Fatal Flaw (a Percy Jackson AU)

Exhale

Annabeth
     My heart was as light as a feather. I turned to Percy and gave him another big smile. "I'm so glad that we are going to live together," I said for the billionth time.
     Percy gave me a small smile before going back to eating his blue birthday cake. It had been over a year since we had been admitted to the hospital. Percy had just turned 18 and we were ready to go back into the world. We were planning to save up until we had enough money to build a home.
    "What do you want the house to look like?" I asked.
    "Blue," he said after he finished eating his bite of blue cake.
    I snorted and gave him a light punch. "I might make some of the house blue," I teased.
"Where will we live?" Percy asked.
"We could live in New York," I suggested. "It's right by the sea and it has so many beautiful architectural wonders. It would be so inspiring."
Percy smiled after swallowing another bite of his blue cake. "That would be perfect," he said.
"You and me together, Seaweed Brain exploring the world," I said. "It would be amazing."
"I'd love that, Wise Girl," Percy agreed.
He finished his cake and we said our goodbyes. We were going to keep in touch. Even though I would miss the friends I had made here, I didn't look back. I had Seaweed Brain with me and, for now, that was all I wanted.

Hazel
    "I'll miss you," I said as I hugged Frank.
      He looked upset too. "I will too," he said,"but we'll still see each other."
   I gave him a small smile. He was going to college in New York and Nico and I would be going to a high school nearby. Still, my heart aches. We had promised to see each other and I didn't doubt Frank's sincerity, but what he found someone better in college.
    Frank seemed to sense my discomfort. "What's wrong?" he asked.
     "I'm afraid you'll forget about me or find someone else," I confessed.
    "Nobody could be better than you, Hazel," he said. "Besides, we've been through so much together. I trust you with my life. I could never find someone who understands me like you do."
     I felt my cheeks burn and I fanned my hand against my face in embarrassment. "Not in public!" I squeaked.
    Frank squeezed my hand. "I better go," he said awkwardly.
     I nodded and watched as he left the building for the last time. The hospital was so different now. Jason, Piper, Leo, and Calypso were going to a boarding school in California. Selena and Beckendorf decided to open a spa. Drew and Clovis were designing a pajama line. Nico and I would be leaving soon. Will and Rachel were going to an Arts' school in New York. Clarisse and Chris are opening a school for martial arts. Connor and Travis decided to become mailmen and Katie was opening a flower shop. Dakota was going to college to study psychology. Thalia and Reyna decided to join the military.

For now, everything was peaceful. It was time for a new batch of kids to join the school here. Our time here was over and though it was sad, I hoped we never have to go to a place like this again. I hoped our lives would improve and stay better and I hoped that we would all be able to realize that our mental illnesses don't define who we are.