So people were disappointed about the last chapter and since it was 4th of July, I've decided to summon out the troll hidden within me. Enjoy~
Catching Up
"What happened?" One cop asked.
"He knocked me out with chloroform and started beating me," Percy replied.
"And you fought back?" The other cop asked.
Percy growled lowly. "Of course I fought back."
The both cops glanced at each other skeptically. The cop with a mustache gave Percy a stink-eye before writing into his notepad. Percy could tell that the cops still didn't believe him. Sure, he beat Luke more than he anticipated, but he didn't start it.
The cop writing down the notes put down his pen. He gave Percy a deathly glare that could intimidate anyone but Percy. Years of death-glares from Annabeth has numbed him to this.
"You realize that if you're lying to us now, your consequences will be far worst," the cop told Percy.
Percy couldn't take it. He was finished talking to these cops. "I'm telling you that he attacked me first!" He exclaimed in an annoyed tone. Percy pushed passed the two cops, ignoring the fact that he could get in trouble for doing so.
Just when he was about to walk out of the scene, he caught a glimpse of someone that made him stop stiff in his spot. He examined her. She was about the same height as him, maybe an inch or two shorter. Tanned, athletic-looking, curly blonde hair that was tied into a messy ponytail that suited her nice – she was pretty. Well, pretty is an understatement, really, but you get the point. Then it's the eyes that caught Percy's attention. The grey, stunning eyes that he most definitely recognizes. Percy found himself locking eyes with her.
She store back at him in amazement. It was a look that Percy has gotten used to from the party, but this time, he felt a warming sensation creep his cheeks. He fought the urge to blush. They continued to look at each other, both probably showing the same facial expression. Shock, confusion, guilt, the list goes on. But Percy couldn't help but notice the tiredness that Annabeth showed. She looked like she hasn't slept in the past four years –technically speaking. She looked a little paler.
After what seemed like forever, realization finally glinted in her eyes. At that same moment, Percy caught up to the situation. Here he was, after four years, involved in a crime-scene that made him look like the suspect. Ha, déjà vu.
"Perseus Jackson," Annabeth said. It came out sounding like surprise, anger, confusion, and relief.
Percy being himself, all that came out was, "Uh, surprise?"
He mentally slapped himself for saying that. Annabeth's expression went from confusion/surprise to straight up annoyance. Percy expected a retort, slap, punch, scoff, or anything to show that Annabeth was still the same. Instead, Annabeth pursed her lips and turned around to walk to Luke.
Well that was unexpected. Percy was shocked that Annabeth didn't even yell at him. It was too strange to let go of, so he went after her and tried grasping her wrists.
"Annabeth, wait," Percy pleaded. Once his hand made contact with hers, she immediately spun around and pulled her hand away from his. "Just let me explain."
"Four years. Four freaking years, Percy! Some things haven't changed about you, huh?" Annabeth almost screamed.
Percy was taken back. She still believes that Luke is innocent? Percy thought. This was seriously wrong timing. He started to doubt his fate – what did he do to deserve all this? He was hurt that Annabeth was still backing up Luke. All that jealousy, patience, and hurt that he has been experience lately just let out. There's ways that he could've expressed how he felt. But it came out sort of like this.
"You're right. And some things still haven't changed about you either," Percy hissed.
Annabeth's eyes widen. She couldn't believe that he actually had the confidence to say that in front of her. She wanted to hear no more from him, so she simply turned around. Percy felt that thing in the bottom of his stomach again. He just got back and all this drama is already starting. He reached for Annabeth's again – maybe he can explain everything.
But Annabeth didn't want anything from him right now. She just wanted to make sure Luke was okay. Pulling her hand away, she gave Percy a harsh glare. "Just leave," she told him, voice filled with venom.
Percy stormed into the apartment with his mother trailing cautiously behind. All Percy could think was why all this was happening to him? Why did Annabeth have to come when all that was happening? Of all the days that Luke has to pick on him, why today? Thoughts ran in his head like a marathon.
