CHAPTER 7

OUR SPECIAL PLACE

-Annabeth-

Dad was laughing, talking, and having the time of his life.

With a woman.

I didn't know who the hell she was. I've never seen her before in my life. She had long, wavy brown hair. She was wearing a white lab coat and a blue dress underneath. She had pale skin and hazel eyes. I guess you'd call her pretty, but from where I was standing, she was the devil.

She and my father were holding hands from across the table. There was a bottle of wine that was corked opened and glasses that were half empty.

What the hell was going on?

Except I knew what was going on. A date. My dad was on a date with a woman that was everything that mom wasn't. How can he do this? How can he date when he knows that in a week is the anniversary of mom's death? Sure it's been 3 years, but I've never expected him to go out.

I wasn't sure what I was feeling when I saw those two together. Bitterness? Angry? Resentment?

As dad and that stranger were laughing again, I dramatically cleared my throat.

My dad looked up, and the smile melted away, and he dropped that lady's hands, "Annabeth? Oh, um, I didn't realize it was so late." He checked his watch. "How was school?"

I snorted. Really? He was asking about my day? I just frowned at him, "Who's this?" I jerked my head toward the woman who was looking between my dad and me.

"Oh! I'm sorry. Annabeth, this is Catherine. She works in the science department at the college. Catherine, this is my daughter, Annabeth." My dad introduced, I can tell he was nervous.

Catherine smiled and got up, "Hi, Annabeth. I've heard so much about you! Nice to finally meet you." She extended an arm out to me, which I didn't except.

I just crossed my arms and frowned at my dad, "So, dad, how long has this been going on?" I pointed to Catherine.

My dad looked nervously at Catherine, he finally answered, "About 2 months, now."

My eyes went wide, "2 months!"

Dad nodded, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, honey. I just thought you might react like, well, like you are right now."

I imagined steam fuming out of my ears. "I cannot believe this! Why-" I had a whole speech in my head, about how wrong this was, etc. but dad interrupted.

"Sweetie, can we please do this in the living room?" Dad pleaded.

I huffed, "Fine."

I knew he didn't want me to make a bad first impression to his new girlfriend. I can't believe he's dating. And it's so close to the anniversary. I was unbelievably mad at him. Emotions were going through me, I couldn't have more mad. Never.

"I'll be right back, Cathy." My dad said, apologetically, to her.

When we got to the living room, I spat, "Cathy? So now you have a nickname for her now, too?"

Dad sighed, "Annabeth, I am so sorry I didn't tell you about Catherine sooner."

"That's it? You're sorry?" I ask. "Why are you even doing this?"

"What? Dating?"

"Yes, dating! In case you forgot, dad, your first wife's anniversary of her death is in 1 week!" I couldn't stop myself from letting all of this out. It just came out. I couldn't help be angry with him, how can he do this to us? To me?

My dad didn't say anything for a while. Finally, he whispered, "Of course I didn't forget. I couldn't stop thinking about it, Annabeth. But, it's been 3 years, I think it's time for me to move on."

I clenched my fists, "How can you say that!" I explode. "How can you say that you need to move on! Don't you miss her at all?" I could feel warm tears on my cheek.

Dad just stared at me, "I miss her a lot, Annie." He said quietly, he rubbed my back softly, like he used to when I was little and would cry. "But, I need someone to block out all the pain."

I jerked away from his touch, "Get away from me."

"Annabeth, please-" my dad pleads.

"No. I can't believe you."

"Annabeth-"

"DID YOU FORGET ABOUT MOM?" I scream in his face.

I didn't wait for dad's reply, I just stormed out of the living room, I opened the door, and slammed it as hard as I could. I ran outside, it was still raining like crazy. I forgot to bring a coat. I decided to go to the one place I could think in peace: the special place mom and I used to go, out in the beach coast.

When I finally got to the beach, I felt relieved.

Unfortunately, it was still raining really hard. I felt stupid for not even bringing a jacket or sweatshirt or something. I was freezing, and sitting really close to the ocean, I was even colder.

