Disclaimer: Own nothing you recognise.
Annabeth
31st October
September passed quickly, and October rolled in leading to a change in weather, which is something I love. Today is the last day of October, therefore, holiday at school.
I don't know how I put myself in this situation. Scratching my head, contemplating a way out now is not possible.
Wait.
I think I remember how it went, I was in my pyjamas eating chocolates, when the phone rang at around 11 in the morning. I dashed to get it before it would stop ringing. Wasn't it my amazing best friend, Percy Jackson calling. Excited as ever, I answered.
" Hi Perce."
" Annabeth, could you do me a favour?" Anxiety flowed in his voice.
" Sure. I mean tell me," I answered with happiness.
" Actually, I was supposed to take Perrie and 5 of her friends trick or treating. However, an urgent project has surfaced up, which cannot be put off and Jason is on a 7 day vacation. So, I have to do it all alone. I'll have to do Jason's work too, in spite of the fact that I do not have much experience with coding. I have to research first, take help from Grover and Youtube. And, then test the product, which is actually my job."
" Ohkay," I said a little less excited than before. " I get it you have loads of work."
" Yes," Percy said. " Could you do it for me? Perrie'll be upset if I cancelled."
" No we won't let her be upset, don't worry. I got you," I said in a relaxed tone. " What time are they supposed to go?"
" I guess, around 6 pm, should be fine and try to be back by 9 max. I'll be home by 10," He told me.
" That's okay. I'll manage," I smiled.
" Thank you so much. You are the best," Percy said delighted.
" You are welcome," I asserted.
" And wait, maybe you'll need to pick up 2 kids that is, Ben and Ela. Also, they'll want to go to 357 street cause they were saying that they want to go somewhere near Sophie's house this turn-"
" That place is like 45 minutes drive from your place, right?"
" Yeah, I was gonna say do that only if you can, no pressure. And, you can take them in our neighbourhood itself and Perrie will direct you to Ben and Ela's places. They aren't very far, just about three minutes by car."
" All right. Fine. I'll do everything. What ever the kids want. Just do your work, and be home in time," I said before hanging up.
Love makes you do what not.
I get ready by 5:30 and leave for Percy's house. A woman in her late 20's opens the door, which I assume is some kid's mom.
" Hi," She says hesitantly.
" Hello," I bite my lip. " Annabeth Chase."
" I am Willow, Dan's mum," She barely nods. I step in the house following her inside. I spot 4 kids on the dining table, waiting for Percy. Three of them, Perrie, Sophie and Chris, I know from school. Perrie looks like Cindrella, Sophie is dressed a witch and Chris a Vampire.
" Miss Chase," Sophie exclaims. " Wow."
" Hi Miss Chase," Chris greets. I smile as I walk up to them. The fourth boy dressed like a skeleton must be Dan and also, he does not go to our school.
" Miss Chase," Willow says surprised. " Are you a teacher or something?"
" Yup," I nod. " At Blossoms."
" Where's Daddy, Miss Chase?" Perrie asks me.
" Perrie, daddy told me to tell you he's really sorry. He won't be able to make it. So, I am taking you instead. He sent me," I say looking at Perrie.
" That's going to be fun," Perrie laughs. The other kids nod.
" Why?" Willow is glowering at me, like I am the one who stopped him from going.
" Some urgent work came up," I shrug.
" I don't want to send my kid with you," She retorts and stares at me. " I hardly know you."
" Then come along," I suggest making my I-don't-really-care face.
" I was planning to if it would have been Mr Jackson," Willow says unimpressed. " I am so mad at Mr Jackson right now. I'll call him and let's postpone."
All she wants to do is flirt with him.
" Gosh woman," I move closer to her and whisper in her ear. " I guess, you completely lost an opportunity to flirt with Mr Jackson. Do it some other time lady, Don't spoil kids enjoyment."
Her face looks like that of someone who was caught red-handed.
" I wasn't," Willow stumbles for words. " You're so mean. Fine, Dan can go."
" Take care of Dan," Willow adds to me in undertone.
" That is my job, Mrs Sen," I smirk at her. " Don't teach me that."
We all step out of the house, while Willow lingers inside.
" Mrs Sen, " I say patiently. " What are you waiting for inside?"
