~ Hey Angels ~
Welcome back to Seaweed Brain Sunday.
Long time no see. I could apologise but I've probably done that about 50 times now so I'll just say that I've missed you guys and that I'm happy to be back again.
I've missed writing like crazy! I really have.
A lot of you are mad at me and you expressed that very clearly in the review section which was disheartening but I guess I understand. It's not nice having to wait for things on ff because you never know what the author's doing or planning to do.
Your girl's been super busy graduating from secondary school, going to prom, clubbing for the first time and thinking about what I'm gonna do with the rest of my life now that I am totally free!
I was actually supposed to post on Wednesday 4th July but I couldn't get my editing done in time and I was off on a flight to Spain that day. So yeah, that put everything on hold for a while but I'm back now :)
I wanted to say thank you to everyone for all the Birthday wishes! I had a really great day and opened some really lovely presents which included...wait for it...a record player! I'm so happy. '1975' vinyls here I come! Wooo!
Now for review responses. My apologies, some of these are old because, as you know, I haven't been too good at responding to as many as I used to lately. There are loads more at the end btw. Sorry for the extra scrolling...
dreamcatcher105 - Aaaaw thank you! I can't believe my writing is 'eloquent', I'm beyond smiley right now. I really did try to create a raw sense of emotion in this story by drawing from my own emotions so thank you for noticing that. I definitely agree with you, my writing has improved massively since that train-wreck of a chapter 1. I can't believe you've read Memories and Dreams 3 times, I'm flattered! Oh and I'm really glad you like my music taste.
Prince Mal - I am not going to let your short but sweet review disappear amongst the crowd because it honestly put the biggest smile on my face. I love hearing about the emotions my readers go through when they read my story because I'm always wondering. I'm glad it made you sad and angry at times, and laugh at others. So thank you!
BookFanFiction - Hey girl! If you've been MIA then I've been non-existant! Haha. Thank you so so much lovey, I do my best do Uncle Rick proud lol. I know, it's been tough and I hate hate making you guys wait for updates but we're in the summer holidays now so I'll probably be bringing back weekly updates ;) I hope you're finals went okay or that they're going okay or that they will go okay. ~ Love, AWG
Lily L. Lovegood - Love yooouu! Lucky gal, living in Spain. Wish I could join you and your effortlessly glowing, tanned people. I must have missed the mean comment but thanks for trying to protect me from it. Mwah! P.S for some reason, ff doesn't like the arrangement of your username so I added an extra space.
Hermione Historia Chase - NOOOOOO! Don't die! I will cry. Hehe, story for almost killing you with my absence...I've been absent a lot lately. Oops. Sorry! But school is over and weekly updates might just be coming your way ;) Love you you gorgeous girly! xx
BethnPercy - Aaaahh, thank you so much! Of course I respond to readers, how could I not? You're all so lovely :) Hahaha yes, that teaser was pretty much 99% fluff, you deserved it! On your unrelated note, I totally agree; seeing a fangirl dying from percabeth on the new would be well funny. And don't worry, the big brother relationship (mainly with Jason and Annabeth) isn't going anywhere. Looool, you're funny, I'll try to make Percy struggle with it for you ;) Aaaaww you really make my day my lovely little reader.
Queen of Wolves - HEY GIRL! Aaaaww, thank you for getting your friend into Memories too, that means so much to me! :) The hospital scene was really fun to write. Hahaha, yes majorly late question but no worries at all. Annabeth suffered from repressed memories which is when people unconsciously block memories due to them being associated with a high level of stress or trauma, i.e losing her childhood love. So it was her technically all her doing but she didn't know she was doing it. Oh and my exams went okay, thanks for asking, I'm just glad they're all over now. ~ Love, AWG
abidoodle.e - YOOOUUUU! I love you. Hahaha, yeah the legal drinking age is one of the perks about living in the UK ;) I'm glad you liked the chapter teaser, I thought it was high time I gave you a happy, fluffy one to put a smile on your face. OMG, I love The 1975 and OneRepublic SO MUCH like *sigh*. I'm also really glad you like Annabeth's relationship with her brothers, I wanted to make it cute. Lol, I know, you gave me all those epic songs that would have fitted dark Percy so well and now he's gone away. But don't worry I am fitting in 'I'll Be Good' and possibly 'Haze' and 'Hell' somewhere. Thanks for the song suggestions, though I'm pretty sure I've already used 'Ocean Eyes' somewhere. LOVE YOU ~ AWG
PersonOfInterest - Oh My God. Hahaha, I hope you've been getting some more sleep lately! I apologise on behalf of Memories and Dreams for keeping you up but I'm glad you enjoyed them. Also, lol, sorry for cutting you off mid-chapter. Hehe. Another 1975/OneRepublic lover, all I can say is that you are a very VERY sensible child! Sorry for the infuriation this story as given you but thanks for all the lovely reviews and support, I can't thank you enough! Now get some sleep ;)
Penny - Thank you for always understanding my messy updating schedule and for supporting me. My birthday was lovely thank you and I hope this year is wonderful for you too! I do consider making Memories a book occasionally, I'd love to have it to hold in my hands but I'm scared...you know? ~ Love, AWG xx
sallybubbles - Aaw, thanks girly! Really? I wasn't expecting it to be Hal at all! And yes, Hiram can go die in a hole for all I care. God, he makes me wanna punch something like, urgh. He adds nothing but irritation to the Tv series like get rid of him already. Boring! I thought Archie getting arrested was so cliche like stawwp. Hahahahahha, that GCSE to A-Level switch reference could not be any more true! Because the jump is real. GCSE is a walk in the park compare to A Levels. Love you.
LittleMissReader - You're honestly so cute like, aah. *air hug* You can keep the book recommendations coming, it's summer, I'm free from school and can finally start reading books I actually like! ~ Love, AWG
SelfieAddict - HAHAHAHA I honestly live for your ALL-IN-CAPS reviews, they make my day. I'm glad you're happy now and that I'm off the hook, lol, you deserved an all-fluff chappie! I'dd do my best to keep the writing up and to get updates to you much quicker now ~ AWG
wisegirl4kelphead - Aaaaww, thank you so much and welcome to the Memories family, I hope you're here to stay, we're all very welcoming and friendly here. Lol. I'm really glad you've like my stories so far ~ Love, AWG
Kitty - Hahaha, nope, definitely not frozen in a ditch somwhere. I'm all good! I know, Annabeth has changed DRAMATICALLY! It's so weird, even for me. But I can do so many more things with her character now which is nice. Aaaww you're so welcome girly!
Percabeth lover - Couldn't have said it better myself, girl. Aw, you're proud of me, that could actually make me cry. Thank you! Oh and I do love a protective Percy ;)
- A (Guest) - Your review was so cute, honestly. Oh and yes, you're right, Connor does like Annabeth. Thank you so so much, I'm glad my story feel real. I won't die ~ AWG
ANYWAYS! The chapter! I made some edits so idk if you want to read it again from the beginning, your choice. Sorry if it's crappy, I had some pretty bad writer's block with this one.
I was kinda stuck with the numbering of this chapter because it's technically chapter 18 but now it's chapter 19 on FF. So that's annoying but oh well. Enjoy the rest of chapter 18...now numbered chapter 19 ;)
Chapter 19
First Day Feels
Annabeth POV
Monday 2nd May
Red. Amber. Greenlight. Go.
"Will you two sit back and stop fighting! I can't concentrate on driving with you shouting at each other." I yelled at my brothers.
I was driving them to school today in the new car my mother bought. It was the exact same make as my old one; white Audi R8 convertible. A standard Toyota or Ford would have been perfectly fine but as always, she insisted.
It was nerve-racking at first; driving. Considering what happened last time that is. A chill had run up my spine the moment I laid my hands on the wheel but it was something I needed to get over. Something I needed to accept— that Luke was gone, Rafael was gone and Silena was too.
Wherever she is up there…she's okay. She's happy. And someday—someday I'll see her again.
