The Loss

BONUS CHAPTER - Thalia POV

"Hey, Annie, have you talked to Percy yet?" I asked with caution.

This was a sensitive topic, but I had to bring it up. While Annabeth was my best friend and I always supported her, Percy was a good person. I could only imagine how hurt he had been by Annabeth's words, especially with everything he was going through.

Even though Annabeth didn't show it, I knew that she was feeling bad about what happened at Piper's Christmas party.

"No, Seaweed Brain didn't take any of my calls, and then, I got distracted," she said with a sigh.

"Wait, what do you mean? You didn't even come over like you usually do during the holidays. Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, it's nothing bad, Thalia. Don't worry," Annabeth said with a light chuckle.

I stared at her as I waited for the response.

"Thalia, seriously, it's a good thing. My dad came and stayed home for the holidays. It was really nice to spend time with him. He even said that he'd make an effort to be at home more," Annabeth said with a bright smile.

It was good to see Annabeth smiling. I knew how much she missed her father.

"That's amazing, Annabeth. Why the sudden change?" I asked curiously.

"That's the thing: I don't really know," she said earnestly. "But, I'm so grateful for whatever happened because the house actually feels complete again."

"I'm happy for you, Annabeth. Say hi to your dad for me," I said.

"Of course."

Our conversation ended soon after that because some of our friends joined us. The five of us (Piper, Katie, Juniper, Annabeth, and me) were crowding around Annabeth's and Piper's lockers. There were still a few minutes left before classes start.

"Ugh, I cannot believe we're back at school," Katie groaned.

"I know right. Why can't winter break just last forever?" Piper exclaimed.

"Because we all need an education," Annabeth suggested.

Katie and Piper both gaped at her as Juniper laughed. Our entire friend group was composed of diverse characters, yet we all got along well.

"Annie, only you would be excited about reconvening school," I said. Everyone nodded in agreement as Annabeth shrugged.

Just then, I noticed Percy walking down the hallway. He was walking towards us. I knew that his chemo cycle started again, and it slightly showed on his face and body. There were tension and tiredness in his walk, and his eyes looked a little red and droopy from fatigue.

Jason told me that the deal was over, so he was allowed to have sex again if it helped him. However, he didn't seem like he was devoid of pain, nausea, and exhaustion at all.

Percy stopped in front of us.

"Hey, Percy," Juniper greeted brightly. "I see that you don't want to be back in school either."

Yeah, he looked tired and out of place, but that wasn't because of school. Of course, no one knew the real reason besides a handful of individuals.

I noticed that Percy was holding a piece of paper in his right hand.

"Hello, yeah, I'm not a 'get back to school' type of guy," he said. Even his jokes were weak/fake today.

Annabeth was just staring at Percy with slightly parted lips. Everyone stood rather awkwardly as we waited for them to acknowledge each other. The whole school knew that the deal was over, and Percy had lost. Honestly, Percy's loss was probably justified.

"Hello, Percy," Annabeth started softly.

Percy simply sighed before looking at his paper. It looked like a list, but I couldn't read it.

Annabeth looked slightly hurt at the fact that Percy ignored her, but she masked her emotions quickly. Percy looked back up but not at Annabeth.

"Hey, Katie, I kinda need to talk to you," Percy said.

Katie seemed surprised as she stared at her friend. "Sure, what's up, Percy?"

Percy looked straight at Katie. "I, uh, I'd like to apologize if I treated you badly while we were dating. I know that everyone considers me a player, and I was a player still when I was dating you. So, I'm apologizing now."

I stared at Percy in shock as did everyone else.

Annabeth was looking at Percy with such shame and guilt. The conditions of the deal held that Percy had to apologize to every girl, and he was doing that. Percy didn't break promises because he was extremely loyal.

"Percy, um, even while you dated me (albeit for a short time), you treated me with the utmost respect. You didn't dare look at another girl while you were with me even though our relationship was just physical. You never manipulated any girl either."

Katie paused before continuing, "Percy, I'll accept your apology, but you have nothing to apologize for to any of your ex-girlfriends."

Percy smiled at his friend. "Thanks, Katie."

Katie went forward and embraced Percy, which he accepted. Percy took out a pen a crossed off a name from his list before walking away. He stopped several yards away in front of another girl that was in a grade below us.

Silence filled our group before we separated to go to our respective classes.

***

I didn't have any classes with Percy or Annabeth in the morning. By lunchtime, gossip was flying around the school like a tornado. Percy was going around apologizing to each one of his ex-girlfriends. However, I wasn't even sure if he knew why. The fact that he broke the deal was the only reason that was compelling him to confront his ex-girlfriends.

"I hate this, Thalia," Annabeth exclaimed as she sat down next to me at our lunch table.

"What are you talking about, Annabeth?"

"This deal. I hate, ugh. Percy wasn't actually supposed to lose," she said frustrated.

"Isn't that what you wanted, Annabeth?"

"Well yeah, but he was supposed to lose on his own accord. I feel like I made him lose."

"Annabeth, while you probably did hurt his feelings, it was still his decision to break the deal. That should be understood by everyone," I said firmly.

Lunch was awkward, to say the least. Everyone in our group (besides Rachel) was rooting for Percy to win the deal. We weren't supporting Percy because we wanted him and Annabeth to get together, but we were supporting him because he deserved a win.

Some of Percy's friends were still angry at Annabeth for what she said to Percy that made him run out of the Christmas party. Annabeth didn't everyone about the conversation they had, but she did tell me.

It was a hurtful insult, especially since Percy had gotten closer to Annabeth in the past few months.

Percy didn't sit in his usual seat next to Annabeth. He had Connor switch seats with him so that he could sit away from Annabeth.

Annabeth didn't like the situation one bit.

Besides Luke in the past, I've never seen Annabeth so worked up or passionate about a guy.

***

During the last period, I noticed that Percy stepped out in the middle class. I went out of the classroom to check on him. The last time he stepped out during the last period was when his side effects were hitting hard.

This time Percy was simply sitting on the ground. His back was leaning against the lockers. His eyes were closed as he breathed heavily.

"Hey, Percy, are you okay?" I asked.

His eyes opened, and he looked up at me. "Yeah, I'm all right."

"No, you just stepped out of class, so.."

"I was just catching my breath. I'm not that bad today."

"That's good," I said as I sat down next to him. "Percy, the deal is over. If it helps, why don't you get some alternative pain relief?" I asked awkwardly.

Percy shook his head sadly.

"It doesn't work anymore," he said quietly. I could see the conflicting emotions in his eyes.

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

"I can have sex, Thalia, but it isn't giving me the same pain relief and distraction that used to get. None of the girls are giving the right effect."

"Why?" I asked.

"I feel guilty when I'm with them. Thalia, I don't belong with them."

"That didn't bother you before, Percy," I said trying to understand and help him. "But, it's bothering and blocking you now from pain relief. Why?"

"Because I'm in love with Annabeth, now. I can't get myself to be with anyone else."

I just stared at Percy for a few moments. I didn't know what to tell him. Honestly, I already knew that Percy was developing feelings for Annabeth.

Poor, Percy. He doesn't deserve all this pain.