I thought about my dad and mom and Catherine. I couldn't stand the idea of dad going out on dates with someone else besides mom. I wanted my dad to feel guilty for dating that woman. I wanted him to realize that Catherine was not mom and he could not go out with her.

I wanted mom to be here.

That was the last straw for me. I broke down; I cried. I sobbed and sobbed. I probably won't ever run out of tears because it was raining.

I missed her. I missed her. I missed her.

I cried for what seemed like years. Except it was only minutes.

I thought I was all alone on this beach; who else would be on the beach while it was raining?

But I wasn't alone.

I heard someone walking toward me, "Annabeth?" I heard a voice say. I knew that voice, it was familiar… it was Percy's.

I sniffled and looked up, "P-Percy?" I say quietly.

There he was. He was standing in right in front of me. He was wearing a black coat and jeans. His raven hair was obviously wet from the pouring rain. He looked at me, I couldn't really determine what he was thinking exactly. But I was wondering, What was he doing here?

"What happened?" He asked gently. I've never heard him talk like that before.

I wiped my tears away, even though it was impossible, "Nothing."

Percy kneeled beside me, "I think you're lying."

I didn't say anything. I still didn't get why he was there.

"Annabeth?" Percy asked softly, "Why were you crying?"

I stayed silent.

"What are you even doing out here?" Percy questioned.

I looked up to him, "I can ask the same to you."

"I just needed to… think." He replied.

"Me too, then." I said.

"But why are you crying?" Percy inquired. He wasn't being mean or anything, he was just curious.

"It's not a big deal." I answer simply.

Percy spoke after a moment, "Annabeth, I think it is a big deal. Why else would you be at the beach when it's raining? You're not even wearing a coat."

I shrugged. "It's none of your business." I say quietly.

Percy looked at me. His sea green eyes were glued to my grey ones. They were filled hidden sadness. I suddenly shivered, and Percy noticed. He took off his coat and wrapped it around me. It didn't help much because the coat was also wet, but I appreciated the gesture.

I gave him a small, grateful smile, "Thank you."

Percy smiled back, "No problem." He then sat down next to me and put his arm around my shoulders. We were so close, our sides were touching. It was kind of odd, but I liked having someone's warmth and support. "So, you wanna tell me what's wrong now?" He asked.

"It's just family problems." I confess.

"Oh." Percy nodded, like he understood. I guess he would. "Me too."

I looked sideways at him, "Really?"

"Yep."

"What happened?"

Percy grinned down at me, "So now you want to know about my problems?"

I chuckled softly, "Guess so."

"I'll tell you what," Percy began. "I'll tell you my problem, if you tell me yours."

I smiled a little and shook my head. "You have yourself a deal, Jackson."

Percy smiled, "Alright." He said, "Well, today, my mom got a call from the NYSPD."

"The police?" I question, "What happened?"

"Well apparently, Steven wants to speak with us." He sighed.

"Steven?" I ask. "Oh, you mean your dad."

I could feel Percy tense, "He isn't my dad."

I gave him a confused look, "What?"

Percy stared at me, like he was deciding if he wanted to tell me something or not. "It's a long story, ok? Let's just say that he did something really, really wrong that made me resent him."

I was about to ask him what his father did that was so bad, but by the tone of his voice, I could tell he didn't want to talk about it. All I said was, "Oh."

"Yeah, anyway," Percy continued. "Steven claimed that he wanted to talk to me and my mom. To apologize or something."

"Why is that so bad?" I ask him.

Percy held me tighter, "He committed a crime, it was awful. I could never forgive him for what he did."

"He's family, you could forgive family." I said. I still didn't get what was so horrible.

Percy stared at me, "Not all the time."

I didn't say anything.

"He did more than just that," Percy continued. "He lied to my mom, he went out late at nights. He was out of control."

We both stayed quiet, until I asked, "So, why are you here?"

Percy sighed, "My mom wants us both to go the jail and talk to him. But there's no way in hell I'm going to talk to that man."

