Title: Box of Crayons
Summary: Because of a box of crayons, Percy and Annabeth are best friends for life. They share their food, their secrets, and even each other's first kiss. All of a sudden, Percy's move causes their fairy tale friendship to splinter and rain clouds to appear. But when the green-eyed boy comes back, will everything remain back to the way it was?
Pairings: Percabeth, obviously. Little, well some hints of Tratie, Thalico and Jasper.
Warning: Swearing, dark themes at some parts; rarely. May be Out of Character but when the story is AU (AH), it's bound to happen, though I try to keep them in character. For the sake of the book, the Stolls are twins in this, alright?
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or songs mentioned. thought it's pretty obvious.
Point of View (POV:) Percy's
Shout Outs:I just needed to get this chapter out. I have to leave in a couple minutes, therefore I don't have the time to type a reply to my lovely reviewers, but take a peak here tomorrow and it'll be there. Swear.
Author's Note: I am incredibly pleased and flattered from all the positive and wonderful reviews I've been receiving. Nearly reaching the 200 review mark is over-whelming and I don't recall myself being this ecstatic and flustered. Thank you. You think we can reach 200?
Guess the song or band from the quotation, get it right and you'll get a sneak peak of next chapter.
Read the note at the bottom, it's important and would mean a lot to me, yeah?
"When this is over, we're all getting older now. And we all play a part in it. Innocence is falling, can you hear them calling now? And I'll be by your side until the end."
Chapter Five: The Talk
"Hey Annabeth," I said to her nonchalant, watching Annabeth stand beside me.
Annabeth raised her eyebrow, redoing her ponytail into a messier style. "Since when were you ever early for the bus?" She questioned me, sitting on the bench.
I looked ahead, trying to see if the yellow vehicle would appear soon. "My mom woke me up, by breakfast of course. It just smelled so good, I couldn't help it."
Annabeth chuckled and rolled her eyes. She checked her watch and looked up at me. "Huh?" She frowned, a look of confusion washed up on her eyes. "It's 8:15 AM, the bus should've been here by now?"
"School starts at 8:30" I pointed at to which Annabeth just looked at me dryly.
"Noooo! I thought there was no school today!" She threw her hands in exasperation, and rolled her eyes.
I sighed and grinned. "What should we do, we'll miss school..."
Annabeth gave me an obvious stare, and smiled mischievously. "Well, we walk of course."
Panic swelled up in my throat and I eyed Annabeth as if she was mentally crazy, which in this case, she is! We are going to get in so much trouble if we just go to school! Ah, my mom will freak, we can get kidnapped. There are so many possibilities.
"Annabeth, are you insane?!" I yelled at her, looking at her with wide eyes.
Annabeth grinned hopefully. "Think about it, our parents are at work, we don't have a ride. School is pretty close and I don't want to break my streak!" She argued, going into full debating mode with the additional arm crossing.
"But-" I hesitated, looking worried.
"Percy, it's just a ten minute walk, no biggy." Annabeth interrupted me, using her persuading skills to convince me.
"I know the way," She reassured me, looking at me with begging eyes.
I hesitated my thought for a second. There's a possibility we'd get lost and, I feel so paranoid.
I sighed and gave Annabeth a small smile. "Fine," I then sucked in a sharp breath. "But if we get lost, the blame is on you."
Annabeth's lips molded into a wide grin and a spark of determination shined in her eyes. "Of course, but there's no need."
Annabeth began walking forward and automatically, I trekked to her side. "Don't ditch me like that!"
She rolled her eyes at which was gleaming with humour. She quickly made a turn, moving to one neighbourhood, one that I don't recall seeing. I shifted the thought out of my head and just looked at my surroundings.
To my left side, I saw countless of colourful flowers spilled on the grass. That one scene automatically allowed a scene to blink in my eyes.
[Age Five]
It was Mother's Day and I was determined to make it better than the last one.
I quickly brainstormed some ideas of what to give my mom. Yes, I'm doing it last minute because I feel like my best ideas come when I'm under pressure.
Well, let's see. My mom loves chocolate, she adores milk chocolate. I remember seeing all the chocolate boxes my father would give her and the gleam on her face. Although, I can't go to the store and I only have 99 cents saved up in my piggy bank.
'Hm, mommy likes flowers.' I mused to myself, knitting my eyebrows as I thought of suggestions.