"Sweetie, please calm down." Sally said she saw Percy pacing the room, fuming.
Percy started going off and talking so fast that it sounded gibberish. He never felt this angry before. It was like a fuse was set off inside him. He couldn't explain where the anger was coming from, it was just present. The anger overwhelmed him too much that he didn't even realize that he snapped back at his mother when she asked him to calm down.
"Hunny, just wash up and sleep. We'll talk about this later," Sally instructed, sounding surprisingly calm about the whole situation.
Without saying anymore, Percy went to his old room and swung the door open. He disregarded the fact that the room was painted white with a bunch of make-up scattered everywhere and went straight to his bed. He didn't even bother to take off his shirt which had blood stains all over. Percy didn't care. He just wanted to go sleep and hope that this year goes by fast.
Before he went to sleep, he felt a hand brush the left side of his face and lips placed on his forehead.
"We'll get through this, Perseus." It's that kind of advice that comes from a loving mother that drains all worries and puts him to sleep.
This had to be the worst weekend ever for Percy. Yesterday was just a dump, today he's going to have to go to the office to discuss some things, and tomorrow is his first day at Goode High. Percy didn't think too much about it, though, because the water trickling down his body distracted him. After a few minutes of just standing in the shower, he finally reached towards the handle to turn it off.
Percy got ready to go to the school for some important reason – according to Sally. He put on a pair of fitting jeans and green-blue sweater. He tied the Hawaiian hook that Rachel gave him around his neck. After finishing up himself, he continued his way to the living room. Sally soon entered, looking happier than expected since everything was going crazy now.
On the way to the school was awkward. The radio wasn't on because – well – there was nothing but commercials. The silence started to get Percy nervous. What if he can't attend school because of the incident yesterday? The anxiety that Percy was experiencing was interrupted.
"I have good news," Sally said.
"Does it involve what happened last night?" Percy asked, curious.
Sally smiled. "Actually it does."
Percy shot his mother a half-half stare. One being serious and one being a joke. She laughed. "The police got a hold of a surveillance camera that was located across the street of the alley. They said that it will most likely show what happened last night."
Happiness built up inside of Percy. He can finally bring that jerk, Luke, to justice and could prove his innocence to Annabeth. "That's great," Percy smiled. Sally smiled back at her son and gave him a little ruffle of his hair, earning a groan.
Percy and Sally finally arrived at the school and Percy was feeling more confident. But as soon as it came, it left when they entered the principal's office. The same man was there from yesterday, except now his full attention was on him.
"Hello, Ms. Jackson. I'm Mr. Kennedy, the principal of Goode High," the man greeted and shook Sally's hand.
"Please, call me Sally," she insisted. Mr. Kennedy gave a prolonged smile that creeped Percy out a lot.
"Ah, yes, Sally. And this must be your son, Perseus Jackson – "
"Percy," Percy corrected through gritted teeth.
Mr. Kennedy ignored the troubled student and took a seat behind his desk. Percy also took a seat and so did Sally. While flipping through paperwork on Mr. Kennedy's desk, Percy gave Sally a nervous glance. She eyed him suspiciously.
"So I see that Percy's athletic history is very intact," Mr. Kennedy stated, interrupting the mother-son moment.
Sally's attention shifted to the paperwork sprawled all over the desk. "That's correct. My son has participated in many surf competitions."
Mr. Kennedy nodded and mumbled something like: "whatever."
He started going through more paperwork in Percy's file and then again, glances were exchanged between Sally and Percy. Mr. Kennedy had a hold of a clean, yellow paper and examined it. He gave a few "tsk" and head shakes.
"Is there a problem?" Sally asked in concern.
"It seems that your son has been maintaining a low C average," Mr. Kennedy replied.
Sally pursed her lips, expecting the upcoming news. "I understand that, sir, but – you see – Percy is diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia and it's hard for him – "
"Yes, I know about your sons . . . issues," Mr. Kennedy stated, earning a glare from Percy, "but if he doesn't raise his grade in math and English, I'm afraid that he can't graduate with his class."
