And they were roommates

Chapter Fifteen

~next day~

Annabeth sat on the stool next to me, fiddling her hands. She had just called Luke to come so they could end things.
"Annabeth it'll be ok. I'll be right here with you."
She nodded and bit her lip. I moved a little and winced at the sudden shock of pain in my side. She glanced at me.

"Are you in pain?" I glanced away and shook my head. "Hey don't keep anything from me. You can tell me anything."
"It just hurts a little bit Annabeth. Its nothing."
"Its not nothing. Your rib could be broken." She stared at me with guilt in her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"No you don't need to be sorry. I'm the one who should apologize. I shouldn't have kissed you. I'm sorry." She bit her lip and looked away.

It was silent until there was a knock at the door that made her jump.
I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "Hey it'll be ok. I promise." I gave her a gentle smile and stood. She took a shaky breathe and stood next to me. She walked to the door and squeezed my hand once more before opening the door. She let go of my hand as Luke appeared through the door. He had a skeptical look on his face.
"Uh hey Babe? What's up?" He tried walking in further but she put a hand to his chest and stopped him.

"Luke." She said sharply.
"Annabeth, what's wrong?" He grabbed her hands but she pulled away.
"Luke. I-I don't think I can do this anymore."
He furrowed his eyebrows and stared at her. "What-"
"This relationship isn't good for me. Or us."
"Annabeth, what do you mean? We're doing great-"
"Luke, no. You're not good for me. We need to break up."

His face burned red with anger. He clenched his fists and looked at me. He glanced back at Annabeth. "Its because of him."
"No he's-"
"Cut the shit Annabeth. You really think he's better for you than me? This is bullshit."
"Lay off Luke. She doesn't want to be with you." I took a step forward to try to separate the two.
"What do you know? You barely know her. Come on Annabeth." He surged forward and grabbed her wrist. He yanked her arm and she yelped.

I grabbed his wrist firmly and he released her arm. "I said she doesn't want to be with you. Get out." I said sharply.
"Fuck you, Percy. She's my-"
"No she's not. Get out of our apartment. Now." I gripped his arm tighter. With his other arm he threw a punch at me. His fist collided with my jaw but I shook it off. I grabbed his other arm and shoved him.
He kicked at my legs but he couldn't shake my grip. I pushed him out the door and he fell against the wall outside.

"Stay away from her. If you go anywhere near her we're going to court and throwing you in jail. Got it?"
His face burned with rage. He stood to get up but I shut the door in his face and locked it. He banged at the door while I stood there breathing hard.
I heard whimpering behind me and turned to see Annabeth standing there with teary eyes. My face softened and I surged forward and pulled her into a gentle hug.

"Hey it's ok. He's not coming back." Her arms shook but she relaxed into my arms and sobbed. It broke my heart to see her so hurt.
"Annabeth, it's ok. I'm right here. You're safe." I rubbed her back and just stood there, the sound of Luke's yelling fading away in the background.
I picked her up gently and walked over to the couch. I laid her in her lap and rubbed her back. She buried her face into my chest and let out a raspy breathe. I grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her.

"He's not coming back. You'll be ok." She nodded and wrapped her arms around me. I kept whispering reassuring things to her.
I kissed the top of her head. Soon after she was fast asleep. I made sure the blanket was covering her well and closed my eyes.
I was going to protect her if it's the last thing I do.