The Bruises

Annabeth POV

Percy was acting strange. While I didn't know him for that long, acting moody was not something he did. Percy was always the type to be enthusiastic and make others feel better, so seeing this side of him was weird.

It was like watching a silent storm brew.

My curiosity was piquing because I knew that something wasn't right.

"Hey, Thalia, did you notice that Percy was acting differently?" I asked as we walked towards her car. Jason and Piper were spending time together today while Hazel and Rachel were at their art club meeting, so we were alone today.

She paused and turned to me. There was some hesitation on her face before responding.

"Different, How?" she asked nonchalantly.

"Come on, Thalia. Percy was very moody, and he didn't talk to anyone at lunch."

"Is there a reason you care so much, Annie?"

I didn't know how to respond. "I, err, I don't care. I'm just curious."

"Annabeth, you're not, like, liking Percy. Are you?" she asked with conflicted emotionalism.

"What? Thalia, of course not. I was just-"

"Annabeth, I think that you shouldn't get close to Percy. I don't know what's going on with him, but you shouldn't get near him if you don't like him. Right now, if you don't really like him, then you shouldn't go meddling into or messing his life."

I stared at my friend. Thalia usually didn't get so deep and serious, but she made complete logical sense. If I didn't like Percy, then why did I care so much. I really shouldn't.

"Even this deal is a bad idea, Annabeth," Thalia said seriously. "I really wish we hadn't put this deal on him, especially now."

While I understood what Thalia was saying, it was weird how she said "especially now." What did that mean? Also, why was Thalia supporting Percy when she disliked him even more than I did?

We were about to get in the car when a voice stopped us.

"Annabeth," his deep voice said boldly.

I turned around to face Luke. I couldn't believe I actually loved Luke in the past. I had somehow not seen his aggressive and manipulative personality that had clearly shown in the past few weeks.

However, I was surprised to see Luke with various bruises on his body and face. Thalia and I looked at each other before turning back to Luke again.

"What do you want, Luke?" Thalia asked firmly.

"Annabeth, I wanted to talk to you. Please, listen to me. You shouldn't be near Percy. He's dangerous, Annabeth."

"What, what do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

Luke stepped forward quickly. "Annabeth, look at me. Look at what he did to me," he exclaimed boldly.

I stared at the bruises on Luke's face. During lunch, Percy had suspiciously said that he had gotten into a fight. His knuckles were bruised.

"Why would Percy fight you?" Thalia asked. Thalia looked straight at Luke as if trying to scare the truth out of him. Luke, however, kept his gaze on me.

"Because of you, Annabeth. Percy wants you, and he is a player after all. That's also why he's acting all nice to you after you made the deal. If he can get you before the deal is over, then technically your agreement goes null, and he'll be free."

I had to admit that Luke was pretty convincing and rational.

It was hard not to believe him.

"Do you really believe him?" Thalia asked after Luke left.

"I don't know, Thalia. He was pretty convincing with the bruises and the logic. Plus, Percy also had evidence of a fight on his body, and he's been acting strange."

"Yeah, but I don't think Percy would initiate a fight with Luke. He isn't a sexual predator, Annabeth, and he wouldn't go after you like that."

Thalia was right. From what I've seen and understood about Percy in the past few weeks, he wasn't a bad guy at all. However, he had been acting strange today.

"I have to talk to Seaweed Brain, Thalia."

***

The rest of the week returned mostly to normalcy. Two things were different, though.

One, Percy avoided me. He didn't initiate any conversations, even annoying or flirty ones, with me all week. There weren't many opportunities for us to talk considering we didn't share any classes, and we were surrounded by our friends during lunch. I wasn't able to confront him about Luke.

Two, my dad came home. It's been over two and a half weeks since he had last come home. Like I mentioned, my father was a popular traveling professor and anthropologist. His work already required many field trips around the world. The fact that he took up teaching on top of that made it so he rarely spent time at home.

Even after he had come home, I barely spent time with him. My dad was on work calls during the day. I let him spend time with my half-brothers in the evening. They really needed some memories and experiences with their dad, so I was giving them the maximum amount of time with him. Helen was also doing the same.

I knew that Helen and my dad were fighting about his work. To be honest, I kind of took Helen's side. A career was important, but family and friends should be the top priority.

And, my father left before the week was up.

