lv. Benevolent

It felt like Percy was experiencing last Friday once again. He couldn't find Annabeth anywhere, and Percy was scared that he had actually messed everything up. From what Lucy had told him, Val had shown Annabeth a picture of him and Elle kissing. And Annabeth left.

Percy could faintly remember Elle's kiss, but he could clearly remember pushing her off and telling her that he had a girlfriend. But his classmates had already taken pictures of them locking lips and had twisted the scene.

He had been meaning to tell Annabeth about it, but it seemed like the fates had said no. It was like they wanted Annabeth to figure it herself, which she did.

It was all his fault—if Percy had only told her beforehand, maybe just maybe, they wouldn't end up here, and instead, they would have been back at his apartment to plan the wedding.

"Percy?" Said Lucy quietly, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Are you okay?"

He blinked and shook his head. Percy realized that he was standing in the main hall and everybody was staring at him—waiting for him to do something. His gaze drifted down the hall where he saw Annabeth flee. Percy looked back at Lucy.

"Yes, Lucy," Nodded Percy. "I'm okay."

Lucy didn't look convinced and narrowed her eyes at Percy. They stared at each other till Lucy slowly dropped her hands to the side and stepped back. Her ponytail swayed, and she stuffed her hands into her coat jacket.

Percy glanced away from Lucy and looked at Val, who flashed him a charming smile and twirled her brown hair. His sea-green eyes flickered, and his breath hitched, recognizing her.

Val has been chasing him ever since sophomore year and was, as Lucy put it, a try-hard that doesn't know when to stop—which was true. Cheers to Val for getting Percy single for the new month. Not.

"Percy!" Said Val, walking over to him and hugging him. "How are you?"

His eyes widened, and he awkwardly put his arms up as Val looked up at him with her shimmering brown eyes.

"Don't touch him!" Blurted out Lucy then blushed, "It makes him uncomfortable."

Val scowled at Lucy and asked, "How do you know that it makes him uncomfortable? He's perfectly fine with it? Right, Percy?"

"Uhh," Said Percy and pushed Val off of him. "Lucy is right. I'm uncomfortable, Val."

Val pouted and crossed her arms while Percy awkwardly scratched the back of his hair. He watched as Val glared at Lucy and glanced behind her to see people whispering to each other.

"Percy! Why are you even friends with Lucy?" Whined Val. "She's horrible at fashion and speaking! Not to mention, she likes—"

Lucy's eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to stop Val from finishing her sentence, but Percy mouthed no and looked at Val. A scowl formed on his face—something that no one has really seen on him before.

"Val, you have to stop," Said Percy sternly, narrowing his eyes on the girl. "You're trying too hard and besides I don't like you. I have said no to you so much that I'm surprised that you haven't gotten a hint yet."

Val's eyes widened, and she took a step back, surprised by Percy's tone. She said, "I—"

"Also leave Lucy out of this," Said Percy, glancing at Lucy, who softly smiled. "She didn't do anything wrong unlike you."

"What did I do wrong, Percy?" Asked Val, batting her eyelashes cluelessly. "I don't know what you're talking about—"

"You know what I'm talking about," Frowned Percy, furrowing his eyebrows. "You help spread the rumor and the picture of Elle and me."

"Hey! The rumor was true, you did kiss Elle," Snapped Val, putting her hands on her hip. "Besides I didn't spread it—I just simply passed the awareness that you were almost single. By the way, are you still taken?"

"Oh, you disgust me, Val," Scoffed Lucy, rolling her eyes then asked, "And why do you care if he's taken? You never really care if he was taken or not in the first place."

"Hey, at least I'm asking Percy if Annabeth has broken up with him," Val said, "I'm being considerate!"

That made Lucy snorted, and she chuckled, shaking her head while mumbling a curse underneath her breath. Percy sighed and looked back at Val, who raised an eyebrow at him.

"So, Percy, can I finally call you my Seaweed Brain?" Val pouted, putting her hand on his chest.

"No," Said Percy, taking Val's hand off his chest and said, "No, you don't get to call me Seaweed Brain—that's only reserved for Annabeth."

"But she probably broke up with you," Exclaimed Val, then whined, "Why won't you just go out with me? I'm so much prettier than her!"

