The Big Bang

Percy POV

I was beyond furious with life.

I was also furious with Grover for exposing my secret to Jason and Thalia of all people. I didn't want my cancer to be spotlight news for everyone. I didn't want to be treated differently.

Thalia and Jason stayed for the rest of my chemotherapy session as I explained my condition to them. While Thalia was strong, I could see the emotions breaking Jason. Jason was one of my best friends since moving to Goode High, so this was a big deal.

Honestly, I could understand his point of view, but I still didn't want anyone to know. That was my decision and a valid one at that.

"You guys cannot tell anyone," I said boldly to them.

Thalia and Jason just stared at me solemnly before nodding.

"I'm serious, Thalia, I don't want anyone to know. I didn't even want you guys to know, but you do. This is my personal thing. Got it?" My voice was not only firm and strong but also filled with pent-up emotions.

Jason and Thalia nodded again before deciding to leave. I still had volunteering after my chemo session. The Sundays I had chemo went on a rigid cycle: chemo in the morning, lunch, volunteering in the afternoon, and then, chemo/cancer side effects in the evening and night. Luckily, I usually got better by Monday morning so that I could attend school.

I broke down after going back home that day. I wasn't ashamed to admit that I cried, punched, kicked, and ravaged my trailer.

I hadn't gone to my trailer in the parking garage since the deal started because that's usually where I took the girls. Today, rather than spending hours there with a girl, I spent it by myself. I destroyed the place in anger before falling to the floor in exhaustion, sickness, and pain.

I hated life right now. I hated bone cancer. I hated that my friends were finding out. I hated that I couldn't trust them to keep the secret. I hated this deal with Annabeth.

I hated all of it.

***

"Percy. Bro, wait and talk to me," Grover pleaded as we walked through the hallway.

I was on my way to lunch, but I hadn't spoken to Grover all day. He realized pretty quickly that I was angry with him. I mean he spilled my cancer secret to not one but two of our friends.

"Grover, I really don't want to talk right now," I said firmly.

"Percy, I'm sorry. Bro, will you slow down?"

"No, Grover. I am going to lunch, and it's gonna take some time to forgive you," I said. I hated being mad at my best friend, but I felt truly betrayed.

Grover looked helpless and hurt as we walked into the cafeteria. I sat down in my usual spot next to Annabeth before pulling out my packed lunch. My mom makes sure to pack food that is least nauseating for me.

The conversations stopped at our table as everyone's eyes fell on us. The tension was pretty obvious, and I was in an awful mood.

I avoided Jason's and Thalia's gazes as well.

"Seaweed Brain, are you okay?" Annabeth asked

"Yeah, of course," I replied with a fake smile, but I was aching everywhere today.

Annabeth looked around the table as everyone's conversations continued again. I was grateful that Thalia and Jason didn't say anything to anyone. Grover was staring at me guiltily the whole time, which made me feel bad.

"What happened to your hand, Seaweed Brain?"

"What?" I asked.

"Your hands," she repeated as she gazed at my bruised knuckles. Gods, how observant and intelligent was she. Well, my name for her was Wise Girl.

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing. Did you get into a fight?"

"I, err, yeah sure," I said. A fight would explain my hands and my bad mood. It seemed like a good lie. '

Annabeth paused for a few moments before speaking up again. "Why did you fight and with whom?"

I really didn't want to answer her questions. I sighed.

"Annabeth, can you just go back to not liking me and subsequently ignoring me?"

It was harsh, and she didn't deserve it.

"Fine," she snapped before turning back to her friends.

Days like these did happen every once in a while. It was a symptom of cancer that I tried to not show to the world, but sometimes, I couldn't help it.

"You know what, Seaweed Brain, NO," Annabeth exclaimed as she turned towards me again.

I huffed in frustration.

"You can groan all you want, but what you said was very rude," she said firmly.

My gaze locked on hers, maybe for a little too long. Her eyes were intimidating, yet beautiful. Gray stormy eyes sparkled as she calculated me. I felt like she was looking right into me, and she was looking at all my secrets.

I quickly averted my gaze, and the conversation died after that.

***

"Hey, G-man" I greeted Grover softly in the parking lot after school.

"Percy," he acknowledged as a quick smile graced his face. "Bro, I am so sorry. I know what I did was wrong, and I took advantage of your trust. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Grover. I forgive you, all right?"

He nodded in relief. I embraced my best friend. It felt good to take in the comfort of my friend. I've known Grover for so long now, and I was grateful for having him as a friend. My cancer had to hard for him, but he had always been there to support me. Plus, Grover didn't treat me differently, and this was his only slip-up in the last two years.

"Hey, Percy, do you want to go to Demeter's Cafe?"

"Yes, actually, that sounds great," I responded with a smile. I was feeling better already.

When we arrived at the cafe, the place was pretty empty. We slipped into a booth as Demeter herself walked over. She was an older woman, but she had a comfy (almost grandma) vibe to her. Demeter was a person that always offered people food.

"Hello, Grover and Percy, it's nice to see both of you here again," Demeter said cheerfully.

"You too, Demeter."

"So, what can I get you, boys?"

We ordered our drinks before starting up a conversation. Grover and I were interrupted, however, by a phone call.

I answered my phone. A big BANG exploded out of the phone. I froze as I listened to two more gunshots. There were some screams and shouts in the background.

"Percy, what's wrong?" Grover asked with immediate concern.

"I don't know," I responded.

The phone call died with a girl's high-pitched shriek.

"Percy?" a frantic and frightened voice asked. The phone call ended with another loud bang, and an eery silence settled between me and Grover.

"Who was that?" Grover asked in shock.

"I don't know," I repeated again.

The phone rang again, and I quickly answered.

"Hello, who is this?" I asked in a hurry.

"Percy? You have to help, please. I know that we have a history, but you helped me last time despite all the pain I caused you. Percy, he's back, and I need help." Her voice was shaking and quivering. Grover and I could her frantic sobs.

I interrupted her by saying, "Wait, slow down, I-"

"Percy, I don't have that much time. I currently managed to escape, and I'm going to the police. But, I didn't know who else to call. I don't have anyone. Percy, my abusive father is back, and I need help."

The call ended suddenly. She didn't call back, and she didn't answer my calls either.

"Percy, who was that?" Grover asked again.

I stared at my best friend.

"Grover, I think that Atlas is back."

My old step-dad, Gabe, was a really bad man. Kicking him out of our lives was the best and strongest decision that my mother ever made.

Atlas was ten times worse than Gabe. He was a criminal and a monster.

Grover seemed confused and in shock. I could see the panic spreading through Grover's face as he realized something. "Wait, so the phone call was from-"

"Calypso," we said simultaneously.