Breaking the News


Percy continued walking home with loads on his mind. He felt terrible about today and how he ignored his best friend. But he couldn't help but ignore her. He was mad that Annabeth defended Luke and didn't believe him when he told her that Luke stole his money. Percy was starting to doubt their friendship. All Percy has been to Annabeth was a friend and just a friend. Nothing more, nothing less. Or that's what Percy thought. He started to think that maybe he was something less. Maybe the only reason Annabeth hung out with him was because she felt bad for him. Percy was the least popular in school after all. On the first day of middle school, he got shoved into lockers and called "dumb" by the other students. But Annabeth was always there throwing back insults. The number of kids picking on Percy decreased ever since Annabeth hung out with him. Percy was grateful for that fact, but wondered if maybe that's the only reason why she even hung out with him. Maybe it was just because she felt sympathetic towards him.

As Percy was walking home, he passed by a convenient store. On the display window, there were posters of deals for women hygiene items. One poster instantly brought him back to his best childhood memory – when he met Annabeth.

"Percy, enough with sword fighting and help me prepare for dinner!" Percy's mom called out from the kitchen.

"Okay, Mommy!" 6-year old Percy called back. He brought his plastic sword up and jabbed it into his enemy. "Take that, Minotaur!" Percy yelled as he sliced off the monster's "head", which was a pillow that had two pointed snow-cone cups taped onto it with a beat's face drawn onto it with a brown marker. Little Percy picked up the pillow, or "head" in his case, and held it up triumphantly. "Percy Jackson, hero of all heroes!" He said trying to use a low voice. After a few moments of the little hero praising himself, he ran down to help his mother.

Percy entered the kitchen and took a good look around. The air smelt like roast chicken. Yum, Percy thought. Then he spotted his mother in an apron who was stressing to set the dinner table. Percy stood in the doorway, watching his mother in amusement as she tried to separate the napkins. Sally felt tiny pair of eyes observe her and she noticed her son watching her.

"Well, are you going to stand there or help me out?" Sally asked her son. Percy laughed and ran to his mother to take the napkins from her hand. His mom then went back into the kitchen to check up on the food in the oven. "What were you even doing in there, Percy?"

Percy's eyes lit up with excitement as he was about to tell his mom. "I defeated the evil Minotaur and became the all mighty Percy Jackson!" He shouted with such pride and curled his arms, making believe he had huge biceps.

Sally smiled down at her son and picked him up in her arms. "Well, the 'all mighty Percy Jackson' needs to go get ready before the neighbors come over for dinner." She said while pinching the nose of Percy playfully. Percy giggled and ran to his room. He dressed himself into simple shorts and white t-shirt. He also threw on a blue and white flannel that he got for Christmas last year. He went to go brush his teeth, and didn't bother to brush his hair.

When he ran back down to the kitchen, the dining table was already set where the crispy brown chicken lay in the middle. Percy could feel his stomach growl, ready to devour it. Sally saw the look in Percy's eyes and gave him a warning look. Percy smiled innocently.

"You stay here while I get ready. Do not touch anything, understood?" Sally slowly and hesitantly instructed her grinning son. Percy understood clearly what she was saying but continued to smirk evilly like he had something mischievous up his sleeve. Sally sighed and continued to her room to get ready. Percy waited on the living room couch, swinging his legs so that his heels hit the bottom of the couch some times. He couldn't sit any longer because his ADHD started to take over him. Percy saw a box under the cabinet and it caught his attention.

Percy started towards the cabinet and grabbed the mysterious box. It was labeled something but because of Percy being dyslexic, he couldn't make up what it said. After a few minutes of constant frustration, Percy finally saw what the label said. It spelt T-A-M-P-O-N-S. What's this? Thought Percy. Being the curious little kid, he opened the box and saw a bunch of tiny wrapped items in there. He took one package, carefully examining it. Percy started tearing open the package and out came the item. It fell on Percy's lap. It was a tiny item that had a hard-plastic surrounding it with a string hanging below. Percy studied the strange item in his hand and there were little pictures printed on the hard part. One picture showed a finger pushing the bottom, where the string was located, up out of the hard-plastic covering.