" Well I was just gonna wait-"
" Look," I cut in quickly. " Percy aint gonna be back till 10. Stop being a kid about it. I'll drop Dan home. Plus, if you wanna visit don't bother coming back before 10."
" You Missy," She looks at me with anger. " are really rude with people."
And she steps out, finally.
" Well I am just telling you the truth," I say locking the door. " And, if that's rude to you, fine by me ."
" In case you wanna wait," I offer her the house key.
" I was just leaving," She scoffs. " Bye, kids. Have Fun."
" Okay," I stifle a laugh.
The 4 kids and I get in Percy's car. Perrie sits in the front and gives me directions to Ben and Ela's places. Ben has become a DJ and Ela is a fairy. Ela's parents know me cause she goes to our school, they are a bit surprised watching me driving the kids, and I explain Ben's parents the situation. They call Percy and confirm what I have told, before sending him along. All the kids have identical brown small paper bags with two plastic half loops to hold them, which are about the length of 20 cms.
" So, where do y'all want to go?" I steer carefully.
" Near my place," Sophie jumps up. " 357th street."
" All in agreement?" I question, looking at the kids in the mirror.
" Yeah," They say together.
" Let's do it," I say with enthusiasm.
I drive the six kids to 357th street and give them a few instructions.
1. Always stay together.
2. Nobody wanders alone without informing me.
3. Don't enter some one's house unless they particularly invite you.
I park the car in a cafe's parking lot, which is about 10 steps from the neighbourhood we are gonna go to.
" Is everybody clear with the instructions?" I say loudly to generate interest.
" Yes Miss Chase," The kids say in unison.
" Come on then," I say when we climb out of the car and I start walking behind the kids as they start going from door to door repeating the phrase, ' Trick or Treat'. Most of the people gave kids candy and were quite friendly, just for an exception here or there. At one place, no one opened the door and another upon seeing that its the kids didn't come out. Weird people, could atleast say hello or happy Halloween.
Its about 7:30 and we have visited around 10-15 places, by foot. I can see the kids are getting tired, but they don't want to stop.
" You guys, want to go home now?" I ask the kids.
" Not right now," Dan says.
" No no," Ela shakes her head.
" Miss Chase," Sophie adds. " We wanna go there." She points to an old looking house.
" You sure?" I bend my knees.
" Of Course," She takes off and the other kids follow.
" Hey," I hurry after them. " Didn't I say, stay together?" Nobody seems to be listening though. They're kids after all.
We reach the house and ring the doorbell, which is answered by an old woman and her husband. They seem so pleased to see the kids, that immediate smiles cover their faces. They offer kids candies and chocolates, and even ask us to come inside for some cake.
" I umm... think we are getting late," I try to politely refuse, but the kids are a bit adamant about going.
So, we go inside and have a tasty pineapple banana cake with icing on top. We spend about 15 minutes, with the grandpa and grandma. They talk to us, and tell us how they always wished some kids would stop by some time at Halloween. They ask the kids to come back again next year and make me promise I would bring them back soon. It feels very good after visiting them. They said they haven't had a visitor in the past 10 months and were lonely. I promised them, " We'll come back sooner that they'll be expecting."
" Mum had said I should definitely come here," Sophie says after we turn to go in another lane.
" That was very nice of her," I say smiling.
We go to another lane and kids start going from door to door. I look at the watch, its 8 pm.
" Should we go back now?" I question again. " Its 8'o clock. Perrie, daddy said you need to be back by 9."
" Miss Chase," Chris whines. " Just two places left on this lane."
" All right," I nod wisely. " Just, these two."
We proceed towards the remaining two houses. The kids are getting candy from the owners of the second last house, when my phone vibrates. Its Percy.
" Hey," I reply. The owners wish the kids ' Happy Halloween' and shut the door.
" Hi," He says in a rushed tone. " How long will you guys be?"
" We're about to just leave," I say as we are walking to the last one. " Just one last house."
" Good, don't be very long."
" Yes, I am speeding them up. Is your work done?"
" I guess, but I am still left with some, so it will be a while."
I didn't realise, I had stopped walking and the kids are already standing at the door of the last house, waiting to ring the bell.
" Okay," I dart towards them. " Gotta go."
" Yup," He says. " Me too."
