Chapter 31: Indirect Love
Reviews:
Hunter: Nah Luke is far from gone, he's just on a little absentee kind of thing! So you'll protect him… then try to kill him… interesting…
Pregnantnun227: haha updating late? I'm not sure actually, I've always been a late sleeper, probably that's why! Well hopefully Chris can come back soon :D
Travis: Fanfiction… what the heck is this?! Connor!
Connor: Sheesh bro! Take a little rest! I'm trying to catch up on my good night sleep!
Travis: I discovered something worth blackmailing! *grins evilly*
Connor: What are you- Blackmailing *looks cautiously around* Why might this be?
Travis: hmm.. there's apparently a site called fanfiction! Hey look there's Travis and Connor! WOAH! The most hits are Percy and Annabeth.. no wait there's a code name… PERCABETH!
Connor: We shall print all of these out and blackmail them!
Travis: I just love your thinking bro!
*3573482398472517239757846931 2928367656239148258675635419 283647563 minutes later*
Connor: Seriously is this all of it yet? *looks at the stacks after stacks of paper*
Travis *panting* We are not even at the halfpoint line yet… who is this fanfiction person?! How the hell does someone write so much!
Connor: Wait… It's not one person… there's other names… what the hell is this? AAZ?
Travis: Hmm… A Wise Seaweed Plan-
Connor: Woah! When did you start liking the Gardener?
Travis: *faint blush* WHAT?!
Connor: Yeah it said right here! You're madly in love with Katie, apparently your couple name is Tratie! COOL! I'm a mad player! Dude I have such a better life than you when we grow up!
Travis: I DO NOT LIKE KATIE!
Connor: Sure whatever you say bro! Hmm… seems as if this AAZ person whatever haven't been updating their story lately…
Travis *evil gleam* you're thinking what I'm thinking?
Connor: Course, we wouldn't be bros without that right?
Travis: Then let's get rid of these papers and start writing!
Connor: I wasn't thinking about that! I was talking about checking out anything embarrassing that's recorded on this fanfiction site!
Travis: Well, I wanna mess with this AAZ person! I can't believe this person made me paired up with Katie! She's the Gardener can you believe it?! She's like my worst enemy! You still got that hacking kit dad got us last year right?
Connor: I thought you'd never ask!
*2 days later*
Travis: Damn... that took longer than planned.
Connor: I told you we should've asked one of the Athena nerds to help us-
Travis: ANNABETH MIGHT HEAR US!
Annabeth: She did now! *materialized out of thin air*
Travis: QUICKLY PRESS UPDATE UPDATE NOW!
Connor: *presses update* LET'S RUN BRO!
Disclaimer: I do not in any shape or form own Percy Jackson… apparently Travis and Connor doesn't either…
Annabeth's POV:
When I was awake a few hours later and was leaning on Percy's shoulder as he pigged out at some snacks he brought with him. "Oh you're awake." He said happily but there was still some uneasiness in his voice. "You were killing my shoulders for a while, but you seem to be enjoying me as a pillow a lot." Percy laughed.
"Sorry," I said as I sat up straight trying not to blush at the fact that this was the second time I've fallen asleep on him. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"
He shrugged, "I didn't want you to kick me again now would I?" He grinned good naturedly.
"I guess not," I smiled weakly. "So are you going to tell me where we're heading towards yet?"
"Trust me, you'll find out in less than five minutes. They just announced landing right before you woke up." He informed me. "There's actually something I've been meaning to tell you. Your stepmom," He began. "She called just last night, when you were asleep."
I turned towards him. I couldn't deny that I was curious at what that woman wanted to say, but even more I'm furious that Percy touched my phone. "You touched my phone."
He didn't even seem fazed, "It was ringing, did you expect me not to pick it up?" He shot back. "But she said they found your dad and he's alive."
I felt relieved right away, "Oh really? That's good then." I played it off coolly. Why should I care about someone who abandoned me since I was a kid?
"That's all?" Percy asked as if surprised.
"My dad hated me since the day I was born. After he got the divorce with my mom and got remarried, he just excluded me from his life as if I'm nothing. He could die for all I care." I said staring straight into his eyes.
Percy look down doubtfully, "There's a chance that he could be paralyzed from the burns he received. If you want we could head over to your family-"
I snapped, "I don't want to see those so called people!"
