Annabeth

I'm in love with Percy Jackson

I pull away and something in me seems almost disappointed that the Savior is standing before me and not... then I mentally kick myself. How is it that the whole time I spent kissing a guy who I have been slowly developing a crush on for the last several weeks, I was thinking about another guy?

"Annabeth, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that, it's just... I... I'm sorry." The Savior stutters.

"No, Savior. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have either. I don't think I was as ready for that as I thought I was. I just need a little time to think some things over." I respond.

"I'm sorry, Annabeth. I just ruined this. I'm sorry. This mask just makes me feel like I can do anything. I shouldn't think that." He apologizes.

"P-Savior, I just need some time to sort out my head. I'll see you next week?"

"Yeah." The Savior seems to breathe a sigh of relief. "That sounds good."

I get into my car and drive off, thinking about the crazy day I just had.

Annabeth, I think to myself,  let's logic this out. I kissed the Savior, but all I could think of was Percy. Do I like the Savior? Or do I like Percy? What am I going to do?

As I drive on my way home, distracted by my thoughts, I nearly crash into yet another boy who is making my life a living underworld. Luke.

"Oh my gods!" I exclaim, getting out of my car to see if he is okay. "Luke! I am so sorry!"

I mentally take note of the fact that I was driving on a long straight road in which there was no way a walker would not be able to see me. I file it to the back of my mind and add it to a theory I had been developing for the last few months.

"Are you alright?" I say, helping him up from the ground.

"Yeah." He chuckles, "the only thing that happened was that I bruised my ego."

I smile and there is an awkward silence between the two of us. As I look at him, I see all of the things I used to love about him. His smile, his jovial nature, the way he can make me smile, and the way he is always kind and tries his best to be a good person.

"It's really good to see you, Annabeth. I'm sorry we haven't talked very much. I know that is my fault..."

As Luke continues to talk, I begin to remember the things about him that took me too long to realize. Luke is manipulative, selfish, mislead, and possessive. Somehow, I find myself glad to have the relationship behind me.

Luke hurt me too much. I won't let him hurt me again.

"...Annabeth, I am sorry. I was wrong to do what I did. I should have never pretended to be your soulmate. I really miss you. I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me." He finishes.

"Luke. I'm sorry. I'm going through a lot of things right now. I need some time to think and process everything: to get my head straight. Luke, I loved you, but you lied to me and that hurt. A lot. I don't think I am ready to forgive you yet. I'm sorry. If you'd be willing to just give me some time, someday, maybe we can be friends again." I respond.

"I understand, Annie. What I did was unacceptable. To ask for your forgiveness is too much. I promise, Annie, when you're ready... I'll be there. When you're ready... I'm truly sorry, Annabeth." Luke apologizes.

I decide not to correct what he called me and he walks off, leaving me standing there with my car in the middle of the road, not quite understanding what just happened. I get back in my car and drive home. There, my psychotic day only continues.

"Annabeth, darling." My step-mom sings as I enter the house. "How is life?" She swoons.

I flinch away from her, expecting a hit, but none comes. 

"Annabeth, my boss is so pleased with all of the work you do for him. He is thinking of giving you and by relation, me, a raise. He's thinking you can work some more shifts. A wonderful offer was given by him for a 9:30 pm to 6:30 am shift. He thinks you should take it." She beams.

I look at her, "Umm... that would be a lot of time to commit to the job, step-mom. I don't know if I'm ready for a commitment like that."

"Don't be silly Annie," she drawls, I tense as she calls me the name I hate above all else. "You'll do fantastic."

"Can I have some time to think it over?" I ask her. "I'm not ready to make a decision yet."

"Don't worry, my dear. You have until Christmas eve to let the Uglianos know. That is plenty of time to get your head straight. I'm sure you'll make the right decision." She smirks, "You know what is on the line."

Today is Sunday, the 15th I have just over one week to make a decision. I guess it will have to do. 

I walk past my step-mom and go up towards my room. I stop when I see a strange and rare sight. My dad opens the door to his office which he was just residing in and gestures me in, "Annabeth, my princess, please come in."

I pause, then enter the room. Calling it an office would be generous. A toy room would appear more accurate. Models of planes and old cities from around the world cover the room head to toe along with many blueprints of different ideas my father has found and thought of over the years. It's easy to see where I get this part of me from: my love for history. 

My mom was a huge nerd about world history. She used to spit out facts about different events as if she herself had been there. That, though is a story for another time.

As I navigate my way through the room, trying not to step on anything. My dad pulls up two chairs for us to sit on. "So, Annabeth, I know that we haven't been talking as much as we should and I know that is my fault, but I think we should take a minute and chat. What's been up with you lately? Your step-mom told me you got a job? Is it still going well with that Luke fellow?"

"Dad, look. A lot of things have been happening since this school year started. Luke and I are no longer together and yes, I started a new job, working for the same boss as your wife. I wish you had asked earlier so we could have talked, but I am really stressed right now, dad. I need some time to deal with everything." I respond, standing up and beginning to walk towards the door.

