~ Hey Angels ~
I. Am. So. Sorry.
I missed Wise Girl Wednesday and I feel like such a failure! Urgh! I was so determined to get Ch. 5 up yesterday, I can't even tell you. I was editing and everything but then the internet kept crashing on me and every time I tried to save something on ff it got deleted so I had to do it all over again. Eventually, I got so frustrated, I just gave up. Anyway, here it is - a day late. Hope that's okay.
So first off, I just want to straighten a couple things out about the previous chapter. Adderall is used by people who have ADHD so it's kind of a link to that and all it is going to do to her is make her speak out more, stand up for herself and toughen up a little. That's all it's for. She's not going to turn into a slob, I would never throw away her character like that.
I made it so that the Adderall makes her a bit more like the Annabeth in the real pjo book series: feisty, argumentative, stubborn etc.
So don't worry chicas, AWG's got you! ;)
BookFanFiction - She doesn't get seriously addicted, don't worry. I would never do that to her. The Adderall is entirely for the benefit of her character development and the storyline. Yes, the two chapters include this one. That confession is just a few more chapters away! ;)
Hermione Historia Chase - I KNEW YOU WERE A BTS FAN! Just bc I know you're Korean and they seem like someone we'd both fangirl over. I know it's tough :(( so I've started teaching myself Korean. It's not gonna happen but I'm being optimistic about it. Don't worry, I got you girl. Everything is gonna be totally fine, I'm not gonna spin this Adderall thing way out of control. It's actually a seriously minor detail in this story. Next chapter, they'll be gone for good. Lots of love XOXOXOX p.s for the love of GOD, reply to my PMs ;) 3
greekdemigodwannabe - I knoooow. I had so much fun writing that scene! 'Blue boi', hahaha, I love that. And yes he is super precious :)) Love ya lots caroline - your girl, AWG xoxo
sally bubbles - I'm so glad you liked ch. 4 because I was nervous about that one. Yay, you're British too! Oh and I'm happy to say I'm stress-free at the moment and am doing so much better, thanks for caring. Lots of love - AWG 3
Cinder Luna - *hides in corner* I'm soorrryyy. I swear, it's for the best. The Adderall brings up some really cool/ cute scenes in this chapter and then, next chapter it's gone for good. She won't get majorly addicted, don't worry. Thank you, it was tough but in a way I liked it because it allowed me to write in stronger scenes with Annabeth. You'll see what I mean when you read the chapter. Lots of love - AWG p.s like the pun ;)
Periwinklelove9 - YAY! Glad you liked it. Also don't worry, it's not what you think. The Adderall is so minor in this story, it goes as quickly as it came and Annabeth will be back to her normal self - just much stronger and calmer and grow up. It's kind of the transition stage for her. Aw, thanks for asking. I'm doing so much better now :)
P.s I forgot to give a shout out to kyrasaige16 for that epic song choice: River by Bishop Briggs, in the last chapter. Love that song, so thanks girl!
Chapter 5
Good Girls do Bad Things
Annabeth POV
Wednesday 21st October
I slipped through the school corridor, dodging and darting around the students like a frisky black cat in the shadows. I felt more awake than I'd ever felt and I hadn't slept in three days. I'd stayed up all of last night studying and you'd be amazed as to just how much the Adderall helps to improve concentration. Somehow, I also felt lighter on my feet and maybe that's how I was able to slip in and out of sight. I'd managed to avoid the populars all day.
I'd dressed better today. It was about time I stopped wearing sweatpants and baggy jumpers to school and got my act together. I wore a light grey heathered T-shirt with a black lace bralette underneath which you could see only slightly at the neckline of my shirt. I'd pulled on a pair of ripped black skinny jeans and my black ankle boots with the buckles. I'd been wearing them a lot lately because they made me taller and I felt more confident in them. Around my neck, I wore a black string necklace that was a choker but also dangled low down my chest in two strands with two silver beads at the end.
I turned a corner, looking around the place for Clara. Yes, I'd bought three pills to last me the rest of the week but truth is, I was already out. I took another one last night and then another this morning before work. I'd stolen the cash from Helen's purse, she'd never notice. She's got the attention span of a rock.
I found her slipping a pill down by the lockers, using the door to conceal it. Just as she was beginning to pack up, I snuck my way over. "Clara? I was wondering if I could have a minute of your time."
"Back for more already?" She smirked as we ducked down an empty corridor.
"Well, do you have any?" I looked around anxiously. I didn't like doing this out in the open.
"How many are we talking?" She asked, slipping open her bag to show me a whole orange pot full of them
"How many you got?"
"I can do you fifteen." She said.
"Great. How much do you want?"
"A Hundred."
"One hundred!" I cried and then gasping when I remembered we were supposed to be quiet.
"That's a discount." She said. "It would be $150."
"$80 and you got yourself a deal."
"$90."
"$85, that's as high as I'm going."
"Fine." She said and I smiled triumphantly as we exchanged business.
"Annabeth?" A voice came from behind me. I gasped, snapping my head around. It was Piper. Clara took off the moment I turned my head and I didn't blame her.
I tried to leave, myself, but Piper came rushing over and pulled my arm back. "Annabeth, what are you doing taking Adderall? That stuff's illegal."
"What are you talking about?" I frowned at her, trying to get away put she held her ground.
"Don't play dumb with me." She warned. "You were talking to Clara Fitzgerald. I know she hooks people up with Adderall. Annabeth, this is dangerous."
"I'm fine, Piper." I said bluntly.
"You could get expelled."
I scoffed. "I'd like to see them try." I practically kept this school running with all the help I gave them in my spare time.
