Forever- a Percabeth story.

Chapter 36

Percy 

When I walked in the house was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I was exhausted after the drive, and I needed ice badly for my hand, which was now purple and bruised. I was also extremely aware that I had missed another practice, only two days before our meet. I had no idea what to say to the guys, but as for my parents... I had decided telling them the truth would be best. 

My parents, who were sitting at the kitchen table, had clearly been awaiting my arrival. 

"You have a lot of explaining to do." Mom said, looking at me with worry. 

I sat down with them, my explanation pouring out me. 

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"Oh dear, oh dear." Was all my mom kept saying. 

I didn't know how much of Annabeth's trust I was betraying, but I had to tell my parents the truth. I owed them that much. And the truth might be the one thing that was serious enough to help me out of trouble. 

Paul didn't say a word throughout my entire explanation. He just looked at me, those analytical eyes never once giving away what he might be thinking. 

I adjusted the ice on my hand, mom had made it and gave it to me when she realized I was hurt. I felt kind of stupid for having a second self inflicted injury within the course of a few days, but if mom was disappointed about it, she didn't show it. 

In fact, most of mom's worry was for Annabeth. I couldn't blame her. Annabeth still hadn't answered any of my texts or calls, and if I weren't in the middle of talking myself out of trouble I would have gone and seen her already.

The last of the story ended, and with it went Paul's silence. 

"Percy, I understand you're acting out of emotion." He said with a sigh and a slight rub of his temples. "but you have to know that there are better ways to go about this!" He said exasperatedly. 

Mom chimed in next, "You know I disapprove of violence." She told me quietly, her face grave and her eyes steady on me. 

I nodded, waiting for the rest of it, waiting for my sentencing. 

"And that bit in the cafeteria? Do you think somehow you have justified that?" Paul asked harshly. "We just talked about this, about how you behave in my place of employment." he continued. 

I looked down. I knew this was coming, and I knew I was wrong. I just thought that maybe they'd see that my intentions were only to help Annabeth. 

"I know." I said "I know, I just... I just thought it was the only way to get them to stop talking about her. I thought..."

I didn't know if this would help my case, but I had to try. Besides, they wanted me to be honest. 

"I thought if I could give them something else to gossip about, then they'd forget about Annabeth, and they'd stop talking about that photo." I explained. I had mentioned this briefly in my story, but I don't think it really set in for them until now. 

"Oh, dear." was all my mom said. I wished she'd stop saying that. It kept making me think of Bambi. 

"And beating up some college freshman? was that part of your grand deflection?!" Paul badgered. He was mad, but he wasn't yelling. No matter how angry my parents got they never raised their voices at me. I was grateful for that, but Paul didn't have to yell to express his temper. He was an english teacher, his words were weapon enough. 

"No, I-"

"You didn't think it through? Because Percy, they are better ways, smarter ways, to handle a situation like this. Luke is 18 yes?" He asked.