Percy let out a sigh. "I'm not particularly the biggest fan of my dad, but he's still my dad. I'll bet you that my dad is ten times worst than your dad can ever be, but he's still my dad unfortunately."
I stayed silent staring straight ahead in front of me, "You don't get it. You don't know what it is like to be running away from home when you're just seven. They didn't care whether or not I was gone. I could die for all they care."
Percy seems to be deep in thought as I said that, "You're not the only one that was running away." I heard him mumbled softly. I suddenly remember Emily telling something about him being framed as a past terrorist.
"You've always wanted to know why I ran away right?" He seem to be asking himself. "I couldn't stand how my mom was living, she was living with a guy that disrespected her and abused her. I didn't know that he was abusing her because all she did was send me away to boarding schools. Finally, I got the message, I wasn't wanted… or so I thought so. I did the logical thing any kid would do and ran away from home."
I stared at him, "But your mom, she's-"
"I know," He sighed as if ashamed. "She cared about me, a lot, but I always assumed she wanted to get rid of me because she always send me away. I didn't know that it was because of life at home with my stepdad was bothering her."
"Paul? He's not- he doesn't looking like-"
"It's not Paul." He answered clenching his hands. "But from this, I want to tell you that as a kid we tend to assume thing, maybe your dad have his reason of doing so?"
I wanted to hear more of his story, but I knew he wouldn't budge seeing that he already changed the topic. "If that little reevaluation of your past was just to prove that to my dad is a good guy, then save it. You don't know my family." I said darkly.
"I-" Whatever he was going to say got interrupted by our pilot announcing we were safely landed in the San Francisco airport.
"San Francisco?! Really Percy?" I glared at him as soon as we got safely off the plane and were waiting for our bags.
"There's nothing wrong in San Francisco." Percy defended himself but he looked downright scared. "There's this person we've got to talk to and he's in San Francisco. You're cool with that right? I mean, I meant it to keep a secret from you since you could visit your old friends back at Stanford but then I forgot about the stupid pilot's announcement into the airport." He said with a rather innocent grin on his face that I couldn't help but believe him.
I didn't mean to overreact, but then my family is there…
"Are you okay Annabeth?" He asked a bit worried.
"It's uhh… it's nothing." I said nervously. "Let's just get everything pack in."
In about an hour we dropped our stuff inside our room when Percy decided to push me out of the door. "We're going sight-seeing! It's not every day that I get to be in San Francisco." He grinned as he dragged me out of the front door of the hotel and into our rental car. "I am your personal cheer you up guy today and we are not going back here until you have had the time of your life."
"There's not much to see here in San Francisco and it's already 4 o'clock."
"What? San Francisco is considered a tourist place. There's the Golden Gate Bridge, malls, stores and most importantly food!" I argued. "So we got about three hours to find our ways around San Francisco and you have a choice to enjoy the tour or be a grumpy old woman." He pointed out. "Choice is yours Wise girl and I'll bet you do not know how to have fun." Percy challenged.
For the many first time since I was in San Francisco, I smiled, "Oh, bring it on Seaweed Brain."
~PAGEBREAK~
We spend the rest of the day being like tourist and snapping picture out of a camera Percy just brought here. Occasionally dropping by to buy some quick snack at some of the small shops on the streets, we managed to stuff ourselves so full that I could barely take another bite.
"I can't believe you did that!" Percy exclaimed as he drove the car to our next unknown destination that he claims need to remain a secret.
I laughed, "What? That was nothing!"
"You ate three bowls of extreme spiciness!" Percy pointed out. "If anything, that was the second most amazing thing I've ever saw."
"What's the first?"
"Probably Grover dressing up as a girl." Percy laughed as I quickly burst out laughing. "But that probably falls under the category of funny."
"So where are we going now?" I asked as soon as we finally calmed down.
"Well you can save your questions cause we're here." Percy stated as soon as he parked the car. "First close your eyes." He said immediately. Before I could take a look at my surroundings, Percy placed a jacket over my head. "You have to promise not to open your eyes until I say so."
I sighed thinking this is another one of his so called beautiful landscape. "Fine, but if I bump into anything or fall down a cliff I'll make sure to bring you down with me." I warned him trying to hold back my laughter.
"Oh don't worry, we are most likely not at any place that can kill you." He laughed as if I told a great joke.
