Based on a true story (Not mine - I have no love life *sniffles* This happened to my friend… sort of. I changed the ages, and personalities, and ending. Maybe I should say inspired by… you know what? Who cares?) Percabeth AU. Not really sure where I'm going with this. It's a multi chap, but don't expect updates. I have a ton of work to do. Basically, this AN is completely pointless. Sorry for wasting a minute of your life.
Disclaimer: Riordan owns PJO. I don't own anything else mentioned.
Read, enjoy, review!
Annabeth sat on the bus home from college, plugged into her iPod. Music blaring, she scowled as yet another small child decided it would be fun not to hold on and crashed into her, whacking her shoulder with his bag. She grimaced out the window while rubbing her shoulder, once again wishing she was old enough to drive.
With a sigh of relief, she realised the scenery flashing past the window was her neighbourhood, signalling her stop. Quickly pressing the bell, she stood and swung her bag onto her shoulder, narrowly missing the faces of those snivelling rats behind her. Barging through, the sense of freedom overtook the feeling of satisfaction (and slight guilt) she felt at the petty revenge. She felt entitled to it after such a long day.
Pushing such thoughts out of her head, she politely thanked the bus driver and waited under the shelter for her brothers. Despite being early September, it was already starting to look like winter. Well, that's global warming for you I suppose - messing up your seasons. The bus shelter provided a little protection from the wind and mizzle.
In a bundle of pushing and shoving, Matthew and Bobby finally tumbled out of the doors onto the pavement, just before they hissed shut and the bus drove off. Walking over, she forcibly separated the terrible twosome, a hand on each of their foreheads. It was so cartoon-like, she could have laughed. But she didn't.
"Do you two mind? Stop fighting! I'd like to get home before dinner, thank you very much." Both boys stopped struggling and hung their heads at her disappointed tone.
"Sorry Annabeth," they both muttered. Features softening, she ruffled their hair, at which Matthew squirmed. Bobby didn't even bother to try and escape.
"It's okay boys. Let's just keep it moving, okay?" They nodded and headed off down the road, bouncing off one another and any sort of street furniture in the vicinity.
Sighing, Annabeth sacrificed her hair to the dampness in the air and set off after them.
…
"Caroline, we're home!" Annabeth called as she shut the door. After wiping her boots on the mat, she removed her coat and switched to slippers, before plodding into the living room. "All present, no serious injuries to report."
Caroline, her step-mother, looked up as she finished ironing a shirt. Her face was drawn and haggard after long days in the office and long nights without sleep. Still, a smile spread across her face, lighting it up and showing just why she had been called a beautiful woman when she was younger. "That's what I like to hear. Now, would you be a dear and pass me that hanger?" Annabeth complied. "Thank you. How was your day?"
"It was alright. I got this…" But Annabeth could see Caroline had already zoned out and was back in the world of efficiency and never ending work. She sighed. "Never mind. I'll leave you to it and see you at tea time, yeah?" Not even bothering to wait for a response she knew she wouldn't get, she turned on her heel and climbed the stairs to her room. Reaching its safety, she shut the door firmly behind her.
Looking in the mirror, she was glad she'd only be seeing the family tonight. Her hair was frizzy, and she momentarily felt jealous of all those girls at college whose hair was shiny and looked like it had come straight out of a shampoo advert. All she was stuck with was an uncontrollable mane of blonde frizz that reached her lower back. The length was the only thing she liked about it. Instead of depressing herself further, she pushed the thoughts out of her mind. She knew she wasn't particularly attractive with her hair and her dull grey eyes and a tan that completely disappeared as soon as the sun did. She just had to move on. She didn't care what anyone else thought. She certainly wasn't looking for a boyfriend.
She collapsed on the bed. After five minutes without movement, she finally stirred herself enough to rummage around in her bag. Eventually, she fished out her diary and her phone. Quickly loading her messaging app, she dashed off a text before turning to examine her homework for the night. Groaning, she dug out her history text books and a notepad, beginning to make notes on the timed essay she had to do the next day.
After ten minutes of solid, silent work, her phone buzzed. Annabeth pounced, opening up the message as fast as possible.
AnnabethChase: Hey you free to talk?
