The Big Turkey

Percy POV

My right leg flared up in pain when I overexerted it. With the action-filled experience over the weekend, I certainly felt the pain and swelling around my knee. The cancer was actually below the knee, but the whole area was hurting.

This was actually the reason why I had to give up swimming. I loved swimming because it reminded me of my dad, but I couldn't do it anymore due to cancer.

I was limping all weekend, and it didn't completely go away on Monday either. Grover, of course, was over-concerned about me even though I kept telling him I was fine. To be honest, I was fine with the pain (I was used to it) and with Calypso.

I didn't have any more feelings for Calypso, and I was over our history. That's exactly what I told her during our conversation at lunch. Our relationship was in the past, and I was okay being friends with her now since she had entered into our friend group.

Besides, I had feelings for someone else now.

I sighed as I walked towards my car. I tried to shake away my feelings for Annabeth all weekend, but I failed. I literally couldn't get her out of my mind.

"Seaweed Brain, wait up," Annabeth called as she started to run over.

Speak of the angel, right?

I couldn't have feelings for her. That was the opposite of what I wanted. Loving people was hard when you had cancer because you hated the prospect of leaving them behind. Also, you hated the idea of them watching you sick and in pain.

"What's up, Wise Girl?" I asked as she stopped in front of me.

"Nothing, I just," she faltered off. "I just had a conversation with Calypso."

"Oh."

I didn't really know what to say. Her tone certainly revealed that she knew the truth.

"Is that why you're a player?" she asked softly.

For some reason, I couldn't lie to her. Calypso had nothing to do with why I was a player. I wasn't scared of getting hurt because I believed that Love was worth the risks.

I simply shook my head.

Annabeth stared at me for a few seconds. I was grateful that she sensed that I didn't want to answer any follow-up questions because she changed the conversation.

"What are your plans for Thanksgiving?" she asked as we made our way to my car. I had to give her a ride because she brought my car to school today.

"Why? Do you want to make plans with me again?" I asked with a smirk.

"Shut up, Seaweed Brain. You're so annoying."

I laughed. "Well, I'm down for anything in the bedroom."

She punched my arm as her cheeks turned slightly rosy, which was weird. She never got flustered with my innuendos before. I continued to laugh as I rubbed my arm.

"You know what, I'll get a ride from someone else," she said she started to get out of the car.

"No, Wise Girl, wait," I said as I went forward and grabbed her hand. I pulled her back into the seat. I reveled at the feel of her hand in mine before letting. I held my hands up in surrender.

"Okay, Wise Girl, I'll stop."

"Good," she said with a smile, and I started to drive.

"Anyway, I'm just spending Thanksgiving with my family. Probably going to do what we always do: eat a lot of food and have a movie marathon."

She nodded, but the expression seemed serious and solemn.

"Wise Girl, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing, just, I never have family thanksgiving like that. Usually, my dad is never home, so it's not a family holiday for me?"

I pulled the car to the side of the road. I looked at Annabeth, but she was facing out of the window. I could see some tears building in the corners of her eyes.

She wipes a loose tear off her cheek.

I wasn't really sure what to do.

I gently reached forward and grasped her hand. My thumb rubbed her soft skin as I gently turned her to face me. "Hey, Annabeth, it's okay."

She simply shook her head. "I miss him, Percy."

"Yeah, I know," I said softly.

We just sat there for almost ten minutes in complete, comfortable silence. My hand stayed on hers as I rubbed her skin. I hoped that my words and touch were helping her.

***

I couldn't get Annabeth out of my mind.

The week passed by quickly, and it was officially Thanksgiving break. I was currently helping my mom make dinner. I actually don't know why the turkey was so big when there would only be five people at dinner.

Thalia and Jason were joining my mom, Paul, and me for dinner. Neither of their parents were around much, so I decided to call them. I invited Annabeth too, but she said that she had to stay with her step-mom and half-brothers. The decision made me admire her more because she had decided to put her family first despite the possibility of having more fun with her friends.

The doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of Jason and Thalia. They were the two latest people to know about my bone cancer.

"Hey bro, it smells so good," Jason said with a groan as we walked into the living room.

"Thank you, Jason," my mom called from the kitchen. My mom and Jason got along quite well, and he immediately went to the kitchen, which left me and Thalia alone.

Our relationship was complex. On one hand, Thalia was still and always would be on Annabeth's side. On the other hand, she knew about what's going on in my life.

"Hello, Thalia, it's a pleasant treat to see you outside of school," Paul said as he walked in.

"You too, Mr. Blofis."

Paul nodded before going to the kitchen to greet Jason.

"I really like your parents, Percy," Thalia said firmly.

"You don't like me much?" I asked with a sly smile.

"Percy, I-"

"Thalia, I want you to stay exactly how you are towards me. If you aren't fond of me, then, stay that way. That's the point of not telling people, so they don't treat me differently."

She smirked. "In that case, I really despise you, Percy Jackson."

I knew she was joking, so I couldn't help but laugh. She was laughing, too.

"Seriously, Percy, you're a good guy. Annabeth's my best friend, so I'm not fond of this deal. But, you are a good guy, Percy." She paused before continuing, "I completely understand your actions and intentions."

"Thanks, Thalia," I said softly.

"Honestly, Percy, why did you take this deal considering how much sexual experiences help you with alternative pain relief?"

I sighed. I really didn't have an answer for her, but I am grateful for doing the deal.

I wouldn't have gotten to know Annabeth otherwise. However, that probably would've been better than having all these huge feelings for her.

I quickly shook my head to knock those thoughts out.

"I honestly don't know, Thalia."

"Yeah, me neither. Percy, you should just quit if it's too much. Your chemo cycle starting next week is going to be bad, considering it's more intense and numerous."

She seemed genuinely concerned, which I appreciated. However, I didn't want her to worry about me, but I guess I can't control that.

"Yeah," I murmured before my mom called us.

My chemo cycle was moved to the beginning of the month from now on. This was so that the chemo cycle didn't overlap with the holidays. Plus, it was a more intense chemo regimen, so Dr. Solace wanted to start it sooner every month.

Every night, I was praying that the new chemo regimen would initiate positive results, and my cancer would start to get cured.

I wanted to live now, more than ever.

I quickly shook away the negative thoughts and put on a smile. Thanksgiving was about family and sharing happiness, so that's what I was gonna focus on.

The night went very well, and I had a lot of fun. The big turkey was delicious, and we surprisingly finished most of it. The movies were fun, and we pretty much joked around the entire night. It was nearly midnight when Jason and Thalia left.

My mom kissed my cheek before retiring to her bedroom. I loved her so much. She was the most important person to me, and I was so thankful for her.

My mind wandered back to my cancer as soon as I got into bed. I was not looking forward to my enhanced chemo regimen starting next week.

Suddenly, Annabeth popped into my mind. I hope that she had a decent Thanksgiving. It was sad to think that her father didn't spend enough time with her and her family. Wise Girl deserved to have her dad back if she wanted him. And, I knew that she wanted him considering how emotional she got in the car earlier this week.

I decided to do something about it. For her.