We walked for a few minutes before I felt myself being lifted up, "Elevator?" I questioned.
"Yep," He said. "Now I'm going to take the jacket off but you have to promise not to look." I grudgingly agree and heard the elevator doors open. Percy led me out and took a right turn before stopping. "We're here." He announced. "You may open your eyes."
I had a smile on my face as my eyes open, but that smile quickly turned upside down as I realized where I was. The place was reek with a particular smell that I couldn't identify. On the walls were clipboard that stated several pains and conditions of a certain person. On top of a counter laid some flowers that were neatly put into a vase and a few cards,
On the bed laid a man in his early 50s with blond hair like mine. His features were scarred and his arms were filled with red burn marks. His face was bandaged painfully and he was currently asleep.
"Percy-" I said trying to keep my voice steady, gripping his hand more than ever.
I started to turn to walk out the door without ever talking to any of these people, but as soon as I started to move Percy held my arm in place. "Let's go," I hissed so that only he can hear.
How could I have been so stupid? Business trip on a day notice? Percy hiding the fact that we're going to San Francisco? Added to the fact that he touched my phone yesterday! HE TOUCHED MY PHONE YESTERDAY!
"What is this?!" I whispered angrily, keeping my voice in check as soon as Percy stepped out.
"We're visiting your dad." Percy answered.
"Did you not understand what I meant when I said I don't want to see them ever again?" I questioned him as I pushed his hand away from mine.
Percy tried to look anywhere but at me, "You meant you didn't want to see them again… but you honestly still do?" She shrugged innocently. If it was in any other situation it would've been cute, but this… I was ready to murder him alive.
"Percy I'm not kidding."
"So am I! If you had not wanted to see your dad why did you even come with me to San Francisco?" Percy asked me.
"Maybe it's because you got me on the plane to San Francisco without telling me the destination?" I shot back sarcastically.
"When you found out, you didn't seem to mind it that much." He mumbled.
"That's because you never told me the point of this trip was to visit my dad. There's not even any business trip at all is there?" I asked him. "Let's just leave."
He looked frustrated as he answered, "If you had wanted to leave, you could've left five minutes ago." He pointed out. "Come on, it's not going to hurt to reconcile with your family for a few minutes is it?"
"I'm not going to-"
"You know what? I'm not going to say anything, you can leave right now if you want and I'll take you straight back to New York." He took in a deep breath. "They're still family Annabeth and you love them whether you like it or not. Just like how I'm stuck with you." Percy smiled slightly.
I didn't answer. Not because of my dad is well… my dad but Percy just said indirectly that he love me and-
"I mean not that I love you anything." He said quickly. "That's just- ha! Great joke!" He scratched his head nervously. "Umm… I'm just saying that to- er… I love your shirt?"
Now at that point I was completely lost, so I did the logical thing and ignored him despite the fact that my heart just took a plunge into a wonderful place way beneath the ground. Instead of moping around, I took Percy's advice and peaked through the door to see my stepmom rearranging the flowers.
"Let's go Wise girl." He smirked as he pushed me in through the door. I didn't know why I let myself get dragged like this, but I knew there was a part of me that wants to see how my dad is.
"Susan," I tried to greet her nicely as possible, considering we didn't really get off to a good start.
My stepmom hurried over to us, "You really came." She said as if surprised.
"She was worried about her dad." Percy supplied as he realized I wasn't going to talk nicely.
"Fredrick had gotten better since yesterday. They are giving him treatments for his burns. Luckily the fire was put out before everything was completely burned down." Susan said with relief as she seemed to study Percy for a moment.
"So my dad's okay?" I asked curiously while at the same time trying not to see so obvious that I was worried
"He's already past critical condition. He actually woke up an hour ago." Susan answered with a smile on her face then looked at my shoulders to see Percy's hand rested on there.
"Well then I'll be leavin-" I began but Percy tugged at my arm putting me in place once again before I could run off.
Luckily for him, before I could smack him for butting into my business my brothers rushed in. "ANNABETH!" Bobby yelled as Matthew tackled me into a hug. So maybe I've never been close to my parents, but my siblings are a whole other story. They were probably the double most annoying pairs of brother I've ever met. I love them.
"Your brothers?" Percy whispered as he had an amused look plastered on his face.
