nowadays. It felt like I was coming to school in leggings and sweatpants almost every day. I wore dark grey and black cloudy sweatpants, a plain white V-neck T-shirt loosely tucked inside and my white converses.
"Hey, Annabeth!" Luke called as I walked down the corridor. I cringed at the sound of his voice. Luke was the last person I wanted to talk to right now. I reluctantly turned around and managed a weak smile at him, only to be polite though.
"Hey..." He said awkwardly, probably because the last time we'd spoken it wasn't exactly a walk in the park.
I didn't respond. I didn't want to make him think that it was okay to talk to me because it wasn't.
"I just...I just wanted to apologise." He murmured.
I smiled softly. "There's nothing to apologise to me for. It's Thalia and Percy you should be apologising to." Just looking at his frowning face, I knew he wasn't going to. "I have to go." I said nicely.
"Wait!" He said a little hastily, grabbing my arm a little tightly and I gasped a little before he let go quickly. "I just...I just..."
I sighed. "Please can we not do this now?" I asked, looking around at all the students passing by and chatting very loudly.
"No. I'm not hiding my feelings anymore, Annabeth." He said seriously, looking deeply into my eyes. My heart skipped a beat and my eyes fluttered a little as I averted them, but for some reason they eventually found their way back to his.
"You...what?"
"You know, I went to a really dark place, Annabeth." He said in the softest voice I'd ever heard. "But meeting you...well it made me realise that I don't want to be that guy anymore. I want to change. I want to change for you."
It was a shock really. After everything that I'd finally realised about him, I'd expected the next time we spoke I'd be scared of him...but I wasn't. I wasn't scared at all. He was so sensitive and open with me that I couldn't possibly think anything bad of him.
I smiled softly as he looked down at me with hopeful eyes. "I like you, Luke." I murmured and his eyes seemed to spark a little but I wasn't finished. "As a dear friend." I said in the softest voice I could manage.
I felt bad. Really, really bad because no one deserves to hear that but it was the truth and I've never been a good liar. Then his shoulders sunk and I could see his soul cracking through the windows of his eyes. It was heart-breaking.
"Which is why I have to be totally honest with you."
He nodded ever so slightly. "Percy." He whispered.
I swallowed down my nerves and smiled a little. "Yes." I whispered back, looking him in the eye.
He nodded his head, more sure of what was happening now and looked down. "Um." He cleared his throat and my heart ached for him. "Well, I'm happy you know what you want." He said softly, looking up at me again. "Guess it just hurts knowing it's not me."
"I am so sorry." I whispered.
He smiled and then leaned in to kiss me briefly on the temple. I imagined a number of students in the corridor saw that and the word would no doubt finally get around to Percy and the others. But I didn't worry about that for now. Whether they thought the kiss was real or not was their problem. Right now, I couldn't help but feel like a horrible human being but there was nothing else for me to say.
"Goodbye, Annabeth." He said in a slightly formal tone now but I could see he was just trying to conceal the hurt.
"Goodbye, Luke." I whispered, seeing tears in my eyes now and then he turned and swiftly walked away. It felt as though someone had walked all over my heart even though it had been me walking all over his heart. I let out a shaky breath, clutching my bag strap for comfort I guess.
After a moment, I just turned to walk away. I walked in the opposite direction Luke had gone in, trying to breathe steadily but it was impossible. A happy ending seemed almost impossible now.
~xXx~
I was helping Miss Daniel's with stacking the library book shelves again. I was at the far end of the library, thinking I was alone when I heard them. I turned to see Drew and Rachel standing by another book case, a few metres away, giggling.
At that moment, Drew pushed a book off the shelf 'accidently'. "Oops." She gasped sarcastically and they both turned to me expectantly. I managed a polite smile as I went over and picked it up for them, it was a kindness really. Drew smiled superciliously at me and I gave them a nod, turning away to go back to the books. They giggled and disappeared off into the library.
It wasn't long before I was waiting on them hand and foot though, just as I had to do in the Café and at home with Helen. I was tired enough already, I didn't need the extra exercise of running around the library, trying to find the books they demanded for their 'study' session. They sat at one of the tables on the lower floor, chatting as they flicked through the books, I brought them, boredly. I doubted they even wanted them, they just enjoyed treating me like this.
Drew eyed me with narrow eyes and a wicked grin on her face, then she carefully took a book in her hand. One that looked old yet full of life and history, just waiting to be discovered. She smiled sliding her hand across a page before grabbing the top corner and ripping the page in half. It made a harsh tearing sound and Rachel began to laugh as she continued to rip the pages.