Percy then put his finger on the bottom of the item and gave it a good shove upward. Pop! That's the noise the item made when a cotton-like material emerged the plastic covering. Percy drew back in surprise but laughed as soon as he came up with a brilliant idea. Percy grabbed a couple of the mysterious items and opened them.

As he was doing this, the front door of his house rung. "I'm coming!" yelled Percy's mom from her room. Percy's mom soon came rushing to the front door, not even noticing what her son was up to. She answered the door and greeted a tall man with a small girl next to her. "Welcome, come in, Mr. Chase!" Percy heard his mom greet the neighbors.

"Thank you for having us come over," said the man. Sally Jackson smiled sweetly at him and guided both of them towards the dining room.

"Percy, our guests are here. Come here, baby," Percy's mom called from the dining room. Six year old Percy smiled as he was excited to show his mom and the neighbors his new look. "Fedrick and Annbeth, I'd like you to meet my son, P-", Percy entered the dining hall with a grin. "Percy Jackson!" Percy's mom almost shouted as she saw her son. The two strangers held back a laugh. Percy examined both of them. There was a man a black tux and he had black hair with brown eyes. Sitting next to him was a girl that looked the same age as Percy. She looked nothing like the man sitting next to her. She had blonde, curly hair and grey eyes. The girl caught Percy staring at her and instantly shot a glare at him. He looked away and look towards his mother who looked like she was about to die of laughter.

Why are they looking at me like that? Percy thought to himself. To Percy, he thought he looked awesome with the two "tampons" up his nose making it look like his nose were puffed up. But to his mother and strangers, he looked like a complete fool. They all couldn't handle it and started to laugh their heads off. Percy stared at the three of them confused.

Sally got up from the dinner table and grabbed Percy in her arms. She carried him to the kitchen where she grabbed the two strings hanging from his nostrils and pulled down. The cotton material emerged from his nose, making Percy sneeze. Sally laughed.

"Bless you, sweety. And please don't go through mommy's things, okay?" She said in a bit serious tone. Percy nodded innocently, still confused at what that item was and why they were all laughing at him. His face showed the confusion and his mom just laughed again. She kissed him on the forehead and said, "Let's go eat."

Percy didn't argue with that and ran to the dining room. He took a seat across the girl that was now his neighbor. Sally accompanied her son's side and sat down. "Percy I'd like you to meet Fredrick Chase, but call him Mr. Chase." His mom introduced while gesturing to the man in the black suit. Then she gestured towards the blonde-headed girl that Percy was staring at earlier. "And this is his daughter, Annabeth Chase." She smiled sweetly and the both of them but slightly glared at Percy. No one noticed but Percy.

After they were finished eating, Percy's mom told Percy to go show Annabeth around the house. Percy was nervous by the fact that he was taking a strange, scary girl to look around the house by himself but agreed. Annabeth stood a distance between herself and Percy as he walked around the house, pointing out each room. It was until they both reached Percy's room.

"And saving the best for last, my room!" Percy grinned as he kicked open his door, only for Annabeth to be drawn back by the mess of this boy's room. Clothes were scattered everywhere and toys piled up at the corner. Other than the mess, she thought the room looked pretty good. The walls were painted with an ocean blue and pictures of sharks, octopuses, and other sea creatures were displayed in the painting. The room even smelt like the salty-ocean air. It was amazing how much this room felt like actually being underwater.

Annabeth did notice a white pillow with two snow cone cups taped to it that hung from the ceiling. "What's that?" Annabeth asked pointing to the pillow.

Percy grinned at climbed his bed to jump up and grab the pillow. "This." He held the pillow with pride. "This is the head of the Minotaur that I, hero of all heroes, killed." Percy shouted with confidence.

Annabeth bit her tongue to hold in a laugh but looked at Percy confused. "Minotaur? The half-man, half-bull guy in the legends?" She asked.

