DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING YOU RECOGNIZE.
A/N- I had to delete the last chapter because of some reason. I'd be happy, If you could assume that chapter never happened and it all continues from here.
2 November
ANNABETH
" So my score is 157", I say after calculating my points. " And yours?"
" 49," he says with an adorable pout.
" Yay! I win again," I exclaim throwing my fist up in the air.
" Yeah, like only the sixth time in a row," Percy gives me a look that says 'You-are-so-competitive.'
" Ha," I laugh lightly.
Here, I am at Percy's house. We are playing Scramble, the word game, or we can also call it my favorite game, the one I brought to his house. Perrie is at a friend's house on a play-date with a few other kids, otherwise, she would have played on his side. We sit cross legged across from each other on a carpet, a table between us and the game board on top of it. My bag lies on the left of my side of the table, opposite to it is placed Percy's finished coffee mug while mine is situated on my right.
" Come on, Beth," Percy stands up, picks up the two mugs and moves towards the couch. " We've been at it for two hours now. I need a coffee brea-,"
" We playing again after-," I follow after him.
" No," he says quickly. " No no. You've won six times in a row already, that means all of the times we played today."
" Ah!," I shake my head slightly. " But, I love this game."
" Yeah," Percy smiles. " That's amazing sweetie. Nevertheless, you can see that I am terrible. I need coffee and then, we watch a good movie."
Sweetie
My brain goes in a fuzzy and stops functioning upon hearing, the word, and forgets to register what he said after that. I think I might have heard movie.
" Movie?" I echo.
" Yup," he bends down to pull out something from the box kept under the DVD player.
"Of course, I love them. All and each one of them. I mean, of course, who doesn't like movies? Such an awesome way to pass time. That's an amazing idea. I am sure that's fu-fun. Innit?"
" Hmm. It is," Percy hands me a collection of DVDs. "Choose," He says before walking towards the kitchen.
When did he get them out? He probably didn't even notice that he called me sweetie. It's probably a common word for him. Yeah, I have heard parents use it all the time on their kids.
Shit. Probably, the 187th time I have embarrassed myself, in front of him today. It was a whole new level.
First off, earlier, today when I walked in the house carrying my game and towards the kitchen following closely behind Perrie, he looked up and grinned at me and I almost tripped on my heels. Thankfully, grabbing the nearby chair saved me from the terrible fall. They both didn't notice.
Secondly, he caught me staring at him and that wasn't just once. It was about 185 times(she's exaggerating). He wasn't making it any easier for me. It wasn't intentional. I just couldn't help it when he looked so adorable when ever he couldn't find a word or when his eyes shone upon finding a good one or the time when he scrunched up his eyebrows trying to concentrate.
And, the master stroke, I start rambling and all he says is 'Hmm. It is '. He is probably thinking I am a weirdo.
I put up Legally Blonde in the DVD set and shake my head, trying to get it straight and rush towards the kitchen.
His eyes find mine and a warm smile adores his face, as I step up beside him.
" What'd you choose?" Percy asks looking up from the mug he is adding coffee too.
" Legally Blonde," I announce.
" Good choice," he nods with a small smile, looking dreamily at the roof as if reminiscing something.
" Wait,did I miss something? What just happened?" I say confused.
" Reminded me of someone."
" Who someone? We are best friends," I press. Normally, I wouldn't have, but, seeing what happened two days ago and if it is Becky, I want to know.
" Umm... you know... just...Becky. She loves this movie and it was the first one we had watched together, " he says and I immediately feel guilty for not telling him what she had said that day. A lump forms in my throat. I should have told him the truth, that day. It only becomes harder if you put it off.
'Great Annabeth.' I say to myself sarcastically.
" I am going to call her soon," he says further, with a smile so precious, the kind that makes you think he is so in love. I feel a tint of jealously, something I've not really felt before because now, I realize that he won't ever smile like that thinking of me. My mind contemplates if it would be the right time to tell him or should I wait till he finds out by himself. The latter option will lead to bad consequences for me since he is absolutely gonna hate me for the reason that I knew it and still didn't tell him while the former would just leave him distressed.
If you ever asked me why I did that, I just didn't want to hurt you. Additionally, on the assumption that things were in my hand I wouldn't ever let you feel that ache.
