The Good

Percy POV

I nervously waited for the doctors to finish analyzing Tyson's bloodwork. Tyson was anxiously sitting on the seats while playing a video game on my phone. He didn't even want to come to the hospital, but I made him come.

If there was good news for us, I wanted Tyson to be thankful to the medical community that helped him.

Hestia was patting Estelle's back. She was sleeping in my aunt's arms. Her small head was leaning on Hestia's shoulder while her arms were thrown around her shoulders. I stopped bouncing my leg and walked toward the window. The sun was shining brightly. The weather has been so good lately, and it was a clear contrast to how I was feeling on the inside.

I was in great need of some good news today.

I needed something to cheer me up. Why were the doctors taking so long? I simply wanted to know if Tyson was in remission or not.

"This is taking a long time. I hate waiting, especially in hospitals," I spoke aloud. Dr. apollo's office is not an emergency room. However, just being in the hospital brought back bad memories that I don't want to revisit.

There was one time that I was admitted to the hospital for a few broken ribs. Gabe had kicked me so hard that he damaged my bones. I struggled with breathing for weeks.

That was the final straw for me, Tyson, and my mom. This incident happened a few years before meeting Paul. It took me a long time to trust any father figure after that. However, Paul was different. He was the father I never had.

"Percy, have patience. It's going to be okay," Hestia responded.

"I'm getting anxious. You know that my ADHD kicks in when I'm nervous." I struggle to sit still for long periods.

When I'm writing my novels, it's different. My mind is racing with ideas when I'm writing, and I'm able to focus on the words on the page. Sitting down to write helps me narrow the wild thoughts in my head. That's why ADHD doesn't affect me while writing.

However, any sort of wait sparks my ADHD.

"Percy, this isn't about your ADHD. You're acting like this because you're worried about your little brother. However, don't worry because Tyson is healthy. Dr. Apollo canceled this month's chemotherapy. He would only do that if Tyson doesn't need it anymore."

Hestia smiled while brushing Stella's hair. I knew that Estelle was helping Hestia remain calm. Furthermore, my aunt is a natural caregiver to us.

Hestia is always warm and calm.

Finally, Dr. Apollo walked in with a few of Tyson's nurses. They rushed forward and hugged Tyson excitedly. My brother dropped my phone in surprise.

"Dr. Apollo, what's going on?" I asked quickly.

"Can't you see the joy, Percy?" Apollo smiled brightly. "This is a celebration. The nurses are very happy that Tyson is finally in remission after eight months of treatment."

I froze while Dr. Apollo embraced me.

I couldn't believe it. The nurses were taking turns explaining to Tyson that he was healthy again. The leukemia is gone from Tyson's system. Thank goodness.

Hestia was crying quietly while holding Tyson's hand. Finally, I laughed aloud while rushing toward my little brother.

I hugged him tightly. This nightmare is behind us.

I have a wonderful, healthy, cancer-free brother again. Tyson is in remission. We've been waiting and hoping for so long to hear this news.

The car ride home was filled with happy conversations. We stopped for ice cream, and then, I splurged money on new video games for Tyson and toys for Estelle. I couldn't help myself because I was so grateful that they were both okay.

The first person I called was Grover. He immediately left his work to meet us at home. Juniper and Grover were both so happy that Tyson is okay. They couldn't wait to see him now.

Tyson and Estelle were cruising through the toys section at Walmart. Hestia was very happy as well. She couldn't stop smiling while shopping for groceries. Tyson and Estelle were bored, so I brought them to the toys section.

I kept an eye on them while glancing at my phone.

A single phone number and name were leering at me. My finger hovered over the call button. I wanted to call her so badly, but I don't know what I'd say.

However, I had to tell Annabeth about Tyson.

The phone rang for a long time. When Annabeth is at work, all of her phone calls go to the company line. Previously, it was my job to attend them. I wondered if Annabeth hired a new assistant yet. It would be weird if she hadn't.

Finally, someone answered my call.

"Hello. This is Annabeth Chase's line at Olympus Architecture. How can I help you?" a familiar voice expressed.

"Katie?"

"Percy. Oh my god. Why are you calling Annabeth? Why did you quit your job? I thought that you were happy working with Ms. Chase," Katie replied in a hurry.

"I need to speak with Annabeth, Katie. Can you connect her to me?"

"Yes, give me one second. I'm still figuring out how to do this job. I'm not as good of a personal assistant as you are. I still can't handle the job despite taking it for a whole week."

I quietly waited for Katie to ring Annabeth for me.

It's been 8 days since I quit my job and broke up with Annabeth. She'd tried calling me initially, but even those phone calls stopped after I didn't answer them. I knew that it would hurt too much to talk to her. I couldn't help myself right now.

Tyson and Estelle continued to explore the toys as I waited for Annabeth's call.

"Hello. This is Annabeth Chase speaking..."

My breath hitched at the sound of her voice. My stomach constricted as my heart ached to be with her again. I missed her so much.

"Annabeth. It's me," I whispered.

"Why are you calling me?" she asked angrily. "You left me, remember?"

"Okay. I understand that you're mad, but-"

"Mad," Annabeth exclaimed. I winced at her rough tone. "No, Percy, I'm not mad. I'm freaking fuming at you for how you left us. You can't expect me to forget about it."