I gasped in shock and she looked at me with a smirk as if she was daring me to tell her off but I couldn't. "How could you?" I murmured, holding my head high.
"How could I otherwise?" She smirked, mimicking my, what people would call posher accent but really it was just English so I pronounced more of my letters and spoke more softly.
"What's a ragged servant girl, like you, going to do about it?" She smirked, standing up now and Rachel did the same. "Because that is what you are and that is what you will always be. So listen here!" She glared, using a harsh enough voice to make me flinch away. "You will never tell Rachel or any of us what to do again. And you will continue to ignore Percy and the others like you've been doing already...on your own." She emphasized the word 'own' as if to imply that I would always be alone...and I would.
"Are we clear?" She scowled, her voice intense and intimidating, I couldn't help but shrink in her limelight.
"Yes." I squeaked and they both began to laugh as they pushed past me, murmuring taunting words as they left. I gulped, managing to hold back my tears as I sighed and began to pick up the books.
"Sweetie, are you alright?" Miss Daniels frowned worriedly, coming over to put a hand to my shoulder comfortingly. She hadn't noticed Drew and Rachel but she saw the books sprawled across the wooden floor.
I sniffed. "Quite alright." I said in a fake upbeat voice, managing to put a smile on for her.
I turned and began to walk back to the shelves where I would spend the rest of lunch stacking the books again and trying to forget what they had said about me. 'A ragged servant girl'...is that really what I am? Is that all I will ever be?
~xXx~
I walked into the art room, still feeling down about what had happened in the library but it was only about to get worse. I came into the empty room, I always worked in, away from the rest of the class because this was considered to be the non-chatting room where only 'freaks' worked. No one would tease me anymore though. Ever since I became friends with Percy, I dunno, it just seemed like they didn't want to hurt me or maybe him, I don't know. Well anyway, they've got the wrong idea because we're not even friends anymore.
I looked up at my painting and gasped in shock. There on my painting of NYC, was a big red splodge of paint, clearly done on purpose right over the green trees in the park. I rushed over and tried to wipe it off with a paper towel but it just made it worse. I let out a frustrated sigh, slumping down onto my stool. I knew it could only have been Rachel because she did Art too and after what happened between me and her in the cafeteria and the library, it was only obvious she'd do something like this.
I sat there, looking hopelessly at my painting until my eyes fell on the palette knife sitting in the jar on the table beside me. I frowned at it, looking back at my painting and then suddenly getting an idea. I stood up, pushing my stool away and squirting some paint onto my wooden palette. I took the palette knife in my hand and slowly dipped it into the red paint.
Taking a deep breath, I scraped it across the canvas. With a nervous gulp, I scraped it across the canvas again. Suddenly, I started to get really into it until I was continuously scraping multicoloured paint across the canvas and watching it come alive right before my very eyes.
It was no longer set in the summer time but in the autumn, I had changed the leaves from bright greens to vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. The lamps were now lit and it was darker, like evening time. They lit the paths, making the park have a yellow glow to it, in the fading skyline. The tall skyscrapers were surrounded by blue-white puffy clouds in the dimming light and it finally looked like a finished piece. It was more exciting and real, like you could step into it and be in that world. I stepped back, smiling a little.
For the first time, I was proud of myself.
"Wow." Someone said behind me and I turned to see Reyna in the doorway. I was surprised to see her of all people in here, talking to me. I'd expect Silena or Piper but never Reyna. I don't remember the last time I even talked to her and I'd never been alone with her before. I didn't even really know what my relationship with Reyna was.
She came into the room confidently with a certain superiority in her steps and regality about her. She looked at my painting in what, I think, was awe.
"I think it's your best piece yet." She smiled and I couldn't help but smile back.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined Reyna paying me a compliment. That's just not who she is but she seemed as though she meant it and I was grateful for that. I needed cheering up right now and I think that Reyna was the only person out of the popular group who wouldn't come here just to persuade me to stop shutting everyone out. Reyna wasn't like that. She wasn't bias. She'd understand your view and then suggest another one logically if she disagreed but she wouldn't force it on you. She was too respectful to do anything like that.
"Thanks." I murmured, looking at the floor. We stood in an awkward silence for a moment. "Guess you're here to tell me how badly I'm handling this, huh?" I smiled weakly, sinking into my stool.
