How could I have been so stupid?! was the first thing I thought of as I sprinted away from Annabeth. I couldn't believe that I changed right in front of her like that, and I couldn't believe that she had seen them. There were only four cuts, but I guess she was too way too observant.
I can't believe it, I can't believe it, I can't believe it, I can't- This repeated over and over in my mind as I began searching for a bathroom, still afraid that she would follow me. Knowing the persistent-self she is; I would have expected her to run after me, demanding why I had done it. Then I realized why she didn't.
I had class with her nextperiod.
I mentally and verbally cursed myself as I finally found another bathroom. I still had my swim trunks on. After I was fully changed again, my hair was already completely dry. Another weird fact about me: I dry quickly. I turned off full-panic mode and began pacing, thinking of what I should do. I could skip class and ignore Annabeth, but Mrs. Davidson already gave me detention for tomorrow, and I really didn't want another one. Annabeth would probably find me anyway, or worse, tell someone. I ran my hands through my messy hair. The only thing I could do was to face the music. I'll have to see her eventually; it may as well be now.
As I walked out of the bathroom casually, some people were already heading to their afternoon classes. I decided to go to class early like them, just in case Annabeth catches me in the hallway beforehand. Going to class early is probably the last thing that she thinks of. I walked into the dark and empty classroom and sat down in the back corner, my usual spot. I decided to scroll through some pictures on Facebook and Instagram to distract myself until class started. It wasn't long before I heard footsteps. I didn't check to see who it was. Unfortunately this person came down right next to me. Annabeth.
I pretended not to pay her any attention. I glanced at my watch, it read 11:58. Only two more minutes till class, but no one else came in.
It turns out Annabeth had enough of my stalling. In one swift motion, she grabbed my wrist again. I tried to pull away, but she was really strong. Just like that, my sleeve was pulled down too. I didn't try to pull away this time. It was too late, she's seen it. She stared at it, and then stared at me with serious eyes. I was afraid of what she was going to do now.
"You really shouldn't do this."
"Why not?" I replied stubbornly. We were in a full-out staring war. I couldn't back down. She gripped my wrist tighter, making me yelp in pain. She suddenly grabbed my bandana from the table, and started to drag me to the sinks that were in the classroom. Again, she was really strong. All I could do was protest, but she wasn't having any of that. She drenched my bandana in cold water, and impressively, tied it around my wrist with one hand. It felt good, and the cuts weren't exposed at all. They were completely hidden by the bandana, but Annabeth still held onto me, and dragged us back to our seats.
"Why did you do this?" she asked sharply.
"Will you let go of me?" I shot back.
"No. Now why-" I was finally saved by the bell. People were beginning to enter, chatting loudly amongst themselves. As Annabeth realized this, the only thing she said was,
"We're not done here." She finally let go of my wrist. I silently thanked her as I could feel life in my arm again, because at one point I was afraid she had cut off my blood circulation. She was going to kill me one day.
We didn't talk to each other for the rest of class, because Mrs. Davidson was giving some sort of "important" lecture. So Annabeth was completely engaged in taking notes. When Mrs. Davidson was finally done, class ended. I was the first one to get out of there, and for the rest of the day, only four words repeated over and over again in my mind.
We're not done here.
What was that supposed to mean anyway? Why did she even care? She hates me, and I'm not too fond of her either. I knew that she meant what she said though. I would have to answer her annoying questions soon, either tomorrow, or the next day when we had to work on our project together. At least I didn't faint, that's a plus. The pool really helped, but I don't think it was worth it.
The next day came soon enough. The news reporters said the heat wave was over, and that fall weather was finally coming to New York.
Not that it mattered. I failed to keep my wrist hidden, and the one person who saw them was the one person who hated me. She was probably going to do the responsible thing, and tell everyone I knew. I know Nico wouldn't care, Grover would probably be a little freaked out, Thalia would simply yell and beat me, and my mom, oh no, I couldn't even describe what my mom would do.
I wasn't looking forward to having detention this afternoon with Mrs. Davidson. I wanted to be done with school already. I was tired of waking up at seven a.m., going to classes, listening to teachers talk and talk. The weekend is the only thing I'm excited about, and how I was going to spend it. During science class, Annabeth didn't say a word to me, and I thought this day might go faster than I thought. However, Mrs. Davidson stopped me before I exited the classroom. Annabeth was already gone, along with everyone else. You know that feeling when you're in a classroom alone with a teacher? Yeah, that feeling sucks doesn't it.
"Percy, I just wanted to let you know, that I've decided to dismiss your detention today. Your lab partner came to talk to me, and she explained your situation." Oh Annabeth, you are so dead.
"Did she now?" I tried to say without sounding too angry.
"She did. Percy, I understand. It's not easy for people with your conditions to concentrate in class. Yet alone, learn anything. I'm glad she's your partner. She says that she is going to help you. In the meantime, I will try to make things easier for your sake." I nodded slowly, still shocked and furious that Annabeth would do this.
"Good, but please, try to control your sudden outbursts next time. I know it's hard with your ADHD, but at least try to control it." Outburst? Who said it was an outburst?
"Thank you for understanding Mrs. Davidson. You know what? I think I'm going to thank Annabeth, right now." I smiled devilishly, but she must have found it innocent, and she let me go. I marched straight to Annabeth's locker, where she was packing up all of her things for the weekend. She was crouched down, and didn't even acknowledge my presence as I stood over her. She knew this was coming, but she did it anyway. This made me even angrier.
"What the hell?!" I yelled at her, and I had every right to. She was the one in the wrong.
"What?" She said innocently, but she knew. She was prepared for this to happened, I was not. She seemed to have a plan for everything.
"You know what. Why did you tell Mrs. Davidson about my personal business?!" She finally stood up, making me realize that we were the same height. She casually swung her backpack over her shoulder, telling me that she wasn't afraid. She should be though, I was burning up, face included.
"I only did what you should've done." I scoffed,
"You had no right to tell her. It's my personal life, and you completely violated it." She just shrugged it off,
"Oh yeah? So you're mad at me, for getting you out of detention, and not making Mrs. Davidson hate you for the rest of the year?" I looked down trying to think of how to reply, but due to my pause, she rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. And you're lucky I didn't tell her about the other thing." She nodded suggestively towards to arm. I pulled back,
"You wouldn't dare." I stared her down, she raised an eyebrow.
"Try me?" She challenged. I looked away again, not knowing how to reply.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. See you tomorrow Jackson, and don't be late." I let her stroll off to her carpool that was waiting for her. I debated against going after her, because what was I supposed to say?
I walked the other direction, still angry, still furious, but this time, I was confused.