Chapter 5: Keep It Moving
Disclaimer: DON'T YOU HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO DO THEN HAUNT ME HADES? I DIDN'T WRITE THAT YOU WERE A SCARY MAD MAN! IT WAS SOMEONE NAMED RICK RIORDAN! NOW GET AWAY FROM ME!
Annabeth's POV:
Correct me if I'm wrong… but is it possible that one guy was sweet just this morning turn out to be so damn obnoxious.
"Can't you just pick one channel and stick with it!" I nearly screamed as I tried to concentrate on my book.
"It's called finding the good music."Percy replied calmly but I could tell he's trying to keep his voice calm.
"I'm trying to read!" I pressed the off button.
"I'm just trying to tell you that you're going to get a headache if you keep reading in the car like that… it doesn't matter how much of a good driver I am… you're still going to get a headache." He tried to tell me. "If you don't want to listen to your brother than fine, see if I care." He retorted and turned his attention back to the road.
Okay… maybe he is watching out for my health, as a big brother (or fake brother in this case) but I wasn't just going to let him win like this. No way, my pride is way too high for someone to correct me like this. "I don't need you to help me from getting a headache! I'm perfectly fine with reading in the car." I told him stubbornly.
He grunted in frustration not even glancing at me, "Okay, fine, do whatever you want, but I want to listen to my music!" He shot back slamming into the radio with his right hand.
"Go buy yourself an iPod or something!" I glared at him as I turned off the radio once again. "There's such a thing as respecting others!"
He took a deep breath as if trying to calm down, "Okay… why don't you stop reading…? So both of us could listen calmly to the radio without you getting a headache, or me getting pissed." He said it as simply as he could.
I rolled my eyes at his grammar, as we sat in another awkward silence since I didn't allow him to turn on the radio. I turned the page, 'Architecture of the ancients have influenced modern society greatly. From the structure designs of pillars, to the Roman arches-' Suddenly my head gave away as I felt a throbbing pain on my forehead. I took an intake of a deep breath to reduce the pain, and sadly enough Mr. Find Good Music noticed.
"Are you okay?" I heard his voice from my left side as my head seems burst open from the headache.
I looked over and saw his eyebrows arched up in worry, but he quickly averted his eyes to the road. 'He looks so worried,' I sighed, maybe for once I was actually wrong, but just when I was about to apologize his face broke into a grin as if remembering something.
Percy let out a laugh as he made a turn into the parking lot, "I did tell you that reading in the car gives you headaches." He smirked.
Just when I thought I wanted to say sorry… now I just feel like punching his guts.
He parked his car and walked out, calling over his shoulder, "Come on, let's go! I still have to get to work after this!" He yelled impatiently, his good mood gone as he stared at the land, not even looking back to make sure I was out of the car, or having the courtesy of a gentleman to open the door.
'I change my mind, Emily's brother is a jerk.' I noted in my head as I followed his lead towards a piece of empty land.
"Ms. Collin?" Percy asked as we sat down in a nearby café.
The elderly woman turned towards our direction, "Yes, and you are?" She motioned us to sit down as Percy introduced himself.
"I'm Percy Jackson, I'm here to talk about your piece of land." He said professionally.
"And this young lady? Your fiancé perhaps?" Ms. Collin asked with a slight glance in my direction.
Percy laughed as if it was a good joke, while I simply stared at the woman not really knowing what to say. Thankfully Percy managed to get control of his laughter, "Actually, this is my sister, Annabeth Chase." He introduced me as I nodded a slight greeting.
The woman looked at me for a bit and turned back to Percy, "So I see…" Her fingers hovered over her coffee as she took a sip. "Then… continuing our conversation from yesterday…Mr. Jackson, would you give me a reason why I should even bother giving you this piece of land." She asked him.
Percy looked at the woman straight into the eye, "As I have told you before, our company is planning on building an aquarium for many of the near extinct sea creatures and this… your piece of land, is the perfect place to build it. If you allow us to construct on this piece of land, we would be able to give you at the least 30% profit of any admission into this place." Percy replied with such a level of professionalism that I couldn't help but be awed.