For me, it was like he was never there, and I've grown accustomed to it. However, I missed him. I missed spending time with and talking to my father.

***

Currently, I was shopping for groceries at Giant Eagle. Yup, it was a Saturday evening, and I was at a grocery store rather than with some friends.

I was walking through the vegetable aisle when I saw a familiar face.

"Seaweed Brain, I cannot believe your grocery shopping," I said as I pulled up to him.

"Hey, Wise Girl, why would it be a surprise?"

"You don't expect the playboy extraordinaire to be disciplined enough to shop for food," I said with a teasing smile.

Percy rolled his eyes as he added a bag of spinach into his car.

"Percy, I have to talk to you about something," I said seriously.

"What's up, Wise Girl? Are you curious about January 20th? Less than two months left," he replied with a sly smirk.

I groaned. "First, I'm not sleeping with you, Seaweed Brain, because you're not winning this deal (a lot can happen in two months). Second, this isn't about that, Seaweed Brain."

"You're right that a lot can happen in two months. For example, in two months, I can win this deal and consequently have you for a night."

"Shut up, Seaweed Brain," I said as I shoved him.

"Ow," he exclaimed while rubbing his elbow, but he was still smiling. Honestly, he seemed a lot better now. His warm and enthusiastic personality was back, and somehow, he seemed physically better as well.

"Percy, I have to ask: did you fight with Luke earlier this week?"

"What?!" he asked with a surprised chuckle. "Wait, you think that I fought with Luke."

"Well, Luke had bruises all over him on the same day that your knuckles were bruised, Seaweed Brain."

"So what? My bruised knuckles had nothing to do with Luke. He's lying," Percy said seriously.

"Then, how did you damage your hands earlier this week?" I asked. I wanted to believe Percy, but I had so many unanswered questions.

"Oh my god, I cannot believe you actually think I got into a fight with Luke. You're seriously believing that asshole over me."

"What am I supposed to believe, Percy?" I asked in frustration.

He kept dodging my questions.

I could see the hurt in his eyes. "You've known me for weeks now, and you should know that I don't just get into fights for no reason. I cannot believe you're still talking to Luke. Not only talking to him but actually eating up his lies."

I stared at him for a few seconds. Percy seemed more hurt and angrier about my accusations than I expected him to be.

"Wow, Wise Girl. You really shouldn't trust that guy," Percy growled and started to walk away.

"Seaweed Brain, he said the same thing about you. Neither of you are giving me a reason to trust or not trust you both. After all, we are only interacting with each other because of a deal we made. It's not like we're even friends," I said in anger.

Percy whipped around. "Annabeth, you know that I don't manipulate and cheat, but you do know that Luke does. You've seen firsthand how Luke could be, yet you're still believing his words. I can't believe this," he said throwing his arms.

With that, he stormed away. While I knew that this conversation would be rough, I didn't think that Percy would get so emotional.

After several minutes of confusion and contemplation, I caught him in the dark Giant Eagle parking lot. He was loading his car with his groceries.

"Seaweed Brain," I started. I heard his audible sigh as he turned around.

"I have a history with Luke, but you're right about how bad Luke could be. However, the logical evidence (ie your mood and injuries this past week and Luke's bruises) as well as how you're dodging my questions makes it incredibly hard to believe you. Percy, I think-"

I was interrupted by a loud ring tone. Percy fumbled with his phone as he stared between the caller ID and me. He seemed to be contemplating between answering the phone and continuing our conversation.

I felt a little rejected as he decided to answer his phone.

I watched as his facial expression changed as he listened to the phone call. It went from neutrality to anger, stress, and concern.

"Wait, Calypso, hold on," he said on the phone.

Calypso. That was a girl's name. Who the hell was Calypso, and why was she calling Percy?!

"Where are you right now? I'm on my way okay. Call the police, and just stay hidden. I'll come to get you," Percy said firmly as he fumbled with the rest of the groceries.

The phone call ended abruptly as Percy yelled her name into the phone. He seemed incredibly concerned as he turned towards me.

"Annabeth, I'm so sorry, but I have to go," he said quickly.

"Wait, Percy, what's going on?" I asked urgently. He simply shook his head as he rushed to his car door. The adrenaline quickened my pulse and my brain. I ran forward and got into his passenger seat.

Even though it seemed like a very dangerous situation, I was gonna go with him.

A part of me knew that Percy would do the same for me.