Chapter 8: All too well
It's been 5 days since my little stuck on a roof like a goof incident.
And we finished ripping the shed to well...shreds.
All the usable pieces of wood were shipped off to this Leo person and the supplies were being delivered to us day by Monday.
Don't forget that Annabeth and I have other things to do in life than build the archery building.
We have fun stuff like homework and projects to do.
Which is exactly why she was in my room, typing away on our war project thingy as I snuck in a quick power nap.
What? I'm a growing boy.
Annabeth's phone rang, and I, being the gentleman that I was, decided to answer the call on speaker. (What? I thought it was Athena or Mr Fredrick)
But no, a female human answered from the other side as Annabeth sprinted across the room to catch me, a horrifying glare on her face.
"Annabeth, when are you coming home? Matt and Bobby's birthday is tomorrow and I need help decorating," a....middle aged sounding woman spoke.
She practically ripped the phone from my arms, "Yeah Helen, give me an hour? I'm at a friends house to do some homework. Do you need me to get anything from the party store?"
I couldn't hear what the other person said, but Annabeth nodded....then hung up.
"Don't ever grab my phone again!" she vociferated.
"Alright, sorry," I apologised.
She quickly began packing up her things, hurriedly stuffing them in her bag.
"Who are Matt and Bobby?" I asked as she did.
She looked at me, frowning, "They're my younger brothers," she explained.
Before the shock sunk in, she continued without missing a beat, "Hey is Tyson free tomorrow? They're having a birthday party. Nevermind I'll ask Sally,"
With that being said, she walked out the door, with me and my gaping mouth following her.
"Woah! Hold on," I said, blocking her way, "you have brothers?!"
"Yeah and they're 5. Twins,"she pushed past me.
I took her bag from her, saddling it in my worn shoulder as she tried pulling it from my grip, "Hey!" I decided, "I'm coming to meet them! Mrs Chase loves me," I grinned.
Annabeth's glared at me, but said nothing. Instead she went and found my mom, who was baking something in the kitchen. They had a tiny conversation that ended with both of them in a better mood.
And then she walked out the door, me sprinting behind her. Turns out, her house was only a few blocks from mine.
I already knew that though. Neither of us moved in years. Well....except me .
That was why we were in this kerfuffle.
"Soooo," I tried making conversation. Annabeth was not in a good mood today. In school, at home or even now.
Even Grover spilling a can of beans on himself couldn't get her to crack a smile.
"So what?" she snapped, turning the corner to a party store.
"What you gonna buy?" I deflected, slightly alarmed by her tone.
I stood by the cashier as she walked to and fro, almost robotically picking up decorations. And then pay for them, and leave.
"Are you upset that Athena and I are gonna become become besties? Is that why you are mad at me," I asked.
She rolled her eyes, levelling me a glare. She grabbed the decor bag tighter as we walked down the street.
I decided to be an asshole and prod her more, "Cause I'm sure Miss Chase is gonna be ecstatic to see me! Maybe we'll braid each other's hair, have movie nights, gossip about you, go on long car rides to-"
"Shut up!" she screamed, starting a nearby old lady and her very ugly pink poodle, "just shut up!"
I did. And we didn't talk.
Did I do something wrong? Again?
Worry gwaned on my veins. I didn't wanna have her mad at me again, it wasn't pleasant. I hated it.
I should apologise
Before I could, she jammed the key into her house and opened the door when we rounded the corner.
Her house was the same one I had gotten used to. We had identical houses (they were a town staple). It was a small cottage with two floors.
Inside, there was a middle aged Asian woman, whom I had never seen before, with red highlighted hair tied in a bun.
When she saw us, she gave us a polite greeting and asked Annabeth who I was.
"Percy, this is Helen. Helen this is Percy," Annabeth explained as a way of greeting, "Percy, Helen is my stepmother."
The shock must have been visible on my face because Helen chuckled, "I'm not as old as I look,"
"I...no...umm...you're pretty!" I stuttered, heat flooded my cheeks. Shame devoured me as an avalanche as I realised what I had said.
Well fuc-
She chuckled, "bring this one around more often," she told Annabeth. Then, two boys came running into the room, holding toy planes and making zooom zoom sounds.
"Matthew, Bobby,say hi to Annabeth's friend," Helen said to the boys. I realised Annabeth had left the room.
"You are a boy," one of them said very matter o factly.
"So are you," I noticed.
"You are not allowed to kiss Annabeth," the other one said, sizing me up.
My eyes widened as Helen quickly ushered the boys away with an apology.
Trying not to laugh at their proclamation,I found Annabeth's room, which changed a LOT. It was still the same room however.
It used to be a shade of orange, with quotes, pictures and blue print designs all over the walls.
Now, it was simply a muted grey, with a minimalistic look. If I'm describing it properly.
"You're still here?" she asked when I knocked and opened the door.
"Uh....yeah?" I answered, unsure of what to say or do.
"I'm sorry about....I didn't know your parents divorced," I apologised, taking the seat opposite to her.
She let out a joyless laugh, her eyes devoid of any emotion. A mask, one which was practically unperturbed took over her features.
"Divorced? Pffft I wish,"
I raised my eyebrows, "what do you mean?"
"My mom's dead, Percy. Died in a car crash years ago," she said, looking at me with that same, joyless expression.
I felt my stomach turn, as If someone threw it into a blender. They should.
Asshole Percy, strikes again!
Why am I never able to say the right thing?!
"Annabeth I-"
"Save it," she said, putting her hands up.
After a beat of silence, as if she didn't just drop a huge bombshell on me, she spoke, "I need to set up. You can either help, or leave."
"I'll help," I murmured as we walked out the door.
As she turned to close her bedroom door, I grabbed her wrist, making her look at me, "Hey,you know I'm not leaving again right?" I asked, trying to find some emotion in her eyes.
It was hidden all too well.
She shrugged my hand off, "prove it,"
I nodded, "I will. I promise."
And that was that.The rest of the day, we decorated.
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The 10 minute version of all too well, (Taylors version) ahhhhhh!!!!
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