31
Annabeth's POV
"You totally kicked Luke's ass." Reyna complimented.
"Thanks. It's one of my favorite hobbies." I smiled as we walked across the gym.
Reyna laughed. "Well, I gotta get to my next class, if I'm late, Mrs. Grady will kill me."
"Alright, good luck with that." I smiled as Reyna walked off. I went into the locker room to grab my clothes to change out of my gym uniform. I opened my locker to find it empty, the only thing left was my phone, which I hid in a small pouch with hygiene stuff. I sighed. "Shit." Some fucker stole my clothes, and I had an idea of who it could be. I needed clothes, because I couldn't stay in what I was wearing; my gym stuff was sweaty and smelly. And not to mention—and coming from me this means something, considering I don't really care that much for fashion—hideous.
I needed to call someone, but who? Of course, Piper was out today, because her dad finally had a day off, and she wanted to spend it with him. I couldn't bother Reyna, like she said before; Mrs. Grady would kill her. And Hazel's clothes will be too small. I'm not calling Leo or Jason, leaving one person.
Percy.
I sighed as I pulled out my phone to text Percy.
Annabeth: I need help.
Percy: With what?
Annabeth: Some little shit stole my clothes. I need to borrow something.
Percy: Alright. You're at the girls' locker room right?
Annabeth: No I'm at the dog park. Where do you think? Now is not the time for stupid questions!
Percy: Jeez. I'd be nicer to the person who's lending me clothes.
Annabeth: Come on Percy.
Percy: Just teasing. I'll be there in five.
I sighed in relief as I read his last text. I was happy that I had at least someone to help me. A few minutes later, I got a text from Percy.
Percy: I'm outside.
I walked out of the locker room to find Percy leaning on the wall, folded clothes in his hand, a smirk on his face. "You're lucky I'm an amazing person."
"Yeah. And that you owe me."
"Owe you?"
"Yeah. Remember that time when you, like, almost died and I cleaned you up and let you stay over? Oh wait, I mean those five times?" I gave him a look.
"Fair point." He held his hand up in surrender. "This is what I had." He handed me the clothes.
"Great." I said. "Thanks. Wait for me, real quick." I turned and headed back into the locker room. I peeled off my gym shirt and put on Percy's navy blue one. It was really big, and I kind of liked wearing Percy's shirt. I wondered what it would be like to wear his clothes all the time, like if I were his girlfriend. His hoodies, sweatpants—
Okay. Getting off track.
I took the shirt and tied a knot in the front that came to my bellybutton. It looked good enough. I pulled on his grey sweatpants—they were just a little long, so I pulled the bottoms to my ankles, making them baggier. I had to pull the strings at the waist really tight to fit me better. I put my converse back on, and took my hair down. It was good enough, and I was comfortable so it was a win win.
I walked out of the locker room to Percy. "Thanks, Jackson. You've come in handy for once." I smiled at him. He seemed a little dazed and couldn't stop staring at me. A warm feeling spread from the pit of my stomach. I tried not to pay attention to it.
"Y-yeah. We should get to class." He stuttered.
"Probably." I smirked, and we began walking to our classes.
"So who do you think took your clothes?" Percy asked as we walked down the hallway.
"I know it's not Luke. He doesn't really seem like the cunning, planning sort of asshole. And for as much as he'd love to get into the girls' locker room, he wouldn't after his suspension. And the only other person who's picked a fight with me is the Barbie-bitch herself; Tanaka." I explained.
"Quite the explanation, Wise Girl. Who knew you thought so much?" Percy teased.
"You don't call me Wise Girl for no reason, Asshole." I lightly shoved him.
He smiled down at me, and I grinned back.
•••
"Tanaka!" I called from across the cafeteria, every head turning to me. Everyone shut up. "I want my clothes back, you bitch." I stormed towards her. I felt hundreds of eyes follow me.
"Why? I see you've found something from the trash." She and her little sidekicks giggled. Drew stood to face me, but she didn't quite reach my face. She was tiny and yappy, like a chihuahua.
"Give me. My clothes." I said through gritted teeth.
"You'll have to find them." She smiled evilly at me.
"Then my fist will have to find your face." I got ready to strike, when someone grabbed my arms.
"We don't need you getting another suspension." It was Percy. "Drew, just give her her clothes back. Would it kill you to stop being a bitch for five minutes? The damage is already done." I smirked at the part when he called her a bitch.
"Why would I listen to you?" She asked, a disgusted look on her face.
