Lives Collide
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this.
Percy looked up and down the white corridor, people watching the nurses, doctors, patients and visitors that constantly passed him. He had to keep his legs tucked underneath the hard orange chair he was sitting on so no one tripped over him.
Beside him, however, Jason was not waiting as patiently. "How long does it take to examine her?!" he hissed over at Percy, "Or at least give us an update!"
"Calm down, when they have news, they'll tell us," Percy advised, eyeing Jason's bobbing leg with growing annoyance. Apparently, an hour was as long as Jason would wait to find out how Piper was.
A few minutes later, just as Percy was about to threaten to chop Jason's leg off if he didn't keep it still, a nurse came up to them asking for Piper's family. Both boys stood up and Percy answered, "Her father is working overseas right now and her mother isn't really in the picture. But we're practically family."
The nurse frowned at them and Jason snapped back. "What? Do you want proof? Her birthday; her favourite food; her favourite holiday? What?!"
Percy elbowed Jason but the nurse surprising smiled softly. "You must be worried. Well, she is fine. The blood came from a cut on her head but we stitched that up. Her back is going to hurt from falling so hard and we're going to keep her here overnight for observation. But she's doesn't seem to have any internal head wounds so we think she'll be just fine."
They both let out sighs of relief and the nurse added, "You can go see her; she's in the fifth room down the hall on the right."
Jason took off immediately and Percy stayed to thank the nurse. She adjusted her clipboard in her arms for a moment before saying, "Your friend couldn't have hurt her back like that by just tripping. You said you found her on the floor but was there a ladder or someone else nearby?"
Percy knew exactly who was nearby but telling on Luke wasn't going to do any good. He would get out of it in a second; like he always did. So Percy shrugged and replied, "There wasn't anything near her but I'm sure she'll tell us something when she feels better."
The nurse nodded and walked off and Percy made his way to Piper's room. She was sitting up in the bed, a white bandage on her forehead. Jason was sitting beside her, smiling but his eyes were scanning her face trying to make sure she was alright. Piper smiled at Percy and he strolled over to her side.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" he asked her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Piper shrugged and replied, "I'm a little sore but I'm ok."
"Well, don't worry about work tomorrow; Jason can cover your shift."
Piper began to shake her head but Jason took her hand and said, "Seriously Piper, I don't mind! We just want you to rest."
Piper sat back against the crisp pillow before agreeing. Jason looked at Percy and then back at Piper as he asked, "Can you remember what happened? How did you fall?" Piper tried to speak, but she knew Jason would lose it if he knew Luke had pushed her. She looked up at Percy, who was tense, searching for help.
Thankfully she was interrupted as Annabeth came in the door, holding a heavy looking bag. "Hey!" she said with a grin, "How is the patient feeling?"
"Better," Piper answered, "Did you pick up my pyjamas and clothes?"
Annabeth nodded and stood beside Percy, placing the bag on the bed. "Yes; I also got your toothbrush and some other small things. Plus, I picked up some food and drinks from the diner on my way because the food here is not the best," she replied.
"Wait," Jason said, "You know where Piper lives?"
Annabeth nodded as Piper answered him. "I asked her to pick some things up for me and told her where the spare key was. The nurses let me call her because it was clear that you two were not leaving. Thank you so much Annabeth."
"Oh, forget it," the older girl said as she pulled out sandwiches from the bag. She handed one to Jason and the other to Percy. "Here, eat; because I know the two of you have not eaten since breakfast."
Jason grinned and wolfed into his sandwich and Percy turned to Annabeth. She tilted her head at him and he motioned for her to follow him out the door. Jason and Piper were busy talking so they didn't really notice.
Percy and Annabeth stood out in the corridor and Percy smiled at her. "Thank you for helping her. Thank you for everything."
Annabeth tried to brush it off but Percy added quickly, "No. Annabeth...These people are my family. They are everything to me and you know, better than anyone that I protect the ones I love."
He found it hard to look her in the eyes; scared to start something that might lead to that all important 'I may still be in love with you' conversation. They had been dancing over this line before at the stables, at diner and how she came over to his apartment on her lunch break instead of staying in the school. But she needed to hear this and he needed to say it.
