Annabeth POV

I felt terrible about what happened with Percy.

I knew it wasn't my fault that he got hurt because Octavian was the only one to blame. However, I was the reason why Percy had put himself in harm's way.

Now, he could've gotten seriously injured.

Percy is first and foremost an athlete. His sport of swimming was so important to him for many reasons. He deserved to compete and try his hardest at the Olympic Trials.

"Annabeth, stop pacing. You're creating a draft," Piper said, her voice tense.

"Everything will be all right," Jason repeated the same thing. I knew better than to believe him considering his voice was shaky and he looked terrified.

"Percy'a in the hospital right now. He'll call us as soon as he has news," Piper suggested.

Jason and I nodded, but Piper didn't get it. An injury right now could take Percy out of the game. Jason and I had abruptly gotten into a fight with Octavian. Jason got drugged, and he was just now coming off the high. I had gotten trapped by Octavian and his goons. We forced Percy into confrontation.

Of course, Percy would help us no matter what. There was no doubt about it. Percy would put himself in a situation that could kill him if it meant saving the people he loves.

"It's our fault," Jason whispered. "I'd never forgive myself if something serious happened to Percy. He wants this so bad."

His head burrowed into Piper's arms. He said exactly what I was thinking.

I promised Percy that I wouldn't make him choose between loving me and swimming. Yet, I had put him in a situation where he had to choose. Of course, Percy's choice was to love me and save me.

It wasn't fair to him though.

The three of us waited for hours.

Even Thalia came home with fast food for us. Jason are like he had been starving. I've been told that psychedelic drugs make a person hungry. It was my first time experiencing it with someone I know.

Thalia couldn't stop cursing and yelling at him, which didn't help the situation. However, I could understand why Thalia was so mad.

We expected Percy to call us with news, but no news came. He didn't answer our calls either.

We were left on read.

...

We all anxiously waited in the cafeteria. It's been three days since the incident at Silena's party. Silena and Beckendorf were also at our lunch table today; they wanted to sincerely apologize to Percy.

It was noble of them to apologize for something that was out of their control.

With that being said, they also filed a police complaint against Octavian. He deserved to (at least) due some service for his atrocities. Besides, no one wanted to see him at our school anymore.

"Apparently, Percy is fine. He'll be swimming again in a few days. He just stayed home the past couple days to rest his foot," Thalia informed.

"How'd you find that out?" Jason asked curiously.

Jason was Percy's best friend, but Percy hadn't been answering his phone calls. He hadn't really responded to anyone.

My phone calls went to voicemail and my text messages weren't getting responded to.

"I called Sally, and she told me," Thalia said.

"Did she say how bad it was or if his coaches were angry? Did his career get affected in anyway?" Jason pried for information. I wanted to know as well.

"She didn't tell me much," Thalia answered honestly.

I sighed.

This was torture.

I wanted to talk to Percy and explain that a situation like this won't arise again. I still wanted to be with him, and I wanted to ensure that I won't be a hinderance to his dreams.

Yet, I had been a hinderance. His loyalty to me almost got him injured.

The table settled into silence until we saw Percy walk into the cafeteria. He didn't need to buy lunch since he has a packed lunch of healthy diet. As a result, Percy took a direct route to our lunch table.

He looked a lot better. He wasn't even limping.

The look of fear, terror, anger, and concern in his eyes would forever be ingrained in my brain. His face of swirling emotions and stress could traumatize me forever.

I gulped as Percy sat down at the end of the table, next to Will and across from Frank.

Far away from both me and Jason.

"Hey Aquaman, it's good to see you back. Ms. Dodds probably cursed you out?" Leo opened, deciding on a joke to ease the tension.

"Don't even get me started," Percy said slyly.

A relief flooded from the group. He wasn't closed off or mad at everyone. Even so, I was definitely reading into the fact that Percy wasn't in his usual seat (next to me and Jason).

"It's good that your foot isn't hurt no more," Piper stated happily.

"Yeah, I'm getting back in the pool tomorrow," he answered. "However, just four days out of the water feels like I lost a month of training."

Silena and Beckendorf stood up and walked to his side of the table. Percy stood too.

A quiet conversation ran between them, and I could only catch bits and pieces. Also, the table returned to multiple side conversations, which made it harder. Percy gave a small hug to Beck and Silena. They smiled at each other before the couple parted and Percy sat back down.

A salad with a bunch of protein was open in front of Percy. Sally probably made it taste delicious and healthy for him; she's such a supportive mother.

"Bro, how come you're sitting over there?" Jason asked finally. His voice was strained.

"Yeah, your usual seat is still open," I added.

