Chapter 21: A Reliable Friend
Once again apologize… my uncle have been sent into ICU for some brain surgery and he's in a coma and I'm stuck in bed with a stomach flu so I couldn't really do much, but I'm feeling better now! And my uncle just gave a little movement so hopefully he recovers soon!
REVIEW REPONSE:
Moon over manifest: I wish I could update everyday… but this summer= much more busier than the last one (baby brother baby sitting *sigh*) but thanks! Haha I'm glad that you LOVED IT!
Jasper: haha hopefully Percabeth starts soon! Sibling love… the best but also the worst kind XD
thelazyGemOfOlympus: better yet known as GOO! Okay haha you had me laughing with the lazy part, hmm… and I never did notice his name rhymes with puke… (well you learn new things everyday!) probably more like a mosquito.. cause he can actually hurt you . but I agree Percy is an amazing big brother haha if only all older sibling learns to be like Percy! Oh yeah… and RUNNING!
Pregnantnun: I'm glad! MORE YAYS! I LIKE YAYS and PERCABETH!thanks! glad you find this unique!, I would ask for some peanut butter but I'm allergic. Haha but at least you got something good out of that little peanut butter captain crunch :D wanna share the cookies now?
Bjob196: I'm not going to bring One Direction into this, don't worry it was simply just a song recommendation, cause some other reviewers actually commented and said they liked those things at the end. Not all the fans are young women XD, but yeah most of them are, but I really enjoy music in general and like sharing it around, it's cool if you don't like it :D In answer to your other review though, I actually never realized that, great song by the way, I'm listening to it right now :D
Dude 702: haha Luke… I'm actually not sure whether I want him working with a mafia or something else… XD but yeah he's coming back!
Bazinga: cool name! okay that aside well not exactly updating tomorrow but here it is! Thanks again!
Disclaimer: I shall never own Percy Jackson because he belongs to Annabeth Chase :D
Percy's POV:
I dreamed I was on the surfboard and water was splashing against my face. The crowd was cheering my name as I surfed towards land. "Percy! Percy!"
Then I heard another voice… that didn't quite belong in my dream, "I screwed! Percy's going to kill me when he wakes up!"
A girl's voice answered, "I just panicked! I didn't mean to punch him! Seriously … I've been way to involved with your case!"
By now I was clearly awake, but I didn't open my eyes just yet… I had a feeling I wasn't suppose to listen to this conversation.
"It's not my fault! You actually hesitated… but then you still punched his face!" The first voice replied.
"Do you actually want him to catch us together…? What if it gets out?" The girl's voice said.
"Well… isn't it already too late… I think he already saw us…" The first voice, I recognized now as Nico answered.
"I knew I should've punch his head a bit harder…." The girl mumbled. "If he wasn't Annabeth's brother… I would've already killed him a while ago…"
"He's still my friend Thals," Nico told the girl named Thals. "And you know full well that Annabeth is not Percy's sister."
My heart stopped… well that is if it haven't stopped already… I was hoping it wasn't true… I was hoping that she was actually my sister somehow… but now that Nico and this Thals girl have said that… I was starting to lose hope.
"Yes yes… I'm surprised he haven't figured it out yet… such a Kelp Brain…" Thals mumbled.
"It's Percy we're talking about," Nico mumbled. If I hadn't been trying to eavesdrop on the two of them I would've smacked Nico's face right away.
"Well… he's pretty smart to figure out that there's a hidden picture of you at my house. He almost got a look at it." Thals said. I waited a moment trying to figure out what the hell this girl was talking about… I was at her house? I'm pretty sure I did not know anyone name Thals… at least I'm pretty sure I don't.
"Oh… so you have a picture of me at your house?" Nico's voice asked teasingly.
"Compared to your little stalker files on me before we met… I would say a picture is not as creepy."
"Can't blame me… you were taking my picture… of course I would get suspicious." Nico defended himself.
"True… but you were still just starting high school… for all I know… you shouldn't be suspicious of everyone that tries to get even just a bit close to you."
