Troubled

14

chapter fourteen
annabeth

Knock, knock.

The sudden knock on the door made me groan as I pulled myself out of bed.

"I'm coming!" I called as the knocking intensified. I desperately tried to make myself look presentable before I swung the door open.

There stood Percy Jackson, his eyes lit up. He was, surprisingly, dressed in a suit that looked too small for him, and he was holding a makeshift bouquet of the nearly dead flowers that grew all around the school.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I peered down at my own outfit, mortified. I was dressed in sweats, a stained t-shirt, and a pair of slippers.

He shrugged. "You said I could come here anytime. You look simply radiant, by the way."

I rolled my eyes as I folded my arms across my chest. "Seriously, Percy, what are you doing here? And in a suit. One that doesn't even look to be yours!"

"It's Grover's, and I'm taking you to homecoming."

I burst out laughing. "Homecoming?"

Percy nodded. "I heard you say that you already had a dress and everything, so get changed. I'll wait."

"Percy, you don't have to do this."

"I know."

"Seriously."

"I want to."

I sighed as I closed the door and headed inside my dorm. I quickly located the dark blue dress I had designated for homecoming and hastily applied some makeup to my face.

After brushing my hair and accessorizing (awfully, if I may add), I made my way out into the hall where Percy was already waiting for me.

He sarcastically wolf whistled as I walked out, readjusting my heels. "Wow, Chase, you clean up nice."

I rolled my eyes as I took the dead flowers he gave me and hastily threw them inside my rooms. I then linked arms with him (as he had offered) and we made our way to the huge gym where the lame school dance was going on.

"So, where's this special party?" he whispered in my ear as a teacher berated a girl for simply standing too close to the punch bowl.

"Oh, Percy, this is it," I explained. "Without a football player as your date, this is it. Why couldn't you join football?"

Percy rolled his eyes. "Ha ha. If only I was athletic. Hey, do a ton of people go to that thing?"

I nodded. "Oh, yeah, loads. Not only the football players, but anyone they personally invite. It'll be packed."

"And the teachers don't bust it?"

"Nope, too busy being vigilant here," I said as another teacher berated a couple for dancing too close together. "Also, only the richest kids or most popular kids get in, meaning their families will bust them out of trouble. There's no use trying to get them in trouble. Mr.D's a pushover to powerful parents."

"Hey, you two!" a teacher shouted from across the gym as they pointed at us. "No linking arms! Yes, I see you!"

Percy rolled his eyes as he released me. "I suggest that we sneak into this special party. You said it'll be packed, correct?"

I sighed. "I dunno, they usually have a bouncer type player who lets people in."

"Let's just try."

I shrugged as Percy took my hand and led me out of the gym. Once we reached the halls I quickly maneuvered to where I knew the party would be happening—the science room.

The science room was huge, to say the least. It had tons of computers, equipment, and space for all the kids to party in.

"God, this is so cliche," Percy whispered to me as we approached the room where a football player I recognized stood watch.

"Hey, Jason," I greeted as I dropped Percy's hand. "You got the worst job this year, huh?"

Jason Grace was not only Thalia's brother, but he was also dating Piper McLean, another one of my close personal friends.

He nodded sadly. "Yes, it seems as if I get it every year. And it sucks, since I have to turn people like you away."

"Like me?"

"Like you. You broke up with Luke two days ago, right?" Jason asked.

I shook my head. "What do you mean?"

Luke and I had ended things at the football game. That was clear to me, at least. But if I could use that as leverage to get into this party, I would.

"But he kissed Drew at the game," Jason replied.

"We weren't exclusive."

Jason sighed as he peered at his watch. "My shift ends in two minutes. If I let you in, you won't tell Luke I abandoned post to go see Piper?"

"We wouldn't dare."

He sighed as he stepped aside. "Hey, Annabeth, before you go in there, I'm gonna warn you. I wouldn't enter if I were you."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks, Jason, but we're fine."

Jason shrugged as he opened the door, revealing all of the people. Music was blaring as couples danced, people laughed, and no one noticed us slipping in.

I immediately saw Thalia, who got in every year because of her brother. Piper quickly ran over to Jason, pulling him into a kiss.

Piper was gorgeous, to say the least. She was tall with choppy brown hair and beautiful dark eyes. She was usually gorgeous, but tonight with makeup she was over the top.

Then I spotted it—why Jason had warned me. Drew stood in the middle of the dance floor dressed in a skin tight red dress, her black hair curled and draped over her shoulders flawlessly.

Standing with his hand on her waist was Luke, who occasionally went in to kiss her.

Percy groaned as he gripped my hand. "Let's just leave, this can't be that good—"

"No, we can stay," I said, my voice breaking. "You wanted to come, right?"

He shook his head. "Nah, only because I thought you wanted to. And the other party has punch! I see no punch here."

"Percy, it's fine, I know you want to stay—" I started. Before I could finish my sentence he pulled me out of the room and forcefully led me back to the gym, which seemed more dead than before, if that was even possible.

"Would it be lame if I asked you to dance?" Percy asked as a slow song came on. He extend his hand to me.

"Anything for my hero," I replied sarcastically as he led me to the dance floor, swaying me to the music.

"Thank you," I whispered in his ear as all the couples started joining us on the dance floor. "Not only for leaving the party for me, but also for making me go to homecoming.

He shrugged, but before he could respond a teacher shoved a balloon in between us, causing us to burst out in laughter.

Even though the party was lame, it was the most fun I'd had at homecoming ever.