Chap 7
Annabeth's POV
I sat nervously in my car as we left the fancy restaurant we had gone to for supper. I arrived at the hotel they were staying at. "Josh is staying with you. I will see you two another time." Dad said, then left the car with his luggage and went into his hotel.
When we got to my place we were silent. I showed him where he could put his bags down and I went for a shower. I got dressed in my short pj pants and a long sleeve top with socks. I tied my hair up and went to make us coffee.
I felt Percy's presence as he was next door. I felt the guilt well in me. I put our coffee in the lounge. I was busy fiddling with a bracelet in the kitchen that I got a little fright when I felt Josh brush past me.
"How you been?" He asked me. "Fine I guess, and you?" I asked. "Just busy with the teaching." He said, sipping his coffee. He was working at my dads college and my dad set me up with him because he was smart.
"How's Megan?" I asked. She was his real girlfriend that my dad didn't know about. "She's great thanks." He said, smiling. "Found any guys while you've been here?" He asked. I hesitated. "Um, I have to tell you about that." I said, feeling the guilt.
"My friend, Percy next door to me here, we sort of told each other how we felt and then kissed." I said, biting my lip. "Annabeth, it's fine. We're not together." He said, chuckling.
"I know." I said, smiling. "I just felt bad because I had really loved you before I found out about my dad." He smiled sadly. "He's expecting me to propose. Please don't accept it, it's not what either of us want." He said, furrowing his eyebrows. "It's fine. Just tell him what I said and you can go back to your lovely Megan." I said, smiling.
He hugged me before going to the couch. He started setting up his little bed. "Night Ann." He said, smiling. "Night." I said, smiling before going to my bedroom. Maybe things wouldn't be as bad as I thought.
-Line Break-
I invited Percy and the others over to my place, to explain as they all sent me messages wandering about a few days ago, to have coffee with me.
I heard my doorbell and invited them in. I left the door unlocked as usual. We all sat down and I handed them coffee each. I kept glancing at Percy, having felt I cheated him.
"So care to explain?" Hazel asked, smiling slightly. "Okay, he was this guy my dad was making me date because he thought the guy was very clever and my dad wants me to marry him. But I said no." I said, sighing.
"But wha-" Leo started to say but I heard the front door open and slam closed. I stood up as I saw my dad come with Josh trailing behind him. Josh shot me a sorry look and glanced at my dad.
"Annabeth!" He shouted. "I told you I accept his proposal! Why didn't you?" He bellowed. "I don't like Josh like that! I like someone else." I said, trying to control my anger. "All I ask of you is one simple thing and you go and disrespect me. Couldn't you get it through your thick skull!" He shouted.
That set me off. I had had enough of his harsh words. "Well what the hell are you going to do! You cheated on my mother six months before she died while she was still in hospital! You had that ladies children! Then when mom dies you rejoice by treating me like nothing for years of my life andi have to make excuses why I had cuts and bruises on myself!" I screamed.
"For eighteen years I had to suffer under your rules and abuse and you tell me I'm disrespecting you?" I finished off. "Don't you dare speak to me like that!" He shouted. "Watch me!" I exclaimed. I felt the pain spring through my cheek before I registered what happened.
I clutched my face and felt my eyes begin to water. I felt two people come to my sides and Percy yelling at my dad before my door slammed shut. "Annabeth, are you okay?" I heard Piper saying.
"Please go." I croaked out, sobbing from having admitted what my dad had done. They were all quiet but did as I said. 10 minutes mud have passed before I calmed down a bit, my throat sore.
I got up and opened my eyes. I was surprised to see Percy sitting there. He got up and showed me to my room. He crawled unde the covers with me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me tightly to him. He held me in my arms as I cried till my throat was on fire and all my tears were one.
I felt exhaustion overtake me and get enveloped into sleep