Chapter 5 - The Fight

Percy

Every curse word I'd ever learned in my life ran through my mind at that minute. I called Luke names I had never had the desire to call him. Not even when he was Kronos. He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't supposed to catch us… But of course he did. Every time I had kissed Anestin, nobody had seen. And of course the one time I made out with someone I wasn't supposed to... I didn't regret kissing her. I wouldn't deny I was jealous when she kissed Luke this morning. I shouldn't have done it, but at the same time I would do it again. And now I was afraid for my own health because Luke's expression was beyond murderous. His fists clenched and I couldn't deny I wanted to fight him. But he relaxed. Slightly.

"I'm going to kill you, Jackson." Luke hissed. Annabeth walked over to him. She pressed her lips to his and their kiss was half as passionate as ours had been, but it satisfied Luke. He glowered at me, but Annabeth dragged him out of the room successfully. Once they were gone, I help but think about what the frick I would tell Anestin. I would never be able to kiss her the same. Not with Annabeth's lips in my memory and her gorgeous eyes burned into mine… I slapped myself. I had to stop this. It was getting out of hand. So I collected myself, and walked out of the classroom.

In fourth period, my only class with Luke, I could feel his eyes burning into my back. I knew if I turned around and did anything to provoke him, he would lose it. So, both because I'm an idiot, and because I wanted to fight him, the moment the school bell rang, I hopped up, and just as I was about to leave the classroom, I made eye contact with Luke. I smirked.

"She kissed me back." I taunted. Then I ran. The footsteps pounding behind me made me pour on the speed. I ran out of the building, into the courtyard. I wanted this public. I stopped abruptly. Luke rammed into my back, making me stumble forward slightly. I turned around and put four paces between us. A few people around us noticed.

"I'm done with you Jackson." Luke growled, as a crowd began to form. First you invade this school, then you make friends with my girlfriend. Then," A cruel humor lit his face and he laughed darkly. "Then you had the gut to kiss her. I mean, you must have a death wish. Yeah?" He hissed. I smirked again.

"I mean, if you say so." Whispers were already spreading. He kissed who? Wait, who exactly is Luke's girlfriend? Doesn't Jackson have a girlfriend? Yeah, isn't her name like Anestin or something? "Frankly, I thoroughly enjoyed-" My words were drowned out by the chant.

"Fight, fight, fight, fight, FIGHT! FIGHT!" The people chanted for it and Luke had every intention to take them up on it. I dipped into a crouch and beckoned him with one finger. He smiled sadistically. And as he ran for me, I had a burst of fear. He didn't look stable. He didn't look sane. I ducked and rolled out of the way. I hopped up and slammed a fist into Luke's stomach. He stumbled back but quickly reacted with a kick, swinging my legs out from under me. I caught myself, launching back up and punching his face. He winced. Our fight morphed into a training session, just like at camp. We knew each other's weaknesses. Our strengths. We were evenly matched.

"You're rusty Jackson." Luke taunted.

"Clearly, otherwise I would of whipped your butt by now. Come on, Castellan. I can take it." I teased back. His fist came too fast. I heard a crack as he broke my nose. I cussed so bad my dad would've been proud. "Slow." Luke sneered. But he didn't see my side kick that dislocated his knee. He stumbled, screaming through gritted teeth. "Slow." I agreed. I kicked him in the chest, knocking him to the floor. He got up pretty fast though. I took the two seconds it took him to set my nose. I bit my lip to keep from screaming in pain. I kicked him in the side. He kicked me. Another crack. A rib that time. I grunted. I stumbled. I grabbed his wrist as it came for my face. I twisted it backwards slowly. This break would be slow, I promised him with my eyes. It will hurt. And you will lose. Luke let loose a guttural scream. Another kick to my broken rib. I responded with a similar scream. But I didn't free him.

"STOP!" A desperate voice cried. We both froze. The crowd parted for Annabeth and Anestin. "Stop!" Anestin cried again. I stared at her. I let go of Luke. We both stumbled away from eachother, sliding to the ground. Anestin ran to my side. "Percy, you're an idiot." She said, looking at my swelling nose. Annabeth remained still. She cast one glare at me and walked over to Luke, asking him about his injuries. "Where else did he get you?" Anestin demanded.

"Rib." I wheezed. It hurt. Really bad. Like, the only pain I'd experienced that was worse was my dip in the Styx. Anestin tugged my shirt up. Someone screamed. Everyone screamed. Anestin screamed. "What?!" I demanded. Anestin was breathing heavily. I looked down at my stomach. Bile rose in my throat. A white bone protruded from my stomach. I threw up red blood and everything went black.

Annabeth

I helped Luke up, swinging his arm over my shoulder and dragging him away. I wanted to go help Percy but I couldn't. It would give away too much. So I dragged Luke to the nurse's office, which was empty as the nurse was treating Percy while the ambulance was coming.

"You idiot." I hissed at Luke. "You could of killed him. I get it, you're angry, but he could die, Luke, and he doesn't deserve that." I fold my arms. Luke shook his head.

"He does deserve it. Leave me right now. Go find him and ask him. He's killed so many people. He deserves to die." Luke hissed weakly. He closed his eyes and konked I blinked. Percy what? I backed away from Luke's now unconscious form. I backed out of the office and ran. Ran back to the courtyard. Percy was being loaded onto the ambulance. I walked up to the driver.

"I'm hitching a ride." I said, and didn't wait for a response.

Anestin was sitting next to Percy's limp form. I gagged at the blood on his shirt. Anestin looked up at me. She looked terrified. She let me sit next to her.

"I'm really sorry. For Luke, I mean. He was out of control. It was inexcusable and if he wasn't unconscious I'd be yelling at-"

"This was about you." Anestin said it like a statement. Not a question, but a fact. I raised an eyebrow.

"Why on earth would this be about me?" I asked, mildly offended. Anestin straightened, staring at me angrily.

"I heard them, Annabeth. Don't pretend I'm stupid. The whispers. See her? Yeah that one's Jackson's girlfriend. Oh… it was all about you." Anestin's voice broke. "He kissed you, didn't he? You had nothing to do with it. He kissed you." Anestin buried her face in her hands. "He's in love with you. Not me. He lied. He told me he'd never love you. He was wrong. He lied." Anestin's voice was so heartbroken. I couldn't believe it. How many lies wrapped around Percy Jackson? Was it even possible he loved me?

"I- I'm sorry." I said pathetically. Anestin shook her head.

"For what, Annabeth. And don't elaborate. I want to hate you. Don't you get it? He loves you. I thought he was mine, but…" She shook her head. "He's not." She buried her head in her arms. Percy groaned. I looked away from Anestin and looked at him. He was wide awake. I met his eyes. He'd heard every word.