The Chemotherapy

Percy POV

December 1st, a Friday, initiated the first day of my new chemo regimen. I was incredibly nervous because I knew that the side effects would be bad. It was a gut feeling, and my gut was usually right.

"Are you ready, Percy?" Nurse Hestia asked.

"Not at all," I said softly.

Nurse Hestia rubbed my arm gently. "I know this is hard, Percy. You have to stay strong."

"Yeah, I know, but this regimen is so much worse than I'm used to."

"Percy, you need to stay strong. You are going to get through this, Percy," she said reassuringly.

"You can't actually say that, Nurse Hestia. It's practically illegal for a medical professional to tell a cancer patient that they're going to be okay."

Nurse Hestia held a sad smile as she prepared my arm for chemo injection.

I stared at the patients around me. Several people were getting their chemo dosages today, and they all held solemn expressions. I turned back to Nurse Hestia, who took a seat next to me and held my free hand.

The needle was already in my arm, and the yellow liquid was flowing.

"Percy, you're right that this cycle will be bad. You should do everything you can to alleviate the side effects. That means that you should follow your alternative pain relief methods since drugs don't help you."

"Nurse Hestia, I-"

My voice faltered off. There were exactly 7 weeks left of my and Annabeth's deal.

"Take care of yourself, Percy," Hestia said softly.

I simply nodded before Nurse Hestia got back to work.

I closed my eyes as the cold chemicals washed through my body. I could already feel nausea kicking my gut as I focused on my breathing.

For the first time, I was angry and frustrated with Annabeth. Not because of the deal, but because of my growing feelings for her. Even now, as chemo flooded my system, I was thinking about Wise Girl.

The hardest part of cancer wasn't the physical symptoms.

It was the emotional drawbacks. The hardest part is leaving those that you love and care about. And now, because of Annabeth, I had another person making it so much harder.

Usually, I slept around with many girls in short time frames to avoid any lingering and growing feelings, but I didn't have that option now. I had already fallen for Annabeth.

However, it was a mistake. I couldn't have romantic feelings for Annabeth for my own physical and emotional health's sake. I was okay if that meant losing our deal.

***

The chemo cycle was bad (really bad). Cancer and chemotherapy weren't this bad even at the start, but I was actually struggling to keep myself together.

The whole weekend has spent either laying in my bed or throwing up into my toilet.

I could tell that my mother was in pain watching me.

I couldn't even volunteer on Sunday because I had another chemo session, and the side effects hit immediately. Grover came over on Sunday, and that was a little bit relieving.

I was sick. I was in pain.

I missed three of the five school days in the following week. However, the school was a good distraction from cancer and chemo, but I had to act 'okay' so that people didn't see that I was actually sick.

I was barely in touch with any of my friends that week, and I didn't really care.

My 4th chemo session of the cycle (out of 7) was scheduled for Friday morning. Because the side effects didn't hit immediately, I thought it would be safe to go to school.

Bad idea.

"Hey, Seaweed Brain, why are you late today?" Annabeth asked as I sat down at our lunch table.

"Well, you know that I was sick yesterday. I still felt it this morning, but I'm all right, now," I said playing it off cooly. I hated having to lie to Annabeth.

"Really? Are you sure you're good?" she asked.

Annabeth reached forward pressed her hand on my forehead before moving it down to my neck. I took a deep breath as I digested her touch. While she was just feeling my temperature, I couldn't help but take in the sensuality of her actions.

Sex helped me with pain relief and distraction. As such, her fingers against my face, hair, and neck were helping me quite a lot. Ecstacy and endorphins quickly coursed through my bloodstream (her simple and innocent touch already beat half of the sexual experiences I've had in the past).

However, her touch didn't help my resolve to avoid my feelings for her.

"Yeah, I'm completely fine, Wise Girl," I said regretfully pulling away from her touch. I immediately missed her warmth and comfort, though.

Annabeth looked at me suspiciously. Even as I turned away to my friends, I could feel her calculating gaze. Plus, she was sitting right next to me.

I was grateful and ungrateful about the end of lunch.

Ugh, why did my feelings and life have to be so messed up?

***

The nausea from the chemotherapy hit me hard by my last period. I could feel the bile and discomfort rising up my throat. I couldn't concentrate on class, and I couldn't distract myself either.