"Yeah, Bobby is the one with the blue shirt and Matthew is the striped." I said pointing at each of them, happy to get the topic off my parents for a change.
They looked so identical, I could tell Percy was having trouble remembering. "Wait you're-"
Bobby and Matthew burst out laughing. Before I could decide on whether or not to help out Percy, I heard my father's voice, "Annabeth, you're here?"
"Daddy!" Bobby and Matthew exclaimed as they rushed over to our dad. "You're awake!"
"Been awake for almost a minute now." My dad said as he tried not to put too much strain on his burns. "So, you left for almost a year and now you're back-" My dad began as Susan helped him up.
"Fredrick," My stepmom said with a flash of warning in her eyes.
Percy seemed to get the message as he offered to take the twins somewhere else, "Hey, how would you guys like to play on the elevators?" I heard him whispered to Matthew who had a wide grin on his face. Turning back to me he whispered, "Take your time."
Within seconds, he was out of the room with Bobby and Matthew trailing right behind him.
"So…" I began wanting to be anywhere but right here next to the two people I'm suppose to love, but in honesty despise them so much that I ran away from them.
Only three words were roaming through my head at that moment.
Stupid Seaweed Brain.
Percy's POV:
Remind me…
Never, ever, what-so-ever, take a little kid (much less two kids) on the elevator! NOPE NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY! Especially two hyperactive twin boys that could do pretty much anything that is considered dangerous in the hospital. To be honest, I wasn't sure why I even proposed the trip the San Francisco. It was just when I saw her so sad, I felt like I needed to do something and added to my impulsiveness, I instantly put my plan into action. Until I had actually got into the plan, I didn't realize that I was still scared of being up so high off the ground… but that's a story for another time.
"Who are you?" Matthew, or the one I thought was Matthew asked me, breaking me out of my thoughts.
I looked at the twins and couldn't help but smile. I've been here taking care of them for over twenty minutes and this is when they ask who I am. "Percy. You're Matthew right?" I asked the striped shirt twin. "And Annabeth said that you're Bobby." I said looking at the blue shirt kid.
"Yep," The two boys said as they argued to press the next floor on the elevator.
"Why are you here with our sister?" Matthew suddenly asked.
"Where did you come from?" Bobby continued interrogating me.
"How old are you?"
"Who are you?"
"Are you her boyfriend?"
"Do you like Lego's?"
I felt a rise of panic, "I'm actually engaged- you know, almost married." I laughed uneasily as Bobby and Matthew exchanged looks of disgust and went on asking me about life in New York.
Within minutes we were back up in the hospital room of Fredrick Chase. I could tell the air was still tense by the lack of conversation. As we walked in, Annabeth was still standing by the door, Mrs. Chase was by the window near the bed side of Mr. Chase. And Mr. Chase, well… he was still on the bed.
"Why are you acting like my dad now, when you never even bothered to act like one to begin with?" I heard Annabeth said as I was outside of the door. Before I had a chance to stop the twins from rushing in, Annabeth saw me standing outside. I took a stand near Annabeth who was still clenching her hands. I watched as Bobby and Matthew hurried over to share their new muffins with their parents.
"So you're a New Yorker?" Mrs. Chase asked as she helped her husband to sit up straight.
"Yes ma'am," I answered.
"How did you know Annabeth?" Mr. Chase seems to be interrogating me.
"I- umm…" I hesitated, thinking that maybe telling him that his daughter used to live in the same house at me might not be much of a good idea. "We actually-"
"He's my co-worker, he helped me get a job at this company." Annabeth said quickly.
"Yeah," I laughed nervously. "I'm her co-worker." I had no idea why I was nervous like this, I wasn't even this nervous when Rachel's dad started questioning me.
"Annabeth, you haven't told me how exactly did you get a scholarship over at Columbia?" Her dad began as soon as Bobby and Matthew went back to their constant debates.
Annabeth glanced nervously at me as I struggled to form an answer, "Well, she's always been smart and she made some connections with a few influential people here in California as well as back in New York, so she landed a scholarship." I said slowly, thinking of the lie as I went along.
"Annabeth, who's your friend?" Mrs. Chase asked as she saw me trying to convince Annabeth to sit down on one of the extra chairs.