"What?" Percy gasped. Before he could defend his pride, Sally gave him a warning look. He descended back into his seat, growling lowly like a angry dog.
Sally sighed. "Is there any way that help to raise his grades?"
Mr. Kennedy thought for a moment and he examined Percy slowly. "Given his diagnostics, I can sign him up for special-ed classes."
"No!" Percy interrupted. He was on edge of his seat and Sally shot another warning glare. But instead of shying out under the stare, he looked straight into her eyes. "Mom, I'm going to be a senior. I don't want to be treated like there's something wrong with me."
"Well, technically, there is a couple things wrong with – "
Sally glared at Mr. Kennedy whom shut his babbling mouth. "Is there any other help that Percy can receive?"
Thinking for a bit, Mr. Kennedy sighed. "Well there are private tutors that I can assign to him. But you're going to have to fit into their schedule and pay them for it."
Percy stayed silent and Sally didn't bother to hesitate. "That's fine."
"Great. So that's about it then. I'll email you the information," the principal concluded.
"Thank you," Sally said and walked out the office with Percy walking aside her. Percy was too nervous to speak about his grades. Sure, his ADHD and dyslexia has always come in the way, but it was the fact that going out to the beach a lot that made him procrastinate. He never did Keoki them about it because they wouldn't hang with him anymore. So he spent time hanging out with them, making them think that he was doing fine in school. Though, he wasn't. The school he attended in Hawaii didn't have Greek like his middle school in New York so it was hard to be good in any class.
Math and English were Percy's major struggles. This is where his ADHD acted up the most. The complicated numbers and formulas in math were jumbled up and so where the letters in English. Sometimes Percy excused himself to go to the bathroom just to get away from all of it.
Percy's hidden thoughts were soon interrupted when his mom opened the car door for him. He entered the car, silently and slowly. The whole drive home was a bit awkward. Percy was nervous of telling his mom the truth about the reason about his grade drop in Hawaii. Sally was nervous that her son wouldn't be able to graduate. Both of them kept their mouth shut, though.
When they finally got to the apartment, Percy took out his phone and dialed the one person to talk to when he's in this kind of situation. Oh, wait, she's too busy doing something else with that jerk – Luke. Percy dialed again and called it.
"Hello?" someone answered from the other end of the line.
"Hey, Grover, I need to talk to you."
"Just leave," she said with so much hurt in her voice. As much as it hurt saying those words, nothing compared to his expression. Percy looked like he got hit by a train. Eyes were wide open, skin paler, and mouth hung open. Annabeth wanted to take it all back and run to him to hug him. But all the hurt and betrayal held her back. She expected him to try to explain himself, but no, he angrily walked away with his back facing her.
Confusion replaced anger. Then something else happened. Percy got knocked out cold. She watched as his body fell straight to the floor. Above her best friend's body stood another boy.
"Luke?" Annabeth asked in shock.
Luke smirked, showing off his scar again. He raised the bat again to take another strike at Percy's body.
Annabeth reached out as an instinct to stop the attack. "No – "
Breathing heavily, Annabeth groaned as her head pounded and back ached. She sat up from the very uncomfortable couch and surveyed her surroundings. White walls, bright lights, clean floors, and the smell of illness – still in the hospital all right. She tried pushing that ridiculous dream out of her head. Luke would never do such thing to Percy. But something about it bothered her.
She got up from her seat and went to Luke's room. Upon entering, she already saw all the wires and bandages that were all over his busted body. Luke's chest slightly rose and fell in a slow pattern. There were beeping noises coming from the heart-monitor.
"Hey," Luke managed to say, or mumble.
Annabeth smiled and sat next to his bed. "Hey, how are you?"
The corner of his mouth lifted. "Hanging in there," he replied.
She smiled wider and brushed the hair out of his eyes. "Would you mind if I ask you something?"
"I'm all yours."