"Annabeth, I'm being serious!"
I smirked at her. "So am I." I said, walking past her.
"I'll tell Percy!" She cried after me and I just slowly turned to face her.
"What's he gonna do? Lie some more?" I scoffed and then left her standing there in shock.
I barely recognised myself anymore but the kick of the Adderall was keeping me from seeing how deep I was in this mess—how incredibly off the roads I was heading and what dangers lay ahead.
~xXx~
Song Tribute: [Look What You Made Me Do – Taylor Swift]
"Look who it is." Rachel smirked, standing with her back leaning up against the lockers as I went through mine opposite her. It was halfway through lunch now. "It's loner girl. Do you even have any friends anymore?"
I let out a heavy breath and something inside me snapped. I slammed my locker making a girl, a few lockers down, jump. Then I turned to Rachel and smiled at her. "Do you? Last I heard, everyone hates you."
She just stared at me in blank shock. We weren't alone in the space but the corridor wasn't busy or anything.
"Give Percy my regards—oh wait, you can't. He hates you too." I scoffed and she flinched which made me smile. I couldn't believe it, not in a million years, I was actually enjoying this. Mocking her, I got something out of it and it was sick but so sweet. "How's that working out for you?"
"You tell me." She said stepping forward. "Last time I checked, you and pretty boy aren't even talking anymore. I'm not surprised." She scoffed. "You look hideous. Ever heard of concealer sweetie? Because it goes under your eyes to cover up the blotchiness." She said in a mockingly concerned way. "I would give you some but then again, I don't donate to sad charity cases like you."
That was it. I couldn't stop myself. I just snapped. "URGH!" I screamed, grabbing her shoulder and leaping on top of her. She screamed as we tumbled to the ground together, scrambling and squirming for control. "I hate you!" I cried, as I sat on top of her stomach and tried to attack her but she grabbed my wrists and tried to hold me off.
"GET OFF ME YOU DIRTY SKANK!" She screamed at me, pulling on my hair. I couldn't remember being this angry before. It was like I wanted to strangle her and it was scary what I was capable of at that moment. Every horrible thing she'd ever done to me just surfaced and I cracked like a suddenly active volcano.
It wasn't long before I was being hauled off of her. I imagined we'd acquired quite an audience with our 'not so' little squabble.
"Annabeth, get off her!" The person who grabbed me cried as they looped their arms around me and lifted me into the air. I screamed in frustration, reaching for Rachel angrily and she did exactly the same as someone else lifted her to her feet also.
"But she started it!" Rachel screamed.
I realised Jason was the one holding me back and it was Percy who had pulled Rachel to her feet and wrapped his arms around her to stop us from fighting. That made me even more angry. Angry at him. Angry at Rachel. And then angry at myself for still caring about the two of them possibly getting back together.
"Let me go!" I struggled in Jason's arms as he carried me out of the crowd. "I'm okay! I'm okay!" I saw Percy slowly letting go of Rachel in a daze as he watched me go in shock. It was like he had no idea what had just happened and had no clue what to do. He'd never seen me snap like that before. No one had. That's because I'd never snapped like that.
And it was sad to see him looking at me like that. Because despite everything he'd done, I was still in love with him. In love with his messy black hair and sea green eyes. He looked good today too, in dark jeans, converse, a white T shirt beneath a blue shirt and a light grey-green jacket.
"Annabeth Chase!" A loud, commanding voice echoed throughout the corridor deafeningly. I gasped, looking up at Mr. Brunner standing in the middle of the corridor staring at me. I gulped, as Jason set me down gently, and shuddered in fear.
I was officially screwed and it was only then that I realised how stupid I'd been but it was too late. I'd already done it. I'd already attacked a student. He could expel me for it and in a way, I wanted him to. I'd turned into a monster. Those pills had turned me into an agitated, unstable, compulsive monster. I wish I'd never even taken them.
"My office! Now!" He ordered and the corridor sunk into a deathly silence. I felt everyone's eyes on my back and I knew what they were all thinking.
The good girl had finally done it. She'd finally snapped.
I took a shaky breath and kept myself from turning back to look at all their, probably, disapproving faces as I followed Mr. Brunner around the corner and down the next corridor. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.
Gods, I'd really done it now, hadn't I?
~xXx~
"What on earth was that out there, Annabeth?" Mr Brunner shouted at me as he stood the other side of his desk and it was scary.
He'd never shouted at me like this before. I'd seen him doing it to other naughty students but never to me. It almost made me cry.
"This behaviour is absolutely unacceptable! Attacking another student! If Rachel's parents decide to press charges you could get expelled or worse!" I flinched in the brown leather seat, across from him. "I cannot believe that you, above all the students here at Goode High, would do such a thing! I am absolutely outraged!"
I could feel my stomach knotting and twisting. And that hardness that had been in my chest for the past couple of days subsided. Instead, something delicate and fragile took its place. I felt like bursting into tears at that moment. I'd lost all my friends, Piper was probably mad at me, Percy was probably astonished at my behaviour and maybe even angry at me for attacking Rachel like that. No matter how much she'd hurt him, I knew he still cared for her and what I'd done wasn't going to be easily forgiven. And now Mr Brunner was furious with me. God knows how Helen would react if she found out. More like when she finds out.
I didn't respond. I couldn't. I just sat there, shivering in the leather seat and keeping my eyes down, too ashamed to even look him in the eye. He had every right to be mad. I guess I just hoped he wouldn't be so harsh about it.
A knock at the door brought the awkward silence to an end which I was grateful for. "Come in!" Mr. Brunner answered and I heard the door open but I didn't turn around to see who it was.
