Annabeth POV
I knew I wanted to be with Percy.
I've never been with anyone else like him. Percy is one of the most loyal and caring people I know. He's always out to make everyone around him feel good or feel better. Also, Percy is the most driven person when he has a goal in mind.
Never did I imagine that Percy Jackson-the easy-going bright personality who sits next to me in biology and annoys me all class-could work so hard for his swimming career.
Percy was sacrificing a lot to pursue his passions, and I loved that.
He has a lot going on in his life, but I don't think a relationship with me would hinder him. If anything, I have faith that our relationship would only strengthen us. Strengthen him.
"Annabeth, you're zoning out again?" Piper stated.
"No, I'm not. You're talking about what to where for the party. You're debating between the purple dress or the pink one," I answered quickly.
"That was the topic of conversation five minutes ago."
I groaned while laying back down on Piper's bed. I was currently at Piper's house, and we were going through her closet to find clothes to wear. Silena Beauregard, the school sweetheart and prom queen candidate, was hosting a party for the senior class.
She said that the party would be a celebration for getting through college application season. Silena also noted that a party would get our minds off of stressing about the results.
"Annabeth, what is going on? You're freaking me out," Piper asked.
"Nothing bad, I promise," I hesitated. "Look, Piper, there's something that I didn't tell you."
Piper was suddenly too interested. She rushed towards the purple-sheeted bed and stared at me intently. Her hands clutched mine really tightly.
"Since when do we keep secrets from each other," Piper whined.
"Stop being so dramatic. This is why I didn't tell you," I answered, chuckling. Piper waited for me to continue, slightly irritated.
"I kissed Percy over Winter Break," I said simply.
Piper blinked and then blinked again. here she was being dramatic again; I'm pretty sure she gets it from her mom and dad. I braced myself just in time to intercept her tackle hug. Piper squealed happily in my ear.
Then, she stood up and started screaming at the top of her lungs. I couldn't help but laugh along as "IT'S ABOUT TIME" resonated through the room over and over.
"So, what are you going to do?" Piper asked suddenly.
"I don't know. I told Percy how I feel, but I didn't get a response yet. You know how busy Percy is, and his coaches increased his swimming regimen as well."
"Okay, but we need to get to the bottom of this. Jason and I need another couple to go on double dates with since Frank and Hazel are too shy to make moves on each other. Percy's the opposite of shy though," Piper said all in one breath.
"How did you make this about yourself?" I retorted.
Piper ignored the question.
"So, how did it happen?" Piper pried for the details. Her smile glowing.
I sighed but answered, "Percy came back to New York from Winter Nationals on Christmas day. Even though it was late and he was tired, Percy still got me a present..."
I had to pause as Piper squealed loudly and excitedly.
"Percy got me a present, and it was a beautiful Cinderella Castle because he remembered that one of my best childhood memories happened at Disney World. I was just so happy, and I knew that I liked him. So, I kissed him," I explained.
"And, he kissed you back," Piper finished.
I nodded, smiling.
I've never been kissed like that despite having other boyfriends. I could feel the love in Percy's kiss and his embrace. We could make us work; we were capable of doing so as long as we were together.
"Wow, that's so romantic," Piper said, smiling back at me. "I wish Jason was that romantic, but I suppose no one can beat Percy's simultaneous caring and wild nature."
"No," I chuckled. "There's no one like Percy..."
"Anyway, we better start getting ready. We're going to be late for the party," I interrupted the moment. "I hope Percy's there, but he might be too exhausted."
"Oh, I bet you want Percy there," Piper commented slyly and winked.
The sexual innuendo hung in the air for a long time, and I didn't mind it. I wasn't opposed to it.
...
Teenage house parties in New York were everything that the movies showed and more. But, trust me, more is not better. No matter how much the host (in this case, Silena) tried to restrict it, the alcohol and drugs came into the party.
Cliche drunk teenager were dancing close together in the cramped living room, hallways, and basement. Since it was January, it was too cold for the party to go outside. Even though Silena lived in a mansion, it was too crowded for my liking. There was also a blunt being passed out, people clambering around it for a hit. Sweaty people were moving around, way too immersed in each other or in their drinks, to realize they were bumping me.
The music was blaring electronic dance; it was loud and hot.
I shoved past a group of sweaty girls and walked into the crowded kitchen. Even in here, it was too loud, and i was starting to get a headache. This was not my scene.
"Hey Silena," I shouted to be heard. "I think I'm going to go home."
"NO WAY," she screamed. "You came to my party, and you should be enjoying yourself. Did I do something wrong?"
"No, this just isn't my version of fun," I answered honestly.
Silena simply watched me before giving me a hug. That's when I realized that Silena was slightly shaky and her body was shuddering. I held Silena straight while taking the drink from her. It was just a soda, but she definetely wasn't in the right state of mind.
"Hey Sil, what did you have?" I asked seriously.
"I don't know, but I don't feel too good," she replied. Her body swayed to the side, but I caught her. Someone must've given her something illicit and unknown.
Then, my gaze wandered to Percy who just came in.
"Seaweed Brain," I called him.