OwenSawyer: For you? Always.
She smiled a little, typing back her reply.
AnnabethChase: Thank God.
She only had to wait a few seconds.
OwenSawyer: Nah, just thank Owen.
AnnabethChase: No, I am honestly thanking God right now.
OwenSawyer: Glad to hear I get such a good reception xx but really, was it that bad a day?
Annabeth lay on her stomach, homework forgotten.
AnnabethChase: You have no idea.
OwenSawyer: Well I would if you told me (hint hint).
AnnabethChase: Ugh, so pushy :) Well, to start with, two of my friends had an argument over a chocolate mousse two days ago and they still aren't talking to each other. And they expect us to choose sides. Then, when I was walking to the bus today, a car drove past and covered me in water when they splashed through a puddle.
OwenSawyer: Yeesh.
AnnabethChase: Oh, I'm not finished. I got an A- in a test I got back.
OwenSawyer: So… That's a really good grade.
AnnabethChase: Yeah, it's not that bad. But it's lower than I usually get and there was this one girl who went "Yes! I did better than Annabeth!" and proceeded to tell each individual person in the class. Yes, I'm happy she did well but did she really have to rub it in my face when I already wasn't happy with it?
OwenSawyer: Take it as a compliment. They see you as the best, the one to beat.
AnnabethChase: Humph. You're supposed to be on my side, jerk.
OwenSawyer: I am. Forever and always xx
AnnabethChase: Aww… I'll let you get away with that one.
OwenSawyer: I appreciate it :) So, was that all?
AnnabethChase: Umm… yes. Well, the kids on the bus didn't exactly put me in the best of moods either.
AnnabethChase: And what do you mean "all"? That's plenty!
OwenSawyer: I meant "all" as in a "have you finished you hugely long list of everything wrong with your horrific day because I'm impatient to be the supportive guy who comforts you" kind of "all".
AnnabethChase: Yeah, right.
OwenSawyer: Honest! It sounds terrible. I wish I was there to give you a hug and chase the world away.
AnnabethChase: …
AnnabethChase: Yes please.
AnnabethChase: And maybe some hot chocolate?
AnnabethChase: Because, y'know, I'm feeling pretty chilly.
AnnabethChase: Owen?
OwenSawyer: I'm here. I know. I wish I could be there too. Soon. It'll happen.
"Annabeth!" She looked up from her phone as her mum poked her head round the door. "It's time for tea. Come and set the table."
"Be there in a minute." Looking back to her phone, she dashed off a quick got to go, my stomach is growling and food is calling before tossing her phone on the bed and jogging down the stairs. Caroline didn't like to be kept waiting.
…
When she got back to her room, his reply had been waiting for her for two hours. It had taken two hours to eat and do the amount of extra work on top of her homework that would satisfy her drive for academic excellence.
OwenSawyer: Okay babe. Enjoy dinner!
AnnabethChase: Babe?
Annabeth raised an eyebrow. This was new. They had never called each other pet names before. She wasn't opposed to the idea, just... really, babe? Did he have to choose the one she hated most?
As she waited for his reply, she got on with reading Twelfth Night - the mixture of Shakespearean language and her dyslexia made studying it in class a nightmare if she didn't go over it the night before. Soon enough, her phone buzzed.
OwenSawyer: What? Don't you like it?
AnnabethChase: Ummm... no.
OwenSawyer: Is it endearments in general, or just babe that you hate?
AnnabethChase: Babe specifically. It sounds so obnoxious...
OwenSawyer: Okay, so how about... darling?
AnnabethChase: No.
OwenSawyer: ...love?
AnnabethChase: No.
OwenSawyer: Sweetie?
AnnabethChase: No.
OwenSawyer: My periwinkle?
AnnabethChase: ...
OwenSawyer: Is that a yes?
AnnabethChase: That's a "hell no, never ever ever in all eternity why do I even talk to you freak".
OwenSawyer: Ah. So no periwinkle.
AnnabethChase: NO.
OwenSawyer: How was your day, flibbikins?
OwenSawyer: What did you have for tea, dear heart?
OwenSawyer: Why are you not replying, dearest?
OwenSawyer: Sweetheart? Everything okay?
AnnabethChase: Umm...