"No. The opposite actually." She smiled, grabbing a stool and sitting across from me. "I think you're coping very well. I know the others think you're someone to pity Annabeth but I disagree profoundly."
My eyes lit up a little at that. I felt privileged to hear this from her.
"After everything you've been through you'd expect it of you to crumble but if you ask me I've never seen anyone handle something like this more bravely. You're stronger than you think, Annabeth." She smiled, her voice clear and firm as if she really meant it.
"You really think so?" I murmured.
"I do." She nodded. "We all grieve in different ways. When my aunt died, I used to punch the hell out of that kickboxing bag in the gym. I think I broke a couple actually." She shrugged with a smirk and I giggled at that. "Anyway...people think your way of grieving is pushing people away but I understand that it's more than that. I respect that you want space to cope on your own. Sometimes we just need time to heal and sometimes we have to spend that time alone to really find ourselves."
I smiled at that. Though she was a little off on the pushing people away part because Rafael had told me to do that and I just genuinely didn't have time to socialise with all the work on my plate, she understood the heart of it. She understood my intentions and I adored her for that. My respect for Reyna grew even more at that moment.
"Thank you." I nodded. "That really means a lot."
She smiled giving me an understanding nod. "But you understand I agree with the others partly?" She said softly, not wanting to strike a nerve and I nodded with a smile. I had expected as much.
"I do."
"Take all the time you want, Annabeth but think about this. Are you really happy?" She asked
When I didn't answer she carried on. "You can isolate yourself all you want but one day you'll wake up and feel a sense of regret. I'm telling you this from experience here." She sighed. "I too shut everyone out when my aunt died. I didn't just use a kickboxing bag as a dummy." She frowned and I gulped a little at that. "I had a problem with anger issues back then and I'd get into fights quite easily. I thought that distancing myself from my friends would not only be better for me but safer for them but I was wrong, Annabeth. Really. I was wrong."
"What happened?" I asked softly.
"Well, Thalia tried to help me a lot. She's suffered from anger issues in the past too so she understood but I didn't let her in. One day, Percy got sick of it all, marched into the gym, dragged me away from the kickboxing bag, sat me down and just talked to me." She smiled wistfully as if remembering that and it made me smile too. "He just talked to me and he was so understanding and kind with his words as though he would listen to anything and everything I said and not judge me even once."
I don't know why but I found myself blushing a little at that. I could picture that scene so vividly because I knew how understanding and caring Percy was. I could even imagine the sound of his soft voice and I blinked for a long time just to breathe that in.
"Annabeth...I adore Percy." I heard her say and opened my eyes suddenly to look at her.
There was a desperate honesty in her eyes and a part of me wondered whether she still liked him like that but I also got the feeling that she didn't want that from him. She wanted a friend, not a lover.
"I really do and I know adoration when I see it." She smiled. "And I see it in your eyes right now and I see it in his eyes when he looks at you. You both adore one another and a bond like that can't be broken so easily."
I looked away nervously, biting my lip hard. I felt that fluttery feeling in my heart again though. It was unbearable.
"He misses you, we all do and you can deny it all you want but I know you miss us too." She spoke softly as she began to stand up. "So I'm asking you, Annabeth, take the time to find yourself and when you do...come back to us." She smiled as I looked up at her. "Come back and we'll welcome you with open arms, I can promise you that."
I managed a smile. "Thank you." I whispered, it was all I could manage, I felt so emotional right now. She nodded softly and with that, she left me alone to go over what had just happened.
Suddenly, I glanced up at the clock, it was 2:15 and I was incredibly late. I shot up with a loud gasp, realising I had fifteen minutes to get to the cafe and there was no way I'd get there in time. Quickly as I could, I began to pack away before slinging my bag over my shoulder as I rushed out of the room. The hallway was crawling with students as I darted my way towards the exit and finally out across the car park.
Halfway down the main road, I came to a stop after I'd been running for way too long, just to take a few breaths. It was 2:25 and I cursed myself for not bringing any cab money. I had five minutes to get there and I was still maybe fifteen minutes away after having stopped to help an old lady pick up her groceries which had fallen across the sidewalk because I felt bad for her.
I sighed, accepting the fact that I was screwed because I might actually lose my job this time. I shoved my phone into my back pocket and sighed again, pulling my hair up into a messy bun as I walked. There was no point in running now anyway. Walk or run, either way, I was going to get fired and Helen was going to be furious. Maybe she'd make me work night shifts at another cafe as punishment and so I'd get even less sleep than I already do.