"Because, I know something that no one else does." Percy whispered. That made me curious. What did he know? I'd have to ask him later.
Drew glared at us for a few moments. Then she snapped her fingers. "Trisha, get me the bag." A girl from the table stood up and walked out of the cafeteria. She came back in and handed Drew a bag. "Take your ugly clothes. They're too big to fit me anyways. And they're emo."
"They're not emo, it's called having fashion sense, and I'm sorry that not everyone is as anorexiacally thin as you." I retorted with a scowl, snatching my clothes back.
"Sure. Now get out of my face." Drew said with a sneer.
"Gladly, bitch." I spat before walking off, Percy behind me, his hand on the small of my back, leading me away and back to our table. Sparks flew from where his fingers grazed my skin. I pushed the feeling away.
We're supposed to be mad right now, Chase! Compose yourself. My mind chided.
Right.
"You okay?" Percy whispered as we sat down.
"Yeah." I mumbled, putting my bag of clothes on the floor under my chair.
"Nice, Annabeth!" Leo high fived me.
"Thanks." I smiled.
"It's a victory when anyone stands up to that silicone Barbie. Good job." Reyna nodded at me.
"Thanks guys. I just wanted my clothes back." I shrugged.
Everyone laughed. Was it a bit concerning that they were celebrating the fact that I had just insulted and sort of blackmailed Drew into getting my clothes back? Just a little bit. But it was that I stood up for myself, that was worth celebrating.
I would have to ask Percy about the whole blackmailing part.
But later.
•••
"Hey." Percy mumbled to me as he sat down in the desk next to me.
"Hey." I looked up from my sketch book. Percy's hood was up, hiding his face. I had a feeling that he wasn't just hiding his face, but a few bruises as well. "What happened to you?" I went to tug his hood back a bit.
"I have to keep this up." He insisted.
"Why? Did Castellan do something? I'll beat the shit out of him." I went to stand up, but Percy forced me to sit back down.
"Yes, he did something. No, you can't go after him." Percy said, his hand still on my wrist.
I sighed angrily. "Fine. But what did he do?"
"I can't tell you here." His voice was low.
"Then, let's go." I grabbed his wrist and pulled him up and out of his chair, and out of the classroom.
"Annabeth!" Percy said as he pulled his hood back up.
I pulled him into the nearest janitors' closet, closing the door behind us. "Back for round two." I smirked. "Now let's see what that douchebag did." I tugged his hood down. His left eye was black and blue, and his lip was split. His right cheek bone was bloody and bruised. "The shit you get yourself into." I shook my head.
"It's not me!" He protested. "He said that he was angry from when he had gym with you!" Percy's expression suddenly changed from defensive to oh shit. I supposed he wasn't supposed to say that.
"I stopped abruptly. "He goes after you because he's mad at me?" I was angry. "After I fix this," I waved a finger at his face. "I'm gonna kill him."
"Annabeth please don't. You could get hurt again and it'll be my fault." Percy looked at me, his eyes sad and pleading. His hands on my shoulders felt warm, even through my shirt.
"It's not your fault. It's my fault that you're getting hurt. I need to fix this and you have to let me." I said sternly. Percy's expression told me he wasn't going to argue further.
"Now, moving right along, your face is a mess." I half joked.
"Thanks." Percy said sarcastically.
"It's been worse." I shrugged. "There's not much I can do for the black eye, but I can help with the split lip and cut over there." I poked Percy's cheek below the cut. I had mostly been talking to myself. It was easier to prioritize things that way. I bent down to my book bag and pulled out a few alcohol wipe packets. I opened one and used it on Percy's lip.
He gagged. "That tastes bad." He said as well as he could while keeping his lips apart.
"Then don't taste it." I said. It was then that I realized how close Percy and I were. I was closely looking at his lip, which required me to be very close to his face.
This wasn't the first time we've been this close, in fact, we had been closer than this. Yet I still felt butterflies. I shooed them away the best I could.
"Alright. Lip done." I pulled out another wipe and started working on his cheekbone. "So, did he and his goons corner you, or...?" I asked.
"Well, they got me after lunch. I was minding my own business and then Luke comes up with his shit head sidekicks. Next thing I know, I'm being punched in the face, and then they're running off." Percy explained a little miserably, which only made me want to kill Luke all the more.
"Why don't you stand up for yourself? Don't you ever try to fight back?" I asked.