"Annabeth, I understand, of course. We will talk later." he stands and grabs my arm, causing me to stop in my tracks, "Annabeth, I want you to know that you can talk to me. I'm sorry I may have acted like I was too busy for you these past few years, but please, if you ever need to talk...come to me."

"I understand, dad." I twist my arm loose from his gentle grip, "I'm just not in the mood for talking to anyone today."

I walk out the door and don't look back at my dad.

After that wonderful interaction, I don't really feel like sitting in my room all night until I have to go off to work. Therefore, I head out the door and to the library just a couple of blocks away, breathing in the evening air, hoping to clear my head. 

It works, kind of, until I walk in the library doors and see none other than Percy Jackson sitting at one of the library's tables, squinting really hard at a book as if trying to decipher an ancient text. 

I stare at him and see his eyebrow furrowed and lips pursed, deep in concentration. Then I remember what realization I came to this morning and I feel my face turn a horrifying shade of maroon. 

I dash over to the most secluded section of the library, which also happens to be one of my favorite sections: the non-fiction section, and I grab a book off the shelf.

I open it up and bury my face in it, trying to cover my vermillion blush. As I sit there, trying to regain my composure, I hear a knock on the bookshelf.

"Annabeth?" A familiar voice asks. 

I lift my face up to see Percy staring down at me from the end of the non-fiction 400-499 section. "Can I sit down?"

"Sure." I say, smooth as ever. "What are you doing here, Percy?"

"Oh, you know...studying. Finals are coming up and with my...dyslexia, it takes me a bit longer to understand things." He blushes, embarrassed.

"I get it, Percy. I have dyslexia too. That's why I always read books. I want to prove that my dyslexia won't stop me from doing well." I start to relax, a little while ago, I didn't want to talk with anyone, but somehow, with Percy, it is different. His laid back, go with the flow, nature seems to combat my aggressive, forward moving one.

"Is that why you're reading a dictionary?" he asks, looking at the book I hold.

I hadn't even noticed what I had grabbed off the shelf when rushing over here. (I knew where to put it back, of course. Don't worry, the book will be returned to its home.) 

In my hands, I held Merriam-Webster's Dictionary and Thesaurus: the "REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION!"

My blush flares up once more. "Yeah, I like looking for my favorite words." I desperately try to cover my tracks.

He smiles, like he suspects I am hiding something, but lets it go and asks, "Well then, what's your favorite word?"

Oddly, this would not be the first time I had thought about this question. Words had always been an essential part of my life, whether I was reading or writing. Every once in a while, I would ponder what my favorite word was. 

"I used to think my favorite word was existential." I flip to the page, "By definition, it means; of, relating to, or affirming existence. A fantastic definition, I know, but in essence, it means: to be factual. For something to exist. My mom was always a strong believer in facts. I think that's why I used to like the word so much. I always looked up to my mom. Until she left. She decided her job, somewhere very high up, was more important than my dad and I. Even though my dad remarried, I don't think he ever really got over my mom. I'm nearly positive that my step-mother still holds that over my head."

"I'm sorry, Annabeth. I understand completely. My dad left before I was even born. My mom always says he was a great man, but he left her alone and I will never be able to forgive him for that." Percy shares.

"Sorry," I say, "I shouldn't have gone on that rant. My favorite word now, is something a little less complicated, but with a meaning more important to me than anything I've come across so far." 

I turn to the Ps and find the word I am looking for. I point to the word. "Permanent." Percy and I say at the same time.

"In here, it is defined as, 'continuing or enduring without fundamental or marked change: stable.' Somehow, this word resonates with me more than anything. Maybe it's because my mom left or maybe it's because I always want everything to be perfect, but what I've come to realize is that in all of the chaos around me, I have always just wanted something perfect. Something permanent. I think that's why I like architecture so much, it's about building things that will last." I state, losing myself in my head a little bit.

"Sorry, Percy, that was awfully nerdy and strange." I say, slightly embarrassed after rethinking my long rant.

"No, Annabeth, that was sweet. And I mean, hey. We're there for each other, right? I mean, you listen to all of my varying rants. If you ever need to get something off your chest, I promise I will be all ears." He smiles, "Like Eargus from Peter Johnson, literally all ears." (Comment if you get it XD)

"You've read Peter Johnson?" I ask, laughing at his joke.

"Yeah!" Percy responds, a bright smile on his face, "It is only the best series ever! I thought we talked about it after we went to see the mo- I mean, I went to see the movie once. It was not at all related to the books."

"I know, right!" I say, ignoring his weird slip up. "Anyways, before I go to far over that nerdy deep end, why don't you tell me what your favorite word is."

"Hmm..." Percy thinks about it for a second, "I think mine would be"

He shuffles the pages to the s' and starts to read the definition given, "'a great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.' The definition is nothing fancy, but the ocean and the seas have always been really important to me. My dad was a sailor, so I guess you could say the sea has been with me since before I was born. Whenever I look at it, it reminds me that nothing can hold it back. No matter what, it will keep fighting. It's beautiful and peaceful, and isn't afraid of anything. I guess that's my favorite word." He says a bit sheepishly.