I sighed, reading the clock, 8:30 AM. My mommy is still sound asleep so I can buy myself some time.
I looked outside and found that the tulips are newly planted. My eyes shot with curiosity as I rushed myself outside.
Mommy would love these! She loves flowers and I think this is a lot better than the card I made her last year. With a wide grin spread on my face, I cut every single tulip and held them in my hand. I carried it inside, some of the soil spilling on the floor.
I grabbed an elastic band on the kitchen counter and wrapped the flowers in place.
I then tooked the newly bunched tulips and stalked to my parent's bedroom. Just my luck, my parents weren't awake, but instead chatting up a storm.
I knocked politely, my stomach stirring with excitement. My mother's eyes turned to look at me lovingly until it was etched with a questioning look.
"Happy Mother's Day!" I chirped, grinning toothily. I leaped in the air, and crashing on the bed. My parent's were looking at me with those parenting eyes and smiles. My daddy then started tickling my stomach, leaving me in fits of giggles.
"St-stop, daddy! I-I, my stom-stomach is ac-aching!" I giggled in between my words, shifting side to side to avoid the tickling monster; my dad. Finally, he stopped, and chuckled amusedly.
I regained some air from all the laughter I made and turned to look at my mommy. I gave her a big smile and wrapped my arms around her neck, setting on her lap.
"Here you go!" I passed her the flowers, a hopeful smile on my face. Mommy tilted her head to the side and I couldn't help, but let my lip quiver.
"Uhm, Percy, honey, where did you get these flowers?" She questioned me and I couldn't help but look worried.
I feet like I'm in trouble as tears slowly raced down my eyes. "I took it from the garden outside..." I whimpered, looking at my mom with a mask of frighten etching on my face.
My mom pulled me closer to her, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Aw, sweetie. Don't be sad, mommy is not mad. Thank you."
I smiled softly at her and daddy. "I love you mommy," I grinned, planting a kiss on her cheeks. "Happy Mother's Day!"
"You remember the tulip incident?" I asked Annabeth, walking closer to her.
She nodded and chuckled as she reminisce the memory. "Yeah, my mom told me. They were tulips Percy! they don't grow again until next year!"
"Well, I didn't know!" I argued, defending myself.
"Whatever." Annabeth shook her head amusedly and grinned at me.
"Hey, can I copy off your homework, I forgot." I asked her sheepishly, receiving a roll of the eyes in return.
"Sure." She sighed, softly glaring at me. "Next time, don't procrastinate."
I scoffed at her and rolled my eyes.
I noticed that the path resembles the one circling around the school. I noted that it would be approximately eight minutes until we get to school, leaving time to spare for copying.
I looked at Annabeth, staring into her eyes. "Are you scared? We have a few months left of school then we're off to middle school..."
I've always been attached to Jefferson Elementary. It's pretty weird to think that next year, I would move on to Middle School. I've heard awful rumours about it. Apparently, teasing is taken to a new level and the eighth graders down my block said something about hormones. I honestly don't know what they're talking about, besides that they like Pokemon -and they are very weird-. I've spent my whole time in Jefferson, from Kinder to now. I never once moved. I've been used to my surroundings.
I'm frighten at the fact that I'm moving, without a choice. I would have to meet new people, noting that not everyone in my class is going to the same school. I would be back at the bottom of the food chain losing my status as the oldest dogs in school. Apparently, homework is a lot tougher and I thought fifth grade is pretty tough.
Actually, to tell you the truth, I don't know how I would feel. I think I don't exactly know the feeling of moving to middle school until I am moving to middle school.
Annabeth shrugged, shaking me out of my thoughts. "I guess in some ways. I just don't see the point of moving again, but I don't mind."
"You're not one bit afraid of going?" I question her, as I arched a brow.
"Obviously I'm scared. Hello, we're moving!" Annabeth looked at me with an obvious stare.
I stayed silent for a while and just kept walking.
"We're going to the same school right, not splitting up?" Annabeth asked softly, a worried expression washed on her face.
I smirked, and looked at her dryly. "You 'ain't getting rid of me that easily." I chuckled, drawing out my pinkie. "Pinkie promise."
She ringed her pinkie around mines and to that day, we made an eternal promise.
"Okay, Thalia, you're the point guard." I assigned her as she went to her position.
"Nico, you're the shooting guard. I'll take small forward, Connor, you're power forward." I looked at Connor and grinned at him, knowing we're inseparable on the court.
