21: The Game of Life

Percy POV

I stared at myself in Piper's mirror.

The harsh bruises on my neck weren't appealing at all. I could feel my vocal tract and muscles contracting with tension. My voice was raspy and hoarse right now, so I wasn't trying to talk.

Annabeth appeared next to me. I could see her worried face in the mirror.

"That bastard is gone now," Jason exclaimed as he walked in. "Percy, seriously, how are you feeling?"

"I'm all right," I croaked.

The muscles of my throat felt tight. I spent so much time over the years working on my vocal muscles and breath control. It came as a part of being a singer. While my vocal tract didn't feel damaged, it didn't feel comfortable either.

Annabeth looked downcast as she moved to Piper's bed. My gaze followed her, but I had no words to reassure her.

She was blaming herself for being with Luke. While I didn't like the prospect of her with Luke, this wasn't her fault. If anything, I was the one that kept provoking Luke.

"Bro, we should get you checked out. I can come with you to the hospital. Also, Terminus has already been informed," Jason said firmly.

I sighed as I thought about how strict my security was going to be now.

Suddenly, Terminus barged into the room with Thalia. Terminus immediately came to me while analyzing my bruises. "Mr. Jackson, we are leaving this household right now," he ordered. His tone was firm, and he only used my last name when he meant business.

I nodded before wincing at the pain.

"All right, Sir, let's go," Terminus stated.

His hand fell on my shoulder as he guided me out of the room. I looked back at my friends and motioned for them to come with me. I didn't want to be alone with my thoughts.

If your voice is gone, then you're nothing.

I shook my head before wincing again. Jason and Thalia blocked peoples' curious gazes from me as we walked through Piper's house. So much for a fun party, I thought.

"What is going on?" Rachel asked loudly.

We had almost made it out the door before she stopped us. She blocked the path out of the front door. A crowd was forming around us since we were in the middle of the hallway.

"Ms. Dare, please move out of the way. I have a responsibility to remove Mr. Jackson from this scene," Terminus spoke boldly.

"Excuse me? You are merely a bodyguard. Don't speak to me in that tone. Step aside," Rachel snapped.

My anger surged. Rachel had no right to speak that disrespectfully no matter what status she held. She especially couldn't speak to my staff like that.

"Rachel, what the hell is your problem?" Thalia snapped.

"I would just like to know what happened to my boyfriend," Rachel emphasized the term, boyfriend, as she spoke.

"Rachel, I need to go home," I replied quietly. My voice felt a little better, but it was still scratchy and uncomfortable.

"Babe, what happened? Oh, my poor baby," she slurred.

Rachel stepped around Terminus and came to me. His hands clenched into fists, but he didn't stop Rachel. After all, she was my 'girlfriend'. Her hand reached up and stroked my neck. I immediately took a step back. Her touch and fake concern meant nothing to me.

"Babe, I'm so sorry if that hurt," she responded.

"Oh my god, RED, could you be more fake?" Annabeth's voice murmured. We both turned towards Annabeth who was standing a few feet away.

"Oh, does the nerd have something to say?" Rachel asked slyly.

Annabeth stepped forward confidently. Annabeth and Rachel were both glaring at each other, face-to-face. Somehow, I was metaphorically pushed to the side.

I could sense the heated tension between them.

"I do have something to say, Rachel. Percy's a freaking idiot for being with an inconsiderate, materialistic girl like you," Annabeth said boldly.

How is it that they both were fighting, and yet, I was the one getting insulted?

"And yet, he still chose me over you. Does it feel good to get rejected, Annabeth?" Rachel shot back.

I sighed as I shook my head. This was such a bad idea. I didn't want the two of them to clash with each other. Of course, Annabeth would win but at what cost.

The crowd was listening intently to their argument.

"Even though I was rejected, at least, I know that he cares about me. That's more than I could say for you, Rachel. He doesn't even want to be with you," Annabeth said cooly.

"Yet, he is with me. That automatically puts me above you."

"Oh please, a man on your arm shouldn't validate your worth," Annabeth snapped.

I nodded in agreement. The relationship between a man and a woman is about love, not status or dominance. My gaze fell on Annabeth. She looked so fierce and beautiful as she stood her ground. Gods, I was so in love with her.

Rachel's confident smile faded as she studied Annabeth. I could see the spark of anger in her eyes. Her signature red lips forced a smile again.

She stepped even closer to Annabeth.

I felt like I should stop this, but I was frozen. I didn't know what to do. Hell, the whole room didn't know how to react to the tension between them.

"Listen, Annabeth, I managed to take control over a pop star like Percy because of you. You don't scare me at all," Rachel whispered dangerously.

Annabeth's eyes widened. I could see the gears turning in her head. She had confusion and pain in her eyes. She was feeling guilty as is. Now, Rachel was saying that all of this was her fault. She wasn't completely wrong, but I'd never blame Annabeth for this.

I blame Zeus, Atlas, and Rachel. They were the ones that were blackmailing me by using Annabeth as social bait.

"In a counterintuitive way, you are the reason why he's so miserable," Rachel continued. "It's his feelings for you that make him miserable when he's with me."

"Then, why is he with you?" Annabeth whispered.

"To protect you," Rachel smirked.

'Rachel, that's enough," I said boldly.

My voice was weak and raspy. The muscles of my neck and vocal tract were aching, but I ignored the pain. I signaled Terminus that it was time to go.

I didn't even wait as I walked out of the party.