"That is all?" Ms. Collin asked with an edge of anger. "You think that an old woman can be bought?" She asked her voice rising. "I am old now, I have no use for all this money that you are offering. I have to say, if all you are planning to do is earn more money for your company then I will have no part of it."
"That's not what I meant-" Percy quickly said, defending himself. "This could be considered a memorial of your husband." Percy stated as Ms. Collin had a pained look in her face. "It will be known for saving lives of many." I noticed Percy drumming his fingers against the table nervously. "You have to understand, this will be able to save hundreds, if not thousands of living creatures in the sea, due to the many extinction in the process." Percy explained his face etched with frustration.
"Young man," The elderly lady snapped, "All this extinction, this is all because of big company like yours that causes pollution in the air, and all the debris being released into the ocean. I would say that if you are building this construction it will harm the creatures more than save it. I suggest you give up this plan, because I will not sale this piece of land for something as heartless and selfish as that proposition." Her stare hardened as she stared at Percy with distaste. "I will not have my husband's land be remembered as a part of something as crude and greedy as this." She said with finality.
Percy looked as if he wanted to argue but couldn't find the correct word. I sighed, already understanding the whole project. I wasn't expecting myself to even speak up, but my mouth betrayed my brain, "Ms. Collin, I'm afraid you have misunderstood." I said with sincerity.
Both my fake brother and Ms. Collin looked up at me surprised, as if they've forgotten I was there. "I think what…" I paused making sure not to screw up. "M-my brother meant is that this place could be remembered as a place for children to learn about the importance of preserving sea life as well as the earth itself. To be honest, I haven't really known him- umm… my brother that long, but I've done a bit of research on the SeaShakers- my family's company. From what I've read about all their construction, is that they are all eco-friendly, never exceeding the limit where pollution would be of concern."
"So you are telling me that I shouldn't be concern, even though he is releasing pollution in the air?" Ms. Collin asked carefully.
I glanced over and saw Percy looked at me in amazement as I continued, "No, actually I did a couple research while I was umm… studying in California. If my sources are correct… this company has actually contributed to many of the environmental friendly events and is in good ties with many volunteer projects all over the world. I've also checked the overall construction overview of their many constructions, all of which have never been a concern to any kind of current pollution warning." I told her remembering some of the facts to my report. "In addition to all the kindness you would be doing for the future generations, you and your husband both would be remembered in a good and heroic way."
The woman turned and looked at me in an entirely new interest, her face was masked of any emotion so I couldn't tell if she was mad or rather impressed. Ms. Collin nodded as if understanding what I was saying and turned to Percy with a look of approval, "Very well, is that your proposal plan?" She asked me then turned to Percy. "Mr. Jackson, may I see your written plan for the construction?"
Percy scurried into his briefcase to take out a folder and quickly handed it to her. "This is the plan, we haven't found a suitable architecture for the aquarium yet, but if you approve of our plan, I'll have the contract ready at any time." He said a bit too eagerly.
Ms. Collin nodded as she accepted the papers, "I will go over this plan and decide whether or not to accept it." She told us and stood up leaving the café leaving us sitting there without a clue what she was going to decide.
Finally, a while after she have left, Percy spoke up breaking the awkward silence that was created. "Wow…" He stared at me in amazement, "You have got to tell me what you did to convince that woman!" His face was filled with a large grin.
I would lie if I said I wasn't happy, in fact I was feeling pretty cocky at the moment, but decided to play it off modestly, "Did what?" I asked with a clueless face.
"T-that whole speech thing! Even I was convinced!" He exclaimed.
"I just restated everything you said." I replied casually. "With the way you said everything… it seems as if you are trying to convince her with money, and I could tell that she was the type of person that wasn't just going to accept the easy way out." I stated.
He stared at me astonished then cleared his throat as if remembering something I said, "Tell me again… how did you know what kind of construction that the company aims towards or even so much information about the company if you didn't even know that dad was… well… our dad?"
I frowned a bit afraid that maybe he was on to my little secret that I wasn't his sister. "I-I did a…a bit of research about the company before I found out t-that he's Em- my father." I managed and mentally cursed as I almost let out a slip. 'Damn… I have to stop referring him and his father as Emily's family…' I reminded myself hoping that he wouldn't see past my lie.