Annabeth stayed silent and I took that as my cue to answer, "I'm Percy, I was the one you talked to on the phone." I answered trying to understand what had exactly happened that made the air so awkward in here. For once, I'm thankful for Bobby and Matthew constant bickering.
Annabeth's parents look back and forth between the two of us, "Wait… both of you are living together?" Mrs. Chase asked. "You-" She nodded at me. "-called me and said she was sleeping."
"You did?" Annabeth whispered lowly so that only I could hear.
I nervously tapped my foot silently, "Umm… we used to live with each other?" I tried to ease down the tension.
"What?!" Mr. Chase sat upright.
"Fredrick," Mrs. Chase scolded her husband and then turned to the both of us. "Used to?"
"It's complicated," I explained. "Annabeth's dorm was ambushed so I allowed her to stay at my place for a little bit for her safety until she finds another place to stay."
"Then how did you use her phone-" Mr. Chase questioned his eyes narrowing with every passing second.
"Since when did you care?" Annabeth snapped as I debated whether or not to tell Mr. Chase about her breakdown. I nudged her arm as I saw her dad's heart pressure increasing. "I'm an adult now! I think I'm smart enough to make my own decision."
"It was nothing," I tried to ease up the tension between the Chase members. "Annabeth was just a bit sober from the dinner party we had that night so I just took her back to my place."
"Well, if that was it you could've just said that." Mr. Chase grumbled.
"Maybe if you just learn to trust me a bit dad." Annabeth shot back as I gripped her arm to keep her from hitting the table right next to her.
Unfortunately that motion didn't seem to go unnoticed with Mrs. Chase. "You guys seem close," Mrs. Chase noticed. "Are you guys seeing one another?"
"We're- no, we're not-" I began before I was rudely interrupted by Bobby himself.
"Percy is Annabeth's fiancé!" Bobby exclaimed.
"And they're almost getting married! Percy told us himself!" Matthew said excitedly.
I felt the whole Chase family's stare on me as I struggled to form an answer. But I was too busy staring at them to comprehend what they just said. Annabeth stared at me a bit confused as Bobby continued his rant.
"Is there going to be cake at your wedding-" Bobby asked before I interrupted them.
"We're not-" I waved my arms frantically between Annabeth and I. "-together."
Mr. Chase raised an eyebrow as my face stared to get flustered up. Why I was feeling like this? I honestly have no idea, but I was so flustered that I was pretty sure my face was as red as a tomato. Thankfully, Annabeth came to my rescue, "Percy has a girlfriend over in New York-"
"Yeah," I said finally able to get the panicky feeling in my chest under control. "We're- I'm engaged." I sprouted out. "I'm just here with Annabeth cause we're co-workers." I said after deciding telling her parents about her little fake sibling plan wouldn't be much of a good thing.
Before Annabeth's parents can say anything, She stood up, pulling me along with her. "We have to leave now, there's a meeting I have to attend." Annabeth lied smoothly as she walked out the door leaving me to do nothing but follow her.
Before I got out of the door I turned back, "I'm sorry, she's just-." I tried to explain for Annabeth's behavior towards her own family. "She really meant well when she visited, but umm… duty calls."
~PAGEBREAK~
Nothing tops your day like driving in the car while trying to make sure the passenger next to you is not trying to jump out of the car. "So, your parents, they seem nice." I began as I veered towards an exit.
"Yeah." She said softly as she stared aimlessly out the window. "We were never really the best in terms of talking." She admitted. "I'm sorry for just getting angry at you for trying to help me." She mumbled almost too low for me to hear.
I smirked, "Sorry, what did you say?"
From the corner of my eyes I saw Annabeth smiled slightly, "Don't push it." She warned me.
I laughed, "So you're not mad at me?" I asked.
"Really? All this time, you were scared of me being mad at you?" Annabeth asked incredulously. "If anything, you should be mad at me."
I shrugged, "I learned the hard way that there's no use holding a grudge against someone."
"Really? What might that be?"
"Rachel." I said. "I wasted all of three years being mad at her, when I could've been enjoying my life as a single guy. If I hadn't insisted on holding that grudge some things wouldn't have happened." I said remembering Silena's and Beckondorf's death like it was yesterday.
"On the topic of Rachel, when did you guys get engaged?" Annabeth asked a bit surprised.
