17: When We Fall Apart

Annabeth POV (in Percy's body)

Percy wasn't responding to my texts today. It was Saturday, and he had told me that my dad was coming this morning. After that, the texts stopped.

I was too preoccupied to worry about it though.

Goode High's swim team had a meet today at Swindon Academy. It was the last local competition before districts next week. According to Frank, districts were a two-day competition that acted as qualifiers for Regionals.

Everyone knew that Percy was a shoo-in, yet I was nervous.

I had never participated in athletic competitions because my interest lied elsewhere.

I took in some deep breaths as I walked into Swindon's pool area with my team. The whole team was here as a nod to the last official swim meet. The whole team had already changed into our swim gear and our varsity sweatshirts emphasized school spirit.

The other schools were already warming up in the pool. Goode High would be warming up last, and then, the meet would begin.

The competition started with freestyle 100m, so I'd be first.

Unsurprisingly, Percy swam in many of the heats, but he specialized in freestyle and breaststroke 100m and 200m. However, he held school records in butterfly and backstroke as well. He was an excellent, balanced swimmer.

Finally, Goode High got up to warm up as Middleton High got out of the pool. Many of them gave me (ie Percy) either admiring or jealous looks.

That came with the territory of being the best. I realized very quickly that it happened even within Goode High's swim team and sports department.

The warm-up was easy, and it helped me relax a little bit as well.

As the competition started, I was nervous. I wondered if Percy still got nervous before his competitions, especially considering all of the pressure. The stress and pressure were enough for anyone to lose their edge.

However, Percy's body didn't show it.

As I swam using his fit body and strong muscles, I found myself getting more confident as the laps continued.

The buzzer rang as my hand hit the wall to finish the 100m freestyle. My head immediately splashed out of the water to look at my (Percy's) time.

It was fast, very fast. I had beaten the other swimmers by several seconds. I smiled as I climbed out of the pool.

"Not a surprise, Percy Jackson is the heat winner with a very impressive time of 50.72 seconds," the announced exclaimed boldly.

Cheering erupted as I walked back to my team's place on the bleachers. In comparison, the winning time at the Olympics 100m freestyle heat in 2020 was 47.71.

Percy was literally only three seconds off an Olympian swimmer.

As the competition continued, my confidence and joy in Percy's performance only grew. I was very happy with how I was doing in the competition.

My teammates and the crowd were nothing but supportive as well.

It was a nice feeling to be loved by everyone. However, I knew that Percy was loved only partly for his swimming skills. He was loved also for his kindness, sportsmanship, and charm.

Finally, the competition came to an end.

"Congratulations Percy Jackson for first place today," the announcer boomed.

Cheering and claps erupted as the Swindon coach placed a medal around me.

"I really wish that Swindon had a swimmer such as yourself. You should've taken my offer to attend an esteemed private school like Swindon Academy," the coach said with a smile.

I simply stared at him in shock.

Percy received acceptance to a place like Swindon Academy and rejected it. Swindon was one of the best private academies in the state for sports and academics.

Of course, Percy probably couldn't afford it.

"Thank you, sir," I said casually.

The medal weighed on my bare chest proudly. This was nothing compared to the trophies that Percy had in his room though.

"Of course, you didn't want to leave your team and coach," he chuckled. "I respect that."

I nodded before retracting to my team. Percy chose to stay with Goode High and Coach Hedge; I really couldn't imagine why.

I sighed. Percy was extremely loyal. That's why.

The bus ride back to school was loud and enjoyable. Everyone was smelling of chlorine, but no one seemed to care.

It was the last competition for most of the swim team members, and they were probably ready to take it easy. Percy's real competition was just starting.

I had to get him through districts next week. That was the presumed purpose of Janus's spell: the body swap.

Frank and I were laughing as we got off the bus. The drive back home was quicker than the drive to Swindon, probably because my nerves were gone.

"Gods, I'm ready for a shower," I exclaimed as I massaged my shoulder.

Frank laughed as he agreed. We continued towards Frank's car in the front parking lot.

"JACKSON."

Coach's bark interrupted our conversation and route to the parking lot. I sighed as we both turned around.

Considering Percy's performance at the meet, I thought the coach was coming for congratulations. However, I was (of course) being too hopeful.

"Coach, didn't Percy do great today?" Frank asked nervously.

Most of the team was still here watching the interaction between me and the coach. A group had quietly formed.

"Coach, you called my name," I acknowledged evenly.

