27: The Decision

Percy POV

"Hold on, let me get this straight, you went out alone in the middle of the night," Chiron exclaimed in shock.

I sighed in response. Chiron was pacing around my bed in the emergency room. Despite living an hour away, Chiron drove here in the middle of the night. That's how you know that someone truly cares.

Paul was talking to a few nurses about possibly getting some more painkillers for me. My mother was sitting next to me on the bed. She gently rubbed my noninjured hand.

My right hand, however, had several fractures and broken skin. Dr. Solace had set the bones, stitched up my hand, and bandaged it. I was now waiting for a cast.

"Yeah, honey, why would you do that?" my mom asked.

I looked over at Annabeth. She looked down in guilt as her fingers fidgeted against her silver bracelet. I could see the emotional turmoil in her eyes.

"Mom," I whispered. "Stop."

I motioned my gaze towards Annabeth, who was sitting on a neighboring bed. My mom and Chiron both understood immediately and dropped the questions.

I didn't want Annabeth to feel guilt. I chose to sneak out and be with her because I love her. There was nothing shameful about that.

"Sir, the criminal has been detained. He is getting treated for his gunshot in a different part of the hospital as we speak," Terminus informed us.

I nodded, but I didn't care whether he was getting treated or not. I hated that man. My mom wiped a tear away before taking my hand again.

"The police got there just in time," Chiron stated.

"I can't imagine what would've happened if they were even a few seconds late," Annabeth said in a monotone. I gazed at her. She was shaken up by tonight. We both were.

"I genuinely thought that Gabe shot the gun, and I was so scared. I thought I lost you, Seaweed Brain. Fortunately, it was the police that fired at Gabe," Annabeth expressed.

I remembered the night vividly. My eyes shut closed as soon as Gabe pulled out the gun. My only instinct was to protect Annabeth with my own life. When I heard the gunshot, time slowed. I thought that I was dead, but I wasn't. Nothing hit me. After I opened my eyes again, I noticed that Gabe was screaming and writhing on the ground.

I was okay, and Wise Girl was okay.

"Annabeth, honey, it's 3 am. Do your parents know that you're here?" my mom asked, breaking the silence.

"I texted my stepmother, Sally, but I think that she's asleep."

"I am more than willing to give Ms. Chase a ride home," Terminus stated.

He looked like he wanted a distraction. Technically, my safety was his responsibility, but this wasn't Terminus's fault either. No one was to blame here but Smelly Gabe.

My eyes widened as I frantically looked at Annabeth. I didn't want her to leave. I wanted her to stay right next to me.

"Honey, she has to go home. It's late," my mom said quietly.

"Seaweed Brain, it's okay. I'm fine, and I know that you're safe now. Besides, we have school tomorrow as well," Annabeth said logically.

I looked at Chiron and my mom, and they understood the message. They stepped away from our earshot as Annabeth sat next to me on the hospital bed. The emergency room was mostly empty and quiet, and we were in our own little corner.

"Wise Girl, don't feel bad," I whispered.

She looked up with tears sparkling in he eyes. "You came over because you wanted to spend time with me. Then, we just had to go for ice cream, and-"

"Both were my decisions. That smelly monster pig is the only one to blame here. Trust me, I learned long ago that it's not our fault," I said.

"Wise Girl, if you feel bad, then I'll feel bad," I expressed softly. Her gray eyes met mine in a passionate gaze. "Do you wanna see me cry?" I asked.

A smile twitched on her beautiful face.

She instinctively reached for my right hand. I winced, which caught her attention.

"Sorry," she whispered before taking my left hand instead. She gave it a reassuring squeeze. Then, she leaned forward and gave me a quick, comforting kiss.

"My hand will be better in no time if you keep kissing me," I commented.

Annabeth smiled against my lips before pulling back. I liked seeing her smile.

Then, her expression turned serious again.

"Percy, I know that this isn't the time, but I wanted to say something for a while now. I'm just gonna say it now-"

"Wait, Wise Girl, you're not ending things, are you?" I joked slyly.

"Shut up, Seaweed Brain, This is serious. I know that you're signed to Olympus Records, but you should leave them. They need you more than you need them, Percy. Any record label will be grateful to have you as a signing artist," Annabeth expressed.

I simply gazed at her as she continued.

"They treat you awfully, Percy. I know that they gave you a start, but that doesn't mean that you should stick with them. They play with you mentally and emotionally. They have no regard for your feelings and your relationships."

I sighed before kissing her again. Annabeth was so intelligent, but she also had my best interest in mind.

"Wise Girl, I haven't even told my mom this, but I did receive a far-superior offer from Kane Records. It's better financially but also personally. They're giving me more freedom of choice and liberty," I said firmly.

Kane Records was one of the best record companies in the country. They have very famous artists signed to them. I even knew some of those artists, and when I asked around, they gave absolutely no complaint about their label.

"Well?" Annabeth asked with a smile.

"I haven't given them an answer. Chiron said that I'd be a fool to reject the offer."

