14: The Betrayal

Annabeth POV

I simply laid in my bed. I couldn't sleep, but I couldn't feel my emotions either. Right now, I was feeling neutral about everything. This was worse than the last time Percy left me.

I sighed as I turned off the radio. I had no intention of listening to his music.

Then, a gentle knock resonated from my bedroom door. I groaned and flipped over on the bed. The covers wrapped around me while my head sunk into the pillow. I really didn't want to interact with anybody.

A silent click echoes through my darkened room as someone walked in.

"Hey, Annabeth, how are you doing?" Piper's voice asked softly.

I didn't respond to her. I wouldn't even know what to say. Piper's footsteps trailed through my room towards my windows. She opened my curtains to a gloomy day outside, similar to how I was feeling on the inside.

Still, a bit more light managed to enter the room.

"Annabeth, come on, get up. It's 10 am on a weekday," Piper said firmly. She sat next to me on the bed and pulled the covers off of my face. "How are you?"

"I don't know," I murmured.

Piper's expressions were grim as she sighed. I loved Piper because she was always on my side. She empathized more than any other person that I knew.

"Well, I came here to take you outside. We can go have some fun as a form of distraction. We can go to the mall," Piper said with an assuring smile.

I sat up and stared at my friend. While I appreciated her effort to make me feel better, I wasn't in the mood for anything.

"Piper, I just want to lay down," I said firmly.

I tried to grab the blanket from her grip, but she pulled back. She quickly took my arm and started pulling me up. However, Piper wasn't nearly as strong as Thalia.

"Come on, Annabeth, it'll be okay."

"Piper, you don't get it," I snapped as I retracted. "You've been with Jason for months now in a happy relationship. Percy had sex with me and called it quits."

My tone elevated with each word. However, I was more upset than I was angry.

"What does that tell you, Pipes? It tells me that he lied about his feelings just to get in my pants," I snapped.

Piper stayed silent, but I could see the thoughts in her eyes.

"Annabeth, you know that Percy isn't really like that. He's a good person, and he probably has an explanation," Piper said softly.

"How is any of this good? He doesn't love or care about me. You heard him loud and clear," I said firmly.

Piper sighed as he nodded. Her hands brushed her hair before taking my hand again. Her hand gently rubbed my skin to comfort me.

"I know that it hurts, Annabeth. You genuinely liked him. However, locking yourself up in your room and missing school isn't going to solve that," she said firmly. "So, come on, if you don't want to go shopping, at least come back to school."

I nodded before getting up.

I was in the same pajamas for the last two days, so I needed to change. It's been five days since Reyna's party, and I've been in my room for most of it.

Piper was sitting on the bed on her phone when I came out of my bathroom. I quickly got dressed and ready for school.

"Yeah, Pipes, I'm ready," I said firmly.

The hot shower allowed me to think straight. Piper was right. Sitting in my room wasn't going to do anything.

Piper smiled as we walked out of my house. Luckily, we hadn't run into Helen because she was at a work meeting.

Piper's Porsche roared to life as she turned on the engine. I loved Piper's silver Porsche; it was a beautiful car. I forced myself to smile as we chatted about school and music.

We made it into the school parking lot in a matter of minutes.

Before I could get out, Piper stopped me.

"Annabeth, you should know that this isn't your fault. You're a wonderful girl, and it's his loss. He's the one at fault here for being so inconsiderate with you."

"I hate that I believed his words, Piper. That's what hurts so much. How could I be so stupid to fall for him and his lies?" I asked.

"This isn't on you, Annabeth," she said as she shook her head.

I nodded as we walked outside. My thoughts were racing, though. It's just that Percy seemed so genuine. I felt as though he meant every word that he said to me when confessing his feelings. His eyes, tone, and actions were nothing but gentle and honest at the party.

I sighed. Maybe, he was just a really good actor.

As soon as we entered the main hallway, the bell rang loudly. Piper and I quickly walked towards the cafeteria. In hindsight, we probably should've eaten before coming to school.

The cafeteria was buzzing with activity like always.

It was too cold to sit outside today, so my friends were at the table near the back of the cafeteria. However, Piper and I decided to grab our food first. As we waited in line, another thought arose in my head.

"Piper, who knows about all this?" I asked quietly.

"Most of our friends know," she said sadly. "Most of them are quite upset about it, and there's something else."

She faltered off. Her eyes seemed conflicted like she didn't know how to tell me. I couldn't ask her because we reached the lunch lady. The lunch was an odd combination of fruit, pasta, and chocolate milk.

"So, you were saying something," I said as I stopped walking and turned towards Piper.

