How You Changed Me (Demigods In High School AU)

Chapter 17 || Renee Turns Into A Tomato

ANNABETH CHASE

Percy and Annabeth had been hanging out more often now. Going out to the park together, taking walks together, going to the gym together, getting frozen yogurt, even watching Netflix marathons together on his couch. Of course, they did most of these things with their friends. They weren't about to have paparazzi break the news to Renee. That would be bad.

As she looked at him today, feeding Rice Krispies to the ducks in the pond like a little kid, Annabeth couldn't help but smile. Her image of him had completely changed since the first time she met him. Percy wasn't arrogant or cocky. He was actually kind and genuine. He turned to her, flashing her a grin before throwing more Rice Krispies to the ducks, who leaped up to try and get it. Annabeth took a bite of her sandwich, watching as Leo laid back in the grass, tanning.

But a thought always lingered in the back of Annabeth's mind, telling her she'd never get him away from Renee. She shook off the thought for the moment. What was important was keeping Percy happy when he wasn't with Renee, hoping it'd turn him around. Annabeth knew that if she tried to break them up while they were present, Percy would just hate her.

"Annabeth!" he called over his shoulder, "I need more food before the ducks maul me! Could you pass me a slice of bread?"

The ducks quacked impatiently, flapping their wings. She smirked, hiding the bread bag behind her.

"Nope! Used up!"

"But the bread bag's right behind you!" Percy exclaimed before a duck barreled into him, surprising him. "ANNABETH THEY'RE ADVANCING!" The duck army was marching forward, wings fanned out in defiance. "THEY'RE INFILTRATING THE PERCY! I NEED BACKUP!"

Leo was watching, amused, as the ducks piled on top of Percy.

"AHHH! AHHH! CUTIE LITTLE DUCKS DON'T HURT UNCLE PERCY!" he screamed as they all stomped on him.

"STOP! STOP! STOP!" he yelped when one bird smacked its beak against his nose. "I'M GONNA GET A NOSEBLEED AND BLOOD'S GONNA GET ALL OVER YOU GUYS!"

She laughed, enjoying the sight of Percy getting defeated by an army of ducks, while a couple months ago, Percy wouldn't be defeated by a Minotaur.

"AH! AH! THAT TICKLES!" he laughed, flapping his arms back and forth.

A duck decided to bite his arm.

"OW! DUDE!" Percy yelled, scaring the bird away.

The birds retreated and she laughed at Percy's angry face.

"Annabeth!" he growled, getting up.

"AHHH!" Annabeth laughed and screamed as he chased her. "PERCY I'M SORRY!"

He laughed, reaching out to grab her.

"I'm gonna get you!" he yelled.

"NOT IF I GET YOU FIRST!" She smirked, launching herself at him.

"AHHH!" he yelled as she barreled into him.

She was pinning him down, satisfied as he squirmed under her.

"Happy, now?" he panted when he stopped struggling, smirking up at her.

Annabeth stared into his twinkling sea-green eyes, about to say something when Renee just HAD to show up.

"PERCY!" Renee ran over, pushing Annabeth off of him.

She grabbed him by the arm, hauling him up. Leo's sunglasses were off in an instant as he stood up, walking over.

"Percy, are you okay? What did she do to you?" Renee demanded, glaring at her.

"I'm okay, Renee. We were just messing around," Percy tried to calm her down but this seemed to make Renee even madder as her face sparked red.

"You. Me. Over there."

She pointed to the place next to the lake.

"Oka--" Percy didn't even get to respond as Renee grabbed his arm and stormed over there.

"What's gonna--" Annabeth started but Leo shook his head, pointing to where Renee was already starting to yell at Percy.

"Oh shit," she breathed.

Renee was moving her arms all over the place, shoving Percy's chest and slapping him. And unlike the video, Percy fought back. He yelled, too, showing absolute anger in his actions. Renee punched him and he stared in surprise at her. 

Both of the figures stopped moving and stared at each other for a long while before they stood there, talking to each other. Then, the anger escalated and the fighting continued. Renee then pushed Percy into the lake. For some reason, Annabeth's body moved forward and she was there, standing in the way of Renee and Percy.

"Stop it!" she yelled, shoving her, "You're being abusive, Renee!"

Renee glared at Annabeth.

"And what do you have to say about it Ms. I-pinned-down-Renee's-boyfriend-and-expect-her-to-be-fine-with-it? This is our relationship so STOP GETTING IN THE WAY!"

"Renee stop it," Percy begged, getting out of the water.

"This is all your fault!" Renee jabbed a finger at her, "Percy and I were fine and happy before you showed up and ruined everything! Just stay out of our lives and we can be okay!"

With that, she grabbed Percy's arm and marched away, Percy trying to reason with her the whole entire time.

___

Annabeth was furiously texting Percy now, her fingers stabbing the surface.

AC: Are you there?

AC: Answer me Percy.

AC: Please. Answer me.

AC: Percy I'm sorry for what happened today.

AC: Are you okay with Renee?

AC: I understand you probably don't wanna take but PLEASE answer me.

AC: Percy

AC: PERCY!

AC: Percy I need to talk to you!

AC: If you need help I have 911 on speed dial right now.

AC: Seaweed Brain I need you to answer my calls.

She called Percy again, but it went to voicemail.

Hello, this is Percy Jackson. I'm probably not available, eating a blue cookie, watching Nemo, or just ignoring you. Probably eating blue cookies though. Call back later! Bye!

Pretty soon, she called again, but the moment she started calling, a mechanical voice answered.

Sorry, the user has blocked this number.

"Shit," Annabeth cursed, throwing the phone down on the couch.

"He's not answering?" Piper asked, sitting down next to her with cups of tea.

"No," she said, taking her cup and sipping from it. "Not at all."

"Do you think he's still with Renee?" Piper asked.

They heard thumping above and screaming.

"Yeah," she said.

"Look, Annabeth," Piper sighed, "I'm really proud of you for doing this. It's really out of your comfort zone, and actually, it's pretty amazing to watch."

"It's not like I actually want to date him. I just wanna get him away from Renee so he'll be happy because now that I've known Percy when he's nice, I don't wanna see him mean again," Annabeth said.

Piper raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she turned on a movie.