Disclaimer: I do NOT own Percy Jackson.
"Annabeth?" A voice said behind her, and Annabeth almost jumped, dropping the glass of water from her hand.
She turned to see her mother, standing in the doorway of the kitchen, folders tucked in her hand. Athena's eyes were dark and tired, mirroring Annabeth's. Her brown hair was let down, and Annabeth could see she was exhausted by the way they messily fell in waves on her shoulder, not bothering to be fixed. Bags were clearly visible underneath her eyes, and for a second, Annabeth felt bad for her.
"You're back from work? " Annabeth questioned, "Dad told me you wouldn't back by six, it's only four."
Athena raised her eyebrows, "You're dad's said a lot of things, however, that doesn't mean they're true. Is he out drinking?" Her voice was heavy and ragged.
Annabeth shrugged, "I'm not sure. He's out, though. He left ten minutes after you left for work,"
Athena sighed, running a hand through her hair, "He still isn't back?"
Annabeth shook her head, and Athena nodded.
"Is there anything you need?" Annabeth asked her, looking at the way her mother shut her eyes, as if in pain.
Placing her folders onto the table near the doorway of the kitchen, Athena came towards one of the counters, near where Annabeth was standing. "Can you give me my tylenol? I'm not feeling too well,"
Nodding, Annabeth reached up, and opened one of the wooden cabinets, where Athena kept all the medicine. She looked through the medicine before finding the bottle of Tylenol, and handing it to her mother,who smiled at her in gratification.
"Thank you," Athena told her, and left the kitchen, "If you need me, I'll be in my room!" Athena informed her as Annabeth heard the door of Athena's room, which she didn't share with her husband, shut.
Dumping the rest of the water back into the sink and quickly washing it, having done it for four years, Annabeth knew how to quickly do it by routine.
Walking to her room, which was across from her mother's, Annabeth shut herself in her room. It seemed to her that was the only place that she was going these days. She knew it would be more pleasurable -hell, even more normal-, to for once, go outside and actually do something instead of sitting around.
She looked on her wrists, on the scars she had given herself when she was only eleven years old, not knowing what else to do. Even after four years, they hadn't gone away, and nor did the memories. She remembered once reading an article which had said that every scar on your body made you the beautiful person that you are. However, it wasn't like she believed it.
Tiny scars decorated her whole body, from her legs to her arms, where they became longer. She regretted cutting herself, and now she had to live with her scars forever, all scattered across herself.
Looking at Percy's arm last night, which was caked with blood, Annabeth knew she didn't have it worse. When Percy was young, his mother died, and she knew that had taken an enormous toll on Percy. Even then, he was forced to live with his abusive stepfather, Gabe.
Then, they'd promised to keep each other's secrets, when they were ten, swearing not to tell a single soul.
Annabeth wondered if she should go to Percy's, having spent all night up wondering about him and whether he'd gotten his cut cleaned out.
But her mother was home, and if she found out Annabeth snuck out, Annabeth knew she'd be dead. Yet she wanted to see Percy, so badly. Just to know he was okay.
Making the decision, Annabeth let of go of the grip she had on her sheets, which she didn't know she was holding. Her knuckles had turned white and were now sore.
Brushing it off, Annabeth jumped from her bed and unlocked her door. She knew her father couldn't be back until at least seven, and looking at the clock, she had a little less than two hours and 45 minutes.
She decided to make sure he mother wasn't paying attention, putting her ear against Athena's door, her heart pounding for some strange reason. Silence. She looked underneath Athena's door and saw the lights had been shut off, casting dark shadows against the hardwood floor. Assuming her mother was sleeping, and hoping she was, Annabeth walked over to the kitchen, and silently put on her grey converse.
She didn't know why she wanted to see Percy, but she felt like she had to, a gut feeling in her chest. Maybe he wasn't home. Maybe Gabe would open the door? Annabeth had only met Gabe three times, both where he had tried to touch her in ways that she could never forget.
Throwing her grey cardigan over her tank top, Annabeth grabbed the knob of the back door, which was located in the kitchen, and cold chills went up her spine.
Ignoring it, Annabeth twisted the door open, the typical California sun shining onto her face the moment she opened it.
Even though the sun was shining, a cold and strong breeze ran throughout the air, making Annabeth glad she brought her jacket.
Shutting the door behind her quietly, Annabeth walked over to Percy's house, at the end of the street. Her hair, which was thrown into a messy ponytail, repeatedly hit her face due to the wind, and she pushed it away, irritated.
