[A/N: I never thought I would be updating this fast, but I love writing so much and I don't want to keep you guys waiting so here's chapter 13! :D
I'd like to say a few things for you first:
Stranger: I noticed that, too. I would've edited it except the chapter is already posted so I just left it there.
readwritereview: I can assure you, I'm not Rick Riordan. I'm just a nineteen year-old amateur writer. Thanks for the compliments! :D
To the rest of you, thank you.
Don't forget to leave a review, okay? Thanks! :D]
WISE GIRL'S SEAWEED BRAIN
Chapter 13: HEARTACHE
ANNABETH
Wow, Valentine's Day's here.
Before, this was just another typical day for me but now that Percy's my boyfriend, I was actually excited. I didn't prepare any 'Dedication' for Percy, though. I wanted to, but I thought that since it was our first Valentine's Day together, I decided to prepare a little dinner for him. It wasn't exactly a unique idea but I knew Percy would like it.
These past two weeks had their own ups and downs. Percy and I had been spending more time together. The construction of the Parthenon was going on and Mother had given me permission not to visit every single day. That gave Percy and me lots of time for each other. Mostly we just hang out in my apartment and watch movies with me cuddling next to him. He spent most nights with me. He actually had left some clothes and personal belongings in my apartment just so he wouldn't have to run back to his every night he decided to sleepover. Of course, Dad always called every night to check if we were being responsible. Every single phone call was much more embarrassing than the last. Percy would always tease after each one but I would simply say, "Nice to see you and my couch have been acquainted."
On the down side, there was something wrong with Samantha. I mean I cared that she seemed upset for she was my friend, but Percy was totally spending most of his time with Samantha trying to find out what was wrong. Samantha would just always say nothing was wrong but it was pretty obvious there was something going on.
I tried talking to her about it but she wouldn't tell me what was bothering her. I figured she'd talk to me when she was ready so I just left her alone.
Anyway, I opened my locker to get mu book for English when a heart-shaped box dropped and hit my foot. Lucky I had quick reflexes and pulled it out of the way. I was fuming but when I bent down and picked it up, I smiled. I knew it was from Percy. I opened it and inside was a bunch of chocolates. On top was a note saying:
Only the best for the best girlfriend in the world. Happy Valentine's Day, Wise Girl. I love you.
Only yours,
Seaweed Brain
A smile spread on my lips. A typical thing Percy would do. I stood up and when I checked my locker again, I noticed there were petals of red and white roses scattered inside. My heart felt like it was expanding into a balloon.
I placed my box of chocolates back inside and made my way to the classroom. My eyes made their usual check on Percy's seat. He was there, but he wasn't sitting, his back was turned to me. A few more steps and I saw why he was standing. His seat was covered in boxes of sweets, love notes and there was even a bouquet of flowers. Seriously, what kind of girl gives a guy flowers?
I sighed in exasperation and helped him clear the presents. I found some paper back at the back of the room and put everything in there. Percy couldn't return them since the names that were written were obviously aliases.
Percy was clearly miffed about it but didn't say anything. I kissed him and said, "Thank you for what you did."
That made him smile. "I'm glad you liked it."
I nodded. "Though I seriously think that I need to have you sued for picking the lock on my locker for the second time," I joked. Percy laughed and kissed my forehead. That's when Paul entered and started the class.
The rest of the day passed by in a blur. After lunch, we made our way to the gym where the party would be held. There were red and black balloons scattered on the floor. I was reminded of our time at the Westover Hall. The memory made me smile. Percy looked absolutely ridiculous dancing with me.
Percy and I found a table big enough to accommodate us the rest of his friends. Students arrived by groups. At some point, a few girls gave Percy chocolates. My boyfriend was looking uneasy receiving those.
I, on the other hand, received three long-stemmed red roses from a senior. Percy's nostrils flared when the guy handed me the flowers but didn't do anything. I looked at him when the guy was walking away. I couldn't help but smile at his expression.
"What?" he asked.
"You're jealous," I said.
"Am not!" he protested.
"You are," I insisted and kissed his lips. "But it's cute."
Percy grinned. "I knew you think I'm cute."
I rolled my eyes at him.
Soon Samantha, Barry, Chuck, Pete and James were sitting with us. The program started with a message from Mr. Clay. Seriously. After that, the line of students waiting to make a dedication was almost at the door.