Percy raised an eyebrow, "Okay… " He trailed off as we were back into our usual dead silence. I pretended to look busy sipping on my coffee and taking a bite out of the waffles, while Percy seems to try to avoid eye-contact with me. I guess I could understand it… it's not every day that you have to spend a day with someone who is your half-sibling. Suddenly my phone rang, taking me out of my thoughts.
"Hello?" I asked into the phone as Percy glanced up from his papers.
"ANNABETH!" Thalia's voice screamed through my phone. "I don't have work today, asked my boss for a day off… anyways… you said you were in New York-"
"I'll explain ," I interrupted her. "Anyways…" I glanced at Percy noticing her was just looking at me suspiciously a second ago. "I'm here with urm… my brother-"
"Bobby and Matthew?" Thalia asked her voice filled with confusion.
"No." I answered as tried not to make eye contact with Emily's brother.
"Malcolm?" She asked again.
"No…" My faced twisted into a frown.
"But-" She began as I quickly interrupted her.
"I'll explain, just don't freak out." I told her, while in my head I could see Thalia getting into raged mood and yelling at me for being so damn stupid.
"Why would I freak out? I mean… it's not like my best friend have a brother that she have NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT!" Thalia screamed nearly making my ears go deaf.
"Thals?" I called out her name but she wasn't done ranting.
"Of course I'm not going to freak out… suddenly you are claiming you have another brother." Thalia continued.
"Thalia?" I called again.
"Oh yeah… did I mention? YOU ARE IN NEW YORK!" She yelled again.
"THALIA GRACE!" I yelled into the phone earning a worried look from Percy and weird looks from everyone else.
"Yeah?" Thalia asked as if nothing had happened.
I sighed, "You're freaking out… " I mumbled.
"And?" Her voice was dangerously menacing. "Anyways, meet me at the nearest Starbucks to my house." She told me. "You still remember where it is right?"
"No of course not…" I mumbled sarcastically.
"WHAT?" Thalia screamed. "HOW? I PRETTY MUCH RAMMED IT INTO YOUR HEAD!" Thalia yelled.
"Kidding, I'll meet you there at two." I told her and hanged up before she really make me go deaf.
Percy's POV:
I'd probably be lying if I said I was sad her phone decided to ring, truth was… I was actually glad because it was getting pretty awkward between us. I didn't want to act like an eavesdropper so I blocked out her conversation until I heard her yell out some weird name. I glanced at Annabeth a bit worried as she yelled into the phone. After a few more conversing with whoever was on the other side of the line she finally hung up. My sister lifted her head up and looked at me, "Can you take me somewhere?"
I stared at her a bit confused, 'Umm… sure I guess… where?"
"Starbucks." She replied simply. "I have a friend that I haven't seen in a long time." She told me.
I stood up and stretched my legs, "Well then… what are we waiting for?" I took out my wallet and left a couple dollars on the table before heading out with Annabeth trailing right behind me.
"Left?" I asked her as the lights turned green.
"I already told you!" My sister nearly screamed.
I tried to not get so mad, I guess now… I could understand why siblings are so annoying, "So left?" I asked again a bit agitated.
"No…duh!" She answered sarcastically.
I rolled my eyes and took the turn, "Now what's next?" I asked her, slowing down the car a bit and looking over to the GPS.
HONK! HONK!
"KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!" Annabeth screamed as I swerved the car over a bit in panic. My heart was racing as I nearly collided with the car in front of me, I swung the wheel over to a parking space and stopped the car. I quickly took a deep breath to calm myself down. "I already told you! Just follow my instructions! You don't need to look over my shoulder for directions!" She told me.
I was a bit in shock, but I managed to answer, "I am not moving this car until you give me the full directions." I told her firmly. "Not just 5 seconds before I'm suppose to turn." I mentioned sarcastically.
"Well we're almost there, so rest your nerves." She answered just as sarcastic. "Take a turn, and there's a Starbucks just right across the street." She said simply.
I looked at her, "And any reason why you didn't just tell me that before… instead of yelling at me."
"Maybe if you had even bother to listen then you would've known." She retorted back.