"Mr. Brunner, please don't punish Annabeth!" A female voice begged, coming into the room and I recognised it instantly.
It was Miss Daniels.
"I think this is all just a misunderstanding. I've spoken with the Dare girl and she said it was nothing but a silly argument." She took my shoulder as she said this and I smiled gratefully but dropped my head seconds later. I was too ashamed to look up at her. But I wondered if what she was saying about Rachel Elizabeth Dare was true.
"You have to understand." She continued, hushing her voice a little now. "The girl's just lost her father," my throat caught and I felt a painful twist in my stomach once more, "and Senior year can be very stressful for someone balancing so much on their plate as Annabeth is. Please don't be so harsh on her. May I suggest some sort of service to the school and some light counselling?"
"Counselling?" I blurted, unable to hold my tongue and she tightened her grip on my shoulder to imply that I should keep my mouth shut for now which was probably wise. If I was choosing between counselling and expulsion, then it wasn't really a choice for me.
Surprisingly, Mr. Brunner started to nod a little. "I will take this into account, Miss Daniels, but for now, I must speak with Miss Chase alone."
She sighed and if I wasn't mistaken I could feel her fingers shaking on my shoulder before they slipped down. She gave me a worried look and then tried to give me a reassuring smile. "Very well." She whispered and left us alone after.
I gulped, turning back to Mr Brunner who sighed and then slumped into his fancy-looking Principal's chair. Neither of us spoke for a few moments and I took the time to just look around the room nervously. It was a large space with shelves upon shelves of folders and papers and a door that lead into the back where they kept all the student files. Every single one of them. I knew because of all the times I'd come in here to help out. I was often the school's choice for help with things when needed, mostly I offered actually. I'd come to the office several times to organise files and plan out school events. I'd done it so many times that I'd reached a first name basis with the two secretary women, Karon and Sarah, in the main lobby outside the Principal's office.
No one would know it, because of how quiet I was, but my extra-curricular list was outstanding. It would be a student looking at college's dream.
There were many photos on the walls, often of school events like fairs, debates and bake sales. A whole section had practically been dedicated to sport here at Goode high. Photos of football games and basketball matches covered the wall and Percy was in pretty much all of them. Mr. Brunner must be so proud of him. I know I am. I flinched at that, remembering that I was supposed to be angry with him, that I was still angry with him.
Mr. Brunner sighed, bringing me to attention and then spoke. "Annabeth…" He sighed again. "You understand that this school and I…we certainly do not tolerate this kind of behaviour."
"Absolutely, sir! I don't know what came over me! I am so—" He held up a hand to stop me and I shut my mouth. It wasn't like he was being rude, it was as though he didn't need me to say it because he already knew that I was terribly sorry.
"This was all nothing but a silly squabble between you and the Dare girl, correct?"
"Correct."
"And it will never happen again. Are we clear?"
"Yes, sir. Crystal clear."
"Then I see no reason to punish you, due to your pristine record. But if I am to hear so much as a whisper of your misbehaviour, I will not go so easy on you Annabeth."
"I understand sir." I murmured.
"As for what Miss Daniel's said, some sort of service to the school would be sufficient. I hear the photography club need someone at the basketball game tonight."
The basketball game…Percy's basketball game!
"But—"
"No buts. It's decided." He cut me off bluntly and I sighed. Going to Percy's game tonight was the last thing I wanted to do after that.
~xXx~
I took a few moments, sitting on the chairs in the lobby when I left Mr. Brunner's office. I wasn't ready to go out there. Not just yet. Not with all the students waiting to stare at me. I wasn't ready to face Percy and the others. I didn't want to. I just wanted to hide away in here for the rest of the day. It didn't help that lunch was almost over and I had double Ancient Greek and Maths next.
Luckily, my bag had been dropped off and was waiting out here for me, so that was one less thing to worry about.
Suddenly, I heard hushed voices coming from around the corner, by the secretary desk. I leaned forward, peering around the corner and seeing Miss Daniels whispering about something with Karon and Sarah. I wondered if they were talking about me.
My eyes caught on her bag and before I knew it, I was snatching it up from the table and running into the bathroom.
It was much nicer in here. The student bathrooms were always ugly and grimy with sharpie hearts all over the inside of the toilets but this one was fresh and clean-looking with blue tiles and fancy mirrors. I pulled out Miss Daniel's make-up bag and fished around inside before I found some concealer. As much as I hate to admit it, Rachel was right. I really did look awful. My eyes had red marks around them and there were small bags forming beneath them.
When I found the concealer, I applied a little around my eyes and blended it in nicely with my finger. I figured using her concealer was rude enough, I wasn't going to use her beauty blender too. When I'd finished, my eyes looked pretty much normal. I then went a little further, to my surprise, and applied some mascara and some nude pink lip stick.
I took a moment to look at the image in the mirror. She looked normal and dare I say pretty but the girl behind that face was not so pretty. My face fell at that thought. I knew exactly why I'd stolen Miss Daniels' bag and applied her make-up. I knew exactly what I was trying to do and it wasn't going to work.
I could do anything and everything in my power to make me look pretty and innocent on the outside but the truth is…that darkness that Rafael had been talking about, was already beginning to fester inside me and there was nothing I could do about it. I was already a monster so I'd better get used to it.
Frowning at myself, I tore my eyes away from the mirror and ripped open my bag. Thankfully, the pot of orange pills were still tucked safely away inside. I tipped back two of the fifteen and drank a few big gulps of water before I wiped my mouth and applied some more lipstick.