"He's right, Seaweed Brain. Kane Records is obviously an elite record company, but they also have the best artist satisfaction. You deserve to make music with a relaxed and caring label like Kane Records," Annabeth explained.

"I want to, Wise Girl. But, they have revealing pictures of us, and they're not afraid to use them," I said sadly.

"Who has these pictures?" Annabeth asked.

"Only Zeus and Atlas, but what difference does that make?" I asked.

"The difference is that we can destroy the pictures," Annabeth stated. She smiled before proposing a crazy plan.

It was so crazy that it just might work.

***

"Wait, Percy, why were you out in the middle of the night? You know that Gabe was out there, so I don't understand," Jason stated.

We were driving to school. I had skipped school for a few days to figure out a few things. My mom and I went to court to permanently put Gabe behind bars (2nd-time attempted murder is a big offense). I was glad that we wouldn't have to worry about him ever again.

Then, Chiron and I secretly planned a contract with Kane Records. Directors Carter and Sadie Kane were super sweet and kind.

I knew that Kane Records was nothing like Olympus Records, and I was so glad about that. Directors Carter and Sadie genuinely seemed to understand me and my life. I loved that. I already had a bunch of demos ready, and I couldn't wait to release them with Kane Records at the end of my vacation.

However, I had to break things off with Olympus Records first before joining Kane Records.

"Percy, we asked you a question," Piper stated again.

"Err, sorry, I got lost in thought. Um, Wise Girl and I were out on a little midnight date (getting ice cream) when Gabe attacked us," I blurted out.

"HOLD ON," Piper shrieked excitedly. Jason pushed the brakes suddenly. The car made a terrible skid sound before halting on the side of the road.

Both of them turned around and stared at me in the backseat.

"What?" I asked.

"You and Annabeth were on a little midnight date! Since when did you guys even get together," Piper exclaimed loudly.

"Um, gods, curse my blabbering mouth. It's been a couple of weeks. We were keeping it a secret so that the label doesn't find out," I explained.

"Bro, you didn't even tell me?" Jason asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, I wanted to, man, but I couldn't. We were dating in secret," I expressed. Piper was practically jumping up and down on the passenger seat. Jason smiled before slamming me with a high five.

I laughed as I continued to explain the situation to Jason and Piper. They certainly wouldn't stop asking until they had all the details.

"Well, congratulations Percy," Piper said. "Gods, I have to go find Annabeth. I swear if Thalia knew about this before me, I'm gonna be so mad."

She practically ran out of the still-moving car. She quickly ran through the parking lot and into the school.

"Wow, your girlfriend is more excited about my relationship than I am," I joked.

"Bro, you and Annabeth have so much love. Of course, we're excited. Piper never stops talking about how to make 'Percabeth' work."

I laughed as Jason parked the car. I was glad that I didn't have to travel under strict security anymore (general security was enough in this more isolated town).

"All right, I guess we're back to school. At least, you have an excuse to ditch out of essays," Jason commented with fake annoyance.

"Yeah, perks of breaking my hand. However, it's also frustrating because I can't write new music or play instruments. I have a song that I'm working on," I said firmly. "It's special, but I can't work on it like I normally do."

"Don't worry, bro, relax and adapt," Jason expressed.

My best friend was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. My expression turned serious as I took a deep breath.

"Bro, I have something serious to tell you. I haven't told you the full truth. You know that Atlas has pictures of me and Annabeth. He had been blackmailing me. That's why I had gotten with Rachel and separated from Annabeth and you guys for some time"

"Yeah, Perce, I know and it's awful."

"It's not just Atlas. Your dad, Zeus, is another big player in this game. Honestly, it's hard to tell you, bro, because you're my best friend. However, your dad is awful to me. He's the real person that's forcefully controlling my life," I said earnestly.

I swallowed the lump of guilt and shame as I stared at Jason. He was my best friend, yet I was trashing his father.

"Jason, your dad-"

"He's controlling and manipulative. I know, Percy," Jason said quietly. "My dad's pretty awful to his own kids, so it's not a surprise that he's terrible to you."

His eyes watered as he tightly gripped the steering wheel. Then, he turned to me.

"I'm sorry on his behalf. I know that he's caused you great pain and a large sense of hopelessness. I'm sorry, bro," Jason expressed.

"Jason, you're my best friend. You're my brother. Your dad doesn't change that, and you don't need to apologize."

I reached forward and patted his shoulder gently.

We sat for a few more minutes before deciding to head inside. We still had school today even though we didn't want to go. I would've happily ditched, but Jason was a goody-goody student. We walked towards the school together.

"Bro, I do have a favor to ask," I said quietly.

Annabeth's plan was solid, but it required the help of many friends. I felt weird asking them for these kinds of requests.

"What's up?" I asked.

"It's an awkward request, but I need a way to get into Zeus's phone and laptop. I have to delete these pictures if I want to be free and explicitly happy," I said firmly.

Jason paused in front of the school doors. I hesitantly turned towards him. However, Jason simply smiled before hugging me.

"Done deal, Percy. Let's get your life back," my best friend whispered.