OneRepublic was playing on the radio as Bobbie and Matthew sat back laughing to themselves. I rolled my eyes, turning the radio up to their delight as they started jamming out. These days, I was trying to teach them about good music, not the trash you hear in the charts these days. If they were going to learn anything in their troublesome lives, it was going to be to choose OneRepublic over Drake and The 1975 over Post Malone.
A 45-minute drive from our home in Long Island and we were in Manhattan, pulling up outside the boy's school. I helped Bobbie put on his backpack and held his hand to the door with Matthew kicking a football up ahead. They were both five now and growing up way too fast. They wouldn't be in pre-K forever. Next, it's Kindergarten, then 1st grade, then Middle school and before I know it, they'll be in college!
"Alright, have you both got your lunches?" I asked, crouching in front of them as we stood in the classroom doorway.
My musky-pink suede skirt hugged my upper thighs. Tucked inside was a loosely fitted white top that stretched the full length of my arms before flowing outwards at the ends, peplum style. The two peplum layers had black curly lettuce edges that fell below my wrists in a delicate fashion.
They both nodded. "Amara made us chocolate chip cookies." Matthew grinned.
"Maybe you can give some to the other kids then."
"Okay." Bobbie smiled innocently.
"But I don't want to." Matthew sulked.
"Mattie, sharing with others is how you make friends."
"But why should I if they're mine?"
"It shows compassion if you're willing to give something of yours to someone else."
"Alright." He sighed.
"Good boy." I smiled, touching his cheek. "Now, both of you have a good day at school and try not to cause too much trouble."
"We don't cause trouble." Matthew grinned, grabbing his brother's arm and pulling him into the classroom.
"Bye Annie!" Bobbie smiled, giving me a wave and I smiled, waving back to him.
Song Tribute: [Something I Need – OneRepublic] - (can't remember who requested this one, sorry)
For a moment, I stayed put, watching them greeting their friends with full-blown grins on their faces. Oh, to be young and free and innocent… Seems so long ago that that was me. I smiled at them, feeling my heart spread with warmth. I never knew I could love two people this much.
When the teacher called the class together, I stood up and walked down the corridor to the exit. The sun was burning hot today, gleaming against the shiny cars parked outside. A golden halo seemed to hover over everything, drowning the earth in brilliant sunlight. There's a bit of pathetic fallacy for you, Miss Dodds.
Pulling down my sunglasses, I climbed into the car and drove away. A blissful smile danced across my lips as I thought about what would be waiting for me at School.
About who would be waiting for me.
It was busy when I pulled into Goode car park and spent a minute or two trying to find a space. I cut the engine, pulling out my keys and gently brushing a finger across the silver 'P' attached to it. The clasp of my necklace had broken over the weekend. It wasn't surprising really; I'd been wearing that thing every day since I was eight. I'd been upset about it for a while but eventually found a suitable solution by keeping it as a key-chain because I take my keys everywhere with me.
The car door opened with a satisfying thud and my white converses touched hot tarmac. It was a nice feeling; the sunlight touching the skin of my golden-tanned legs and settling in the light blonde curls of my hair. Summer really could not have come any sooner.
People stared, they usually did now but my social anxiety was like a distant memory. Not that it didn't make me uncomfortable but it no longer made me want to curl up into a ball and die.
It was odd thinking I used to be like that; so scared of interaction that I emotionally cut myself off from the world. But everything's changed since then. I'm a completely different person.
Besides, being Percy Jackson's girlfriend isn't exactly keeping it low-key, is it?
The stares never went away these days and often turned into greetings. Waves of the hand, friendly smiles, even shouts of my name. A couple of months ago, my name was unknown to everyone in High School, now it was branded across the school magazine and echoing through the corridors.
I'd never understand it.
But my life seemed to fascinate everyone. I had been this quiet nobody—a nerd with no friends and suddenly I was hanging around with the popular people and dropping out of school to go work at one of the most famous companies in New York City. Not to mention my mother is the semi-famous Athena. They all found it absolutely fascinating.
As I walked, holding a stylish black handbag down by my side, I could see the others halfway across the car park. All ten of them were gathered around a large circular table outside the front entrance, shielded by a dark blue parasol. Some of them sitting, some of them standing behind; arms looped around someone. Starbucks coffees and smoothies dotted the surface and an endless chorus of laughter and chatter filled the air.
It was the kind of laughter that made everyone want to join in and be part of the group.
My eyes scanned the table before settling on Percy. He was sitting in the centre, sipping from an iced coffee straw, his hair swept back like a surfer's, slightly shorter at the sides. How he managed to make it look like that without any product in it, I'd never know. There was a glint in his eyes and he was smiling softly at Piper. She was telling everyone something and he was looking at her like she was the most important thing in the world.
I loved how much he loved her. How much he loved all his friends.
Suddenly, he glanced up and saw me. A brilliant smile flashed across his cheeks, blinding me, as he instantly set his coffee down. I couldn't help but smile back as I jingled my keys down by my left side and held my bag at my right elbow.
It felt like all the heavens coming together, seeing him again.
He shot up, cupping his mouth to shout, "hey babaayy!"
The others almost jumped out of their skin, staring at him and then turning to look at me. He hardly seemed to care, leaping out from the circular bench and crossing the stretch of cream tiled patio.
He looked absolutely gorgeous. It was hard to believe that the girl he was calling to was me. He wore black jeans, a white T-shirt and an unbuttoned light grey shirt that perfectly offset his jet black hair. He'd rolled the sleeves to his elbows and looked effortlessly cool with those black high tops that were white at the bottom.
"Wooo!" He cried.
I felt embarrassed instantly but I couldn't help smiling as I lifted my sunglasses to the top of my head. The others were all grinning or laughing as he began to walk across the car park towards me with a smile that never left his face.
"Daaamn!" He cried as he looked me up and down, drawing attention from the whole parking lot.
"Percy stop!" I pleaded but I was smiling uncontrollably and blushing like the old Annabeth.
He met my eyes, placing a hand to his heart and jolting backwards as though he'd been shot. Then he sank to his knees dramatically.
"You're killing me, Chase!"
I rolled my eyes. "Gods, you are so—"
"Sexy?" He cut me off with a smirk. "Totally gorgeous? Unbelievably attractive?"
"Annoying." I frowned as I finally reached him. "I was going for annoying."
"Annoyingly handsome?" He asked innocently.
I rolled my eyes, dropping my keys in my bag and bending down to smooth my fingers through his hair. I'd never get tired of doing that. I pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
"That too." I whispered.
He grinned, getting to his feet to hold me closer. I felt his hands at my waist and then a shaky breath on my lips. He leaned down to kiss me deeply as he carefully brushed my hair behind my ear. His lips felt soft and warm. And when he broke and looked at me with those sea-green eyes, I felt myself blissfully melting away.
His eyes scanned my face, darting across my features quickly. I moved to look away nervously but he stopped me.
"Wait." He said, brushing his fingers over my ear and through my hair again. "I want to take this sight in. So I can picture your face when I'm not with you."
My lips parted into a bright smile. "Percy." I giggled.
"What?" He smiled cheekily. "Am I making your heart beat faster?"
I nodded, giggling again.
"Am I really?" He grinned, his voice going up a key.
"Yeah but I always feel like that when I'm around you." I told him easily.
He exhaled hard, covering his mouth for a second as he stepped back. "Oh, you're good." He eyed me, motioning that his own heart was beating faster now too.
I smiled proudly at him. "Just you wait. I'm going to make you suffer."
"Oh, you already do. I'm in pain constantly."
I laughed softly. "Come on, Seaweed Brain. You can't be late for class on your first day back." I smiled, grabbing his arm and moving to drag him to the entrance.
Immediately, he pulled away my grip from his bicep and repositioned it in his hand. For a moment, I looked down at our hands entwined together, wondering how they had come to wind up there and thinking about just how incredibly right it felt. Then I gazed up at him.
"Keep your hand right here, okay?" He said, holding up our hands. "And don't ever do this with another guy."
