Elysium(second book in Ambrosia)

Misheard Lies

Klink!

I sat up, wondering if I hadn't imagined the sound.

Klink!

I narrowed my eyes at the window and saw a dark figure.

Klink! Klink!

I groaned and got out of bed, walking up to the window.

Percy waved, smiling drunkly.

I opened the window, my eyes narrowed.

"Percy? What are you doing here?" I asked,"And how did you get on my roof?"

"I came for you Princess," he replied, his words slightly slurred.

He leans closer as he stepped inside and I smelt alcohol on his breath.

"Percy you're drunk," I said, shutting  my window.

"I know," he replied, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"And youre going to regret this tomorrow."

"I know."

"Then-"

"But I don't care."

"What?"

"I said : I. Don't. Care."

"What are you doing here?"

Percy laughed, standing up and walking towards me.

"I already told you Princess. I'm here to rescue you from the big bad dragon!" He laughed as if he found this hilarious.

"Percy you're scaring me," I said, backing away.

"No no no princess! I'm here to rescue you!" He said frantically, following me. His arms were up as if he wanted to hug me.

"Percy stop it," I said, my back hitting the wall.

"But Princess! I'm so in love with you... why can't you be in love with me? Why do you have to chose him?" Percy pouted.

"What? Percy you're scaring me," I replied, looking for a way out.

But he put his hands on either side of me on the wall, smirking down at me.

His eyes were dead, fazed and dizzy.

"Percy stop. I'm with Thomas," I replied, trying to push him away.

He smirked. "I don't think you want to be."

"What?" My eyes widened at his accusation.

"You don't really love him. You just pretend to. I mean, otherwise you wouldn't have had that drinking game with me. Or you never would've kissed me at the lake or let me take you to lunch when he wasn't there."

"Percy stop," I whispered, his words hitting home.

"I think you just like toying with his emotions. I mean what kind of person does that? And you hang out with his best friend more than you hang out with him. That's just sick! You're..." he paused, forgetting the word,"You're betraying him!"

He laughed, as if this were the funniest thing in the world.

"I'm not-"

"Bull! You're cheating on him and you know it!"

"But I-"

"You know what I just realized? I just realized you're a son of a bitc-"

"Percy stop!" I screamed, pushing him back roughly.

He must have been extremely drunk because he stumbled back and I managed to escape.

I slid to the floor, tears pricking my eyes as my head rested in my hands.

I shivered uncontrollably as I remembered his words, words that just told the truth.

"Amb I..."

I looked up, meeting Percy's gaze. His eyes were clear and he looked as if he were seeing me for the first time.

"Whatever I said I didn't-"

"Don't touch me!" I said, refusing to meet his gaze. I hit his hand away and he stared at me in shock.

"Ambrosia..."

"I think you should leave," I whispered, pulling my knees closer to my chest.

His eyes shattered as he realized what I'd meant.

"Please Amb give me a chance-"

"Leave!"

He stared at me sadly then closed his eyes and gave a defeated sigh, standing up.

"I love you Amb," he said, the dead look returning to his eyes.

But this time I knew it wasn't the alcohol.

I said nothing as he opened the window just stared at the ground as the tears feel freely.

He looked at me, opening his mouth to say something. But no words came out and he slipped through the window, closing it behind him.

I stared at the phone, my breathing heavy.

"Hey..."

"Percy? Is that you?"

"Yeah...I mean yes."

"You're not supposed to call me."

I hoped he wouldn't hear my voice crack, wouldn't hear the sorrow and fear.

"I know...it's just- I love you so much. You don't understand how much I love you. Like so much and it's never gonna change and now you're with that blond jockie- ha! Jockie...that's funny. It's like a jock just dumber and smaller you se-"

I felt tears well up at the corner of my eyes and bit my tongue as a sob escaped.

"I'm putting the phone down. You're drunk."

"Wait! Please don't hang up!"

I paused, considering listening to his pleas when Lowell walked into the room.

He smiled then caught sight of my tears and seemed to understand immediately what was happening as he shook his head.

"Don't call me again Percy," I whispered,"Goodbye. And stop drinking. You know it's not good for you."

I hung up, staring at my phone as I brought it down from my ear.

Lowell stroked my hair lovingly, hugging me.

"I almost believed him Lowell," I whispered, fresh tears pricking my eyes.

He took the phone out of my hand and set it down.

He smiled down at me encouragingly and I felt my defenses crack as I sobbed, leaning into his chest.

"It's ok Amb. We got through this once before and I promise we'll get through it again," he whispered, planting a kiss on my forehead.

"We'll get through this Amb."