" Aren't we having lots of coffee today?" I say changing the topic as I still do not have the guts to tell him something that will crush his heart and helping myself with a blue cookie, placed in the jar on the shelf above us. It wasn't here before.
" Don't we always?" he says dubiously. I shrug(trying to convey not really), my mouth full of another cookie I am chewing.
" I see you like them. Gimme one too," Percy beams at me.
" Nope," I say hiding the jar behind me. " All mine. Its so gooooood. I am taking them with me. Where did you get them from? And, what's with the color?"
" Hah," he huffs, crossing his arms across his chest." I made those. Furthermore, blue is an old tradition. Runs in the family."
" You made these?" I repeat out loud, managing to chew quickly.
" Yo! and you need to learn to share," he says distractedly as he fetches some sugar from the side cupboard.
" You can bake?"
" Of course. My mom taught me."
" And you ain't getting them back," I stick out my tongue at him.
" That's plain evil," Percy puts the milk on the stove for boiling.
" It," I pop another in my mouth. " su-sure isn't."
" Guuuuuuuurl," he tries to seize the jar from me.
" Not today Perseus," I say as I take off with the container. "Catch me if you can."
" You're so dead," I can hear his hurried footsteps behind me, and it is closer now.
I run towards the place diagonal from me which is Perrie's room. I turn around the doorknob and dash inside, shutting the door behind. I look around for a place to hide the jar, but, instead find myself squished between the wall and the left side of the cabinet where there is very little room to stand. I stay there chomping another one of those delicious cookies. It tastes like chocolate covered with brownie, mixed with choco-chips and a tint of vanilla with raspberry jam as a supplementary flavor.
I hear the doorknob being rotated. I was so busy enjoying the taste of the cookies that I had forgotten what the hell I was doing here. I almost jump up in surprise.
"Found ya," Percy smirks, looking at me directly like he had expected me to be hiding precisely there and shutting the door behind. " Not going anywhere with them now."
" Umm...Hang on ," I shift awkwardly trying to get out of that closed space, but instead getting stuck more than before.
He raises one eyebrow at me.
" I... errrr... finished them all," I say smiling cheekily.
" No. You... you didn't," Percy says horrified as he takes steps towards me.
I nod thrice gravely.
" Really?" his face falls so cutely just like a little kid that I burst into laughter.
At the moment, he stands exactly in front of me, looking at me with those alluring eyes of his.
" Alright," I pull out the jar from behind my back and open it. " Here, I'll give you one. Rest is still mine."
" Thank you," he sighs in defeat. He pops it in his mouth, and, munches it slowly enjoying every flavor before a mischievous grin spreads on his face, and I figure what he is upto. A moment later, he tries to snatch the jar from my hand, lunging forward in a swift movement.
" Not that easy," I pull the jar behind my back again as I start to feel my cheeks heat up, my heart skipping a number of beats at once and my stomach churning thinking about how close he is.
" Wow. You have good reflexes Annabeth," Percy says in surprise.
I find myself unable to speak for a few seconds, still trying to digest the fact that there's literally not more than 4 cms of space between us.
" Shoot! The milk. It was on the stove," I say having no control over what words flow out of my mouth.
Percy peers at me as if thinking 'what the heck', for a second, before the realization hits him, "Right!", he says before whipping around and sprinting out of the room.
I dart out taking a deep breath, after my heartbeat comes back to its normal pace, and place the jar on the dining table as I move to the kitchen.
I see two cups of coffee ready placed ready to drink.
" I'm hungry," Percy says picking up one and handing me the other one.
" Hmm," I glance at the wall clock and accept the cup of coffee from him. It is 3'o clock. " We could order something. It is lunch time."
" What do you wanna eat?"
" Pizza?"
" No. We had that for dinner yesterday. Remember?"
" Yeah, so then?" I question.
" Pasta?"
" Not really. I don't feel like," I shake my head, frowning.
" Umm.. noodles?" he grabs his phone lying on the dinning table.
I shake my head again.
" Then?" Percy says tapping on the Zomato app on his phone.
" Show me," I take his phone from him. " Well, we could get a 50 percent discount from 'Delicious Food' restaurant."
" Let's order then," He says brightly." We could wait watching the movie."
" Spring rolls?" I suggest.