I looked at him, feeling my heart swell like a balloon. A delicate smile lifted from the corners of my mouth and I nodded my head for him. It was a smile that expressed my wonderful, untouchable happiness right now. A smile that let him know that I would always hold this hand. And this hand only.
He smiled like he was satisfied with my answer. "Okay." He nodded once. "Let's go."
The other's were beginning to collect up their things for class and they walked over to happily greet me. It was the kind of greeting that told me everything was going to be okay now.
Maybe we were still hurting. And maybe we were still healing.
After all, we had gone through hell together. But it was times like these when there was nothing but smiles and laughs and light-hearted conversations that I realised, maybe everything could return back to normal. Maybe it wouldn't be the same but it would still be good.
And as long as I still had them and this hand to hold, I would be okay. I would never have to feel that kind of pain again.
I noticed Jason glancing at mine and Percy's hands closely entwined together, then he looked at me with those clear blue eyes and secretly gave me the warmest smile. My heart suddenly began to melt in my chest and it was in that moment that I realised just how much I adored him.
It's strange how things turned out the way they did. Before, I'd never suspect that losing Silena would bring me closer to everyone, especially the boys. Logically, it would have made me the closest to Piper or Beck or even Grover but it was Jason who had suddenly appeared from nowhere and cleared the clouds from my sky.
It was Jason who had protected me like I was his little sister. Jason who had half carried me to the nurse when my abdominal wound began to hurt in class. Jason who had driven me home when I was too weak to do it myself. And Jason who had held me tightly in his arms whenever the tears of missing Silena or Percy began to blur the corners of my eyes.
And I could never repay him for all things he's done for me. But I could start with smile.
The kind of smile that made his own one brighten until he looked away with something proud in his eyes.
The moment passed and we were swept up halfway into the group conversation; something about Leo's on-going grafting with Calypso and how much of an utter train-wreck it is watching him try to talk to her.
"I will have you know that I am cool as a cucumber whenever I talk to her." Leo motioned to sweeping his hair back. "You just gotta lay it on thick like whipped cream."
"What have you been reading lately?" Jason scoffed. "How to get a girl in 10 days?"
The others laughed.
"It's true! Girls like it when you lay it on thick."
"Leo, you don't know the first thing about girls." Piper rolled her eyes.
"True, but that's because you lot come from a different planet filled with like emotions and pink lip-gloss and fluffy stuff."
"You wanna say that one more time, repair boy?" Thalia squared him up in her head-to-toe black outfit with nothing fluffy about her at all.
"No." He squeaked, slowly sliding behind Jason.
"Don't act like you're not fascinated by the concept of lip gloss, Leo." Piper said.
"How do you even get it stay on? And how do you kiss someone with all that stickiness? It's beyond me." He said, genuinely astonished.
"Oh, don't start this again." Piper rolled her eyes.
Sometimes I really wonder what goes through that head of his.
"How did we even get onto this topic?" Beckendorf asked.
"Beats me." Percy shrugged. "What are we talking about?"
"Well, you would know if you learned to focus that ADHD brain of yours, Kelp Head." Thalia taunted at him, making a face.
"I know how to focus." He made a face back at her, then turned to look down at me with those glistening eyes. "I just choose what I focus on." He said simply but his tone was like melted chocolate and it was aimed entirely at me.
My face broke into a smile, "stooop iiit!" I whined, using my free hand to shove him away. The others all laughed and went "oooohhhhh", particularly Grover.
Percy grinned like a child, pulling me back over and hugging me tightly into his chest, refusing to let go. I sighed, rolling my eyes as my arms hung down by my sides.
"Now that's being cool as a cucumber." Grover smirked, ruffling Percy's hair.
"You're taking this boyfriend thing way too seriously." Jason stated.
"As seriously as you take your hair?" Percy teased.
Everyone cracked up at that because it was kind of true. Jason was the type of guy who would stop to check his hair in mirrors or in window reflections. He was like a walking Disney prince.
"Oh, you asked for it—" Jason lunged at him and they went chasing each other up the school steps like little boys. Percy, sniggering in front, was skipping two steps at a time with those long, athletic legs of his.
Piper and I rolled our eyes together, following behind them with the others close at our tail.
"Boys." She said.
"I think you mean children." I corrected her.
When we reached the top of the steps, the boys were having a moment. Percy's arms were wrapped around Jason's shoulders from behind and they were swaying happily together, waiting for us.
"The bromance is real." Piper scoffed.
"Sickeningly real." Thalia added. "Get a room."
"Just point us in the right direction." Percy grinned.
Jason sniggered, holding Percy's arms around him. Thalia motioned vomiting while the boys cracked up in the background. Piper rolled her eyes, marching over to tear the two lovers away from one another.
"You'll never keep us apart!" Jason cried dramatically as she dragged him through the double doors.
Percy snorted, tousling his hair and looking back at me. I smiled at him before moving to walk in together with the others.
Song Tribute: [The Fighter – Gym Class Heroes] - (requested by Electric Raven)
It was just another normal day. An insanely normal day.
Oh, other than the fact that as I walked through the school corridor I had Percy frickin' Jackson's arm draped over my shoulders and Piper McLean walking beside me with Jason Grace's arm around her. Not to mention all the populars were walking behind us and people were staring and I mean really staring.
Like some crazy slow-motion scene in a High School movie.
We separated for a moment to go to our lockers and I pulled out my sketchbook for triple art later. I had free period first so I'd probably go to the library or something, maybe talk to Miss Daniels because I hadn't in a while.
"Percy!" I heard someone squeal and turned to see Drew running down the corridor and leaping into his arms.
He staggered back and stood there uncomfortably as she buried her face into his neck. I guess I felt some sort of irritation in my chest but I trusted Percy and by his facial expression I could tell he wasn't enjoying this.
Rachel and Calypso were walking awkwardly, a few metres behind, trying to look anywhere but at Percy. I felt a little sorry for Rachel actually, other than Percy leaving her, she also had a best friend who couldn't stop running her hands all over him and that must be hard.
"Drew…" Percy said breathlessly, finding it hard to understand why this girl was on him right now. Grover and Jason sniggered beside him and he flashed them a vicious look that said 'shut up'.
She giggled sickeningly. "Where have you been all this time? I missed you." She said, stroking his shoulder and a burning feeling appeared in my chest.
Of course, I wasn't the type of girl to go over there and yell at her to get her hands off my man and even thinking about calling Percy my boyfriend freaked me out a little, even now. But I still felt something inside me, something that wanted her to turn around, walk away and never touch him again.
"Places." He shrugged. "Not that I'd tell you."
"Okay big boy, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." She smirked, putting her hands on her hips and thrusting her chest out.
My stomach churned. It was like Chemistry all over again. The day I dropped the acid. That was a long time ago. How could it be that long?
"But we should get together. How about tonight? Just you and me." She said, stepping closer and running her hands over his chest as she fiddled with his shirt.
"I think I'll pass." Percy said, pulling her hands off him and looking across the corridor at me. I felt a jet of warmth flow through me because I knew he was doing this for me. He was turning her down for me.
Drew followed his gaze and her eyes suddenly landed on me like hot, burning fire. She was furious.
Her head snapped back to Percy. "Well, maybe tomorrow?" She pressed, a little desperate and insistent now.
Percy sighed heavily and grabbed her hand. Then he started dragging her over to me and instead of feeling edgy, I felt nervous. She was smiling up at him before she turned to see me and frowned. Percy let go of her hand instantly to stand beside me and hold mine.
"Drew, let's just get this one thing straight," he said calmly, "because you don't seem to be grasping it very well. This is my girlfriend." He waved my hand at her. "This is the girl I want. So quit throwing yourself at me like it's gonna change anything—like anything could ever change the way I feel about her."
Then he turned to me and I looked up at him like he was a shining star that I'd managed to snag out of the sky one lucky day.
"I choose her." He murmured, looking deeply into my eyes and I smiled up at him.
Drew started laughing and I turned to her timidly. I didn't like the sound of her laugh it was edgy and intimidating. "You can't be serious?" She scoffed. "I don't believe you."
