Annabeth POV

Percy was really distracted during class the next day. I don't think he'd done his homework, even though I had texted him the assignments.

"Did you see him during class?" Jason asked as we walked to our next class. Percy hadn't waited for us, just took off down the hall.

"Yeah. I have our next period with him too. I'm going to see if I can find out what's going on." I adjusted the straps on my backpack as we split up.

Frank fell in step with me and I informed him what we'd noticed during the other classes.

"I can help if you want." I nodded.

The bell rang as we sat down.

"Perce. Percy." I hissed at him. He didn't look up.

"Please pass your homework assignment to the front." The teacher said.

Soon the sound of shuffling papers filled the room.

Percy's chair made a slight scraping sound as he stood.

"Mr. Jackson, do you have a reason for being out of your seat?"

"May I speak to you in private?" His voice was quiet. Several jaws dropped, even those who weren't friends with Percy knew this wasn't like him.

The teacher arched a single eyebrow. "I suppose, Mr. Jackson. But it will have to stay in the classroom."

Percy nodded and she walked over to her desk. He followed and stood with his back to the class, murmuring something to the teacher.

It looked rather ridiculous to be honest. Percy towered a good foot over the blonde woman. He ducked his head down towards her ear and ran a hand through his neon hair as he spoke, then left it resting on the back of his neck.

Miss Grebnar listened to his quiet words, then nodded twice.

"Of course, Percy. That is completely allowable." She patted his shoulder and motioned for him to sit again.

When Percy turned around, I got my first decent look at him since before school.

His clothes were a mess, all wrinkled with a few stains on them.

His hair wasn't styled, which wasn't unusual, but didn't look like it had been washed either.

There were dark bags under his eyes and his expression was one of fatigue and sadness.

"Percy, what's wrong?" Frank whispered as he sat down.

Percy just shook his head.

"Alright class, let's begin by discussing the new topic that you read about yesterday. Jayna, would you like to share your thoughts?" I tuned the class out after that, focused on Percy.

He sat still and stared at his closed book.

I tried to get him to look at me. To say something, anything.

No response.

Something was very wrong with Percy.

Buzz.

I looked up, confused.

Buzz.

Buzz.

Percy's head shot up. His eyes, suddenly alert, scanned the class, seeming to make sure no one was looking at him. His hand slid into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

"Please...please, gods, please, for once in my life, let this turn out good. Please." He whispered as he turned on the screen and typed in his password.

I frowned and glanced at Frank, who was also watching Percy. He sent me a confused shrug.

Percy's eyes scanned what looked like a text on the screen of his phone. He looked up, meeting my eyes for a moment before boldly shoving his hand into the air.

I blinked in surprise.

Percy's eyes had been filled with tears.

But he was smiling.

"Yes, Percy?"

"Can I go to the office?" His voice was surprisingly calm.

"Of course. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah." His smile widened by a fraction. "Yeah, everything is great."

Then he dashed out of the room, leaving his backpack and gripping his phone in his hand.

--------------------------------------

Percy POV

The words of the text ran through my mind as I sprinted down the halls.

'What's up, Blueberry Boy? You can stop worrying now, I'm alive and not planning on leaving any time soon. Give me a call as soon as you can.'

"Perseus Jackson, why are you out of class?" The receptionist gave me a 'don't you have a building to burn down' look as I shoved through the door.

"I need to call home. It's an emergency." I forced myself to be respectful. "Please."

She gave me another look, then nodded. "It's 25 cents." I nodded and pulled a quarter out of my pocket, flipping it into the small jar.

My hands shook slightly as I dialed the number that I had memorized in second grade.

"You have reached the life model decoy of Tony Stark."

"Uncle Tony?" I was surprised at how wavery my voice sounded.

"Hey kiddo. What'd you do, sprint the entire school?"

I laughed quietly. "I might have..."

Tony surprised me by letting out a full belly laugh. I could almost see him tipping his head back, lounging on the couch with his feet up on the coffee table.

"Don't worry, Percy, I'm not going to leave you to your mother any time soon."

[A/N This is very hard to write as I am not an emotional person. Ask Ihrschatz0307, she can vouch for me. Anyway, enjoy the emotions!]