Then I smiled in the mirror and it wasn't a nice smile, it was like a smirk. I think it was at that moment that the Annabeth I once knew had completely dissipated. I just told myself, that the popular girls were never the quiet ones. They were never shy. They were strong and mean. So, if that's what everyone wanted, then that was exactly what they were going to get.
Song Tribute: [Bad Bitch – Bebe Rexha] - (shoutout to sallybubbles for the song recommendation!)
I tucked away the pills and pulled out my phone, plugging my earphones deep into my ears. A Bebe Rexha song began to play when I clicked shuffle before slipping it back into my bag. I took a deep breath, observing my face in the mirror once more and telling myself to hide that fragile girl away deep inside.
Then I slung my backpack over my shoulder and slipped outside. Miss Daniels was still chatting away with the secretaries, so I was able to put her bag back without anyone noticing. The bell had just gone off and I knew it would be busy out there. I was nervous but I put on a brave face. I had to be strong. I had to forgive myself for my careless actions.
I smiled at that and pushed both doors open wide before strutting out into the corridor. People turned to watch and stare, their mouths dropping to the floor in shock. And for the first time in forever, I didn't give a damn.
Confidently, I made my way through the middle of the corridor and people gave me the space to walk like I was someone important. Someone who deserved respect. An exhilaration ran through me.
Percy and the others were all standing by their lockers and they were staring at me like they didn't even know who I was anymore. None of them said anything, it seemed as though they were choking on their words. Percy looked as though he was watching a stranger walking past. Speechless in the shock of it all.
I smirked at their expression, keeping my head high and my walk confident and bouncy as I passed them, turning up my music so that it blared into my ears loudly.
After all, good girls do bad things sometimes.
~xXx~
The basketball game against the NY Bulls was the hit news today at Goode High. The guys were all, no doubt, getting hyped up in the locker rooms now while the crowd waited with anticipation. As you can imagine, Goode High took basketball just as seriously as any other subject. There would be the cheerleading squad, the wolf mascot, the school band in the crowd with drums and everything and the bleachers would be absolutely packed with Goode students, parents and distant relatives who'd travelled miles just to see this game. Goode High games were pretty big in the area, people would be talking about it for weeks, post-game.
I walked through the empty school corridor. It was quiet here now and a blueish toned light filled the space, probably from the skylight outside coming in through the windows. Considering recent events, it was amazing that I'd even turned up, but I'd agreed to this to avoid expulsion and it seemed like a small price to pay. I didn't really mind the photography side of things anyway. When I wasn't in the library at lunch I was usually at photography club or another academic club. One where I could get extra credit but still keep to myself and bury my head into workload.
After borrowing a seriously high-tech Canon camera with a neck strap from the photography department upstairs, I headed towards the basketball court. You could hear the murmur of the loud crowd even from far away corridors. It echoed through the halls, particularly when I reached the sports area of the school. My footsteps bounced off the stone walls and the noise of the crowd got louder the closer I got.
Then I opened the double doors and my eardrums were bombarded with the loud chatter of hundreds of people on the bleachers, at both sides of the huge sports hall. The Wolves team came in moments later, when I'd found a seat near the front, yelling their chant. The crowd went wild, screaming their names and chanting for Goode High.
Percy was bounding out at the front of the line, ahead of all 14 players and I snapped a couple of shots. They were all in the Wolves kit, which was mainly royal blue with white lines running down the sides. Their team number was printed on the front, in white, below their team name 'WOLVES' and the back also had their number below their last name.
The crowd went wild and the whole team huddled up around Percy. "Let's go!" He shouted. "EH! TI on 3! TI on me! One! Two! Three!"
"TI on yoooouuu!" A low chorus came from the boys as they dispersed, making a load of wolf howls through their hands to the crowd who cheered loudly.
They then went off to win the biggest game of the season, completely crushing the NY Bulls. I tried my best to capture photos of them all before they were smothered by the crowds. The camera lens hovered across all of their elated faces before finally settling on Percy's as if it was my curse to pick him out of a crowd—to always look for him. No matter how much it hurt.
And Gods that smile could make angels appear from the heavens. That smile could move mountains and manipulate ocean waves. He could do anything. Be anything. I was completely under his spell. His damp, thick hair was swept back and a drop of sweat lingered at his temple. He was so unbelievably tanned when put under a camera lens, it was as if he'd just stepped off a tropical island.
I quickly snapped a way too close up shot before that gleaming smile disappeared and spent a long while afterwards admiring it. Admiring his perfectly straight, gleamingly white teeth. Admiring the tiny dimples at the corner of his mouth. Admiring his absolute sea-green eyes.
Okay, there was no way I was sending this off to the magazine but at least for now, I could admire it.
I was happy for him but even the notion of feelings towards him made me feel a little queasy. He'd been the one toying with me all this time. They all had. It made me sick to my stomach to think that I trusted them. To think that I let him into my house and I went into his.
After taking another load of photographs, I snuck away, fearing that if I stayed any longer I wouldn't be able to keep up this distant act. And I had to. I just had to.
~xXx~
Annabeth POV
Friday 22nd October
Today was a new day. I was casually making my way through the parking lot, comfortable in the knowledge that the Adderall was kicking in now and I'd be able to get through the day without fainting. I'd pulled another all-nighter last night, meaning I basically hadn't slept all week but I needed to get my work done and besides, sleep is overrated.
I dressed up nice for today. I'd even stolen some of Helen's make up to look better than usual. I figured if I was going to keep this act up, I may as well go all out. I wore concealer, mascara a brown-pink eyeshadow blend and a nude pink lip. As for clothes, I wore a pair of faded light grey skinny jeans with a thin black studded belt, a white cashmere jumper with a white lace bralette poking out and then a pink blush suede moto jacket on top with black heeled ankle boots and a number of silver rings and necklaces to finish off the look.