" Bye," I say as I have reached the door and I hurriedly disconnect the phone and put in my jeans pocket.
Perrie rings the doorbell. Kids are chanting ' Trick or Treat'. The door is answered by a tall(about 5' 8), slim, slender with long legs, pretty, no, very pretty, scratch that, absolutely gorgeous girl about my age. Her strawberry blonde hair, untied, but neatly combed flow down upto her waist. Her eyes are a beautiful blue. She looks at us carefully scanning each one of us. I follow her gaze.
" I thought I'd heard-," She freezes when her eyes fall on Perrie. I realise Perrie has gone rigid too.
OH MY GOD! If I'm not wrong, could that possibly be-
" Perrie, hi," The girl regains control of her self. " They're your friends?"
" Hi mum," Perrie says not meeting her eyes. " Yes."
I never thought I'd be meeting her like this or even that I'd be meeting her ever.
" How've you been?" Becky bends on her knees and hugs her daughter. I look at the other kids. They don't seem to get what's going on. I don't know what to do right now.
" Fine, whatever. Do you even care?" Perrie says with disdain in her voice.
" Of course I do," Becky mutters. She looks on the verge of tears.
" Sure," Perrie gives a humourless laugh. " Lets go." She turns on her heel and the rest of the kids follow.
" No wait," Becky grabs her arm. I take the rest of the kids with me and make them stand together a bit far from the door near the porch, and tell them to wait and not move even a muscle.
I am standing in the middle keeping an eye on the kids as well as listening to what's going on between the mother-daughter.
" How long have you been here?"
" Just a few days," Becky says quietly. If she was here, didn't she want to see her daughter?
" Were you gonna tell us, like ever?" Perrie glances at her.
" Of course, baby. I was gonna drop by and surprise you guys," Becky takes her daughter's hand.
" When?"
" Soon," She rubs Perrie's hand. I look at the other kids at the same time, they're busy counting candies.
" That's what you said when you left for good," Perrie frees her hand from Becky's grasp.
" I am so-"
" Don't say you're sorry," Perrie, the girl who never yells, raises her voice. " You left me and Daddy when we needed you the most. You know what he never moved on. He's still in love with you and you, you don't care. He still thinks it's his fault you left, when it is clearly not."
" Perrie, baby, I'll make it upto you. I promise," Becky pleads. " I do want him to move on. It doesn't make me happy either. Just do me a favour for now, don't tell Percy I am here or that you saw me."
" I won't, " Perrie says a little harshly." That will break his heart. I don't want to see him hurt." With that, Perrie runs towards me not looking back at her mum or the house, and we all walk back to the car. Perrie's friends do not ask her what happened back there. I reckon, they kind of know.
I don't know what occured between the three of them but I do know that Becky leaving messed up their lives and it took a lot of strength to get back on track.
I drop the kids home and pull into Percy's garage. Perrie climbs out, she was quiet all the way back, which is quite unusual for her. I pull out my wallet to find the house key.
I am unlocking the house when I hear clicking of heels behind us. I turn around to see who it is, desperately hoping Willow is not back. I am relieved to see Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Percy's childhood friend walking up to us.
" Hi," She says to both of us.
I usher them both in and I observe she has a packet with her.
" Percy called," Rachel opens the pack to reveal a tiffin box. " He told me to get you guys some food. Ain't you hungry, Per?"
" Of course," Perrie grins looking at the food.
" Annabelle, you too," Rachel smiles at me.
" Its Annabeth actually," I correct her.
" Oh my god! I am so sorry, I always thought you were called Annabelle. Forgive me about that, will you?"
" Yes , its completely okay. Common mistake. Don't worry about it," I peer at her, baffled. Nobody has ever apologised to me like that, for just getting my name wrong.
We have food(prepared by Mrs Vin), while Perrie tells Rachel what what we did skipping the Becky part. Rachel listens, enthralled. I stare at the clock, wishing time to go by faster. I want to sleep, I am tired.
" I think Perrie should go to bed now," Rachel teases Perrie.
" Daddy is not home yet," Perrie pouts.
" He'll be back in half an hour or so," Rachel assures her. " You go to sleep."
" Okay," She frowns. Rachel goes and tucks her into bed. I wait for her sitting at the table.
" Are you going to wait for Percy?" Rachel asks me, when she comes back.
