Chp 16
Annabeth's POV
One Month Later
I clapped my hands excitedly as I finished packing my bag and looked at my flight ticket again. It was valentines weekend and I had earned enough to go visit Percy for the weekend.
I sighed and jumped onto the kitchen counter as I thought of all the good things that had happened in the past month. Although I didn't officially still work at the diner, I went and helped when I was free.
Bree and Liam were still dating, their relationship going strong. Kelly was dating a new guy that I didn't know the name of. And Jen came back from her date with Marty looking all love sick. They had gone on quite a few dates after that and were dating, and he was usually in the dorm at least four times a week.
Marty and Jen were cuddling in the couch and sat up when I came in. "You all packed?" Jen asked. I nodded and ran my fingers through my hair. I had on a pair of sweat pants, socks, a loose t shirt and my necklace Percy gave to me.
There was a knock at the door and I got up to answer it. I opened it and my face dropped when I saw Finn and Liam there, panting. "It's Larry." They said.
~ Line Break ~
We rushed untitled he hospital and were met by Marly. "We, I stayed late to help him clean up and then he fell. He had a heart attack. And I freaked out. He can't die." She said, speaking rushed as she showed us to his room.
We finally got to it and a nurse stopped us. "Mr McCormick is fine. He is stable for now." She said, then let us go in. "Annabeth, how lovely to see you again." He said, giving me a weak smile. I smiled and Asked, "Are you okay? Marly said you had a heart attack? Do you have a history of heart disease in your family?"
He waved it off and said, "Get a chair and come sit." We pulled chairs out and I sat to his right. He sighed and said, "I have cancer. And I'm slowly dying. And now they have me on stupid life support."
I wiped at my nose and said, "Why didn't you tell us? Is it treatable?"
He smiled and said, "Ive known for years. I tried radiation and stuff like that. But it comes back. But I know I'm dying so I've been making the best of my last few weeks."
Marly was sobbing at the other end of the bed. "Please don't cry over this silly man." He said. She chuckled and wiped at her eyes, Finn rubbing her back comfortingly.
My phone started to ring and I took it out. I saw it was Percy. "Ah, the lad. Answer it." He said. I shook my head and ended the call. "It's fine, it can wait." He tapped his chin and said, "Weren't you supposed to be leaving tomorrow for Miami. You should have a good nights sleep."
I shook my head and said, "No, I'm staying. I'll miss my flight. He'll understand." Larry chuckled and said, "Please, I'll be fine."
I wiped my nose and said, "Do you have any family we could call?" He smiled and shook his head. "My wife died of cancer ten years ago. We never had kids." I nodded and looked down.
"But I did always want a daughter. And I imagined she would be just like you are. Strong, independent, smart." He said. I chuckled and said, "No, I'm a nobody.
"But you're a somebody to me. A somebody to your family, to Percy, to your friends. You told me I was a somebody to you when I had asked the one day why you were being so nice to me. And it was the first time I felt like I was a somebody to someone in years." He said.
He took another breath from the oxygen mask and said, "I want to be taken off the life support now. I have lived my life and I am ready to join my wife. I'll be able to breath on my own for a minute or two and then I'll be gone. Could you make sure I'm cremated and empty my ashes on a nice beach?"
I blinked away my tears and nodded. "Yes." I said. He took my hand and said, "After they turn of the support machine, please tell me about San Francisco. You grew up there, right? I always wanted to visit it. Tell me what it's like." He said.
He called in the doctor who made him sign a form then turned of the machines. He lay back and closed his eyes, his breathing weak.
"Um, well it's very beautiful in places. And the Golden Gate Bridge is huge, and we can see it from my house. Except for when it's very foggy then it's hidden. And I always wondered why it was red." I smiled as he gave a weak smile.
"Please, tell me of a place you and your mom went." He said. I thought and gave a smile. "There was this field just outside the huge city. And it was away from the light pollution so you could see the stars so clearly." I said.
"She taught me about the stars and all the stories. And there was a star we found. It was tiny and looked white to the naked eye. But we found it was red. And it was just below the southern cross. It was our star. And the moon always shone brightest there. It was a getaway. Peace on earth." I said.
He smiled once more than his chest stopped moving, and he was gone. I put my free hand over the hand that was holding his. I then let go, pulling my hands to rest in my lap. I looked over to the others and Marly gave a sad smile.