Percy sighed before smiling and turning back to me. He grabbed my face and leaned down to press a kiss to my lips. My stomach flipped. It was a light kiss but a perfect kiss, one that told me and everyone around me that I was his and he was mine.
He pulled back and turned to Drew. "Believe me now?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
"You scheming little bitch." She hissed at me, grabbing my wrist and digging her nails into my skin.
I whimpered from the pain, jerking my wrist away as Percy forcefully tore her grip from me. The movement caused angry red scratch-marks to form on the surface and I gasped from the shock of the situation.
"The hell is wrong with you?" Percy yelled, blocking her from me before turning to observe the scratch.
"You okay?" He asked worriedly, taking my wrist in both his hands. I nodded because it hardly hurt at all.
"You're seriously a proper psycho." He told her, letting go of my wrist. "Touch her again and I swear to God!"
"Percy, it's fine." I said, pulling him back gently. "She's just jealous. She's always been like that."
"Jealous?" She staggered backwards as if she couldn't believe what I'd just said. "Why would I be jealous of you?" She paused. "You're you."
That was the final straw.
The final moment where everything I'd been bottling up inside me came out like gushing water, bursting to be free.
"Yeah and you know what?" I cut her off, keeping my voice steady and calm. "I'm okay with that. So stop trying to belittle me just because you can't stand the idea that, for once, you can't have what you want."
That hit her. Hard. Nothing like this had ever happened before. I'd actually stood up to her and I could see it in her eyes; her mind trying to piece together answers to the situation. Her fake, untouchable exterior was slowly shattering to pieces and she didn't know how to handle it.
"Just because Percy didn't choose you, doesn't mean I stole him. For God's sake girl, get a grip. If you can't say something nice then just say it French."
My friends burst into applause, whistling and shouting out their approval. That didn't help with avoiding attention from the whole corridor. I gulped, feeling uncomfortable but Percy tightened his hand around mine and I felt stable with him.
He was looking at me slightly shocked but totally proud. "You're just full of surprises, Wise Girl."
I smiled up at him. Drew was staring at us like some distasteful nail polish colour. "You'll pay for this."
"You can't hurt me anymore, Drew. I've wasted enough of my life worrying about how to act around you and I'm done. I'm done being your plaything." I told her. "Be a woman for once in your life and stop acting like a girl having a temper-tantrum."
"H-how—"
"Ah ah ah—" Percy cut her off, holding up a hand. "Let it go, Drew, the conversations over now. Why don't you take a moment to put some bandages on all those wounds because Beth just totally roasted you?"
Her mouth clamped shut in astonishment and somehow, she appeared physically smaller to me. She'd always seemed so tall and intimidating before. Now nothing.
"Catch you never, Drama Queen." Percy jolted his chin up at her casually before pulling me down the corridor with him.
I heard the other populars mutter their comments at her before they joined us and then we walked through the crowd like we owned the place.
Percy lifted the back of my hand to his lips and kissed it softly. "I'm proud of you." He whispered and I smiled up at him.
It was the first time I felt truly safe at this school, like nothing could harm me and I actually belonged here.
I really, really belonged here.
~xXx~
The hours of the day passed idly by like wind from a summer breeze. Each golden moment like a treasure worth locking away in a pretty memory box. If only I could hold onto these moments forever…
Light-hearted conversations with Miss Daniels in the library, while sipping from steaming hot cups of coffee, kept me calm and blissful in the early morning. During which, Percy was running around, breaking a sweat in basketball practice with the boys. Then after break, I sat in the art room alone, listening to music through my earphones and sketching. And it felt good.
It had taken me a while to get back into it but I was finally at a stage where I could pick up a pencil and draw without tears blurring my vision or the paper.
Perhaps it did remind me of a time where Silena would come and sit with me in class and watch me draw but in a way, it didn't make me sad, it just brought me closer to her.
Deep down, I would always miss her, but I was willing to let her go. For everyone's sake.
Lunch was spent in the cafeteria, sat at one of the round tables with the others, calmly chatting to one another or laughing until we cried. Orange juice even came out of Leo's nose at one point. Percy would smile at me from across the table while we shared his mom's blue cookies and I'd kick his shin whenever he said something dumb or tried to tease me.
It was so nice to be carefree for once in my life. Utterly. Care. Free.
The Harvard - Yenching Library
140, 1.4 million volumes, and the most comprehensive collection for East Asian studies in the Western world
Sounds right up my street, I thought, scrolling through the Harvard website in the computer room. The space was mainly empty apart from the few faces I recognised because they were studious, introverted, honour students like me.
I'd already applied to University by now, or college as all my American friends say. My mother refuses to call it that. Harvard was where I wanted to go but I still had other offers from Yale, UCB, MIT and other places.
I gawked at their website, marvelling at the vast campus. I'd gone through this website a hundred times over when I was living back with Helen and this was the last dream I held onto. Now it just seemed that much more real.
I was just about to log off when my eye caught on something. It was a link to the Cambridge University website and before I knew it, I was clicking on it. I was just curious to see the University that both my parents had gone to when they were younger and I wasn't disappointed. The campus was amazing and I soon found myself comparing the courses between Cambridge and Harvard. The more I looked, the more intrigued I became and suddenly I found myself thinking about what it would be like to go there. To go back home.
I gasped, exiting the page. I can't go to England. What am I thinking? My life is here, my friends, my family, everything. I can't leave my mother, my brothers, Percy. I can't. Maybe Harvard is over 4 hours' drive away but Cambridge is like an 8-hour flight away.
Stupid. Stupid idea.
I sat there a little confused for a moment before my chair was pulled back and I yelped in shock.
"Hey, Wise Girl." Percy murmured in my ear and I giggled turning to look up at him.
"Hey yourself." I smirked, mimicking Drew's flirtatious voice.
He flinched. "Urgh, don't do that."
I laughed. "What's up?" I asked, spinning my chair around.
He stopped my spinning, planting his hands at the top of the chair, either side of my shoulder and craned his neck to look at me. "Come with me?" He tilted his head adorably. "The others are outside and I was missing you."
"Well if you insist." I smiled up at him and he let me stand up.
I quickly logged off and happily followed him outside. As we walked in a comfortable silence, I thought about what it had been like in the early stages of our relationship and how different things were now.
I wonder if Percy's thinking the same thing
White light came from the end of the corridor where the double door opened out onto the well-kept quad. As we pushed the doors opened we were drowned in golden sunlight that touched my skin like a warm hug.
The others were gathered in a circle on the quad listening to music through someone's phone. The sun was shining down on them as they sat in the grass, laughing and chatting like they'd never stopped. It was nice to see us all happy once more.
Jason was sat next to Leo who was showing him how he'd altered his calculator mechanically so that it would factorise numbers for him and Jason was frowning at him in disapproval. He'd never been one for breaking the rules, Jason.
Connor and Travis were comparing BB guns and threatening to shoot Thalia, well up until the point where she gave them the scariest death glare I'd ever seen and they literally ran for their lives.
Beck was sitting with Grover talking about 'college' I think and gap years while Reyna and Piper lay in the grass sunbathing in their shorts.
"Ay Perce, get over here!" Grover called and Percy looked at me.
I smiled, nodding my head and pushing him away. He grinned before jogging over to Grover and sliding down beside him. He was peeling off his grey button up shirt and stuffing it into his bag when I sat down beside Piper. I averted my eyes from the way he looked in that plain white T-shirt.
Song Tribute: [Sweet Disposition – SEAWAVES] - (Not the original version)
Piper and Reyna sat up to greet me and I smiled as they shifted into a little semi-circle with me. We all sat in a peaceful silence for a bit, looking up at the sunlight streaming through the trees around us. The breeze was making the leaves dance gently and it was strangely tranquillising to just watch them sway.
"Something's changed." Piper murmured, fiddling with the cap of her water bottle.
"I feel it too." I smiled and we shared a look.
"It's like we can all be ourselves again...even with Silena gone." She said softly.