" Perfect," he grins.
" Alright then," I put them on the cart. " Anything else?"
" Ooooooh Ice Cream," he licks his bottom lip. " I want ice cream."
" It's cold," I frown as I look at him. "It is frigging November. Nobody in their right mind eats ice cream in winters."
" Annnabeeth," Percy whines. " Comeeee on, please?"
" Well Hell yeah," I say choosing my ice cream. " That is what I meant. Nobody in their right mind does it. All the more reason to do it."
" Please please please a thousand times please?"
" Perseus?"
" Yeah? And don't call me that. Hey, how do you even know my full name?"
I might have looked it up in Perrie's file.
" You told me and also, I kinda figured," I say with confidence that nobody can question.
" Did I?"
" Yes, of course. How the hell else am I supposed to know?"
" I guess, that's right plus language."
" Perseus, Perrie isn't home."
" She will be soon. I have got to go and pick her in about three hours, don't call me that."
" Alrighty, Perseus."
" Giiiiirrllll," he throws up his hands in the air.
" I like it, Perseus. Sounds so grand and heroic."
" Precisely the reason why I hate it."
" I can't guarantee anything, but I'll try."
" Fine. But, I need Ice cream."
" And I just agreed, however, don't you dare tell anybody and especially Perrie."
" Beth, why do you think I haven't had any ice cream while she was home?"
" That's right," I nod earnestly. " You haven't had any while she was home. That is responsible."
He smiles and I place the order for spring rolls and two vanilla choco crumb filled cones with layers of caramel and sugar roasted almonds on top.
" How did you know I was there?" I ask amidst the movie. I press the pause button as we see reach the mid of the movie. I wasn't even watching the movie. I was kind of zoned out debating what would be the right time to tell Percy what Becky said. I kept stealing glances at him, trying to look for the opportunity.
' Stalkerish much, Annabeth? Stop it,' I chide myself.
" Huh?" For a moment, Percy looks taken back, then he raises his eye brows waiting for me to elaborate.
" In Perrie's room?" I lean back on the cushion.
" Oh! That!," he says in realization. " Perrie always hides there."
" Always?"
" Well yeah," he chuckles softly. " I pretend I do not know about it. She thinks she fooled me and I play along, not breaking her belief."
" That's sweet," I press play.
My mind starts drifting off again as we continue watching.
" Hey, What was that word? I was going to ask you before but then well.. you ran off" he says all of a sudden, startling me as I am about to fall asleep.
" What?" I say stupidly.
" The word," Percy says snickering. " You almost fell asleep."
" Its not funny," I say with a shrill hilarity.
" Sure," he starts laughing. I roll my eyes before joining him.
" What word?" I say after a while.
" That long one."
" What long one?"
" It was ummm... I dunno, something like..."
" Like?"
" Pultrui.. something?"
He is referring to the game of scramble we were playing before.
" That was pulchritudinous," I tell him. I think that is the longest I had made today.
" Come again?"
" Pulchritudinous."
" Pulchitunous?"
" No," I say patiently with a small smile. I break it down for him," Pul-chri-tudi-nous". This is a part of my job, too. I am used to it.
" Pulchriwhat? How do you even remember its spelling?"
" Well... it is quite easy once you write it down about 100 times ," I smile.
" Whoa and what does it even mean?"
" It means beautiful, gorgeous, charming just like yo-," I stop myself mid sentence, hyper-aware of what I was going to say and move my hand around in a swift motion. " your house."
Almost gave myself away.
Thankfully, the doorbell rings.
" I'll get it," I saunter off towards the door to grab the food.
I pay the delivery guy and take the bag inside and we have food and ice cream while watching the rest of the movie.
" I forgot to tell you something," I say after we are done with the dishes, as we sit on the sofa doing nothing but scrolling on our smartphones. We could always go another round of scramble. But, some people, huh! Weird. (He didn't want to lose again.)
" Yeah?" he says curiously.
" My mom has invited you and Perrie, of course, to dinner next Saturday night," I say casually. Percy stares at me for a few moments, unable to speak.
" What?What? Your mom? The Athena? The CEO of Athens? Oh my god! The biggest Architecture company in the world? No, not the world. I mean the whole universe, no no the planet. Why? I mean what on earth did I do that The Athena invited me for-"
" Percy, stop," I look in his eyes and place my hands on his shoulders. " You are rambling."