"Point taken," Nico sighed as I heard him walking somewhere to my right. "You might want to leave before he wakes up," I heard a couple of footsteps walking away from me.
"I'll drop by tomorrow to give you the rest of the pictures… maybe then… we can have some quality time together and not worry about the case." The Thals girl's voice said softly.
"Okay, I'll see you then." Nico replied in a gentle voice that I didn't think was possible.
At that moment I took a risk to peek through my eyes and what I saw… almost made me have a heart attack… and well… barf. The girl with spiky black hair leaned up and gave kiss to Nico… full on the lips… I was expecting Nico to pull away… but instead he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in closer to deepen the kiss. The two pulled away after a while and the girl turned around… and as if the fates haven't played me enough… t-that girl… that girl was… Thals… Thalia… Thalia Grace… the photographer.
Nico…. Mr. I-Never-Date… and… Thalia… Ms. Evil-Photographer… are together?
Nico released his grip from Thalia and gave her another quick peck on the lips. "You know… if we weren't secretly dating… I could've taken you out on a proper date…" Nico mumbled against her lips.
"Where's the fun in that?" Thalia managed to look slightly evil as she linked her hands with Nico and leaned in for another kiss. I nearly barfed. I did not want to see Nico making out with Thalia… actually I couldn't even imagine the two together.
"It would be much easier if our boss wasn't so intent on me not having romantic affairs." Nico sighed.
"By our boss… don't you mean your dad?" Thalia grumbled… clearly from first hand experience… I could totally relate to Thalia. Nico's father wasn't exactly the kind of father that you would randomly hug… than again… we (as in his father and I) have never gotten to much of a good start since I pretty much burned his favorite robe a while back… (seriously… what kind of middle-aged man wears a robe… especially one with skulls and death all over it… apparently Nico's father does…)
"You can't really blame him…" Nico tried to defend his father. "He was with my mom… and you know how well that went…"
I struggled to remember that Nico once told me his mother had been involved in a freak fire and was frequently in and out of physical therapy.
"Trust me… I hate my dad as much as you do… but what he did had nothing to do with me-"
"I know that… but my dad's pretty good at holding grudges too… at least I could see reason… but with my dad, he always think that he's the best… so I can't blame him. We could tell him… I really don't mind… he can't control my life."
"We'll see after we finish this case Mr. Di Angelo, but for now… I have to get back to check on the sister of the annoying Kelp Brain right there." Thalia said teasingly before stepping out the door with Nico staring right after her as she hailed a taxi and was soon away from sight.
I took that chance to walk up to Nico, "Nice girlfriend you have there man," I said casually.
"Yeah…" Nico said dreamily. "She's a real beau-" Nico stopped as if realizing something. He slowly turned around to meet with my face. "P-Percy!" He stuttered. "H-how'd… W-when'd you get up…?" He tried to get his stutter under control.
"Just long enough to see that little goodbye kiss you gave to a certain someone…" I manage a weak smirk towards his direction. Nico stared at me, his eyes were open wide and fisted his hands up as if debating whether to punch me senseless or not. "Now… tell me… what is it going between you and… Thalia Grace…?" I asked with a slight grin, momentarily forgetting the real reason I was here for.
In an instant, Nico's front door was closed and he had me with my back pinned to the floor. "You can't tell anyone… I swear-"
I pushed the younger guy off me, "Dude chill… I'm not going to say anything…" I told him. "I'm just-… How long have this thing been going on?" I asked him a bit curious.
For a moment Nico's pale face turned a light shade of pink, "A while back…" He said hesitantly as I raised an eyebrow, "For… like… four years now…" He mumbled quietly. "Well… over ten years… if you're counting the time that I've hanged out with her…"
I stared at him, "Ten years?
I stared at him in disbelief… this was why he never dated… all this time I kept on thinking I had to set him up with some girl… but he already did have a girlfriend… or (as cheesy as it sounds) someone in his heart. "How did you manage to hide it from us?"
"Didn't have to... I usually like to do things by myself," Nico added.
I stared at him in bewilderment. "You're… I still can't believe… you and Thalia…"
"What's so hard to believe?" He asked obviously offended.