"Well it's been a while and we've all had time to grieve and heal." Reyna started gently. "Plus, Percy's back and he's the glue holding us all together." She smiled and we all nodded in agreement.
Piper tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shared a look with Jason. They both smiled at each other. I smirked a little at that, remembering my phone conversation with her last night. Apparently, they'd both had sex for the first time with each other after the dance on Saturday and they both looked like they couldn't get enough of each other. She would often glance at him, blush and then look away shyly and it was just about the most adorable thing I'd ever seen.
"So..." I smirked. "Tell me more about your nightly festivities."
She nudged my arm and Reyna and I both laughed as Thalia came to sit with us.
"What we talking about?" She asked.
"Oh, you know..." Reyna shrugged. "Just Piper having sex with your brother."
Thalia gagged. "Excuse me while I go throw up." She said quickly getting to her feet and walking away. We all laughed and Reyna got up to join her.
"Did it hurt?" I asked quietly when they were gone and the guys were all lost in conversation.
Piper finished drinking from her water bottle to answer. "A little at first...but only for a few moments." She replied just as quietly.
I liked the new relationship Piper and I had. It was easy like I could tell her anything and everything.
"After that it was fine."
"Fine?" I raised an eyebrow and she giggled.
"Okay, it was good." She grinned. "Like really really good." I giggled at that. "He was just really gentle with me and respectful about everything. I know we're both still seventeen but it just felt right at the time, you know?"
"Of course." I reassured her. "You guys have been together since Junior year and you clearly love each other."
She nodded, pink slightly dusting her Cherokee-toned skin. It made her look even prettier.
"What about you?" She asked softly.
"What about me?" I asked a little confused, taking a sip of her water.
"When are you thinking about doing it with Percy?" She smirked and my heart literally stopped. I choked on the water even thinking about that and she laughed at me as I wiped away the dribble.
"Piper!" I cried. "I'm sixteen." I frowned at her, looking around to see that no one was looking. "I shouldn't even be a Senior!"
"I know, but you'll be seventeen next month." She shrugged and my eyes widened a little at that. I'd completely forgotten about my birthday.
"Forgot, didn't you?" She smiled and I nodded. "Well, maybe you can ask for a certain something on your birthday then." She nudged me with a smirk and I shoved her away.
"Shush!" I hissed at her and she just laughed even more. "I'm not ready for that kind of thing yet. I've…I've never done anything…you know." I sighed, tucking my hair behind my ear and shifting nervously. "I've never done anything like that with anyone."
"Annabeth, it's okay. You don't have to." She smiled gently, her tone supportive. "I know Percy will wait for you but he wants to."
"Wants to what?" I asked dumbly when I already knew the answer.
"To rip your clothes off and kiss you in places." She raised her eyebrows and a million butterflies fluttered around inside my stomach.
I gulped, trying to calm myself down. I mean, I was scared to do it but a part of me wondered how amazing it would be with him. He'd be good at it too. That made me even more breathless and shaken up.
"How can you tell?" I frowned.
"Can't you?" She asked as if it was obvious. "From the way he looks at you, plus you're one sexy piece of ass."
A nervous laugh sounded from my lips as I hid my face. That wasn't true.
Hot and flustered couldn't even begin to describe me right now. I'd just never even thought about this before. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined doing it with Percy Jackson.
"Chill Annabeth, all that can wait till after High School. I promise. Don't feel like you have to do anything you don't want to do. Percy would never make you...you know that, right?" She asked softly.
I nodded, glancing at Percy. He was laughing with the guys and oh how perfect he looked when he did. You could see small dimples and his teeth were gleaming like newly fallen snow. Our eyes met and he flashed me another perfect smile.
I blushed and he looked at me weirdly as if analysing me. I probably looked funny after my conversation with Piper and turned away shyly, hearing her giggling beside me.
"So what do you want to do for your birthday?" She asked, changing the topic for which I was grateful for.
"I haven't really thought about it." I shrugged.
"Well think about it." She smiled. "I'm getting your present next week."
"Oh, you don't have to, really—"
"I want to." She cut me off with a genuine smile and I smiled back at her happily. How I had ended up with a friend as great as Piper, I would never know.
"Okay, fine." I murmured before nudging her shoulder with mine. "Thanks." And then we both looked up at the sky for a few moments.
I smiled blissfully, closing my eyes as the cool breeze blew over the skin on my bare legs. Tiny strands of my hair blew across my face and I swept it all to my left shoulder, tucking it neatly behind my ear.
Midway through, I glanced up and caught Percy's eye.
He was looking at me, eyes curious. A hint of desire flickered across them like lights on a moving car window. But maybe I was mistaken. I smiled at him, surprised at my sudden urge to kiss him.
"I'll catch you later." I murmured to Piper, keeping my eyes on Percy and only Percy as I stood up and walked away. I turned back to smile at him one more time, using my eyes to tell him to come with me before I walked inside.
I'd only made it a few metres before he was opening the door behind me. "You gonna make me chase you all day, Wise Girl?"
"Until I get tired of making you lose, yeah." I grinned at him, walking backwards halfway down the empty corridor.
"Go on then, I'll give you a head start." He said, folding his arms and standing in front of the door.
"You're the one who needs a head start, Seaweed Brain." I smirked, giving him a tiny wink before I span around and skipped a few steps.
"Oh, you so asked for it." He scoffed breaking into a sprint and I shrieked, giggling as I ran away.
He chased me through the school, metres behind me. Neither of us having ever smiled this much before. It was blissful.
We burst into the library and disappeared into the shelves of books, laughing. We stopped directly opposite each other and I let out a shaky breath, resting my head on the bookcase behind me. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, just like it had been the day we'd run from that police officer when Percy had set off all those car alarms in the city. I'd never forget what he said to me that day when I told him I could feel my heart beating in my chest:
'That is how you should feel your whole life'.
"Well that was fun." He grinned, both of us panting hard.
I smiled, clawing my hair back behind my shoulders and leaning against the bookcase, expectantly. He eyed me intently. "Your move Seaweed Brain." I murmured.
He smiled, slowly walking towards me and enclosing my waist in his arms. I looked into his eyes as he craned his neck to kiss me. It was a soft kiss this time and our lips moved together in the perfect rhythm as we turned our heads and wrapped each other together in our arms.
I heard a noise to my right and turned to see a teacher just making their way into the aisle. We both scooted around the corner, sniggering before he pressed me up against the edge of the bookcase and tried to kiss me again. I leaned back pressing my finger to my lips, shushing him frantically.
He grinned, leaning over and trying to pull my hand away as I leaned back even more. He eventually managed to do it and our lips met like they belonged together, like two magnets strongly drawn to each other.
I smiled against the kiss and we slowly broke apart. I looked up into his eyes and ran my fingers through his hair affectionately. He smiled blissfully, seemingly liking it when I did that.
"What's your middle name?" I asked softly, curious all of a sudden.
I'd never even thought about it but being his girlfriend I wanted to know him better. Every tiny detail.
He smiled softly, moving his arms back to hold my waist now. "I don't have one." He murmured. "You?"
"Emilia." I whispered.
"Emilia..." He smiled. "Pretty."
"You'd have thought we'd know that from when we were kids."
"Yeah but little kids don't think about things like that." He said.
"I suppose." I whispered. "I wanna show you something."
He gave me a curious look before I took his hand pulled him with me. We came to the spiral staircase which led to the secret room; the one that only me, Miss Daniel's and Piper knew about.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see." I smiled pulling him up with me.
"But there's nothing up here."
"There is if you know where to look." I murmured before we reached the top and I slid into the small gap, coming out the other side into the secret room. It was quiet and empty as usual and I made my way over to the window, looking over the football field.
"Ooohh, so this is where you come to spy on me during football practice." He smirked and I shoved him a little.
"Actually no, this is where I hook up with the rest of the football team when you're not looking." I raised an eyebrow, casually sitting in the large bean bag.
He scowled at me for that and I giggled, patting the seat beside me. He came to sit beside me and I draped my legs across his lap as he put his arm behind me and I rested the side of my head against it, facing him.