"Val," Said Percy, furrowing his eyebrows. "You know that beauty isn't the only quality in someone and besides, I don't mean to be rude but Annabeth is way prettier than you."

Val gasped and quickly touched her face. Percy watched as Val grabbed a mirror from her purse and looked in it, tucking the strands of her brown hair behind her ears. She put it away.

"What's so special about Annabeth, anyways," Asked Elise, stepping toward him. "There has been what? like a lot of girls chasing you and you chose her? That's like a downgrade, Percy—"

He clenched his fist and glared at Elise, who had stopped talking, and her eyes widened at his expression. Percy hated how they talked about Annabeth like she was some chewed-up gum, which she wasn't.

Annabeth was more than chewed-up gum. She was like a Goddess from the way she thinks to everything about her. Percy had been lucky to end up with Annabeth when she could've chosen someone else.

"Stop, don't," Frowned Percy. "Annabeth is so amazing, gorgeous, and smart—you wished you could be her! She's everything that you're not. So, don't say that she's a downgrade."

Percy watched as his classmate's eyes widened, and they looked at each other, muttering to each other. Percy's sea-green eyes flickered and looked at Lucy. They shared a look, and he looked back at the crowd.

"I'm sure that you all are amazing and special in your own way," Yelled Percy. "But no one will ever match Annabeth."

His classmates glanced at each other before looking at Percy. He sighed and ran a hand through his black hair. Percy gathered the courage to say something that he had waited to say since the beginning of time—and he should have probably said it earlier.

"I love Annabeth very much, okay?" Said Percy and looked at everyone. "I don't plan to break up her heart ever so I please beg you to leave us be and stop with terrible cruel rumors."

He didn't bother to see their reaction and faced Val, who cowered underneath his intense sea-green eyes. Percy's sea-green eyes flickered before he blinked.

"Val," Said Percy softly. "I hope you know that I mean this kindly but stop me asking on dates because I'm going to keep saying no."

"W-well, it's whatever," Spit out Val, standing straight up. "You weren't that cute either! I never even wanted to ask you out either."

"Good," Nodded Percy, stepping back from them and looking back at the crowd, "So yeah, I kindly ask you to stop with the rumors and mind your own business, please."

Percy saw Lucy's eyes widened, and he raised an eyebrow. She shook her head and mouthed 'stop.' He frowned and furrowed his eyebrows before looking away, fidgeting his bracelet.

He knew that he should keep his mouth shut, but Percy needed to say one last thing that will make this the cherry on top—

"Oh! If someone sees Elle!" Said Percy. "Tell her that please leave me as I have a girlfriend that I love very much."

"Percy!" Hissed Lucy.

Just then, Mr. Ares stomped into the main hall with a fuming look on his face. Miss. Hestia followed after him with her worried expression. The crowd went silent, and Lucy grabbed Percy's hand, tugging him back.

"What the hell is happening?" Yelled Mr. Ares. "Why are we just standing there like idiots? Oh, is this about the picture that was going around the school?"

No one said anything, and Mr. Ares furrowed his eyebrows, ready to shout once again, but Miss. Hestia stepped forward and frowned. She looked at Percy before glancing at the other kids.

Percy watched as she looked back at Mr. Ares and several teachers that had come to see what the commotion was. They quietly talked to each other, and Miss. Hestia sighed, turning back to look at them.

"We'll talk about this ordeal tomorrow morning," Said Miss. Hestia, sternly. "For now, everyone goes directly to where you need to go, understood? Have a good afternoon."

Everyone quickly shuffled around while whispering to each other. People glanced at him and Val. His eyes darted to Val and watched as Maise and Elise grabbed her arm and pulled her away to the front door.

Before he could even react, Lucy clutched his hand tightly and dragged him away in the opposite direction.

They didn't stop walking till they were in the back of the school, where it was empty and quiet. Percy sighed as Lucy let go of his sore, red arm. He rubbed it before rubbing a hand through his black hair. Percy sat against the cold wall while Lucy stood over him.

The only thing Percy could hear for a while was the unbuttoning and buttoning of Lucy's coat. Percy's sea-green eyes flickered at Annabeth's bracelet.

He bit his lips, thinking about what had happened in the halls, and wondered if that was the way he should've done it. Maybe, there was some other route that he could've gone...