OwenSawyer: So none of them then.
AnnabethChase: Actually...
OwenSawyer: OOOOOOO. Flibbikins?
AnnabethChase: Never say that again.
OwenSawyer: Dearest?
AnnabethChase: Nope.
OwenSawyer: Sweetheart?
AnnabethChase: Mmmmm. You may have got me there.
OwenSawyer: Really? Sweetheart?
AnnabethChase: I dunno. It just does things to me.
OwenSawyer: Oh, I could do things to you.
AnnabethChase: Mind. Gutter. Get out of. And no, you couldn't. You're on the other side of a computer screen.
OwenSawyer: Way to crush my dreams...
OwenSawyer: ...sweetheart.
AnnabethChase: *shivers*
There was a soft knock on the door. She placed her phone down on the covers and called out, "Come in," while glancing at the clock. 22:30 was blinking back at her. She hadn't realised it was so late.
Her dad poked his head round the door and gave her a toothy smile and she immediately lit up. "Dad!" He shuffled into the room and closed the door behind him, motioning to her to keep it down as he sat down next to her on the bed.
"The boys are asleep and I don't want to wake them. They looked like little angels."
"Yeah, I think they only ever look like that asleep. They're monsters awake." She muttered. He gave her a sad smile.
"I wouldn't really know, would I?" It was true. Fredrick Chase was a dedicated, loving father, but he didn't get to see his kids very often. He worked from dawn until after dusk in a city about an hour away and so was rarely home when his children were awake. Some accused him of working too hard, not caring enough about his family. It wasn't true. Both he and his wife worked all day to ensure their family had enough. They knew that, the family knew that and that was all that mattered. It only meant that Annabeth treasured her five minutes with him all the more when he got home late at night.
A small silence followed his comment before he moved on. "Okay then, what did the terrible twosome get up to today?" She grinned at him.
"Well, they almost had a food fight at dinner."
"Almost?"
"I used my scary voice on them." He laughed. "What? You think I couldn't do that? I've had a lot of practice with them recently."
He put his hands up in surrender. "No, no, I believe you. Please don't use it on me." He used a little high pitched girly voice and she couldn't help but laugh.
"Honestly Dad, and you wonder why I don't take you out in public."
"Hey! It's the other way round, thank you very much!"
"Yeah, yeah whatever you say." Her phone buzzed in between them. He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"How was Caroline?"
"Same as always. Nice but tired. Dinner was homemade pizza." Annabeth twisted her hands into the cover. She liked Caroline, but she was a little uncomfortable discussing her with her dad. At least he didn't try and get her to call her 'mum'.
"Tasty. Did she eat it with you today?" She shook her head and when he continued, his voice was quieter. "Ah, so that's why it was you that broke up the food fight." He paused. "You're going to make a fantastic mum someday, Annabeth."
"Whoa Dad, haven't even got a boyfriend yet. Don't need to worry about grandchildren for at least another decade." He smiled down at her.
"Alright, I won't go all mushy on you." Her phone buzzed again and he nodded towards it. "Although if that's a guy, he seems pretty persistent. Maybe you won't have to wait too long for that boyfriend."
She shoved him and blushed. "Dad! Stop it!"
"Alright, but I can see you're just itching to reply. Go on then, I'm off to bed anyway."
"No, Dad, it's nothing that can't wait. I want to keep talking."
"I'm tired. It's not your phone friend driving me away, promise. Sleep well." He leant across and gave her an awkward one-armed, sideways hug. "Well that failed. Love you." She repeated the sentiment back to him. Just as he slipped out of the door, he whispered, "And don't stay up too late flirting!" She threw a pillow after him.
Grumbling to herself, she sat listening to her father go to bed while she tried to calm her blush. It wasn't as if Owen would be able to see it when she texted him (ah, the joys of technology), but she found that she was flustered as well and she liked to at least appear normal to one person in her life.
Finally, her face had cooled to its normal temperature and she could no longer hear any noise from the rest of the house apart from the low murmurings of her dad and Caroline in their room as they discussed their day. She picked up her phone just as another message reached her.
OwenSawyer: You're not going to come up with one for me?
OwenSawyer: Sweetheart?