Percy looked down at the girl. "You know him?" he asked, stunned.

"Well, I heard of him in this book I read about Greek mythology," Annabeth explained. Percy was surprised that she could even read, let alone pronounce the word mythology. Nerd, Percy thought to himself. "Actually, I have it right here." Annabeth dug into her bag to take out a pretty thick book. On the cover was a picture of three statues. And the title was written in some strange language. Percy looked at the title, and he saw the symbols mix up and move around.

"The Legends of Greek?" Percy asked Annabeth. Annabeth looked up at the sea-green eyed boy with shock. She thought she was the only one that could read Greek.

"You can read Greek?" Annabeth asked clearly surprised.

Percy shrugged, "Open up the book and let's see." He plopped next to Annabeth and they both leaned back onto the side of the bed. Together, they read the thick book written all in Greek text. It was nice for Annabeth to meet a boy that could understand Greek like she did. This way, she didn't feel lonely and a freak. Percy thought it was awesome to have someone who knew about Greek monsters like he did.

So that's how their friendship developed. Percy admitted that it wasn't the greatest first impression that someone had on him but that was their little secret. Every day since then, Annabeth would come over to Percy's house and talk about other Greek things. Sometimes, they would have a fake sword fight and Percy was surprised that he found some one that actually beat him. After a while, Annabeth started calling Percy by his nickname, Seaweed Brain, because one day while they were sword fighting, Percy fell back and a bunch of green material fell on his head. It reminded Annabeth of seaweed and since Percy wasn't the smartest in the world, she came up with the name. And Percy being Percy, the best he came up with was Wise Girl. This was because she was very smart and intelligent at a young age.

But like any other friendship, no matter how awesome it was, middle school was always the years when certain obstacles stumble the two. Percy sighed as he walked past the convenient store as the good memories only made him feel bad for his actions today.


Once Percy got home, he was greeted by his mother from the living room. "Hey, sweetheart," Sally said once Percy entered the living room. There was a slight cracking in her voice, which Percy noticed. Percy sat by his mother.

"Hey, mom. What's up?" Percy said, not knowing that his mom was about to tell him something that would change his life.

"I got the job," Sally said trying to sound happy.

"That's awesome!" Percy said happily. He knew his mom was trying out for a spot in an ocean-life program that helped take care of marine life. After years of applications and emails, she finally got the spot and Percy was excited for his mother. But Sally didn't look as happy as Percy expected. "What's wrong?" Percy asked.

"Baby . . ." Sally continued and her voice felt dry when trying to tell Percy the bad news. Percy just waited for his mother to say whatever she had to say. Sally took a deep inhale in and exhaled, "The position is in Hawaii."

Now Percy understood why his mom looked so sad. He didn't know what to feel. Was he to be happy for her that she got her dream job, or disappointed that the job is located thousands of miles away? Percy was unable to speak.

"I'm sorry, hun. I just really need this job and the money to pay off the expenses," she tried reasoning with her son. But he kept quiet, still trying to figure out what to feel at his mother's news. To make things worse, Sally continued on. "We'll be gone for four years."

Now Percy knew what he felt. He felt disappointed that she got the job, but he knew it was selfish to think that way. "Four years?" He asked in shock. Sally just slowly nodded.

She didn't know what else to say to her son. She knew that he would react this way but she couldn't handle the thought seeing her son like this. Sally really needed the job. It had great benefits, and offered her more than enough money to pay off the rents for the apartment. To see Percy hurt, made Sally's heart ache. Maybe taking the job was a bad idea.

"Maybe I shouldn't –" Sally started but Percy knew what she was going to say. He didn't want his mom to turn down a huge opportunity because her son was being selfish. But the thought of leaving his life at New York only made him hurt more. Leaving Grover, Nico, and Annabeth? But then he thought of all the hardships he's gone through in the past few years. There's Luke and Annabeth drama, and the constant harassment of other students. Grover and Nico can take care of themselves for four years. Maybe moving would give Percy a brand new start to life.