We left the room, leaving the people to pull the sheet over and disconnect all the wires and things. The doctor pulled me aside and handed me a gold chain with a pendant on it. "Mr McCormick wanted you to have it." He said. I nodded and put it in my pocket, joining the others.
We didn't say anything as we walked down the road. My phone rang again, and I saw it was Percy. "Answer it." Marly said.
I pressed the green answer button and put the phone to my ear. "Hey. Did you get my missed call? I was wondering if you were all ready and packed." He said.
I didn't say anything for a while. "Annabeth?" He asked, his voice concerned. Marly gave me a look. "Um, I was busy. I don't think I can come tomorrow. I'm sorry." I said, my throat sore as I spoke.
Marly pulled my arm and made me look at her. "Larry wouldn't want you to stay for him. And you'll be back next week. We can have a little memorial at a beach next weekend. Just the four of us. Go to see him." She said.
I looked at her. "But that's being inconsiderate. He just passed away. And-" I started. "He would want you to go." Finn said. I sighed and put my phone to my ear.
"Perce? You still there?" I asked. "Yeah, I'm here." He said. I looked at Marly and said, "Don't forget I arrive at nine tomorrow morning. Don't be late."
~ Line Break ~
Percy's POV
I smiled as I spotted her in the crowd. She gave me a smile and walked to me. I gave her a big hug and pulled away enough to kiss her. She smiled at me and we headed out to my car.
I drove us to my university and we parked next to the dorm. We decided to come back later for her bags. When we got to the dorm, I unlocked it and let her in. I gave the two of my room mates that were here looks to remind them to behave.
They stood and gave her a smile. "Guys this is my Girlfriend, Annabeth. Annabeth, this is John and Matt. Nate is at studies and is coming soon with his girlfriend Kate." I explained. John was tallish with blonde hair and blue eyes, reminding me of Jason. Matt had brown hair and green eyes, the cheesier of us all. Nate was half Italian, with tanned skin, dark brown hair and brown eyes, but was very friendly.
She nodded and sat on one of the chairs at our kitchen island while I made coffee. "So what was with last night. I was afraid you weren't going to come and then you said you were." I asked, looking at her while I opened the box of instant coffee.
She let out a deep breath and rubbed her forehead. "Um, Larry passed away. He had a heart attack and then told us at the hospital he had been dying if cancer for a while. He wanted to be taken off life support, said he was ready to pass." She said, rubbing her eyes.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know." I said, feeling bad now that she had come. She gave a small smile and took the mug I handed her.
"He said he always wished he had a daughter. And if he had one he wanted her to have been like me. I don't know, I'm just -" she looked off, staring at nothing in particular.
She shook her head, chuckling. "What a great way to start Valentines Day." She said. I smiled and she turned in the chair, facing the lounge where the guys were observing us.
"So how have you been, you always turn it to me." She asked, smiling. I smiled at her and said, "Well studying, hanging with the guys and all their girlfriends." She raised an eyebrow at me and turned to the guys. "What has he been up to?" She asked them, making them laugh at me.
"Well we pranked this guy down the hall, put a stink bomb in his room." Matt said. Annabeth laughed and slapped my arm. "Percy!" She said, making me laugh. "It was funny!" I protested.
She laughed, her eyes sparkling. "I heard you put blue dye in Bree's hair highlighting kit." I said, crossing my arms and smirking at her.
She shrugged. "She was mad till Liam came by and said some type of 'you look beautiful' statement and now she loves me for thinking of it." She said, smiling and sipping her drink.
She got up and walked to the window not he other side of he room, looking at the view. It showed the beach and part of the football field. "Wish we had a view like this at my place." She said.
I shrugged. "Kelly and Bree weren't complaining about getting up really early to watch the football guys stretching shirtless. Sounds just like your cup of tea." I joked.
She rolled her eyes at me but smiled anyway. I looked at the time, already ten O' clock. "So what you studying?" John asked. Annabeth smiled at him. "Architecture. You?" She asked.
"Geo metrics and culinary." Matt said, gesturing to John then himself. They started chatting, but I just watched her. The way she moved her hands while she talked, how she smiled so beautiful, how her eyes sparkled.
