Chapter 8: Percy

The next day I woke up early. Too early. I had morning swim and was dreading it. I was dreading everything today besides Annabeth.

My bones ached, my head pounded inside my skull, and I had bruises all up and down my arms and chest. There was no way I could go to swim looking like this. No excuse would make sense, and everyone would question me. I was too tired to think up an excuse anyway. What Gabe was doing to me was inexcusable.

Last night was the worst it had ever been. My dad was out of town again, so I was back with my mom and Gabe for another month or two. Gabe had come home drunk after going to a bar, had more drinks, and gotten even more wasted. I knew what was going to come, so I tried to hide in my room. It was no use. The only positive was that I was asleep by the time my mom came home. She never had to see me like this. She still didn't know.

Thank goodness that it was only going to be in the mid-70's today. Too exhausted and hurting to look decent today, I pulled on a blue hoodie, grey sweats, and black vans. I wouldn't be too hot. Spring break was in a week, and we were going to the beach. I just had to hope that the bruises would be healed by then. If not, I would have to be creative and come up with an explanation that wasn't total bullshit.

I had too many secrets now. But one of them was worth it. It was our first day at school together as a couple. We hadn't told anyone, but had come up with a detailed plan of how to meet at school. I went to Annabeth's house yesterday to do "tutoring".

We were laying on her bed while Annabeth explained her plan to me. I wasn't really paying attention, she looked so pretty. She had her hair up in a messy bun and was wearing her lacrosse uniform. I had gone to her game (they won by a long shot) but everyone else was there too so we didn't get any alone time. We left separately then met up at her house.

Annabeth shoved a piece of paper at me. "Okay, Percy, here are the rules."

"Rules?" I said, snapping out of my daydream.

"Yes, keep up Seaweed Brain," Annabeth rolled her eyes. "There's a lot."

"Seriously?" I whined. "Annabeth, I don't know if you remember, but I tend to be a rule breaker. I'm basically a bad boy." I winked at her.

This earned me a whack with a pillow. "You better follow these rules. Number one; don't tell anyone for two months."

I raised my eyebrows. "Why two months?"

"That's enough time so I don't seem like your rebound, right?" Annabeth tapped her pen against her chin.

I shrugged. "Don't ask me. Remember, I think this whole secret dating thing is way too much work. No one will think you're my rebound."

"Well, I'm not so sure. And stop complaining or I'll make it three months." That shut me up."Besides after two months it'll be summer break so it'll be old news by the time we come back to school."

"Brilliant."

"Thanks. Rule number two; we can still meet up at school. We'll have secret meetings and things like that. For example, why don't we meet in the bathroom by the English hall after school."

"That's a girl's bathroom," I interrupted.

"So? No one goes there because the toilet don't work and it smells like piss all the time. Don't ask me why, I don't know." Annabeth looked like she was thinking for a second, possibly on the mystery of the smell of the bathroom. "Number three; if word does get out, you will beat up anyone who is mean to me."

I was shocked. "No way, that'll get me expelled."

"I'm joking." She laughed at my face. "There isn't a third rule. Everything else on that list is ideas for where and when to meet. Am I the least complicated girlfriend ever or what?"

"Or what," I joked leaning over to kiss her. We then had a makeout session followed by ice cream.

But now I was nowhere near as happy or confident in what was to come. Today I was more worried that I would be able to walk out of the apartment without groaning loudly. Swimming was not an option. I would have to text my coach and tell him that I was too sick to come. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay home because then I would have to tell my mom what was wrong and that wasn't going to happen.

So, instead I slowly made my way out of the bad smelling apartment. My car was parked at the nearby parking garage, and even though it was very close, I dreaded the idea of walking that far. I'd have to walk much farther than that today at school. If not for Annabeth, I would have ditched. I was positive that she would make all my problems go away. _

It was 7:50 and school started in 10 minutes. I had spent the last 3 hours sleeping in my car, hoping that just a little more rest would make everything ache less. I had never hated Gabe more. I walked my way over to our usual meeting spot, under a tree by the math buildings. I was sort of proud of myself- I felt like I was walking normal even though each step was killing me.

Piper, Annabeth, Leo, and Jason were all there. Annabeth was beautiful, in denim shorts and a white zip up. She was really tan and her hair was falling down her shoulders-sorry I got distracted.

When I walked over I noticed someone there who looked vaguely familiar. She had caramel straight hair and wore a simple white dress with a jean jacket. She had really pretty green eyes and had long limbs. Her smile was kind and warm, but she had a glint in her eye that told me she could fight anyone she wanted. However, when I walked even closer I noticed something truly strange. Leo had his arm around her!