However, before any of them could make one, the program administrator, Ms. McKenzie, announced on the microphone, "We have a dedication here. From one who calls himself," she frowned and said, "Seaweed Brain. This is for someone called Wise Girl." Ms. McKenzie laughed. "Okay, those are weird names."
I looked to where Percy was, only to find that he wasn't there. I frowned and searched for him. I was about to stand up when the lights in the gym dimmed and the overhead projector came to life.
A video started playing and I immediately blushed. Percy was the one in the video, grinning widely and flashing a peace sign. The video was recorded in his room, no doubt. I recognized the posters of Paramore, Simple Plan, Boys Like Girls and Linkin park behind him.
Then somewhere off cam, Paul's voice, said, "Percy, why are you smiling?"
Percy frowned. "You're taking a picture of me, right?"
"No," said Paul. "This is the video."
"Styx," Percy cursed. I knew everyone didn't understand what he meant. Meanwhile, I tried hard not to laugh at Percy's expression. He's such a Seaweed Brain.
He disappeared from the screen but his and Paul's voice could still be heard.
"You told me it's only a picture!" he protested.
"You told me you need a video dedication so go in there and say something," Paul reminded him. Percy was pushed back into the screen, looking uncomfortable. "So," Paul's voice said. "Tell me about Annabeth."
Percy was still glaring at the camera but eventually fixed his face and smiled. "Yeah," he said, his face reddening. "Annabeth. I've known her since we were twelve and she's the most annoying person in the planet." I heard students laughing but I kept my eyes on the screen. "She told me that she couldn't stand a minute talking to me but rest assured, Wise Girl, that the feeling was mutual." Another round of laughter.
Percy smiled but his eyes were faraway, no doubt remembering the beginning of our friendship. "But that was before. I wasn't sure when my feelings for her started. Maybe when she gave me a kiss after we won a competition at Camp." I remembered that. Percy and I won the chariot race and he just proudly acknowledged Tyson as his half-brother. I kissed his cheek because I was proud that he came to terms about his family. "Or maybe when I spent days looking for her. I thought she was gone and I felt like someone punched a hole in my chest." He was talking about the time when I was abducted by Dr. Thorn. Luke was behind it. He took the sky from Atlas knowing I would help him carry it. Then he used me to lure Artemis at Mount Othrys. Those were awful times. I mostly kept myself alive knowing that Percy and Thalia would come for me.
"Or when she kissed me when she thought I was going to die." This sent confusion around the gym. They didn't know that it was Percy's fault why Mount St. Helens erupted two years ago. I wasn't actually sure what I was thinking when I did that. I remembered the last line of my prophecy. And lose a love to worse than death. Right then, I thought it was about Percy. I didn't want to leave, but looking at his determined expression, I knew I didn't have a choice.
"But all these became clear when I was doing a dangerous thing that could kill me," he continued. Now Goode was officially curious. Percy had talked about him nearly dying twice now. I appreciate what he was doing but I wished he was more cautious. "I had to focus on one thing that could save me and the first thing that came into my mind was her. Her face alone gave me enough strength to pull through that horrible experience."
I suddenly understood he was talking about his bath at the River Styx. Percy had already mentioned this during his birthday last year but he wasn't able to finish it. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that Annabeth Chase means everything to me," he said. I could feel my face and eyes getting warm. "Something about that girl: she's nuts about architecture. That's her ambition. She once told me that she wants to become an architect because she wants to build something permanent. Something that will last forever." He looked straight on the camera and I could feel myself drowning in his green eyes. "Let me tell you one thing, Wise Girl. With me, you can. And with you, I can do the same. I love you, Annabeth."
A slow song started playing at the background. The video was replaced by a slideshow of our pictures. The first one showed us standing outside the Big House, smiling. We looked young. Of course, we were twelve in the picture.
Then I heard his voice singing a song I recognized.
If ever you wondered if you touched my soul, yes you do
Since I met you I'm not the same
You bring life to everything I do
Just the way you say hello
With one touch I can't let go
I always knew I'd fall in love with you...
I knew he changed the last line and that only made the song much sweeter. Then he was there, standing at the side of the stage, holding three white honeysuckles on his hand. I knew that flower means "I love you."