"Jackson, your times weren't the best," Coach said flatly. "While you did well in the competition, this is pretty average for you, Jackson."

I simply stared at the man. Honestly, I wanted to scream, but I couldn't. I just couldn't understand why I couldn't say anything.

"Sir, I-"

"Jackson, you are representing your school, yet you're not on top of your game. What is going on with you?" he exclaimed angrily.

All of the other teammates were staring at me (ie Percy). I hated their scrutinizing and pitiful looks.

They all knew that Percy was an excellent swimmer. After all, he had ranked first at this meet, yet Coach was always so hard on him. The whole school was always so hard on him.

"Well, Jackson, explain yourself," Coach growled.

"I-"

I choked on my words as the emotions ran wild. Percy usually didn't defy the coach and the school, and I couldn't quite speak up either.

I always had a difficult time showing my voice. That's why I never entered the talent show.

My pride made me afraid to fail, and my personal life didn't help that. I struggled with showing myself and my voice.

Coach sighed as he shook his head in disappointment.

Gods, why was he disappointed in me (Percy)? Couldn't he see that Percy was giving it his all at all times?

I wanted to speak out. I wanted to let go.

I watched as the Coach turned around and start walking away. Percy's teammates also simply shook their heads and continued on their way.

"Percy, let's go," Frank said softly. He gently touched my arm.

I was sick of staying in silence. I was tired of living my life without sharing it with others, including my own dad. I wanted my voice to be heard.

I shook my head as I pushed his arm away.

"Hey Coach," I said as my voice elevated. The crowd stopped again as the coach turned around to face Percy (me) again.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I snapped.

Tears bristled in my eyes at the emotions vibrating my brain and body. It was freeing to let go and speak up. Technically, I was doing it for Percy, so I could only imagine how good it would feel to liberate my own voice.

The coach looked taken aback as he stared at me.

"I am so passionate about swimming, and I give my all to swimming," I said loudly. "I work so hard all the time."

My voice shook with emotion.

"Percy," Frank said as he attempted to calm me down.

"Stop it, Frank. I don't care anymore. I deserve to speak up and voice my opinions about my life. I got through so much, and you still treat me like dirt," I said boldly.

I felt a tear escape my eyes as they burned. I couldn't stop the tears from flowing down my face from all of the stress, pressure, and pain.

The coach simply stood there as did the rest of the team.

I let go of a shaky breath and wiped the tears off of my (ie Percy's) face.

I had made Percy fall apart in front of everyone. But, I didn't care because it felt so good to voice my emotions and voice my life.

It was okay because I realized that Percy deserved better, and so did I.

With that internal confirmation, I decided to go home.

***

I received several texts and phone calls from teammates and friends, but I didn't answer them. I wanted to relax tonight without worrying about anything.

I felt free and alive after expressing my voice.

That was all I needed to have a good time with Sally and Paul that night. I liked Percy's family so much, and it was so different than my own.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my siblings. However, we didn't spend as much time as a family with our parents.

Percy, however, didn't have trouble spending time with his parents. In fact, Percy was a complete momma's boy, and it was so cute honestly.

As we ate dinner together, I couldn't help but look around.

Percy has a tough life, but it was worse in his past. I had realized through intuition and fact that Percy had an abusive stepdad that got arrested.

Percy had dealt with my personal life as a kid.

Yet, Sally managed to stay warm and kind, and I absolutely loved that.

"Percy, what is it, honey?" Sally asked. Paul also turned to me as his face morphed into gentle concern.

"Nothing, I'm just, I-"

My voice choked as I got emotional. Guys usually didn't get emotional like this, but I was a girl in a guy's body.

Sally and Paul both stopped eating to really look at me.

"I'm just so grateful that I have you as my mom and dad," I said softly.

Even though what happened today after the swim meet was disappointing, I felt relieved. I felt happiness well in my chest as I smiled.

Paul and Sally both smiled back brightly. "We are grateful for you as our son," Sally said warmly. "Even though you're messy at times," Paul joked.

I chuckled as we continued to eat.

I wasn't sure how Percy would feel about me speaking up for him. Percy didn't like defying his team and his school, so I wasn't sure if he'd be happy tomorrow. He wanted everyone to be happy and satisfied even if he wasn't feeling the best.

I was nervous about facing him tomorrow.

Regardless, I felt good about standing up for myself and expressing my voice. Somehow, I felt like I conquered a great goal.