17: The Eyes

Percy POV

I didn't really know why I went to Annabeth's house. After hearing that Gabe was possibly back in the world, I wanted to be with someone who made me feel better.

Paul was there for my mom, and they had gone to bed early.

So, I was left alone. I couldn't work on my music due to writer's block and a general lack of motivation. That's when I called Terminus for a ride. I would've gone alone, but Chiron was adamant about my safety. Honestly, I didn't want to risk my safety either.

I sighed as I looked out the window. Annabeth's neighborhood was receding in the rearview mirror.

The trip was helpful. I did feel better. Annabeth had that kind of warm and reassuring effect on me. Also, she knew about my horrible history with Gabe.

However, Wise Girl didn't want me around. She was very quick to send me away.

"It's possible, Percy, that Gabe has changed," Terminus mentioned, catching my attention. "He could be moving on with his life and not coming after you and your mom."

"That would be the best scenario," I expressed firmly.

Silence followed as Terminus drove me back home. I wasn't going to sleep anytime soon, but I didn't know where else to go. Jason and Thalia didn't want to see me, so they definitely wouldn't want me in their home.

Honestly, I understood their anger.

I was acting like an asshole because of Rachel, Atlas, and Zeus's blackmail.

At the beginning of my career, I promised my best friend, Jason, that I wouldn't change. It hurt him deeply that I had "broken" that promise.

I wished that I could be honest with him, but I couldn't. I couldn't risk it. Also, Zeus (being Jason's father) was a conflict of interest that I didn't want to bring up.

"Hey, Terminus, can you take me to the park?" I asked.

"I don't believe that's a good idea, Percy. You shouldn't be out this late," Terminus warned. "We are going home."

I sighed as I stared at the night sky. It was a clear sky, and I could see the constellations and moon shining brightly down on us. In contrast to myself, it was a peaceful night.

"If you'd like, you can invite some friends over," Terminus stated as a compromise.

I wasn't sure who to call. Considering my status, most of the school would want to come and hang out with me. However, they were fans, not friends.

Finally, I texted Charlie and Silena. They were cool.

I was in my kitchen, drinking some water when my doorbell rang. Terminus had gone home after talking with the on-call security guard, who lived in the house. This wasn't a normal occurrence. They were being extra-cautious because of Gabe.

I started walking to the door, but my security reached the door first.

"Uh, we're just Percy's friends," Charlie's voice expressed. I quickly went forward and dismissed the guard. Sometimes, they were too protective.

"Hey, Charlie, thanks for coming over. I was so bored," I said with a smile.

"Yeah, no problem, dude." He patted my shoulder before coming inside. I watched in surprise as Silena and Piper got out of his convertible and walked over.

"Bro, you brought Piper," I whispered harshly.

Charlie looked at me weirdly before nodding. "Silena and Piper are sisters, and we were hanging out tonight at their place. We couldn't just leave her," he said logically.

"Percy, thanks for the invite," Silena exclaimed as she gave me a quick hug. I accepted it before turning to Piper, who was glaring at me.

"Hey, Pipes, thanks for coming," I greeted.

She didn't say anything. Gods, this was going to be awkward. Piper was Jason's boyfriend, and one of Annabeth's best friends. She did not like me right now.

Fortunately, Silena broke the tension.

"Percy, I want to see your basement. Don't you have an elite, personal recording studio down there?" she asked.

"Ah, yes, let's go down."

I led them downstairs. Honestly, my basement was the coolest part of my house. All the tech equipment, awards, certifications, and instruments busied the room. Plus, the large sound booth was an epic installment.

"Welcome to one of my favorite places in the world. My sacred space," I acknowledged loudly as I turned the lights on and spread my arms.

Piper's eyes brightened a bit as she looked around. I realized that Piper had never been to my house before. Jason and I hung out here all the time, but Piper hadn't joined us yet.

"Percy, that guitar is beautiful," Piper breathed, finally talking to me.

She walked over to the 1960 Les Paul 'Burst' in the corner. Due to its placement and grandeur, it was usually the first instrument that caught people's attention.

"Thanks, that one is my favorite," I expressed.

We spent the next few hours simply hanging out and talking. Even though Piper and I hadn't known each other for that long, I realized that she was a great friend. Plus, we had a lot in common (in terms of personality).

Her free spirit made a good balance for Jason, who was usually more serious and ordered.

Finally, Piper decided to test out the sound studio. Her voice was a classic pop-country voice that mirrored Taylor Swift in a lot of ways. It was fitting that she sang Wildest Dreams upon Silena's request.

I recorded the cover upon Piper's request.

Charles and I cheered as Piper laughed after finishing the song. Silena was clapping her hands like a proud older sister.

"Percy, this studio is so warm and comfy," she expressed. Then, her smile faded as her gaze narrowed at a few pictures on the table near the drums.

Finally, she walked out of the sound booth. Charles and Silena went inside and started fooling around with the instruments as Piper came towards me.

"Annabeth is my best friend, Percy," she stated seriously. "You hurt her. However, you didn't do it because you don't like her."

