The Chicken

Percy POV

Ugh, I'm so stupid. I'm such a freaking idiot. Why did I make this proposal? And, why did I agree to it?

Stupid, Percy. BAD, PERCY.

Sex helped me with getting pain relief from the abuse that I receive from Gabe almost every day. Now, I had given up that form of relief and comfort. Moreover, sex and girls acted as distractions from my messed-up life. Now, I am forced to engage with my pain at all times.

Of course, I could quit the proposal.

However, I don't want to.

It's not because I want to sleep with Annabeth. To be honest, I have no intention or desire for her. She was the complete opposite of me, and we would NOT work.

Plus, sex via a contract is gross, and I'd never do that.

However, this proposal with Annabeth provided me with a chance to prove to myself that I'm not an ordinary player. I have my reasons for having sex with a lot of girls, but I don't do it maliciously. I don't want girls to get hurt. It's not an addiction.

No girl deserved to have me and my screwed-up life anyway.

Suddenly, a whiff of smoke burned my nostrils. I jolted back to reality and quickly grabbed the pan off of the stove. My hand jerked backward as I cursed in pain. I grabbed a rag and grabbed the pan again. Dam it, I burned Gabe's chicken, and I burned my palm.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I wasn't paying attention to the food. I was responsible for cooking dinner for Gabe every day. He refused to cook for himself.

Honestly, why did he have to cook or clean when he has me as a slave?

I quickly dropped the chicken onto the plate before washing my hands. The vegetables and pasta turned out great but the chicken was not good.

Fear bubbled in my stomach as I carried his plate to the dining table. Gabe was already waiting with a beer bottle in hand. Hopefully, he was drunk enough that he wouldn't notice the burned chicken.

I gently set the plate in front of him.

Gabe's drunken eyes washed over his food before darting towards me. I stood a few feet away from him and prayed that nothing would happen.

"What am I looking at, boy?" he asked angrily.

Gabe's rotten teeth showed as he snarled at me. Alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs morphed the man into an ugly, disgusting pig.

"I made some roasted vegetables, pasta, and grilled chicken for you. I hope that you enjoy the dinner," I expressed nervously. My left hand rubbed the burn on my right palm. I was waiting for the dam to explode.

Our dining room was small, which only emphasized Gabe's dominating presence. The anger radiated around us.

Gabe's actions were quick. He grabbed the chicken slab and launched it at me.

The meat hit me in the cheek. The burned char powdered on the floor as the chicken made an impact. My eyes watered before looking back up. My eyes widened as Gabe closed the distance between us.

Pain exploded in my gut from the impact of his knee.

I groaned before clutching my stomach and staggering away from him. Gabe's eyes fumed with rage.

"I'm sorry. Please, I'm sorry for burning the chicken," I wheezed.

"Go get me some real food, you worthless boy," Gabe snapped.

"Yes, sir," I replied. I immediately ran to the front door and grabbed my coat before he could change his mind. I tried my best with the dinner. I am a good cook, and I learned from my mother and my own experience.

However, today's dinner was a bust, and I was paying for it.

I walked through the dark streets of our city in agony. My stomach didn't hurt much; I was used to far worse levels of physical trauma. However, the tears escaped from my eyes due to helplessness. My hoodie covered my face from showing my pain.

On the outside, I looked strong. I gave off a happy and dominant persona, but it was all a facade. In reality, I am weak. I am a pathetic waste of a life who is yet another symbol of misery.

Usually, I could alleviate my misery with sex and girls. However, thanks to Annabeth's and my deal, that was gone.

My hands quickly wiped my eyes as I approached McDonald's.

I took a deep breath and plastered a smile on my face. I entered the bright McDonald's and approached the teenager at the counter. Her pale face rose as she smiled at me. We had some good times together.

I smiled back while giving her the usual order.

I didn't flirt though (like I usually did). I couldn't have sex with her, so there was no point. Regardless, I acted like my normal self even though my mind was filled with despair.

Gabe's abuse and my mom's cancer were two of my biggest secrets. No one could find out. If anyone did find out about Gabe, it was game over. It's not game over for me; it's game over for my mom. Gabe's money is the only thing that's allowing her to get treatment.

My mom's lung cancer is aggressive and requires a lot of medical attention. After all, she lives in the hospital now. Gabe's money facilitates that.

In return, I provide him with a willing punching bag/servant: myself.