"I did in the beginning, but that only made things worse, and I realized that I wasn't going to get Luke off my back. I only recently started standing up for myself again. Since I met you..." Percy mumbled that last part, but we were too close for it to go unheard.
"Is that a good or bad thing?" I asked, leaning back to look at Percy with a questioning look.
"Good. I feel, god this is gonna sound so cheesy," Percy winced.
"What is it, Seaweed Brain." I teased, smirking.
"I feel more... alive, since I met you. I'm happier, and I've done more in the past four months, than I have in the past three years." Percy said quietly, blushing.
I smiled, because that was adorable. "You've been... happier?" I asked. I couldn't help but smile at that, hearing that I made Percy happy. I was the reason why he smiled. I was thrilled with that and all—though I tried hard not to show it—but it made me wonder; does Percy feel the same as I do?
I decided that that wasn't the priority at the moment.
"Yeah. Thank you." Percy smiled softly at me, yet that smile sparked a fire that burned in the pit of my stomach, giving the rest of my body a warm feeling.
"No problem, Jackson." I smiled back. A few silent moments passed between us. But it was comfortable silence. We just stared at each other. We didn't need to say anything, even though plenty more could have been said. I fought every instinct that told me to lean in.
No Annabeth. Don't do it.
I couldn't tell why, but I knew that I shouldn't. Was it because I knew he didn't feel the same? Or because I had feelings for someone else? Or that he was still hiding something? I didn't know, so I settled for a smile.
"We should, get back to class. Before people start thinking we were making out in here." I chuckled.
"Yeah." Percy laughed softly. Was it bad that I got turned on from that? I mean, it was sexy and his voice just sounded—
Alright. We were leaving.
My mind reminded me. I opened the door after hauling my book bag onto my shoulder. I walked out with Percy behind me. A few people gave us looks or snickers. I payed them no attention. It didn't matter what they thought, because they were wrong.
But did I want them to be?
I don't think I did.
•••
"You wanna hang at my place?" I asked Percy as we walked out of school.
"If it's cool with everyone at your place, then sure." Percy said.
"They'll be fine." I said as I walked with Percy to his car. "It it weren't Friday, I'd skip tomorrow. Luckily, I don't have to." I smiled and sighed contently.
"Well, I'm glad because I can't afford to skip." Percy and I laughed. We got to his car and I got in on the passenger side, Percy getting in opposite me. I plugged my phone into the aux cord and pressed play on Spotify.
Orange juice, pour out half the carton
Grey goose, pour it get it started
Good times, remedy and sorrow
Bad times, don't worry 'bout tomorrow
I hummed along with the song as I checked social medias. Before I knew it, Percy pulled up in front of my house. We got out of the car, and I grabbed my books from the back seat. We walked up to the house, and I unlocked the door.
"We're home!" I yelled.
"Who's 'we're'?" Helen asked as she strolled into the entry way.
"Me and Percy." I tried to unclench my jaw.
"Percy and I." Percy quietly corrected behind me. I elbowed him. I heard a mumbled 'ow.'
"How long is he staying?" Helen asked.
"I don't know." I responded just as coldly as she had. "We'll be upstairs."
"I want your door open, and at 4:45, I'm dropping Bobby and Matthew off at a friend's. Behave." She said the last part a bit lore aggressively than usual.
I scowled. "Let's go Percy." I didn't have to look back to see that Percy was bright red. I stormed off while Percy walked behind me, trying to keep up. I flew up the stairs and into my room, closing my door despite what Helen said. It wasn't like Percy and I would do anything.
But you know you want to.
Shut up! I yelled at my conscience internally.
"Alright. Firstly, let me apologize for Helen, she's being bitchy as usual." I started. "Secondly, wanna watch movies?" I asked.
"Why not?" Percy shrugged. We both flopped onto my bed and I grabbed the remote, switching on the television. I went to Netflix.
"I'll go make popcorn, you pick a movie." I hopped off the bed, tossing Percy the remote. I then walked out the door and downstairs to the kitchen. I made my popcorn, hoping to get upstairs without inspection. But, my hopes are clearly only made to be crushed.
"I don't want food in your room." Helen said from behind me.
"Well, that's unfortunate because I'm bringing this upstairs anyways." I went to turn, but Helen spoke again.
"I said I don't want that in your room. I am the adult and you have to listen to me!" Helen scolded.
"No I don't!" I fired back, me voice getting angrier and louder.
