The Daughter

chapter 10 - too many words

"i'm crying, cuz i love you" - cuz i love you, lizzo

Katelyn Sullivan

I don't really know why seeing Annabeth with Percy made me uncomfortable. Maybe it was the way she instantly lit up whenever she was around him, not in a way that I had ever been able to accomplish. But I told myself it was different. And it was. Percy was her boyfriend that was obvious enough and we were just friends. So it wasn't a big deal. And I wasn't going to make it a big deal.

~~

The next day I met Annabeth at her locker trying to feel better about yesterday.

"Hey!" I said, trying to sound excited.

"Hey," She said back.

"So," I started, "You and Percy? Is that why you got so jealous that day?"

"Maybe," She said with a small smile.

"How long have you guys been together?"

"A little over two months."

"Newlyweds," I said, "Congrats." I really tried to hide the bitterness in my voice, but I don't think I did a good job.

"Thanks," She said uneasily, probably sensing my current emotions.

It really wasn't a big thing. So maybe I was a little jealous. It didn't mean that the end of the world was coming. We walked to class together in awkward silence.

"Why didn't you say something when Penelope was talking about Percy?" I asked when we sat down, "Why'd you lie?"

"It's complicated," Annabeth said quietly.

"How? You act like a completely different person around her and I just don't get it," I said, "I mean what is so wrong with being yourself."

"I said it's complicated okay?" Annabeth snapped.

"Okay. Sorry," I said quietly. We didn't talk for the rest of class. I wasn't really sure where the tension between us was coming from and how a great week could've been ruined by one day.

Annabeth all but stormed out of the classroom when class ended.

"Wait, Annabeth!" I called. She turned around, "Do you wanna grab a snack from the cafeteria real quick?"

"I have to meet someone," she said, apologetically, "Sorry."

"Someone meaning Percy?" I was bitter all over again.

Annabeth was silent for a beat, she almost looked guilty, "I'll see you later." She walked away.

I rolled my eyes. There was no reason for me to be so upset about all of this. I was just scared of losing one of my only friends, but it was stupid. I knew that one guy wouldn't change everything.

~~

I didn't see Annabeth again until lunch when we sat with Penelope. She was back to the perky side of her, and I wasn't used to it. It didn't hit me until then how different she was around everyone else. It was like she was afraid to make a dent, so she just blended in with everyone else. I didn't say anything the entire lunch. I didn't feel like socializing.

The days went on just like this. I saw Annabeth only once or twice during the day. One time I accidentally walked in on a conversation between her and Percy, it was awful. I tried to invite her over, or just talk with her. But she was focused on something with Percy. I didn't get it. He wasn't even that attractive. Certainly wasn't my type. Conversations between us just got more and more stilted, mostly because Annabeth was unfocused during our conversations. She was always doing something, and I didn't know what. Every time I asked she got defensive. I stopped trying to be around her, and I'm not even sure if she missed me.

We finally talked over the weekend. I saw her in the dorm hallways and thought to say something, "Hey!"

She perked up when she saw me, "Hey! What's up?"

"Uh, not much," I replied, "Just feels like I haven't seen you in like forever."

She scoffed lightly, "It's been like three days."

I hesitated slightly, "That's 72 hours."

"Yeah that's not that long, that's like a weekend."

"A weekend's two days."

"What is your problem?" I couldn't believe her. My problem?

"You don't care at all that we've barely even spoken to each other? Or seen each other?"

"We see each other during lunch!"

"That doesn't count!" I said, getting louder.

"Why not?"

"Because you're never yourself at lunch!" I half-screamed. I was starting to get really annoyed, "You're always putting on this dumb show for Penelope and I don't understand why? And every time I ask you just shut down."

"Because you don't need to know!" She yelled, "It's none of your business."

"Like how whatever you're doing with Percy is none of my business?"

She got silent for a bit, "Is that what this is about?" She asked softly, "You're jealous because I've been spending time with my boyfriend?" The way she used the word jealous made my heart beat faster.

"I- I'm not jealous that is absolutely not what is happening here," I scoffed, "What would I even be jealous of?" I asked, slightly desperate.

"That I'm hanging out with someone who's not you."

"No it's-," I regained my composure, "I just want to spend time with my best friend. Sorry that it's such a crime." With that, I went back to my dorm room.

I was shaking by the time I made it back to my dorm room. I was shaking because she was right. I was jealous. Unfortunately. I was jealous of the way that Percy effortlessly made her smile or laugh. I was jealous about how they probably shared everything. I was jealous of how much time they spent together. I was jealous of their closeness. And I was scared of what that meant—terrified, actually. Because yes, friends get jealous. But that wasn't what this was. I knew what this was. I, Katelyn Sullivan, had a crush on Annabeth Chase.

The end. I liked writing this chapter I won't lie. I'm not gonna give an excuse as to why I haven't updated I don't have one anyways. The next chapter will get here when it gets here I guess 💀. Hoped you enjoyed the chapter.

-Temi