***

I can be annoying at times. I decided to put my skills to the test today after seeing Annabeth laughing with her friends. While I was being petty, it was a lot of fun to irritate Annabeth. Besides, she got me into this proposal, so it's the least I could do for her.

"Hey, Wise Girl, looking as bubbly as ever," I commented as I sat next to her. We were at lunch, and her lunch table still had room.

Her stormy eyes darted towards me in frustration. One point for Percy. All of her friends were staring at me in shock, but I didn't care.

I smirked as I placed my arm around her shoulder. "Ahh, you got nice shoulders. I could get used to this," I expressed.

"Take your arm off of me before I used a knife and cut it off," she said sternly. "After I cut it off, I will feed it to the pack of dogs at the park while you watch."

While a part of me did believe that she could hurt me, I was buying it. She couldn't actually amputate me, right?

"Sorry, no can do, Wise Girl. As your boyfriend, I'm allowed to-"

"EXCUSE ME?" she snapped. She swatted my arm off her before shoving me slightly. Annabeth was strong and managed to put some distance between us.

"Yeah, I'm your boyfriend, and you should consider yourself very lucky. After all, who doesn't love my hot self?" I commented.

I don't love myself. I ignored the voice in my head and forced a smile.

"A lot of people hate you, Jackson," Thalai growled from across the table. "What the hell are you even doing here?"

"The proper thing to do is eat lunch with your girlfriend," I answered.

"She's not your girlfriend," Rachel spat. Her glare was angrier than Annabeth's; however, it didn't have the same level of intimidation. Besides, I had already made up my mind to annoy Annabeth every chance that I get.

I turned towards Annabeth again.

"I am your boyfriend. Think about it, this contract sculpted us into a committed relationship. I can't have sex with anyone because you told me not to. However, I can have sex with you, Wise Girl, once I prove myself," I explained.

Annabeth simply glared at me before turning away. She couldn't argue with my logic because I was correct. Sort of.

"Isn't that what your version of dating is all about?" I continued.

"Shut up, and go away," Annabeth expressed.

"Sorry, but you're out of luck. Since you decided to torture me with this proposal, I'm gonna torture you as well. Oh, by the way, my friends are also joining me."

As if on cue, my friends walked towards Annabeth's lunch table. My nine friends joined the group of seven already her. The lunch table was bustling as the crowded group got acquainted with each other. Piper shot me a silent thank you.

Jason and Piper always wanted our friends to unite. I figured that this was the chance to do it. Now, our lunch table consisted of 15 members: the seven, Thalia, the Stolls, Will, Nico, Katie, Grover, Juniper, and Rachel.

Everyone easily got acquainted with each other. It was a very nice time. Jason and Piper were correct in assuming that our friend groups would get along.

Finally, Annabeth turned to me again.

"What the hell, Jackson?" Annabeth complained. "I literally like everyone at this table (even the Stolls). But, I freaking hate you."

"It's your fault for provoking me. Besides, don't worry, you'll be singing a whole different tune in exactly 2 months and 29 days. Trust me, January 21st is gonna be a blast."

Annabeth groaned before throwing my arm off her shoulder. I was having a great time annoying Wise Girl. It was exciting and satisfying.

"You won't make it that long. Just GO TO HELL!"

"I'm already in it," I muttered.

I hadn't realized that I said that out loud until Annabeth responded again. "You're already in hell. Why, because you can't have sex? That's pathetic. You're pathetic."

I know, my mind echoed.

I faked a smirk before continuing, "Wise Girl, that's no way to speak to your boyfriend, especially one who is planning his best moves for you."

"Shut up, Jackson. You're such an idiot. I have no clue how your parents raised you," Annabeth said firmly. "It speaks volumes about their characters as well."

My smile faltered.

"That's not cool, Wise Girl," I said sternly. My tone was serious and firm.

I felt her analytic gaze on my face, but I ignored it and turned away. Her comments hurt too much. Pain, guilt, and shame. That's what I felt by her words. It was a type of emotional turmoil that Gabe hadn't even dealt with.

People shouldn't just say stuff like that. Everyone these days is so quick to assume the worst in people. They're so quick to judge a person's upbringing, which includes their parents.

My dad was a marine who died in service. He saved thousands of lives and sacrificed himself for the lives of his crew members. My mother is a beautiful and kind soul. She doesn't deserve to have lung cancer because she is the best mom in the world.

My fun-loving and stubborn personality does not reflect my parents.

With that internal confirmation, I turned towards Grover and Juniper and ended my interaction with Annabeth.