Started as a Mistake (pernico/perico)

The Break Up

Author's Note: This was written when I was very young-- do not take this shit writing seriously x

Also this entire book is being rewritten.

Percy's POV:

My relationship with Annabeth had been rocky to say the least. We'd been fighting constantly about literally everything.

She wanted to move to the West Coast for college and wanted me to move with her.

I didn't.

She wanted me to pursue something--anything. 

Yet, I had no clue what I wanted to do in life. I wanted everything to stay the same. Wanted it to be easy and laid back like it had been for the past few years. But reality hit me like a truck the past few months. And suddenly it's time to get good grades, show commitment, and settle on a path that determines the rest of my life.

I had always thought that Annie would be my constant. The one tether to reality, the one person who could keep me sane. Now don't get me wrong, I love my mom. But I'm not her only family anymore. She had Paul, and soon enough they were going to get married and have a life of their own. But Annie and I really only had each other. 

So when I'd received a text saying to meet her in the park nearby, out of the blue, I'd thought it would be for another lecture from her. Nothing could've prepared me for the words she was about to say.

The park was unusually quiet as I waited for Annabeth. The tension between us had been building for weeks, like a storm gathering on the horizon. I kicked at a loose pebble, trying to distract myself from the knot tightening in my stomach. I genuinely cannot take another lecture.

When Annabeth finally arrived, her steps were hesitant, her expression conflicted. She sat down on the swig next to mine, but instead of the usual closeness, there was an awkward distance between us.

"Hello," I greeted, picking at the skin around my fingernails. I really need to stop that habit. Annie greeted back with a small wave.

"Percy," she began softly, her voice barely audible over the rustling of the leaves. "We need to talk."

No. No.

I nodded, though my throat felt dry. I had a sinking feeling that this conversation wouldn't go well. I can't do this.

"I... I can't do this anymore," she said, her eyes searching mine for a reaction.

My heart lurched. "Do what?"

"This," she gestured vaguely between us. "Us. Our constant fighting."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I had known things hadn't been great between us, but I hadn't expected this. "Annie, I... I thought we could work through this. We always have."

She looked down, playing with the hem of her sweatshirt. "Perce, we've been fighting more than we've been happy lately. And I've been doing a lot of thinking..."

I braced myself for what I knew was coming, even though I didn't want to hear it.

"I think we should be apart," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

Apart. The words echoed in my head, a bitter pill to swallow. "But... I love you, Annie. You're my Wise Girl, my best friend..."

Her eyes met mine, filled with tears. "I love you too, Percy. But maybe we're holding each other back. I want to go closer to my dad for college. He...has been making more of an effort to be close to me. I know you're not ready for that, to make such a big move. And... you need to figure out what you want in life."

I shook my head, unable to accept what she was saying. "No, Annie, we can make it work. I can change...!"

She reached out and took my hand, her touch warm and familiar. "Percy, I don't want us to end up resenting each other. Maybe... maybe this is what's best for both of us."

I stared at her, feeling like the ground had dropped out from beneath me. This couldn't be happening. Not to us.

"I'm sorry, Percy," she said softly, tears now streaming down her cheeks. "I never wanted to hurt you."

I couldn't find the words to respond. The lump in my throat felt too big. I wanted to beg her to stay, to promise that things would get better. But deep down, I knew she was right. We were both at a crossroads, and maybe holding on to each other was keeping us from moving forward.

"I... I understand," I managed to say, my voice breaking.

She squeezed my hand gently before letting go. 

As she stood up to leave, I watched her walk away, feeling a piece of my heart go with her. The park suddenly felt colder, emptier without her by my side. And as much as it hurt, I knew she was right. Maybe this was the only way we could find our own paths, even if it meant letting go of each other.

__

When I entered the apartment, the familiar scent of my mom's fresh cookies greeted me, but it didn't bring the usual comfort. I could barely muster a greeting to her and just made a beeline to my room.

I must have looked as terrible as I felt because Mom appeared in the doorway of the my room, concern etched on her face.

"Percy, sweetheart, are you okay?" she asked gently, coming over to take a seat at the edge of my bed.

I tried to muster a smile, but it felt hollow. "I... Annabeth and I..."

Her expression softened with understanding. "Oh, Percy." She pulled me into a hug, and for a moment, I let myself lean into her warmth. "You let me know if you need anything, okay?"
__

The next few days passed in a blur of numbness and loneliness. I skipped meals, lost track of time, and found myself staring at the ceiling more often than not.

I picked up my phone to answer some of the texts I'd flaked on answering. And I saw her name stilled saved with a heart. I wanted to change it, but I couldn't bring myself to. Not yet. 

And then, amidst the sea of contacts, I saw it: Nico di Angelo. Nico wasn't someone I talked to regularly, maybe once in a while if Leo was around his boyfriend, Nico's best friend Will. But he was nice.

I paused, my thumb hovering over his name. I remembered the few conversations we'd had, the times when he seemed to understand things that others didn't. He wasn't like anyone else I knew, and right now, that was exactly what I needed.

Taking a deep breath, I tapped on his name and opened a new message. My fingers hesitated over the keyboard, uncertain of what to say. But the message sent before I could think of anything.

Percy:

hey