His Lifeline

Chapter 15: I Gain a Nickname

The next morning I woke up groggily as I sat up from my bed. My phone alarm was going off, and I shakily turned it off. Gabe beat me late into the night, finally going to bed around 1 am, which gave me around 5 hours of sleep. Which was fine; I've slept less for more work. The only thing that bothered me were the new cuts along my arms. I would have to clean and rebandage those today.

I hurriedly ran into the restroom and unwrapped my body. I turned on the shower and finished undressing. Jumping in, I avoided looking at my right arm, and I washed. Getting back out, I threw on my clean bottoms and rewrapped my right arm, closing my eyes before I could look at my wrist. Even as I closed my eyes, my brain showed me the image of my wrist with that word engraved on it.

I haven't seen it from the first time, so I didn't know how messed up it looked after Gabe decided to trace it over. I didn't want to see it, and I tried to shake the thoughts out of my head as I wrapped my body in new bandages. I closed my eyes and denied the tears passage,

This is why the word is engraved on your wrist in the first place, the small voice sounded in my head as I clenched my teeth.

I threw on my t-shirt and hoodie as I headed out of the restroom after brushing my teeth. I ran as quietly as I could to the front door and slipped out. I rushed to school, not stopping until I entered the building. I walked to the library and steeled myself.

Mom said I was falling for Annabeth. That's not good. I needed to get away before I hurt myself and, more importantly, her. Once Gabe found out about it, he would use her against me, and I didn't want anything to happen to her. My mom being on the line is already enough. I don't need someone else to take the burden as well.

I squeezed my eyes shut and went over the plan. Say hi, tell her my math score, explain I don't need her sessions, and walk away. No scratch that last part. Run away, yeah that's more accurate.

I opened my eyes when I heard a familiar voice calling out to me, "Hey Percy!" remember the plan.

"Hey Annabeth, I uhh, actually wanted to tell you that um" deep breaths Percy, just break it off and never see her again. It's not hard. You couldn't have gotten too attached after only two weeks.

"I got a 73 percent on my math quiz, so you don't need to tutor me anymore" I held my breath; my legs wouldn't move. Shit, get over it, Percy! What are you waiting for! Leave go sing to yourself in a corner if you're sad, don't wait for the rejection you know is coming, go! I turned on my heel and was about to break out into a run when I fell, on nothing, again. I cursed under my breath as I waited for a laugh from Annabeth.

None came.

Then I saw her in front of me with a hand out. I embarrassedly grabbed it and felt my stomach do a flip when she helped me up. Shit.

I tried to get around her, but she was more nimble and on her toes as she stopped me each time. I bit my lip and refused to look at her. Instead, I studied the details of my shoes.

Her voice came out in a pained whisper, "Why are you trying to push me away?"

I bit my lip harder. Guilt welled up inside of me as I realized I hurt her. Exactly what I was trying not to do. My lip bled, and I tasted blood as my mind scrambled for an answer.

"Did I do something wrong?" I sucked in a breath. She thought that she was the problem?

I opened my mouth but didn't feel any words come out. I closed my mouth as I tried to think of something to say.

"Percy, what's wrong?" I slowly looked up at her, and I felt guilt choke me as I saw her face in tatters. She was biting her lip, and her eyes were filled with sadness and guilt.