"And Annabeth" I yelled dramatically, although it was pretty obvious which position he's entitled to. "You're center."
"Great! Let's play ball." Connor grabbed the ball and started bouncing it.
I looked forward at the other end of the court. We were up with some fifth graders from the other class, and trust me, we are going to crush them. Let's see my opponent from the other side is Chaise. Small Forwarders are usually small, lean and quick. I know I'm faster than her, but she has sharp turns that makes me spin around and fall. So, yeah, she has that to her advantage. She was grinning at me, showing her braces. She had proper basketball attire. Chaise had her hair in a ponytail, leaving some of her curly brown hair cascading down and framing her face.
Beside her was Travis, who ironically is in the same position as his brother. Both the Stolls are grinning mischievously at each other, muttering words of propaganda towards bystanders.
Other players on the court include Hanna who was Nico's mirror half although, based on those two players, Nico's obviously the best one. Taylor who was the innocent towards teachers but the notorious troublemaker on the playground was Thalia's position counterpart while Noah was my opponent. I think it would be difficult overpowering his position due to him being taller than I am, although I have better range.
Nico had the ball and dribbled it, looking forward for any open players. The other team seem to be discussing some plays but Nico had his eye on me. He gave me a three, preparing myself. He dribbled to ball halfway across the court. Once again, he looked at me, grinning a slight and made a clean pass. The moment the ball was in my heads, I displayed a perfect layup, getting us the point.
I grinned and Annabeth ran up to me, slapping my hand in a high five.
All of a sudden, a snarky laugh started to spill the room. I whipped around and stood face to face with a auburn haired with fierce frown eyes and her mini little gang surrounding her.
Annabeth then stood beside me, and I noticed her eyes settling into a glare while mines stayed normal, but curious.
"What do you want Clarisse?" Annabeth groaned, and arched a brow. Her arm was holding the basketball which she kept fiddling with, telling me she's trying to be patient from her break from the game.
Clarisse smirked and walked closer to us while the entire grade five population circled us.
"Aw, lookie here. Looks like Anniebeth has a little crush on the idiot Jackson!" She mocked Annabeth who seemed tense, but fuming with rage.
My eyes squinted, and my fist balled up, tightening hard.
"Shut up Clarisse, everyone knows I don't." Annabeth growled, stepping an inch closer to her.
Clarisse feigned a holler of laughter and drew her face closer to Annabeth. She pushed her, making Annabeth lose her balance slightly. "Don't tell me to shut up, Chase."
I snarled, looking venomously towards Clarisse. Nobody hits Annabeth, nobody gets away with it either.
"Clarisse, stop it you idiot." I snapped, glaring at her. "Don't you hit her."
"AWWW! Her little boyfriend standing up for her, isn't that sweet?" She smirked, and gave us the baby face.
"Just leave!" Annabeth stood up and threw grass towards Clarisse.
"You're just a stupid, obnoxious little blonde who can't tell me what to do." Every word Clarisse mocked Annabeth, the more my anger boiled.
When I snapped, I threw the basketball that was once under Annabeth's possession and chucked it towards Clarisse, hitting her in the stomach region.
"That's it, I'm gonna get you..." Clarisse glared at us, and walked away, crouching down.
The moment Clarisse walked away, a teacher took her spot.
"Annabeth chase, Percy Jackson. DETENTION LAST RECESS!" She announced, probably can be heard in China.
"I'll be back in 30 minutes, behave." Mrs. Key sternly reminded us as she stepped outside with such proper posture.
During our walk to the detention room, Annabeth kept glaring at me and I can feel an argument brewing between us. She got so mad, which honestly I don't see the point. I was trying to protect her, is that a crime? If so, sue me. Honestly, she's making a huge fuss about this. Not everything goes your way Annabeth, everyone needs help, even you.
"What the heck Percy?" Annabeth snarled turning to face me, settling her eyes into a glare and locking it with mine.
There we go, here's the argument.
"What?" I pursed my lips, looking ahead.
From the corner of my eyes I can see Annabeth roll her eyes. "Don't play stupid with me Perseus." She said venomously, her stare daring not wither against my back.
My jaw tense as my fist followed in example. "Don't call me that." I grimaced, trying to keep my cool.
"Whatever, Perseus," Annabeth smirked, and taunted me, causing me to mentally scream in frustration.