His smile when he saw me could've lifted up the entire mansion. Percy was so handsome, and I loved watching him smile. Gods, I really liked him.
Percy ran over to me as I set Silena down carefully.
"I didn't think you would come," I said.
However, I wasn't expecting him to come and throw his arms around me. "Woah, what's going on?" I murmured, still in his warm embrace.
"I just realized that you're worth it," Percy expressed.
"Worth what?"
"Worth debating a question," he whispered.
Percy leaned down and kissed me. It was passionate and hungry, and i melted into it. My arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him deeper. His hand rested on my waist, and his skin singed me even through the fabric of my dress.
"Just don't make me have to choose, Wise Girl, between you and swimming," he said. His forehead rested on mine as we looked into each other's eyes. I was lost in them.
"I'd never do that. I'll ensure that we have both," I promised.
He kissed me again, and it was filled with love.
However, our interaction was interrupted by a shudder from the ground. We both turned to Silena, and our smiles faded momentarily.
Percy crouched down and gently touched Silena's shoulder. Her face drooped as her face rested against his shoulder; Percy panicked when Silena passed out. I gently patted Percy's back and instructed him to pick Silena off the ground.
We carried Silena upstairs and to her bedroom. Percy laid her down on her mattress and pulled the covers over her legs.
"What did she have?" Percy asked seriously.
"I don't know, but it clearly wasn't good stuff. Silena usually doesn't drink or do drugs, so someone must've coerced her," I stated.
"I'm going to find Beck."
Percy left in a rush to find Silena's boyfriend, Beckendorf, while I stayed with Silena. However, another part of my mind wandered to the asshole that was roofing people. I could think of a person and a chill entered my body. I had to make sure everyone else was okay.
I stepped out of Silena's door and walked back downstairs.
The loud music, hot breathing, and crowd hit me like a truck. Since it was a mansion, the bastard could've been anyone.
Octavian had a previous reputation for forcing substances on others.
Screaming erupted from the front living room. i shoved my way through the hallway to find a full-on brawl in the room. A few chairs were turned upside down and another was smashed. A couple of guys were wrestling and throwing punches.
Piper was shouted for them to stop as i rushed over.
"Jason, stop fighting," she screamed.
Octavian and Jason were currently brawling on the ground. A few other guys were throwing punches at each other. Piper and I stood at the edge of the group.
"GUYS," I yelled, but it was useless.
"Gods, boys are so stupid," Piper shrieked. She tried reaching forward but ducked when a kick came at her head. i pulled her back quickly.
"How did this even start?" I asked loudly over the music.
"We caught Octavian and his gang cornering a girl near the bathroom. They were trying to make her drink something. We had to stop it," Piper cried out.
Another punch from Octavian collided with Jason's nose, eliciting some blood.
The panic was clearly evident on her face. A crowd hd formed, but no one was trying to stop the fight; it was too aggressive to intervene. Both Jason and Octavian were bleeding from the face. Their knuckles were already bruised. Some of the other guys were unconscious or injured. It was a dam horrible scene.
Suddenly, Octavian kicked Jason off of him. Some of Octavian's goons grabbed him and shoved a drink into his mouth. My jaw dropped as Jason collapsed onto the couch. He wasn't unconscious, but his body seemed to weaken. The liquid acted quickly.
"Jason," Piper cried and rushed over.
"What's is wrong with you guys?" I shouted in anger.
Piper held Jason's bruised face, but his blue eyes were wide under the influence. I ran over to them as well, but Octavian intercepted me.
His fingers pressed into my arm as I tried to break free. His grip was tight though.
"Let go, you pervert," I screamed before kicking him.
"You're going to pay for that," Octavian grumbled.
His goons were suddenly holding me, my arms pinned behind my back. I tried fighting against them, but it wasn't a fair fight. They had my arms pinned as they forced me to sit.
Octavian came closer with a drink in his hand. He was high. Disgusting pig.
Suddenly, someone rushed into the scene. My gaze fell upon Percy and Beckendorf, both of their facing splashed with anger and panic.
"Annabeth-"
Percy was cut off by Octavian whirling towards me. The other guys were still holding me in place as Octavian clutched my head. The liquid he was holding was dangerously against my lips, but I didn't want to take it.
Octavian squeezed my cheeks to open my mouth. I didn't.
"Don't come any closer, Jackson and Beck. See your friend, jason. You're precious little girlfriend will get the same fate with my drink," Octavian warned.
Percy's gaze flitted to his best friend (Piper was crying next to him), and then, turned to me again. I snapped my head to the side to get away from the drink. I was still stuck though, held painfully by all these guys around me.
I felt disgusted by them and wanted out.
My gaze locked onto Percy's.
A fight was a bad idea. Percy was a professional athlete; he couldn't afford to get injured in a fight. Furthermore, having unknown drugs in his system would be devastating. I could see the conflict written on his face, but Percy was too loyal.
I strained to shake my head to stop him from fighting with Octavian.
However, Percy made his choice.
...
People in today's society are too focused on the negatives; they forget the positives. What is one choice you've made that has positively influenced your life?
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