My Bestfriend's Brother (A Percy Jackson Fanfic)

The Drunken Conversation

One week. One week had passed since Percy walked out of the door the day after Drew's party. At first,he was gone for the entire two days,but Penny didn't seem all that surprised. She simply said "It happens. He stays away for about three days,then returns. Nothing to worry about."

But the entire week had passed,and even Piper was getting worried. Me? I didn't know what to think. Yes,I was startled and a little worried,but Penny was the worst hit. She kept biting her lip,her skin unnaturally pale and kept jumping up and staring at the door longingly. I realized that as much as the Jackson twins argued,they still cared for each other. Or at least,Penny still cared for Percy.

"He'll be back. It usually happens." She said on Saturday night while eating dinner. She was picking at her pasta,not eating. "He just wants time by himself."

Me and Piper exchanged looks. I've never seen Penny in a temper,but I've seen Piper pushing over her limit. Penny's eyes always used to go on radar alert,and we would stay quiet at once. I was so used to seeing Penny smiling and cracking jokes,this side of her was unnerving. Just then the door burst open,and Penny looked up expectingly,then dropping in her seat when she found out that it was just Apollo and Nico.

"No sign of him. Searched the roads,the nearest shops and bars,nothing." Apollo sighed. Penny glared at Piper,who looked down.

"You told them to search,didn't you?"

"Well,I-we all are worried Penny,and so are you." Piper said softly. Penny put down her fork.

"Piper,if I had a dollar for every time Percy walking out like this,I'd be kicking Bill Gates to the curb. And I'm not worried,this has happened before."

"Penny,you're hardly eating anything,and you're not speaking to any of us." Nico pointed out. Penny sighed and crossed her arms.

"Whatever. I-Im going to bed." She stood up and walked to her bedroom. Apollo sighed.

"I'll go talk to her." He said,then disappeared in the same direction as Penny. Nico sighed.

"Well,I'll see you guys later." He said gloomily,handling the doorknob. As he walked outside,I put my fork down.

"Don't have much of an appetite."

"Me neither." Piper mumbled,pushing her plate away. I couldn't help but think,would Percy really drink? Sure,he might not be a minor anymore,but it's wrong to drink under the age of twenty one. Though I doubt he'd listen to those type of rules.

oOoOo

Shutting the book,I glanced at the clock. It was half past one. Weird. It seemed only five seconds ago that it was twelve. Well,I zone in a lot when I read. Stretching my arms, I got up and slowly walked to the kitchen. After fumbling for the light switch,I poured myself a glass of water. Suddenly I heard a knock,scaring the wits out of me.

"Percy?" I whispered,running to the door and opening it. What I saw nearly made me scream. It was Percy...but it wasn't. His hair was rogue and messy,one eye was bruised and purple,and his clothes were ripped and worn out. In his hand he was holding an empty bottle that looked oddly like a beer bottle. His green eyes were cold and lifeless. For a moment,he stared at me,then he fell on his knees.

"Percy!" I exclaimed,grabbed his arms and hoisting him up. He smelled like a two week old pie,with a mixture of a wine shop and..seaweed? He was mumbling under his breath,swaying on the spot. I grabbed his arm and put it around my shoulder,leading him towards the kitchen. He put his entire weight on me,and I was afraid that I was going to fall down.

"Gods you reek!" I gagged. His eyes were already drooping.

"Wha..wha's tha' mean?"

"It means,you stink." I said,plopping him down on the chair. He hiccoughed.

"Well you..you smell like lemon. I like it." he said,grinning drunkedly. I rolled my eyes,but couldn't help but think that it was kind of cute. I turned around and grabbed a cloth,washing it under warm water. I turned back towards Percy,who was watching me interestingly,then pushed him chin upwards gently and dabbed at his eye carefully.

"Don't move." I ordered.

"Yes ma'am." he said in a baby voice. I shook my head.

"Gods,why did you do this Percy? Who gave you a black eye?"

"The..The guy I was fighti'." he mumbled "he was a stupi' guy,swinging his arms a'here and a'there. You're..you look like his..his girl..."

"What?" I asked,confused. He squinted at me.

"His girl..except you look taller..and..more pretty..." he reached up to touch my face,but I took his wrist to stop him. He sighed.

"You..you're beautiful."

I didn't mean to,but I felt a little flustered "Percy,you're drunk."

"I-I know..but..you're beautiful Annabeth."

Annabeth. The way he said my name made something inside of me swell,but I didn't know what the swelling was for. True,he was drunk and had no idea what he was saying,but I felt that he needed help. He mentioned a guy,and his girl. Did he get into a fight?

"Percy..did you get into a fight?" I asked softly. He blinked at me.

"Family can be a whack on the butt sometimes,y'know." He sighed,swinging his head "take my dad,for instance. He-He was a stupi' lil' bum. He sai' tha' he wanted to keep us a'safe,but he did it jus' to send us away."

"What-what are you-"

"My mom was a good' lady,the best. The gang tha' my dad was with..they weren' very nice. They were stupi' lil' cookies." he said,pouting. My lips bent upwards in a tiny smile,but it vanished as he continued speaking.

"They came after us. Mom went in a coma,an' then the lot trapped Dollar-I mean Penny-in a room and I a'went and hit them. Ah,sad." he sighed. I blinked,unable to speak. If Penny wanted me to know all of this,she would tell me. She wouldn't want me to find out from her drunk brother.

"Percy,you need to go to bed." I said firmly,putting the cloth aside. Putting his arm around my shoulder,I dragged him upwards. He hiccoughed.

"No use...I have to kill him..."

"You're just drunk Percy,that's all." I chided,opening the door to his room. Everything seemed empty and cold,but messy as usual. I plopped him on his bed,where he curled up into a ball.

"Stay with me." he pleaded in a baby voice. I half smiled.

"No Percy,I can't."

"But...but I want you." He said goofily. He pouted,making him look like a baby seal. Giving in,I sat next to him,sighing.

"Fine,but only for a little bit." I said firmly. He grinned like a baby being gifted candy. I gently touched his bruised eye. It felt rumpy and dry under my fingers. For once,would this idiot keep his over-inflated head out of trouble? "You are such an idiot."

"I-I know tha'." He yawned. I felt his forehead,which was burning;he had a high fever. Despite him always wearing punk clothes and having an attitude,he now acted and looked small and normal. I actually liked this side of him. He was raw and vulnerable,and needed help.

"I'm gunna go call your sister,okay?" I told him,but before I could get up he grabbed my wrist.

"No..don't..she'll kill me.." he groaned. I bit my lip and sighed,sitting down again.

"Fine. But you shouldn't have gone off for a week. She's been worried sick."

"Penny...worried?" he asked. I nodded.

"She cares about you Percy. She hasn't been talking to anyone,or eating since you left." I said softly. He sighed deeply.

"I-I'm doin' this to..to protect us.." he muttered. I frowned.

"What? What are you talking about?" I asked. He didn't reply. Something inside of me was stirring.

"Percy...did you get into a fight for..for her?"

He snored and I rolled my eyes. Carefully,I got up and tiptoed away back into my room. I collapsed on my bed,deep on thought. Either Percy really did have a drunk side..or he was just seriously drunk.