"One… you don't date… two… you're not really one to be loving to be honest…" I said bluntly.
Nico looked like he was about to argue but stopped himself, "Now… tell me… why are you here at my house…?"
I narrowed my eyes at him, "Let's just say… I need information." I told him. "I need more information about Annabeth."
"Annabeth…" Nico trailed off as if he didn't know her last name. I swear this guy is making it harder and harder for me to resist the urge to punch him.
"CHASE! The girl who I've found out today is not my sister instead there's this Emily Kim!" I exploded. "The girl that you were talking about with your secret girlfriend who clearly said Annabeth was not my sister!"
"Oh!" Nico exclaimed in realization. "That Annabeth…funny story…" Nico laughed nervously.
I glared at him, "How long have you known that she was not my sister…?"
"Ever since Thalia knew…?" Nico offered unhelpfully.
My heart sank, "So she's really not my sister…?" I asked a bit sad.
"You don't sound as angry as I thought you would…" Nico stated.
"Why…? Am I suppose to sound angry?" I asked still depressing over the fact that Annabeth was not my sister.
"I don't know… you treasure loyalty over everything… and your sister used your loyalty like that… of course I expected you to get mad… but considering you didn't… I have a feeling that you probably like having a sister like her."
"I seriously… don't want to do anything to change the relationship we have right now. You're right, I'm actually used to having a sister around…" I admitted.
"Then don't tell her!" Nico answered. "You know… when Thalia first told me about Annabeth not being your sister… I was ready to rat your sister out, because honestly I didn't like anyone taking advantage of you just for their own benefit."
"It would've probably been easier to be mad at her if you have told me beforehand." I mumbled.
"Please … this is probably the most happy I've seen you in a while since Rachel broke up with you. Honestly you actually gave a genuine smile not just the fake one you've been putting on since the car accident." Nico said wisely. "Maybe I just thought that you just needed someone to talk too, I guess Annabeth was that person."
"So you're saying that I should just not tell her than I know and let everything drift back to normal?" I asked. Normally I would never ask Nico for advice because frankly this emo friend of mine isn't very reliable with his words, but just this one time… I'll make an exception.
"Seems like the most suitable choice… unless you want to tell her and make her feel awkward… and she'll most likely want to move out…" Nico trailed off.
I thought about it and knew that Nico was probably right. As much as I want to tell it face-to-face with Annabeth… I also didn't want to lose the only sister I've ever had… even if she is fake. I have to give props to Annabeth for helping me get back with Rachel… for cheering me up… for keeping me company… in other words… I owed her a lot during all these times.
"Y-you're right…" I sighed. I had no idea why I was too forgiving to this girl with no relationship to me what-so-ever… Nico proved that… "Wait Nico… do you know why she pretended to be my sister?"
"Thought you'd never asked." Nico said with that creepy grin of his. "Now tell me… what did you know already?"
With that said I spend almost an hour just talking to my little buddy about my fake sister and my real sister. Throughout that whole time I learned my real sister, full name is Emily Zendaya Kim. She was the daughter of Amanda Allison Kim and of course my father Poseidon Oceanus. She was currently a student at Stanford University over in California, majoring in the medical field. How did Nico ever got a hold of these things… I'll probably never know.
"So according to Thalia… Annabeth came over here for her dream career… which is obviously architecture and-" My phone quickly ring cutting off whatever Nico was going to say.
I looked at the caller I.D. to find a number that I didn't recognize at all. "Hello?" I said into the phone while holding up my hand for Nico to stop.
"Percy right? It's Jason… erm… we met the other day at the hospital… but anyways… Piper told me to tell you that Annabeth is awake and you'd probably want to know…" Jason trailed off.
I couldn't keep the grin off my face, "Okay I'll be right there!" I said a bit too happy which startled Nico a bit.
"I'm guessing Ms. Chase is awake?" Nico guessed.
"How'd you know?" I asked him… a bit surprised.
"One you're too happy and two Thalia paged me just a few minutes ago." He held up his pager and a slight grin on his face.
