His Lifeline

Chapter 39: My Ingenious Plan

So the next day, I didn't get murdered by Annabeth's dad. I know, amazing, right? However, I still had to go to school.

The day went by fairly quickly. I was getting used to my old schedule, just without the Gabe part. I started running through the halls between periods again. Thankfully my Music Class was my only class that no jocks took. It was like Heaven during the school day, well besides the early morning and lunch, and after school with Annabeth. But that's beside the point.

I walked up to the teacher and slipped her a note. She looked at it and smiled at me before leading me to the back room. Some early kids looked at me weirdly, but I ignored them. As soon as the door fully closed behind me, I felt arms squeezing me.

It took all my willpower not to cry out in pain. She let me go, and I saw a huge smile spanning across her face.

"I'm so happy you entered Percy! But even better that you won!" she squeezed my hands, eyes sparkling with happiness.

"Yeah," I said softly," Um, how are you going to announce who I am?" I asked sheepishly.

"Oh, not to worry, I'll tell your class, and they'll spread the word; this is high school after all," she said excitedly.

"Can you tell them after I leave? I really don't want to be the center of attention for as long as I can," I whispered.

"Of course, no worries. Alright, Percy, here are your prom tickets, ten dollar gift card to In-In-Out, and your pin" she handed me the items, and I looked at the pin, which read "MUSICAL CHAMP BRAGGING RIGHTS!!!!!!". I sighed and slipped the items into my hoodie pocket. Thanking her, I walked out of the room and walked to my seat just as the bell rang.

I got situated with the drums and slowly got lost in my own little world.

PE went by incredibly slowly, and it wasn't because of how fast I was running. I wondered when I should ask Annabeth out, and I guess I dazed out quite a bit.

To say I was nervous was an understatement as I left the locker room. I quickly rushed to the library. No sense staying out where I know the jocks would find me. When I got there, I saw Annabeth and Rachel. Smiling, I walked over to them.

"Hey Rusticitas," Annabeth greeted, not looking up from her book. I smiled, glad she wasn't studying for once.

"Hey Perce," Rachel met my gaze and flitted her eyes from me to Annabeth. I sighed. Then I pulled out my phone and texted her that I had a plan. Which she rolled her eyes to and scoffed.

"Hey Annabeth," she looked up from her book and met my gaze. Immediately I felt the butterflies in my stomach as my heart beat rapidly" wanna go to In-N-Out with me?"

I saw Rachel almost fall off the arm of the chair, tears in her eyes as she held her hand in front of her mouth. She croaked out a sorry and rushed out of the library. On her way out, I heard her fail to hold in laughs as they echoed throughout the quiet library.

"Sure, Percy, not sure why Rachel was laughing so hard, though" she squinted her eyes as if to try to figure out what was going on. I sighed in relief.

"Awesome, I got a gift card from the competition, so I wanted to use it. Oh, that reminds me, I told my teacher who I was, and she's spreading the news by using high schoolers" I finished sighing.

"Well, that's pretty smart. The only way it could probably get around faster is if they announced through the speakers" Annabeth shrugged and went back to her book. I laid back, relaxing as I watched her read.

Taking in her warm presence, I closed my eyes and almost fell asleep. Almost. I was interrupted by a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Jock #1. I groaned internally.

"Can I help you?" I asked politely. Not wanting to start anything in my safe haven, especially with Annabeth there.

"Yeah, can I talk to you outside for a second?" he responded. I knew that the second would be a lot longer, and the whole talk thing wouldn't happen with his mouth. I smiled anyway and looked towards Annabeth.

"Hey, don't wait up for me, ok? I'll swing by your house around 5:30" I plastered a smile on my face and waved to her. She stood up and kissed me before agreeing. I felt my heart flutter before it was pulled down by thick iron chains. Jock #1 put his hand on my shoulder as if we were old buddies and led me out of the library. I tripped a few times, but he kept me moving, out of the school, by the dumpster.

It had become their new favorite spot. And my least favorite place. It might've been because it was right next to a dumpster. Or the concrete floor that always seemed to have something sharp on it. Or the dried blood on the floor. Any of the above made sense.

I bit back a groan as I saw the crowd waiting for me. I almost nodded my head in acknowledgment; Jock #2, #3, #4 and #5 were all here. The gangs all back together! The five of them and their punching bag, gods, don't you just miss the good old days. I know I sure do!

I wish I would've said that out loud. But with how tight Jock #1 was gripping my shoulder, I figured I was in deep enough shit.

I don't even remember when the beatings started. All I remember was the commentary as I retreated into my mind. It was around the lines of a very monotone, very sarcastic voice in my head as I rated their punches.

Oh wow! A whole fist to the side of the face, gotta give him points for that, right? Oh, but the lackeys are holding me in place, so no, no added points, sorry #3! Sadly we will have to leave you at a 4/10. Good try, though.

Or something a lot less elaborate. Like ow, or that hurt a lot. I couldn't really tell if I was being sarcastic. But I figured I would be feeling these tomorrow or today. I sighed internally, but then I got the wind knocked out of me. I gasped as I was ripped from my daydreamy self to reality.

I was on the floor, and it was either Jock #2 or #4 that was repeatedly stomping on my stomach. I was still gasping and felt tears prick my eyes. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't breathe, I started feeling the panic rush through me. I felt fear clutch my very being as the jock laughed at my gaping face.

I felt anger rush through me as I got even more frustrated with my lungs. Just work, godsdammit!

Then the stomping stopped, and I almost caught my breath when I felt someone kick me hard in the jaw. Knocking me out cold.