Annabeth sighed. "What were you doing in the alley last night? You know it's dangerous over there at night." Luke stiffened for a moment and it got Annabeth scared and suspicious at the same time. Before Luke could even speak his lie, someone burst through the doors.
"Luke Castellan?" They asked.
Annabeth turned around to face the offender. Her eyebrows scrunched together. The man was wearing a classy tux. She has never seen this man before. "And you are?" Annabeth asked the man.
The man reached into his tux and took out a badge with familiar encryptions on it. "Cameron Jude, investigator of New York Police Department. You are in deep trouble, mister." Attention was on Luke now. Both him and Annabeth were probably showing the same facial expression – shock.
"Ma'am, I'm going to need to ask you to exit the room, please." Agent Jude commanded, guiding Annabeth out of the room. Without even saying goodbye, the door slammed in her face.
Well that was just rude. Annabeth thought about leaving, but then she thought that Luke is in trouble. It had to do to with what happen last night. Being curious, Annabeth laid her ear on the door, concentrating on what was going on in the room.
" – I'm giving you one more chance, Luke. Tell the truth and the charges pressed against you will not be so bad if you lie to me."
Charges? Who pressed charges against the victim? The tone of the agent's voice gave away that this whole dilemma that Luke was in was defiantly very serious. Annabeth concentrated even harder to try to make out what Luke was saying.
"I don't know what you're talking about . . ." Luke groaned.
"We have the tape, Luke. We have all the evidence we need to put you in jail." Jude said with a warning, intimidating tone. He must mean the surveillance camera that was recovered across the street, Annabeth thought. Is he saying that Luke attacked Percy first?
Before she could listen to more, a nurse tapped on her shoulder from behind. "Miss, I'm going to have to ask you to leave now." The lady said, giving an irritated look.
"Sorry," Annabeth apologized and rushed out of the hospital. The whole way home, all Annabeth could feel was betrayed. Charges are being held on Luke and not Percy which means Luke started it all. They even have proof of the incident so Annabeth couldn't defend Luke. She started to wonder if all the times Percy has been trying to tell her about Luke were all true. The worst part of it all is that she stayed on Luke's side the whole time.
"Good luck today, Percy." Sally told her son as he exited the car and entered Goode High's campus.
"Sure going to need it," he chuckled before watching his mom drive off. Percy sighed, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and walked to the office to receive his schedule. On his way there, students of both genders were staring at him. The girls were basically ogling him with their eyes and the boys were giving a scowl look upon their faces. Some girls were whispering to each other and winking at Percy, making Percy a little uncomfortable.
Soon, though, Percy finally reached the office where he was greeted by the main desk. It was an old lady with wrinkles on her face but wore a lot of makeup. Upon entering, the lady squinted so hard that it got Percy worried for her.
"Are you Mr. Jackson?" The lady asked with a weak, old voice.
"Yes, ma'am," Percy replied.
She nodded and gave a paper to Percy. "That's your schedule. We'll have a guide for you in a minute." The lady walked to the back, leaving Percy standing around awkwardly. After a few minutes, the lady returned with someone else behind her. It was a girl that was a senior too. She had red hair, freckles and her eyes –
"Rachel?" Percy asked, clearly shocked.
"Percy!" Rachel yelled and ran forward to hug him. He didn't hesitate to hug her back. "I didn't know you were attending Goode!"
He let go. "Yeah, same for you. I thought you were homeschooled?" Percy asked.
Rachel smiled. "I convinced my parents to let me go to an actual school for my junior-senior year. It took some hardworking lectures, but they came through so here I am."
"Awesome." Percy said and hugged her again. Rachel smiled when she saw the necklace around his neck.
"Sick necklace," Rachel complimented, trying to make slyly.
Percy decided to pitch in. "I know, some chick in Hawaii gave it to me."
"Oh really? What was her name then?"
"I don't know . . . I forgot. We kind of had a one night –" Percy got interrupted when a fist made contact with his shoulder. He laughed playfully and Rachel joined in too.