Suddenly, a car slowly pulled up beside me and continued to follow me down the sidewalk. I looked over to see it was Jason in his silver convertible. Leo was sat beside him and they were both looking at me. Percy was sprawled in the back, unaware of the situation as he tapped away on his iPhone. His arm was lying leisurely across the car door and his eyebrows were furrowed in that cute way.
I ripped my eyes away from him, back to Jason. "Hey, you need a lift?" Jason smiled nicely and with that Percy looked up. His eyes widened as he saw me and he sat up straight.
"Um...no that's okay, thanks." I smiled shyly, beginning to walk again but he just drove along the road perfectly parallel to me.
"Come on, Annabeth. Your shift starts in..." He looked at his car's digital clock. "Four minutes and there's no way you'll get there in time if you walk."
"No, it's okay, I don't wanna trouble you." I shook my head, pulling my bag strap up nervously.
"It's no biggy." Leo waved me off. "It's on the way anyway." He shrugged.
"It's really okay—" I smiled politely moving to turn away but his voice stopped me.
"Just get in the car, Wise Girl." Percy sighed, turning his phone off now and looking at me with soft but frustrated eyes as though he was tired of arguing. Well that made two of us.
The two boys in the front were both smiling when I glanced at them for a second. Jason used his head to gesture for me to get in the back. Eventually, I sighed in defeat, slowly moving to climb in the back. I slid in next to Percy, grateful for the empty seat between us. I didn't really want to touch him at all and then we drove off. I pulled my bag off my shoulder and dropped it by my feet before busying myself with twirling the wisps of my hair that had come loose from the bun.
Then I sat there, awkwardly, with my hands tucked under my knees, trying to keep my eyes off a certain someone sitting right next to me.
"So..." Leo started, trying to break the awkward silence as Jason turned a corner. "How you doing, Annabeth?" He asked, looking at me in the rear-view mirror.
"Fine, thanks. You?"
"I'm good. I'm good." He nodded. "What about you Percy?" I tensed a little.
"What?" Percy frowned in irritation.
"How are you doing?" Leo grinned.
"Fine." He replied through gritted teeth.
"Good good." Leo nodded.
"...So how are you both doing?" He suddenly asked.
Gods, I know he was trying to break the awkwardness but he was just making it worse.
"You fucking idiot." Jason shook his head, with an 'are you serious' kinda snigger.
"Seriously dude, drop it." Percy sighed, looking out of the car as his glorious thick black hair blew in the wind. Leo sniggered and then we fell into another awkward silence.
Song Tribute: [Holding On and Letting Go –Ross Copperman]
"Someone put some music on." I pleaded softly, looking at the buildings moving past us as the wind blew through my hair.
Moments later, Jason did as I asked which I was super grateful for. A wistful smile crossed by easing face and I let my hands lie limp in my lap as I breathed the now playing song in. My eyelids began to softly close as the chorus came on, tipping my head back against the seat just a tad. I couldn't really help it, it's just what I tended to do when listening to music.
I was paying attention to the wind blowing in my face when Percy suddenly reached out and took my hand in his, holding it as they both lay together on the middle seat. I gasped, heart fluttering, and looked at him in shock. He wasn't looking at me though, his expression was unreadable as he looked out with his hair blowing gently in the wind. His clenched jawline looked so hot from a side view and I turned away to shut away that thought.
I didn't let go. I should've but I didn't. I just let him hold my hand and only my hand. Then I found myself tightening my grip. We both let out a shaky breath as if we were somehow relieved that neither one of us was planning on pulling away. And we just listened to the song in silence, enjoying the feeling of our simple touch.
~xXx~
"Thanks for the lift." I smiled at Jason in the rear-view mirror, unbuckling my seatbelt. I'd already awkwardly let go of Percy's hand which was both relieving and disappointing because I shouldn't have let him do that but now I found myself wanting him to do it again.
"No problem." He nodded.
Then I stepped out of the car. The cafe looked peaceful as I walked around the car and onto the curb. There was something about this cafe that had always been peaceful. Maybe it was because it was by a beach or maybe it's because of all the memories based around this place. I smiled a little at that as I slowly began to walk away from the car.
I'd only made a few steps when he stopped me.
"Annabeth, please..." His soft voice came in a half murmur, half plea.
I froze, scrunching my eyes shut and taking a deep shaky breath. I gripped my bag strap and slowly turned to look at him. My heart sank the moment I saw him. His eyes seemed to shimmer a little and he was sitting up, leaning over the car door slightly.
