The Secret

BONUS CHAPTER - Jason POV

The conversation with Annabeth really had me thinking. I cannot believe that I never realized that Percy would skip school at the same time every month. The fact that Annabeth realized it after only a month of actually knowing Percy while I was still in the dark made me feel like a bad friend.

"So, Jason, do you think that Grover knows what's up?" Thalia asked as we ate dinner.

"Yeah, he probably knows what's going on with Percy if something is going on," I said casually.

"Then, that settles it."

"Settles what?" I asked in confusion. My sister was wearing a determined expression on her face. When Thalia put her mind to something, it was hard to convince her otherwise.

"Jason, can you please keep up? We're both curious about why Percy ditches school every month, and so we're going to figure it out."

"Oh my god, Thalia. One, this isn't any of our business. And two, it's possible that nothing is going on."

It seemed like a bad idea to intrude into Percy's life despite our foolhardy curiosity.

"Jason, aren't you curious? While I don't know why Percy is one of your best friends."

"Well, yeah, but-"

I was interrupted by Thalia's loud and obnoxious ringtone. Annabeth's caller ID showed up on her facetime screen. Thalia quickly snatched the phone and answered it.

"Hey, Annie!"

"Thalia, how many times have I told you not to call me Annie," Annabeth said into the phone.

"Whatever, anyway, what's up?"

"Actually, I called to ask Jason something," Annabeth said. I was curious now about why she wanted to talk to me.

"Well, he's right here, Annabeth. What's going on?" Thalia asked as she positioned the phone in front of us.

"Hey, Annabeth," I said politely.

"Hey, Jason. So, I found out something today that I guess caught me off guard. Jason, did you know that Percy volunteers at the Children's Hospital?"

That was definitely new news to me. Thalia practically did a spit take as she looked at Annabeth in shock. Then she turned towards me as they both awaited my answer.

"No, Annabeth, I had no idea."

Volunteering in the medical community was actually a very noble thing, but he never mentioned it to anybody.

Annabeth and Thalia talked for a few more minutes before Annabeth hung up. It was strange that Percy had never mentioned his volunteering in the past two years that I had known him. Thalia turned to me yet again with the same determination.

"Jason, I know that you think we shouldn't intrude, but I'm curious about Percy. Also, I'm concerned about Annabeth because Percy and she are getting closer."

"Thalia, Percy is a good guy. He's not like that. You always make him out as a monster for some reason. All he does is date a lot of girls, but he never cheats or manipulates."

"I am getting to know that, Jason, but this is my best friend. If something weird is happening, I am going to find out, and you're going to help," Thalia said firmly.

I sighed before replying with an "All right."

***

"Grover, open up," Thalia shouted as she pounded on the door.

Thalia and I were waiting outside of Grover's apartment. He was taking a lot of time to get to the door. There was some shuffling before Grover opened the door only wearing pants. His hair looked a little wild.

"What are you guys doing here?" Grover asked frantically as he ran his hands through his curly hair and straightened his pants.

"Grover, what the hell?" Thalia exclaimed.

"What do you guys want? I'm, uh, in the middle of something," he said.

"Grover, hurry up," Juniper's voice called from inside.

Thalia immediately smirked and started laughing. "Hey, Juniper, glad to know you're having fun this weekend," she shouted into Grover's apartment.

"Grover, you're parents are out of town, and this is what you're doing?" I asked with a smile. Grover's face turned bright red as he glared at us helplessly.

"All right, fine. Grover, we just want to know about why Percy wasn't at school this week."

Grover's face immediately converted from embarrassed to nervous. Grover wasn't the best at acting, so it was clear that he was hiding something as he said, "Percy was just sick."

"Grover, it is obvious when you're lying. While you're not lying now, you're not telling us the whole truth. What's happening?" Thalia asked again boldly and firmly. She crossed her arms over her chest as she stared him down.

"Guys, please, I cannot tell you," Grover said softly with a pleading face.

"What?" I asked. He just confirmed that he was hiding something. "Grover, Percy is like my best friend after Leo."

You could see the conflict in Grover's eyes before he sighed. "Please, you didn't hear it from me, but, um, you might get answers if you go to the hospital in an hour."

"Why?" I asked in confusion.

"Yeah, Grover, we already know that Percy is a medical volunteer," Thalia said.

Grover just stared at us in sadness before closing the door. He refused to open the door after that, so my sister and I only had one option left.

***

"Hey, Piper, what's up?" I asked into the phone.

"Nothing, do you want to hang out today, Jason?" she asked. I loved Piper's sweet voice. It was the type of voice that could convince anyone to do anything.

"Yeah, sure, but I can't this morning."

"Why?" Piper asked.

"Not much. Thalia and I are visiting Percy in the hospital. We found out yesterday that he volunteers at Children's."

"Wait, really?" Piper asked in surprise.

"Yeah, Thalia and I are on our way. I'll see you for lunch, Piper, and we can spend the day."

"Sure, Jason. I'm looking forward to our date," she said softly. I couldn't help but become excited as we ended our call. I love spending time with Piper. I guess that makes sense considering that I love her.

"I hate when you get all googly with my friend," Thalia said whilst fake gagging.

I rolled my eyes as Thalia entered our parking space. We had wasted the time by going out to breakfast, and now, we were at the hospital. We didn't really know where we were going until we talked to the front-desk lady. We asked for Percy, which elicited a smile on her face, and she told us that he was in the chemo lounge.

As Thalia and I walked to the cancer wing, we expected to see Percy playing with a bunch of kids. However, what we saw was the opposite of what we expected.

Thalia and I locked gazes before turning back towards Percy. He was sitting in a leather chair, but an IV was sticking into his left arm. A yellow liquid was flowing into his body, and I made the realization.

One of my best friends, Percy, has cancer and was doing chemotherapy.

And, I had no idea till now.

Thalia looked at me again before deciding to go inside. I followed behind her. Percy was wearing an Icecap around his head, but his eyes were closed. He was listening to music with earbuds.

"Percy," Thalia exclaimed.

Percy immediately opened his eyes. He stared at us in shock.

"Oh my god, what are you guys doing here?"

We just stared at him. I didn't know what to say or do.

"Percy, why didn't you tell us?" I asked finally. Percy just stared at me. You could see the emotions brewing in his eyes. I felt awful about intruding into his personal life, but now I knew this terrible thing about my best friend.

"No one was supposed to find out. How did you guys? What?" he asked in confusion.

Thalia sat down on a chair next to Percy's. I could see the guilt and shame in Thalia's eyes as she looked at Percy. After all, Thalia was always awful to Percy, especially in the past few weeks.

"Percy, it doesn't matter how we found out. We know now, and you have a lot of explaining to do. I'm not leaving until you tell us what's going on with you," Thalia said firmly. She seemed genuinely concerned, but she was still functioning.

I couldn't even think straight as I gazed at my best friend. I felt the hot tears burning my eyes, but I kept it together for his sake.

However, Thalia was right. We were not leaving until Percy told us everything.

No more secrets.