Because of you, my life has changed, thank you for the love and joy you bring
Because of you, I feel no shame, I'll tell the world it's because of you
While he was singing, I stood up and made my way to the stage. I grabbed a microphone. Percy raised his eyebrows at me. I'd never done this before but for Percy, I'm prepared to do anything and everything. I sang with him.
Sometimes I get lonely and all I gotta do is think of you
You captured something inside of me
You make all of my dreams come true
It's not enough that you love me for me
You reached inside and touched me eternally
I love you best explains how I feel for you...
Because of you, my life has changed, thank you for the love and the joy you bring
Because of you, I feel no shame, I'll tell the world it's because of you
Percy stopped and I was left alone but I continued.
The magic in your eyes
True love I can't deny
When you hold me I just lose control
I want you to know that I'm never letting go
You mean so much to me I want the world to see,
It's because of you
He joined me again for the last part.
Because of you, my life has changed, thank you for the love and the joy you bring
Because of you, I feel no shame, I'll tell the world it's because of you
My life has changed thank you for the love and the joy you bring
Because of you, I feel no shame, I'll tell the world it's because of you...
I kissed him when the song was done. I shut everything out and only let my lips feel him against mine. Percy wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I hooked my hands at the back of his neck and clung to him.
We only separated when the audience clapped loudly and wolf-whistled. Percy grinned down at me and gave me the flowers. "I love you, Wise Girl," he said.
"I love you, too, Seaweed Brain." We have told those words a hundred times before but I would never get tired of hearing him say it and I would always want to say those words to him.
Percy grinned again and pulled me back to our table. Barry, Chuck, Pete and James all clapped him in the back. Percy's face was red and I was sure that mine was, too. Then I noticed Samantha was missing.
"Where's Samantha?" I asked.
Barry pointed behind me. "There."
I turned and saw Samantha at the stage. Was she going to make a dedication? My hand on Percy's arm tightened at the thought. Percy yelled, "Ow! Watch it, princess." I didn't pay attention to him because I knew what was about to happen. I wanted to pull Percy outside except he already noticed Samantha on the stage. "Ooh," he said. "Sam's going to make a dedication. Now we'll know who this mysterious Mr. X is."
He sat down and I had no choice but to sit, too.
Samantha walked to the microphone and my heart started beating faster. Even Percy's arms, which were wrapped tightly around me, couldn't do anything to calm me down. I thought she wasn't going to tell Percy?
"Hello," she said nervously. "I, uh, I don't want to do this but I have no choice. If I don't, someone will, and that may be taken differently so here I am."
"What is she talking about?" Percy wondered behind me.
Samantha looked straight to Percy. Even from a distance, I could see tears in her eyes. "This is for you, Mr. X."
Music started playing and Samantha leaned closer to the microphone and sang.
I've made up my mind, don't need to think it over
If I'm wrong I am right, don't need to look no further
This ain't lost, I know this is love
I knew the song, of course. I could hear students wondering aloud who Mr. X was. My fingers laced themselves around Percy's. I felt him kiss the top of my head. I knew how this night would end and I didn't think there was something I could do to stop it.
But if I tell the world, I'll never say enough
'Cause it was not said to you
And that's exactly what I need to do if I'd end up with you
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?
Or would it be a waste even if I knew my place.
Should I leave it there?
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?
The song morphed into a slower and different tune. Samantha's eyes were closed and tears were dripping down her face. Percy straightened and asked, "Is she crying?"
My answer was drowned by Samantha's voice when she started singing again.
First time I laid my eyes on someone like you
I can't forget the hour, that moment with you
Then I have realized, love is growing deep inside
I feel the beating of my heart
This time, I didn't know the tile of the song but it definitely spoke what Samantha was feeling for Percy.
'Cause every day, every night, I keep looking at the skies
And I'll pray that someday you will wake up in my arms
And love will never end
We belong together, always and forever
Call my name and I'll be there. . . . .
I had no doubt with the last line but why would she say that she and Percy belong together?
Spending my days and nights just thinking if you
How you make me wanna smile with the things that you do
When will I hear you say, love is coming on your way
And that you start to feel the same
'Cause every day, every night, I keep looking at the skies
And I'll pray that someday you will wake up in my arms
And love will never end
We belong together, always and forever
Call my name and I'll be there
Percy's arms loosened around me as he sat forward to look at Samantha closely. This gesture brought a lump to my throat. I know it was stupid but I couldn't help myself. I didn't need Rachel's prophecies to tell me how Percy would react to this.
