26: The Ex-Convict

Annabeth POV

All of the equations and variables blurred in my line of sight. Despite my dyslexia, I preferred reading and history over math. Math was just an awful subject. Don't get me wrong, I was good at math, but that didn't mean that I had to like it.

Suddenly, a knock reverberated through my bedroom.

However, it was coming from my closed window rather than my door. My eyes widened as I watched Percy balancing on the branch outside of my window.

"Seaweed Brain, what are you doing?" I hissed as I opened the window.

"I'm visiting you," Percy said with a smile. "Now, Wise Girl, can you open the window more?" he asked.

"Percy, you should be at home," I said firmly. My body was blocking him from coming inside. He had clearly snuck out without his security. This was a huge risk.

"Wise Girl, I'm literally about to shit my pants. Please let me in," Percy begged.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling. Percy always managed to make me smile and laugh. I sighed as I opened the window more. Percy quickly scampered inside. His body landed on the ground with a loud thud.

"Seaweed Brain, be quiet. You're going to wake Helen and the boys," I expressed.

Percy groaned as he stood up. Then, he quickly wrapped his arms around my waist and passionately kissed me. I smiled into the sweet kiss.

It's been a few weeks since we started seeing each other in secret. As far as I knew, nobody knew about our relationship. That's what Percy wanted.

"I thought you had to use the restroom," I whispered against his soft lips.

"You're so hot," Percy moaned before kissing me again. "And, you're right, I really do have to use the restroom."

Percy finally broke the kiss. I could see the lust in his eyes before he let go of me and ran towards my private bathroom. The door shut softly behind him.

I laughed as I straightened my shirt.

Percy acted like such a kid sometimes, but it was endearing and pure. I cleaned up my homework and desk before closing the window again. Finally, I sat down on my bed with a copy of Winnie Holzman's Wicked.

I was auditioning for the school play.

"Sorry about that, Wise Girl," Percy said as he came out of the bathroom. He walked over and settled down next to me.

Percy's arm wrapped around my shoulder. I snuggled into him for warmth and comfort. I loved being in Percy's embrace.

"Which role are you going for, Wise Girl?" he asked softly. His lips pressed against my cheek softly as his free hand took mine. His fingers trailed mine instinctively, and little sparks of ecstasy shot through me with every touch.

"I'm thinking that Glina is a better role for me," I said earnestly. "Anyway, Percy, why the hell would you sneak out at 11 pm?"

"I just wanted to see you, Wise Girl. Even though I see you all the time, we always have to pretend like we're only friends. I wanted to spend some time with you."

Percy sighed. He pulled away from me and gently held my hands. His body was directly facing mine.

"Annabeth, you deserve better. I hate that I'm making you lie to your friends, and I hate that we are a secret," Percy said.

I reached up and touched his cheek.

"Percy, I don't regret this one bit. I know that your label is putting you through a lot. It's okay. Also, we would've been a secret even without anyone forcing us to be. Isn't that how avoiding the paparazzi works?" I asked.

"Yeah, it is, but we wouldn't need to keep it from our friends and family," Percy said. I could see the guilt in his eyes, and he was avoiding my gaze.

Suddenly, I realized something.

"Seaweed Brain, you told someone, didn't you?" I asked suspiciously.

"Okay, don't get mad, Annabeth. I just couldn't keep it from my mom. I really wanted her to know about us," Percy explained urgently.

I started laughing at Percy's anxious face, which morphed into confusion. Everyone knew that Percy was a complete mama's boy. He had a great relationship with his mom, and he told her everything. That wasn't something that he should be guilty about.

"You're such a mama's boy, Percy," I chuckled. "I'm not mad."

Percy smiled before kissing me. Then, he asked me if we should go out for ice cream. Honestly, it was pretty late, but I wanted to go out with Percy. Besides, no one of importance would see us at this time of day.

"Yeah, let's go get ice cream. I'd like a brownie sundae," I exclaimed.

"Yay, ice cream," he cheered.

I quickly kissed him to shut him up. If I hadn't, Percy definitely would've woken up Helen and my brothers, and that would not have ended well.

***

The lady at Bruster's ice cream shop was very sweet. She couldn't stop smiling at the fact that a young couple came into the shop for a midnight date. Of course, Percy added a sly comment about how he couldn't resist his girlfriend's wishes.

We were currently walking back towards my house. The shop was only a few blocks from my neighborhood. The stars and moon were shining down on us. The trip was very nice (simple yet romantic).

"Hmm, gosh, this is so good," Percy chuckled.

I looked over to find chocolate smeared all over Percy's mouth. I started laughing as I leaned over to wipe his face with a tissue.

"Seaweed Brain, you are so sloppy," I chuckled. I finished wiping his chin before continuing to enjoy my banana split.

"You have to enjoy your food, Wise Girl," Percy exclaimed excitedly.

Just to make a point, he shoved his chocolate ice cream cone against his mouth. However, in the process, the chocolate scoop slid off of his cone and fell on the sidewalk. Percy's mouth opened in surprise. I burst out laughing as I stared at Percy's face.