"I was so worried, for so long that my old life was going to collide with my new one and I would lose everything. But you and Grover and the Stolls have been so great and it's like all that other stuff isn't even important anymore. Finally seeing you all and talking to you, has helped me let go of the anger I had. I-I'm just really glad that you're here; in my life again. That's what I'm trying to say."
Annabeth had been holding back a smile since he had started talking but she let it appear on her face as she spoke. "I'm really glad that I'm in your life too, Percy. I've missed you."
They smiled at each other for a moment before Annabeth felt her face begin to flush so she turned away to look back through Piper's door. "Do, um, do you know what happened to her?" she asked and Percy's jaw cleaned.
He began to pull away the wrapping on the sandwich as he spoke. "I know that Luke was working with her today. So I can guess what happened."
"Oh!" Annabeth gasped, "You really think he did this?!"
Percy bit into his sandwich and replied after swallowing, "I wouldn't put it past him. I don't know if it was an accident or not but Piper should tell us soon."
Jason came out of the room, nodding to both of them. "Hey, Piper says she wants some chocolate so I'm going to find a vending machine."
Percy and Annabeth watched him walk off before returning to Piper's bedside. "Piper-." Percy started but she didn't let him finish.
"It was Luke," she said, "I blurted something out and he wanted more information so he grabbed me. When I wouldn't say anything, he pushed me and I fell over the cart."
Percy's fists clenched; but he tried his best to remain calm in front of Piper. Annabeth had already seen his temper enough times; except it usually caused her to roll her eyes.
"I am so sorry Percy," Piper said, picking at the sleeves of her blue jumper that Annabeth had gotten for her.
"Sorry? You don't have to be sorry, this isn't your fault."
"I know but...but I said your name."
Percy froze and Annabeth's widened eyes looked at him. "I said that I could never imagine you and Luke being friends and he wanted to know how I knew you. That's why he grabbed me."
Annabeth placed an arm around her shoulders as Piper looked up at Percy in worry.
Internally he was freaking out. Everyone knew now; Luke was probably telling Hera and the others this minute. However, he was also relived. Now he didn't have to hide; he didn't have to be constantly looking over his shoulder. Now he could go tell Luke exactly what he thought of him.
"Look, don't worry about Luke. He's not going to be a problem. And there's no need to feel guilty about telling him you know me. I wasn't going to hide forever."
Piper smiled at him, thankful he wasn't angry with her but a noise from the door caused them all to look over to it. Percy caught a flash of blonde hair and his stomach dropped.
"Jason," he mumbled and Piper gasped. "Do you think he heard what I said about Luke?"
Annabeth hugged the worried girl as Percy said, "I'll get him; stay with Piper." He took off out the door, and hurried down the corridor. Percy had lost sight of him when he got to the hospital lobby and when he skidded out of the revolving doors; he had no idea which way Jason went. The street was crowded; Jason could have hopped on a bus, grabbed a taxi or gone to the subway. Percy faltered for a moment but quickly hailed a cab to the Academy.
He had to catch Jason before he got to Luke.
-Olympia Academy; Entrance Hall-
The Olympia Academy was a large building made of thick stone and with heavy wooden entrance doors. Flowing marble steps led up to these doors from the street and the entrance was a wide hall with walls lined with the Academy's achievements. There were glass cases filled with trophies along the walls while directly across from the entrance's doors were another flight of marble steps. These led to the first floor of classrooms while the ground floor was made up of activity rooms like the library, games room and pool. Doors led out from the entrance hall to these other rooms, and students were strolling around this ground floor.
Luke however, was pacing nervously in front of the marble steps, his phone clasped tightly in his hands.
He had just gotten off the phone from Hera, telling her that Percy Olympia might be back in town and she replied that she would look into it. The older woman had tried to sound confident on the phone but Luke had heard the panic in her voice. Her nephew had always been able to unnerve Hera. She had used her husband's money to put out self help books, mostly about family and parenting. While many had found it strange that a woman with no children, was telling others how to raise them; her books and television shows had become popular. She was used to telling people how to live their lives; but Percy had completely ignored her.
He had seen right through her fake smiles and advice, but had not tried to denounce her to her fans. As far as he had been concerned, Hera was not his problem. And for such a controlling woman to meet a boy who could have gone on with his life not paying any heed to a word she had said; it was fair to say that they had not seen eye to eye on many things. Percy made her nervous; she could never tell what he was thinking.
