Troubled

30

chapter thirty
annabeth

"Annabeth, could I speak to you in private?"

I peered at Percy nervously as I didn't move. I wasn't sure if it was because I was physically unable to or if I just didn't want to.

"Annabeth, please?" my father asked as he gestured towards where his table was in the restaurant.

"Uhh, sure..." I said as I reluctantly stood up and peered at Percy as I allowed my father to whisk me away from the table.

"What are you doing here? And on a school night?!"he exclaimed the second we were out of Percy and Helen's earshot. "And with a boy like that! I can't pretend that I approved of Luke, but, Annabeth, this is just reckless!"

I shook my head. "I can be here if I want to be! And it's a Friday. And Percy is better than Luke. And it doesn't even matter, since I don't seek your approval in my relationships!"

My father shook his head as he rubbed his temple. "Annabeth, you have studying to be doing. It's senior year! And don't tell me this is the kid who's house you spent Christmas break at!"

"It is!" I screamed back. "Percy happens to be a great person with an incredibly nice family for your information!"

"Annabeth, you two were so loud I could hear you from across the restaurant! And this kid, what family is he from, hmm?" he asked. "At least Luke's family was respectable."

"You don't know his family," I shot back. "And I don't care if Luke had a respectable family! He cheated on me, dad! With perfect little Drew, who Helen approved of."

"Annabeth, why must you be like this?" he asked me. "Is it your mother's fault? Is she why you're so rebellious and won't listen to me?!"

I shook my head. "Leave mom out of this. It's not like you know how to pick the best ones, either. First my mother, then Helen—"

"Don't insult Helen, she's been nothing but good and welcoming to you," he said.

"Oh, really?" I asked. "We don't even have time to express why that isn't true. Now, I'm going to go back to my seat and enjoy the rest of my Valentine's Day with my boyfriend from a more more than respectable family."

When I returned back to the table, I slumped back down in my seat and watched as my father and Helen made their way back to their seats, ignoring us as they walked past.

"Let's go," Percy said as he tried to flag down the matradee.

I shook my head. "You paid a lot of money for this meal, the least I could do is enjoy it—"

He shook his head as he grabbed my hand in his. "Annabeth, I know you're not going to enjoy it if they're here, so let's just go."

Before I could protest any further, Percy paid the bill and guided me out of the restaurant. My father make one last glance at me before we left, but I just turned away.

Back in the car Percy was navigating since I decided he could not properly navigate us back to school.

"I'm sorry," Percy said as he took a sharp turn, nearly jolting me out of my seat.

I shook my head. "No, don't apologize. In no way was that your fault. I should be the one who's sorry, we should've stayed at the restaurant. I shouldn't let them get to me like that. It's just..."

"They insulted me," he said. My eyes widened. "Yes, I heard. The whole restaurant heard. No worries, though. I'm glad you stood up for me and my more than respectable family."

We both laughed in that moment. Then it came to me. I love Percy.

I'd never loved anyone. At least not in that way. Sure, Luke and I had exchanged empty I love yous nearly a year after dating, but even those were fake.

So when I instantly knew of my love for Percy, no matter how little we had been together, I knew that I needed to share it.

"Hey Percy?" I asked nervously as my voice strained.

He nodded, not bothering to peer away from the dark road. "Yeah, what's up?"

"I love you."