"I'm good," Percy murmured.

The table tended once again. Percy continued eating while the rest of us just looked at each other. So, Percy was angry or upset.

"Bro-"

"I'm mad at you," Percy stated abruptly. "I'm mad at you for acting so stupidly."

Anyone in the room could see the hurt and guilt on Jason's face. He stayed quiet. But, of course, some others were quick to defend.

"Percy, you know that's not fair. Jason was trying to help, but Octavian and his goons outnumbered him," Thalia tried. "It's not his fault that he got drugged and weakened."

"I don't care," Percy snapped.

"Percy-"

"NO, I was the one that suffered. I don't care if it's not fair. I get to have feelings too," Percy said angrily.

I flinched and everyone silenced, not expected this from him because we've never seen it before. Usually, Percy was the one easing the tensions and dramas of the group. He took care of us; he usually didn't yell or get angry. Percy was a people pleaser.

Percy sighed and packed up his lunch.

"I'm gonna go collect some homework from the past three days. I'll join y'all tomorrow for lunch," Percy said before leaving.

"I'm gonna follow him," I stated.

I just wanted to talk to him, and I couldn't just let him leave like that. Jason was too hurt and bothered to respond. He looked so sad. With one final look at Percy's best friend, I ran out of the cafeteria.

Percy was walking down the hallway, still feeding himself his lunch. He probably just needed space from the confrontation earlier.

"Seaweed Brain, we should talk," I expressed, catching his arm to stop him.

"Yeah, you're right...As always," Percy added, trying to lighten the mood but failing. "Let's go someplace more private."

We walked silently to an empty classroom.

It was an art room, so bright and colorful drawings were hanging up. It seemed ironic that the environment was so happy when the mood between us was the opposite.

"Look, Percy. It probably wasn't the best of you to go off like that in the cafeteria. You know it wasn't any of our faults. You really hurt Jason. He's your best friend..." I started.

"Stay out of our friendship, Annabeth. You don't have any place in that," Percy spoke firmly.

I found myself angry for him saying that. Percy and I were so close, and we decided to be a couple. As his girlfriend, shouldn't I have a say? Shouldn't I be able to help him right now?

"Percy, what's gotten into you? You're not usually like this. You make others feel better," I said.

"That's just the dam problem, isn't it?" Percy said sadly. I stopped to listen to his emotional words.

"Why is it so important for me to make them feel better? What about how I feel? I've lived my entire life doing everything I could to make the people I love happy, but not myself. I'm a loyal and kind person; I've always had others in my mind..."

"I am at a place right now where I am (for once) striving to achieve my own goals and dreams. Why can't I just do that?" Percy finished.

He leaned against a nearby desk while catching his breath. His words were so against his personality and his loyalty. For once, Percy was realizing that he needed to put himself first.

I couldn't bring myself to argue against it because Percy was right. He does everything for his friends, but we only put him in a situation of danger.

Percy should be able to swim and compete, unencumbered.

"Percy, can I say something?" I asked gently.

"Yeah?"

It hurt my heart so much. My throat closed up from unwanted emotions. This felt like one of the hardest moments in my life.

But, this was a painful choice I certainly have to make.

"I think that we should go back to how it was before you kissed me on Christmas," I said, breathing heavily. It was so hard to tell him.

"You want to just be friends?" Percy asked softly.

"Yeah, for now. You're correct in that you need to look after yourself right now. You need to be focused and healthy and supported on this journey," I expressed honestly. "I think this worked better when we were just really close friends."

"But, I started falling in love with you, Wise Girl," Percy whispered.

"Me too," I replied.

We stood in the classroom silently. It was such a hard decision, but I didn't want to be a hinderance to Percy's goals. But, I also knew that I supported him better beforehand.

Percy came closer to me and cupped my cheeks in his hands. Warmth spread from him to me.

I gazed into those gorgeous sea-green eyes. They resembled the ocean and drew me in. They were storming with emotions, and my face probably resembled the same.

We had already made our decisions though as painful as they were.

It's what Percy needs right now.

Percy placed a soft kiss on my lips. I moved my lips in sync with his. The passion and chemistry was there. So was the love and affection.

Then, Percy hugged me. His arms wrapped around me supportively and mine did the same. My head rested against his chest/shoulder. I felt so warm and comfortable like that night in the woods.

"I know this feels like a goodbye to us as a couple, but trust me, it's not," Percy whispered.

"It's just a break," I promised.

...

I'm hailing from Pittsburgh, PA in the United States. Where do y'all live?

READ + VOTE + SHARE + COMMENT + FOLLOW