"Show some respect would you? I'm still your older brother!" I glared at her.
"No you're not!" She yelled back. I glanced at her in confusion, for a moment her face had a funny look of bewilderment on them. Then realization came to them, "I mean… you're my HALF- brother." She corrected herself.
I smirked, "Still the older brother, little sis." I turned on the engine feeling a bit more reassured that I won't crash any more cars… or get into any accident. I took a risk to look over, to see her sending daggers to the GPS, as if pissed that I got the last say. "Starbucks right around the corner." I announced trying to ease up the tension. I made a quick U-turn and parked the car in the first empty parking space. "Do you want me to wait for you or…?" I trailed off, not really knowing if I should follow her or not.
"No… up just pick me up here in an hour, I'm fine." She quickly told me as if afraid or something. "My friend might think it's weird that I suddenly bring down a brother." She added.
I nodded, not really understanding her nervousness, "Umm… sure then… I'll meet you later here in an hour, if not give me a call." I told her, as she stepped out of the car.
She nodded and walked away. As she opened the glass door, I quickly let out a sighed of relief, it's not that I don't like to spend time with my little sister, it's just that sometimes it gets all awkward and then suddenly we're all arguing like cats and dogs the next. I got out my phone and dialed in Grover's number, "Hi, this is Grover I'm not here at the moment, so um… leave me your name and I guess like a message and I'll call you back." Grover's voice blared through the phone.
"Hey man, it's Percy, just calling to see if you need help with the wedding or anything, but uhh…yeah…call me back later than man." I quickly said and hung up.
At that moment I looked up and saw a familiar guy with black hair and a black aviator jacket walking out of Starbucks. His eyes were black, but it seems to be gleaming with happiness. Despite the hot weather, he was wearing almost all black with a single skull earring on his ear. His black hair was messily running down the side of his head while his pale skin seems to contrast with his appearance. I knew instantly that this was Nico Di Angelo.
I walked out of the car and sneaked up behind him when I noticed he was on the phone talking, "The Titan Invasion, yes he could be after Perseus Jackson," I stopped in my track. Okay… usually I'm not an eavesdropper, but try not listening when your friend told you you're in danger. "I don't know whether or not he's on the move at the moment, but I have some pictures and footage of some of the recent crimes he have committed. I don't know for sure, but based on the new information I just got, he's after something that Perseus has... I'm not really sure what it is… I don't even think Percy himself knows of it at all…" Nico reached into his bag to pull out a yellow manila folder that had a couple words written on there, but it seemed blurry to my eyes at this distance. "Okay, I'll give you the rest of the scoop when I get back to work," Nico quickly hanged up his phone and continued to walk as if nothing had happen.
I decided this was probably a good time to walk out. I wanted to question Nico about the conversation he just had, but then I'd have to deal with him yelling at me… and trust me… you do not want a pissed off Nico. "Wassup little man?" I gave him a hard pat on the back as he quickly stopped in shock.
"P-Percy!" He managed as if being caught in a crime scene. "W-what are y-you doing here?" He stuttered as he quickly put away the yellow manila folder.
"Umm… My sister decided to drop in to meet someone here." I told him a bit suspicious. "How about you?"
Nico looked a bit reassured as he regained his composure, "I was working on a case," He told me. "Was meeting with one of the witnesses here." He added quickly.
"O-okay…" I narrowed my eyes, "You seem a bit nervous man."
"Nothing," He said casually as if rest assured, "How about a drink on me?" He asked.
"Sure? Let's go in then?" I asked pointing into the Starbucks.
He looked at the place then quickly dragged me to my car, "Nah, I'm feeling something other than coffee, how about some fries?" He asked then grinned, "It's on me."
"So let me get this straight, your sister… or half-sister, is driving you nuts?" He asked again trying to keep the smile off his face.
"Yes… no need to rub it in." I mumbled. "I didn't even ask for a sister." I complained then quickly saw Nico's sad expression.
"Sure you didn't…" He murmured quietly.
I immediately regretted my words knowing that he was probably thinking about Bianca, "Look man, that's not what I meant-"
"Save it," He said gloomily. "So how's the new construction going?" He asked, probably trying to change the subject.
