15: The Loss

Percy POV

"Rachel, stop touching me," I snapped. "Just sit there."

Surprisingly, Rachel listened but only because she received a text. Her phone was in her hand in a second as she texted her friends.

I looked out the window at the passing buildings. My hometown wasn't giving me any comfort today. After all, I wasn't okay.

Annabeth, the girl I loved hated me, and rightfully so. My words probably hurt her so much, and I felt awful about it. However, this was for the best. Annabeth was a wonderful, beautiful, and talented person. She was not a scandal, and I won't let anyone damage her reputation and pride like that.

Furthermore, my friends had varying levels of distaste towards me. Even Jason wouldn't talk to me after the weekend.

I frowned as I remembered our last conversation...

(Flashback)

I was in my bedroom on Sunday, simply laying in bed. Sadness and depression were the emotions suffocating me as I stared at nothing.

The smell of blue cookies was wafting through the room, but I let them be. I was too upset to partake in my mom's baking. She noticed my negative mood quickly and asked me about it, but I didn't tell her my issues. So, instead, she baked cookies to cheer me up.

Of course, it didn't work.

Suddenly, a knock came from my door, but I made no move to open it. I continued to stare up at the ceiling and burrow into my bed. Whoever was here can just leave.

"Percy, open this door, right now," Jason's voice shouted.

He was angry that day. He wanted answers about the party, but I had none to give him. The knocking intensified annoyingly.

I groaned as I got up. I stormed towards the door and swung it open.

"Jason, just go away. Not answering the door is an indication that I don't want to talk," I snapped in annoyance.

"Well, too bad. What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked loudly. Jason pushed into the room and sat down on my bed before I could refuse.

"Percy, you seemed so happy after getting together with Annabeth. How could you just throw that away? What happened?" Jason asked.

"Nothing happened. I wasn't into it," I said tensely.

I closed my bedroom door and walked towards my desk. I took a seat and grabbed my lyrics notebook, trying to distract myself from Jason.

"That's the worst lie that I've ever heard," Jason responded.

He came over and grabbed my journal away. He slammed it down on the desk and turned my desk chair so that I was facing him.

I stared at my best friend, but I couldn't meet his eyes. However, I couldn't tell him the truth either. I mean, how do I tell my best friend that his dad was ruining my life? Keeping me from love and happiness?

I couldn't tell Jason anything.

"Percy, we both know that you love Annabeth," Jason said firmly.

"I don't," I said as I got up.

Jason grabbed my shoulder and turned me towards him. "Bro, look at my face and tell me that."

I couldn't lie to Jason while looking into his eyes. My loyalty dictated that I didn't lie to my friends, yet I was. I couldn't confirm these lies by facing him directly.

"I'm dating Rachel," I said while facing him."She's a better match for me."

Jason seemed shocked as his grip loosened. I quickly pulled away and distanced myself from Jason. This was too hard.

"Bro, you've got to be kidding me," he snapped.

"I'm not kidding. I'm not gonna be with Annabeth. I will be dating Rachel because she's rich and popular and a better fit," I said firmly.

My voice had risen due to the tension between us. Jason shook his head in disbelief.

"Percy, what happened to you?" he asked desperately. "Did fame and wealth really change you that much?"

I closed my eyes as I digested his accusations. I had changed. I became a person who couldn't be honest with his friends and couldn't be with the people that he loved. I had become a fraud.

My gaze fell on Jason as he shook his head in disbelief.

I realized that I was losing my best friend, and I couldn't do much about it.

"Percy, you've changed for the worst. I never expected this from you. I can't even believe this person that you've become," Jason expressed sadly.

"This is who I am," I said firmly.

My eyes were probably red with emotion, but I kept an indifferent face.

"Well, this isn't my best friend. My best friend doesn't give a damn about material things. He cares about the people that he loves."

"Well, things change, Jason. I'm not that person anymore," I lied painfully.

Jason shook his head in disappointment.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Jason said firmly. I could see the sparks in his eyes as he turned away. My best friend didn't even look back as he left.

My body trembled as my hands covered my face.

I sat down on the bed with my elbows on my knees. My hands rubbed my face as I digested what happened. Jason's accusations were painful but also not completely wrong.

I was changed, and I was weak.

(End Flashback)

"Babe, come on, why don't you hold my hand?" Rachel whined.

Her manicured hand took my hand and placed it on her thigh. I quickly pulled away. I had no intention of indulging in experiences with someone like Rachel.

"Rachel, enough, I don't like you. You can have the title of being my girlfriend, but you're not going to have me," I said firmly.