"All right. Let's get you to your locker," Rachel said after the laughter died down. She took a look at Percy's paper and nodded. "Follow me."
Rachel led Percy through the school's hallways where – again – all the students were staring. This time, girls snarled at Rachel whom ignored it all. Finally, they both reached Percy's locker and he entered in his combination. There was someone else besides him and it was a female but she was too busy digging through her locker. Percy stuffed the things he didn't need into the small compartment and closed it.
The girl who owned the locker besides him accidently dropped all her books.
"Shoot!" she said. Percy bent down to help her pick up her things. She had a lot of books for a student. "Thank you," she told him when the last book was picked up.
"Yeah no prob – " Percy stopped when the two met eyes. Grey eyes met green.
Rachel came rushing into the scene. "Oh, Percy this is Annabeth Chase," she introduced to her. "Annabeth, this is –"
"Percy," Annabeth finished for her. The way she said his name was more like a relief tone and Percy noticed it. Their eyes were still lock with each other and Rachel just stood awkwardly in the middle of the two.
"I'm guessing you two met before? " Rachel asked, breaking the tension.
The two nodded slowly in reply. "Well okay then. Um, Percy, I need to bring you to your next class. We'll see you later Annabeth." Rachel snuck her arm in Percy's and he didn't pull back. Annabeth examined the two and couldn't help but feel a bit jealous of Rachel.
Though, Annabeth forced a smile on her face. "See you later," she said. Percy could obviously tell that there wasn't a good vibe between the two girls.
The rest of the school day was spent with Rachel guiding him around. Percy grew on to all the stares from everybody and kind of enjoyed it. Percy was trying to avoid Annabeth all day. He even waited around the corner from his lockers to wait for Annabeth to leave her locker so that he could go to his locker without making contact with her. The whole 'avoid-Annabeth' thing was difficult since he was in all of her classes. In class, he would sit across from Annabeth – across the room from her at least. Annabeth ignored it because she understood why he didn't want to speak to her. But she knew that he would have to talk to her soon enough.
After school, Percy went home. His math tutor was coming today. There was no information on who it was. All he knows is that the person was coming over at 5 and they'll be tutoring him for 2 straight hours. Fun, Percy thought sarcastically. To make matters worse, Sally was still out at work and she won't finish until 8 so that leaves him and his tutor all alone with boringness.
It was already 4:30 and so Percy got ready. He took a quick shower and dressed in sweats and a hoodie. It's not really how you dress when someone comes over, but eh, it's his home and he wanted to feel comfortable. Just on time, the doorbell rang. Percy opened the door and was greeted by his tutor.
"Hey, Perce," Annabeth said, "we need to talk."
Percy was surprised that she was at his door. She was wearing a pair of shorts and a Hollister jacket. Even in such simple clothes, she looked amazing. Percy closed his eyes to stop staring. Annabeth gave Percy a confused look. "So – um – are you going to let me in?"
Percy had to come up with an excuse. He didn't feel like fighting with Annabeth again. "Actually, maybe later, I have a tutor coming over soon." Percy said smoothly.
Annabeth smirked and brought out a bunch of algebra books. "Hi, Percy. I'm Annabeth Chase – your math tutor for this school year." The look on Percy's face made Annabeth want to laugh. But she prevented looking like a fool by biting her bottom lip. "So are you going to let me in now?"
Percy, being dumbfounded, stepped out of the way to let Annabeth through. She took a good look around the apartment. The last time she has been here was 4 years ago and to her surprise, nothing has changed. She spotted the little hold in the corner of the living room. Memories flooded in her mind. Her and Percy were 7 and playing sword again. They always did this back then. The hole was caused by Percy when he jabbed his sword towards Annabeth, and Annabeth knowing his lame moves, moved out of the way causing his sword to puncture the wall behind her. All these good memories flashed back but ended when Percy cut in to ask if she wanted something to drink.