A thrill rushed through me. Jolting and pulsing through my veins like electricity. I felt alive. Like nothing could touch me. And for the first time in my life, I felt good, I felt pretty. Whether that was just the drugs messing with my head, I didn't particular care about right now.
So there I was, idly going about my daily business with naïve feelings of security because the table wasn't just about to get turned—the table was just about to get flipped upside down entirely.
~xXx~
After registration, I was making my way back down the corridor towards my locker. The corridor was busy but there was at least space to walk. When I was a few metres away from my locker, I realised it was already being opened…by Mr. Walker.
"Hey! That's my locker!" I shouted, rushing over but someone else held me back. A man dressed in black with a badge on his belt and a gun strapped to his hip. It took me a few seconds to realise what was going on and once I did, I had a mini heart attack.
"Sorry miss, this is standard procedure." The cop said, making sure that I stood a few steps back while Mr Walker opened my locker for the other two cops; one male, one female. And as the whole corridor secretly watched, they pried their way into my life by going through all my things—all my organised folders and papers. The woman even started going through the photos of me and my friends that I'd been keeping in there, ones of me and Percy and Piper and Silena and all the rest.
"Hey, those are mine!" I protested but she ignored me rudely and continued rummaging through my stuff and messing up the order. "What are you doing? There's nothing remotely interesting in there." I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms as an act. Maybe if I played it cool nothing more would happen. Besides, there was nothing in my locker. The pills were in—oh Gods—they were in my backpack…which was hanging over the back of my shoulder. I gulped, trying to keep a straight face. I couldn't crack. Not here. Not now.
Gods, where's Percy when you need him. He'd know what to do in this kind of situation. He'd probably done it a million times. He always knows what to do. I was starting to think it probably would have been smarter to turn around and run when I saw the cops, rather than marching up to demand what they were doing. It was the pills—the pills that were making me so ignorant.
Eventually, they shut my locker and I smiled secretively. But before I knew it, the cops were asking for my bad and I couldn't exactly say 'hell no'. My heart skidded in my chest and I felt the raging panic running through my veins as they opened the zip.
What more could I do than wait for the inevitable?
Song Tribute: [Bad Things – Meiko] - (so I frickin' love this song and it's perfect for the scene and of course the chapter name)
Then the female cop pulled out the orange pot of pills and a load of gasps and whispers filled the corridor. "Annabeth Chase." The woman said, and I knew what was to come. "You are under arrest for the illegal possession of Adderall on school premises."
I went into some sort of state of shock, as the guy pulled my arms behind my back and cuffed my wrists. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't blink or move my lips. All I could do was listen to my pounding heart over the muffled murmur of the cop's voice, reading my rights.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish."
Then they were walking me away, through the corridor and I just stared at the floor in shock. My vision was going in and out. Black spots covered everything. It felt as though I might faint but instead I just slowly walked through the busy corridor, passed all the students, watching in astonishment as the good girl got arrested.
When I looked up, timidly, I could see the popular group staring with horrified looks on their faces. Silena looked as though she was about to cry, Thalia was utterly speechless, they all were and then my eyes landed on Percy. He looked good as always in black jeans, a light grey jumper underneath his black leather jacket and his white converses.
He had mixed emotions in his eyes; anger, shock, confusion but mostly panic. Definitely panic. He lurched forward, as we neared them, trying to get to me but Jason and Grover darted after him, grabbing his arm and shoulders, and holding him back.
"Annabeth!" He spluttered. A lump formed in my throat. What if I never saw him again? I could see my fear reflecting in his eyes but neither of us did anything. Neither of us could. He struggled in their grip but they held him back firmly.
"Let me go!" He protested. "Annabeth!" He cried again. "Wait! There must be some mistake! She's never done drugs in her life!"
Of course, the cops ignored him and I just averted my eyes shamefully because he was wrong. The Annabeth he knew was gone. Then I glanced at Piper and felt something different. She reacted different to the others. She was shocked and worried, yes, but there was something else there. Something else entirely and it took me a moment to realise what it was.
Guilt. It was guilt. Her eyes were lifeless and she kept her head down a little, looking up through her hair a little to meet my eyes.
As soon as she did, something clicked and I realised…someone had had to have snitched for this to have happened. Someone would have had to have called the police. And it was Piper. She had seen me with Clara. She had been the one to tell me to stop and, apparently, when I didn't, she'd called the cops on me. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't angry, just shocked. Hurt even. She'd lied about Percy and now this. She'd gone just about as far as betrayal goes.
"Piper." I gasped in shock and all the populars turned to her.
"I'm sorry, Annabeth." She whispered. "I—"
"Give Clara my regards." I smirked, cutting her off and with that I walked away, head high. Then I relaxed my shoulders and held my form as I strutted down the corridor. I think I even smirked at Drew, Rachel and Calypso as I passed them. Even they were made speechless by this whole thing.
What? I'd already passed the red line of psycho bitch. May as well live up to the role.
As I was escorted down the stone steps, I looked up and caught a glimpse of a black car at the far end of the car park. And there he was—standing there. Rafael, in dark clothes and a black leather jacket with a smirk on his face and his hands in his pockets. He was watching me get arrested and he was enjoying it. Almost as if he was watching me turn into him and that terrified me.
At that moment, I felt disgust in myself. I'd allowed myself to turn into this. To turn into him. I'd let myself become this unforgivable monstrous thing. I wish I'd never even swallowed one of those stupid pills, I screamed in my head as my eyes began to tear up a little.