'Cause every day, every night, I keep looking at the skies
And I'll pray that someday you will wake up in my arms
'Cause every day, every night, I keep looking at the skies
And I'll pray that someday you will wake up in my arms
And love will never end
We belong together, always and forever
Call my name and I'll be there
When the song was done, Samantha sobbed on the microphone, her cries magnified around the gym. Percy stood up and I grabbed his hand. He looked down at me. "I just need to know what's going on with her. I'll be back."
I let go of his hand. I didn't know why. It felt like I was handing him to Samantha.
Percy was halfway to the stage when Samantha spoke. "Those songs were for you," she said, her eyes trained on Percy. She was crying really hard. Her next words barely came out as a whisper: "Percy Jackson."
Percy stopped walking and stared open-mouthed at Samantha. Everyone was quiet as their eyes traveled from her, to him and to me.
"I'm so sorry," Samantha said and ran to the exit.
I stood up and walked to where Percy was standing. No one was smiling, except for Amber. It didn't take me long to figure she had something to do with Samantha's confession. I wondered what she did that resulted to what happened.
I held Percy's hand. He looked at me, confusion dancing in his eyes.
"It's not your fault," I told him. I pulled Percy close to me and hugged him. This time, he didn't hug me back and I felt my chest getting heavy. I knew it. He wouldn't take Samantha's confession lightly. He would want to comfort her and be there for her. And I could lose him in the process.
Percy pulled away from our embrace and with difficulty, he said, "I'm sorry, Annabeth, but Sam needs me."
Then he ran after her.
PERCY
I was Mr. X.
Why didn't I see it before? Samantha had always been a sweet friend to me. I remembered the times she would hand me my towel after swim practice – which was always – and her having energy drink ready for me each time. The memories of her smiling sweetly at me, holding my hands and squeezing them, made their way to the front of my brain. All the things she had done for me all amounted to one thing. How could I have been so stupid?
I found her sitting in front of her locker, crying on her hands. My heart broke at the sight. I knelt on front of her and pulled her hands away from her face.
"Hey, stop it," I said softly.
Samantha shook her head. "I'm so sorry, Perce. I didn't mean to fall in love with you. And that wasn't the way I would've wanted to say my feelings for you but I was forced."
I frowned. "Forced by who?"
"It doesn't matter," she said, looking at me with her red eyes. "Now that you know, I won't blame you if you stay away from me." She started crying again.
I hugged her and she cried on my chest. I patted her back and held her tightly against me. I had no idea how much I'd hurt her but I knew it had been too many times. My chest felt like I'd dropped a piece of block on it. I stroked her hair and said, "I'm not going anywhere, Sam. I'll always be here for you."
Samantha looked up and I tore my eyes away. I couldn't stand looking at her tear-streaked face, knowing I was the reason behind it. "You're not mad at me?" she asked.
I looked at her. "No. Why would I be? It's not your fault."
Samantha reached out and touched my face with her hand. "I know," she said in a sad voice. I would never want to hear that much pain in her again. She sounded so broken. "Who can blame me that I fell for these eyes, right?" she asked, touching my eyelids with her fingertips. I closed my eyes and felt the way she run the tip of her finger on me. "These eyes that could see everything else my heart."
Then I felt something warm and soft touching my closed eyelids. I knew it was her lips. My heart started beating faster against my chest.
"Or this nose that always wrinkles when you're frowning?" I felt her lips touch the tip of my nose and I shuddered. "Or this lips that looked so soft and sweet?" I knew what was about to happen. My heart now felt like it was trying to bust its way out of my rib cage.
Then it happened. I felt Samantha's lips touch mine. Immediately, electricity sparked and travelled from her lips to mine and made their way to the rest of my body.
Thing was, I knew I should've stopped her. But I didn't. Instead, I let her.
[Oh, in case you're wondering what the title of the other song Samantha sang is, it's called I'll Be There. It's a song from my country. Here's the link if you want to listen to it : watch?v=P8xrNFq2o7Y
Next - Chapter 14: ROOTS BEFORE BRANCHES]
