Percy POV

"GET AWAY FROM HER, OCTAVIAN," I shouted.

Octavian was having his goons hold Annabeth against the chair. Octavian was scared of me and Beckendorf together, so he was holding Annabeth as a block.

"No way, Percy. I'm not stupid to think that you'll just let me go," he grumbled.

"Even if he does, I won't," Charles threatened.

Silena was passed out upstairs thanks to what Octavian gave her. Something like that wasn't going to slide.

I couldn't believe that Jason, Piper, and Annabeth got themselves into this mess.

I watched Jason groan against Piper's hands. She was crying as she dabbed his bloody nose. He didn't look too good right now.

"Percy, don't get in the fight," Annabeth told me. She winced as the other guys tightened their grip on her. "You can't risk fighting or drugs."

"I know I can't, but I'm not just leaving you," I said.

Just an hour ago, I told her that I wanted to be with her. Even if this wasn't her fault, I was so angry. I was angry that are lives just couldn't go smoothly. Here I was actively choosing to put myself in harms way for Jason and Annabeth. They put themselves in this situation where I felt stuck to help.

My fatal flaw is loyalty according to my mother, and I couldn't just walk away without helping. I'd try to help no matter who it was, but Jason and Annabeth knew better than this.

I felt like I was in a monsters den filled with alcohol and drugs. I wanted to run away.

"Octavian, I don't want to fight. Just let Annabeth go," I yelled with conviction.

He shook his head.

His hand with the mystery liquid moved closer to Annabeth's mouth.

That was it. Something in me snapped.

I made my decision even if it was a bad idea. Even if I might regret it later.

Beckendforf and I charged against Octavian and his gang. I grabbed Octavian's wrist and pulled him hard. My knee caught his stomach hard. Beckendorf being a football player was a really big threat against the other guys as he fought them.

Beck was fueled by seeing Silena in the state she was in upstairs.

I was fueled by anger and panic that Octavian tried to hurt Annabeth. I rushed at Octavian again, but I wasn't expecting him to tackle me from the front.

Pain shot into my right ankle as I landed on the floor. I landed hard.

I kicked Octavian and came to my feet. My right foot was aching, but adrenaline covered it up. I walked to z Annabeth, grabbing her hand and dragging her away. She helped me gather Jason and we walked away from the fight.

Piper kicked Octavian in the face as we passed. Her colorful eyes shone with rage.

Remind me not to mess with Piper ever.

Jason's arms were around mine and Piper's shoulders as we dragged him to the car. Annabeth ran in front of us to get the car started. The cold air was biting my right ankle and each step burned.

Finally, I yelped in pain.

My arms let go of Jason, and he slid to the grass. Piper sat with him as they looked at me.

"I'm sorry, bro. I didn't want you involved. I'm sorry," Jason kept muttering apology.

"JUST SHUT UP," I shouted, my voice in panic.

"Seaweed Brain-"

"NO, JUST- I DON'T WANT TO HERE IT," I screamed while taking another step. The adrenaline receded and ankle screamed out in pain.

I tensed and got to the floor. I sat quietly while kicking off the shoe. My ankle looked swollen and bruised. I wasn't sure how bad it was.

Fear invaded my brain.

What if this was it? What if it was all over?

I chose to save Annabeth and Jason because I loved them both, but that decision might've just ruined it for me. My care and commitment to Annabeth forced me to make a choice that I knew was bad and wrong for me.

This was exactly what I was afraid of.

"Percy, im so sorry. I should've waited and gotten help. I was not smart in this case. I got stuck in a trap. I'm so sorry about this," Annabeth whispered. She was crouching next to me.

"You promised you wouldn't make me choose. How could you be so reckless?" I asked. My hands clutched my ankle, still fearing for my career.

"I'm sorry bro. It was so wrong. I shouldn't have lost to Octavian and force you to get involved," Jason said slurring his words.

"I didn't want to..." Annabeth choked on emotion.

I stared at both of them before looking at my ankle again. I don't regret helping them, but immediate fear, stress, and anxiety washed over me.

I tried putting pressure on my foot and winced again.

Gods, I hoped it was okay. I hope it's just shock. I hope my ankle's just swollen and bruised.

Yet, my emotions kept spiraling.

Something felt wrong.

...

I sat alone in the emergency room. The portable X-Ray machine was currently working on my ankle. No one else was allowed in the room, obviously, except the nurse.

"All done, Percy. We'll have the results shortly," she said before retreating.

I did feel better though.

I wasn't sure if my body's shock disappeared or I wasn't as injured as I thought. However, my foot wasn't hurting nearly as bad.

Still, I was worried and angry.

I felt my hand close into a fist as I thought about everything that happened tonight.

