Cliché (Percabeth AU)

Chapter 7

Previous chapter question winner: -mellifluousflower! You have a very complicated username. 

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Word about Shel's birthday party found its way into almost every person's ear in school and soon, there wasn't a single student who wasn't coming to the party.

In such a haze, Shel postponed the party to Saturday instead, so that students could enjoy themselves without having to worry about the next day.

All this made Percy saying 'no' to his friends harder than it already was. But he finally did it.

"I can't come, guys," Percy said to his friends during lunch.

A chorus of 'what!?!' And 'why??' filled the lunchroom. Let's skip the part with the whole questions stuff. Shel frowned.

"The offer is still open," she said with a sad smile. "I understand."

Percy wasn't sure she did. He hadn't actually revealed anything. He was sad that he had to refuse but there were things more important than parties. He had a bigger priority.

Percy hoped Shel wouldn't hold a grudge as Nico did.

Soon, it was Friday. The hospital was usually empty but as Percy walked through the hallways today, it felt eerie. Uncommonly uncommon. The desk lady handed him the reports.

"She is not getting well but she isn't in a bad state either. Make sure you don't extravagate her. Let her rest. I'm sure there will be changes."

And that was that.

Percy walked to the third floor and took a deep breath before knocking at the door four times in the doctor who rhythm. The way she liked it.

"Come in," a faded voice came from inside.

Percy opened the door and stepped in, ready to face her.

Ready to face Sally Jackson.

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His mother was the only one Percy truly had.

She was kind, compassionate, loving, caring, beautiful, honest, understanding, and so much more.

She made the best cookies in the world and, as a matter of fact, that was enough reason to like her.

It was like an angel had come upon this world. One of a kind. A blessing upon the universe. When the world treated her badly, she showed them her middle finger. When the world treated Percy badly, she kicked everyone's ass.

And Percy loved her.

Walking into the room every day, watching her lay in front of her like this; it hurt him.

A few weeks ago, Sally had been in a coma but now, she was out of it. Though that didn't improve her conditions enough for her to get well, Percy was still grateful.

He just hoped for more.

He hoped that his mother would whomever back home and feed him blue cookies and they would be a happy family again. Maybe things wouldn't go back to normal but Sally had to come back to his son's now empty life.

He walked to the uncomfortable stool, the nurse who hated him, Karen, had placed and took a seat, trying not to fidget.

"You look as though someone called Christmas a useless festival," Sally said, and though she tried to act strong, her voice gave away her tiredness.