Falling for You (A Percabeth AU)

Chapter Eighteen

Author's Note

7.3k reads. Literally insane. I had doubts that this would reach 100, let alone something of this magnitude. And making top 10 for #percabeth? Un. Fucking. Real. Thank you all so much for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy Chapter Eighteen of Falling for You: A Percabeth AU.

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Annabeth's POV

Tonight's worse than usual.

Percy's worrying makes me feel awful about letting him see the messages (even if unintentionally), and I insisted that everything's fine throughout his pestering today. Although it was kind of sweet (what? it was), I still worry about anyone finding out, let alone him. Between this and my schoolwork on my mind, I'm juggling a lot mentally as I enter my apartment. I shut the door softly behind me, hoping to be left alone for just one afternoon.

Fate though otherwise.

I am greeted by more than the usual screeches from Helen, but also a chorus of complaints and judgments from my step-brothers. I want to join in their hellish choir of screams, but am able to contain myself, at least for a few minutes, as I rush to prepare the boys a snack and try to handle whatever my stepmother is angry about now. I ascend the stairs to the bedroom area and cross my arms in Helen's bedroom door. "What?"

Removing herself from her overdramatically-stretched-out position on her bed, Helen stands and approaches me in a way that reminds me of the peacocks I learned about last year in Biology. She struts over, behind sticking up unnaturally high in the air, neck cocked at an angle that expresses prowess, yet is still inexplicably concerned with the affairs of its inferiors. When she reaches her door, she stands too close to me, placing our faces mere inches apart.

"Your father is coming home tomorrow," she says, feigning an air of importance.

"I know." I reply. I don't understand why his return is so significant. He may be a shit father, but I am aware of at least the basics of his work schedule. I stare back at the peacock, who turns her neck to one side as if she is confused. The bird is checking out her prey. I still don't understand why this discussion is necessary. When she seems to have assured herself that I am genuinely clueless as to what she is referring, she scoffs and responds,

"Well, what will you tell him about your... affairs in his time away? You'd better believe I filled him in on your little 'party' last week-"

"What is there to fill him in on? I went to a party with some friends? I spent the night? It was a hell of a lot better than being here with you," I spit back.

"How dare you use such vulgar language under my roof. If I wasn't so certain of your side-life as a whore, I might have some other speculations," she replies curtly. Her lip curls. The peacock has suddenly transformed into a more vicious bird of prey, maybe a hawk or an eagle. But I won't let her get a rise out of me. She won't get what she wants, not from me.

"Brave talk coming from a woman with 8 ex-husbands," I retort, before booking it into my own bedroom and locking the door, bursting into laughter once I reach safety. I hear her screams from outside, but it doesn't matter. She can't hurt me now, at least not for a while.

I attempt to drown out her already-fading verbal assaults with some earbuds. I tap open Spotify and put on a playlist of songs I use to lift myself from questionable moods. I finish my homework before enjoying the endless circle of social media- Instagram to Snapchat to Twitter to Youtube and on and on and on. I skip dinner, set an alarm and pull my blonde curls up into a messy bun (sksksksks). After just a few more Snaps, I lock my phone and roll to the other side of my bed. I gaze out my window to the city streets below, still lit up with cars, never quite silent with the life of the city. It's here I find my peace and am able to surrender myself to a much-needed good night's sleep.

If only then I knew what the next few days would bring.

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Author's Note

well that was a cliffhanger hehe

anyway hope y'all enjoyed this bit, ill try to continue updating more and i hope you're having a great day :)

blatant self-promo warning: if you liked this chapter, feel free to leave a vote, follow, or both/neither! everything is greatly appreciated, and i'll see you all in the next one.

-L (author)