"I'll drop by later than," I told him as I got ready to walked out the door but stopped. "Wait… what if she realizes that I know that I'm not her brother…" I trailed off.
I couldn't explain my feelings, for sure I was rather happy that my fake-sister was alive (okay a bit exaggeration… she was never dead…) , but then just thinking of facing her now when I totally knew that she's not my sister is a whole other story.
"Just go," With that Nico pushed me out of the house and slammed the door in my face.
"Such a nice considerate friend I have there…" I grumbled silently.
"I heard that!" Nico yelled from the other side of the door.
I glared at the door.
"I see you glaring as well…"Nico's voice said again.
I gave up and got into my car debating how the hell I was going to face Annabeth when I talk to her.
Annabeth's POV:
Thankfully Thalia came to my rescue to ensure Piper doesn't talk about my so called 'love' with Percy. Seriously… that girl cracks me up (no sarcasm intended).
"I'm glad you're feeling better!" Thalia said as she crushed me into a rib-cracking hug.
"Thalia my back…" I winced in pain as she hugged me just a bit too tight.
"You're being like an old woman," Thalia argued but thankfully she released me from the killer hug. "So what are you guys talking about that got Annabeth's face all flustered up?" Thalia asked looking at Piper.
'I'm flustered?' I asked myself. "I'm not flustered…" I mumbled but Piper went on ignoring me as she continued her conversation with Thalia.
"Nothing… just about Percy and his possible love for her," Piper spilled.
"Oh gee Piper… thank you for implying something that's not true." I glared at the girl.
"Don't believe me, then ask Thalia… Percy was pretty much a dead zombie and I swore he didn't even leave once… except for today that is…" Piper trailed off.
I looked over at Thalia for confirmation but for some reason she looked a bit distraught. "O-Oh umm… yeah, totally."
I raised an eyebrow, "Thals… are you okay?"
Thalia stood up straight as if she got out of a trance, "Perfectly fine," She gave me a reassuring smile. Right at that moment I heard footsteps coming in and Percy rushed in with a slight troubled face, but when he saw that I was awake he managed a weak smile. For a moment I saw him look at Thalia with a slight amused expression… but he quickly turned away… so it was probably my imagination.
"Oh hey… Sleeping Beauty is awake!" He exclaimed thought there was a tad nervousness in his voice. He reached his hand behind his head and ruffled his hair, "So… are you okay or do you need another beauty sleep?" He joked.
Even though Percy was joking I could hear the concern in his voice, "I'm good," For some reason I felt as if Percy was a bit distant from me… maybe it was the way he talked as if he's scared he might slip something important… or maybe how he was stuttering with his words.
Jason hung back near the doorway, "Ready to go yet Pipes?" He asked his girlfriend.
Piper stood up and turned towards me before walking over to Jason, "You're okay here alone right?" Piper asked me.
"You guys need to stop treating me like a patient." I mumbled clearly not amused with everyone treating me as if I'm a weakling.
"Well… you're in the hospital, and was out for almost three weeks… I think we have a right to treat you like a patient. Oh… added to the fact you are a patient." Thalia added in helpfully.
"Thalia do you need a ride or anything? I'm dropping by your house to pack my stuff anyways," Jason offered his sister.
Thalia grabbed her bag and stood up, "How about you drop me off at my work? I don't want to be the third wheel while you guys are smacking lips at MY house." Thalia emphasized.
Jason managed a slight laugh, "Okay, then let's go sis, we don't have much time," He grabbed Piper's hand and led her out towards the walkway of the hospital. "You coming Thalia?"
I looked over at Thalia to find her staring at Percy… which was a bit odd and for some reason I felt a rush of… well… unpleasant emotion rolling through my brain.
"Thalia?" Jason called again as he poked his head back into the room.
Thalia snapped out of her trance and reverted her eyes towards her brother. "Yeah I'm coming, don't you dare leave without me."
I looked over at Percy to notice he was deliberately not trying to look at Thalia… almost out of guilt…?