"Water is fine." Annabeth said and Percy went to go fetch it in the kitchen. She sat down in the same couch that was there ever since. Her heart started to beat faster as each second past when Percy was in the kitchen. She did come to tutor him but she also felt like it would be a good time to apologize for everything. Percy came into the living room with two cups in his hand. He handed one to Annabeth and sat across on the couch from Annabeth. She could tell that there was a lot going on in his mind.
Percy waited for Annabeth to start the lesson. Instead, she kept staring at him. Percy looked down, shifting places sometimes. He wondered if Annabeth wanted to do this or did it because she was told to.
"I chose do to it," Annabeth said like she was reading Percy's mind. Percy looked up to see Annabeth looking down now. "I know that your grades aren't the best and I just thought that I could help more effectively."
Percy nodded, not bothering to reply. But he did feel somewhat relieved that he may be getting his best friend back.
After all the silence, Annabeth sighed. "That's not the only reason why I chose to help you."
"Then what?" Percy suddenly asked.
"I figured we need time to talk," Annabeth confessed. "To apologize for how I've acted towards you during middle school years. You were and hopefully still my best friend. You didn't deserve all that from me."
It took a while for Percy to catch up to what is happening. But then he remembered the story about his dad and how he ruined his relationship with his brother because he didn't forgive and forget. Percy became distant with Annabeth and it killed him. He imagined how it would be like if he lost her.
"I forgive you." Percy said, meaning every single word. Annabeth's eyes softened. For the first time in 4 years, Annabeth reached over to Percy and hugged him. There wasn't a split second spared before Percy reacted. He embraced his best friend as well. He didn't even bother to question why she has only come to her senses now because he didn't care. It felt good to hug her again. His arms fit perfectly around her waist and her arms lay comfortable around his neck. Annabeth snuggled her head into the crook of his neck. She missed everything about him. She missed the salty sea-air aroma that Percy had. She missed his messy black hair that she used to ruffle up all the time. Percy missed her just as much. The two just stayed on the couch, hugging each other. The savored the moment of being in each other's arms. Something about it felt so right to the two, yet a tiny part of them held them back.
"I miss you," Percy choked out.
There was silence and Percy regretted saying that out loud. Then Annabeth chuckled, letting her hot breath tickle his neck. "I miss you too, Seaweed Brain."
Instead of 2 hours of studying, it was spent catching up on everything. Annabeth explained everything that has gone by ever since he was gone. The relationships that have developed with Grover and Nico. And how there were new friends added to the group. It took a full hour for her to tell Percy about New York in the past 4 years because it was mostly spent laughing. After that hour, Percy had his head on Annabeth's lap and his legs stretched out across the couch. Annabeth was playing with his hair while he started to explain what has been going on in Hawaii. He told her about the resort he stayed in, Keoki, Henry, Jake, the twins, and Olivia. He told her about how he was the best surfer on the island which brought a lot of shock to her. Another hour passed and the two friends were laughing.
Although, both of them kept a tiny detail from the stories they told. Annabeth didn't tell Percy about the kiss with Luke. Percy didn't tell her about Calypso. They had their suspicions, but nothing mattered in this moment of catching up with each other.
Happy 1 month anniversary to this story! Thank you for all of you who have subscribed, Favorited, reviewed, or whatever tickled your pickle! Don't stop doing what you do!
Yesterday, I got the chance to visit Aulani Disney Resort. Well, I wouldn't say visit because my brother had to sneak me in there because he was off and didn't have a pass. xD So we were like ninjas in there, while he was giving me a tour of the place. And that place is AMAZING. Asides the fact that most of the things are fake like cement, it was still nice and neat. And he bought me an Aulani phone case with a 20% discount. LOL. Thanks bro ~ (If you ever manage to find my story)
D'awwwww, Percabeth. Enjoy your friendship while it last before a troll possesses me again. I'm kidding (maybe) Lmao. See ya'll next week! Make sure to subscribe, favorite, review, or whatever tickles your pickle!
~ Breana