When Leo noticed me he waved me over. "Hey Percy! Meet my hot girlfriend!"

She blushed and looked apologetic. "I hope you guys are used to him."

"Oh, without a doubt," Jason snorted.

We made eye contact and that's when I realized who she was. I recalled 3 summers ago, right before I started dating Rachel, a brief fling. We were both younger, it knew it wouldn't last because I had to leave the following week. We ended our time together with a kiss, but nothing happened after that.

"Calypso?" I asked.

I saw recognition flash in her eyes too. "Percy?"

Annabeth raised her eyebrows in suspicion. "You two know each other?''

"Um, yeah," I said, rubbing my neck. We made eye contact again. A silent agreement passed between the both of us. We were both just friends. "We met a few summers ago, at an island vacation my dad took me on."

"We haven't seen each other in years," Calypso said, obviously trying to cover. Making it look like nothing happened. "I almost didn't recognize you."

"Same. Things have changed since then," Quickly, I changed the subject. "So, how did you two meet?"

Leo looked back and forth between us, narrowing his eyes. I tensed, hoping nothing would happen and almost sighed in relief when Leo shrugged his shoulders. Then he took a big breath like he was about to tell a long story. "Well, it's quite hilarious. You know at Annabeth's fancy dinner thingie?" We all nodded and Calypso rolled her eyes at Leo's antics. "Well I went to go sit at a table with a bunch of hot chicks, and quickly realized who the hottest was. So I dazzled her with my wit and charm, and she fell for me. Though she may have resisted at first, no one can deny the absolute sexiness of Mr. Leo Valdez. When I asked her out, she first said no. But after many other girls begged to get with me, she got so jealous Calypso said yes-"

"That's not what happened," Calypso interrupted which caused Piper to laugh.

Leo waved his hands. "More or less, details aren't important."

Suddenly Piper yelped out. Jason grabbed her arm making sure she was okay. She gave him a weird look and asked, "What are you doing?"

"You yelped," He said, confused.

"Oh, I'm fine. I just realized- Calypso, you should come with us over Spring Break!" Piper's face lit up. "We have an extra seat in the van, and we are going to drive down to Florida to stay at my parents extra beach cabin."

"I'd love to," Calypso grinned. "I don't have any plans."

Leo pumped his fist. "Hell yeah! I don't have to be the 7th wheel!"

I almost didn't catch it. Lucky for me, Annabeth did. "Um, you wouldn't. I'm single and so is Percy."

"Oh yeah," Leo said, drawing out his 'yeah'. "I always forget you aren't dating. You guys just hang out so much."

"Nope, just friends." I said smirking at Annabeth. Just then the bell rang, to save us from any other trouble.

"Come on, Percy," Annabeth grabbed my arm. Ow. That really hurt. I almost forgot about how bad everything ached, with the new addition of Calypso into our friend group. "Lets go to bio."

I winced as I flung my backpack onto my shoulder. "Yep, don't want to be late."

As we walked, I tried to look normal, but it was hard. Annabeth glanced at me as I was mid-wince. "Percy? Are you okay?"

I straightened my face. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a hard swim workout, I'm really sore." "Your hair isn't wet."

"Dries quick, I guess," I lied.

"You look like shit," She felt my forehead.

"Thanks, babe," I muttered. "Now, I feel like shit."

"No, I mean- you look cute. Just tired. And you're a little hot." She looked genuinely concerned.

"You know I am," I tried to brush it off with a joke, but I was actually pretty worried. If I was getting sick, that was a bad sign, right?

"Shut up, you sound like Leo!" She laughed. "Are you sure you don't want to go home?"

"Positive," I smiled at her. "Stop being such a worry wart."

Even though I assured her I was fine, I fell asleep during the first, second, and third block. This earned me a lot of nagging throughout the day to go home from Annabeth. She made me take 2 advil and made sure I drank lots of water throughout the day.

Taking extra precautions she made sure that Hazel knew I wasn't feeling well, so it didn't seem like Annabeth was over worried about me. Hazel mothered me as well, even promising to bring me soup the next day for school. I was fine, and it was starting to get on my nerves, even though I knew they meant well.

The next morning however, my fever had gone down entirely. A good sign. My bruises were starting to disappear. An even better sign. I hoped they would be gone by Saturday morning, which is when we leave for our trip. I was very excited for the trip. It was a chance for me to get away from life and be with the people I love the most. And not having to be with Gabe for a week and a half? Sign me up!