I can explain...

Disclaimer: Do you really think I'm Rick Riordan?

Chapter 6 – Friends

~oOo~

March 3rd

I opened my eyes only to have to squeeze them shut again. I was in a bright room. It seemed too bright to be morning. How late did I stay up last night? I wondered but I couldn't remember. I opened my eyes again, slowly this time.

I was in a room with off white walls and bright florescent lights. Everything reeked of generic cleanliness. To my right was a recliner with a sleeping Piper in it. There was a door on the far end of the right wall. On the wall in front of me was a cupboard on the wall, a computer next to it, and counter with a sink. Thrown across the top of the counter was a bag and some clothes. To my left was another door on an out bump that took up 2/3 of the wall farthest from me. There was a window in the other space. The generic blinds were down but opened letting the sunlight into the already bright room. There was a TV in the corner of the left wall and the one facing me. To my left was a table which had wheels on the bottom. On top had a cup of water and a few papers. On either side of my bed were tables – one had flowers and the other a lamp. Then I noticed where I was.

I was in a single sized bed with cheap, blue sheets. There was a plastic bar at the end and on either side of me. My bed was adjusted to be sitting partly up. I looked down at my arms on the top of the bed – each had a tube in them. I followed the tubes to my right. They led to a machine – an IV machine. Next to it was another big machine. There was a screen showing squiggly lines – my heart rate - and numbers. Below it was a basket that went around the pole. It had a few things in it that I couldn't tell what. Two rubber covered cords connected to the machine. My eyebrows pulled together, confused.

Why was I in a hospital room?

I looked around, trying to find clues – something, anything – that would give me answers. My eyes landed on a card next to the flowers on the bedside table. I picked it up and read 'Annie, we all know that you did great! Sorry that we can't be there for you and your recovery, but school is still – sadly – going on. We were thinking about coming after school. But don't stress, we'll each come visit at different times so we don't overwhelm you. Piper said you were still sleeping the day away. See you soon! - Thalia and the other weirdos. Will, Reyna, Luke, and Leo the Bestest Ever:p'

Recovery? Overwhelm me? What did I do great in? I didn't understand anything that Thalia had written. I quickly reread the card and everything came rushing back.

The surgery.

I don't know why, but suddenly my head started hurting badly and I felt tired. I didn't know what to think or do – about anything – so I followed my feelings. My head was still hurting even when I slipped into another dreamless sleep.

~oOo~

The next time I woke up the TV was on and it was darker. The only light came from the lamp next to my bed. I looked to my right expecting to see Piper again, but I didn't. I looked around and saw the door to my right was open. I saw that it went into the hall. I looked down and saw a familiar brown boot in the way which kept it from closing.

Then I heard talking. I recognized Piper's voice and a stranger's. It must be a nurse.

I turned my tired gaze to the TV. A Star Wars movie was playing – IV, A New Hope, if I was correct. What? I know my movies.

A few minutes later, Piper came back in. She looked surprise to see me awake. She held up her finger, signaling for some time, and opened the door again. I heard her calling for someone and a second later a nurse came into hospital room.

"Hi Annabeth, I'm Kayla and I'll be your nurse for today." The nurse told me. Her dark hair pulled into a ponytail. She also had chocolate brown eyes and a pretty face. Her light skin was only showing on her face and arms. She had on light blue scrubs.

As the nurse walked over to the computer to log in, I saw Piper move so she was sitting in the chair again. As the nurse logged in, she asked me some questions – name, date of birth, what I remember, what I knew, what was happening and so on. She then moved on to take my vitals. Kayla told us that everything seemed on track for after a surgery and then left.

Piper and I stayed quiet for a while. Then, I turned my questioning gaze one her. She sighed before moving to sit on the edge of my bed.

"You probably have a lot of questions," Piper started.

I gave her a "duh" look and nodded once before stopping. My head was killing me.

"But let me explain slowly," She finished.

This was going to be annoying.

"First of all, you're probably wondering about the card the gang left us. After you went into the surgery, one of the nurses came out and explained a few things to me – how you'll be tired, your head will hurt, you will be sore, et cetera. So, being the good friend I am, told everyone else about this. I figured you would probably need a little bit of space when you first wake up. But, I let them see you an hour after your surgery so they could see for themselves that you're not dead. But they agreed to come back tomorrow.

"About that, you're also probably wondering why you feel so tired and why your head hurts so badly. Well, you've had those cancer cells going in you for a while and, believe it or not, your head might have had a lot of bad headaches, but it got... what the right word? accustomed to it in a way. The surgery removed all of that pressure so, as the doctors explained it, you will feel the release of pressure but empty in a way, I guess..." Piper trailed off a little getting too absorbed in her own thoughts.

