Memories (A PERCABETH AU)

Chapter 35- Emergency Room

Annabeth POV

Sunday 4th October

It was approaching lunchtime when I packed up a bag for the day. Zoey was curling herself around my leg as I sorted through my purse in the kitchen, checking I had enough cash to get me to the city centre.

"I already fed you, girl." I frowned but she continued to stare up at me with those doe-eyes. There was something dazzling about those eyes—something that twinkled and shined. She wasn't one of those ugly, short-furred chihuahuas, she had a long, silky coat with honey-toned browns and fluffy ears that perked up when she got excited. She was an adorable looking thing.

"I have to go out now but I'll be back later." I told her and she sulked off to her large fluffy cushioned bed. Helen liked to treat her like a princess.

Humans did not come before dogs in the hierarchy system—at least not in this house.

Suddenly, my phone pinged. A snapchat from Silena popped up on the screen and I opened it. The photo was of her smiling in a blue bikini with the message

Wish you were here hun xoxo

She'd then sent a video of Piper lying on a deck chair next to her. "Piper, say hi to Annabeth."

"Heeeyyy." She smiled, pulling on some sunglasses. "Wish you were here. Love you lots."

The camera then switched to the boys. It was Jason, Beck and Percy standing together in the sand, topless and grinning like they were talking about something they shouldn't have been. Percy had a volleyball tucked under his arm and began craning his neck to tussle the sand out of his hair.

"Boys, say hi to Annabeth!" Silena called.

Jason and Beck both grinned, turning to Percy who was just beginning to look up again. He smiled that dazzling smile at the camera. "Oi, Oi!" Jason cried, nudging him firmly while a sniggering Beck, ruffled his hair.

The video ended with Percy shoving them off and running towards the ocean. "I could have both your girls and you know it!" He called through his hands, backing up and then running even faster as Jason and Beck charged at him.

I giggled, sending a quick snap back to Silena and then locking my phone.

Having collected up the house keys and my phone, I tucked my purse into a bag and walked out the door. It was only just as I was leaving, that the house phone rang. Too busy climbing into the yellow taxi waiting for me outside, I didn't hear it. It went to answer machine.

I would soon come to regret that missed call for the rest of my life...

~xXx~

When I stepped into the quiet little café, it was pretty much empty. This would have been where I was meeting my dad if I hadn't been such an idiot in yelling at him over the phone. Everything felt like a joke, from the happy sunny weather outside to the peaceful atmosphere inside. I was far from feeling any of those things.

In light of everything, I was wearing a white romper; lace up at the front and the hem of the shorts had a lace pattern. I had my white Vans on, along with my silver necklace. Out of habit, I twiddled the 'P' between my fingers, sitting at an empty table by the window.

For a while, I stared at the empty one in front of me—imagining it filled. Imagining a world where my relationship with my father was actually existent. Though some part of me was clinging to the hope that he might still show up...I knew I was just in denial.

I stared at my phone screen and wondered whether I should maybe call him. After having a little battle inside my head, I gave up and left it lying on the glass table. I glanced at the clock on the wall, it was 2:03 pm. He was three minutes late.