"I'm happy for you, mom," he stated. "And this is Hawaii we're talking about. Hawaii – the paradise islands." I said, trying my best to sound happy about moving. Percy kind of like the thought of going to Hawaii but he always thought of going there for a vacation and not ditching his life for. Sally looked at her son in happiness. Then she hugged her son.

"Thank you so much, Percy."

Percy patted her mom on the back. "When do we leave?" He managed to choke out.

"At the end of your school year. I decided to give you some time to have fun with your friends, and other stuff." She said and Percy didn't know what she meant by other stuff. The end of the school year was a few months from now. It was long, but considering all the things he wanted to do with his best friends, it seemed short. And also, telling them the news would be hard for both them and Percy.

Percy sighed, got up, and went to his room to rest his head. Sally let his son go, knowing that the news was a bit too much for one day. And it was true; having a fight with Annabeth, ignoring her, and finding out that he's moving thousands of miles away to a tiny island for four years, it was all too much for a young 12-year old to take in one day. With his mind full of exhaustion, he drifted off into a troubled sleep.


The next day in school was hard for Percy to get through. There was so much on his mind and it was too much for a young boy like him to handle. Every day he would walk through the school halls with his head hung low and every now and then be shoved into the wall or lockers by other students. There was no Annabeth this time to back him up. She was too busy hanging out with Luke, Thalia, and the others. Grover and Nico would always come to Percy's side but they did notice how Percy was acting a little strange.

"Hey, Percy," Grover greeted one day during lunch. They both were already graving their lunches from the lunch line and heading towards their table in the back where Nico was already sitting.

"Sup, G-man," Percy greeted back.

"So, I couldn't help but notice that you've been acting strange for the past couple of weeks," Grover started slowly, "Is something up?"

What does Percy say? Is now the right time to tell his best friend that he's moving thousands of miles away or just wait more? Maybe now wasn't the best time. Percy forced a smile upon his face, "Nope, I'm fine." But Grover knew Percy too well and knew he was lying. Then they took their seat at the lunch table.

"C'mon, Percy. I know when you lie, what's wrong?" Grover asked with a bit more concern in his voice. Grover never saw his best friend like this so it bothered him. Not to mention Nico now in involved, Percy knew that it would be best for both of them to know at the same time.

How do I tell them? Ok, relax Percy, just let it go easy and smooth. No, make it sudden so you can just get it over with. Shut up! No, you have to go light with them. Percy's mind fought with itself to figure out how to break the news to Nico and Grover.

"So, uh, you know that job my mom was applying for?" Percy asked his friends. They both nodded knowing how Percy's mom been trying out for a major position in an ocean life company. But what they didn't know is that the position is located in Hawaii. "W-well she got it . . ." Percy said slowly.

Grover and Nico's eyes lit up. "That's great!"

"Yeah, i-it is." Percy said.

"So what's the problem then?" Nico asked Percy. So that's the real question to ask. Well, Nico, the job is located in Hawaii.

"Well, uh, the job position is located in, um, H-Hawaii," Percy said, waiting for their friends to freak out. But they didn't quit react the way he expected.

"Woah, Hawaii?" Grover almost yelled. "That's awesome! I'd like to go there too."

"Yeah, Perce. I mean, spend a whole summer there! That's amazing," Nico added. Percy sighed, knowing that his friends didn't know how long the job position lasted.

"Uh, guys – " Percy got interrupted.

"There's going to be some hot Hawaiian babes," Nico stated dreamily.

Grover looked at Nico skeptically. "I heard the air over there is so clean," Grover also said dreamily.

"The job lasts for four years," Percy blurted out. Nico and Grover stopped their daydreaming and looked at Percy like he was the craziest person on earth. "Surprise?" That's all Percy could say. The look on Grover and Nico's face hurt Percy. Grover and Nico didn't know what to feel. Were the supposed to feel happy for Percy's mom or sad that their only best friend in school is leaving for four years?