However, before she could respond, I felt a push against my back. I realized that it was my fault since I stopped in the middle of the cafeteria without warning.

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention," I said absent-mindedly.

I turned around to come face to face with Percy. He was wearing a green sweatshirt and jeans and holding his lunch tray.

"Hey, Wise Girl," he whispered.

There was a simultaneous lightness and weight in his voice. His voice was tense as he spoke to me, but it also had hope.

I shook my head as Piper turned towards Percy. Her expression was angry.

"Percy, just leave. You have no right to be talking to her," Piper said seriously.

Despite that, Percy's piercing sea-green eyes didn't leave my gaze. He was looking at me with a sad face. Once again, I saw the same deep emotions in his eyes. They say that eyes don't lie, so how was he looking at me like I was the most precious thing in the world (especially after everything that he said about me).

"BABE, why are you talking to this nobody?" Rachel asked loudly.

I looked at her in surprise as she walked over in annoying high heels. She came straight at Percy and kissed him. Her body pressed into him without hesitation.

I took a step back in surprise.

I looked at Piper to realize that this was what she wanted to tell me. I felt anger and disappointment well in my chest as I watched their sensual interaction.

Percy's hands were tense as he pushed against Rachel's arms. This ended up breaking their kiss as Percy quickly turned to me again.

"Wise Girl, I, I'm sorry-"

"Just shut up, Percy. I don't want to hear any more of your lies," I snapped sadly.

Tears were burning my eyes, but I refused to let them fall for him. He didn't deserve my tears anymore. Rachel was simply smirking, but I ignored it.

"I hate you," I said vehemently into his face.

Oddly enough, his handsome face contorted in pain, but I didn't care.

I stormed off, and Piper followed me with equal determination. We walked towards the rest of my friends.

I realized quickly that Percy was no longer welcome at our table. Jason was upset, and Thalia was beyond angry. The others also cared about me so much. They immediately made sure to comfort and support me.

Percy was sitting with Rachel at a table with wealthier students. Specifically, Rachel was practically sitting on his lap, but he didn't seem to care. Percy looked up and his gaze locked onto mine despite the distance between us. Sea-green on gray.

My mind and heart raced, and I quickly turned away.

Lunch continued tensely. My friends thankfully talked about other things including school, shopping, and the upcoming showcase.

Classes were a good distraction for me. I always enjoyed learning, so it was nice to get lost in the lessons.

Finally, my last period was Acting 301.

However, as soon as my phone rang, I realized that I was going to be late. "Thalia, I'll meet you in class. This is my dad," I said quickly.

She immediately understood and nodded.

I walked towards a relatively empty part of the Theatre department and answered the phone. It was rare for dad to call me. He must've gotten my voicemails.

"Hi, Dad," I greeted into the phone.

"Hi, honey, how are you?" my dad asked. I could hear the warm smile on his face. I didn't really know how to answer honestly, so I faked it.

"I'm fine, Dad, how's work going?" I responded.

"Oh, it's going great, honey. The dig is really leading up to very big discoveries. I can't wait to see you in person and discuss all of the details."

I stared at the phone in surprise.

"Wait, dad, you're coming home soon?" I asked. "For the showcase."

"I am coming home, sweetie. I'll be back home this weekend. Unfortunately, I cannot make the showcase that's in a few weeks," he expressed.

His tone was neutral. I couldn't tell if he was happy about coming home and visiting his family. I also couldn't tell if he was sad about missing the showcase.

"Dad, rather than this weekend, you should come for the showcase," I tried.

"I wish I could do that, Annabeth. Regardless, this weekend will be nice. We all can go out for dinner and spend time together."

I sighed. I expected this answer. I don't know why I tried to convince him every year because it led to the same result: rejection and let-down.

Sometimes, I wondered if my dad even remembers my voice, my singing voice.

"I, yeah, dad. That sounds great," I said quietly.

The phone call ended soon after that. I breathed in and out as I stood in the hallway for a few minutes. I was glad that he was at least coming home, but it was still sad.

My dad was probably the first traitor in my life. He let me down every year when all I wanted to do was show him my voice and acting skills. Growing up, I'd watch other students' parents happily attend their kid's talent shows, concerts, and plays. I've never had that.

I thought that he would be the only traitor actually.

I was wrong though. Percy was also a traitor. While growing up and in the past few weeks, I always thought that Percy would never hurt me.

Clearly, I was wrong. Percy only cared for himself.

I shook my head to wipe my thoughts and feelings away. Then, I decided to go to class and focus on acting and music.