"Aww, dang it," Percy whined. "Stop laughing, Wise Girl."

I couldn't stop laughing as I leaned forward and wiped his face again. "This is what you get, Percy, for being all cocky and expressive," I stated.

Percy joined in on my laughter as we continued walking home.

Suddenly, some footsteps echoed along the street. My senses heightened as I looked around the dark street. We had just entered my (relatively safe) neighborhood, but we were still some distance away from my home.

"Percy, wait, did you hear that?" I asked.

"Annabeth, let's just get back home," Percy said nervously.

He seemed on-edge as he looked around the neighborhood. The street lights were only faintly illuminating the roads. Overall, it was pretty dark.

"Why are you in such a hurry, boy?" a deep voice echoed from behind us.

Percy's hand immediately took mine as we turned around. I appreciated that Percy's first instinct was to protect me. However, I didn't like the look of the man standing in front of us.

He looked like a drunk, holding a baseball bat.

"Well, well, it seems that your awkward self managed to find a girl. I'm impressed," the man stated menacingly.

"I can't wait to beat you in front of her," he stated boldly.

He stood a dangerous stride forward. Percy immediately turned towards me. My mind raced as I realized why Percy looked so scared all of a sudden.

This was smelly Gabe, his abusive ex-step-father.

"Annabeth, you need to run home. You need to get as far away as possible from him," Percy said quickly.

"I'm not leaving you, Seaweed Brain," I said firmly.

My grip tightened on his hand. I wasn't going to let go because he couldn't just face this by himself. I wasn't going to let him.

"All right, then, RUN," Percy shouted.

We immediately took off towards my house, hand-in-hand. We could hear Gabe's thundering footsteps closing in on us. How was a drunk man so strong and agile?

Percy yanked me to the side. I yelped in surprise, but then, I realized that Percy defended me against a thrown beer bottle.

Percy shouted in pain as the glass bottle splintered against his arm.

"Seaweed Brain," I shouted.

"No, let's keep running," he shouted back.

However, the accident had greatly slowed our progress. The next thing I knew, Percy's hand was ripped away from mine as Gabe tackled him onto my neighbor's lawn.

"Percy," I shouted.

I quickly ran forward and wrapped my arm around Gabe's neck and pulled. The big, smelly man whipped around, effectively slapping my shoulder. The impact caused me to fall over before the man went back over Percy.

"oh my god," I shouted as I quickly got to my feet.

I immediately pulled out my phone and called the police. Hurry the hell up, I thought as I watched Percy and Gabe fighting and rolling in the grass.

"Hello, this is NYPD, what is the emergency?"

"Hi, my name is Annabeth Chase, and I live in Shady Oak Community. A man has attacked me and my boyfriend. Please, we need help," I said quickly.

I ducked and dodged a swing from the baseball bat. I kicked him in the stomach before distancing myself from Gabe. However, I dropped my phone, and it shattered on the sidewalk.

"Percy," I shouted again.

Gabe was currently on top of him and effectively punched Percy. Percy blocked Gabe's punch with his hand. As such, Percy protected his head and face, but I could hear the cracking of bone from his right hand.

Percy kicked up and flipped them over. He sat on Gabe's stomach and started to punch the drunk, abusive man. Percy's right hand was bloodied and fractured as he tried to knock Gabe out.

I ran forward and grabbed the baseball bat. Then, I ran towards Percy.

"Percy, hey, Percy, stop," I shouted. I grabbed his arm and pulled him off the awful man. Percy quickly took the baseball bat and aimed it towards Gabe.

Gabe was laying on the ground, breathing heavily His face was bloodied from Percy's punches. Clearly, Percy was not the helpless kid that Gabe was used to.

"Wise Girl, are you okay?" Percy asked carefully.

His eyes stayed on Gabe. His right hand was staining the wooden baseball bat with blood. However, Percy continued to extend the baseball bat as a protective weapon against Gabe.

"I'm fine, Percy, but your hand," I whispered.

I could faintly hear the police sirens in the background. The police were nearby, so for a moment, I felt like everything would be okay.

Suddenly, Gabe started laughing menacingly. My attention turned towards him in surprise. His hand moved towards his back, and he quickly pulled out a gun.

My eyes widened as I stared at the weapon. A baseball bat would do nothing against a freaking gun. Percy's body immediately stepped in front of me. Gabe continued laughing as he stood up. He spat blood and spit onto the ground.

"You've grown, boy, but I'm here to destroy you," Gabe shouted.

Gabe directly aimed the gun at me and Percy.

Sirens were wailing in the background. I could see the police cars driving towards us. A few of them were already out of their cars.

Percy's fractured arm (that was holding the baseball bat) was trembling. His blood was dripping onto the grass, and I was tightly clutching the back of his shirt in fear.

"Annabeth," Percy whispered shakily. "I love you."

Then, BANG.

A gunshot fired. Silence took over. And, I froze.