21: Touch

Percy POV

Annabeth's hand was in mine. Her touch was shooting warmth, comfort, and ecstasy into my own body.

She took my walking stick and set it at our table.

I felt bare without my walking stick while in public. Regardless, I didn't need it for dancing, so I left it behind.

Annabeth carefully guided me towards the dance floor, which was packed with students. Everyone was hype at these school dances. The DJ was only playing slow songs right now.

"Wise Girl, I don't know how to dance. Besides, I'm blind so it's probably worse now," I said hesitantly.

Annabeth chuckled. "Just move to the music, Seaweed Brain. Blindness has nothing to do with it. Just follow me," she said.

"I can't see you in order to follow you," I said softly.

I could feel everyone moving around me. Masses of students surrounded me as they all danced. I felt weird being here and not being able to see anyone or anything. I felt out of place, and I certainly didn't want to embarrass myself.

"Yeah, but you can feel me, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said.

I could almost imagine the reassuring smile on her face. I was facing in her direction when she moved my hands to her waist.

Then, she placed her hands around my neck.

I immediately stiffened before relaxing. We were so close to each other, and it's been a long time since I've felt this way about anyone.

"Come on, Seaweed Brain. You got to move," Annabeth said chuckling.

My hands tightened around her waist, which brought us closer together. I could feel her breath against my face as we swayed to the music.

All the background noise melted away as I absorbed the proximity to Annabeth. She radiated warmth, comfort, and passion as well.

My feelings were so strong right now, but it was a nice sensation.

"See now, this isn't so bad," Annabeth said softly.

"No, not at all," I whispered back.

We swayed and flowed a little more in comfortable and enjoyable silence. We talked quietly amongst ourselves until a serious question came.

"Why are you always pushing away, Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth asked gently.

I sighed. Honestly, I was expecting this. It was obvious that I liked her, but I had been pushing her away, regardless.

I stopped dancing with regret.

"Can we go and talk, Wise Girl? Somewhere else," I asked.

"Yeah."

Annabeth gently took my hand again and started to lead me (I assumed) towards a more private area. I could hear the flow of her dress as she moved fluidly.

We stopped after a few seconds.

"Here's you're walking stick," she said as she placed it into my hand.

I nodded. However, I wanted to tell her that I was fine with her hand navigating me everywhere. She must've realized because she didn't let go of my hand as we walked out of the gym.

We could still hear the commotion from the dance, but it was all background noise now.

"So, tell me, what's up?" Annabeth asked in the hallway.

"Annabeth, you deserve better," I said softly and sadly. "Of course, I like you a lot. Any guy would be a fool to not like you, but you deserve better than me.

"Percy-"

"I'm serious Wise Girl. I can't be with you," I interrupted her as I blindly stepped back. My back hit the wall roughly.

We stood there in silence. I couldn't see any emotions on her face because I couldn't see anything at all, which sucked. The silence between us was deafening.

For an instant, I thought that Annabeth simply left, but then I heard her shuffling.

I could tell that she was thinking carefully about what she wanted to say (probably to convince me that I was wrong about this).

"We should go back inside, Wise Girl," I said to stop her.

Annabeth was brilliant and beautiful. She could easily convince me of something that I wasn't believing. After all, Annabeth had real power over me.

"Okay, let's go back," Annabeth said softly.

Her voice was a little shaky, and she was probably hurt.

I heard her walk away towards the noise. I swallowed the lump of emotion in my through before following her back to the dance with my walking stick.

I felt awful because something felt broken.

***

Piper POV

Jason and I left Annabeth and Percy alone so that they could talk through their feelings. They were so adorable and perfect for each other. They both looked so happy and blissful while dancing together.

Annabeth didn't care about Percy's condition either.

They were not only caring and loving towards one another but also inspiring for the world. They belonged together.

However, something was definitely wrong when they walked back into the gym. I thought that they were gonna go talk and maybe do some other things (if you know what I mean), but they came back looking hurt.