"I'm not trying to rehash the past. I just needed to tell you something."

"I don't want to hear it," she snapped.

I could imagine her angry face. I've seen her intimidating glare every time that I messed up at work. I've seen her angry as well. The thing about Annabeth is that she's gorgeous even while angry. It takes the sting out of getting yelled at.

"Tyson went into remission. I just got the news today," I replied.

Silence followed. My body swayed as I waited for her to speak again. I wanted to hear her voice again. To be honest, I wanted to be next to her and hold her.

I bit my tongue as the silence continued for a whole minute.

"How is he feeling?" Annabeth asked.

"He's over the moon. We all are. This whole nightmare is finally over, and I know that my siblings are both safe and healthy," I said firmly.

"I'm glad to hear that you're happy," Annabeth expressed.

The smile on my face faded at her tone. She was genuinely happy that Tyson was okay. However, she was also angry and upset about me. I could only imagine what she was thinking. She probably thought that I'm a terrible person that jumps around girls.

After all, that's exactly what I did.

I was with her for a couple of weeks before 'getting back together' with Rachel. I hated myself for the situation that I'm in.

My eyes burned while I walked toward my siblings. I didn't want to get depressed again. Not today when something amazing happened.

"Percy, I just-"

"I wanted to tell you, Annabeth. Um, that's it," I interrupted. I regretfully hung up on Annabeth soon after that.

I'm in love with Annabeth. However, love doesn't succeed all the time. I wish that it could, but it doesn't. I just have to accept it and move on. I can't bother Ananbeth anymore. Even if I'm sad, at least, I'm protecting Annabeth's life.

She matters more than I do. That's what I'm telling myself.

***

"Hey, Zoe, I wasn't expecting a call from you," I said.

"Sorry, Percy. I just called to tell you something important. Am I interrupting you with something? Please don't tell me that I'm disturbing you."

"No, not at all. I'm currently unemployed, so I have all the time in the world. I'm just drafting an outline of my new novel."

I leaned back in my seat while talking to Zoe. My laptop was open, and a detailed outline for my next book was present. this book was also special to me. I randomly thought about the topic, and I couldn't wait for it to come to life.

"That's wonderful news," Zoe paused. "I can't wait to read it when it's done."

"Yeah, of course. Considering how kind the Hunters have been to me, there's no other place that I'd go for editing and publishing," I responded earnestly. "Anyway, why are you calling?"

"I have good news for you. The Hunters have sent you your first paycheck as an author. I want to explain that you'll receive a paycheck every two weeks from the profits of your book. You understand that it's 25% of the total sales with tax, correct?"

"Yup, I understand, Zoe. Thank you for telling me."

I quickly switched the webpage on my computer and started logging into my bank account. My phone was squished between my right ear and shoulder. My hands worked diligently against the keyboard.

"Well, I wanted to express that this is just the beginning. Your book sales are soaring Percy, and you can expect a lot more in the years to come."

"Thanks, Zoe. That means-"

My voice faltered. A huge gasp elicited from my mouth as I stared at my bank account details. Never in my life have I seen that much money in my account. Even my mother's account didn't have that much excess money in the end.

I hung up the phone and simply gaped at my computer screen.

My family has never been rich. I don't consider my dad's side of the family as my own, so I've always lived a poor, humble life.

But, things were gonna change now. Looking at my first paycheck alone, I realized that I wouldn't have to worry about living for myself or my siblings. They would have a nice life. I can provide them with that, especially with these sales profits.

I smiled while still freezing in place. I couldn't believe it. I knew that my book getting popular because of the sales projections.

However, I wasn't expecting a paycheck like this.

"Percy, we were supposed to hang out today. You didn't come to the park," Grover intruded into my bedroom. He froze while gazing at my computer screen.

"Oh my god, WHOA."

"My account balance reflects my first paycheck and some," I told him. I refreshed the page to confirm the bank details before logging out.

"Dude, you're gonna be freaking rich with paychecks like that. What kind of ordinary person even makes money like that so quickly?"

"I'm incredibly lucky, Grover, that I was able to publish my work. And, I'm so grateful for you, the Hunters, and everyone who supported me." While I was happy, my vocal tone still reflected some sadness.

"What's wrong, Percy? This is good," Grover whispered while patting my shoulder.

"I know that it's good. I'm grateful. Really," I paused. I probably looked like a jerk for being upset right now. After all, Tyson is cancer-free now, and my book is a huge success. "I just miss her so much."

Grover sighed while sitting on my bed. "You gotta let it go, man. You have to forget about her and move on."

"I can't do that. I love Annabeth."

Grover smiled as he looked into my face. I didn't understand how he could smile right now while I felt miserable.

"G-man, what?" I snapped.

"You love Annabeth Chase. You're not willing to move past her, so I suggest that you don't." I stared at him in confusion.

"Don't you see, Percy? The universe is trying to help you. It's giving you signs that things are looking up. However, it can't give you everything. You have to fight for it."

Grover sounded so passionate as he spoke to me.

"You wanted my advice. Here it is: don't let go of Annabeth."

I nodded at my best friend. His words gave me great comfort. Annabeth is the only person that can make me the happiest man in the world. No one else can do that. The universe is giving me good things.

I have to take the good as a sign and follow my heart.