" Oh, sorry," his ears go red from embarrassment.
" I meant my step-mom and dad," I clarify.
" So, not Athena?"
" Yeah," I suppress a smile. 'Athena isn't that great.'
" You almost gave me a heart attack," dramatically he places his hand on his heart.
" You are too much. Well, Jason and Piper too. All my friends, Silena, Hazel, Frank, Thalia, Luke," I smile back.
" Count me in. Why'd you let me ramble on for so long?"
" Cause um... that was funny," I shrug, with laughter escaping my mouth. 'And cute.'
He huffs and stares at the ceiling for a minute. " Didn't you just call your step-mom mom?"
" I did, I call her mom. She's been more of a mother to me than my biological mother," I put my phone down and sink slowly to the carpet, putting my arms around my knees. " Be it my first crush, first period, first heartbreak, first boyfriend, all my achievements and failures. Olivia was always there. Athena was never."
" You never told me that," Percy follows my motion and drops down to the carpet, next to me.
" When I was 7, my mother told me she couldn't stay with dad anymore. She told me to pack my bags if I wanted to go with her. I didn't understand what was happening back then. But, I packed my bags and got ready to go, forgetting everything, ready to start afresh with my mom. My mother never... to-told me what had happened and I self assumed that dad had cheated on her..."
" Because?" Percy frowns.
" because... that's what they show in movies. The one who leaves has been cheated on. I hate cheaters so I started hating my fath-father and in a two days, mom and I landed in New Rome. Mom had gotten her dream job and she sent dad divorce papers. We lived in a beautiful posh neighborhood. My house was big. It had everything, ranging from big bedrooms attached bathrooms, guest rooms to swimming pools and there was even a small library exactly adjacent to my room. I was liking it at first. I had everything... if... I talk about material things. I spent my time in the library reading and exploring different topics. But, slowly, I was getting bored. Mom wouldn't be home for hours and even days sometimes. I had the whole big empty house to myself. A caretaker used to come to check on me during afternoons and that was it for the human interaction I had when I was not at school," I clench my fists.
" You were all alone?" Percy asks.
" Yeah and my mom barely had any time for m-me. She-she even missed my birthday. I spent it all alone with no family and no friends by my side. School started. I joined a new school. My dad tried talking to me. However, I was angry with him. I didn't listen to him. Albeit, I was lonely, I refused to go back home to him. Two years passed. I was nine when my mom said she needs to go to London for two months and I can't go with her. I was to live with my dad for that summer vacation. Absolutely horrified, I packed my bags. I hated my life. My dad came to New Rome to pick me for our flight next day, we reached his place my doubts were confirmed when a woman opened the doors. My dad was dating her. My hatred for him grew. The woman introduced herself as Olivia, my soon to be step-mom. Locking myself in my old room, I spent my vacations alone only getting out for food and water. Olivia tried to be nice to me. Tried to talk to me, be friends. But, I was adamant. I left for New Rome learning that she was pregnant with twins and I am going to be an older sister in a few months. Twins were born after six months. I was just ten back then."
" When did they get married?" Percy is looking at my clenched fists. He takes my hands and opens my fingers. Just with his touch, I feel the tension going away. He doesn't let go of my left hand rubbing his thumb over the back of my palm. It is helping me relax. I release the breath I was holding in.
" About two months before the twins were born. I did go. That day when dad came to get me, I wasn't happy about it. But, now, I feel I would have regretted if I would have not gone. I phoned mom soon after the wedding and left asap. I didn't see them for another two and half years. Dad was asking mom to send me to his place for a while now, so it was decided that I would be spending my vacation with dad and his family. As always, I didn't want to go except I did and I don't regret till date. I had thought those two months would suck. When I reached home, I met my step-brothers for the first time. They were so small and cute. I remember playing with them the whole day and I had even started being a little civil to Olivia and dad. My days got better when one fine day Olivia and I were out in the playground to walk my brother's prams when I met my first ever two best friends, Thalia and Luke. Those two accepted me in their gang and I was happy. Not lonely, for the first time and I-I... for the first time, I-I had friends to invite over for my birthday. That was the best birthday I ever had. My thirteenth birthday. Friends and even family... well sorta since I was still mad at dad," I don't fail to notice how Percy is just looking at me with my hand still in his.