My hand enclosed into a fist as I took in a deep breath.

This was not good. This was torture.

I immediately stood up and started to run out of the room. My chair fell backward due to my abrupt reaction. I had everyone's attention, but I didn't care. I made sure to grab the garbage can on the way out.

I collapsed against the lockers as I threw up into the trashcan. All my lunch came out of my stomach as I sat hunched against the lockers in the middle of the hallway.

"Percy, are you okay?" Thalia asked as she rushed over to me.

Thalia and I shared the same last period class.

"Thalia,' I said weakly before lowering my head into the trash can again.

She gently rubbed my back as she held me in place. Thalia had a great big sister personality, and I appreciated it so much right now.

I threw up more than I thought was possible before looking up at Thalia. She used a napkin to gently clean the side of my mouth.

"It's all right, Percy," she whispered.

I simply shook my head. I could feel the hot tears burning my eyes even though I never cried in front of other people (besides my mom sometimes).

"I feel like I'm being punished by the gods, Thalia," I said.

Thalia looked quite emotional as she hugged me gently. I accepted her big sister-like embrace with ease.

"This just ain't living," I said helplessly.

"Yeah, cancer does that to people, and I hate it."

"Me too."

***

Fortunately, Saturday was like a break day from all the pain and sadness that came with hardcore chemotherapy and cancer.

I wanted to break the deal so badly. I almost called Drew Tanaka more than once throughout the week. However, I resisted the urge to lose the deal. For some reason, I felt like it would somehow be letting Annabeth down.

Honestly, it was thoughts of my family, friends, and Annabeth that were keeping me going.

"Wise Girl, why did you want me to come here?" I asked.

We were currently at a carnival fair, specifically playing a Ring Toss Game for a chance to win a giant teddy bear. My ring missed the bottle I was aiming for by a few inches.

"Damn it," I exclaimed.

"Wow, Seaweed Brain, you suck at this. Step aside and watch the pro do this. Within a minute, you'll be going home with a giant pink teddy bear," she said smiling.

She looked beautiful today despite simply wearing light jeans and a red sweatshirt. Annabeth easily made all five ring tosses and effectively won the giant teddy bear.

"Here you go, Seaweed Brain," she said with a smirk.

I groaned as I took the teddy bear. It was actually very soft.

"Seriously, why'd you call me today?" I asked as we walked towards the Ferris wheel. I was honestly trying to avoid spending time with her for my own protection.

"Not because I wanted to spend time with you," she said laughing.

While she was only joking, her words struck a nerve somewhere. Annabeth must've noticed my expression.

"I'm just kidding, Seaweed Brain. I called you because I didn't want to be third-wheeling Jason and Piper. Thalia and Leo both dropped out of the trip at the last minute."

"And, you picked me out of all of our friends," I said with a sly smirk.

"Shut up, Seaweed Brain. I don't even want to hear it."

We were both laughing as we got into the Ferris wheel. Piper and Jason had effectively split away from us earlier in the night.

"Why did Jason and Piper even invite other people?" I asked.

Wise Girl only laughed as she lowered the safety bar, which effectively locked us into our seat on the Ferris wheel. I was hyper-aware of our proximity as the ride started.

We were sitting at the top of the Ferris wheel when the ride stopped again.

"It's honestly a beautiful sight," Annabeth said softly as her eyes wandered around the fair below us and the stars above us.

While she was looking at the scenes, I was looking at her.

"Yeah, it is," I whispered.

She turned towards me, and our eyes locked onto each other. Her gray eyes were sparkling in the moonlight. My gaze flitted to her soft, pink lips before catching her gaze again.

I placed my hand on her neck as I leaned forward. My thumb rubbed her cheek.

My lips pressed into hers softly. I thought Annabeth would pull away, but she didn't. I leaned forward as our kiss deepened.

Passion, desire, and emotion coursed through our kiss.

Our lips moved in sync as Annabeth started to kiss back. Fireworks exploded in my mind as butterflies sped through my gut. Yes, guys also get fireworks and butterflies.

Our kiss became more heated as I pressed into her. Wise Girl was amazing. Our kiss was amazing. I felt instant relief and comfort from her.

I realized one thing: I had fallen for her, and I had fallen for her hard.