Chapter 4: The Big Fat Red Letter
Percy's POV
"Fuck," I muttered under my breath, I am officially failing ...again. I looked down at the paper and the big letter writing in a thick red sharpie one more time, then crumpled into a ball with as much force as I could. I hate school! I hate collage! I hate stupid teachers who always look down on me with distaste and pity like they are thinking 'poor stupid kid.'
I took off down the hall as Thalia called after me, but I didn't stop. I couldn't deal with anyone right, I just needed to get away and I knew exactly where to go.
I took a big gulp of the salty air, the ocean always made me feel better. The feel, the sound and smell always made me feel happier when nothing else would. I felt myself calm down as I sat the on a big rock that looked out at the water of the Atlantic ocean.
I took the crunched piece of paper out of my pocket and threw it as hard as I could toward the great salty lake but it was very dissatisfying as it was to light to really throw properly but it made into the water.
"That's littering you know," I heard Thalia behind me but I didn't turn around.
"Whatever." I said shortly.
"Move over," she said and I did. She sat down and we sat in silence for a long time.
"So bad grade?" she asked finally.
"...Yeah, I'm failing." she sighed and said nothing she knew that I always had trouble with school.
After a long few minutes she suggested, "maybe a tutor wouldn't be so bad?" I had always had one, for all of grade school, middle school and high school and now apparently I was going to have one in collage as well.
"Maybe it wouldn't have one of those grumpy middle aged ladies what about a student? It will be cheaper too," she said.
"Ugg no, I don't need some smarty-pants know-it-alls laughing at me the whole time, no way!" I said frowning.
"Well its that or Mrs. Martin," I shuddered no. Never again.
"Fine, but who would want to tutor someone as stupid as me anyways?" I said shifting my gaze to the ocean.
"Perceus Jackson! I never want to hear that come on of your mouth again!" I started at her anger. "You are not stupid so shut up okay?" she looked at me fiercely, "okay?"
"Fine whatever," I muttered.
"So where would I get a tutor at school?" I asked after a pause.
"I have someone in mind," she smiled, "I'll talk to her and tell you what she says, okay?"
I nodded.
Annabeth's POV
"No!" I yelled at Thalia.
"Come on please?"
"I said no!" I frowned.
"I need you!" she begged.
"Anything, Thalia, anything else."
"You'll get paid." I paused I really could use some cash...
"Please?" she coxed, "for your favorite person in the whole world?"
I sighed I knew when I was beat, "fine but I reserve the right bitch slap him whenever I please."
"That sounds like an excellent compromise, so its settled I'll tell Percy that he has a tutor and not fuck around with her cause of her right to slap him silly." Thalia grinned, "thank you, really it means a lot." Thalia reached out to me.
"What are you doing?" I asked, looking confusedly at her arms.
"I just feel like we should hug, isn't that what most people would do in this kind of situation."
"Oh." I blushed, "right so…" I held my arms awkwardly out in the general direction of Thalia.
"You have to lean in," she said, giving me a weirdly look.
Leaned in stiffly Gods, how do people do this? My hand brushed her shoulder.
"Annabeth you have lean in! Oh know what never mind! How do you not know how to hug?" Thalia asked looking at me like I had suddenly grown two heads or told her that I hear voices or that my stuffed animals move or- well you get the point.
"I can I just …we, I mean you…" I said trying to think of an explanation. "I am just not a huggy person okay!" I felt the familiar heat rise to my cheeks and I just wanted the ground to swallow me was I wouldn't have to see that look on Thalia's face. I wanted to run away so that's what I did.
"I have to go," I powered walked away till I turned a corner then I broke out in a run. I don't want to even try and imagine what she must have thought of me. I mean really, who can't hug!
I couldn't remember the last time someone had tried to hug me, or who it could have been. It could have maybe been dad, obviously not my step-mom Jane, just the thought of her left a sour taste in my mouth, not either of my two half-brothers, maybe Piper or Rachel… but I didn't think so.
Thalia must think I'm such a freak… my eyes welled up, what was wrong with me why did I feel like I was about to cry? Get a hold of yourself Annabeth! I slowed to a walk and kept walking for the better part of the hour, till I finally made it to back to my dorm.
Pretty short I know but I felt this needed its own chapter and as an apology I gave a super awkwardness! So don't be mad no one can be mad at the awkwardness!
Yeah, yeah don't worry I'm getting help…
Hope you are all well and happy and there are rainbows and Pegasi out side your window.
