Dancing in the Dark- Percabeth Dance AU

:Part 9:

"Well Annabeth. You've been doing great with your crutches for the last 2 months. We can slowly transition out and then you can just have the knee brace. I'm sure your boyfriend will be happy hear." The doctor looked at her and Annabeth let out a nervous laugh. "The one's who's been coming with you to all the appointments when your dad couldn't."

Her dad looked at her as if telling her to clarify.

"Oh- uh he's not my boyfriend. My boyfriend lives up in New York."

Annabeth's thought soon turned into: why does everyone think he's my boyfriend? 

They still had Annabeth do physical therapy  but it was more focused on moving her knee and walking normally again. The doctor told Annabeth it wouldn't be very intense but it would be a little painful. Since Annabeth had been doing extremely well during her previous therapy they said her recovery might go faster but it didn't guarantee she would dance again because she would still need to have all her muscles heal.

Annabeth debated calling Percy to tell him about the brace and how she didn't need crutches. Then she figured she could surprise him. She could imagine walking into school knowing her recovery was going well. Yet at the same time she knew she wouldn't be very happy. The auditions were next week, there was no way she was going. 

~~~~

She had told Percy the next morning that he could skateboard to school since her dad was taking her. Percy thought it was weird but he chill with it, he assumed she was just in pain today and didn't feel like walking with her crutches.

Percy was waiting by her locker when she finally arrived. She pushed though the crowds of students, walking. Percy dropped his jaw and instantly hugged her, lifting her off the ground. 

"WISE GIRL! Wait your crutches! You just have your brace!"

"Glad I could surprise you Seaweed Brain. Now mind putting me down?" She asked with a smile.

Percy laughed and then lightly set her down on the ground. They were oddly close with her hands on his shoulders and his around her waist. They both split apart after a second too long. Percy was blushing and Annabeth was just weirded out by it. 

"Hey I wanna show you something at lunch." Percy smirked. He was totally gonna win this "war". With Luke gone this was his moment. 

"I don't know Perce. I usually call Luke during lunch." She looked to the floor and said it quietly. 

"It'll take just a second. Please?" He pleaded and did little puppy eyes. 

Annabeth rolled her eyes and ruffled his hair. 

"Okay fine." 

~~~~

Percy anxiously waited for lunch. He tapped his pencil on his desk during class and as soon as the bell rang he dashed out. He curved through the he crowds of students to get to the opposite end of the school where Annabeth had her AP science class. He ran and even nudged a few people. He told them sorry And then kept running. When he finally reached her classroom he was panting and Annabeth walked out.  She looked at him and then laughed. Percy would've been laughing too but he was still out of breath. 

Percy then reached his hand out and Annabeth slipped her fingers in. They walked to the auditorium together. It was dark so Percy pulled the lever to turn on the lights and the stage lit up. 

Annabeth gave Percy this look that said, okay...why are we here

Percy smirked and Annabeth knew exactly what was happening. Percy pulled the picnic basket out form behind one of the curtains. During freshman year Annabeth talked about how she loved being on stage so they started having lunch in the auditorium. 

"Wow, we haven't done this is forever." Annabeth said as she cautiously sat down on the stage.

Percy smiled and then tossed her a sandwich. 

"My mom made them."

"Thought so." She smiled and took a bite. 

It was like deja vu. They way they just talked to easily. The laughs and smiles. The jokes. Everything was perfect. Percy went to go throw away the trash outside really quickly. 

He had left his phone behind and it started to ring. Annabeth glanced at the name calling. 

Rachel.

She knew it was an invasion of privacy but she picked up the phone and put it to her ear. 

"Hey Percy!" She sounded happy. 

The voice stung in Annabeth's gut. 

"Rachel." She said seriously. 

"Uhhhh is this Percy?" 

"No it's Annabeth. Bye." She hung up the phone and Percy came back. 

"K I can help you up, ready?" He asked with a smile on his face. 

"YOU TRAITOR!" She yelled at him. 

"What? What are you talking about?" Percy asked. He was confused.

"YOU'VE BEEN TALKING WITH RACHEL! PERCY YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I HATE HER AND NOW WITH ME MISSING THE AUDITION YOU TALK TO HER!" Annabeth wished she could run out at that exact moment, but she was forced to stay on the floor of the stage. 

"Annabeth it's not like that." He waved his hands in defense. 

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!" 

"Annabeth-" Percy tried to reason with her but Annabeth just kept talking about how he shouldn't be talking to her. 

Rachel had been rubbing it in Annabeth's face for weeks, months, ever since they were competitors at a dance competition. She always teased Annabeth. Everything she messed up Rachel rubbed it in her face. 

"Help me up." She demanded. 

Percy helped her but instead and way her hand lingered on his she pulled away right after. 

"Annabeth!" She stormed out and Percy called after her. 

He ran after her in the hallway. She wasn't far since she was slow but Percy caught her. Luckily everyone was in the cafeteria so there wasn't going to be a huge scene. 

"LET ME GO!" 

"Annabeth give me one minute. One. Please." He was pleading her for real this time.

As if timing already weren't an issue his phone started to ring again and Annabeth looked at his pocket. Her eyes narrowed and looked as if they were holding back a single tear.

"Better go, she's calling." She turned and left Percy there in the hallway feeling nothing but defeated.

Woooaaahhhhh spicy