For some reason I felt uncomfortable saying it in front of Annabeth, almost like I didn't want to say it. "I proposed yesterday." I said quickly as I sneaked a glance over at Annabeth to see that she's deep in thoughts.
"So you guys decided on anything yet?" Annabeth asked.
"Actually, no." I laughed. "But I was hoping you would considering being the little flower girl." I joked playfully.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I stopped with that career years ago." She laughed along with me.
All this time I couldn't believe how I never noticed it, but she was seriously beautiful. Sure, I've called her pretty and all that before, but now that she's actually laughing and smiling along with me…
"Percy, red light!" Annabeth said out loud as I quickly slammed on the breaks as a bad memory flashed across my mind.
*Flashback*
"Percy you sure you can drive?" Nico asked as he closed his phone as if he just finished texting someone. "I could call up Grover-"
"No, I'm okay." I said. "I just drank like a sip, it's nothing. I have a pretty high tolerance." I assured him. I stared at my two friends, Silena and Beckendorf. The guy made a big scene at our favorite bar to propose to his girlfriend and frankly it seemed like a fairytale for a girl like Silena.
"Did Rachel-" Nico began as I cut him off.
"She's not here! She's probably boarding the next plane to get away from me!" I hissed at him. True enough, yesterday was the day that Rachel had heartlessly dumped me to find her dream over in Europe. Now, I'm here today celebrating my friend's proposal when I could've been having a proposal of my own.
Suddenly my phone vibrated, I flipped it open to find is was a message from Rachel
Meet me outside of the bar- Rachel
I hesitated for a moment before standing up. "Just call me when they are done, I'm going to get some air." I said standing up as I placed down my glass on the counter.
Nico clapped my back and head back to his little dark corner by himself.
I walked out to the balcony of the bar to meet with a familiar red head, "Percy," I stood still, wondering if I'm hallucinating or not.
"What do you want?"
"I don't think I'm suited to go in to congratulate Silena and Beckendorf since we…" She trailed off and took out something from behind her. "Here's something I made for them." She handed me a canvas. I stood still not even bothering to reach out my hand to accept the gift. "I'll be leaving New York tonight." She said quietly. "I was hoping you could forgive me before I go."
I turned away from her, "If that's all you needed to say, then leave." I told her harshly. "I'll give this painting to them." I grabbed the canvas and started walking away. "It's nice to see that even your last parting gift isn't for me, but rather to my friends." I mumbled just loud enough for her to hear.
Instead of saying anything else, I heard the familiar voice of Fred Kiron calling out for her. "I'm sorry Percy," Was the last few words she said to me before leaving for Europe. I stared after her as she got into the car and left with another guy. I sighed and quickly placed Rachel's painting in the back of my trunk deciding on giving it to the engaged couple later. Right when I walked back, I saw a flash of blond hair rushing past me towards the parking lot.
"Let's go now," I told Nico as we noticed the crowd at the bar was starting to thin out. "I still have to drop you all home." I gave Beckendorf and Silena a look before heading out.
"So who'd getting dropped off first?" I asked as soon as we all got settled into my car.
"Let me off first, at the regular Starbucks place. I'm thinking of getting a drink before I head home." Nico said as he got into the front passenger seat. "Plus, I don't want to see the lovebirds behind there making out."
"You'll find love soon enough Nico." Silena said as she entwined her hands with Beckendorf.
"I'm good." Nico mumbled as I started the engine.
"So why didn't Rachel show up today?" Beckendorf as soon as I got out into the streets.
I stayed silent as I pressed down on the gas pedal. I haven't exactly told everyone of my friends about what happened with Rachel. The only person that knew was probably Grover and Nico, who were the one helping me plan the proposal in the first place.
"She had a last minute plane to catch today." Nico finally said.
"Then what about you Nico? I have a friend that's single!" Silena said excitedly.
"No-"
I stared down at the street as I stepped down on the brake pedal for the oncoming red light. 'What the hell?' I wondered as I tried to brake but failing. Luckily at that time the light turned green so I just sped fast. I stopped pressing on the gas pedal, slowing my speed down to a forty. I look straight ahead of me to see a passing traffic with a red light.
"Guys…" I said panicking through the bickering of Silena and Nico.
I kept pressing down on the brake with no avail. I was 200 feet from the light, no 100 hundred. "PERCY RED LIGHT!" Was the last thing I heard from Beckendorf before I felt the impact of another car to my left.