Then the cops were ducking my head into the back of the police car and I was being driven away to the station. One year in county jail. That's what was going through my head. One whole year in that horrible place, away from my friends, away from my family. Away from Percy. To say that I was terrified, would be a serious understatement.
What had I done?
~xXx~
The police couldn't get hold of any family members for me, well I wasn't really surprised, so I was put straight in a cell at the station. And for a while I just sat there, thinking about how I'd just ruined my entire life over the span of three, tiny, insignificant days.
They left me in here for hours and as the clock ticked by each minute, my ugly thoughts festered inside me more and more. It was the other me talking. The one who took the pills. It was the addiction speaking. Without the pills, nearby, for me to pop, I was starting to get agitated. I started fidgeting and shaking with anticipation. If only I wasn't wearing make-up right now, people would really see what these pills were doing to me. I hadn't really slept in four days and I was just so tired.
Back to my festering thoughts. I told myself it was the pills talking but that didn't stop me from being shocked at myself for thinking such things. I was angry at Piper for putting me in here—away from the Adderall. It was her fault that I couldn't take them anymore. It was her fault that I was in here. In fact, it was hers, Silena's and Percy's. They all lied to me for weeks. They abused my trust and manipulated me all this time. It was their betrayal that pushed me over the edge and forced me to do this to myself. They put me in here. They got me arrested. It was all their fault. Their fault. Their fault! THEIR FAULT!
…my fault.
Suddenly, I heard the clatter of keys opening the cell door and it creaked loudly as the officer stepped inside.
"You're up kid." He said and I sighed as I slowly stood up, still in handcuffs, and let him escort me to another room. It was exhausting for me to even walk now. I barely recognised my own body. It was like it was failing me—refusing to work. My mind was all I had left and even that didn't work properly.
I think the overdose was messing with my head. I didn't admit this to myself before but I had a serious problem here. This morning I woke up sitting at Mrs Miller, the old lady who's house I'd been cleaning's, breakfast counter in my pyjamas, no idea of when or even how I'd ended up there. Let's just say she got a pretty big fright. I think I looked like a walking dead person. When I thought about it more and more, I realised that taking those pills was a big mistake.
I slumped down into the metal chair sitting behind a metal desk in an interrogation room. Then the officer left me and things were quiet for a while but my mind was whirring away like a laptop with too many tabs and programs open at once.
For a moment, I just glanced around the room idly. The idea of me being sent to jail right now was so preposterous that I almost tricked myself into the secure sense that this was all some sort of misunderstanding and they would release me so I could go back to school and get on with my studies. I was Goode High's best student for Christ's sake, there's no way that I'd be as stupid as to take Adderall on the school premises.
I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked completely normal in my nice clothes and pristine makeup but it was the eyes that gave it away. The eyes always speak for the soul. When you looked in them with great care, you would notice that something was not quite right, like I was slowly fading away from the inside out. Like something was eating away at me. And soon there would be nothing of me left in this body, just a lifeless, mindless girl who forgot who she used to be and who she wanted to be.
The feeling made me shudder and then there was a loud ringing sound in my ears that made me wince. I shut my eyes tightly and touched my right eyelid with the base of my palm, trying to breathe away the noise and ignore the fact that my wrists were still handcuffed together. Then I pressed the side of my index finger to the bridge of my nose and sighed as I slowly opened my eyes and dropped my hand.
I gasped at the sight that greeted me in the mirror. Of course, it wasn't a mirror, there were people watching me the other side of it, but the image I was looking at took my thoughts away from that idea for now. It was like the whole room, me included, had been transformed into a black-and-white 1940s film noir era.
I looked down at myself at my hands which now had long, fancy painted fingernails. Everything about me had changed. I looked like some fancy 1940s women in a black silk strapless dress, a black silk ribbon choker around my neck and a big diamond bracelet on my left wrist. I felt heels on my feet and there were fancy diamond dangle earrings poking out from my hair.
Now my hair was really something to look at, it had a big curl at the top and those long glossy waves flowing down the shoulders that women of the era were famous for. My make-up was done perfectly and though I couldn't see what lip colour I had on because everything was in black and white, I could tell that it was a dark shade.
When I looked down, my hands were no longer handcuffed together and I sighed in relief, grateful for the freedom I never thought I'd lose. There was a big black hat sitting on the table in front of me, one of those floppy ones that you could pull the edge down to hide your face and still have the rest neatly sitting atop your head.
Out of curiosity, I picked the thing up and gently placed it on my head. It was a snug fit, almost as if it was mine and gave my black and white character some mystery to her. I think, dare I say, I looked quite pretty. Very fancy and sophisticated but definitely pretty. I looked like Hedy Lemarr, the American film actress, in this outfit.
Okay, something really weird was going on here.
"You've been holding out on me." A voice came, low and mysterious and my head shot up. A figure was standing in the left-hand corner of the room, out of sight. I hadn't noticed him before. Had he been standing there all along? I could see the slight colour of his coat and the faint outline of his hat but everything else about him was too dark to see. I couldn't even see his face.
Then he stepped into the light and I recognised him instantly. "Percy?" I murmured, looking up at him in shock. What was he doing here?
He was wearing a Film Noir detective costume with the famous coat and fedora hat with one hand in his pocket. There was a lit cigarette between his fingers and the smoke was floating off it like silk. I would've laughed at the scene but he looked good. Really good. Good enough to make me utterly speechless.
"You're going to tell me everything you know, Miss Chase." He spoke firmly.
"About what?"
"About Clara!" He scowled. "Don't play with me. This isn't a game anymore."