Her smile receded as she gazed at me. However, a sly smile followed pretty quickly. She laughed before firmly grabbing my hand again. This time I couldn't break out of her grip.

"Let go-"

"Babe, you say that for now. However, obviously, you know that things change. As time goes on, you'll realize that you don't have a choice," she said menacingly.

Finally, she released my hand, and I immediately pulled away. I stared at her wildly as I rubbed my hand, but I couldn't deny the truth in her words.

I didn't have a choice now, and I was miserable because of it.

In just a few days, I had lost my friends, my integrity, and my love. I couldn't imagine what more I'd lose.

***

It was weird sitting at the Jock and Cheer table. It wasn't that these guys were bad; I just missed my friends. However, I did make a few cool new friends.

"Percy, can I ask you something?" Silena Beauregard asked.

Silena was the daughter of Aphrodite, who was a famous supermodel. I actually met Aphrodite when I was performing at a Victoria's Secret fashion show. She was incredibly stunning, of course, but she was an interesting woman.

"Yeah, Silena, what's up?" I acknowledged casually.

I turned towards Charlie and Silena. Charles Beckendorf had his arm around his girlfriend. They were in love, and I felt envious of their relationship. They both were so happy and open.

I sighed as I refocused on the conversation. Silena seemed hesitant to ask the question, and Charlie noticed as well.

"So, Percy, we were both curious," Charlie started. "To be honest, you're a very down-to-Earth and sweet guy, which was surprising. It's just-, why are you with someone like Rachel?"

My eyes widened as I stared at them. I didn't expect them to ask this question so directly. Also, weren't they friends with Rachel?

Silena quickly spoke up, "Don't get me wrong. Rachel's all right, but you don't mesh with her. She can be manipulative and materialistic. You don't seem like that."

Her voice quietened as more people joined the table. However, they were all fixated on their own conversations. Regardless, I looked around just to make sure.

"Sorry if our question was rude, dude," Charlie stated.

They both seemed incredibly nervous like they regretted asking in the first place. However, I could tell that they had good intentions.

"Nah, it's all right. Honestly, I can't answer why I'm with her," I said truthfully.

"Like, you have confused feelings for her," Silena suggested.

"What?! No. Gods, I hate that woman. I just, if she finds out that I told people, she'll be quick to destroy someone that I really care about," I expressed quietly.

My eyes looked across the cafeteria towards Annabeth. She was talking with Thalia and Piper. I smiled as I watched her smiling face. She was speaking passionately about some topic that made her happy and excited.

Charles smiled reassuringly before patting my shoulder. Silena seemed lost in thought, but she was quick to follow my line of sight.

"You're a famous pop star with girl problems. She's very pretty," she stated with a smirk. I chuckled as I turned back to my new friends.

"Yeah, she hates me, though."

"Well-"

"Guys, let's stop talking about this. Rachel's coming," I interrupted.

They nodded before Rachel, who was wearing a bright red dress, came and sat right next to me. I wiped my lips after she planted a sloppy kiss on me. Silena and Charles carried looks of sympathy as the conversation shifted.

Rachel tried to initiate a physical exchange with me, but I refused. I continued to talk with Charlie and Silena instead. Fortunately, Rachel got bored of us and turned to her cheer friends.

My phone rang loudly in the middle of lunch.

"Oh, excuse me, guys. I have to take this," I said sheepishly. Charles and Silena smiled as I left the cafeteria and walked into the quiet hallway.

Lockers lined the walls and posters advertising the Fall showcase were all around the school. The label wanted me to perform, which made me not want to. I wanted to do anything that would defy them. However, I couldn't back out.

"Hello, Chiron, I didn't expect you to call during school," I stated.

"Percy, this is serious. We need to talk as soon as possible. I am currently driving to your house, and I will meet you after school." His voice was stern and serious.

A sinking feeling settled into my chest. My first thoughts went to Annabeth and the possibility that Zeus, Atlas, or Rachel did something evil.

"Is this about the Label and the pictures?" I asked nervously.

"No, Percy. This is something worse than that. I'll see you at home," Chiron stated firmly. He was about to hang up, but I stopped him.

"Wait, Chiron, what's going on?"

Chiron sighed into the phone. A tense silence followed as Chiron decided whether to tell me the news or not. My stress and curiosity were killing me, though.

"Chiron, just tell me," I said firmly.

I wish that I didn't force Chiron to tell me. Anything would've been better than the news that came next. My heart pounded, and my mind raced.

"Perseus, Gabe was released from prison yesterday."