A lump formed in my throat and I bit my lip slightly. He gave me a soppy look and I returned one just as soppily. Before I knew it, I was running over to him and taking his face in my hands as I planted a kiss to the top of his head. It was deep and lingering because I didn't want to let go as I cupped his cheeks.
I tried to pull away but he gripped my wrists and I was still cupping his cheeks as he looked up at me desperately. I sighed a little and let him hold me a while. "Why do you have to make everything so difficult, Seaweed Brain?"
He smiled a little at that and at that moment I realised how much I'd missed his stupid smile. "I'm stubborn when it comes to the people I care about." He murmured and I smiled a little at that resting my forehead on his.
"You forget, I'm stubborn too." I whispered with closed eyes before I swiftly pulled away and ran up the cafe steps. And I didn't look back this time.
I shut the door behind me and forbade myself to go back out there and look at him one last time. I sank against the door, waiting for the sound of the car driving away. Eventually, the car wheels screeched, and they were whizzing away. Far away.
I think the extent of my feelings for that boy were beginning to get wildly out of control.
Letting out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding, I held my stomach a while in physical pain. It was too much.
It was just another tiny little loss—added to the huge pile of others. And when I put all of them together, they swirled into a huge storm – building and building.
But they were only preparing for something much much bigger.
~xXx~
So how was it? Be honest. Was it bad? I have a feeling you guys are gonna say it was bad... Go easy on me :(
I cut out a whole percabeth scene where Annabeth was sleeping in class bc I thought you guys would find the chapter way too long. Was that the right thing to do? Idk. Do you guys not like long chapters?
Anyway, I swear, I'm not trying to drag things out. This is the only down moment you'll get, from now on things will start to pick up. This bit was just necessary for the development of Annabeth's character.
~xXx~
the unoriginalgeek - Aaww, thank you so much! Glad you liked it. I have a few story/ oneshot ideas which I may have time to write over the summer, who knows. She does push him away for a while, yes, but it's a good thing and you'll see why v. soon. Oh and yes, they will! Just a few more chapters.
Love the Brightest Star - Hey, it's so nice to see new comers. I'm so glad you like Memories. Yeah, the chapters are really long, sorry about that, I can get pretty carried away. There's some dark Rafael stuff to come and the kiss is coming ;) Really happy that you like the tribute songs btw.
Chameleondancer - Oh sorry, was it bad? Things will quickly turn around soon. Yes, he does. He's kinda obsessed with the whole beautiful, innocent girl image. He truly does care for her. Symphony has gone on the list ;) Love ya 2 xx
greekdemigodwannabe - Aaaww, no! It just makes me know I achieved the right level of sadness in the last chappie ;) I'm so glad you liked it girly! Yes, craziness and happy endings are coming. They will end up together. Loool, it's funny some people love him, some people hate him. I understand both sides tbh. Love you, AWG xoxo
sallybubbles - Hey, thanks for the lovely review. Yes, Annabeth will go through a rebellious stage very soon. Oh and Bad Bitch has gone straight on my music list, love it! Thank you. AWG xx
Y.S.D.T Fever - Haha, sorry for the long wait but I'm glad you liked the 1st chapter. A number people have suggested 'little do you know' so it's on the list, babes. Lots of love
ButteryFool432 - Happy to be back! Also, who knows...maybe I am the illuminati ;)
WispyNauticalPhoenix - Thank you. Yes she will and yes, but not Malcom.
bonkersgreeneyes - Blast from the past is coming very soon, within the next couple of chapters ;) xoxo
The Book is Always Better - Oh there's loads more Rafael to come ;) I get what you mean, it's mostly bc she wants to keep Percy safe and she has this self-destructive thing going on where she isolates herself when things get tough. I'm so glad you liked the tribute songs :)
AnaklusmosLynx - Oh that's horrible! His 'friends' should be ashamed of themselves. Sending all my love to you and your cousin. Glad you liked the update!
thesweetscentofbooks - I totally agree with you and definitely took that into account. Thank you sm.
~xXx~
Sorry the update was late my lovelies, it took quite a while responding to all of your wonderful reviews. Thank you so much, they always make my day that little bit brighter!
Oh Gods, my word count is already flying through the roof! Is that bad? Guys help!?
Well, see you on saturday, probably. My update days will be on WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY from now on.
Happy Thanksgiving Eve to all my lovely American readers! Mwah mwah mwah.
Lots of Love,
AWG xx