scales and arpeggios

chapter thirteen: annabeth (part one)

I make it home by 9:45, and I change into sweats and a t-shirt. I'm about to turn on my TV when my phone rings. Sally's name pops up, and I quickly answer.

"Sally? What's wrong?" I hear her sniffling through the line, and she takes a deep breath before talking.

"I'm sorry Annabeth, would you mind watching Estelle? I just got a call from the hospital that Percy's been hit by a car and Paul and I need to go to see him. You were the first person I thought of."

"Yes, of course. I'll head over right now." I grab my keys off of my desk quickly and a jacket from my closet before running downstairs.

"Dad, I have to go to Percy's house. I'll explain later." I don't wait for an answer as I run out the front door and hop in my car. Sally's still on the line, so I tell her to take a deep breath and that I'm almost there. I park on the road and lock my car, not bothering to knock as I walk in.

"I know it's late and I'm sorry, but I couldn't think of anyone else," Sally says when I walk in.

"No, it's totally fine, go ahead."

She thanks me and follows Paul out to his car. I watch them speed off in the direction of the hospital and lock the front door. Sally texts me and tells me that Estelle should go to bed soon, and I pick her up from the living room floor and carry her to her room.

"Hey babes," I whisper as I turn on her lights. "You ready to go to bed? Mommy and Daddy will be back soon. And Percy, too." I quickly get her ready for bed, and after she's in pajamas, she grabs Brown Bear, Brown Bear from her bookshelf before placing it in my hands. I set it down and boost her into her toddler bed.

"You ready?" I ask, and she nods, snuggling into her blankets. I read the book to her, and by the time I'm done, she's half asleep, her head barely sticking out of the blankets. I sneak out of the room and shut off the lights. I head back down the stairs and into the living room and sit on the couch, letting my mind wander to Percy. I have no clue what happened. How bad was the accident? How bad is he hurt? Is- is he okay? I shake the doubts from my mind and rest my head in my hands. He's one of my best friends. I let a few tears fall before I hear soft footsteps on the stairs.

"Annie," a small voice calls from behind me. "I can't sleep." I turn around and see Estelle holding a small fish plushie, and chuckle softly.

"I tucked you in like three minutes ago."

"Are you going to sleep?" she asks, ignoring my statement.

"Oh, I haven't really thought of it," I say honestly, helping her sit up on the couch. I check my phone. No new notifications. I need something to occupy my mind. I glance at Estelle, who's sitting next to me on the couch. She's playing with her stuffed animal.

"Estelle, do you want to watch a movie before bed?" I ask her, and she nods. I turn the TV on and play Finding Nemo, then stand up and shut off the lights. I sit back down on the couch and let Estelle get comfortable in the crook of my arm before pulling a blanket over us.

I text my dad what happened, and he tells me to be safe. About 20 minutes into the movie, Estelle is asleep, and I close my eyes as well.

;;;

I wake up around 7, Estelle still fast asleep in the crook of my arm. I carefully move so she's laying against a pillow and stand up. I walk into the kitchen as I check my phone, reading Sally's text from last night.

"He's okay, thank God. Once Estelle is up, you can bring her to us in my car. I'll drive you home. The keys are in my office. Help yourself to anything in the house. I'm sorry for taking your day away, Annabeth."