Disclaimer: I do NOT own Percy Jackson.
The sound of Poseidon coming up to Percy's bedroom awoke him. He groaned softly, pushing his face further into the pillow just as the door opened.
"Perseus," his father said as a form of greeting. "I have something for you."
"And I have the urge to go back to sleep," Percy told him, voice muffled by the pillow. With a glance, he saw that he still had an hour before the bus. "Leave me alone."
Light flashed in his eyes, even through the fabric of the pillow. Percy shut his eyes tighter before realizing it was no use. With a tired sigh, he looked up at Poseidon with an annoyed expression.
His father was carrying a box in his hand, and narrowed his eyes at Percy. "Don't speak to me like that. You should be glad you're waking up safe."
Percy scowled. "Are you going to start my morning with your stupid rants again?"
"No," Poseidon answered. He set the box on the edge of Percy's bed. "I ordered this for you, you might want to look at it."
And with that, he was gone, switching the light switch off and shutting the door behind him. Percy shut his eyes again, an aggravated feeling rising within him.
After what seemed like hours trying to go back to sleep, Percy pulled himself up out of bed. He threw the comforter off him and yawned, rubbing his eyes. He walked over to the package at the end of his bed.
It was long yet thin, with stickers embellished on the light brown surface. Percy ripped the tape off carefully, and came face to face with a laptop. His eyebrows furrowed as he picked it up and looked at it. It seemed perfectly new, without a single dent. Why had Poseidon gotten him this?
He opened it up, and found that everything was already in place. When his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw a user already there for him. There was no set up needed. How much had it cost to do this?
But then it hit Percy that his father probably could spend thousands without a blink of an eye. And just to think that a few months ago, spending a dollar meant he wouldn't have dinner for the rest of the week.
He set the device down, and stretched. Bones in his spine cracked, and Percy picked up a pair of skinny jeans and a polo from the floor. He carelessly threw them on and walked into the hall of the house, which was lit with the light of the morning, stepping into the bathroom.
The tiles of the bathroom floor were cold to the touch. Percy hissed as he turned the water on and flipped the light switch on. His reflection displayed on the mirror made him wince. With hair that stuck out in every possible and dark, prominent bags under his eyes, he looked like he hadn't slept in days. Percy's eyes were dark and solemn, nothing like when he had his mom. They'd lost the twinkle. His lips were thin, cheekbones clearly showing.
He looked worthless.
Refusing to look at his face anymore, Percy splashed water on his face and quickly brushed his teeth. Without a second thought, he was out of the bathroom, feeling full of guilt. He entered his room, still dark.
Anxiety settled in his stomach and he wasn't sure why. It was the when he'd put his shoes on did Percy realize. He didn't do any of the homework that he had to. Shit.
He clenched his fist when the thought of having to sit in detention for another day came to mind. Besides, what would Annabeth think? Mr. C would no doubt call him out on it.
Wait.
Since when did he care what Annabeth thought?
He hated her. She was on his mind every single minute of everyday, and he didn't know what to think. It was clear she hated him, but he missed the girl with a ponytail and dimples playing with him in the summer. But that was years ago. Still, he missed hearing her laugh. Hearing her say "Seaweed Brain" with giggles, and hearing her go on and on about architecture and designs and her dreams to make something permanent. He vaguely remembered the promise they'd made to each other when they were best friends, that one day, they would travel to Greece together.
Being friends with Luke was a mistake. Percy knew it. He knew getting involved with drugs would never lead to good, but he'd done it. For what? To fit in. He'd made Nico, someone he didn't even know, feel like shit because he wanted to fit in. Percy didn't deserve to live. Not after what he'd told Nico and everyone else. Gabe was right. He always had been. Percy was nothing.
Taking a deep breath, Percy wiped the blood off of his lips from biting them too hard. He traced the newly fresh cuts on his forearm and biceps, where nobody would notice easily. He deserved them. Of course he did.
Throwing on a jacket, Percy grabbed his backpack and strode down the stairs, hoping Poseidon wouldn't notice him from the kitchen.
It didn't work out.
"Perseus?" Poseidon called out. "Did you eat anything?"
"Yeah," Percy lied.
"Really?" Poseidon appeared from outside the kitchen. "What?"
"It doesn't matter," Percy said. He twisted the doorknob open.
"It does matter," Poseidon placed a hand on Percy's shoulder. "Perseus."
Percy shrugged it off. "I have to go to school."
"You need to eat."
"Nope." Percy took a step outside, before turning back. "Poseidon?"
"Yes?" His father looked hopeful.
"Thanks for the laptop."
Poseidon nodded, and for a moment, he seemed glad. "I'm glad you liked it."