We all looked to the door as Nate came in with Kate. She was pretty, long brown hair and light blue eyes. "Hey." He greeted. Him and Kate noticed Annabeth and he gave a smile, stretching out his hand. "Hi, I'm Nate. You must be Annabeth." He said.
She shook it. "Nice to meet you." She said. Kate smiled brightly and shook her hand. "I'm Kate! So greet to finally meet you." She said.
"Is this your natural colour? Your hair is so pretty!" Kate said, her cosmetics side coming out. Annabeth raised an eyebrow at her with a smile. "Yeah, thanks." She said. Kate let out a gasp and said, " When you said she had pretty eyes you never mentioned they were grey! That is so cool!" She said, clapping her hands excitedly.
Annabeth let out a laugh and smiled at me. Nate and Kate went to the kitchen and Annabeth joined me. I put an arm around her waist and she leaned into me.
Kate and Nate joined us, sitting in the lounge. "So how did you guys meet?" Kate asked. I smiled down at Annabeth and she said, "He kind of slammed his locker door into my face."
We laughed, remembering the day. "How romantic Percy." Kate said, smirking. And how long have you been dating?" Annabeth and I weren't sure what to say.
"Two weeks then a month." She said. Nate raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean two weeks then a month?" He asked.
"We dated for like, two weeks then separated but then I moved here for university and we saw each other last month when I went home for Christmas." I said.
Kate cooed. "Ah, that's so adorable!" She said. We all laughed and I pulled Annabeth aside from the other four's conversation.
"So we're heading out to lunch at twelve. Do you wanna freshen up or change or anything before we go?" I asked. She thought for a moment. "I might have a shower. You have one here?" She asked. I directed her and she took her bag with her.
I sat down on the couch and they all turned to me. "She's cute." Kate said, nudging me with her shoulder. I chuckled.
"You know, you must be pretty whipped if it's been like seven months before you saw her last month and you didn't date anyone in that time and you see her for a few days and you two are dating." Matt said, smirking at me.
I shrugged. "Well we had senior year to get close. And she's an amazing person." I said. Matt sent me a smirk, probably thinking something rude.
Kate sighed and said, "I can't wait to ask her what she does with her hair and what make up she wears. She manages to just have it right. Or she just dressed up all nice for Jackson."
I nudged her and she laughed. I heard the shower go off and couldn't wait till she came out, wanting so bad to leave my friends and go out with her.
She came in on a discussion on whether Nate and Kate or Annabeth and I made a cuter couple. I looked at her, jean shorts, tank top and plaid open shirt on with a gold chain necklace on and a bangle.
"Annabeth! Could you please stand next to Percy?" Matt asked. Annabeth sent me a raised eyebrow but did so, lacing her fingers with mine. With careful judgement, Matt declared, "Annabeth and Percy are cuter."
I grabbed my iPhone and keys and she shouldered her bag and we left as Kate complained that they were being mean just because her and Nate had the same colour hair.
I was happy to walk on the beach with her, our fingers laced and talking about school memories. When twelve came, we were at the restaurant. We ate and laughed about stuff. I was just so happy to have her there on Valentines day with me.
We decided to just drive around, her wanting to see Miami. We also drove past Disney land which was just outside because I had always wanted to go there as a kid.
When we got into the dorm room again, we were laughing about something and she had her arm around my waist, mine around her shoulders. I leaned down and kissed her cheek and put my phone and keys on the table.
She hung her bag up on the hook and peered into the kitchen where Matt was busy chopping stuff. "Hey you two. The others are out, John picking up his girlfriend and Nate and Kate picking up something from the shops for dinner." Matt said, looking up from his work.
We nodded and went through to where they all slept. My bed was next to the window, and I had a bedside table. On my bedside table was a frame with a picture of us. There was also a study book and a pen and pencil.
I turned her around and laced our fingers, smiling down at her. She smiled and kissed me, leaning into me. I kissed her back, open mouthed. We moved back till she touched the wall. She leaned into it, me putting my one hand on the side of her head, keeping me up.
She cupped my right cheek, fingering my collar with her other hand. She kissed back her tongue gliding over my bottom lip. I heard the front door and johns usual 'hey, anyone home?'.
I pulled away, knowing the first thing he will do is come in here and put down his things, his girlfriend will follow and they'll have a little make out. "Wanna give John a fright?" I asked, in a hushed tone.
