Annabeth
The guy spins around, concern in his sea green eyes. I've never seen a colour look so… so calm, like the sea. I'm too lost in his eyes to hear what he's saying. I shake my head and return to reality.
"What?" I ask. Great, now I sound rude.
"I'm so sorry. I was walking backwards and I didn't see you. Are you okay?" he asks.
"I'm fine," I reply and he holds a hand out. I shake it.
"Umm, you're meant to let me help you up… not shake my hand," he says, awkwardly. I feel my face heat up.
"Oh," is all I say and he pulls me to my feet. He picks my books up off the floor and hands them to me.
"Thanks," I mumble, taking them off him.
"Your welcome," he replies. We stare at each other for a few seconds before he says, "I'm Percy Jackson." He holds out his hand again.
I shake it while saying, "Annabeth Chase."
"Oh, you're the girl-" I cut him off.
"-With cancer?" I finish off.
"I was going to say the girl Thalia and the gang always talks about," he replies.
"Oh, really?" I ask, pulling my hand away.
"Yep. You know, I was starting to think this 'Annie' girl was an imaginary friend," he says. I laugh.
"No, I'm pretty real. I've just been staying home for a long time. I've never seen you before, are you new?" I ask.
"I've been here seven months so I'm not what I'd call new," he smiles. "What lesson do you have?"
I like this guy. He's straightforward. He didn't even react when I said I have cancer, I like that.
"History," I reply.
"Me too. Come on," he says and walks off. I follow him.
"So, you hang around with the gang?" I ask. He nods.
"They're crazy but I love them," he grins. "And they adore you." I feel my face heat up.
"I don't know why, I'm nothing special," I reply.
"You are to them. They told me you are the super clever girl that's not afraid to stick up for herself or her friends."
"That's ri-" I'm cut off by a loud squeal.
"Annabeth!" Oh no, not her.
I spin around and find none other than Calypso Moonlace running towards me with a huge grin on her face.
"Calypso," I frown. She flings her arms around me. I keep mine at my sides.
"I'm so glad you're back," she squeaks, pulling away. Is this girl serious? We've hated each other for… forever! And now- she's hugging me!
"Thanks," I mutter.
"You look fabulous," she replies, looking me up and down. I have lost weight, I've lost my California tan and I'm wearing a wig…
"What do you want?" I finally snap, not liking her this way. I prefer her when she's mean to me. This is just creepy.
"Nothing. I just wanted to check up on you," she replies.
"I'd prefer it if you, you know, still hated me," I say.
"Why would I hate someone like you?" she asks, innocently. I walk away.
"What was that all about?" Percy asks once I catch up to him.
"Beats the shit out of me," I mutter.
We reach our class then and walk inside. "You're late again, Percy," Mr. Brunner says, his back to us as he writes on the board, not even looking our way. I guess Percy is late to class often. He turns around, his eyes widen when he notices me. "Annabeth?"
"Hi," I greet, smiling.
"How are you?" he asks kindly, wheeling in front of me in his wheelchair.
"I'm great," I reply.
"That's good. Why don't you take a seat?"
"Thanks," I say and sit down next to Percy.
Mr. Brunner is like a second father to me. When I wasn't talking to my dad I confided in him a lot. He told me that I should try talking to my dad again but I never did. I wish I had now.
I focus on Mr. Brunner and listen to the speech. "I would like you to pair up and to make a poster or a fact file on two different gods. This task has to have lots of information and a few images. This is homework so team up with someone you will be able to meet up with. Go ahead and choose your partners." I bite my lip and look around nervously, watching as different people pair up.
No ones going to want to work with me. I guess it's okay; I won't have to go over anyone's house to work and I'm clever enough to do it myself. Someone taps my shoulder. I jump in shock and turn around to face Percy. He laughs. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's okay," I smile.
"You want to work with me?" he asks.
"You do know we will have to go to each other's homes, right?" I ask. He nods, looking confused.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well I don't know you. How do I know your parents won't kill me?" I say.
"My mom would never hurt a fly, she's the nicest woman I know," he replies. Aww, that's sweet. Most people moan about their moms and dads but this guy… he's nice. I think I'm going to really like him.
"Fine, I guess I can risk it," I grin.
The bell rings a while later and the rest of the day flies by. By the time lunch is here I feel exhausted. I yawn as I slouch in a seat at a lunch table and chew on my food silently. "You okay?" Thalia asks, noticing my tiredness.
"I'm fine," I reply. "I'm just a little tired and I have a headache."
"So, you're not fine," Percy speaks up. I didn't even know he was there.
"Oh, Annabeth, this is our newest member of the crew. Meet Percy Jackson," Nico says. I smile weakly.
"We've bumped into each other already," I reply and then laugh and add, "Literally."
"Yeah," Percy smiles, apologetically. "Sorry about that."
I wave a hand in dismissal and yawn again.
"So, back to the conversation…" Juniper says. Damn, I thought they'd forget.
"Yeah, let's not let Annie get away with it," Grover smirks.
"Don't call me Annie," I snap.
"That's more like the Annabeth we know," Thalia says, smiling and then turns serious. "…But if you don't feel well you should go home."
"This is my first day back, I want to stay all day," I huff. "Besides, I feel fine."
"You know, I can just call your dad and get him to pick you up, right?" Thalia threatens. She may be my best friend but sometimes she just goes too far… like now.
"I feel fine! I've felt much worse, okay?" I snap. "I'm just not used to moving around so much. Everything is aching from staying in bed for so long." I don't know why I'm angry. It must be because they care- about me. You'd think that would make me happy but they're starting to sound like my dad and this is only my first day back.
We all sit in silence and eat our lunch until the bell rings for our next lesson. I fell guilty for putting everyone on a downer. I should apologise. I bet Percy thinks I'm a right idiot. All everyone has done is say good things about me and look how I'm treating them.
When the end of the day comes I wait outside of the school to apologise but my dad turns up before the gang comes out so I decide to say sorry tomorrow. I slide into the car and smile at my dad. "How was your day?" he asks, smiling back.
"It's been good," I reply, truthfully.
"And how are you feeling?" he asks, driving off.
"A little tired but other than that I feel good," I reply and then yawn.
"You should get some rest when we get home," he says and I nod, leaning my head against the window and closing my eyes.
Once we arrive home I dump my bag in the living room and climb the stairs sleepily. I undress and change into my pyjamas before climbing into bed; my curtains shut so once I turn the lamp on my bedside table off it'll be dark. I reach over to the small wooden table beside my bed and go to turn my lamp off when I notice my notebook containing my lists.
I pick the book up and turn to the first page where I've started to write a list for all the things I want to do before I die. I grab a pen and at the bottom of my list I write, 'Try not to be too mean and stubborn.' Then I re-read over the few other bullet points from the bottom to the top of the page:
Let Silena give me a makeover.
Go out more and hang around with my friends.
Camp on a beach.
Write letters to each of my friends and close family.
Spend a few nights at the Lotus Hotel.
Then comes the more rebel side of me:
Party all night.
Get drunk and do stuff that normal teenagers would do.
Sleep with a guy. (I am seventeen.)
I sigh when my eyes fall on the first sentence right at the top of the page. The bullet point is made of three words. But I'd love to do it. It reads:
Fall in love.
Sorry if Annabeth is a little OOC. I just think this story needs some drama and since she's not exactly dying right now she needs to do crazy things. Review!