" Did you walk here?" I ask her out of the blue.
" No Rafael dropped me. You know Rafael?"
" Yeah. Your Boyfriend," I nod absently.
" Hmm," She says with a small smile, so small that you'd have to look carefully to notice.
" Do you love him?" I stare at her.
" That's an absurd question, yes I-"
" Don't say you do when your eyes say different. I know you're in love with Percy," I say the thing that has been on my mind for a while. " Then, how come you have a boyfriend?"
" How come you know?" Rachel says, shocked.
" Its obvious, " I shrug. " The way you look at him. I saw the difference when you talked to Rafael and when you talked to Percy, at his birthday party, remember?"
" Okay, Rafael is not my boyfriend," Rachel admits.
" What? But, Percy told me he was," I shoot her a dubious look.
" Cause that's what I told him," Rachel shrugs.
" Why?"
" I'll tell you," Rachel sits down next to me. " Percy and I have known each other since we were like 3. I've had a crush on him for as long as I remember. In my teenage days, I often dreamed of asking him out or dating him. I always wanted to. But, in junior year a new girl, Perrie's mum, Rebecca Brown joined our school. She was drop dead gorgeous, all the guys were like into her. Percy was too. I don't know how, but they hit it off and started dating. Sure, it broke my heart, but I was happy for my friend as long as he was happy. I knew I loved him, and I still do. At the same time, I didn't want to be a hindrance in his happiness. I was content with life and tried to move on."
" Why Rafael then?" I ask.
" Be patient woman, there's more."
" Ohkay," I shut my mouth.
" When Becky left, Percy was 20 and Perrie was just 2-"
" Wait, isn't she 5? So, if 4 years ago she was 2 how is-"
" You don't have no patience," Rachel shakes her head. " Perrie is 6, not 5. Quiet now," She warns and continues when I make no protests. " I saw hope. I thought I'd tell him how I felt. So, one fine day I reached his apartment, to find it wasn't empty. His mom, Sally was there. I couldn't take it anymore, so I confessed everything to her. She was delighted and encouraged me to tell him. Little did I know, he had overheard everything. Percy was in his third year of university at that time. It was getting difficult to have a kid as well as work part time and study too. He was under pressure, managing a kid alone was hard and there had been no sign of Becky for like 10 months now. Being a single parent plus student was getting harder day by day. He was thinking maybe he should like settle down, get married and start a new life. So, when I told him I love him and asked him out. He said Yes, but he also told me he did loved me but only as a friend. I said, "Lets give it a shot." At the same time, I always terribly wanted it to work out."
" Did you go out with him?"
" Yes, we went on like 5 dates. I kissed him on the second one, it was amazing for me and meant everything, while it meant nothing to him. He was trying though. I would never say he didn't give his 100 percent, he always attempted. But, he couldn't. He was truthful, always. And he told me that on the fifth and our last date, he tried to fall in love with me too. He pressurised his brain to think it loved me, alas, he could never see me more than a friend. I broke up with him after that, I wanted him to move on, but not like this. I accepted he would never love me," Rachel blinks, thinking and remembering everything. " I told him we need to be back at being friends, and he agreed to that. I started visiting his house, normally, just like I always did before we went out. There was a change in him. He started distancing himself from me, maybe because he was uncomfortable or because of the guilt that he broke my heart. I often told him I was fine and don't need to worry no more. He never looked me in the eyes anymore. It had been 3 months and I could bear the silence anymore. I didn't want to lose him so I told him I was seeing some one. I was over him. He looked me in the eyes after 90 days."
" Then he asked to meet him?" I take a guess.
" Yes. I thought, why not, if that solves our problems and gets rid of the weirdness between us. I called the casting agency and hired an actor to act as my boyfriend. Its been 2 years now," Rachel finishes.
" The actor is Rafael?"
" Of course, silly."
" Its been 2 years, don't you think it will be fine now if you like..." I trail off.
" I dunno," She says. " Don't want to take a chance."
" Ahh!" I nod with realisation. " Okay. But, you still love him?"
" Yup," She nods. " I accepted it long time ago, I fell for a broken heart."
' I am in the same boat.'
" But since you accepted that, why haven't you moved on?"
