Lonely Lullaby
Disclaimer I don't own PJO
Chapter 5: 2 Years Later
Annabeth's POV
(2 Years later)
I pulled up on the curb outside Luke's apartment. Well our apartment more like it. I popped open the trunk and pulled out the brown paper bag with my groceries. I loved going to the open air market down the street. The doorman pulled open the door and I said thank you as I slipped past. The elevator shut behind me and soon enough I was in the kitchen chopping up bell peppers for Luke and cucumbers for me. Tonight was build a salad night. I felt two arms slip around my waist and a kiss to my neck.
"Hey." I stiffened uncomfortably. "That looks good, just like you." I smiled but it wasn't for real and when I turned back I let it fall. I stared out the floor length windows in the penthouse.
"What else do you want? I could make smoothies or lemonade, whatever's good with you." I say.
"Lemonade, you did get strawberries right?" He asks.
"Yeah, they're finally in season." I answer.
"We should send some to Katie." He states referring to a business partner of his.
"Yeah we probably should. So, how was the market?"
"Busy as usual."
"Was the ocean breeze nice?"
"Yes it was fine."
"Are you okay?"
"No." He had me answering questions so fast I let my last answer slip out. I had to recover quickly. "I'm feeling kind of crappy right now. After, dinner I think I'm just going to go to my room okay?" I say. He kisses my hand as he says, "Okay." Back.
During dinner we sat in silence, the only noise was coming from the stereo and the buzz of late night traffic. The scraping of his fork against the china plates make me cringe. He mutters a, "Sorry", before going back to his chicken and salad. When I finish I push away from the table and head to my room at the end of the hall.
On my bed I pull up the covers and curl into a ball. For the past two years I've done nothing but regret my past, what have I done? As these thoughts invade my mind I bore craters into the white ceiling tiles with my eyes. A lone tear rolls down my cheek and I wipe it away. This does not an ounce of help because soon enough the flood gates opened and my tears spilt over. I got up and locked myself in the bathroom then turned on the shower to drown out the noise I was making. I still haven't mastered the art of pretty, quiet, crying yet.
I reached onto the shower hanger and pulled down my shaver. I place the blades near my wrist and press it down softly at first but the make it draw blood. I cleaned it off and then placed it back in the shower. I needed to feel real, I wanted to feel pain and know that I was still a person. Suddenly I feel better and place a band aid over the three cuts. I sigh in relief and pull the door back open. I turn on the TV and lay back on my bed, trying to regain my sanity, but I know it's too far gone for me to catch it. The ringer on my phone started going off like crazy. An unknown number came up on the screen. I picked up slowly.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hi, is this Annabeth Chase?" A familiar voice crackled over the phone's speaker.
"Percy…" My voice cracked as I said his name. I swallowed down a lump in my throat. I quickly tried to compose myself. "Yes this is she."
"How's it been?" He says and I can hear the nervousness in his voice.
"It's been okay. How's New York?" I ask.
"Total shit without you." He says laughing sadly. I can almost imagine him putting his hand behind his neck how he does when he's embarrassed or nervous. We both took a deep breath.
"I miss you." We said in unison. I smile. The line is silent for a while.
"Have you ever considered coming back to New York?" He asks, tired of the silence.
"Frequently," I say.
"The why don't you." He asks.
"It's complicated. I've been staying with a friend for the past two years. He probably wouldn't be too happy if I went home." I say.
"Is he your boyfriend?" He asks with a protective edge to his voice.
"I don't really know half the time." I say. "So what about you, a guy like you probably haven't had a hard time finding a girl? You never did when we were in school."
"Yeah I did. Do you remember Rachel?" He asks and the image of that red head with paint splatter jeans pops into my mind. I don't want to say I hate her but she's basically one of those girls who creates too much drama and is all over guys.
"Yeah I do." I can't hide the tint of jealousy in my voice that Percy had earlier.
"Why Annabeth Chase, would that be jealousy in your tone?" I let a smile creep up on my lips.
"Shut up Jackson." He laughs.
"Okay Wise Girl chill. I don't really know where our relationship is going though. The last time she was over she only said one sentence to me." My cheeks burn red with anger but I use my normal calm voice.
"What do you mean?" I ask innocently.
"Um… well… she… um…" I loved to make him squirm. I laugh.
"It's okay Seaweed Brain, I know what you mean." He sighs in relief. I hear a knock on the door. "Hey I've got to go, call me later okay." Luke walks in and smiles.
"Who were you on the phone with?" He asks and sits on the end of my bed.
"Katie, we were discussing the strawberry situation." He laughs and his eyes fall on my wrist.
"Hey what happened to your arm?" He asks pulling my hand toward him.
"Oh I accidentally hit my arm with the cutting knife when I pulled it out earlier. I'm okay though." He nods.
"Okay, goodnight then." He says and saunters down the hall.
So hey guys. Sorry for the ridiculously late update but my computer caught a virus and needed to be fixed. As for the story I think it's about to get interesting.
Hasta LA Vista,
KC