"Well . . . that's great," Grover said a bit enthusiastic for the sake of Percy.

"What are you talking about?" Nico stood up, "This is horrible! My best friend is leaving!" Everyone's attention shifted to the three seventh graders in the back. Nico didn't mind though. "How could you do this to me, Percy?" Nico yelled. Grover cleared his throat and tugged on Nico's arm.

"Dude, get down," Grover mumbled. Percy stayed quiet, however. He looked around the cafeteria and saw everyone looking back with confusion and amusement in their eyes. He got a glimpse at Annabeth, four tables away. She looked at him with concern. What's he talking about? She mouthed to Percy and it took him a while to figure out what she said.

Percy replied by putting his pointing his finger towards his ear and moving it in circles. That's the sign language of crazy. But Annabeth just looked at Percy, knowing that he was lying. She could see it in his sea green eyes. They weren't their normal clear, green color like it would be whenever he's happy or around Annabeth. Annabeth would notice that whenever she hung around him and sometimes it caught Annabeth's attention. But in the situation they were in now, his eyes seemed darker than usual. She knew that there was something up with Percy and she had to find out.

After the whole scene that Nico made, Grover dragged him out of the cafeteria, leaving Percy alone at the table. Annabeth decided to get up from her table, leaving Luke and Thalia by themselves, and go to Percy. Percy didn't notice because he was too busy thinking about what just happened. Annabeth took a seat next to Percy. Everyone in the cafeteria noticed but Annabeth didn't give a damn what everyone thought of their friendship. Thalia looked at the two in amusement while Luke just glared at Percy.

"What was that?" Annabeth whispered to Percy, who now noticed that she was sitting next to him. He avoided eye contact with her and was trying to come up with an excuse. With all that's happened between Percy and Annabeth in the past few weeks was horrible. They barely even talked or hung out. This was probably the first time in a long time that Annabeth came up to talk to Percy in public. Percy thought that if he told her the truth, she would just be even madder at him and become more distant than they already are.

"I accidently l-lost Nico's – uh – Kiss CD," Percy started. "Then I told him the truth and he lost it." Good one, Percy, he thought to himself. Annabeth looked at her best friend skeptically, knowing that Percy was lying, but she didn't bother to ask again. Annabeth knew that she hasn't been the best of friends lately towards Percy. But she knew Luke and Thalia better than she knew Percy. The three of them met when Annabeth first learned how to walk – which was a very young age. Annabeth looked up to the two of them like brother and sister. And since she didn't really hang out with them during elementary, she thought middle school would be a great year to do so. She sighed and turned to Percy.

"Okay, Seaweed Brain. How about I come over to your house today after school? We both need each other's help for the socials project that's due on Friday," Annabeth said. Maybe spending a little time with Percy would give him a chance to tell Annabeth the truth and regain the weeks they lost together. And they do need a little of each other's help on the project about the Civil War as well.

"Sure," Percy accepted with a smile that he couldn't help but wear.

"Awesome. See you after school then," Annabeth smiled and got up to leave but gave a playful punch on his arm. Percy rubbed his arm and stuck his tongue out at Annabeth while she just laughed.

Percy was stoked to hang out with Annabeth after school. His day went on better knowing that but he still didn't get a hold of Nico. He ignored it and thought that maybe the both of them can enjoy each other's company later.


When Percy arrived home, he rushed to his room to get ready for Annabeth coming over. Sally just laughed as she saw her son look so excited for something she didn't know. Percy ran to the bathroom to brush his teeth, and again not bothering to brush his hair. He stripped his clothes and jumped into a pair of jeans and a sky-blue hoodie. Then he took out a can of Axe that his mom gave to him before the school year and sprayed a little on him. He didn't bother to put it on every day because he hated the smell of it. But this is Annabeth we're talking about, so he managed to get used to it. Percy didn't know why he was getting all excited for, but it's been a while since she actually came over his house so minus well look and smell good.

The door bell rung and he heard his mom call out, "I'll get it!" Percy's head shot up and he darted out of his room to go to the front door. He slightly pushed his mom away and she just laughed at how Percy was trying to look good for some one.