"Does no one know about this place?"
"Just me, Miss Daniel's and Piper." I shrugged.
"Piper knows..." He frowned. "How come she never told me?"
"Well I was the one who showed her this place and she kinda understood that this is where I come to be alone."
"So why'd you show me and her then?"
"Because I don't want to be alone anymore." I murmured softly, gazing up into his beautiful eyes. They were shining in the light of the window.
He smiled, stroking my cheek briefly with his fingers. "You've changed."
"Is it a good change?"
He nodded. "You seem more like you now. Less scared of the world."
I smiled, looking at my lap. "It's all thanks to you, really."
"Me? What did I do?"
"You didn't specifically do anything," I said, "you were just you. Always making me smile, always making me laugh, making me feel like things could be different as long as I was with you."
He was looking at me so intently now as if every word I said was important to him.
"Somehow, you just pulled me out of my shell with your annoying charm."
He laughed softly, brushing a hand over my head.
"And I wanted to be strong for you." I breathed. It was difficult to say this but I wanted him to know. "I knew if I wanted to be around you that I had to stop being so shy all of the time. I had to forget about everyone else and just focus on what I wanted and all I wanted was you."
I looked up at him. His sea-green eyes were soft as if he was melting at my words. He smiled, a heavy breath escaping his lips, "you really did all that for me?"
"Yes." I whispered, nodding slightly. "I mean, besides you being seriously persistent all of the time."
He half laughed, turning away and covering his mouth for a moment. "I was pretty bad wasn't I?" He laughed again, turning back to me. "You never even knew how badly I was chasing you. It was infuriating."
I giggled. "I suppose looking back on it now it does seem pretty obvious but in the moment I was just oblivious. I think it was mostly the denial that stopped me from seeing it."
"Me too." He nodded, sweeping his hair back and resting his elbow on his bent knee.
We were silent for a while.
"Do you think you'll ever be shy again?" He asked suddenly,
"It's hard to say, I still don't consider myself as a confident person. Not like you." I sighed. "I only wish I could be like you."
"No you don't, I'm a tragic case, really. You're perfect."
I laughed at that, slapping his thigh and he grinned. "What I mean is that I'm a lot better than I used to be. I share a lot of my mother's qualities now—"
"Pfftt, yeah and it's frickin' scary." He cut me off.
"Percy!" I giggled, slapping him again.
"What? It is! It's like I'm dating a supermodel who just also happens to be royalty."
"Stop exaggerating, you're being silly." I smiled at him but he wasn't having it. "I've just been taught to dress nice and carry myself in a certain way, that's all. I'm still me. I still get nervous at times. I still get worried and anxious and scared. I'm not perfect in any way."
"Yeah but it's your imperfections that make you perfect to me." He said softly and that made me stop altogether—heart, soul and body. All at once.
He was the first. The first person to ever accept me for who I am and to love everything about me. Even the bad things.
My eyes began to blur with tears.
"Beth?" He sat up, slightly confused, slightly worried.
I smiled, giggling before cupping his cheek and kissing him. He was still confused when I pulled away. "It's okay, it's nothing." I smiled even more. "Just that no one's ever said that to me before."
"Well, they should've." He said, smiling at my expression. "You're so cute."
Then he glanced at my wrist and frowned. The scratch marks were still there. With a sigh, he took it carefully in both of his hands, brushing a thumb across the red marks. They had died down a lot but were still faintly visible.
I bit my lip.
"I'm so sorry, Beth." He murmured and I was so utterly and completely shocked at his words that I didn't say anything at all.
"You went through so much every day at this school…I never even knew how bad it was." He gulped hard, not looking me in the eye, just at the scratch. "God, if I'd known…if only I'd known."
He let me go, wiping his forehead and sweeping his hand down to his mouth before resting his elbow on his knee again. He stared out the window to our left and didn't turn to me for a while.
"I'm so angry at myself." He whispered. "So angry."
"Percy—" I started softly.
"I should have been there for you." He cut me off, throwing his hand out. "Why wasn't I there for you?" He covered his mouth again, frowning at the window.
"You didn't know." I told him. "It's not your fault. I purposefully didn't tell you." He turned back to me and was listening now. "There's only so much you can do for me, Percy. There comes a point where people have to fight their own battles."
He nodded understandingly. "You'd tell me if anything like that happened again though, wouldn't you?
"Of course." I nodded. "You don't have to worry about me anymore, Percy." I smiled. "I'm going to be okay. I'm going to look after myself and respect myself so that you don't spend your time stressing over whether or not I'm alright."
"How did you know?"
"Because I know you, you've always been like that. It's what I love about you."
He smiled, taking my face and kissing my forehead before pressing it to his own. "I love you." He whispered.
"And I love you." I whispered back.
~xXx~
At the end of the day, Percy, Jason, Piper, Thalia and I were gathered by the lockers saying goodbye. The three of them tended to share lifts because they lived so close together and of course because Thalia and Jason were brother and sister.
"You know if he ever hurts you, I'll beat his ass," Thalia was saying to me.
We were leaning against two lockers together while the other three chatted behind me. I liked it when Thalia and I were together just talking. She wasn't much of a deep talker let alone an emotional person at all but whenever I was with her I always felt comfortable. Like she would never judge me. And I always saw through the cracks of that hard exterior.
Beyond all the black and the piercing blue eyes and the frightening toughness, she was a total teddy bear. One who actually secretly liked cuddles.
"I know you will." I laughed.
"No but honestly, when he's not being a total melt, he's a dick." She rolled her eyes. "So if he ever says or does something stupid, you tell me, alright?"
"Alright." I smiled at her. "It's nice to know you care."
"Well, I mean, I don't care that much." She muttered, shifting to press her back against the lockers and avert her eyes.
I couldn't help but grin, watching her act all tough. She looked back at me and cracked when she saw my smile. "Oh alright, maybe I do care." She huffed. "But only a little bit."
"Just a tiny bit." I teased, scrunching my face and motioning with my thumb and index finger.
She slapped me and we both laughed.
"What you girls laughing about?" Percy asked, joining us. Piper and Jason were busy kissing.
"None of your concern, Kelp Head."
"I really hate when you call me that." Percy scowled.
"I know," Thalia smirked, "that's why I do it."
He rolled his eyes, turning to me, "you ready to go? My Mom's getting impatient."
"Yeah." I said, holding my bag and slotting my iPhone inside.
"Sally's picking you up?" Thalia frowned. "How come?"
"Well, she wasn't exactly happy about my…disappearance." He scratched the bag of his head, pulling up his backpack.
"I mean, you were gone almost three weeks."
"Yes," Percy smiled falsely, "thanks for pointing that out, Thales."
My gut wrenched for a second, remembering how it felt when he left. Less than three weeks? Surely it was longer than that. It felt like a lifetime.
And for a moment, just a tiny one, I resented him again. Though it quickly went away.
"You're welcome." She shrugged casually and I had to hold back my laughter.
"She was pretty mad…actually she was really mad. But mostly upset I think." He sighed, his eyes softening as he nervously scuffed his feet. "It was the worst, I felt terrible."
I frowned sorrowfully. Percy cared about his mother more than anything and I knew he hated hurting her. But his disappearance did kill her. I'd know because I'd visited her numerous times back then.
"Anyway, she insisted on driving me to and from school on my first day back just to ensure I'd actually be present for class." He shrugged. "It was a small price to pay, to be honest."
"You adorable little momma's boy." Thalia mocked him.
"Bite me." He said, making her snort.
"You're grounded though, right?" She asked.
"Oh, for sure. My ass is grounded so hard, I might never see the outside world again. You're gonna have to start telling me all the latest trends and what's new in Starbucks."
Thalia and I both laughed at that.
"I can imagine how that went." I smiled.
"Something like, I have to ground you. I AM grounding you. You are grounded!" Percy mimicked her voice and it was the funniest thing. We all cracked up.
"Shall we go then?" I asked and he nodded.