It was weird talking to Percy like this, I never seen this side of him before; the caring, loving, nice side of him. At school, he's such a jerk. But right now, he seems… ok. I kind of think this Percy is cooler. He's actually a person to talk to. I'm not even sure why he's telling me all this.

I realized I was still in Percy's arms, and I blushed a little, thanking god he couldn't see me, "Why not?" I ask him, forgetting about his problem.

"I'm just never going to forgive him. Ever. People can't change." He said.

The last part of that sentence really interested me. People can't change. For some reason, I agree to that, but at the same time, I don't. Who knew Percy Jackson was like this?

I didn't say anything g for a while after that.

Finally, Percy said, "Ok, now you know my problem. What's yours?"

"Oh, right." I say as I sit a little straighter. "Well, when I came back from school, I saw my dad… with someone else."

"Ouch." Percy said simply.

"Tell me about it." I muttered.

"What happened after?"

"I kind of yelled at my dad for dating too soon, and forgetting mom." I confessed.

"That isn't really fair to your dad." He said.

I huffed, "Whatever."

Percy looked down at me and smiled, "Who's being a child now?"

I thought of saying a comeback, instead, I laughed. For some reason, Percy made me feel a lot better. I never knew he could be so supportive like this. It was really sweet. It was kind of weird that his arm was still around me, but… I don't know. He was just nice.

"So…" Percy started, "Why did you come to this beach of all places?"

I hesitated to answer because this place was just between my mom and me, but Percy was being so sweet, I decided to tell him, "When I was little, my mom and I used to come here all the time. It was 'our special place.'"

"Really?" Percy sounded surprised, "My dad and me used to come here, too."

"Huh," I said. "That's weird."

"Yeah." He agreed, "Well, I don't think this beach is big enough for the both us." He teased.

I chuckled, "I was here first, so, maybe you should leave."

"Not a chance, Chase." Percy grinned. "I guess it's our special place now."

"I'm good with that."

We were silent for a long time. We were watching the ocean view. It was strange with Percy so close to me; his arm was still wrapped around my shoulder.

Finally, Percy broke the silence, "You know, Annie, I always thought you hated me."

I shrugged, "I don't hate you. I just disliked you."

"Disliked?" He said with a slight smile, "You mean you don't anymore?"

"Well…" I began, "Not as much anymore."

Percy laughed, "Good."

Again, we were quiet for a few minutes. I kept thinking how nice and considerate Percy was. I've never, ever, ever seen him be so kind to me. He never made fun of me, never called me out; he was genuinely nice. I appreciated his warmth and support so much. It really did mean a lot to me. I always thought Percy was the jerk, now, I'm having second thoughts. Can people really change?

"Hey, Annie," he said, "We should probably go now, it's almost 7 and it's getting dark."

I nodded, "Ok." When Percy let go of me, I immediately missed his warmth.

Together, we walked back to our homes. We were walking really close together and it was still raining very hard; both of us were completely soaked, head to toe.

Percy insisted that he walked me home, so I let him. When we got to my front door, I said, "Thank you for, um, everything. That was really nice."

He smiled, "No problem, Annie."

I sighed and rolled my eyes, "Don't call me that!"

Percy busted out laughing, "You will never change."

"And you will never stop being a jerk." I shot back.

But Percy just stood there and grinned cheekily, "I know you like me. You said it yourself."

"I never said that!"

"Yeah, but you were thinking it." He replied.

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever." I turned my doorknob, but then I remembered I forgot something, "Oh! Here's your jacket." I took off the coat he wrapped around me and handed it to him.

"Thanks." Percy answered, he grabbed it. He turned around, but he yelled over his shoulder, "See ya, Annie!" Then walks away.

Instead of rolling my eyes, I smile to myself.

The rest of the evening, I kept thinking about Percy Jackson.

Can people really change?

I HAD SO MUCH FUN WRITNG THIS CHAPTER! I HOPE YOU ALL LIKED IT!

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE REVIEWED, FOLLOWED, AND FAVORITED. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME. THANKS AGAIN!

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