13: Bad Blood

Annabeth POV (in Percy's body)

Rachel was mad, and I had no clue what to do.

I was never caught in a situation like this. Technically, Percy and I hadn't even done anything wrong. It would be too wrong to even try given the circumstances.

"AND, WHAT IS THAT ON YOUR NECK PERCY?" Rachel fumed.

My hand instinctually went to my neck. My touch felt a silky texture as I pulled my hand down. Some red lipstick was smudged on my fingers.

When we were hugging, the lipstick on Percy's (ie my own) lips must've smudged onto my neck. I hadn't even realized, and Percy probably wasn't used to wearing lipstick. Although, Percy did have experience with makeup.

I shook my head quickly and tried to think.

"Rachel, it's not what it looks like," Percy said from my body. I nodded my head in agreement. this was just a misunderstanding.

"I'm not talking to you, skank," Rachel said harshly. Her green eyes narrowed on me as anger took hold. "No one cheats on me, Percy."

"Rachel, I didn't cheat on you. This is just a misunderstanding," I said firmly.

"Are you kidding?" she exclaimed. "You have this nerd's lipstick all over your freaking neck." Rachel was shrieking as her foot stomped in anger.

"Rachel, I, err, Percy cares a lot about your relationship," Annabeth tried.

However, Rachel was clearly not having Annabeth's presence even though she was actually Percy. Her angry eyes intensified on my face. "Get the hell out of here, skank, before I throw you out of my house," she shouted.

Percy's emotions made my face pale. It was a weird look on me. My own face turned to me once, and I saw Percy's desperate emotions coming through to me.

This affected Percy more than me, and I had to try to save his relationship.

Rachel huffed in anger as my body walked back downstairs. Suddenly, Rachel turned and pulled me back into the bedroom.

"What the hell, babe?" Rachel exclaimed.

"Rachel, Annabeth and I didn't do anything. She was just emotional, so I tried to help as her friend. That's all," I explained.

"Stop lying, Percy. Since when were you and that nerd even friends? Also, what are you going to say? One thing led to another, and she kissed your neck. Clearly, you accepted it," she rattled off.

To be honest, the situation didn't look too good.

"Rachel, please listen. Nothing happened. Percy, err, I would never be disloyal to anyone that I'm in a relationship with," I said.

Percy was a very loyal guy, and he'd never hurt someone like this.

"No one cheats on me, Percy. Do you know how lucky you are to be dating me? I could be with any guy at our school," Rachel shouted.

I backed up and simply stared at her. She seemed more hurt that a guy chose someone over her than actually feeling heartache. This was a blow to her pride and stature rather than her heart.

"Rachel, do you even care about Percy, or are you with him because you both fit together?" I blurted out.

Her eyes narrowed on me. I knew that Percy's (my) expression probably wasn't expressing guilt or shame. After all, I hadn't done anything wrong here.

Her lack of answer clearly answered though.

"I cannot believe that I chose you over richer, more popular guys. I guess that I was wrong that you'd be an easy control," Rachel said with a sigh.

"Excuse me?" I asked in shock.

She backed up and went towards the dresser mirror. She pulled out some makeup and started to fix her makeup to remove evidence of anger and emotion. I simply stood there staring at her.

She sighed again before talking, "Percy, we're both at the top of the social food chain. You should know how this works. We're supposed to be together based on our status. That's what's expected of us by our school and town."

"That's not how love works," I expressed.

Rachel laughed as she applied more foundation to cover her freckles. In my opinion, she didn't have to cover up so much. She was naturally pretty, but she always had a controlled facade.

"Who said anything about love?" she chuckled.

Poor Percy. I didn't know the degree of his feelings for Rachel. However, she was still his girlfriend for several months, and he probably cared. Percy wasn't fake about his feelings, so I knew that he cared about his relationship.

He evidently cared more than Rachel.

"I guess that we're done, Percy. Let me be clear, this is gonna hurt you more than it hurts me," she said seriously.

"So, that's it. I didn't even do anything wrong," I expressed.