Percy's home, which was close to her, brought butterflies in her stomach. She didn't know what happened between her and Percy the last few days, considering they had barely talked before, and now she was suddenly checking on him, but to Annabeth, it felt like things had never changed. And she liked it like that.
Slowly coming up to Percy's door, Annabeth suddenly stopped. Her heart was still pounding, and she felt scared, much to her surprise.
It's only a door, and you wanted to come here, a voice said in her head.
Taking a deep breath, Annabeth knocked on the door before she could back out. With her heart beating rapidly, Annabeth had to take a few breaths to calm herself down. She couldn't understand why she was so nervous to see Percy.
Annabeth counted exactly 54 seconds before the door, and when she saw who it was, Annabeth almost gagged.
Gabe was standing in the doorway, his bald head visible, his repulsive face staring down at her.
When he saw Annabeth, he smirked. "Why, hello there, pretty lady. Anything you need?"
Annabeth shook her head, "Not from you. Is Percy here?"
Gabe's jaw clenched, Annabeth saw, but it was quickly gone. He winked. "Sure thing, pretty lady. I'll call him for you,"
Annabeth nodded, setting her mouth in a straight line, and she averted her gaze to the floor, not wanting to look at Gabe.
Gabe went inside, and Annabeth heard faint yelling, and she winced. It reminded her of her parents arguing repeatedly.
A couple moments later, Percy came to the door, his eyes full of surprise when he saw her. "Annabeth?"
Annabeth's heart fluttered when she saw him. He was wearing a green v-neck that brought out his eyes perfectly, and as always, his raven black hair was a mess, sticking out everywhere.
She blushed when he asked, "Why are you staring at me?"
"Nothing," She lied, "There was just a bug on your face."
Percy looked at her, before shaking his head, a small smile dancing on his lips. "Why are you here?"
What was she supposed to say to that? "I wanted to see if you were okay," Annabeth answered, hoping her voice wouldn't shake.
Percy raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
Annabeth sighed silently, at a loss of words when she looked at Percy once again. Gesturing to his arm, Annabeth responded, "Your arm yesterday, how is it?"
Percy smiled, and she could see his green eyes dancing, "I got it cleaned out, don't worry. Thanks for the Band-Aids, by the way. I really appreciate it."
Annabeth smiled back at him, unable to help it. "I don't mind at all. If there's anything you need, Seaweed BRain, I'm always here."
Percy smiled at her, "Right back at you, Wise Girl."
Annabeth shifted her cardigan the wind blow through the air again, "Yeah."
An unwanted tension rose between them, making the air awkward.
"How are your parents? Do they still argue?" Percy asked her, his voice a tone Annabeth couldn't recognize, but she could swear it got quieter.
"It doesn't matter, Percy, it's not nearly as bad as yours, all they do is say stuff and argue," Annabeth replied, smiling slightly at him.
"That's bad," Percy said with a frown, "I thought it would have stopped."
Annabeth shrugged, slightly flattered at Percy's concen, "It doesn't matter. It's not as bad as yours."
Percy looked startled, "Everything between Gabe and I is alright." He spoke, but Annabeth could see he was lying.
"So," She asked, said, "That's why your arm is full of cuts?"
"Fine," Percy admitted, "It's not as good as I want it to be, but still."
"Still?" Annabeth questioned, eyebrows raised.
"You're parents are constantly fighting and verbally abusing you, Wise Girl, I want you safe," Percy said, changing the subject, concern clearly in his voice. The sun shone in his hair, making it seem even darker, almost blue.
"I am safe, trust me." Annabeth assured him.
Percy nodded, "I hope you are."
Annabeth looked at him questioningly, It's you you should be worried about, not me,"
"Sometimes," Percy told her, looking at her intently, "Verbal abuse is just as capable of breaking people -if not more, than physical."
Annabeth shrugged, again. "It doesn't really matter, we aren't here to compare each other stories."
Percy leaned against the wall, saying nothing. He stared at her as she stared at the ground. When she looked up, their gazes met.
He stared back at her, his sea-green eyes staring back into Annabeth's Greg ones. Annabeth suddenly had the urge to grab him and kiss him.
She notified the curve of his cheekbones, his dark spider-long lashes that curled at the ends. His lips were the perfect-
Annabeth was brought back to reality when Percy cleared his throat, looking away.
"I, uh," He stammered, running his hands through his hair, making it even messier, "I have to go."
Annabeth felt the heat on her face, "Yeah, bye."
