The Patient

Percy POV

I gently touched her shoulder. Her stormy gray eyes locked onto mine. Once again, I was caught by the attraction of her intimidating eyes.

"So, do you like it?" I asked nervously.

I don't know why I felt so nervous. I was usually cool around girls, but everyone knew that Annabeth wasn't an ordinary girl. It's been a whole week since our deal started, and she still didn't like me.

Normally, that doesn't bother me. I don't care who likes me and who doesn't. However, it bothered me that Annabeth didn't care for me.

Annabeth's eyes sparkled with curiosity while looking around.

"Percy, I've been wanting to come here. How did you get tickets?" she asked. Her voice was light and excited.

I smiled in relief. It was strange how good I felt right now.

"One of my friends is working the convention. I know that you like architecture. I noticed that you sketch designs during lunch sometimes. Today is the convention's last day, so I wanted to bring you," I replied earnestly.

"Thank you. I like this a lot," Annabeth said.

She quickly rushed towards the field where a bunch of tables was set up. It was a modern architecture convention where different replicas of popular buildings were set up and demonstrated. Each table had a particular design and presenter explaining the structural elements of the building (such as the Taj Mahal, for example).

This wasn't my version. I usually don't go to museums and conventions.

However, I planned this date because I wanted a day out. The pain from the beating yesterday morning was awful, which is why I didn't come to school either. My ribs were still bruised. After the hell of the last two days with Gabe, I needed relief.

Of course, I couldn't find a girlfriend and have sex due to this proposal, so I decided to visit Annabeth.

The convention was crowded with college students and professors. I didn't know what was going on, but I followed Annabeth as she visited every table.

I would watch her eyes light up after making a cool discovery. Her voice was so innocent and pure as she talked about the designs. Wise Girl looked incredibly pretty as she studied the displays for a few hours. While her attention was on the displays, my eyes were only watching her.

At one point, Annabeth untied her hair, and the wavy curls flowed down her back. Dam.

"Oh my god, I can't believe this. That was so much fun, and I learned so much. I can't wait to sketch some more designs using modern techniques," Annabeth continued to ramble as I drove her out of the parking lot.

I smiled while listening to her passion and intelligence.

"Percy," she acknowledged. Her hand reached out and touched my arm. Her touch sent goosebumps up my arm, but it also sent warmth and ecstasy. "Percy, thank you so much. I had such a good time."

"I thought that you'd like it."

"I loved it. This was so thoughtful, and I know that this type of event isn't something that you're interested in," Annabeth continued.

"No, I had a decent time," I replied.

Today was enjoyable but not for the right reasons. I had a good time because of Annabeth (not because of the event). Even so, the date had nothing sexual about it. We barely even touched, yet I had a very nice experience.

"Are you like this with all your girlfriends?" she asked.

"Well, I know how to be romantic and attentive if that's what you're asking." Annabeth smiled while slowly shaking her head.

I realized that Annabeth's eyes sparkled when she was thinking. It wasn't a very noticeable hallmark of hers, but I spent all day looking at her face. Also, a strand of her hair usually falls and bordered the right side of her face.

She doesn't fix it, which drives me crazy. No words could describe how much I wanted to reach forward and gently pull it behind her ear.

We continued to talk about random topics while driving home.

"Thanks, Percy. I had a good time. Thanks for this experience," Annabeth said once we were home.

We were standing outside of her front door. Normally, this was the part of the date where I'd give her a goodbye kiss. However, Annabeth would murder me if I tried anything.

"So, a date usually ends with a goodbye kiss," I expressed slyly. For some reason, I really hoped that she'd say yes. Hopeful thinking, I guess.

Annabeth light-heartedly glared at me. "Nice try, Jackson, but we are NOT dating. I'll see you at school."

With that, our 'date' ended. I smiled at her front door before leaving.

***

"Annabeth refused to call it a date, mom, but what else would you call it. In my opinion, she was being stubborn. However, she was so passionate and pretty while at the event," I rambled.

"She seems like a very intriguing young lady," my mom replied weakly.

I was walking around the hospital room as I updated my mom on the past week. School went by quickly this week, and fortunately, Gabe didn't interact with me much. Annabeth was warmer towards me since our date as well.

"Intriguing is definitely the right word."

Suddenly, my mom started coughing harshly while clutching her stomach. The lung cancer was aggressive and invasive. Her condition was getting worse, and we both knew it.

However, I have faith in my mother; she's a fighter.

I quickly rushed towards her and held a towel to her mouth. Some blood spluttered from her mouth and stained the rag.

"It's all right, mama. Just breath," I whispered as I held her shaking body. Her bald head leaned against my chest while I wrapped my arms around her pale-green body.