"Well I'll see you later Annie and make sure next time it's not at the hospital." Thalia grinned and with that she walked out the door.
"Well… that was eventful…" Percy said thoughtfully as he sat down right beside me. "You're okay right? Not hurt or anything?" He asked with his eyebrows scrunched up.
I laughed, "I'm perfectly fine Dr. Jackson,"
He raises his hand up and lifted my hair away from my face looking at the bandage on my head, then quickly readjusted the chair helping me get into a more comfortable position to sit. He placed his hands around my shoulders helping me sit a bit more upright. Before he let go of me, Percy grabbed me and hugged me as if this was the last time he was going to see me. For a moment my eyes went wide in alarm at his sudden outburst of emotions. "I'm glad you're okay… seriously what the hell happened that day?"
I pushed him away playfully, "Is my half-brother turning a bit sappy?" I teased him.
"Annabeth I'm serious," He said with a straight face that frankly scared me a bit.
I frowned at his seriousness... maybe Piper was right… maybe he does genuinely cares about me… not just out of his responsibility as an older brother. "I don't remember… I was just on a date with Luke and then-" I stopped abruptly feeling a killer headache creeping up.
"I'm going to have a talk with this Luke guy…" Percy mumbled clenching his hands in anger.
"Wow… you were seriously worried…" I said quietly noticing the anger that he radiated.
"You actually think I wouldn't be worried? You may not be my sister-" He paused then quickly continued. "My full blood related sister… but... never mind," He decided and turned away from me once again facing the window in my room.
I was taken back by his caring side… maybe because I've never had someone who cared this much for me. Even my biological mom was not this considerate, she cared for me, yes, but actually taking the time for me… fat chance… she's much to busy with her work schedule. My dad… I'm not even sure if he cared for me, maybe about his other family, but sure as hell not for me. My stepmom… oh yeah she totally cares about me (sarcasm intended).
Then there's Percy… who I've only known for less than a few months actually taking his time for me… caring for me… the family member that I've always wished for. For a moment my heart felt a bit warmed up and to be honest my mind felt a bit fuzzy… whether it was from the after-effects of the blow or something else… I wasn't sure.
"Did Piper call in the doctors to check up on you yet?" Percy asked noticing my moment of hesitation.
"Yeah, he said that he is going to check on stuff for a bit, like an overall body check to make sure I'm okay before he release me from the hospital." I told him happy that he's not freaking out about my safety anymore. "I heard from Piper that you stayed the whole time…" I trailed off not really wanting to admit that I was really grateful to him.
"Please… I would not waste my time for you," He said aimlessly as if trying to sound like he didn't care… but I knew better. We fell into a comfortable silence before Percy decided to speak up. "Hey… umm… just wondering," He stopped a bit as if considering his word choices. "Why exactly did you listen to erm… dad about coming over to live with me?"
I stared up at him in confusion wondering why was he asking this question. "Umm… because I wanted to attend Columbia?" I offered a bit freaked out by his sudden weirdness.
"How about you tell me more about your adopted family then?" He asked.
"What?" I laughed. "Are we playing twenty questions again?"
He seemed to force out a laugh, "Actually, I'm just wondering since… well you've been staying with me for almost two months… well maybe a little bit less if you consider the three weeks that you've been in a coma…" He trailed off. "I mean I want to make life easier for both of us… you being the neat-freak and me-"
"Being the lazy pig?" I offered as he let out a snort.
"Me? Lazy pig?" He raised an eyebrow. "I'd have to let you know, my house is rather clean,"
"Yeah… since I've lived in there," I grinned. "You have to admit that you're glad for such a talented sister." I felt a pain at my forehead as Percy quickly stood up in alarm.
"Oh gods… are you okay?" He asked clearly freaking out. "I'll go call the doctor."
I quickly grabbed his hand and call him back, "I'm fine… it's just a minor side effect." I told him. "I'm your sister… I can't be that weak."
Percy look like he was about to say something but he stopped. His eyes glanced thoughtfully at the windows in my room. "Sister," I heard him mumbled under his breath. He turned towards me, "Tell me about your adopted family." He told me.