" I have a feeling your dad never cheated on your mum," Percy says squeezing my hand a little. " Did he though?"
" No," I smile shaking my head. " He didn't. I learnt that next year when I went back for summer vacation. This time I urged my mom to let me go. Honestly, it was all because of Thalia and Luke. I wanted to be with my friends. During those days, we had email. That's how we stayed in touch when I was in Rome. They both hugged me when we met. Thalia was pretty and Luke, well he had gotten more handsome than last summer. I was starting to get this weird feeling around him, something I hadn't felt before. Something I had no idea about, something I couldn't name. Twins were four now. I was starting to spend more time with them, and Thalia Luke. My life back at my mom's was miserable, while, here, I was lively. It was the complete opposite of what I had before. People to play, spend time with, talk, listen to, and quite importantly eat dinner with. Dad and Olivia were trying their best to get closer to me. Only I was pushing them away. Nevertheless, it all changed that day. I sitting in my room. Suddenly, I felt something. I didn't know what it was so I ignored it till I had to pee. Upon reaching the washroom, all I knew was that something was wrong with me and blood was flowing out of my body. What should I do I was thinking. I rang up my mother.
" Hello?" She answered after I had called about fifteen times.
" Mom, I don't feel good," I said in a choked voice. I was panicking. My clothes were getting dirty.
" Annabeth is it an emergency because seriously I don't have time to exchange pleasantries and, yeah, Henry, I am coming," She answered in a hurried voice. " I'll call you back in a while."
" But, mom I don't know what's going on with me," I tried to explain.
" Later dear," She hung up on me. I was crying. To the point that, my sobs were so loud that the person in next room could have easily heard them. So, Olivia did and the washroom door was flung open. She rushed inside.
" Annabeth," she cried and looked at me with concern in her eyes.
" Olivia," I started. " I am so sorry. I didn't know-"
" Oh my god," She did something I had never expected. She hugged me. " Poor baby, how could you have known. It is alright dear. You got your first period."
" Period?" I repeated.
" Yeah, come with me," She took me by my hand and gave me a pad to use. She taught me how to use it and she even told me about periods and how it was normal and something I shouldn't be worried about. Frankly, I was touched. My mother didn't even bother and here, this woman I barely knew was trying her best to get to know me. She became my friend that day. I started calling her Liv. "
" Did your mom call you back?" Percy says earnestly. He is still holding my hand. I feel my face getting red.
" No. I realized something that day," I say without looking up.
" What was it?" he whispers.
" It was me. All the time. Every-time. Not once did my mom ever call me. She didn't and doesn't really care," I say after a pause. " She is the CEO after-all."
Percy seems at loss for words. There is a short silence before I continue.
" Liv told me and cleared my doubts about how dad had never cheated on mom. We were cooking dinner. I used to help her now and then.
" Annabeth, can I tell you something?" Liv said as I passed her the pepper.
" Sure, yeah, anything," I said encouragingly.
" I am not saying this to make you feel bad or make you believe me. It is perfectly okay if you don't want to trust me," She said looking away.
" I trust you," I said astounded. I didn't before I admit. Except, that has changed now.
" Your dad. He um... he never cheated on your mom. Not with me. Not with anybody else. Never once. It was her. Athena. She wanted the divorce. She couldn't put family over work. Your dad and s-she fought for months before she decided to break it off. She wanted to be free. I don't blame her for putting work over him. That is completely her choice. She can do what ever she likes. The only thing that pinches is that she wouldn't ever consider his opinions or take his point of view into account. When you guys left, Fred had suggested that you all could go together. But, he needed a few weeks. All he wanted was for her to ask her employer to delay her joining date till he resigned from his job. I guess, she didn't want that. She asked him to release her. She wanted the divorce," Liv finished.
" So then how did you open the door when I came back?"
" We had met just previous year. Long after his divorce. It was almost like an instant connection between us," she said smiling.
" Why didn't you tell me before?" I questioned her quickly. I was so wrong I realized. I owed them apologies, especially Dad.
" We tried," she shrugged. " You were angry. So, we decided to give you some time. To wait. Till you were ready to listen."