"Piper, I don't-"

"I am a human lie detector, Percy. Also, like my sister, I am extremely talented at seeing love," Piper paused. "Besides, if you didn't have feelings, you wouldn't have an intimate picture of you and her in your sacred space."

I stared at the particular picture across the sound studio's window. It was a picture of me and Annabeth at a picnic. We were sitting side-by-side. I was staring at her because she was smiling brightly while looking at the sky.

Jason secretly took that picture.

"What are you doing, Percy? You clearly love her," Piper expressed.

"I'm just trying to do what's right," I stated firmly.

However, I was realizing that doing what's right only seemed to be making my life worse. After all, my friends and Annabeth didn't like me. I was with a girl whom I despised. I hated my label, who controlled everything. And, my safety was potentially compromised.

"I'm just trying to do what's right," I whispered again sadly.

***

I couldn't keep my eyes off Annabeth in music class.

Apollo was lecturing on the history of Jazz music, but I couldn't pay attention. My eyes were only on Annabeth. She was in dark jeans and a white blouse. Her blonde hair was up in a ponytail. It was such a naturally attractive look.

I missed her beside me. I missed her presence and her voice. She would get so excited over topics in music and theatre.

I sighed sadly as I looked down at my journal.

I hadn't written a song in the past two weeks. It was my way of silently defying Zeus, Atlas, and the label.

It was stupid. I know.

I looked up again at Annabeth. She had beautiful, storming eyes. They were unique to the point where very few individuals in the world shared them.

Bette Davis Eyes, my mind thought randomly.

Suddenly, an influx of descriptions and lyrics popped into my hand. I started writing them down as fast as possible.

My eyes kept looking up at Annabeth every few seconds as I thought about more lyrics: hair is Harlow gold, lips a sweet surprise, pure as snow, etc.

My hand quickly scribbled more and more words down.

"Percy Jackson," Apollo interrupted my thoughts. My eyes snapped away from Annabeth and turned to my music teacher. "Percy, why do you keep looking at Ms. Chase?" he asked with no hesitance.

I felt everyone's gaze fall on me.

Annabeth turned to me as well in curiosity. After she told me that she hated me a few weeks ago, we didn't interact at all. I didn't know how to engage with her, and she had no intention of talking to me.

"Sir, I wasn't," I said quickly.

"I've been noticing you for the entire class, Percy. I would appreciate it if you could pay attention to the lesson rather than a classmate," Apollo said slyly.

Whispers spread through the room as Annabeth's gaze intensified on me.

I nodded quietly as I put my notebook away.

My friends looked away first. Jason and Thalia didn't even make eye contact. They were both quite upset with me.

Annabeth's intense eyes stared at me for a few more seconds before turning away. Her head was shaking in disapproval as she went back to her notes. Gods, I didn't even matter to her anymore. That's probably a good thing, I thought sadly.

I was so angry. The worst part was that I was angry at myself. I was mad at my life, and how helpless it was. I was guilty about leaving Annabeth and my friends even if I was justified.

I've never regretted the choice to follow my dreams. I loved performing, making music, and interacting with celebrities and fans.

Yet, at that moment, I hated my life, and I hated myself.

I sighed as I gathered my things and stood up.

Apollo paused his lesson as everyone's attention turned towards me for the second time. I simply walked out of the classroom.

I launched my backpack across the hallway in frustration. It hit the lockers with a loud thud. Contrary to popular belief, celebrities led very difficult lives. The lack of privacy was one thing, but the lack of control was the worst.

I stared at the spilled contents of my backpack. I grabbed my music journal off the floor and tore it open. The scraps fell to the floor as I threw the book towards the trashcan.

I became reckless during times of hopelessness and depression. It was a childhood habit from every time Gabe would physically and verbally abuse me. I would let out my emotions through negative actions.

My hands rested on my waist as I caught my breath. I stared at the trashcan and the scraps of my lyrics journal on the floor.

I shook my head and grabbed my backpack.

However, I left the notebook in the trash. At that moment, I was over my life. I needed an actual break from all of it.

I stormed through the hallways towards any exit. Another reckless action involved me walking out into the storming rain. Thunder exploded in the dark sky as the rain drenched my body. Hot tears burned my eyes.

I wanted my friends, and I wanted Annabeth again.

I was a loyal and caring person. When I had feelings for someone, they were all-consuming. The guilt of not being with that person was eating me alive. The guilt of hurting that person made it worst.

I turned around and faced the school. Annabeth was inside. Jason, Thalia, and the rest of my friends were inside as well.

"I LOVE YOU," I shouted.

Emotions racked my body as I trembled. All of the negative things in my life (past and present) raced through my head: my dad dying, Gabe, lack of privacy, control, blackmail, and splitting from the people I love.

Everything in me that was broken resurfaced.

My wet hair fell over my forehead, and my clothes soaked and stuck to my skin. My freezing hands shook in anger, sadness, and fear.

"I LOVE YOU, and I HATE THIS," I shouted in helplessness.