Beckendorf and Silena were sitting on the marble steps while Clarisse was standing beside them. They had met up with Luke after he had stormed out of the library but he had not told them what had upset him so much.
There were students trying to walk past them, others were sitting on the various benches around the entrance hall and a number strolling in and out of the rooms. There was a loud volume in the entrance hall that everyone seemed immune to; but it stopped as one of the entrance doors was thrown open with a bang.
A blonde haired teenager stood in the doorway of the now silent room, casting his eyes over each and every shocked student. Finally, he found Luke and marched over to him in anger.
Students from the upper level had heard the noise and were now looking down over the balcony as Jason stood, fuming, in front of Luke.
"Do you realise what you did?!" Jason exclaimed, fists clenched by his sides.
Luke gave the boy a once over, remembering him from the library. "You must be one of the little urchins from the library street," he said and this angered Jason even more.
"YOU hurt my friend! You pushed her; she had to go to the hospital. Don't deny it!"
The students were whispering now and Beckendorf had stood up. "Did you hurt somebody Luke?" he asked but Jason answered. "Yes, he did! But apparently, that's what he is good at. You probably don't remember me, but I sure can't forget the time we first met. But then, you were so wasted that you can't recall the kid you left beaten and bloody on the street!"
There were gasps around the room now and Luke looked around slightly at them all. This was not the kind of reputation that he had tried to build.
"But you are done! You and your little cronies are going to stop hurting the people I care about!" Jason jabbed a finger at Luke's chest and pushed him back slightly.
Luke was now impatient with the younger boy. He didn't care who his friend was or how she was; he just wanted the brat out of his face and out of his school. Mistakenly, Luke thought this was the perfect time to smirk and ready an insulting comment.
But Jason was about to go over the edge and that one tilt of Luke's mouth sent him straight forward to hit the older boy.
Instead, Jason felt a strong hand on his shoulder, pulling him straight backwards and away from Luke.
Once again the entrance hall of the Academy was silent as everyone finally realised that Percy Olympia had stepped foot inside it again.
Luke was in shock, his phone dropping to the floor. His plan, his money was now all at risk because Percy was standing right in front of him.
Percy stood between Luke and Jason, his green eyes daring anyone to say a word. He looked at Jason and spoke firmly, "Go home."
Jason moved to argue but Percy repeated, "Go home now." Jason was frozen for a moment, never having heard Percy speak in such a commanding and, honestly, scary tone. But the young boy nodded once and walked out of the doors.
#Percy rounded on Luke, getting right in the other boy's face. "Now here is what has been happing for the past few years," he stated, looking Luke straight in the eye, "This school has treated certain people and a certain place with such disrespect that it has cost a lot of money and a lot of happiness. Here is what happened today. You hurt one of my friends again. So, here is what is going to happen. Stay out of my street; stay away from my friends, or else we will have a serious problem."
Luke was barely breathing but he managed to swallow and reply with, "I am not scared of you Percy Olympia."
Percy smirked slightly and said, "Well, you see Luke, I'm not Percy Olympia. I'm not the Percy who wanted to lay low and get through the next few years of high school without any trouble from people like you. Percy Olympia would have made a joke or played a prank and let it go. But Luke, the person I am now is a lot different. The Percy I am now will protect his friends. The person I am now will make your life a living nightmare if you go anywhere near my friends again. I will not allow you to hurt people anymore. I was going to let live your life however you wanted but I think it's about time that I started to stand up for what's mine. Starting with my inheritance."
Luke froze while Percy just continued to speak. "I heard a rumour that if I show up at the Ball then I get that money. So it looks like I'm going to need a tux."
Jason had rumpled Luke's blazer when he had pushed him so Percy took the lapels of it as if to fix it. Instead he pulled it, causing the back of Luke's neck to snap against the collar.
"See you at the Ball Luke," Percy said before turning on his heel and heading out the door.
He left the room in a silence with Luke standing frozen at the steps. Beckendorf slowly picked up his phone while Clarisse looked around at all of them in confusion. The other students started chattering, phones being pulled out to spread the gossip.
