The Volunteer

Annabeth POV

Percy didn't show up to school on Thursday and Friday. Percy hadn't come to school last month around this time either. In fact, his two-day absence was exactly a month apart. While it could be a coincidence, organized sickness was strange.

None of my friends seemed to realize it or they didn't care.

However, I was curious, which is why I was running towards Grover in the parking lot after school on Friday. Grover, being Percy's best friend, had to know something.

"Hey, Grover," I called as I approached him.

Grover was waiting for Juniper next to his car. He was wearing simple jeans and a jacket today as the weather was starting to get much cooler.

"Hello, Annabeth, what's up?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to ask about Percy."

"Why?" he asked with suspicion.

"No, he's just not at school. And, I've noticed that he hasn't been at school last month around this time either. Do you know what that's about?"

Grover immediately looked nervous. I could tell based on his squinting eyes and fidgeting fingers. "He's just sick," Grover replied curtly.

I knew he wasn't giving the full truth, but I didn't have any leverage to pull the information out of him. After all, Percy and I literally had no relationship. Hell, I don't think we could even call each other friends.

We were just two teenagers that made a deal with each other that would end in humiliation or sex or both. Ugh. I started walking back to Thalia's car. Thalia and Jason were waiting for me inside their car as I entered through the back door.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm late," I said quickly.

"No worries, Annabeth," Jason said politely. Jason was always someone who some people would call a goodie-goodie. In my opinion, he was a straight rule-follower.

"What kept you, Annie? You're usually not late unless you have a reason," Thalia said.

"I was talking to Grover about Percy."

"Wait, why?" Thalia exclaimed.

"Thalia, Percy is not a bad guy. Annabeth's allowed to be curious about him considering he's absent today," Jason said to stick up for one of his best friends.

"I'm not curious or concerned. I just noticed something and thought Grover would know something."

"Okay, what did you notice, and did Grover tell you?" Thalia asked.

"Well, Percy wasn't at school yesterday and today. I've noticed that he was absent the exact Thursday and Friday last month, too."

"So, he could just be sick, Annie," Thalia said. Jason, however, seemed to get lost in thought.

"Yeah, that's what Grover said too, but he was being cagey. Grover's pretty easy to read."

"So, Grover was lying about/for Percy. Wait, do you think that Percy broke the deal?" Thalia asked. I immediately felt a wave of sorrow pass through me, which was strange. I mean I wanted Percy to break the deal. Right?

"No, Percy didn't. He would've told us if he had. However, now that you mentioned it Annabeth., he's always absent around this time of the month. I never realized it till now."

"Jason, it's strange and very suspicious for a person to get 'sick' at the same time every month. Even periods aren't that consistent," Thalia said with a smirk. Jason's face reddened a little.

"So, you guys think it's weird, too?" I asked.

Jason nodded as he got lost in his own thoughts. His brows scrunched in determination. Thalia had the look in her eyes. Her curiosity was stimulated, so she was going to get answers. They both were gonna go after answers because both of them were intrigued now.

I was curious too, and I hated not knowing things. However, my bigger concern was about how to survive my second 'date' with Percy tomorrow.

***

Percy actually looked a little green on Saturday, which made me wonder if Grover was telling the truth. I mean Percy was slightly pale in color, and he looked tired too. Maybe Percy missed school because he was just sick (nothing else to it).

"Where are you taking me, Seaweed Brain?" I asked.

"We're just going to the park, Annabeth. You know just hang out for a bit," he replied. His expressions were light, but I could sense the weight in his voice.

"Are you okay, Percy? You seem exhausted. Honestly, you didn't have to come to take me out if you're not feeling well."

"What, no, I'm fine, Wise Girl. Besides, you wouldn't have let me take you out another time, but it is nice to see you admit this is a date."

"Uh, no, this is not a date, Seaweed Brain. You're just taking me to the park. That's it."

"Seems like a classic date spot to me."

I rolled my eyes at him. A boy and a girl could go to a park to hang out without it being anything special. "Don't make me leave," I warned.

"It's too late, Wise Girl. We're already a solid 15-minute drive away from your house. You're stuck with me," he said with a smirk.

I sighed as I gazed at him. His fingers were softly drumming the wheel, and he seemed nervous for some reason. Once we got to the park, he locked my door and got out. Instead, he ran to my side of the car and opened the door.

Surprisingly, Percy was the only guy that had ever opened my car door for me. It was a nice feeling, but it seemed too much like a boyfriend thing to do. I just stared at him as he waited for me to get out.

"Wise Girl, are you going to get out of the car?" he asked.

"No, why did you open the door for me?" I asked seriously.

"Uh, because I'm a gentleman," he said in an obvious tone. I simply continued sitting there hoping that Percy would get the message.

He audibly sighed before coming forward.

Before I even knew what he was doing, his arms went under my knees and around my back. Then, Percy easily carried me out of the car.

"Seaweed Brain, let me down!" I screeched, but I couldn't stop my laughter as he started running towards the stone trails that looped around and through the park. He was carrying me bridal style while I clung to his neck in fear that he'd drop me.

However, a part of me knew that Percy would never drop me.

"Percy put me down," I said again firmly as I punched his back.

"Ow, ow, okay, I'm putting you down, Wise Girl. Chill," he said as he gently put me down.

While I was yelling at him, Percy only continued to smile. Honestly, my scolding was pretty fruitless considering I couldn't stop smiling about the whole situation. Almost a half-hour passed by with us walking around the park while talking. The conversation was the usual (flirting, bantering, and playing), but it was a good time.

Surprisingly, I was having a really fun time, and Seaweed Brain seemed to be too. Percy seemed to be doing a lot better since he first picked me up. The life and light had returned to his face and his eyes even though he still looked a little tired.

We were currently walking on the stone trail that looped around a large field. The field was filled with different people (adults and kids) all having fun. We were passing a group of kids playing in the field when our conversation was interrupted.

"Percy, Percy!" a few of the kids shouted as they started to run over.

Percy turned as a smile stretched his face. The kids practically tackled him as I watched in confusion. Before I knew it, Percy was on the field playing with some of the kids. I walked over to the two ladies that seemed to be overseeing the kids.

"Hello, sweetie, sorry that the kids ruined your date," the lady said. She had a hospital ID card that read "Registered Nurse - Hestia Olympus" hanging on her shirt.

Oh no, Percy and I aren't dating. Um, how do you know, Percy?" I asked. Hestia looked at me closely before smiling.

"You must be Annabeth. Percy mentioned you when he's at the hospital."

"Percy talks about me? Wait, why would he be at the hospital?" I asked.

"Yes, Percy talks about you quite often. Anyway, Percy comes to the childrens' hospital often since he volunteers there for a few hours every Sunday. He has a very outgoing personality. All the kids love him," Hestia said.

That was the last thing I expected to hear. I stared at Hestia in shock before turning back to Percy playing with the kids in the grass. He looked so sweet as he played with the kids.

I couldn't believe that Percy was a hospital volunteer. What even got him into such a noble hobby? I wondered.

I was realizing more and more that Percy seriously wasn't a bad person at all.