I decided not to press him too much, "Actually pretty well… seems as if we might get to buy that piece of land," I informed him. "So what's this new case you are working on? You seem so dedicated to it."
"Well, regarding the accident two years ago…" Nico trailed off.
I frowned, "You don't mean-"
"Yes, that one." He finished.
I felt an old feeling of guilt traveling through my body. "It was partly my fault man," I blamed myself. "If I hadn't decided to drive them home-"
"Dude stop blaming yourself for their deaths!" Nico said harshly. "If it was anyone, it's her!"
"Nico I know you are mad at her but Rachel-" I tried to explain, even though I have no idea why I was defending my ex.
"Rachel… huh?" Nico asked. "Percy I was inside the car with you guys, I was awake when you guys were dying!" He said no longer in control of his emotions. "I saw her there! She was there, she saw us, if she had called the ambulance a bit earlier… they would've survived!" Nico tried to tell me. "But no… she just simply ran away, and boarded the plane, leaving me with a few burns and you in a critical condition. Don't remind me about the deaths!" His eyes were brimming with anger that I could almost see the blackness void in them.
"Nico, you were already out before I blacked out." I told him.
"Percy! That's not the point! I know she was there!" Nico tried to tell me.
I wouldn't believe him though, because as much as I hated Rachel, and despite the fact that she never visited me ever since that accident, I know at most that she was not that heartless.
"Nico, it's the past already…" I tried to tell him. "Just give up this case." I tried to tell him, not really believing anything he was saying, because if I was correct, he was hit in the head and blacked out almost instantly before me.
"Sure the past… the past took away three lives, left you blaming yourself forever," Nico finished for me. "Don't you want to know what happened that night?" He asked me.
"No what's done is done." I said wisely not wanting to delve into that past again. "Why can't you give it up to Nico?" I begged him. "I just want to keep moving forward with my life man,"
"No," He replied simply.
"It was just an accident." I tried to convince him.
"That's what you think…" He trailed off leaving me suspicious. "What if I tell you that it wasn't an accident?" He asked me with a desperate look in his eye.
MWHAHAHAHA I'M SO EVIL! *dodges a couple daggers*So what do you think? Good? Bad? REVIEW PLEASE! Well school's a pain… been having trouble … So what do you do when a friend ask you to keep a promise, while another friend ask you to be honest… and to make things more complicated they contradict each other entirely. So in the matter of honesty and trust… which I am not so strong in… hence I don't trust people that easily, and in most cases I don't tell the whole truth (Hermes much?) instead I used wordplay and riddles to tell the truth. So it's a win-win situation right?
Anyways… bringing the topic off that… I've gotten some messages saying that there's been someone copying my story Jackson's Chase word for word, and thanks to those who notified me, for that I'm very thankful. I've already send the guy/girl a message and hopefully he/she will put my story down and try to start their own story with their own ideas
Reply to Reviews:
Capilla007: Haha very well put XD I love the stolls too, they are hilarious! And as for Thalia… who do you think? *mysterious music*
GemOfOlympus: Makes perfect sense, but yeah older brothers are cool, when they are not bossy and scary! But seriously I wish for an older brother, I have lots of sisters… and one little brother… and since the sisters are well… not exactly how I imagined them to be…
To Lazy to Login: LOL well I could understand that, it's just I stop reading when I get to the best part in the story so I could remember it and hopefully dream that I'm a demigod :D
AzianDemigod16: haha I'm still waiting for a couple (lots) more months until MoA comes out… I seriously can't wait!
PJOFan: That's amazing! If I try that… I swear I'll kill my head… I have pretty short term memory when it comes to an entire passage XD
Kiransomers: haha it's Seaweed Brain we're talking about XD he's just dense! And thanks for telling me about the story reposting, I appreciate it :D
C-Nuggets N.L.: HAHA the world is twisted now! My friend apparently have cameras installed into my room XD haha it would be awkward if he flirts to his "sister" and you're right it would probably be hilarious! I can't wait till you update your story! Haha I'm pretty much procrastinating my homework to be reading and reviewing and when my parents ask.. I say I am reading and doing critical thinking :D
Fireballer23: Thanks for telling me I appreciate it :D
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