She smiled cheekily and I sank to the floor, sitting with my back against the wall and stretching my legs out in front of did the same and as on cue, he came in her following. He out his keys down and turned to her, kissing her.
They started to back up towards the bed, and just when her knees hit the side of the bed, I said, "Hey John. Hi Penny." We laughed as she let out a little gasp and turned her hands flying to her heart as she had gotten such a fright. He had slipped and was rubbing his side as he stood up.
"Thanks for the heart attack, much appreciated." John muttered, rubbing his side as Penny fixed her hair and laced her fingers, trying to regain her normal modest self.
"Sorry to bother you two, we'll see you when you're finished." I said, sending him a smirk as we stood and walked out the room.
Matt looked up and smiled. "Was it funny?" He asked. I nodded with a grin, remembering all the times Nate, Matt and I used to have to sit in the lounge, waiting for them to finish whatever they do, so we could get out something from the room.
Nate and Kate came in, sending a smile our way and putting a packet down on the counter for Matt. He grinned as he brought out fresh veggies and a fillet or something.
We left him to cook and settled in the lounge, John and Penny joining, still embarrassed from being caught. We made usual chit chat, and then Matt called that dinner was ready.
There were a few good things about Matt. One, he could cook. Two, he was funny. Three, he loved pranks. We all sat down to a really tasty dinner. We all raised our glasses of coke or water or fruit juice and toasted to Valentines day and a good year.
While we ate, Penny asked, "Annabeth, where are you from? You don't have a New Yorkers accent and have a tan. I mean, besides Percy. He loves the beach."
Annabeth smiled and said, "I grew up in San Francisco. I only moved to New York before senior year."
Kate gasped. "California? Now tell me, is it true about the good looking guys on the beach? Percy mentioned you used to play volleyball so I'm assuming you would play on the beach and stuff." She said, leaning forward as she waited for Annabeth's answer.
I smirked at Annabeth as she chuckled and blushed slightly. "Did he now?" She asked, sending me a glare as she kicked my shin under the table and said, "Well, it's true about the guys. But they're mostly airheads who go on about tanning and girls and their hair and six packs and stuff."
The others laughed. "What do your parents do?" Penny asked. I cringed a little, thinking about how she must feel when the subject came up.
Annabeth just put on her usual smile and said, "My dad teaches military history at a university there. And my mom died a few years ago."
Penny rubbed her forehead and said, "I'm sorry, I-" Annabeth just gave a chuckle and said, "Shouldn't have asked? It's fine. It was a long time ago."
We all finished dinner, and the girls moved to the lounge, chatting about girl stuff while us guys cleaned up and stuff. I looked up and saw Annabeth laughing with the girls, her blonde curls falling over her shoulder.
"She's really nice. I'm happy you two are together." John said, handing me a dish to pack away. I smiled and nodded. "Thanks." I said.
~ Line break ~
I stretched as I woke up, the early morning sun streaming into the window. It was only seven in the morning. I closed my eyes, half conscious and half asleep when their was a bang from the lounge and giggling.
All of the others shot up, aware of the sound. I rushed out to and was the first to step out the room to see Kate and Penny giggling away and Annabeth lying on the floor. "Ouch." She said, her tone flat. She started to get up and I walked forward, offering my hand.
She have a smile and said, "Nice boxers, bed head." All four of us guys rushed back to the room, remembering we were only in boxers. We got dressed and joined the girls, a freshly dressed Annabeth sitting at the table with the other two and drinking hot chocolate.
I kissed her cheek good morning and handed Matt a mixing bowl. Sunday was always pancakes for breakfast, the reason why the girls always came super early.
We soon had everyone digging into pancakes. As we finished washing up and sitting in the lounge, Annabeth was at the kitchen island, sending someone a message as she held something in her hand.
I could see it was her flight ticket. "What time is your flight?" I asked. She turned our way then checked the ticket. "One, but we should probably leave in Two hours."
She put her phone away and joined us. Penny and Kate sighed. "Now were back to two against four. Annabeth, do you really have to go back?" Kate moaned.
She smiled and said, "Yeah, I have a bunch of stuff to finish and have a study group tonight. I sighed and she looked up to me with a smile. "And I'm gone yet again." She said.