"See you tomorrow, Thales." I smiled, touching her arm and she smiled back at me. It was a warm smile.
"Later Pine Cone Face." Percy saluted and she stuck her tongue out at him as we walked. "Too much PDA, guys, seriously." He called back at Piper and Jason who were still making out.
"Says you, lover boy!" Piper retorted and we all laughed.
"Bye Pips, bye Jason." I smiled at them both.
We said our goodbyes and left together.
"Just so you know," Percy started as we descended the front steps, "my Mom doesn't know we're dating."
"Oh we're dating now, are we?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Shut up." He nudged my shoulder and I smiled at him.
"We should probably tell her, right?"
He nodded. "She's gonna freak…in a good way."
"Oh God, I hope she doesn't make a scene."
"I wouldn't count on that." He said as we crossed the parking lot, seeing her leaning against her car, arms folded.
It was just a plain blue Ford, nothing new, nothing special. Percy had said his dad tried to buy her a fancy car but she refused. Sally was feisty like that; insistent on doing things her way or no way at all.
"Hey, Mom." He smiled as we came to stand in front of her.
She pushed her back off the car, unfolding her arms. She looked cool today in black dungarees, an old T-shirt and scruffy converse with sunglasses pushed to the top of her head. She could have passed as a sister to one of the students.
"Did you go to class?" She scowled.
"Yes." He sighed.
"All of them?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't get into any trouble."
"No, I didn't. I was golden." He grinned. "You should have seen me."
She squinted at him suspiciously before giving me a look. I giggled, "it's true, Sally, he was on his best behaviour."
At that, she smiled. "Wonderful!"
Percy scoffed. "Honestly, why do you always believe Annabeth over me?"
"Duh, because Annabeth is Annabeth and you're you." She told him plain and simple.
He threw is arms up. "There's just no pleasing you, is there?"
She laughed, squeezing his hand before giving me a hug. We swayed for a moment, humming together before giggling and letting each other go. Percy rolled his eyes. We tended to gang up on him and he hated it. I loved it.
"Are you coming with us?" Sally asked.
"Oh no, I have my car today." I pointed.
"Actually, we wanted to tell you something, Mom." Percy started and I bit back a smile.
"What? Do I have cookie dough in my hair?" She blurted, touching her curly brown hair.
"No." He half laughed.
"What? Are you going somewhere? Because you know your ass is grounded and I swear if you even think about—"
"Mom!" Percy cut her off. "No one's going anywhere, okay. Chill."
"Oh…" She relaxed. "Okay then, what is it?"
Percy and I shared a look. A part of me was excited because I knew she would be beyond happy for us, it's Sally we're talking about, but a part of me was also a little nervous.
"Things is…Annabeth and I…well, we're…we're um…"
Sally's eyes widened, her mouth dropping to the floor. I'm pretty sure I saw the North star in her eyes, they were so bright.
"No." She covered her mouth, looking at me. I smiled uncontrollably, nodding gently. "No!" She looked at Percy who grinned. "No way!" She slapped his shoulder, hard.
"Ow!" He cried. "Mom!"
"No way, you're lying!" She slapped him again. "Don't you lie to me, young man."
"Mom, I'm not lying, we're together." He said taking my hand and holding me close. Then he looked in my eyes and said, "I love her."
I smiled up at him. I'd been smiling way too much today. It was embarrassing.
Sally shrieked. Literally shrieked. Percy almost jumped out of his skin and I had to suppress my laughter.
"Oh my God! I can't believe it! Are you serious? Do you mean it? Are serious?" She clapped eagerly like a little girl. "Do you really really mean it?"
"Yes Mom," Percy rolled his eyes, half laughing, "I mean it."
"Aaaaaahhhhh!" She jumped on him, bear hugging his neck and holding him tight.
He laughed, hugging her back. "Yep, definitely didn't make a scene." He smiled at me and I giggled.
When he dropped her to the floor again there were tears in her eyes.
"Jeez, Mom," Percy smiled, wiping a tear from her cheek, "calm down."
"Don't you tell me to calm down!" She slapped him again. "This is what moms get excited about."
Then she turned and squealed giving me a huge hug that melted me like butter. "Aw, honey, I'm so happy for you." She pulled away to cup my cheeks. "I'm just sorry this idiot took forever to ask you."
I giggled. "It's okay, Sally. I'll forgive him."
Percy threw his arms up and scoffed. "Every time." He muttered.
"I want to know everything." Sally started frantically. "How did it happen? When did you kiss? Who said I love you first? You're both being safe right?"
The floor was wiped out beneath my feet and I secretly choked.
"Jesus Christ, Mom!" Percy yelled, grabbing my wrist. "Annabeth's leaving now." He dragged me to the car as I giggled nervously.
"This isn't over, I want answers!" Sally called but we were already halfway towards my car due to Percy's speed walking and me having to half run to keep up with him.
When we got to the driver's door he turned to me, letting go of my wrist. "Sorry about that."
"It's fine." I told him quietly but there was something nervous and innocently sweet between us now.
"I'll see you tomorrow then?"
I nodded slowly and he nodded too. We were silent for a moment.
"Text me when you get home?" He said suddenly and I nodded again. He did that smile he does when I'm being 'cute'.
"Will you pick me up in the morning?" I murmured, not sure why. My house was majorly out of his way, being on Long Island and everything, but a part of me couldn't bear to wait any longer to see him.
He smiled warmly, "if you want me to."
"Well, only if you want to."
Oh, Gods. Look at us. This is Sally's fault for making it awkward.
"I know it's really out of your way, I just—"
"I'll pick you up at 8:00, princess." He said, tapping a finger beneath my chin.
A smile broke out from the corner of my mouth uncontrollably. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." He smiled, brushing both his hands through my hair and resting his elbows on my shoulders. "It's the least I can do."
My heart pinged. We both knew what he was referring to.
I pushed myself up to my tiptoes, wanting to kiss the tension away. He smiled gently, cupping my cheeks and leaning down to open his mouth and press his lips to mine. It was a soft, innocent kiss. Not entirely confident on his part because I could sense his guilt just from the touch of his skin. Percy wasn't the type of person to let go of guilt so easily and that's one of the reasons why our relationship had always been bumpy.
But I could never hold anything against him. Because I loved everything about him, including all his imperfections.
"I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" He murmured, glancing up at his mom.
"Okay." I whispered, nodding slightly but not really ready for that yet.
What is wrong with us?
He let me go and we shifted passed each other between the cars. "Oh, wait." I said, reaching into my bag and pulling out something I'd been meaning to give him all day.
His silver tags dangled from my palm as I held them out to him. "I think you should take these back, Sil would want you to have them." I told him softly.
"Thanks." He smiled, taking them from me carefully and placing them around his neck. He frowned at them for a moment, holding them between his fingers.
"Will you be okay?" I asked softly and he managed a nod, turning to walk away. "Percy—" I called. "Don't let it get to you. Promise me."
"I'm not very good at promises, you and I both know that, Beth." He laughed wearily.
"Well try harder this time."
He cracked a smile, looking up from the floor to nod at me. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to give him the tags back, I thought. His mood had shifted so quickly, I hardly knew how the conversation had gotten to this stage.
He was about to walk away again. "I love you." I murmured after him, clenching my keys in my hand tightly.
He glanced back with a small smile, pressing a hand to his heart and closing his eyes for a second before he really did turn away.
I watched him join Sally once again and together they got in the car and drove away.
Then, after a soft sigh, I got into my own car and drove away too but in the opposite direction.
~xXx~
AAAAANNNNDDD FINI!
That's a wrap, peeps. How was it? I'm not entirely sure.
A lot of the time when I was writing this I was just like...well this is a pile of crap. But I hope you all thought it was okay. At least enough to keep you happy before the next chapter.
Please do inform me of your thoughts and feelings on the Sally reaction scene ;) It was highly requested and it's only thanks to those requests that I wrote it in.
Oh and by the way, yes, I did make up Annabeth's middle name. Hope that's okay. I just thought Annabeth Emilia Chase had a certain charm to it.