Percy cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair. Then he twisted the doorknob to open the door to his best friend, Annabeth. He smiled, "Welcome." He made sure to make his voice a bit lower than usual but Annabeth just laughed.

"May I come in, sir?" Annabeth asked, playing along. Percy stepped out of the way and gave a slight bow. Annabeth laughed and walked in, and ruffled Percy's hair with her hand. Percy groaned in annoyance.

"Oh, be quiet, Percy. It's not like your hair is neat," Annabeth teased. Percy groaned again, knowing that she was right. "Well, Seaweed Brain, let's get to study –" She smelt something strong and unbearable to her nose. "Are you wearing cologne?" Annabeth asked Percy while she pinched her nose to block out the stench.

"Uh, yeah," Percy said.

Annabeth held in a laugh, knowing that Percy would only put on that stuff for special occasions. "Cool off on it just a little next time," Annabeth suggested. Percy nodded.

During the study session, Percy explained all the weapons that were used in the war because that's what knew best about. Annabeth explained all the events and the important people in the Civil War. Sometimes when she was explaining, Percy would look at her and think of how much he's going to miss her when he leaves. And sometimes when Percy was talking, Annabeth would take a good look at Percy and how his eyes lit up. She couldn't help but tell that he did look a little good with his jacket emphasizing his eye color and messy black hair go all over the place.

An hour into their session, Percy's mom called out. "Hey, Percy, make sure you start packing your clothes!" Sally didn't know that Percy didn't tell Annabeth the news. Percy froze at his mom's words. Annabeth looked at Percy.

"Are you going to go on a vacation during summer?" Annabeth asked Percy who still looked pale.

"Uh –" What now, Percy? He thought. To make it all worse, Percy's mom called out again.

"And make sure you get all your things cleared in your classes before we leave! I don't want paperwork being mailed to us!"

Annabeth looked at Percy again. "What's she talking about?"

"Look – um –" Percy started, but then again, Percy's mom interrupted. This time she walked into the living room where Annabeth and Percy sat on the couch with a bunch of text books open.

"Hey, Annabeth," Sally greeted the grey-eyed girl with a smile.

"Hey, Ms. Jackson," Annabeth smiled back. Since Percy looked like he wasn't going to tell Annabeth the truth, she decided to ask Sally. "What do you mean Percy has to clear his work? Are you guys going on a vacation?"

Sally looked at her in confusion. "Percy didn't tell you?" Annabeth looked at Percy, who was now looking at his mother with a 'not now' expression on his face. Sally caught on to the situation that her son was in and just said, "Oh. Well, I'll let you two do what you have to do." Then she left to go in the kitchen.

Percy stayed quiet but Annabeth just looked at him. "What do you have to tell me, Percy?" She was worried now. She noticed how Percy was acting strange for a few weeks but thought it was some puberty stage he was going through. But was this what has been bothering him? She stood correct.

"We're – um – moving." Percy told his shocked best friend.


So I've been told that Annabeth was a little OOC, which I do agree with. While I was writing the first chapter, I could tell that she being a little out of it. But I'll TRY to get her back to her normal state, but it'll be kind of hard when I've already published this story. So thanks for letting me know that!

Next, some of you might question why I chose Hawaii as Sally's job location. Well, I'm from Hawaii so it will be easier for me to describe the place and people. So that's that reason.

Also, you guys are so damn awesome. So my fanfic is hooked up to my email and my email is hooked up to my iPhone. So everytime some one favorites, reviews, or subscribes, my phone does a little vibrate. And last night, all I could hear was BZZ, BZZ, BZZ, BZZ, like a billion times. You would expect me to be annoyed but I'm not. It lets me know that people are actually reading my crap and it makes me smile(: So THANK YOU to all of you who made my phone go off last night. You guys are awesome. Keep it up though! Subscribe, Favorite, and REVIEW, (or whatever tickles your pickle)

- Breana