The nurses came into the room and applied an oxygen mask to the patient. Nurse Hestia has been helping my mom since the beginning of her cancer journey. As such, she was very close to me and my family.

"All right, Percy, I think that it's time for your mom to rest," she expressed kindly.

I nodded in agreement before turning to my mom. I kissed her forehead before giving her a tight hug. It was a tradition to comfort her in this way. She used to do the same thing when I was a kid. Now, I'm supporting her in the same way.

There's always a time when the kid becomes the parent. But, this happens to most people much later in life.

"I love you, mom. I'll see you later, okay?"

My mom pulled her mask down with a shaking hand. My eyes watered as I studied the helpless state that she was in. Her voice was raspy and painful to hear, but her words were clear.

"I love you too, sweetie."

***

I was laughing with Leo and Grover when I felt her arms wrap around my stomach. Her fingers trailed under my shirt. I felt shivers of relief wash over me, but I knew that this couldn't continue. I wasn't ready to lose this deal against Annabeth.

Almost regretfully, I pushed Drew's hands away from me.

"Hey, Percy, I'm surprised that I haven't received any calls from you recently. I expected you to be all over me (in more ways than one)," Drew commented slyly.

"Look, Drew, we're not together. I don't want any experiences with you," I answered. I was lying. My bruised body was certainly asking for pain relief, but my mind was negating it.

"Excuse me? Are you rejecting me?"

"I am in the middle of a bet, Drew, and I intend to win," I said confidently. My friends nodded along since they wanted Drew to leave.

None of my friends liked Drew. To be honest, I didn't even like Drew and her pampered, cakey face. However, she was always willing to come over. I had sexual experiences with her when I felt the sudden urge for relief and distraction.

"Wait, hold on. You're rejecting me for that nerd. You've got to be kidding."

"That's so rude," Leo muttered. He looked like he wanted to set Drew's hair on fire. I certainly wouldn't stop him if he tried.

I analyzed Drew's angry experiences, which only made me smirk.

"I got this guys," I said quickly. "Listen, Drew, I don't know Annabeth that well, but I can say that she's worth way more than you are. Wise Girl is intelligent and beautiful, but more importantly, she's REAL unlike yourself."

Drew's face contorted in more anger and frustration. Her posse had ghosted looks on their faces, but I didn't care. Leo was laughing quietly while Grover nodded in agreement.

"Annabeth Chase isn't worth this proposal you made, and you know it. When you realize that you're wrong, you know where to find me," Drew commanded.

Then, she left with her posse trailing behind her.

I'm not wrong about Annabeth. She was special in ways that are hard to describe. After our date a few weeks ago, I realized that I had to be careful with her.

Wise Girl has the potential to get me in a lot of shit. She has the potential to introduce me to a new type of pain and destroy me.

I took a deep breath before following Leo and Grover to gym class.

Nurse Hestia managed to sign a note for me to not participate. Gabe kicked my right leg two days ago, and I still had a limp. I tried my best to cover it, but I knew that I couldn't run or play sports this week.

Leo trailed into the gym as Grover and I paused at the entrance.

"It's a good thing that you got a note, Perce. Your right calf didn't look too good when you showed me," Grover said supportively.

"Yeah, I took some Tylenol this morning. No effect, though."

I don't use medications often because they don't affect my body. I just have a high resistance to drugs. As such, for pain relief, I needed higher doses, but that was dangerous. Sex was a better pain relief alternative than drugs. At least, for me.

"Well, this Saturday marks one month of this proposal. You only have two months left, so just hang on. You can return to normal after that."

"I know. Piper hosting a party for our friends to celebrate the one-month mark," I replied.

"Piper's hosting the party to celebrate one month of our friend's groups coming together. Please don't bring up this proposal at the party. That will only get Thalia and Annabeth heated. We don't need that right now," Grover reprimanded.

"I don't know, G-man. I like getting Wise Girl all riled up," I expressed with a smile.

It was obvious to me that Annabeth is attractive on the inside and outside. My mind wandered to how Annabeth's and my relationship was a bit better recently. We still argued and joked around, but that was a given in our relationship.

Grover nudged me gently with a strange look on his face.

"What?" I asked.

I could usually read my best friend's expressions, but I didn't know what he was thinking at the moment. However, that look was making me uncomfortable.

"Nothing. I just noticed that you're smiling while talking about Annabeth," Grover commented. "Anyway, I gotta get to class. I'm already late."

Grover quickly rushed off, which left me in a stump.

So, I'm smiling while talking about Wise Girl. Why is that a big deal?