Percy smiled at her, his own face flushed, "Cya later?"
"Later," Annabeth confirmed. Without thinking, Annabeth reached on her tip-toes and kissed Percy on the cheek, feeling an electric current go through her.
His cheek was soft, and for a moment, Annabeth's lips lingered before she realized what she was doing.
Heat rushed through her face as Percy stared at her, startled. "Well, bye."
Percy nodded, unable to speak.
Percy smiled weakly at her and waved, as he opened the door to go inside. As he went inside, Annabeth turned around, trying to keep her beating heart, once again.
Looking at the position of the sun, Annabeth guessed it was around 4: 30.
Not feeling like going home, Annabeth ran to the park that was located near her. The wind blew in her hair, wildly whipping it around.
When she reached the park, two minutes later, Annabeth sat down onto the bench, nearly panting. The metal pressed against her skin and Annabeth felt strange relief through her.
She looked around and saw people all around, couples, kids, teenagers, were all around the park, and Annabeth wasn't surprised. The local park always had people, whether it was winter or summer.
Faintly, Annabeth heard the sounds of fireworks setting off, exploding into the air.
Of course, she remembered. The Fourth of July was tomorrow.
Trying to ignore the feeling of butterflies and the fact that she had kissed Perseus Jackson, Annabeth stared off into the distance.
Sure, it was on the cheek, but Percy Jackson's cheek.
A couple, sitting on the bench, about 10 feet away from her, caught Annabeth's eye.
A man, who had striking familiar blonde hair was sitting next to a woman, a brunette. They were kissing, Annabeth saw, and when they broke apart, she caught the man's eye.
Blue eyes.
Her father.
His face morphed into something of complete surprise, and a shock ran throughout her body.
There her father was, kissing another woman, while his wife was at home.
Disgust creeped up in Annabeth as she remembered how much Athena had done for Frederick.
And there he was, cheating on her.
Annabeth stood up, the same time Fredrick did. The woman next to him, who Annabeth noticed had brown eyes, looked at Annabeth, saying something to Frederick.
"Annabeth!" Her dad called after her as she set off running, again.
The calls turned louder, but Annabeth just wanted to get home, wishing she'd never seen what she saw.
She listened to the sound of her converse slamming against the pavement, the blood rushing in her ears.
As she came closer to home, Annabeth saw Athena, outside, looking out worriedly, from the front door, yelling her name.
When she saw Annabeth, relief was evident on her face.
Annabeth reached the front door, and she came to a halt.
"Annabeth?" Her mother asked, wrapping her arms around Annabeth, much to her surprise, "Oh, honey, I thought you'd run off!"
Surprised at Athena's sudden change of behavior, Annabeth felt the strange urge to hug her, tightly, feeling as though she was about to cry.
Annabeth embraced her mother, something she hadn't done in years, feeling her worries going away.
"No," She told Athena as they broke apart, "I'm not going anywhere, mom. I swear."
A/N: Okay, so this didn't turn out exactly as I expected, but I'm sorry for not updating, and for this being horrible. I've been feeling sick lately, and nothing's been going right. I apologize.
Now, onto the reviews!
Guest: Thank you! I hope you liked this chapter! :)
Abbydabbydo16: This was way too sweet for me, I almost seriously cried. Thank you! :)
theartnerd333: I'm so glad you think so! This means so much! :)
Someone the World Forgot: Oh, dang. That sucks. I'm stuck studying, too. Well, he can't because of Gabe finds out, he can kill Percy, whether it's from his friends or himself. And oh gosh, I know! I don't intend on making her a bitch, I swear. Believe me, I hope she doesn't come off as a bitch. Sorry if it does, love! Thanks, and I hope you liked this chapter!
marinaofthesea12: Aw, thank you! The fact that you care is so sweet :) I hope you liked this, too!
greekgeekgirlbro: Haha, of course! Thank you! That quote kept me going through a hard time, but I bet you wouldn't care, haha. But anyways, yeah! Thanks! :)
Valdez-The-Repair-Girl: Aw, thanks! I honestly love your reviews so much (and your pen-name). You weren't rude at all, love! Yeah, I won't make her a bitch, wasn't planning to :) Thanks! :)
That's it! It's currently 4:03 am right now, while I'm uploading this, and I don't have much to say, except for that Bad Boy Supreme's birthday is on the seventh!
I'll TRY to update soon for TWSH, but oh crap, I haven't even started yet. I will, try, though. Sorry for being so late.
Anyways, stay safe and keep smiling, xxx.