Troubled

38

chapter thirty-eight
annabeth

I couldn't believe what I had just read.

Percy had wordlessly rushed out of his bed the second I mentioned paying for college. All while I questioned him he ignored me and rifled through his room.

He finally pulled out a ripped up envelope, which he promptly handed to me and watched my expression as I read through the letter.

Percy's father was Poseidon Olympus. I had heard of him, mainly as he was one of my mother's worst business rivals. He was fairly rich, owned a notable company, and certainly didn't seem kind.

"Are you—are you gonna do it?" I asked Percy as he slumped back down on the bed. "Are you gonna let him pay for your college education?"

Percy shrugged as he forcefully crossed his arms against his chest. "I don't know. I'd have to meet the guy first, something I have no interest in doing."

I nodded as I read the letter over again. "Who says you have to meet him? Just email him and ask for him to pay for college."

"Isn't that kinda weird? Like, what would I even write? 'Hey dad, it's your illegitimate son writing you. I still want nothing to do with you, only your money. Love Percy,'" he mocked. "God, it's just messy."

"Does your mom know?" I asked.

Percy shrugged. "She found the letter. She didn't read it or anything, at least I don't think so. She also didn't ask me what it was about. She doesn't even know I opened it. I was seriously debating not opening it ever. Or for a long time."

"Well, I think you should redeem his offer," I admitted. He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What? He owes you a ton, and this would just be the start of him paying it back. I would simply email him and demand he pay for it. It's the least he could do."

"Yeah, well, I don't demand things from powerful people," he shot back.

I raised my hands in surrender. "Jeez, sorry. Just a suggestion. You could also meet him."

"I don't think so," he responded certainly. "What would that even be like? Would we meet here? In the city? Would we be alone or would he bring his supermodel wife and eight year old?"

"You have a half brother?"

"I think so."

"I'm sorry."

Percy rolled his eyes as I stood up and made my way over to him. He moved over, making me room to sit next to him.

"Half brothers aren't too bad," I admitted at an attempt to console him. "Sure, they suck sometimes and can be loud and annoying, but they can also make you laugh. Or just their stupidity in general can make you laugh."

Percy groaned. "Gee, great, I have that to look forwards to."

"So you're gonna meet them?"

He sighed as he raised his hands to his face. He cupped his face and shook his head. "I don't know. Probably not. At least not now. I think I might just email him like you said. I mean, he said he understood if I hated him, which I do. Maybe he wasn't even expecting a response at all. I might not even do this at all. I mean, my mom says we have some money saved up...."

I shrugged as I wrapped an arm around Percy. "I don't know, but if you need anything I'm right here. Anything from tutoring to therapy."

"Wow, you can do it all," he replied with an eye roll. "Is your psych class really going that well?"

"Not to brag, but I do have an A, so..."

"Oh, you're so bragging."