"Yes you do, I am the adult I am in charge. You have to do what I say and respect m—"
"No I don't! You know why? Because you're not my mother!" I shouted before storming up the stairs.
I heard Helen yell something up the stairs but the steam coming out of my ears must have messed with my hearing. Also the fact that I didn't give a fuck. I walked into my room, and slammed my door behind me. I leaned against the wood, sliding down until I hit the floor, covering my face with my hands. I sighed, shaking my head.
"I just can't." I said miserably.
Percy stood up from the bed and sat in front of me, putting his hands on my knees, making my skin tingle. "I know. And I know that you're angry, but she is the adult—"
"So you're on her side?" I asked defensively.
"That's not what I'm saying," Percy still stayed calm, despite my outburst. "All I'm saying is that, she is the adult. But I'm not excusing the way that treats you. That's certainly not okay, but it's mutual, Annabeth. I know that this sucks, coming from someone who's supposed to be supporting you, all the time. But it's the truth. And as your friend, it's important that I tell you that stuff." Percy's voice was gentle, and almost sympathetic. Even after I had flipped out a bit, he was able to stay calm. He didn't start yelling, or even raise his voice in the slightest. He really was a good person.
I heaved a deep sigh. "You're right. That doesn't mean that I like it, but you're right. And I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go all... asshole on you."
"I get it. You were angry, and that's okay. I'm just glad that you realize." Percy smiled at me softly. I found myself smiling back.
"And I forgot the popcorn." I sighed. Percy laughed, until I did as well.
•••
"Shit. Fuck. No. Thanks." I ran out of the bathroom, completely ignoring the fact that I was in a towel.
Percy shot up from the bed. "What's wrong?"
"There's, uh... a, uh," I swallowed. "A spider. In the shower." I kept my vice low and my head dipped down.
"A spider?" Percy asked, an eyebrow raised. He crossed his arms over his chest as he slowly walked toward me.
"Yes." I said sternly, looking up to meet his eyes.
"And why is this such an issue?" He smirked at me, clearly teasing.
I glared at him. "I need you to kill it."
"Why can't you just do it yourself?" He asked, leaning forward a bit, and his smirk grew. Looking in his sea green irises, I saw a happy, playful look. I really hoped I was hiding my hormones well enough that Percy couldn't see anything through my eyes. I decided that I was, considering I had done it for so long.
"Why can't you just stop being a dick and kill it?" I asked, leaning my head forward as well.
"What's with spiders?" He asked.
"I don't do spiders. I'll do silverfish, stinkbugs, I'll even do crickets. But I do not do spiders. No thanks." I said crossing my arms, realizing that I was still in a towel, and realizing how close Percy and I were. I fought down my blush.
"Alright." Percy stepped passed me and into the bathroom. A few minutes later, which I spent chewing my lip and waiting patiently outside the bathroom, Percy came out. "He's gone."
"It." I corrected.
"Sure." He smiled at me. "Your spider-free bathroom, m'lady." He stepped aside and bowed dramatically, gesturing towards the bathroom.
I suppressed a smile. "Thanks." I stepped inside the bathroom, closing the door behind me.
I tried to take a relaxing shower, but I was still paranoid.
I came out a few minutes later, wrapped up in a towel. I walked over to my dresser, pulling out a bra, (normally I'd go without one but Percy was here) underwear, leggings, and a comfortable crop top. I walked back into the bathroom, trying to seem unfazed. I didn't face Percy once after I'd felt his eyes burning into my back so that he couldn't see my bright red cheeks.
I quickly changed and walked back out of the bathroom, pulling my hair out of its bun. "Sorry if I took long." I apologized as I plopped back onto my bed next to Percy.
"No, it's fine." He said. "Do you still have—"
"The sweatpants that I let you wear? Yeah." I got up and went over to my dresser. I went to the bottom drawer and pulled out the grey sweatpants that Percy had worn before. "Here." I tossed them to him, and they hit him in the face. I snickered. "Nice catch."
"Thanks." Percy said sarcastically as he got up and walked into the bathroom.
He came back out in the sweatpants, folded jeans in hand. He threw them on the floor off to the side. I plopped back on the bed, and he sat down next to me.
We continued our movie marathon, and before I knew it, we were asleep.
•••
Authors note
Alright, unnecessarily long chapter I'm sorry. (3,612 words I have no life lol) This has also taken a hot minute to finish and edit and publish so I apologize for that. Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for all the reads! Don't forget to comment, etc. thanks and love you guys!- PercyJacksonFanficWriter123