Percy gave him an excuse of a smile before leaving, the chill of the air on his face. Shivers danced on his spine and his heart stopped when he noticed Annabeth already standing there.
He walked slowly to the bus stop, hoping she wouldn't notice. Her back was turned, and Percy arrived to the end of the block within half a minute. He held his breath when he heard her muttering under her breath, but soon ended up choking on his own saliva.
Annabeth tensed up and turned to him, and for a split second, her eyes met his. Something shot up Percy's veins, and his heart beat could be heard.
But her gaze immediately fell to the floor, and Percy cleared his throat awkwardly. He shuffled with his backpack, wishing that the bus would come faster.
He wanted to talk to Annabeth so badly. He wanted to apologize to her, to say that he wanted things to go back to normal between them. To know why she was in New York.
"Annabeth?" Fuck. Percy needed to keep his mouth shut.
"Don't talk to me," Annabeth said, quietly. "I want absolutely nothing to do with someone like you."
He felt his heart sink.
"I'm sorry," Percy wanted to say. But he couldn't.
Not with his pride standing in the way.
The entire first period was something Percy never wanted to experience again.
He was currently sitting next to Annabeth as they stared at the list of requirements for the projects,neither of them talking. The whole class was discussing what they'd do and how they would do it, but Percy and Annabeth were completely silent. Percy felt like he could choke on the thick tension in the air.
"Okay," he tried. "How about you do the first ten requirements and I'll do the rest?"
Annabeth nodded. She slid a piece of paper to Percy, and then began writing in her notebook. Percy sighed, knowing it was no use. She wouldn't talk to him, and he didn't blame her.
They worked silently, Percy skimming through books to find the information on the Black Death while Annabeth researched on one of the computers' laptops. Annabeth was sitting a good distance away from him, and Percy tried not to notice how cute she looked when she was deep in thought.
Moments later, Mr. C walked by. He hummed as he knelt down to look at the work they were doing, and then made a noise of appreciation. "Well done. You two are ahead of the entire class!"
Percy nodded, and continued working. Mr. C walked away, chuckling to himself.
He could see a small smile ghosting on Annabeth's lips, and her head turned to glance at him. When she realized that he was watching her, Annabeth's face darkened and she rolled her eyes at him.
"Will you stop looking at me?"
"What?" Percy asked, surprised by her sudden outburst.
"It's annoying. Focus on your things, because I don't want you looking at me. Because trust me, as much as I want to ask Mr. C to change partners, I can't. So do me a favor and stay away from me." Annabeth told him.
Annoyance rose in Percy. "I never said anything to you!"
An exasperated sigh left Annabeth's lips. She turned to him, eyebrows raised. "And you think I want you to?"
Percy attempted to ignore the hurt he felt at those words. When he spoke, his voice showed no emotion. "Maybe you shouldn't be so dramatic."
Annabeth placed the laptop on the ground, and stood up. Her eyes were rimmed with tears, and Percy had no idea why.
"Maybe," Her voice rendered on the edge of breaking down, "you shouldn't go around thinking that you own the world. Because news flash, Perseus Jackson, you don't!"
Annabeth's P.O.V:
"So, then," Calypso continued, "he told me to ask him out. How does that even make sense?"
She looked around the lunch table expectantly, a smirk dancing on her face at how much attention she was receiving.
"Wait," Piper told her. "Who asked you out?"
Calypso let out a giggle. "Luke!"
There was complete silence for a second, before Thalia started choking. All gazes averted towards her, and she set her water down, face slightly red.
"Thalia?" Reyna asked, "what's wrong?"
Thalia ignored her. She looked at Calypso, incredulous. "Luke asked you out?"
"Mhm," Calypso hummed. "And then he said I should ask him out back. I don't know why, though."
"That doesn't make sense," Thalia's eyes turned dark. "Out of everyone, why would he like you?"
"Have you not seen me?" Calypso winked, and flipped her hair.
Due to the fact she was sitting next to Thalia, Annabeth heard her next words, which were mumbled.
"Sadly, I have."
Calypso's almond eyes glittered. "Jealousy is an ugly trait, darling."
Piper placed a hand on Calypso's shoulder. "That's enough, Callie."
"I'm just saying, Thals. It isn't my fault he doesn't feel the same way about you anymore."
"Shut the hell up," Thalia growled. She slammed her hand against the table, making everybody jump. "Say one more word, and I won't hesitate to break your pretty face."
Calypso's eyebrows hit her hairline, and she gave a sarcastic smile. "Whatever you say, sweetheart. But Luke doesn't love you anymore. Luke. Doesn't. Love. You. Anymore. And, he never will."