Well, at least everyone now knew he was serious about Annabeth, and they would hopefully leave them alone. But did that even matter when Percy doesn't know if Annabeth still loves him anymore...

"Oh, god, Luci, I messed everything up," Groaned Percy, burying his face into his hand. "I'm such an idiot."

"Yes, you are," Agreed Lucy, looking down at him. "You're an idiot, Percy but you didn't cheat on Annabeth."

Percy sighed and asked, "But does Annabeth know that? Know that I didn't really cheat on her though it looks like it."

"I..." Said Lucy, looking away then said, "I can't speak for Annabeth but I think she knows the rumors aren't true."

"Well," Said Percy, cocking an eyebrow. "The rumors are true, Luci, Elle, and I did kiss."

"Well," Said Lucy, narrowing her eyes on him. "Did you and Elle have a full-on make-out session in front of everyone and called her fruit tart?"

Percy scrunched his nose and shook his hand. He said, "No—Wait, did someone actually come up with that rumor?"

"Yes," Grimaced Lucy, sitting down next to him then laughed, "Fruit tart, huh? Elle is really ruining fruits for everyone."

That made Percy laugh, and he asked, "Why do you think Elle still went after me even though I had a girlfriend? Huh?"

Lucy bit her lips then answered, "I don't know, Percy, Elle probably has her reasons for doing it even though it's disgusting..."

"Yeah," Nodded Percy, then sighed and leaned his head against the wall, "Should I have done that in the hallway, or was it stupid?"

"No," Said Lucy, shaking her head and said, "I must say that it was surprising for you to do that but it was necessary, Percy, so don't worry about it too much."

Her words reassured him, and Percy messed with the beads of the bracelet. His mind wandered, and he sighed, ruffling his black hair and tugging a strand of it. Percy slumped down the wall and rested his head on Lucy's shoulder.

"Aw, Percy," Laughed Lucy softly, leaning her head on his head. "Don't worry, everything will okay—"

"Don't say that, Luci," Said Percy. "Because every time you do, something bad will happen."

"Okay then," Snorted Lucy and said, "Don't worry, everything will be horrible, Perce."

Percy cracked a grin while Lucy rolled her eyes and looked away with a smile on her face. He and Lucy met back in freshman year, and they had kinda gotten off on an awkward start, but slowly, with time, they became friends.

Lucy was shy and kind yet very sarcastic. They had been office helpers for the past two years, and they got close though it was nothing more than friends. Of course.

"Lucy?" Said Percy softly, causing the black-haired girl to turn around. "I'm sorry about what Val said, she had no right to say that—"

"It's okay, Percy," Smiled Lucy softly. "I do have horrible fashion sense and I'm terrible at pronouncing words, you know that."

"Yeah," Chuckled Percy, then furrowed his eyebrows. "But she shouldn't had brought your sexuality up—that's just..."

"It whatever, I have gotten used to it—it-it doesn't matter anymore," Sighed Lucy. "There are people out there who would support you or shame you for your sexuality—that's just how the universe is."

Percy didn't say anything and listened to Lucy as she continued. She said, "Besides I don't care what others think, well sometimes, but you're not disgusted with me, right?"

"Of course not," Said Percy softly. "I would never be disgusted with you."

"Okay," Smiled Lucy then said, "Percy, can I ask you something?"

"Mhm, what is it?" Asked Percy, raising an eyebrow.

"It's none of my business but why did you never tell Elle that she had across the line?" Frowned Lucy. "You should have told her that the second she ran her fingers through your hair."

"I know, I know," Sighed Percy, looking down in shame. "I should have so we wouldn't be in this mess right now but I didn't—Stupid me."

"Why didn't you?" Said Lucy, cocking an eyebrow at him. "Hmm?"

"I don't know," Shrugged Percy and said, "I was hoping that she had changed back to her own self and I thought she did..."

Lucy snorted, "I guess the kiwi earrings did work—it covered her fake personality. I wonder what caused her to be like this."

"Same," Agreed Percy. "She was such a kind and shy girl back in freshman year and now—"

"She's breaking up couples," Chuckled Lucy before sighing. "Oh, Elle, what have you become?"

Percy's sea-green eyes flickered, and he bit his lips. He wondered what caused Elle to become like this? Elle Montgomery had been a lovely, awkward girl, and now, she's flirty and manipulative...

