Chapter Eleven

A bead of sweat trickles down my neck, and inside the back of my t-shirt. The familiar and very comfortable ache in my muscles brings the perfect, very pleasant, mid-soccer game feeling. Percy sends the ball flying deep into center field with a resounding thump, and defenders and offense a like flock towards the ball, high in the air. Within moments, I'm brushing by a huge defender and beating him to the ball. With a careful header, I've grounded it and moving forward. Elation and adrenaline hit me hand in hand, the blissful feeling being in perfect control, that's so rare in my life, making my blood pump a little faster.

The co-ed league is strange, that's for sure. Fewer towns compete, and fewer players play, but it's definitely harder than just the girls' league. The guys don't hold back any hits and the girls don't hold back any speed or power. I cut the ball to my left, narrowly avoiding a guy, lanky and lean. Now all that stands between me and glory is the goalie. I fake a shot, leaving the goalie to dive for it and come up with just the dirt in their teeth. Before he can recover, I sail the ball to my left, where Clarisse is waiting, more than a little shocked to receive the pass. Despite it all, she sinks the ball into the right corner. I smile at her, and we exchange a quick high-five before heading back to the center circle.

Percy raises an eyebrow at me from a few feet away. I just shrug; it was the best option for the team, the best way to get the goal. Of course, I thought about taking the shot for myself…I probably would've made it too; but I know that colleges prefer assists to shots. It shows good leadership and teamwork, not to mention, at this point I'd kill for a scholarship. I'd rather assist to Clarisse than someone like Jake.

…

The Percy snatches the ball away from a defender and races down the field. The grass seems to bend out of his way. I fly up the field, parallel to him. Within moments, he's blown by the defense, and feet away from the goal. I'm level with him all the way down the field. To my surprise, Percy turns his head and winks, before pushing the throttle a bit more and setting up in the perfect place to score. He squares up and takes the perfect shot, which at the last second, he cuts off the side of his foot, sailing it to me. The goalie, lost a step behind, stares at him as I arch the ball into the back of the net. Cheers erupt from the sidelines and I jog back to the center of the field a grin on my face. Percy smiles as he trots past me, and gives a little wink as he lines up in his place as stopper.

Tightening my pony-tail and skimming my eyes over the crowd that's gathered, my eyes lock on one man, who doesn't seem dressed for a soccer game. The suit is elegant, perfectly pressed and seamed, without a speck of dirt. He has a handsome, all American face, free of wrinkles or pocket marks. Light brown hair and a gleaming white smile complete the image. I'm frozen, petrified, the memories of that night crashing all around me. If it weren't for the dreams, I would've convinced myself that I remembered wrong, improbable, but it would've been possible at least.

"Annabeth!" Someone shouts but I'm still transfixed on the man. He seems to have noticed me. He smiles and waves at me, like in a bad horror movie. Malcolm waves his hand in front of my face, and I blink before looking at him. "I'm your substitution, okay?" I nod, before turning back towards the sidelines. The area the demon had occupied is empty, and there isn't a sign of him, anywhere. While jogging off the field, I look over my shoulder, towards the parking lot. He's not there either.

I nod respectfully at my coach as he chatters at me, seemingly excited despite my detachment. Striding past him, I settle on the bench, and chug some water. If you didn't know me, you'd think I was watching the game with great enthusiasm; but I'm barely here. I'm racing through all the possibilities of how it could just be a coincidence. It could not be the creepy stalker after all; it could all be in my head, who knows? I had just about convinced myself that sleep deprivation and boatloads of stress had caused the post traumatic hallucination, when the mood abruptly changes. The bubbling excitement and energy the two earlier goals had stirred up dissipates abruptly.

A massive groan rises from our side of the sidelines, and a little incredulous, I see Luke scrambling to his feet and picking up the soccer ball: from behind him. I just can't believe it, the last time Luke missed a shot was in kindergarten, when an impression in the ground, twisted his ankle. He pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head. Watching as he runs his hands through his hair and kicks at the ground, nausea overwhelms me. What the flip is going on with the world? I don't want to sound melodramatic, but... is life as I know it over? My head is spinning at a million miles an hour, bringing vicious throbbing along with it. Before long the game is over and done with, and the team is in a state of jubilation. Despite Luke's slip up, we won the game, and the crowd that arrived for the first game, a home game too, is in a state of frenzied glee.

Jake announces the after party at his house and the team flocks to their locker rooms. I jog along among them, but my mind is far from some stupid party, showering and changing hurriedly, I fly out of the locker room, my flip-flops smacking the pavement. Racing towards him, I almost collide with Luke as shuffles to his car, his head down and his shoulders hunched.

"Luke!" I gasp, as he rotates to face me. His face visibly slumps and he sighs audibly. The look in his eyes, is just as dazed and vacant, as I'm sure mine was earlier. Now I can just imagine my narrowed eyes, and determined expression. He glances down at his feet before responding.

"Hey Annabeth" He half smiles but it seems to take too much effort, as it slips off his face almost immediately. My heart seems to falter, and concern floods through me; I bite my lip and push my slightly damp hair behind my ear. "What?" He asks; his tone clearly exhausted. I'm taken back, did he not see the man at all?

"What happened with you today?" I don't realize how awful that sounds till it's already out of my mouth. I can feel my cheeks redden and Luke's eyes seem to harden before his shoulders slump with resignation.

"I missed a goal, it happens." He sighs, sounding very much like a beaten dog as he does. He swings himself into his car before sluggishly pulling out of the parking lot; without offering me a ride I might add. I turn in the parking lot, searching for someone, whether it's the mysterious stalker, Grover, or Luke, I'm not quite certain.

It's not any of them that I find though; instead its Percy, a grin on his face and an ecstatic gleam in his eyes. The oblivious fool doesn't seem to notice I'm not n a very upbeat mood. He's bouncing on his toes, musing his long black with his fingers, and flicking his green eyes around, apparently unable to stay in one place. I push my hair behind my ears again and cross my arms over my chest.

"Hey you played great today." He smiles, softly and I feel the ridiculous blush rise across my cheeks. I shove my hair behind my ears once again and glance at the ground. "So… are you going to Jake's party?" He wonders, fidgeting with the strap on his soccer bag.

"Not in this life time" I scoff, storming off to my house. I wouldn't be caught dead at Jake Mason's party, not unless I was hog tied and gagged. Even then it might be a long shot. Jake is the most arrogant, disgusting pig that's ever walked the planet. I'd much rather spend my time studying ancient architecture.

"Hey! Do you want a ride, I'm sure Grover would…." He trails off as I swivel back to face him and start purposely crossing the parking lot, towards Grover's sedan.

"I'll take that as a yes then." He mutters, before making his way over to stand beside me, and shifting his bag higher on his shoulder. He appears to have finally learned that it's better to keep his mouth firmly closed.

Percy

Annabeth seems out of it. The ride home is filled with awkward silence. The only sound is my finger drumming against the car seat. Annabeth doesn't touch the radio, despite her apparent discomfort in silence. Even her eyes that normally seem so focused and determined are foggy and distant. Grover attempts to start conversations a few times: complementing us on out game, and so forth. He only manages to get one word answers out of Annabeth, and I'm too busy wondering what's going on with her. Spacing out in the middle of a game doesn't seem like something she'd do. I have to wonder if this has anything to do with Luke missing that save. I can't picture Annabeth letting her crush on Luke rattle her that much though. Grover finally drops me off at my place, and I slide out of the car, glad to be out of the discomfort. Shuffling in the door I drop my soccer bag and start to get ready for Jake's party. It'll probably be pretty boring though…