By now, our groups of friends were at our table eating dinner.

Annabeth sat down next to me as Percy took an empty seat across the round table.

"Piper, something's up," Jason said quietly.

"Yeah, I know," I said.

I turned towards him and gave him a look. Jason understood what it meant immediately. We had to figure out what went wrong and try to help by comforting our best friends. Jason got up to go sit next to Percy.

Then, I turned towards Annabeth. Thalia also noticed and joined in the conversation.

"Annabeth, are you okay?" Thalia asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be okay?" Annabeth asked covering herself quickly.

"Annabeth, you seem hurt. What happened?" I asked.

"Nothing happened. Percy and I had a conversation is all. He said that he can't be with me, but it's fine," Annabeth said quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry-." "Why?"

Thalia and I said at the same time.

"He said that I deserved better than him. Obviously, with the connotation that I can do better than an individual with blindness," Annabeth said firmly.

"But, you don't even care about that," Thalia expressed.

Annabeth sighed and she shook her head.

"Well, I'm gonna tell you one thing Annabeth. It's not up to Percy to decide what you do and don't deserve," I said firmly. Thalia nodded.

"It's still his choice, though," Annabeth said softly.

There was no arguing with that. However, I wondering if Annabeth just told him how she felt about the whole thing. Maybe that would change Percy's mind.

"Did you tell him how you feel about his decision? He thinks that you deserve better. That means that he definitely likes and cares for you, Annabeth, so maybe he'd change if you talk to him," I said firmly.

"I don't even know how I'd start. Besides, I don't think he wants to hear it," Annabeth said sadly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Annabeth," Thalia said. "Maybe in time."

Annabeth nodded. Annabeth was strong, so she'd be able to handle it.

However, as I looked towards Percy and Jason, I wasn't sure if Percy could handle straining his relationship with Annabeth. She meant so much to him.

"How about us girl go have fun and dance for a while?" Thalia asked quickly.

Annabeth and I both nodded with smiles on our faces.

We ended up having fun for the rest of the night, but I could tell that Annabeth was still a little sad, understandably. Percy, however, had gone home after dinner.

Gods, I really hoped that they'd be okay.

***

Annabeth POV

The winter holidays were lousy. Like I've mentioned before, I disliked staying in my own home due to my stepmother. Also, my dad was never around either.

Most of my time was spent at Piper's or Thalia's.

They were amazing friends as they always tried to cheer me up about the Percy situation.

I wanted to talk to him and set things straight because I missed him a lot. I missed talking to him and listening to his sleazy jokes that would still somehow make me laugh.

I just missed him, but I didn't know how to approach it.

Even after he told me he couldn't be with me, my feelings didn't go away. If anything, they grew stronger. After all, Percy was avoiding a relationship with me because he cared about me. He thought that I could do better.

However, what was best for me was my own choice. Not his.

"Hey, Annie, have do you decided how to handle the Percy situation? I can tell that you miss him a lot," Thalia said firmly.

"Yeah, I do. I'm gonna talk to him once school starts again," I said firmly.

"Why talk after school starts? Why prolong it?" Thalia asked.

I turned towards my best friend. She did have a point. Why was I prolonging it?

"He won't answer my calls, though," I said. "Percy is literally so stubborn. He's trying to break things off slightly."

"So, just go over to his house," Thalia said firmly. "Besides, Percy's parents love you, so they'll easily let you in even if Percy says no."

I stared at Thalia. She did have a point.

I'd have no problem visiting Percy and talking at his house. Even Sally and Mr. Blofis would probably be on my side implicitly. After all, they just wanted Percy to be fine and open.

I quickly made up my mind and stuck with the decision.

"Thanks, Thalia. You're an awesome best friend," I said as I got up.

"I know that already, Annie," Thalia called out.

I left her house still laughing. I got into my car and drove over to Percy's. Yup, I was going to talk to him one way or another because I was sick of missing him for no reason.