The Runaway Princess

22. You've Done That All On Your Own

I take a deep breath before picking up my phone and hitting the call button beside his name. I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to tell him, but I knew that he would only hate me more if I didn't. And frankly, if he hated me, I don't really know what I would do. It's been two weeks since I figured out Stephanie's scheme. Within those two weeks Percy and I have grown closer, which unfortunately, only makes my crush on him grow bigger. And Stephanie and Emily's hatred for me grow stronger. Last week, to prove this, they locked me in the storage closet. I sat there for hours, banging on the door and yelling for someone to come let me out. But it wasn't until the janitor came late after school that I was set free. Oh and they filled my locker with garbage from the school cafeteria. Trust me, not fun.

I gave my head a quick shake, letting go of the memories. I needed to tell Percy this.

"Hello?" A familiar voice spoke through the phone. My heart pounded as I thought over what I was about to say. "Hey it's Annabeth....I need to tell you something." I heard Percy sigh. "Um sure," he said. "In person," I added quickly. "Ok, so do you want to meet up at Starbucks or something? In say 20 minutes?" He asked. "Sure," I replied quietly before hanging up the phone.
~
I stand there my hand wavering over the door handle of the Starbucks. I debate whether or not I should go in, before taking a deep breath and entering. It's not good, but it has to be done. 'Sometimes, you have to do the right thing, even if it means doing what everyone else thinks is wrong' My dad's voice echoes in my head as I take a seat at one of the tables. I remember him telling me that when I was little. My throat tightens a little at the memory. I rub my face with my hands and swallow it back. I can't shut down now. 

A few moments later Percy shows up. I watch as he scans the room before his eyes find me and he walks over. He's dressed in a casual hoodie and jeans, his hair messy as usual. I roll my eyes as he sits down. "Would kill you to brush your hair?" I ask. Percy raises his eyebrows. "You brought me to Starbucks just to tell me I need to brush my hair?" He asks, clearly shocked. I laugh and shake my head. A smile sneaks its way on to his face. I stop laughing and catch my breath. "So what did you bring me hear to talk about?" I sigh and wring my wrists. "Well you remember when Emily came to our school," I start and tell Percy the story of how Stephanie came to ask for my help with breaking them up. I told him about how refused and about how she's now trying to convince Emily and him that I'm trying to steal Percy from her. When I'm done talking, Percy just stares at the table. Throughout my story he didn't interrupt once.  "I'm so sorry Percy," I say quietly. 'Please don't hate me,' I think but don't say anything. He just nods and says "I need to go." I nod as he gets up and leaves. Well, that went well. Not.
                          ~
It's been a week since I told Percy everything. It's been a week of no Stephanie, no Emily, no Percy. Like the calm before the storm. And I have a feeling that today it's gonna pour.

"Hey," Percy says and takes a seat beside me. "Oh, hi," I reply, trying to hide my shock. "I never did get to thank you," he says, not meeting my eyes. "For what?" I ask curiously. "For telling me the truth." Oh. Oh right. "No problem," I say quietly. He nods and walks away. I watch as he meets up with Emily, and wraps an arm around her shoulders before heading to the other side of the courtyard. "Hurts doesn't it?" A voice asks. I look over and see Stephanie sitting next to me on the bench. I stare at her in shock. She shifts her gaze so that she's looking at me. Her expression becomes angry, then amused. "What?" I ask. "Aren't you gonna declare revenge on me for ruining you and Percy, or promise to make my life living hell or whatever?" I demand. Stephanie lets out a cold, harsh laugh. "Why? By pushing me out of the picture you've just screwed yourself. Yeah, my chances of winning Percy are fried but I can just find someone else. But you see, now Percy and Emily are closer than ever," she says with a wicked smile. As she talks I realize what she's getting at. "Now you get to watch as Percy and Emily live as the happy love birds they are, and everyday you get to sit here and wish that it was you. I don't need to make your life living hell, you've done that all on your own." Stephanie says rubbing salt in the wound as she gets up and walks away. The more I think about it, the more I realize she's right. She doesn't need to screw up my life....I did that on my own.
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter!!!!