OwenSawyer: Annabeth?
She smiled.
AnnabethChase: Sorry, my dad just got in and popped his head round to say hello.
OwenSawyer: Oh, don't worry about it. How is he?
AnnabethChase: Happy, but he looks tired. He needs more sleep and I think he misses spending time with my brothers.
OwenSawyer: Ah, the infamous Matthew and Bobby. How old are they again?
AnnabethChase: Twelve.
OwenSawyer: The age of trouble making and being angry at the world. Oh, and discovering girls for the first time.
AnnabethChase: Don't say that! Can you imagine one of them bringing a girlfriend home? How awkward would that be - them getting a girlfriend before I did!
OwenSawyer: Them getting a girlfriend before you got a girlfriend?
AnnabethChase: No, idiot, them getting a girlfriend before I get a boyfriend.
OwenSawyer: Oh. You… haven't had a boyfriend before?
AnnabethChase: Ummm… did I tell you how bad the weather was?
OwenSawyer: Annabeth. Don't change the subject.
AnnabethChase: But I want to.
OwenSawyer: Now you just sound like a sulky child.
AnnabethChase: You obviously have no experience with children.
OwenSawyer: Have too!
AnnabethChase: Yeah right. And there's a perfect example of what a sulky child sounds like.
OwenSawyer: I … yeah. Kids hate me.
OwenSawyer: You still haven't got away with changing the subject.
AnnabethChase: Goshdarnit.
OwenSawyer: So… You haven't had a boyfriend before?
AnnabethChase: Owennnnn. Please don't. I don't want to seem like a freak.
OwenSawyer: Why? Because you haven't had a boyfriend? Why would that make you seem like a freak?
AnnabethChase: Because who my age hasn't had a boyfriend?
There were a few minutes of radio silence. She was slightly worried she had scared him off, pointing out all her own faults. Why would she do that? She should have just lied. They might have been completely honest with one another for the month that they had been speaking, but that didn't mean she couldn't have the occasional secret, right?
Her internal monologue was interrupted by another buzz.
OwenSawyer: Loads of people. Anyway, it just means you have good enough taste not to go for guys at this age. Most of us are insane, arrogant or a bit of both.
AnnabethChase: Yeah, I don't think it was that.
OwenSawyer: Really? What was it then?
AnnabethChase: More of no-one ever asked me.
OwenSawyer: ARE THEY BLIND?!
AnnabethChase: Aww. That's sweet. No, they're just not interested.
AnnabethChase: I get it if you don't want to talk to me anymore. I mean, there must be something wrong with me, right?
OwenSawyer: NO! Never. You're sweet, and funny, and clever, and pretty. What more could a guy ask for? It's them that have the problem for not seeing that.
Annabeth started blushing again. She wasn't insecure, but realistic. She knew she wasn't perfect, so why pretend that she was? It was still nice to hear a compliment now and then.
AnnabethChase: Thank you. That means a lot.
OwenSawyer: Anytime. And hey. You don't need a boyfriend. You've got me.
She refused to dwell too long on what that could mean.
AnnabethChase: I don't know what to say. Right back at ya, I guess.
OwenSawyer: Annabethhhhhhh. I'm trying to be all nice and emotional.
AnnabethChase: I know. Sorry. I don't do well with getting all touchy feely.
AnnabethChase: Especially at 11:15 at night.
OwenSawyer: Oh, is it really that late? Ooops.
AnnabethChase: Yeah, I have college tomorrow. Should probably go to sleep.
OwenSawyer: Got to keep you looking beautiful!
AnnabethChase: Whatever you say. Sleep well, sweet dreams.
She placed her phone down on her bedside cabinet and switched off her lamp. The whole house was dark and she appreciated the silence as she curled up beneath her covers and shut her eyes. Before long, she was asleep.
…
She woke up the next morning to his message from the night before.
OwenSawyer: I will do if I dream of you xx
I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. Please excuse all the italics, but the formatting took forever. Updates will come, but irregularly and slowly - I do this for fun and I have a lot of work to do. Anyway please review to let me know what you thought and how I could improve. If you have any questions, whether about the story or me, do ask and I will try my best to answer. I do like to keep an air of mystery though! Until next time... Xx