Bonded Souls | Percabeth Fanfiction

Chapter 12

"Is that why you didn't go on the bus this morning?" Grover asked. "And why you didn't want me to pick you up like usual?"
"My mom was busy bandaging me up, Grover. I didn't want you to worry and she wanted to drive me to school, make sure I was okay." Percy explained to his best friend as they found the table they've been sitting at ever since they've arrived at this school.

Percy sat down and Grover took a seat across from Percy.
"So, what happened last night...? What did Gabe do?" Grover asked.
"I don't fucking know. I just heard something smash and I heard my mother and I heard Gabe yelling something. I had to step in, my mom couldn't get hurt." Percy shrugged, looking down at his tray of food.

Percy didn't get much. He only really got an apple and some mashed potatoes, he wasn't in the mood for anything else they were handing out.

"When are you guys going to get rid of him?" Grover mumbled.
"Grover, do you think I haven't tried talking to my mom about it?" Percy huffed, grabbing his apple and looking at it. "She doesn't know how to go about it. She doesn't wanna call anyone, she doesn't want either of us to get hurt if she talks to Gabe. She's just... she's afraid. So, if I need to get hurt to protect her? I'm fine with that."
Grover frowned at Percy.

"Percy, doesn't your mom want you to not get hurt either-?"
"Of course she doesn't want me to get hurt! She's just afraid, Grover! She doesn't have any family left to rely on, and my actual dad hasn't contacted us in forever."

A silence overcame them and Grover stayed silent as he began to eat his lunch. Percy sighed as he looked at Grover.
"I'm sorry." Percy said quietly.
"No, I'm sorry, Percy." Grover said. "But... you two need to figure out how to get rid of-"

"Hey."
Both Grover and Percy looked over, seeing Annabeth by their table, holding a tray with her lunch on it and smiling awkwardly at them both.
"... You wanted me to join you guys?"
Annabeth kept her gaze on Percy.
Percy smiled up at Annabeth.
"Yeah, c'mon. Sit down." Percy said.
Annabeth slid down next to Percy, setting down her lunch tray and her bag off from her shoulder and onto the ground.

"Are you not hanging out with Luke or Thalia today then?" Grover questioned, glancing over to where Luke and Thalia were sat.
"Oh, well, Percy wanted me to join you guys and I thought it'd be nice to expand my social circle." Annabeth said, looking at Grover.
"With us?" Grover raised his eyebrows. "You know that we're not as cool as Luke or Thalia, right?"
Annabeth shrugged slightly at Grover.

"I'm not as cool as Luke or Thalia." Annabeth stated.
"Uh, I disagree with that statement." Percy said, looking to Annabeth. "You're way cooler than Luke at least! I've never spoken to Thalia, but you're probably cooler than her too!"
Annabeth smiled at Percy.
"Quit flattering me." Annabeth said.

"I'd rather talk about why your face is covered with injuries."
Percy blinked and he glanced at Grover. Grover shrugged at Percy and Percy smiled back at Annabeth.
"I fell a bunch of times." Percy said, shrugging. "I'm clumsy!"
Annabeth raised an eyebrow.
"Right, falling causes you to get a black eye and for you to get, what I am assuming are, cuts." Annabeth said.
"Yep!" Percy nodded at Annabeth.

Annabeth looked at Grover. Grover smiled at Annabeth.
"Percy is strong." Grover said. "He's fine."
"That doesn't make me feel better." Annabeth said.

"Look, Annie, I appreciate that you are worried about me." Percy said, getting Annabeth's attention again. "But... I'd really rather not talk about it. Okay? I'm fine. Like I've said multiple times before."
Annabeth met Percy's gaze and she stayed silent for a moment.
"... Alright, I won't push you. But if anything gets worse, then please know that you can talk to me." Annabeth said, gently nudging Percy in his arm with her elbow.
"I'll keep that in mind." Percy smiled at Annabeth.

Grover stared at the two, watching as they stared into each other's eyes. Oh, he was going to become a third-wheel, wasn't he?

Grover looked at his tray of food and began to eat it, not paying attention to Annabeth and Percy as they seemed to be flirting. If Percy was happy, Grover didn't mind. And if Grover had food, he also didn't mind.

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Word count: 766