Percy Jackson One Shots and Short Stories

#49 - The Library Book (AU)

Chapter 49 - The Library Book (AU)
published: Wednesday, 28 January 2020

Timeline: Alternate Universe (AU); our beloved characters are in junior year of high school

Synopsis: In a world without demigods, Annabeth Chase has been on the waiting list to check out a book for months. As it turns out, none other than Percy Jackson has the long overdue book, and they meet in the library one day.

This is a story where two rivals find something good in being together, while discovering the most unexpected things about themselves and each other.

Warning(s): physical/emotional abuse

—*—

"Okay, this is preposterous," Annabeth declared furiously. She threw her book bag onto the ground and slumped into her seat.

Piper and Leo exchanged furtive looks as they stifled giggles. Jason gave them each a pointed look. "Mind catching us up, Annie?" he hinted.

Annabeth crossed her arms and scowled. "Don't call me Annie when I'm ready to decapitate somebody," she muttered under her breath.

"Annabeth," Jason corrected himself. "Okay, what happened this time?"

"Were you too quick for the AP math class?" Leo piped up.

Piper snickered. "Too smart for the teachers?"

Annabeth opened her mouth to say that both were actually right, but she closed it and thought better of the situation. "Shut up. No, I'm talking about how I've been on the wait list for this damn book for five months!"

"It's a book," Leo repeated.

"Yes!"

"Just leave it!"

"I can't," Annabeth said exasperatedly. "It's supposed to be one of the foremost leading understandings in anthropology."

Piper stared at her. "I understood exactly seven words in that sentence."

Annabeth pointedly ignored her, directing most of her frustration towards Jason. "And I've chased after this dumb book for so long, I can't give up now!"

Jason held up a hand in a 'pause' sign as he turned to Piper and Leo. "We'll meet you by the tree."

Piper winked at her boyfriend. "Thank you," she said in relief, pulling Leo to his feet.

Annabeth rolled her eyes as they staggered away, chattering and joking about. When they were gone, Jason turned back to her. "Continue."

She launched right back into it. "I tried to ask Fanny who's had the book all this time, and apparently, it's been overdue since September!" Annabeth leaned back in her seat and set her chin stubbornly. "She wouldn't tell me the person's name because privacy issues — whatever."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe she didn't want you to go to jail for murder?"

"I wouldn't kill them," Annabeth protested. She shrugged. "Just...maim them a little."