[Edit: Percy not saying I love you back at the end doesn't mean anything. When people are in a relationship they don't always have to say I love you back because the other person already knows. Plus, I didn't want to overdo the 'I love yous' in this chapter. I thought it was kind of refreshing to have a different response.]
Even more review responses lol. This is what happens when you're absent for over a month:
bleubarry - Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your review. Knowing that my story can move people emotionally, even to tears, is honestly the best feeling ever because it lets me know that my writing is working. And knowing that people out there truly believe this story good become a book and I could be a selling author is beyooond me but I'm so so grateful. Writing professionally could be a possibility for me, I'm not sure yet. Thank you for noticing the effort I put into this story, it means a lot, it really does. Oh and don't worry, the last book will be much much happier with much less conflict ;) As for my wild ideas, I honestly don't know where they come from. They just spring up out of nowhere when I get in the zone. And I do really like writing about all that scary night-time stuff with Percy and the somewhat beauty and finesse in his dark tendencies. As crazy as that sounds. It's kind of refreshing to switch between that and romantic fluff. Thanks for everything, you're an amazing person and your review made me smile so much! Oh and yes, it is a relief to be free of school, don't worry, if I can get through it, you definitely can!
ThankYouKanyeVeryCool - Hey, Classic Weirdo, long time no speak ;) No worries about the reviews, you do you, no pressure at all! Aaaaww, you can hug me, I don't mind, I'll send you an air hug too. *air hug* I'm glad you liked the Mr. Cuddles scene, I was laughing while I wrote it because I purposefully gave the bear a really unimaginative name. I agree that it's nice seeing the mean girls being not-so-mean. It's quite relaxing and de-stressing. Oh, exams did kill me but I've come back from the dead and am currently better than ever. Just soaking up the sun and the freedom now! I hope you're doing okay too. Thanks for the birthday gifts, I'm not allergic so send all the imaginative puppies you like, I'll keep them forever! ~ AWG
the-opposite-of-magic - Hi, thanks for your review, I'm glad you think my story's gripping. I'll do my best to keep beautiful chapters coming your way! As for your critical comments, I appreciate you making an effort to help improve my story. Advice is always welcome and I respect that you disagree with parts. As for Annabeth gaining popularity through Percy, I don't think that's true. Being around Percy got her noticed by people but she's popular because she's Annabeth...if that makes sense. She's pretty but she doesn't let materialistic things get to her head, she stays true to herself and is ALWAYS kind to everyone. And people respect that. I agree about the confidence thing, I'm already making her more confident but I don't want to take away her innocence. So I still want her to get nervous if someone compliments her. About the 'material descriptions', I get why you would take it that way but that's not what they are at all. I'm into clothes, I'm into pinning them on Pinterest so naturally, I use them in my stories. The descriptions are there to make it easier for readers to picture the characters. And given Annabeth's lifestyle with her mother, naturally, she would have nice clothes. That doesn't make her materialistic. I want her to be the type of girl that's stylish and sophisticated but modest and kind. I hope that makes sense and thanks again ~ Love, AWG
ThatPercabethGal - Hi Lilith, thanks for binge-reading my story in 3 days and for liking it too! Yay. Sorry that it's killing you though ;) Oh and thanks for the song suggestion, someone else suggested 'Riptide' too. I do love that song, it's very chill and I love his voice. I am struggling to find a place for it though, we'll see. ~ AWG
Kyrasaige16 - Happy be-lated 18th girly, now we match! Don't worry I haven't got my licence yet either, I'm learner driving but exams took all the priority...yay. Ooo what kind of tattoo do you want? And I hope you get to see Paramore someday, I reckon they'll be good live. But oh my gosh, I hope you're doing much better now after the car accident, I've been in one before. Scary stuff. But I didn't need to go to hospital like you :( I'm just super glad that my mini chapter was able to lift your spirits. You mean so much to me to and don't you forget it ~ Love, AWG
Annabeth4Life - Hi Piper (cool name) thanks for the song suggestion. I quite like the guitar in it but I'm not sure how it would fit the story, hhhmmm. It's tough, everyone has a lot of different suggestions and they're all so varied. Oh my gosh, I can't believe my story gave you the courage to ask out the guy you like! Good for you and congrats! That is a very classy and sophisticated way to think, I like it! Someone who loves you should 100% love your flaws the most and if they don't then boi bye. Thank YOU for everything ~ Love, AWG
izsymidot - Okay, I'm going to handle this carefully. I respect you for your opinion and have no grudges towards you for having it and critical comments are always welcome because that's how you improve your writing, by learning from others. However, I gotta say, one thing you can't do is state your opinion like it's a fact. My opinion is my opinion and I go with my gut when I write so it is what it is. You're a boy so maybe you view things differently, that's totally fine, but I've been kissed on the neck before so please don't tell me what it should or shouldn't feel like because everyone experiences things differently. The neck is a very vulnerable part of the body so being kissed there can be very intimate, that's my opinion. I mean, lol, what do you even mean "it's not enough to make you feel good enough to moan"? How can you say that as if it applies to everyone in the world? Some people moan some people don't. Now that is a fact. As for the Percy thing, I kinda half agree, half disagree, I did feel kinda weird making him react like that and I'm not particularly sure why I did, in fact, I really regret it but oh well. I think I read it in the Mortal Instruments series and Jace moaned so at the time I was like ooo maybe I'll do that. But irl I don't think kissing is enough to make a guy moan, so thanks for bringing my attention to that. I'll do better next time. Honestly, though I'm so confused as to why you think Percy wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of being kissed. Like whaaatt? He's a boy. You should know, lol. Please note that none of this was said in a nasty tone, it's all light-hearted and I really do appreciate you taking the time to try and help improve my story. I didn't see your review as hate at all. ~ Love, AWG
Kavita Ayaar - Oh, it's okay don't worry about at all! I understand how annoying it is having to wait for chapters so I'm never annoyed at people for telling me to hurry up, lol. Annabeth and Rachel becoming friends is a LONG way off but it is happening, I assure you ;)
Run. the. risk - Sorry, had to edit your username because ff kept deleting it for some reason. Ah, thank you! And thanks for the song suggestion, I agree with you, I liked the new version better. It does really suit the story. I'm not sure where I'll be able to find a place for it but it's on my phone and I'm listening to it so at least I have new music to treasure if that's the case :)
Booklover4lunachase - Thanks for liking my story, that means the world! And it's nice to see someone offering their opinion and a critical view in a polite, respectful way. I really appreciate that! You're right, Annabeth does come across as perfect in pretty much every single way. But I know her flaws and she's not all pretty face, golden hair and cheery. I'm slightly confused as to what you mean by her 'adjusting'. Do you mean to her new life with her real family and mother or to Silena's death or to her entirely different school life? I understand that from a real-life perspective it may seem like she's adjusted too easily but you can't really keep a character sad or grieving or shy forever. They're just obstacles to get over, otherwise, the story just gets boring. Nobody wants to read 5 chapters of Annabeth being miserable over Silena's death. But don't worry, you're review made perfect sense and thanks for sending it! It'll definitely help the development of this story. My day has been great thanks, I'm enjoying the sunny weather right now, what about you? Oh and my exams went okay thanks, all over now ~ Lots of love, AWG
This is how far I got, I realise a couple more came in at the end but if it's okay, I'll answer those in the next chapter, my lovelies.
We're into summer now so updates will be WAY more frequent, I'm thinking about doing weekly updates again. The next few chapters are very unfinished, so I can't say for sure but I plan on posting next Sunday. Maybe even Wednesday, we'll see.
I'm really quite excited for what's to come in the story. I still need to write some scenes which I CAN'T WAIT to do! And I hope you'll all like them as much as I like writing them.
Adore you all! See you very soon!
Lots of Love,
your girl,
AWG xx
P.S. I am MAJORLY sorry about not responding to PMs recently. I think I have over 20 to write back to. My inbox gets quite full so it's hard to keep on top of but I always reply eventually so don't you worry peeps! AWG's got you!