Percy's voice came out quietly and passionately, just like how I intended it.

To be honest, I wanted Percy to break up with Rachel. I was completely happy about splitting them up. I was only trying to salvage their terrible relationship for Percy's sake.

"I don't really care. We're done," Rachel affirmed.

With that, Rachel walked out of the guest bedroom. I simply sat back on his bed. I stared at Percy's visual in the dresser mirror.

I was fine, but my (ie Percy's) face looked sad.

However, I was sad about letting Percy down. He wanted to me save his relationship, but I had broken up with his girlfriend anyway.

The worst part was that I was happy about it.

I was happy that Percy wouldn't have to be in a fame-fueled relationship with fake love. But, I was also happy for reasons that I couldn't quite place.

***

'I'm sorry, Seaweed Brain,' I texted my number.

I sighed after a few minutes of no response and put the phone down.

Jason and I left the party early as soon as I told him that Rachel and I broke up. While h didn't seem disappointed, he was concerned for Percy (me).

I could only imagine how the news would spread by Monday.

Jason was a very good best friend to Percy. It made sense why they would get along so well. They were not only competitive and brought out the best in each other but they were also caring and supportive to one another.

Jason and Thalia were very different siblings, but the way they cared for their best friends was very similar.

A loud ding broke me out of my thoughts.

However, the message was from Frank Zhang, not Percy. He was asking if I was doing okay. Clearly, the news was already spreading.

Percy (ie Annabeth) texted me soon after. I practically jumped on the message.

'You probably tried your best.'

That was it. That was all he had to say about the whole situation. I've realized by now that Percy wasn't one to show weakness. Even when stressed, pressurized, and hurt, he didn't speak up for his own self.

He cared more about making sure that everyone else was okay. He cared more about validating others' expectations to make them happy.

It was infuriating actually.

He looked after others more than himself. He wasn't realizing that he was somewhat getting hurt and turmoiled in the process.

I wanted to text back, but I didn't know what to say. We technically weren't friends; we were just stuck with each other.

Regardless, I texted, 'Are you doing okay?'

'I'm fine.'

I huffed in annoyance. His short responses weren't helping anyone. Also, he just broke up with his girlfriend of 8 months; he couldn't simply be fine.

I didn't text back out of fear that I'd say something insensitive due to annoyance. I wasn't the best with consolation, especially when what happened seemed correct.

To me, Percy and Rachel breaking up was the right thing.

"Hello, Percy," Sally whispered as she knocked on my door. She was standing by the doorway with a warm smile.

"Hey, mom, you can come in," I said.

"Percy, I heard from Jason that you broke up with your girlfriend. How are you feeling, honey?" she asked kindly as she sat down on the bed.

I gazed at Percy's mother. She was a wonderful mother, and I already loved the woman. If I had known Sally Jackson before, my initial opinion of Percy would've been different.

"I'm okay, mom. To be honest, I don't think that Rachel and I were a good match. Still, I am a little sad," I said.

I tried to be as Percy-like as possible.

She nodded as she reached forward and embraced me. "I know, breakups are hard, honey, but you'll be all right."

Sally stayed in Percy's room with me for almost an hour. We just spent time talking and catching up on our lives. Of course, Sally already knew everything about Percy. Regardless, it was a pleasant and comforting conversation.

Before she left, she paused at the doorway.

"Oh, Percy, you wanted to know when that museum opened again," she acknowledged.

"Yeah, my friend and I have a project to finish," I expressed curiously.

"Well, my monthly newsletter said that reconstruction will be done by Tuesday. Apparently, the chemical spill was a false alarm," she informed me.

With that, she smiled warmly before leaving the bedroom.

I digested the information. This was good news actually. We could get information on Janus and the artifact, and Percy and I could possibly swap back to our lives sooner.

However, a part of me was hesitant.

Things didn't feel complete.

What was the point of swapping lives? Why did this happen? Also, would Percy and I just revert back to normal if we swapped back now?

I didn't know, and it's very confusing.