"Anyway, what the heck was all that?" She switched to a different mask, her stare cold as well as her voice.
"I did nothing wrong!" I raised my voice, though softening up at her surprising facial reaction.
"Oh stop it Percy. You know what you did. I didn't need your help!" She fiddled with her fingers and buried her face in her palms.
"Everyone needs help, Annabeth, even you." I tried pacifying her in a reassuring tone, hoping I would pass her prideful walls.
"Yeah, well. You got that part wrong. I don't need your help Percy. You didn't have to help me! I can handle Clarisse on my own Percy!" Annabeth yelled, standing up and throwing a chalk against the chalkboard in frustration. To keep her records clean, she shut the door, making it unable for the teachers to hear us.
"And what did you want me to do Annabeth, huh?" I stood up, meeting her level and glaring at her softly. "I couldn't just let you get hurt!"
"We-well, Percy, I'm not that 5 year old any more. You can't always protect me! I can handle her, even if it means getting hurt." Annabeth stubbornly stated, groaning in frustration.
Sometimes, I think our arguments are mature, tending to be common for teenagers when in honesty we fight to the extreme.
"Why? Why are you so sensitive to what Clarisse said. Normally, you wouldn't let her get to you. Why, did she provoke you?" I asked softly, with a slight taunt mixed in between. I indicated towards the words Clarisse stated, maybe Annabeth does like me.
Annabeth seemed offended by what I said, hurt almost. The frustration, offended, and hatred made me want to take back what I said. I can tell she thought I provoked her due to the way her grey eyes stirred in dark colours. "Are you saying Ilike you?" Annabeth chuckled madly and rolled her eyes, quickly disposing my indication.
"You've gotta be kidding me Perce. I do not like you Percy, alright. I was just frustrated with Clarisse's taunting, y'know." Annabeth said softly, letting the fumes slowly escape out of her
I quickly let out a breath of relief. "Oh thank goodness, I honestly thought you liked me for a second."
Annabeth gutted her head forward and pursed her lips. She narrowed her eyes towards me and for an instant, I wanted to leave, maybe to Narnia, from the look she's giving me. "Why? Am I that disgusting? Not likeable?"
"No-no, it's not that, trust me. There's a lot of people who likes you Annabeth, although I'm not one of them. Seriously, you're like my sister, Annabeth...j-just...n-no." I stuttered, feeling flustered for now reason.
Annabeth chuckled, a soft gaze lingering towards me. She walked closer and gave me a hug, embracing me tightly. "Relax Percy. Sorry, alright? Thank you for protecting me." Annabeth whispered in my ear, burying her face in my neck.
I felt a blush creep on my face.
I threw my backpack on the staircase and walked inside my house, weaving my way to the living room.
"MOM, DAD, I'm HOOOME!" I called out, abruptly stopping while looking at the amused faces of my parents.
"Hello, son." My dad greeted me warmly, a sunshine of spark lighting up in his eyes.
My mom stood up from the little table she and dad were sitting and gave me a warm hug, planting a kiss on my cheek.
"How's school?" She asked, going back to her seat and drinking her tea. I pulled a seat of my own and sat down, looking at them.
"Well...we...I may or may not have gotten in trouble..."I smiled sheepishly at them, shrinking down in my seat.
My dad smirked at me and arched a brow. "And, you may or may not have had detention..."
I nodded. "I may...or may not."
My mother rolled her eyes as she stood up to pour a new batch of Earl Grey in her tea. "Stop it with your code words!" she pestered us, stirring her tea before walking back to her seat.
My father and I both shared chuckled, much to my mother's dismay.
I pulled out my binder from my backpack and laid out my homework on the coffee table. I grabbed my pencil and eraser, giving my homework a cold, stern look before standing up.
I walked to the counter and pulled out bread. I put it on a napkin while grabbing a knife. I swiftly pulling up the cupboards to get Nutella. I grinned, inhaling the sweet, and magnificent scent of Nutella, also known as my soon to be wife. I spread heavy coats of Nutella on each bread before putting away the things.
I walked back to my seat and took a huge bite from my sandwhich, moaning the pleasure I felt.
Ah, Nutella, you are HEAVEN.
My mom laughed at me, smiling. She pointed towards my cheeks, and I followed her directors until I met hand to face with my Nutella. I wiped it off and licked it from my finger. My mom rolled her eyes in disgust but passed me a napkin nonetheless.