"I am done with you," Thalia told her. She stood up, and without a second thought, had Calypso pressed against the wall of the lunchroom. By now she'd captured everyone's attention, and the cafeteria was deadly silent.
"Thalia!" Piper called out, and jumped up. She tried to push Thalia off, but Thalia didn't break her grip. After about a minute of Piper whispering words into Thalia's ear did she let go with a growl. Calypso slid to the floor with a surprised look, before burying her face in her hands.
Thalia smiled, and with a humorless laugh, left the cafeteria, running her hands through her hair.
When a minute passed without anybody doing anything, Annabeth was up. She felt sympathy towards Thalia, and with a disgusted glance at a smirking Calypso, Annabeth ran after her.
"Thalia!" She could see her silhouette in the deserted halls, and picked up the pace when Thalia turned towards the corner.
When she finally reached her, Annabeth gripped her arm. "Thalia, where are you going?"
The girl's head whipped towards her in anger, before she calmed down. "What do you want?"
"To talk to you," Annabeth said.
Thalia chuckled. "You should hurry up. They'll be calling me up to the office in five."
"I wanted to say I know how you feel," Annabeth told her, smiling slightly at how cliché the situation was.
Thalia gave her a sideways glance, and they continued walking. "Luke and I," she said, "we had history. But then he completely changed after his parents' divorce. He started doing all this shit and getting himself into things he shouldn't have, and I'm not even sure who he is anymore."
"I understand," Annabeth said. And truly, she did.
"Do you, really?"
"I do, believe me." Annabeth told her. "There's someone else I have the similar situation with."
"Percy Jackson?" Thalia asked.
"What?" Annabeth asked, taken aback.
Thalia smirked, and nudged Annabeth. "Judging from your reaction, I assume I'm right."
Annabeth didn't see a point in denying it. Besides, Thalia had told her that much already. "You are."
She winked. "When am I not?"
Annabeth laughed, "When calculus is involved."
Thalia let out a noise of amusement. "That's true. Wanna ditch?"
"Isn't that against the rules?" Annabeth said, but a wave of excitement overcame her at the thought.
"Oh, Annabeth," Thalia shook her head. "A lot of things are against the rules. But rules are meant to be broken. We don't have hall passes. That's breaking rule number one."
They turned another corner of the hall, and were face to face with a door that led outside to the school. Thalia turned to her with a grin, electric eyes sparkling. "You in?"
"What happens if we get caught?"
The blue-eyed girl threw her head back and laughed. She pushed the door open, and Annabeth was immediately met with the breeze blowing onto her face.
She breathed in the fresh air as Thalia wrapped her leather jacket around her waist.
"One way to find out, Annie."
A/N: I finally updated! I'm sorry that it took so long, there's just a lot going on. I hope this chapter wasn't too bad, or too OOC. Hopefully, you guys like it. :) Also, I know I don't cover everything in one chapter, but that's to add onto the plot. Believe me, I'll get the questions answered.
DerpMuffinPJO: Lol, don't worry! You don't seem like a stalker. Or, at least I don't mind. XD Anyway, thank you! I'm glad you're liking it!
ShadowSpirit020: Both Percy and Annabeth have lives that suck. I think at some point, Annabeth will accept Percy, but it doesn't really seem like it right now.
Purplicouspolkadot: Ahh, thank you so much! :)
MajorCartooniac: Gotta love that tension! I swear, Percy changes in every chapter. But I think he has a good enough reason for it, since his life is all up and down all the time. Yep, nobody likes Luke! Or Gabe. Or Athena. But the thing that Athena wanted to talk about was Susan Dare..I'm sorry if it wasn't obvious. And nope, Bobby and Matthew aren't related to Athena. The questions are probably multiplying by now..and they should! All part of the rising action ;) hope you liked the chapter!
Gahhhhh: Don't worry, I feel you. I'm too lazy to log on half the time, too. Percy's so confusing, isn't he? Oh, teenage boys.. What mommy? Keep in mind that I can't discuss everything in one chapter and then go on about a new thing or else the story will just be plain boring.
BookLuver4ever7: Thanks! I agree with everything you said. :)
Someone the World Forgot: Gotta love plot twists! I will :D
lilmissnoname: Thanks! There's quite a bit of swearing in this story, so just to let you know if you proceed to read. It's pretty dark. :)
CassylovesPercabeth: Thank you! :D
ShatteredOwl: Do not judge me on my use of grammar XD drama is fun!
uneednotnomyname: Yeah, I kind of feel bad for Annabeth too. But it's fun with your reactions ;) Thank you! I really enjoy adding in the drama and adding the tension. Once again, thank you! I finally got over my writer's block. :D
I hope you guys liked this! I'm going to try to update more, but I may not. Just saying. Keep smiling, xxx..