" Ummm... Because two reasons, one its not as easy as you think and second, haven't found anyone to my liking yet."
" I don't think its easy."
" Percy hasn't healed yet," Rachel points out. " Maybe some day, he will. I think you'd be perfect for him,"
" What?" My mouth drops open.
" Just like you know I love him, do you take me as an idiot? I know about you, though I have a good feeling about you."
" Huh?"
" Has he opened up to you? Like about Becky and everything?"
" No."
" Trust me, he will. And, I like you for him. You'd be perfect."
" Thanks?" I say, puzzled. " I reckon you remember I fell for a broken heart too."
" You did," She nods in satisfaction. " Time heals everything and if you've got the right person along, it shouldn't be very hard. Of course , it will take time. You've got to be patient with him."
Saying those words, Rachel left me sitting alone with my thoughts. I was wondering if I should tell Percy about Becky, though she didn't want him to know.
It is not before 10:17 that Percy arrives. I notice he's wearing a T-shirt that has his picture on back and the words 'Best Daddy of the world' on its front.
" Hey," He smiles widely, almost causing me a heart attack. Despite those dishevelled hair and tired look on his face, he manages to look good.
" Rachel brought food," I serve him the pasta she had brought.
" I told her," Percy says washing his hands.
" I should leave now," I glance at the clock.
" Come on, " Percy requests. " Just stay till I eat?"
" Kay," I sit back down. " Did you finish your task?"
" UH huh," He nods while eating. I wait till he's done. I tap my feet sending him the signal that I need him to hurry up.
" Both you and Perrie eat like there's no tomorrow," I put the dishes in the dishwasher.
" Whose daughter is she afterall?" Percy laughs.
" Should have known," I shake my head. He chuckles again.
" I like your shirt," I point to the T-shirt he's wearing.
" Perrie got this for my birthday. I was gonna wear this to the trick or treating. But, I didn't even get to go," He says in dismay.
" Sorry about that. You could wear this to the children's day at school on 14th next month," I suggest.
" That's," Percy says thrilled. " what now I call a good idea."
" I should go now," I repeat and jump up.
" Wait I wanted to ask you... so did you ummm..." He's blushing. " like her?"
" Like who?"
" Becky. I know, you saw her. That was her,right?"
" How'd you know that? I did see her. " I say, taken aback. How could he possibly know, Perrie's asleep, I didn't mention it. Could it be that some kid mentioned it to his/her parents and they phoned him.
" I called you right?" Percy smiles.
" Yeah."
" You never disconnected the phone. I waited for a while and was going to disconnect, when I thought maybe I'd just heard her voice. And, then Perrie and she talked, man I was overjoyed. I am just so happy," He can't stop grinning.
Crap! I remember now, when I had disconnected the call I was in a rush, I might have clicked on the speaker mode and not the disconnect button.I think I should tell him the truth of the situation.
" Percy, don't judge, just listen," I pause for a measure of time. " I think you didn't hear the full conversation."
" I was listening," He frowns. " but it disconnected after a minute."
Must have happened when I pulled the other kids towards the porch.
"Did you talk to her? Did she talk about me? Why didn't she call if she was here? What did she say? Tell me everything." Percy's eyes are twinkling with hope." What do you think, is there a chance? Will we be a family again? Maybe she wants to get back together with me, does she?"
I don't want to shatter his hopes. He'll break again. That's what Perrie feared.
I remember her clearly saying she wanted him to move on. She doesn't want to be with him. And, there's also the fact that Perrie is angry at her mum. How do I tell him that?
A/N: HI thanks a lot for reading.
I won't be able to update for around 10 days now, so I got a quick update for y'all.
Thanks for being supportive and thank you for following and favourting the story.
I am so happy, I got a whopping number of reviews this time. Thank you so much for all the reviews.
Fratzy, Kings of Heroes Gilgamesh, Guest(Thanks for the lovely review.), ritikasahni, Jet2121(Thanks a lot for understanding. Enjoy), Guest(Thank you so much. ),
Felicity the Book Nerd(Thank you, updated. I hope you like it.), thesushiqueen(Hi, thank you for the review. I assure you I didn't know about the existence of a girl by that name. I did google her though. Thanks for letting me know.)
I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I'll see you probably by end of june or maybe start of july(this is more likely though).