I was so happy about my decision to get together with Annabeth. Our passionate kisses only added to our affection and care for each other. I genuinely believed that we'd make everything work. However, after everything that happened, my confidence wavered.

I understood why Coach Lupa was so against personal relationships. They were distractions, and they forced me to pursue actions that could jeopardize my career.

"Percy, how are you honey?" My mom asked while coming into the room.

"I'm okay, mom. It doesn't hurt nearly as much."

She gently touched my right foot, and I winced. Okay, maybe, I still can't apply pressure.

My mom approached my side and hugged me. I enjoyed her comfort and waited with her until Dr. Apollo came back. My hand tightly clutched hers as the door opened into our bright room.

It wasn't Apollo though. It was Lupa and Chiron.

"RECKLESS," Lupa confronted.

"DO YOU KNOW HOW FORTUNATE YOU ARE FOR A SHOT AT THE OLYMPICS," Lupa said in frustration.

"Percy, you may have just blown it," Chiron said quietly.

"IF HE INJURED HIMSELF BY PICKING A FIGHT, THEN HE'S DEFINITELY DONE," Lupa affirmed.

I flinched but stayed silent. My grip on my mother's hand tightened. She laid her other hand on top of mine, reassuring that it would be okay.

"Coaches, I understand your worry, but my son was just protecting his friends," my mom said.

"GIRLFRIEND," Lupa corrected. "He knew he wasn't in a position to commit, and he did anyway. Look where it got him."

"I'd do anything for Annabeth. And, Jason too. I love them," I said firmly.

Chiron sighed while patting my shoulder. "Percy, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If your seriously injured, you won't have time to recover and train again before the Olympic Trial."

"I know," I whispered, scared out of my mind. "I think I'm okay though."

The room quieted after that, but the atmosphere was tense. Everything felt wrong about tonight. I love Annabeth, and I cared so much for Jason. They meant so much to me, but deciding to commit to Annabeth (and therefore, protecting her at all costs) may have just ruined me.

Even if I was all right, how can I pretend that this didn't happen? How can I pretend that I made the decision to potentially sacrifice my swimming career?

I could lose my shot at Olympic Swimming tonight.

I wanted this so bad though. I worked so hard on swimming and competition. It's my future.

My eyes stormed and my vision blurred. I sniffled while using my mother's shoulder to wipe my misty eyes. I didn't want to cry.

"It's okay, Percy. You'll be fine," she whispered into my ear. Her hand tightened around mine again.

Chiron rubbed my back in support.

We waited quietly.

Dr. Apollo walked into the room after knocking loudly on the door. He had an iPad in his hand, presumably with my scans. He looked at everyone in the room.

"Percy, I don't want to waste any time. The c-ray didn't reveal anything. Nothing is out of place, no bones are fractures, no nerves weee displaces. Physically, you're completely fine. Just a nasty bruise, which caused some swelling," Apollo said.

I breathed deeply, my eyes misty again. I wasn't fully understanding.

"Am I okay to swim?"

"After about one week of recovery. The bruising and swelling should be gone within a week," Dr. Apollo said with a smile.

"So, I'm fine," I said aloud.

Chiron and my mom smiled at me. Lupa nodded in approval, clearly relieved.

That's when I broke down. I sobbed into my mother's arms. All the swirling emotions bubbled out of my mouth through my lungs.

I couldn't control myself anymore.

People always think that athletes (jocks) are the toughest, but that's not true. True athletes and competitors are more sensitive that you can imagine, especially about their particular sport.

Chiron and my mom wrapped their arms around me. I cried so hard that my throat hurt. My foot wasn't an issue; I'd be fine to swim and compete within a week. It wasn't a big deal. Yet, I was so worried and stressed out. I was so angry and verging on depression. My arms shook, clutching my mother.

But, I'm fine. Everything's all right.

Just a tiny... very tiny bump in the road.

Yet, I didn't want to be feeling like this ever again. I had lost my focus and my dedication today, and it let to a situation where it could've all been over.

I didn't want to put myself in that situation ever again. I'm not ready to be with Annabeth.

I realized it just now.

The tears stopped running from my eyes. My chest stopped shaking, allowing me to take a deep breath. I continued to revel in my mom's and my coaches' embrace. I'm okay.

I love Annabeth, Jason, and all my friends, but I had to take care of myself first. Currently, my health, safety, and career were more important. I couldn't sacrifice myself for them right now.

I already have too much riding on my shoulders. Swimming. Olympic Competition. My Mental Health. My Focus and Passion.

Right now, I'm not giving those up.

And, I'm too traumatized to naively think that I can handle love and career at the same time. Because, at this point in my life, I can't...

...

What is your favorite physical OR verbal fight from a tv show/movie?

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