"I don't know what you're talking about." I murmured, looking down.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." He said, taking off his coat to reveal a dark suit with thin white stripes and coming over to stand the other side of the table. "There's something you're not telling me and you know it."
"You're just going to have to trust me." I told him.
"Trust you." He scoffed. "Do you even trust yourself anymore?"
"There's nothing wrong with me." I answered back defensively.
"The pills Annabeth!" He said, shutting me up. "You've been taking the pills and you know it. Everybody knows it. Don't lie to me." This was starting to feel like a real interrogation now, and the offence was none other than the person I was in love with.
"They help me focus, that's all they do."
"Really?" He said bluntly taking a puff of his cigarette before he put it out. "Mrs. Miller reported that you had broken into her house early this morning, while still in your nightgown. This is true, is it not?"
"Yes but—"
"And you were completely unaware of where you were or how you ended up there?"
"Yes but—"
"Seems a little out of focus to me, don't you agree?" He eyed me interrogatively, trying to pry into the windows of my eyes that might give him the answer he wanted.
"I didn't break in. I clean for her some days." I replied quietly.
"You clean for her." He scoffed. "Seems as though you can't even clean yourself up nowadays."
"How dare you stand there and insult me!" I said, getting to my feet. "You are no better than I? You wanna talk about lies, then why don't we talk about yours for starters?"
He took a breath, straightening up. "I'm not the one who's committed the crime here, miss. It's my job to get to the bottom of this." He said more formally now. "Take a seat." He said but it sounded like a command and to my surprise I responded immediately, sinking back down into my chair shamefully.
"What were you doing at Mrs. Miller's house this morning?" He said, taking his hat off and tossing it onto the table by his coat.
"I don't remember, okay!" I blurted.
He sighed. "All those pills, Annabeth, they're not good for you." He shook his head. "Why did you take them? You don't need pills to help you focus, you're a smart woman. Why result to this? Why Annabeth? Tell me why!"
"I don't know okay?" I rubbed my forehead. "I'm just tired."
"Where did you get them?"
"From Clara, okay? Everyone knows you get them from Clara."
"That's not what you said before."
"Well, I was confused."
"Confused about telling me who you got the pills from or confused about telling me the truth?"
"Just confused." I said in an irritated manner.
He smiled, straightening up and beginning to circle the room around me. "Secrets aren't just secrets, Annabeth. They're weapons. Things you keep in your pocket 'til you need them. We both know that."
"I know something else too." I murmured, staring at my hands clutched together tightly. "If you keep things secret long enough, they eventually come back to hurt you or the people you get involved with." I turned to look up at him and he flinched. "I've been the girl people lied to and kept secrets from for years…and I cracked. I saw a way out and I took it. Can you really blame me, Mr Jackson?" I looked up at him with soft eyes and he sighed beginning to circle back around to the front of the table.
"All the lies and manipulation and the bullying were just nurturing this monster inside me. They were just feeding the beast. I wasn't born this way. The world made me this way. You made me this way."
"You're not a monster." He said softly but I looked away, averting my eyes from his beautiful ones. But it was a shame things were black and white, it meant I couldn't see that pretty sea-green colour.
Then he came to sit atop the desk beside me and my heart skipped from the proximity. Yes, he was interrogating me, but his alpha male act was strangely alluring.
"You know how to get out of this, don't you?" He asked.
"I don't actually." I murmured back, my head sinking as I fiddled with my bracelet.
"Well think and think fast because those men are gonna come in any second and take you away."
"Let them."
"Think Annabeth!"
"I don't wanna think! I'm so tired of thinking, I just wanna sleep." I moaned, tearing up a little now as I took my hat off and dropped my head. I sniffled, wiping underneath my eyes.
I heard Percy sigh and then lift his hands out of his pockets. He slowly came over and took my shoulders in his hands as he gently pulled me to my feet. I let out a whimper, wanting nothing more than to just be in his arms right now and I let him hold me in place with his palms lightly resting upon my two shoulders.
"Let me help you, Wise Girl." He murmured. "No more secrets, from now on, we're in this together. Always and forever."
After a breathless pause, I nodded slowly. He smiled softly, slipping his hands down to my waist and pulling me closer. I gasped, feeling my whole-body shiver with anticipation and then he leaned down to kiss me. Softly and sweetly. But just before our lips could touch, the hallucination dissipated.
That loud ringing noise sounded again and I pressed my hand to my face. When I opened my eyes, I was sitting back down in the interrogation room again. Percy was gone and I could see in colour once more. I was in my normal clothes and every trace of a 1940s black and white film was gone.
I let out a deep breath. Then the door opened and an officer stepped inside. "Annabeth Chase," he smiled coming over to stand the other side of the table, "I'm detective Grahams but you can call me Eddie."
"I wanna talk to a lawyer." I said, implying that he could cut the bullshit. I didn't speak again after that.
(I figured the swearing would be a good side effect of the pills, it'll go away afterwards)
~xXx~
Time past in the cell but it felt longer than it had actually been. When the metal door creaked open, the same officer was standing in its way. I looked up at him wearily. "You're free to go." He said and I stared at him for a moment.
"I am?" I breathed.
"Someone else confessed to the ownership of the pills. You better leave before he changes his mind."
"He?" I murmured but I got up all the same and walked out the cell before I got locked in there forever.
The officer escorted me through the corridor, past individual offices and secret investigation rooms. He'd uncuffed me now and I was starting to feel the sense of relief washing over me. That went away quickly though when I looked to my left, through the glass wall into the lobby. There were desks stacked with paper work and busy police officers answering calls and emails. People were rushing around the place with coffee cups and folders in their hands like they had something important to do.