As Terminus drove me and Jason to the hospital, he also informed my parents of what happened. However, my mind was too busy to care.

Could things get any worse?

***

"Bruh, how is it that you manage to pull off a turtle-neck sweater, yet I can't even wear a T-shirt properly?" Leo exclaimed in annoyance.

I chuckled softly but stopped as my muscles ached instead.

"Trust me, I normally don't wear turtle-necks," I said quietly.

Fortunately, after extensive testing, Dr. Sollace said that nothing was damaged. My voice was feeling better and sounded normal. However, I was required to rest my voice, talk quietly, and not sing for a few days.

I hadn't come to school for the past couple of days because I was on complete vocal rest, which greatly helped with faster healing. Since there was no internal damage, the healing process was fairly efficient.

Regardless, I was grateful that my friends were interacting with me again.

The events at the party made it obvious that I had feelings for Annabeth. It also made it obvious that other things were influencing my actions. My friends understood now that my behaviors were potentially validated.

"Is your neck still bruised?" Leo asked.

"Not so much, actually. A few days passing definitely helped," I responded. "It looks a little embarrassing at the moment."

"What do you mean?" Leo asked curiously.

"He means that they look like hickeys rather than bruises now," Jason exclaimed before laughing like an idiot.

"Shut up, man," I said light-heartedly.

"Woah, let me see. I wanna see your hickeys," Leo said. Gods, he was such a weirdo sometimes. Regardless, I pulled the turtle-neck down slightly to show him my bruises.

"Bro, legit, they do look like hickeys."

Leo and Jason continued to laugh as we walked towards the music studio. I always got a feeling of nostalgia when hanging out at Goode's sound studio. That's why I spent time there even though I have a better recording studio at home.

"So, does this mean that you can't perform this Saturday?" Leo asked.

"Nah, I'll perform at the showcase. I figured that my performance would be great for attracting more coverage. The students here would really benefit because of it," I explained. "My voice should be fine by then."

"Bro, it's only a few days away," Jason said.

"Yeah, it's fine, Jason."

We continued talking about the showcase. I'd mostly be performing Viva La Vida with my band since it was my biggest hit and go-to song. As soon as we walked into the music studio, we realized that it was already occupied.

"Sorry, guys, the studio is taken," Piper exclaimed slyly.

I rolled my eyes as we continued into the room. Leo closed the door behind us. I watched Annabeth with curious eyes. She was sitting on the couch next to all of the sound equipment. She was studying a few papers intently (lyrics no doubt).

She was so focused that she didn't even look up.

I had ignored her for the past couple of days. Honestly, I didn't know how much of the truth she found it. Rachel definitely slipped up a little at the party.

"Hey, Wise Girl, what are you planning on singing?" I asked. "Wait, is that my journal?"

I stared at the blue journal sitting on the couch. It wasn't open, but it was there. During my breakdown, I had thrown into the trash. I had gone to look for it afterward, but I sadly couldn't find it.

"Yes, I was going to give it back to you today. Of course, you ignored me during lunch," Annabeth said sharply and directly.

"Yeah, about that-"

"You're really talented, Seaweed Brain," she interrupted. "I read through some of your recent notes."

"Right, thanks," I said awkwardly. If she read some of my recent lyrics, then she knew that I was writing about her. The lyrics weren't exactly secretive.

I took my journal and scrolled through my book. A few loose papers fell out, and I quickly grabbed them again.

"So, anyway, what are you singing at the showcase?" I asked excitedly.

The fall and spring showcases were a big deal at Goode Academy of performing arts. It was a chance for all students to demonstrate their talents and possibly gain opportunities.

"It's a secret. You'll just have to find out on Saturday," she said slyly.

"Wow, Wise Girl, just wow," I smirked.

Annabeth chuckled as she put away the lyrics into her backpack. Her gaze turned towards me again as she waited for me to communicate.

"Yeah, so Wise Girl, um, this whole thing with Rachel. There's a whole story that you don't know that explains why I'm with her and not you," I said cautiously.

"Tell me," Annabeth whispered.

Hazel was singing in the background. The others were giving her notes on her performance of Beauty and the Beast. However, Annabeth and I were in our own world on this couch.

I sighed as I gazed at her. Annabeth's eyes were glistening in anticipation. Her smooth skin and soft lips were so inviting. She was so beautiful inside and out.

"I want to kiss you," I blurted out.

"That's not happening, Seaweed Brain, until you tell me everything," Annabeth whispered firmly.

I nodded. However, I couldn't tell her right now. Over the past few days, Zeus and Rachel were on me more so than ever. Rachel was definitely intimidated by Annabeth, and that news went to label as well.

The label didn't want me with Annabeth because (according to them) she was just a normal girl. They didn't know her like I do. I love her, and I was confident that my fans and the media would love and respect her too.

But, Zeus and Atlas had other opinions.

"I can't tell you yet," I whispered.

Annabeth huffed in frustration as she shook her head. She was about to stand up and walk away, but I grabbed her hands to stop her.

"Wise Girl, trust me, I'm going to get us through this. Together. I promise."

Annabeth shifted her fingers, and my hands easily slid against hers so that I was holding her hands more firmly. My thumbs rubbed her soft skin reassuringly.

Her gaze locked onto mine. I could see the hesitation in her eyes. I didn't blame her, though, considering how much I hurt her.

Finally, Annabeth nodded as she smiled.

I smiled back.

My life was a giant game, and I had to navigate it to find happiness and enjoy love. Some people lose the game, but I was determined to win.