Memories (A PERCABETH AU)

Chapter 30- Arguments and Apologies

(A/N): Warning: this chapter contains major Percabeth fluff and badass drama

Enjoyy ;)

Annabeth POV

Thursday 24th September

It was just another day at school. People were paying less attention to me because I was no longer hanging around the 'popular' people and I went back to the old me; quiet, self-conscious but mostly invisible. I felt like a used-up iPhone that people were once interested in but now a better version of me had come along and they'd all thrown me away like I was nothing. Of course, I was glad that I was no longer in the limelight but it just made me feel worthless. Like I was something that everyone could play with and torment until they got bored of me.

I hadn't spoken to Percy today if you were wondering. Not even when we sat next to each other in chemistry again. Piper and Silena and even Thalia occasionally tried to talk to me but I would just shake my head, smile at them weakly and walk away. I didn't like dragging them into this. They hadn't done anything and I was ignoring them too but I just wanted to be alone for a while.

Everything looked and felt grey, from the colour of my dead eyes to the colour of the round cafeteria tables. Even my clothes seemed to match; black skinny jeans, black belt and white off-the-shoulder top with long floaty sleeves. I wore my black ankle boots again with the buckles and some sunglasses with bright blue reflective lenses were pushed back onto my head.

I sat alone at my table, drinking an innocent smoothie and sketching in my sketchbook again as I listened to music through my earphones. It seemed to help calm me down a little these days. He was only across the cafeteria from me, in a navy blue adidas sweater, black jeans and all-white adidas sneakers. He sat at his usual table with the others and they were laughing. I looked away before I could delve into that anymore and forced myself to pay attention to my drawing.

A few moments later she walked in. Her perfectly straightened sleek red hair flowed down over her stylish outfit. She carried herself with a certain superiority that someone like her would never lose, even when her reputation had slightly been hindered. She swiftly walked into the cafeteria and people still stumbled out of her way. As she went, she lazily plucked out a book from her bag and slammed it into a little girl's hand. I recognised her as one of the girls who had asked for my autograph.

"Have my homework done by Monday, darling." She said with a dazzling smile before walking away, leaving the little girl looking at the floor shamefully. She strutted over to the popular table and plonked her little butt beside Percy whose eyes flew open when he saw her. She began giggling and telling him about something and it was like, all of a sudden, she had just crawled her way back into the group.

My eyes flicked back over to the little girl. She looked so upset and I recognised that facial expression—the feeling of being worthless. Suddenly, I felt this burning determination to prevent this girl from having a future like mine. For some reason, I knew I'd do anything to stop that from happening. Before I knew it, I was collecting up my stuff and slowly walking over to the little girl.

"Sweetie, you okay?" I murmured softly, bending down to her level and holding my sketchbook in my fingers.

She sniffled, giving me a nod. "Hey, it's okay. She used to do that to me too." I smiled reassuringly, taking her hand in mine.

"Really?" She asked through her tears and I wiped one from her cheek.

"It's because we're the clever ones." I grinned at her. "She's just jealous that you and I actually have a chance in the outside world." She giggled at that. "What's your name, hun?"