My eyes landed on him instantly like they were designed to automatically find him in a massive crowd because he was everything to me. Even now, he was all that mattered. He was sitting at a desk with an officer, speaking to him and all of a sudden, he was brought to his feet and his hands were handcuffed behind his back. It was at that moment that I realised he was willingly taking the fall for me. He probably thought that with his ADHD, he'd get off more easily. After everything that had happened he would still do this for me.
"No…" I gasped. The heart-sinking feeling came later, because for now I just felt the rush of panic running through my veins. My heart went from nought to sixty in a matter of seconds as I ran up to the glass screaming his name desperately.
"PERCY!"
I'd never said his name, aloud, more meaningfully than I did right there and then because I'd never wanted him to hear my voice before as much as I did now.
Song Tribute: [You Forgot your 18th Birthday – Ralf Wengenmayr]
I pressed my hands hard up against the glass. His head turned. Then our eyes met. He looked sad while he gave me a half smile, as though he had little faith in life right now but he still had the strength to do this. To save me one last time.
The officer started walking him away now but he kept his head turned to look at me. I bashed against the glass as if I could break through to him. "PERCY NO! HOW COULD YOU?" I screamed definingly loudly. The whole office was well aware of our interaction now and the officer, behind me, had to grab and lift me into the air to take me away.
Percy looked at me all the same; sad, distraught, a little weary. He didn't make any attempts to escape from the officers taking him away but he did say something. Obviously, I couldn't hear him from all the way over here, but I could read his lips. "I'm sorry."
"DON'T YOU DO THIS!" I shouted, thrashing at the officer now as he started to back up and carry me along with him. "I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU! PERCY!" And with that, he turned his back to me, with a heavy heart and while he was escorted around the corner, the officer dragged me away too. I struggled and writhed in his grip, desperate to get to Percy, but there was no use. My efforts were meaningless. He was gone.
I no longer had the energy to fight back anymore. I just felt my heart slowing in my chest like I had just been sedated and suddenly my whole body felt weak like liquid metal was flowing sluggishly through my veins, draining my energy. The worst state I'd ever been in.
~xXx~
Well, that escalated quickly...
Lol, you guys thought I was gonna put my baby girl in jail, didn't you? Of course I wouldn't do that! Memories Annabeth is my pride and joy ;)
Sorry for the maaaajor cliff-hanger but the next update will be up in like 3 days so I hope that's not too long to wait ;)
So I got a little bit of inspo from PLL for this chapter. Mainly because I know absolutely nothing about Adderall and I needed to get some realistic information about how people behave when they abuse it. Hopefully you spotted a couple of references in there.
As I said, this is the last chapter that will feature Annabeth's semi addiction (I wouldn't call it a full one because it's only been 3 days). Chapter 6 and every chapter after is all about her finally finding out who she is, who she wants to be, whose side she's on and so forth.
I'm also super super happy to announce that Mama Chase will be in chapter 6! So look out for Athena ;)
Katie Rollings - I totally get you on that. I know it seems very sudden and strange but it does fit in, I promise. Read this chapter and you'll understand why. No, no you didn't insult me at all. It's your opinion and everyone's opinions are valid on ff. Your prediction isn't entirely accurate, Percy does do something, stupid and brave and heart-wrenchingly adorable to protect Annabeth but it's mainly about Annabeth saving herself - pulling herself out of the storm on her own accord. I made it so that the Adderall makes her strong side come out and that's all. I swear :)) Thanks for being honest 3
Chameleon dancer - Yeah, I've been feeling much better lately and I'm on top of my work which is good. Your advice was super helpful by the way so thank you!
Ingrid Tanner - Yes, I'm from England. Don't worry, they'll be together soon!
KriKri - Lol, sorry bubs. Next chapter is much lighter and happier, I promise. For GCSE's, I took History, Geography and Art as well as all the standard subjects like Maths and English. What did you take? Oh and thank for the review xox
Don'tDrinkThat - OMGGG thank you so so much, you're review made my absolute day! I can't believe you binged the whole thing, you deserve an award because I overwrite chapters ALL the time, lol. I love that you like the character development and the friendship. I just love that you love my story actually. Thanks for the lovely review 3
Grave Walkers - So, I'd like to start off by saying I love love love long reviews and yours was one of the absolute best! It's kinda nice to hear the details about what I actually got right for once in a written story, lol. Thank you so much for accidentally stumbling across my story and leaving your review, it made me smile so much. I'm super happy that you like Rafael because a lot of people don't and I just absolutely love him despite everything wrong with his mind. Ch. 31 was one of my favourites to write btw :)) Oh and thanks for liking the music as well. I know, Hear You Me is such a beautiful song, I can't even. Thanks again - AWG
Alex vanhuson - Hi, thank you so much for the review. I update every sunday (sometimes wednesday as well if I can squeeze it in) so check back every week for new chapters. Aaaaww, a nobel prize, no way but thank you so much! YES. Thank you for understanding that. The kiss is super important to me and I hate rushing into things. Oh and I am 100% using that quote, later on, thanks.
Marethyu-in-Tartarus - Hahahaha, I'm glad you liked though. Thank you sooooooo much! You're totally awesome
tiwari2041 - Hahahha, oops, hope I didn't make you stay up all night ;) I agree, Drew deserved so much worse but I got carried away with the whole sexual tension between them for some reason - kinda of the idea that she wants him but can never have him. Maybe I'll make her suffer some more later on, who knows. Oh and Athena will be in the next chapter btw.
See you on Seaweed Brain Sunday everyone!
Lots of love,
AWG xx