In need of healing

Chapter 3: Percy

This was so weird. I was in my apartment with Annabeth of all people. She helped me onto my apartment couch. Everything was still extremely fuzzy. My head felt like a hammer had been taken too it, and my side didn't feel much better. I heard my mom's voice coming from the kitchen. "Hey, honey I made some cookies," I heard her say, as she made her way into the living room and saw Annabeth hovering by me concerned. "Mom", I crocked as I attempted to sit up.

"Some guys at school were trying to beat him up for getting Luke," I heard Annabeth say as she stood up from her place next to me.

"Mom, this is Annabeth, Annabeth, this is my mom Sally," I interjected as I propped my myself up.

My mom made her way to the couch and began looking me over. "Oh honey, are you okay? Maybe I should take you to the hospital to get checked out," she then looked over at Annabeth before taking her hand, "Thank you for getting him home safe."

All attention was then back on me. Her chocolate eyes boring into me. "I'm okay mom really. I don't need a hospital. Some ice for my head and my side would be nice though." I said with a slight chuckle, "Thanks Annabeth. You don't have to stay here".

I looked at the girl next to me and was suddenly stricken by just how gorgeous she was. Her high cheekbones were perfectly framed by her blonde curls. Her gray eyes like storm clouds. Her purple skintight deep-V and skinny jeans perfectly fitting her tan, perfectly toned body. I wasn't being creepy, but she literally could have been a goddess. I think I must have been staring because she looked down and cleared her throat. "I'm just glad I could do something to help. If you don't mind I kind of want to stay to make sure you're okay. You were hit pretty hard," she responded with sincerity.

I honestly didn't know how to react to Annabeth. I don't know if it's because I'm not used to people going out of their way to help me besides my mom, or just the way her sureness was so unnerving. I nodded my head to make it known she was welcome to stay. Any other person and I would have almost pushed them out the door, but I think my curiosity got the best of me.

She stayed for an hour or two and helped my mother get me ice and bandages and medicine. The conversation started to slow, but I was really enjoying talking to her and I didn't want her to leave, so I asked her the first thing that came to mind. "So what made you move to New York?"

She immediately tense and her eyes took on the appearance of brewing storm clouds. She was quiet for a moment before she finally spoke. "my dad and I thought it would be best for his wife and kids if I went to live with my mom", she uttered just loud enough for me to hear, "I have no idea why I'm telling this."

I had a feeling she wouldn't have said anything, but to her I was a stranger and sometimes strangers were the easiest people to talk to. What she had said really got to me. I could totally relate to that. Smelly Gabe always treated me like some piece of human garbage that shouldn't have been allowed to exist. Luckily my mother had left the room, so I was able to respond honestly. "I'm glad you did. I have a stepdad too. A really nasty man named Gabe Ugliano. He treats me like scum of the earth too."

I looked away trying to avoid the look of pity I was sure to be getting, but all I received was a reassuring hand on the shoulder. There was silence for a moment before she spoke up again. "My dad is fine. It's just his wife. She can't stand the idea that my dad had another family before her and their twin boys. She actively went out of her way to exclude me and make it known I wasn't wanted. My dad never wanted to upset her, so he allowed it to happen. Living here with my mom is honestly great." She said with the slightest hint of a smile.

"Oh I'm sure you do miss popular", I joked giving her the slightest arm nudge.

"Please am not. Piper just happened to be the first friend I made here. At my old school all the popular ones were jackass's. this school is better than most," she added.