"Are you excited for Middle School?" My dad asked, his eyes locked on the newspapers.
I seethe in some air as a sign of hesitation. "Eh, you could say that."
My dad chuckled, a look on his face as if he's reminiscing some memories. "Well, have you given some thought about it?"
I twisted my lips and took another bite from my heavenly made sandwich. "Actually," I took a sip of my mom's tea. "I talked to some eighth graders down the block, Luke and Ethan and they told me plenty of things."
My mom raised an eyebrow as did my dad. "Is that so?" My mom pursed her lips, propping her chin on her hands and leaned in closer to hear me.
I tilted my head and looked at them quizzically. "Yeah," I answered them, taking another bite of the sandwich. "Something about hormones we're going to have and the future babies...something like that." I said to them nonchalant, picking out the crust.
I can see my mother contemplating something in her head and looking at my father frantically.
"Don, just tell him!" My mom hissed, though keeping her volume low.
"But Sally, do I have to?" My dad whine, not knowing I'm listening.
"We agreed that if we had a girl, I'll have the talk and vice versa! Now go!" My mother argued, whispering quite loud.
My dad rolled his eyes and looked at my, a plastic smile washed on his face but you can see the fear written in his eyes.
"Uhm, son? Has your teacher ever did Fully Alive, theme three perhaps, with you yet?"
I shook my head, eager to find out what they mean.
"Well, as you're getting older...your body changes-"
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, curious. I can practically hear my dad mentally groaning.
"Uhm, son. You start growing...uhm...hair at places-"
"What places?"
"That's a talk for when you're older," My dad quickly answered, blushing and having numerous coughing fits. "As I was saying, you're voice gets deeper, you grow taller, and other things starts to happen. The term for this is puberty."
"Puberty." I mused, gaping at my dad.
He nodded. "As you get older...you experience these little feelings."
I nodded, licking the Nutella off of the napkin.
"And eventually, you're going to get married. That's when you are given a gift..."
"A HOTTUB?!" I asked gleefully, raising my voice with a smile on my face.
I can hear my mother chuckling at my father's uncomfortableness and walked away.
"No," He chuckled, rolling his eyes nervously. "Something much more special."
"Year supply of fried chicken?"
"No! A special gift...you."
"Wait-what? When I get married I'm getting me for a gift?" I asked, confused and flabbergasted. If that's the case, please, hold that pen, and don't sign me up.
My dad sighed and rubbed his temple. "No, a baby, Percy."
"Oh, so when I get married, I'll get a baby as a present?"
"Yes, thank you for finally understanding this. Now, the talk is over and I'll go watch Hockey, I hear-"
"Wait, where do they get it from?" I pursed my lips, tugging my dad back.
My dad's facial reactions changed from confusion, frustration, worry, to embarrassment.
"Yeah, I mean, they obviously don't buy it..."
My dad stuttered on his words, gaping his mouth like a fish much to my confusion. "Uhm..uh..That's a talk for the future!"
~I'm Graduating on Wednesday, big day for me. Ah, I'm nervous, excited and terrified, truth be told, I'm just really over-whelmed at the thought of being forced to move. Would love to rant to someone about this.
~I think next update will be two weeks from now. I apologize for this inconvenience but I just need to regroup myself and take a breather. I've been reading some exceptional fics that makes me doubt my writing and my whole layout for this story. Just give me two weeks to tweak my this story, and layout and study some new writing techniques.
~I'm in the process of writing the outline of numerous fics. I need to know if there would be guaranteed readers.
...One is a fic about Annabeth who is suicidal out of the blue receives these notes written on stones, affirming her that she is a life worth living.
...Another is a crime story that needs more planning. It's about Annabeth's father has been murdered and evidence shows Percy Jackson is the killer. Now, a furious girl breaks out of the Protection program, setting ready to avenge her father's death, only to find he wasn't the killer after all.
...Last one is a High School story but set to a theme of dark. Ex best friends, Annabeth acts bitter towards Percy for the past she won't let go. One assignment gives Percy one more chance but she's not that forgiving. During this, secrets and pasts reveal themselves, surprising many people along the way as everyone's story is told.
~Ah, I'm hitting on the edge of writer's block, actually, not really. I pre-wrote and planned many of these chapters, although, I just don't have a motivation and a reason to continue writing this. Eh, just a predicament~
Review, guess the song, tell me your thoughts, tell me about your day, and see you two weeks from now.