"That's beautiful, Percy." I say, smiling. "I have an idea. Why don't we study together? Finals are coming up and we can work with each other!"

"Sure!" Percy says, "would you be willing to deal with me? I'm a bit hard to deal with sometimes."

"Of course, Percy." I reply.

We walk back to Percy's table and get to work.

Annabeth

Two Hours Later

I get a text from Piper asking if I want to come over for a sleepover tomorrow night. I check my work schedule and that day just happens to be free, so I respond, 'sure thing!'

I stand up and let Percy know that I have to go to work soon. A shadow crosses his face. He stands up as well. "Have you come in contact with the Uglianos yet?" Percy asks the question I've been dreading for him to ask. The question that reminds me why I've been trying to avoid him for the past few days.

I look away and don't meet his eyes. "I did."

"Gabe?" Percy asks, probably already knowing the answer.

"Yes. He says he would like to meet you. He says you stole something from him." I swallow.

Percy mutters under his breath and runs a hand through his hair. I immediately glance away and ignore the slight pink tint that I can feel tainting my cheeks. I focus back on the situation at hand.

"Percy? How do you know Gabe Ugliano? I know he's going to ask me for an answer to if you'll meet him some time tonight. I would like to have a little background before going into a situation as a messenger that I'm sure the Uglianos wouldn't be very afraid to shoot." I state.

"Is there any way you can not go in tonight?" He asks.

"You know there isn't." I respond.

Percy shakes his head. "Why do you do this anyway? I still don't understand your reason. Why don't you think you can get into college."

The dam breaks. "Percy, my whole life I've never been good enough. I wasn't pretty enough, smart enough, strong enough, athletic enough and every time I hit a barrier, I have just barely made it over it. I always try and push myself to be better, but sometimes, I just don't think I can do that. I always feel this constant pressure to do well and I don't know if I can live up to it. I don't think I'm good enough to get into a good college. Through my step-mom and the Uglianos, at least it's a guarantee that I will have a stable future. It's my fault I'm even in this mess. If I would just settle for a community college, it wouldn't be a problem. I'm so selfish because I want to go to a good college and get a good degree and get a good job and maybe even make my parents proud because if there is anything I've never been good enough at, it's been that." A tear slips down my cheek and I quickly wipe it away. My voice cracks as I say the thing that was the reason I have subconsciously known all this time. The thing that has driven me since I was a young girl. "I wasn't good enough for my mom to stay around. Maybe someday I'll meet her again and she'll be proud."

Percy stands there and stares at me. I think he's going to laugh. I know my logic is silly and childish. Remnant of a girl who just wanted her mom to love her. If I were in his position, I would probably laugh at how illogical my thinking is. Instead, he grabs my hands and looks into my eyes. 

"Annabeth, you are the bravest, smartest, strongest, most beautiful person I know. You can do anything you set your mind to and I think you know that. Your mom left you when you were little. I know how much that can hurt, but it wasn't your fault. From what it sounds like, your mom was a pretty conceited person." The sky rumbled at that. "If you think your mom left because you weren't good enough for her, then you're wrong, because it doesn't get better than you. Anyone who can't see that doesn't deserve to be around you at all. You are an amazing person and if you think that you can't reach any goal you set your mind to, then for the first time, you'd be wrong." He winks at that. "If you want to get into the best college in the state, or even in the world, you will, because you are Annabeth Chase and no one can stand in your way. You don't need to rely on your step-mom or Gabe Ugliano to get you into college. You can do it yourself, with your own mind and determination. If you ever end up needing help, though I doubt you will, I will always be there for you, every step of the way."

I look at Percy and for a second, I don't say anything. Then I wrap my arms around him and he pulls my body towards him. Without realizing it, I had started crying, and Percy held me in his arms, not letting go. I wanted to thank him for what he said. Somehow, those words seemed to begin mending a hole that had been left in my heart over a decade earlier. Somehow, those words were the most beautiful things in the world and somehow, those words had been directed at me. There were no other words in any of my favorite dictionaries that I could use to thank Percy for what he had just said. There was no way to explain to him that those words had been exactly what I needed to hear and something that no one had ever cared to say to me, so I just kept hugging him and he didn't let go.

(Wow. Long time no see. I'm so sorry that I've kept you all waiting so long for a new update. I hope all of you are well during this crazy time. School has just finished for me and hopefully I will start having more time to write, which I truly love doing. Thank you to all of those returners who have been with me since I started this continuation almost a year and a half ago. Thank you also to those new viewers who have been reminding me to update. I love you all so much. Somehow, this story has gotten over 16 thousand views. This is beyond my comprehension. Thank you all so much. I promise I will keep updating, this story is not done yet. Thank you again and as always...

Love and Blue Cookies, 🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵

~Leah Silverwater