"Anyways, those symptoms are just the after effect of the surgery. You will probably be really sensitive to noise, movement, and light for another day or so. The doctors want to track you for a little bit, so we have to stay here for another 4 days or so." Piper explained.

My heart just about melted when she said "we" instead of "you". I means so much to me to know that I'm not going to be alone through this.

"Thanks," I choke out. My throat is scratchy from not having drank anything for-

"What day is it?"

Piper gave me another sad smile before answering, "March 4th and the time is about 11pm."

I gave her a grateful smile before drifting into a sheer sleep.

~oOo~

When I woke up again, it was to multiple, quietly loud noises. I heard the door accidentally slam shut which was then followed by some choice words, a smack sound, and more colorful language. I cracked a smile as my eyes slid open. I found my best friends looking at me with hopeful expressions. They must have not wanted to wake me.

"Sorry about that," Will, who was wearing a yellow shirt with some kakis, said first.

"Yeah, if Mr. I-do-everything-loud-and-my-way would have been a little quieter, you wouldn't have woken up." Thalia stated her opinion.

"Hey! It wasn't my fault. You were the one who slapped my head," Leo grumbled rubbing his sore spot.

In response, Thalia reached over a pulled back one of Leo's suspenders – the ones he always insisted on wearing – and let it fly back with a loud Snap!

I made eye contact with Reyna who just shook her head at their childish antics.

I looked over my group of friends and noticed absences.

"Hey, where's Luke? And where did Piper go?" I asked, scanning my eyes around the room as if they were hiding somewhere.

"Luke had to work and Piper went home to shower while we stayed with you," Was Reyna's simple answer.

"Oh," Came my oh-so-smart reply.

I guess I shouldn't have expected to see Luke. I mean, he's usually working and when he's not he has school or is with Thalia. I barely see him at home the way it is. I was a little surprised to not see Piper, but I understood. She needed to shower and change her clothes.

"So, what do ya wanna do?" Leo asked while tapping his foot.

"Uh..." I gave him a confused look and gestured to my body.

"Oh. Right."

"I guess we could play a board game or cards or something." Reyna suggested.

"Ooo! I know, truth or dare!" Will all but shouted.

"No!"

"Why?"

"Ugh. Why this game?"

And of course Leo's loud "YES!"

"Well, I think we all know that we are going to be playing it." Will said anyways.

I sighed and shifted my position – carefully – in bed. Smiling to myself I thought with a little laugh, what did I do to deserve such friends?

~oOo~

I looked up when I heard the door creek open. I saw Piper, frozen, in the doorway. Well, I couldn't really blame her. It was quite a sight to see. Right now, no one looked sane, not even me – although that could have been from surgery less than 48 hours ago. Will had decided to go first and fired the shots right away. He dared Reyna to just wear her underwear – bra and, well, underwear – for the rest of the game. Reyna then got revenge on Leo and Thalia for their pranks and made them switch clothes. Leo was dared to do Will's make-up blind folded. Thalia was the first to do me. She dared me to let Leo do me hair and make-up. I ended up with a tried-smoky-eye-but-looks-like-black-eye-face look. And my hair, that's a different story. I then dared Leo to run around the halls in a bra – no shirt but pants – while "singing" Party in the USA. Of course I had everyone record it too. This had carried on for about 2 hours. And only 40 minutes earlier we gave nurse Kayla a near heart attack from what was happening. Having Leo "flash" her probably didn't help either.

That's what Piper walked into, in a brief explanation.

"Piper!" Will called, running up to her and grabbing her hand. "You're just in time. It's your turn."

~oOo~

A/N

Hey... So, um, yeah. I'm actually not dead.

I know I know I know! It's been 10 weeks – jeez that's a lot longer in print than in my head – but I have good reasons.

First of all, a week after I updated last, I was in the hospital. I ended up in DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis. It wasn't the worst case I've had, but still. Then I had soccer until the first weekend in May. I also had school and a bunch of end-of-year projects – monster map, a PBL, writings, presentations, homework, etc.I also have to do stuff at home. My little brother broke him are 3 weeks ago and my dad had surgery. I had camp for a week - which was the best thing EVER! - and am going to have more. I've hung out with friends too.

On top of it all, I've had some writers block for the chapter's I'm on. I have written, it's just farther up in the story. I also know that this chapter is kinda sucky, but I promise, promise, promise, the next is going to be soooo much better. I'm also getting excited for some Percabeth and other ships and yeah. So you do have some stuff to look forward to.

I truly am sorry about updating and writing. I promise that I will TRY to be better, but we all have something or another going on. But as I go on in the story – AKA towards the stuff I like and am excited for, I'll be able to write more and better.

Please review you opinion, suggestions, thoughts, rants, anything and everything. Now I'm rambling too. See?

Okay, bye.

-Anne