" I am so sorry to both of you," I said in a small voice. " I should have listened to him before. I am gonna talk to him, now, should I?"
" Yeah," she nodded.
I talked to him. We sorted out all differences. I think we cried. It was decided that I would be staying with my dad for High School. Liv phoned mom. She had no started going out for family outings and I was loving it here. Things got better between us. I was 14. Just a freshman and it would be interesting to go to school with Thalia and Luke. And, I still couldn't name the weird feeling I used to get around him. Life was getting amazing. I had friends at school even if they were older than me and my family loved me.
" Liv," I called out through the hallway before going to school in ninth grade. " I am leaving."
" Hang on kid," she said running towards me. " Do you need a ride?" She handed me my lunch box.
" Thanks and No," I put the box in my bag. " Luke's here to pick me."
" You totally have a crush on him," Liv ruffled my hair.
" What?" my mouth was open. " What? No?"
" Not no. It is yo. You have a crush. My daughter has a crush. Her first crush. Yaay. Yaay. Yaay," she hugged me suddenly. She called me her daughter. I held her for a as realized that she did truly love me. She had said that before. Yet, it was that day when I truly believed it.
" I love you," I blurted and fled before she could react.
I did have a crush on Luke and she didn't stop teasing me about it. That was the mother daughter relationship I would have with someone, I had never imagined that. My crush was crushed the day Thalia started dating Luke. I was happy for my best friends. Liv and Dad were there again.
When I was 15, I had my first boyfriend, Ethan, his name, he was older to me by one year. The first person I told about it was Liv. She was so happy that day. When we broke up next year, I was a mess. My heart was broke. But, she was always there. She hugged me and calmed me down. I still remember that day. I had fallen asleep in her bed. She had let me stay there all night.
" Are you okay, Beth?" Liv asked me caressing my hair when I woke up the next day. She was sitting next to where I lay.
" I am okay," I mumbled as I shoved myself up and put my head in her lap.
" That's great. You wanna eat something?"
" Yeah, pancakes please."
" Alright coming right up."
" Thanks m-...mom," I said looking at her face. " I can call you that, right?"
" Of course," she almost jumped up with joy. " I would love that. I am gonna make your food. Come down in 10."
When I went down, I heard some whispering.
" She called me Mom, Fred, MOM," Liv was whispering in excitement to my dad.
" How long have you been waiting for that?" Dad said with a chuckle.
" I am just ecstatic," Liv was saying. " Feels like my family is complete. Thanks to you."
Even when my father wasn't there. Liv was. She always had my back. I guess, she loves me more than her biological children and I am so grateful for that. She is the one I call up when ever I am in doubt or there is something new going on with me. My biological mother barely calls me on my birthday. She forgets sometimes. It doesn't bother me much anymore. I am content with my family and friends too."
" Well of course you should be. After all, I am your best friend," Percy says with a teasing smile.
" Whatever," I hurl a cushion towards him.
" Jokes apart," he smiles warmly. " I want to meet your mother. Olivia. To clarify. She sounds to be an amazing woman."
" She is," I close my eyes briefly.
" Yeah, and I can't wait to see her. When are they arriving?"
" Oh tomorrow," I jump up. The bounce leading to Percy letting go of my hand. I already miss the warmth and how I feel like grabbing it again. My hand is small compared to his.
" What happened?" Percy shoots up.
" I gotta go," My voice is jumpy. " Do the preparations."
" I'll drop you," he says. " It is almost time to get Perrie back home. Lets go."
" Yeah of course."
I grab my stuff and pack my belongings by the time Percy gets the car keys. I wait as he comes towards me carrying a small box.
" Here you go," he puts it in my hand and motions me to come along.
" What is this?" I walk after him.
" Cookies," he deadpans. " You loved them, right?"
" Yeah. But, I was only joking. Not that I wanted you to give it all to me," I say. Honestly, any girl would be lucky to have him. I want to kiss him right now.
" Just keep it girl," he rolls his eyes. " I want you to have them. Come on, we getting late."
I can't describe in words how much I love you.
A/N- Thank you so much for reading. So much for updating soon. Anyway, I hope y'all are enjoying the new year as well as the story. Leave me a review as to what you thought of it. I'll be updating soon(Well, I'll try.) Thanks to all who reviewed last chapter.