Chapter Text
Life was at its highest peak right now, and Annabeth relished in it.
She had her dream boy,lots of friends,family was good, grades were good, and teachers never looked at her with disdain.
So why was she still upset?
it didn't make sense to Annabeth, and she hates not knowing what was wrong. Percy must have sensed something was up, but he hasn't brought it up.
Which is a good thing because she wanted an answer for him when he does ask the dreaded question:"Are you okay?"
No she was not okay and she didn't know why.
Annabeth had come to the conclusion to simply ignore it until something was actually wrong.
"Annabeth! come one we're gonna be late!" Jason called out.
She groaned and shrugged her bag on and ran out her room to go put on her shoes.
"Finally,Luke's already left and Thalia can't drive yet."
"I can,I just need to pass that overly strict test." Thalia replies in a huff while she grabs some money and chucks it to the both of us "for lunch." She says simply.
Jason rolls his eyes and Annabeth manages a smile.
"Is Luke gone already?" Annabeth asks even though it's obvious.
"Yeah,he said something about early study time at his University,not sure what he meant, but whatever."
She nods,Luke when he was able to hang out had always mentioned exams we're ruthless which worried Annabeth for when she graduated.
"Alright,Jason you're driving right?" Annabeth notes,glancing at the car keys.
Jason blushes "yeah,well I wanted to since I just got my license."
"Learners Licene brother but sure,drive I'll make sure you don't crash." Thalia teases.
Jason scoffs and throws himself out the door in a huff before he said something he'd regret.
"We're picking up Percy right?" Jason calls out to Annabeth.
"Yeah,said Paul's cars busted right now." Annabeth replies.
Percy actually hadn't brought it up at all,Annabeth just happened while driving home seen Percy walking back and had insisted she could drop him off until the cars fixed.
Annabeth always tried to be good enough for Percy,she'd never tried like that for anyone else he just brought that protective side out of her.
Annabeth hopped in the backseat while Thalia claimed shotgun as per usual.
"Jason's real exited to drive isn't he?" Thalia mutters to Annabeth as Jason is grinning while he starts the car.
"that won't last for very long" Annabeth assures Thalia,"he'll get over it soon enough."
The car jumps into a start and they all speed off to Percys' house.
The bad feeling hasn't gone away and she felt the name if her feelings at the tip of her tongue she just wasn't sure yet.
She just hoped nothing escalated until she figured it out.
Percy was waiting awkwardly outside of his apartment building when they arrived and his face lit up, he waved quickly and rushed towards us and leapt into the car with a sigh of relief as Jason speed off with a few curses hurled at him from Thalia.
"Hi" he greets as he puts in his seatbelt "try not to crash us bro I'd prefer not to die today."
"Shut up Jackson" Jason growls from the drivers seat "if you have a problem you're free to walk."
Percy snorted then turned to Annabeth with a smile and pleading eyes.
"What?" I ask,suspicious already.
Percy yanks a sheet of homework out his bag and hold it out to her with wide begging eyes "please at least help me out,I finished it but I'm not sure if the formatings correct."
Annabeth rolls her eyes and snatches the paper,it was a history test,it was a good thing Percy had good handwriting otherwise Annabeth wouldn't be able to read it.
"You split up the paragraphs fine and your points in the speech are made known,just try to list it better next time,not jumble it up with commas but make it like a actual list."
Percy pulls out a rubber with a sigh of relief "good thing I wrote it in pencil first."
Annabeth rolls her eyes but sends a grin Percy's way.
Percy doesn't smile back,he's already focused on correcting his work.
Annabeth always thought he looked adorable when he focused,his eyebrows furrowed and his lips made a little pout while his sea green eyes darted around the paper and his wavy hair covered his eyes,much to his annoyance because he always blew it off as best he could.
The car stops with a lurch just as Percy finishes and hits his head on the seat infront of him.
"Well,that was better than I expected" Jason exclaims with relief.
"You almost killed us!" Thalia protests loudly.
"You would've killed us if it was you so I'd shut up of I was you" Jason shots back and hurts himself out the car with a slam.
Thalia frowns but doesn't follow him,she goes the other direction to her classes.
Annabeth and Percy leave last and rush to catch up with Jason.
"What was that about dude?" Percy asks in concern.
Jason groans "she's being so much more annoying lately,it's weird so maybe ask her what her problem is" Jason snaps.
"Okay cut it out Jason it's not Percys fault so don't take it out on him okay?" Annabeth orders.
Jason had the grace to look ashamed "sorry man my bad."
Percy just smiles "s'okay dude,I get it."
Jason returns the smile gratefully "thank I'm gonna find Leo and Pips see ya!" and with that Jason speeds off again.
Percy sighsamd shares a look with Annabeth "we should get to class,I'm sure Grovers freaking out think we're not here."
Annabeth nods with her throat suddenly closed up with dread,she had her results for her English test this period and she was anxious to get them back.
"Right,yeah let's go."
Percy frowns "you alright wise girl?"
Annabeth forces a smile to hide her anxiety "yeah,why you ask?"
Percy looks at her for another few seconds just to confirm "I just...nevermind,don't worry about it."
Annabeth looks away in guilt but she wouldn't burden him with her feelings if she didn't know what was wrong.
But it also felt wrong to lie to him.
Annabeth ignores how her lungs seem to fail her as Percy hold her hand and leads them to class.
He knew she was lying but he respected she didn't want to talk about it but was still wanting to help.
It almost made Annabeth cry.
She always wanted to return every debt she owed him for helping her even if he didn't know he was.
She didn't deserve him,that was a fact.
And for now,selfishly she would keep him for her greedy rotten heart.
But maybe she'd have the courage to leave,one day.