"Well what is there to say…besides my dad's a big jerk… my stepmom does not understand me… and my brothers can be somewhat annoying but they are harmless." I said easily wondering why Percy was so tense today. Percy went on asking questions about my life and I answered him honestly… well as honestly as I can without spilling that I wasn't his sister.
Then we went to the topic about Rachel…
"I have to say thank you…" Percy mumbled quietly as I took notice of how dark it was outside. The sun was already setting down and the clock was nearly striking seven. Thankfully as we talked Percy seem to relaxed a bit as if forgetting about whatever bad memory he was thinking about. It was almost as if we're talking like normal now.
"For what?" I asked obviously confused.
"Rachel…" He managed then glanced up at me with a genuine smile on his face. "I just asked her out again. I guess that's all thanks to you for talking some sense into me."
For some reason I felt a pang of disappointment when he said he asked out Rachel again, but the feeling disappeared as soon as it came. "I talked some sense into you?"
"Wow… you hit your head that hard?" Percy laughed as he looked at my confused expression. I glared at him teasingly and smacked his arm."You know, for a sick patient… you seem pretty strong to me," Percy mumbled as he held my arm in place before I could get another hit at his arm. "Oh yeah, before it melts, I have your special flavored ice cream madam."
Percy reached inside a bag by his leg and pulled out a small serving of ice cream. "I didn't dare to buy the regular size because I wasn't sure if you're even allowed to eat this."
"Good enough… at least you remember the ice cream favor."
"Wait…" Percy quickly grabbed the small cup of ice cream away before I could take a bite. "You're no longer my fake-girlfriend…" Percy said thoughtfully as an unfamiliar frown came upon his face. "Umm… yeah… no longer my fake-girlfriend, so I don't need to owe you any ice cream!" He said triumphantly but I noticed a lingering hesitation in his voice.
"Hmm… who was the one who helped you get back with Rachel?" I smirked as his eyebrows scrunched up in frustration.
"Okay okay! If you are not interested in becoming an architect… you should consider being a lawyer with that mouth of yours." He grumbled as he passed the small cup over and taking out another for himself. "Enjoy the classic vanilla bean flavor," He announced before being a kind gentlemen and opening the cap for me.
A couple hours later, I let my eyes drift into a light nap, but when I woke up the next time Percy was fast asleep in the chair right next to my bed with his hands protectively on my arm as if he's afraid something bad might happen to me. His head was rested right near the palms of my arms and oddly enough I let a smile escape my lips as I thought about how caring he is.
I told him to go home a while ago… but of course being the stubborn gentlemen he simple said, "Just go to sleep first… I'll go home when you've fallen asleep."
Of course I obeyed and was soon in a little nap but seeing him here I couldn't help but think about what Piper had said about Percy actually genuinely caring for me. For a moment… I wished I didn't lie that I was his sister, but rather his real sister just so he could protect me.
Now that I think about it… sooner or later… it'll be revealed that I'm not his sister and he'll hate me, and I'll probably lose him as a friend as well. I'll never admit this to Percy… but I'd rather like to have someone like him always with me. Like I said I like something permanent and reliable and Percy have done nothing but proven that he could be trusted. For the first time since I accepted this plan with Emily, I was glad that I went along with it.
I grinned as I laid back down with a pleasant thought of this too-good-to-be-true- older brother. 'Percy… no longer considered my fake-brother… but possibly… a friend. A honest, reliable friend.' I sighed in content as my eyes started closing.
Sweet? Well I tried to put in Percabeth in there without making it too awkward… well I hope that's okay… anyways what do you guys think? Good? Bad? REVIEW PLEASE!
You guys like my cover picture for both Jackson's Chase and A Wise Seaweed Brain? Forgot to mention it the last time XD, but I'd like to thank my sister for helping me! But yeah, I do not own any of those picture! I just simply put them all together! All pictures go to their correct owners :D
Song: It Ends Tonight- The All-American Rejects (- trying to learn to play this song.. but me= such an epic fail XD)
-Agent Astro Zombie