Silena meanwhile, still sat on the steps, one hand propped up on her knee. "Damn," she said, "Percy always was hot when he was angry."
Jason had not headed straight home when Percy told him; instead he had stopped outside the Academy on the street. Seeing Percy had fizzled out his anger at Luke. When Percy exited the building, he said, "I'm sorry! I was so angry-."
"Forget it," Percy said, "We've got other things to worry about now."
"Like what?"
"It looks like we're going to a ball Cinderella."
-Later that day; Percy's apartment-
"I can't believe I'm going to this ball!"
Annabeth watched as Percy paced back and forth from one end of his living room to the other. He had run his hands through his dark hair many times and she had tried to get a word in, in-between his ramblings.
"What was I thinking? I practically just announced myself to the entire student body of the Academy! There is no more hiding; I have to go back into that world." Percy threw himself down onto his armchair beside the matching chair that Annabeth was curled up on.
"I don't...I don't even remember everything I said to him," Percy mumbled, "It was as if the words just fell right out of my mouth."
Annabeth's lips twitched and she replied, "Well Percy, doing something without really over thinking it has always been a specialty of yours."
"This is not funny," he said, as he slumped in his chair with his hands hanging over the arm rests.
Annabeth propped her head on her palm as she watched him ponder. She was actually glad that everything was now in the open; now Percy could face his problems instead of hiding behind his secrets. She knew him well enough to know that he was also glad of it, despite his panic.
"Have you talked to your Dad?"
Percy nodded and replied, "Yes; he's over the moon about all this. Practically wants to hold me a parade as I walk in the doors of the Masquerade Ball!"
Annabeth chuckled and said, "I remember our first Masquerade Ball. You knocked over an entire chocolate fountain when you tried to stop Travis from putting salt in it!"
"That was his fault; I was being a concerned student!"
Annabeth laughed again as she remembered the look of horror on his face as the melted chocolate splattered onto the ground and covered the surrounding students. "I remember just grabbing your sleeve and dragging you out of there before the principal saw you. It was a very eventful first Ball."
Percy's face softened and he said quietly, "Yes, it was a night of other eventful firsts as well."
Annabeth met his gaze and she felt her stomach bubble at his words. It wasn't like she could forget what had happened after the Ball; that night was etched into her memory even after two years. She felt her face heat up and she looked down at her hands, resting on top of a cushion that was balanced on her knees.
Percy watched her, slightly berating himself for those words. He was bringing something up that would lead to a conversation that could never be taken back. Yet, he could not forget that night; he could not forget anything about her. It was as if she had become a part of him, a part that he couldn't-and secretly didn't want to-leave behind.
So he cleared his throat and said, "So, I would like Jason to come; and Piper. Maybe a few from the diner as well. I mean, the people aren't that nice but it'll still be a cool night out."
Annabeth found the courage to look him in the eye again; so she licked her lips and answered him. "You know Percy; the students are actually a lot different than you remember. You actually made quite an impression on the place while you were there."
Percy frowned so Annabeth continued. "I mean, you were like a breath of fresh air to the younger kids. The students that were at the bottom of social ladder then are older now and because of the kindness you showed them-."
"I just treated them nice because they didn't make fun of me; like others I could mention. In fact I remember the younger students not saying much at all."
"Well you made an impression on them. Mentorship programs have been set up, charity fundraisers and there has been an improvement in behaviour. I should know; I had to sit through too many school council meetings not to. And this may surprise you, but a number of students are asking for scholarship programs to be set up for kids who can't afford the school fees. Kids like Jason or Leo could go to the school free of charge if those scholarships go through."
Percy almost thought she was joking; but Annabeth couldn't make that up. Maybe that school was getting better.
"It's all because of you," she added, "You made a lot of kids realise that the world is bigger than them. You were really missed when you were gone."
Percy snorted and ran a hand over his face. "Ya, I highly doubt that! I'm sure everyone got along just fine."
When Annabeth didn't respond, he looked over at her. She was glaring at him, still on the armchair. Oh he knew that look. He had said something really wrong.
"I did not "get along just fine" Percy. In fact, when you left my life kind of went to a standstill."
"I know! I know," he said, backtracking, "I didn't tell you were I was going and that must have freaked you out. Grover told me that you wanted to move back in with your dad."
