Shattered to Pieces |Percabeth Story |

2

Annabeth POV

The Next Day

I wake with a bolt, the sound of my uncle yelling my name rousing me from sleep. "Annabeth, you worthless piece of shit!"

I wince in pain as I scramble out of bed and run downstairs. "What is it?" I ask, barely awake.

"What's wrong with this picture?" he snaps, holding his hands out to gesture to his surroundings.

"I..." I trail off. I swallow hard, knowing anything I say will not go down well. "I don't know."

"You don't know! Selfish! That's what you are! I want breakfast on the table in fifteen minutes. If you weren't such a lazy brat you would know to wake up and do it. It's the least you can do after all I have done for you."

"Yes, Ben," I say, unable to meet his eyes. He brushes against me as he leaves the room and stamps up the stairs.

I rub my eyes to further wake myself up before getting to work, grabbing pans and food out of the refrigerator. I put the bread in the toaster and crack the eggs into a pan. I work quickly and clean the kitchen counters as I go.

He made a mess when he came home last night, I notice. There are dirty dishes in the sink and I quickly look in the living room and there are beer bottles on the table and floor in the living room. His work clothes are in a ball on the couch along with a lacy, red thong. He must've brought a girl home last night yet again. I'll have to clean up after school. Again. Just like any other day.

I go back into the kitchen and start putting the cooked food onto a plate. Ben returns wearing his uniform and sits at the table, waiting for me to place the food in front of him.

"You're going to have to wash my other uniform. I want my dinner on the table when I get home today or there will be consequences. I might bring some of the guys back to watch some TV so go to the store and make sure there are beers in the refrigerator," he says.

I nod without saying anything and carry his plate over to the table and put it in front of him. I make myself a bowl of cereal and then proceed to sit down at the table while he continues giving me orders.

"I want my bed sheets washed and replaced. I want enough food made for everyone to eat. Understood?"

It's not like I have much of a choice. I nod again.

We eat in silence. I'm still eating when he leaves and as soon as the door slams I relax and let out the breath that I hadn't realised I was holding. At least he didn't hit me. I eat quicker and as soon as I'm done I dump my plate in the sink and run upstairs to shower.

I wash my hair and body, wincing as I wash my stomach as my hands move over the fresh bruise on my ribs, before getting out and brushing my teeth. I go to my room and put on black skinny jeans, a long grey t-shirt and converse.

I look in the mirror and sigh as I notice the new bruise that Ben gave me last night.

I apply concealer on the bruises before grabbing my books and heading downstairs.

I look at the clock and, when I see that I have time to do a little cleaning, I collect the beer bottles and the thong and put them in the trash.

Then, I grab the dirty clothes on the couch and put them in the washing machine. By the time those tasks are finished it's time to go so I grab my bag and head out of the door.

I walk down the path and onto the pavement just as the new neighbour's door opens and the boy I bumped into yesterday walks out. I keep my eyes on the ground and walk faster.