"P-Percy." I heard Nico's weak voice to my right.
My eyes felt blurry when I finally manage to get control of my vision. I saw a speck of blond hair near the trunk as if trying to get something- Rachel's painting. I tried to sit up, but before I could I felt a wave of nausea rush over me.
I glance over my right to see Nico crashed up against the right window with his head bleeding, "Nico…?" I managed out before realizing that he's not able to hear me.
"Don't you dare call the police!" I heard a voice from the guy that took the painting said from outside the car. "Get in your car and leave now!" He barked as I heard another familiar voice- Rachel's.
"I'm, I'm leaving!"
My head suddenly felt fuzzy again as I saw something red on my hand, blood. My vision blurred as I saw the guy run away holding the canvas. My left side was killing me, I tried to turn my head to look but all I saw was a mess of blond hair before the darkness got me again.
*End of Flashback*
"Oh gods." I breath out as we stood staring at the red light. I quickly glance over Annabeth, "A-are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She said staring at me skeptically.
My heart was beating like crazy. I almost thought that I would've caused someone to die again. 'Annabeth…' I thought as my brain went on overdrive. I couldn't stand it if something happened to Annabeth. "You're not hurt anywhere right?" I asked again.
"Percy I'm fine." She said. "Why are you so worked up?" She asked a bit confused.
"It's- it's nothing." I stuttered as I pressed on the brake again making sure it works before continuing past the green light.
I'm happy to say, we made it back to the hotel safe and sound. Soon we were changed and it was lights off. The room we stayed in was huge, with two twin sized bed, so Annabeth took one while I took the other.
"You're not hurt or anything right?" I asked again for the billionth time.
"Percy I'm fine." She said as she turned off the lamp and got on her bed. I laid at my bed thinking. I couldn't help but think about what had happened earlier. I was so worried, if Annabeth had gotten hurt…
Whatever I felt when I realized the brake didn't work when Silena and Beckendorf died, this was ten times worst because, well… this was Annabeth.
"Percy, thanks again for today."
"Hey, that's what friends are for right?" I grinned despite knowing that she not looking.
She didn't answer and I realized with a start she was asleep. I glanced over to my right and felt my heart skip a beat as I looked at her.
Wait… what the hell?
AAZ: Yum… that was good mint chocolate ice cream, *claps hand together* Okay let's get working on Chapter 31! *logs into fanfiction* I already logged on? What the hell? Probably just forgot to log off… NEW CHAPTER FOR A WISE SEAWEED PLAN?!
Luke: My brothers did that-
AAZ: *turns around* WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE AGAIN?!
Luke: You're in the Hermes cabin…
AAZ: No… this is the secret-
Luke: Entrance to the Hermes cabin, trust me I know everything about this place! The Hephaestus have their own little tunnel system. The Aphrodite kids have a little secret mirror that takes them shopping to one of the most fabulous place in the word. The Apollo kids got stashes of-
AAZ: That's not what I meant, you're suppose to be dead!
Luke: I'm in your story right?
AAZ: Well- err… this is not real!
Luke: Then explain why you are talking to me?
AAZ: *mumbles* Stupid smart demigods…
Luke: Nah that's Annabeth, I'm the badass one… remember that. Looks like it's my judgment time in the underworld.
AAZ: I hope you get a bad treatment….
Luke: Don't forget without me you would've been living under the titan's rule!
AAZ: *shudders* Well with you, we almost had to live under the Titan's rule…
Luke: Fate and destiny is a complicated thing
AAZ: fine… since you're still here, give the readers a challenge since you're brothers already did the writing part
Luke: What is Percy's nickname?
AAZ: Seaweed Brain
Luke: It was suppose to be for the audience… fine… I got a good one *types on the computer screen*
AAZ: That- that is a great challenge! ARE TRAVIS AND CONNOR TWINS? If yes who's the older one by how many minute/seconds? If no, who is the older one?
Luke: woah take all my credit will you?
AAZ: We're buddies aren't we?
Luke: You tried to get me a bad judgment in the underword just now!
AAZ: Friendly fights, it meant nothing! Anyways…. AAZ OUT!
Song: I'll Be- Edwin McCain GREAT GREAT AMAZING SONG!