Annabeth nodded, her jaw clenched and she replied, "Yes, I actually wanted to move back in with the man that ignored me for his new family! I wanted to move across the country because everywhere I looked, something reminded me of the boy that loved me and then left!" She stood up, tossing the cushion back onto her seat.
Percy stood up too but Annabeth rounded on him before he could say a word. "And that is the exact reason why I was so angry with you for so long! You made me depend on you! You became such an important part of my life that when you left, I nearly went crazy. I spent so long trying to find you, my grades slipped, our friends started to worry! I hated that you had become such a vital person to me...I hated..."
She trailed off, letting out a breath through her nose as she tried to calm down.
This was it; the dam was broken, the line was crossed. They needed to finally talk about each other and why, despite a betrayal and two years, they were still connected and completely in love. Percy stepped forward and swallowed hard. It was his turn to tell the truth.
"After I went back to my Mom's, it finally dawned on me that I had lost you. I was so angry at you and the others but...the thought that I would never get to be with you again almost sent me back to your dorm room begging for us to forget everything. There were times over the past two years where I considered doing that just to see you again. I didn't get along just fine either."
Annabeth raised her head to look at his green eyes, so honest and scared at the same time.
"I missed you so much Wise Girl; every day, every hour. I was sixteen and kept telling myself that I would forget about you. That I would move on and when I didn't, I put it down to the fact that we didn't get closure. When you walked back into my life a few weeks ago, I thought that we could finally move past our relationship. But I know now..."
Annabeth didn't want to speak, even move an inch. Every word he said was reading her thoughts, her feelings. Every word gave her hope.
Percy took a deep breath and said, "I know now that our relationship isn't something that we just move past. I think it's something that needs to be healed and...and tried again?"
He was terrified now; she hadn't said a word and he didn't even know if this was what she wanted. All Annabeth had said was that she had been upset when he had left; she hadn't said anything about trying again.
But when a smile came over her face, Percy felt the worry that had been sitting on his chest lift and he smiled back. "Well, Seaweed Brain," she said, "I'm going to take that as an invitation to dinner."
Their matching smiles could have lit up the room and Percy quickly added, "Well, it's also an invitation to the Ball."
"I can take that too," she replied. Concern flickered across her face for a moment as she asked, "Do you think we're moving a bit fast?"
Percy grinned slightly and replied, "Well, doing something without really over thinking it is kind of a speciality of mine."
Annabeth laughed slightly; a sound Percy had missed so much. "Come here," he said softly, taking her hand in his and pulling her slightly.
Annabeth let go to wrap her arms around his neck, pressing her face to his shoulder. Percy's arms were wrapped tight around her waist, not leaving any space between them as he hugged her. An earthquake could have ripped through that apartment and still they would not have moved.
The door, however, did swing open to reveal something even more destructive.
"Hey Percy, have you-Oh! Guys! Retreat; I sense an emotional moment!" Conner's voice echoed down the stairs but the group of people still thundered in the room.
Percy groaned, letting his head fall onto Annabeth's shoulder and resting his face against the smooth skin of her neck. "Make them leave," he whined to her, causing Annabeth to chuckle.
"Woah! Maybe we should leave?" Jason said and Percy lifted his head at this. "Yes; get out."
Travis leaned an arm on his brother's shoulder and replied, "Alright, alright, no need to get impolite. And here I was thinking your mood improved around Annabeth."
"Except for that time when they argued in the science lab and caused the lab coats to catch fire."
"Are you sure that really happened?"
"Yes," Grover chimed in, "I was wearing a coat at the time."
Leo looked between them all and asked, "Can someone teach me how they did that exactly?"
"No, you little arsonist."
"Who wants pie?" Annabeth called out to all of them, reluctantly moving away from Percy. The group gave her all their attention at this and chorused, "I do!"
Annabeth herded them downstairs, sending Percy a smile as she went.
Percy was suddenly left alone in his apartment. He put his hands into his pockets as he sighed.
His secret was out; he now only had one life to lead instead of hiding one from the other. He would have to face Luke, Hera and his vindictive, estranged family all the while navigating the world that would come with his inheritance.
Yet, as he remembered Annabeth's arms around him and her smile that could always send him to his knees, Percy could only decided that it was all utterly worth it.