Beyond All Expectation (Percabeth)

Chapter 35: A Lesson From Chiron

Annabeth POV:

I woke up in a classroom, head planted on a desk. When I looked up through groggy eyes I saw Mr Brunner at his desk, playing a game of solitaire. The classroom was empty apart from the two of us. He saw me stir and a comical smile played on his lips. 

"Finally awake! Good, I was starting to get worried," he laughed. 

I looked at the clock on the wall. Class had finished 20 minutes ago, it was the end of school time. 

"Did I... seriously fall asleep in class?" I bolted up in my seat. He grinned again, his eyes twinkling. 

"You looked like you were going to fall asleep the entire time, but don't worry you only missed the last five minutes of the lesson."

"Oh my gods, Sir, I am so sorry!"

"Don't be, my Dear," he laughed and held up a reassuring hand. "We were only talking about the Greek God Dionysus - that's enough to put anyone to sleep. Do you think I'd seriously be angry at you for missing five minutes of a lesson, when I've had to put up with the likes of the Stoll twins for an entire year? You're allowed to make a few mistakes along the way, Dear."

"Not in my case," I muttered to myself, and I started to pack up my things. 

"Something troubling you, Annabeth?" Mr Brunner asked suddenly. "I hear this is your last day of school. The principal mentioned you're moving to Manhattan High School? I have to confess, I'll be more than upset to see you go - you were and still remain to be my most exceptional student. May I ask why you're leaving?"

"Yeah, Manhattan High... it took a while to convince my Mom to let me leave this one but she helped me in the end," I said, avoiding the question. 

"But why, Dear? Please forgive me for asking, but I was wondering if it had anything to do with Percy," he said slowly. I raised a questioning eyebrow. "He's been staring at you every day for the last week. Not much gets passed my eye."

I sighed and thought about this. I saw no reason to lie to a man that I was never going to see again. 

"Percy's just one of the reasons in a long list of reasons, Sir," I confessed.

He indicated at a chair. "Please, tell me," he smiled faintly. "I'm under the impression, Annabeth, that you're in desperate need to talk to someone. And seeing as I'm a good listener, and I'm no longer your teacher, I recommend talking to me. I promise I won't tell a soul."

I stared at him and pondered. He made a good point, and I had always been fond of Mr Brunner. He acted like a guardian figure around most of his students. Plus, I was just so tired, and I had pushed so many people away this week - including Nico and Piper - that I really didn't have anyone to talk to. It wouldn't hurt, talking to him. 

"Well, how long do you have?" I sighed. 

He smiled. "Wait right here," he said, and then he left the room. I sat awkwardly on a chair opposite his desk waiting for his return. He came back ten minutes later with a tray on his lap and four mugs on the tray. "Here we are - there's a tea for me, and then I didn't know what you wanted so I made a tea, a coffee and a hot chocolate for you to choose from."

I looked at my options and took the hot chocolate. 

"Whenever you're ready to talk, Annabeth, please do. I promise that there will be no judgement here, and that everything you say will not leave this room."

"You promise?" I asked cautiously. 

"I swear it on the Styx," he replied, and I smiled sadly.