"Percy Jackson," Smirked Lucy, looking at him. "This sounds like a mystery that someone needs to solve..."

He cocked an eyebrow and softly said, "Yes, but we could just forget Elle and go on with our life—there are more important things than Elle, Lucy."

"Of course," Smiled Lucy, getting up and stretching her arms before offering her hand to Percy. She said, "Seaweed Brain, would you like to join me on my quest in finding Wise Girl?"

Percy laughed and nodded, accepting her hand, and hauled himself. He said, "I mean, she's still my girlfriend...I think."

Lucy smiled and patted his shoulder. She said, "Don't worry, the fates and Aphrodite aren't that cruel—they wouldn't break you guys up."

"Well, I don't know if that's true," Said Percy, running his hand through his hand. "All I know that is that Aphrodite and the fates are currently having a good time."

Lucy cocked her head and cheekily smiled at him. She said, "I bet they are."

The afternoon was crisp, and the sunlight shone brightly on them as they made their way to the front lawn from the back door. Enough time had passed that no one was outside, which they were glad about.

The sidewalk was bare with a few pedestrians walking by, and Lucy and Percy quickly walked down the sidewalk. They didn't say anything till they were around the corner, and New York Public School was behind them.

"Where are we even going to find Annabeth?" Asked Lucy, shielding her eyes from the sun. "She could be anywhere in the city. Diana's Moonstruck? Central Park? Hestia's Hearth?"

"Can you text her?" Suggested Percy. "I would but I don't think she would tell me where she is."

"Oh, Percy, I don't think she'll like it either if I texted her about her whereabouts and her boyfriend didn't," Frowned Lucy. "How about we both text her?"

"Alright..."

They took out their phones and texted Annabeth. Percy sighed and put his phone back into his pocket. He looked up, and his sea-green eyes widened.

"Fuck," Cursed Percy, causing Lucy to look up and raised an eyebrow. "Look who is walking toward us."

Lucy nodded and looked. Her dark eyes widened, and she looked back at Percy. They shared a look before looking back at Elle, who was making her way to them.

Elle wore a blue skirt and a white blouse with white heels. Her bright red curled hair gently swayed in the wind, and she clutched a strawberry smoothie.

"Percy, there you are!" Smiled Elle before looking at Lucy. "Is this your new girlfriend? Did Wise Girl break up with you?"

"Oh, ew," Gagged Lucy, shuddering. "I'm not dating Percy, Elle."

"Oops," Giggled Elle. "Totally forgot that you're not interested in boys—My mistake, Lucy."

Lucy glared at Elle, who sweetly smiled at the girl. Percy shook his head and sighed, looking at Elle. Her dark brown eyes shimmered as they glanced back at him.

"What do you want, Elle?" Asked Percy, putting his hands into his pockets. "Haven't you done enough?"

Elle smirked and shrugged cluelessly. She said, "I might have—I don't know, you tell me, Seaweed Brain."

"Ugh," Groaned Lucy, rolling her eyes. "You know exactly what you're doing, Elle."

"Do I?" Questioned Elle, narrowing her eyes at the girl before looking back at Percy. "Anyways, I'm so glad that I found you because I need to tell you something."

"Well, that's good," Said Percy, standing upright. "Because I also need to tell you something too."

"Oh, really?" Smirked Elle. "I'll go first then let's see if you changed your mind..."

Percy rolled his eyes but nodded. He was going to tell Elle to kindly fuck off and leave him, and Annabeth be along with that she shouldn't have messed with him—

"I came to tell you that I'm sorry for kissing you and flirting with you even though you had a girlfriend that you love very much," Said Elle, causing Percy to frown.

"What? I'm so confused," Blinked Percy, taken back from Elle's words. "You're apologizing?"

"Yeah, how horrible do you think I am?" Said Elle, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Do you want me to answer that?" Said Lucy, cocking an eyebrow. "Because I already have the answer."

Elle ignored Lucy's remark and looked at Percy. Her red hair swayed in the wind, and her dark brown eyes flickered.

"Anyways, you don't have to forgive me but I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry," Said Elle sheepishly and added, "Who knew that you would be so loyal to Annabeth?"

Percy blushed and said, "She's my girlfriend, of course, I'll be loyal to her."

"Mhm," Smiled Elle. "She's your girlfriend."

"She is," Nodded Percy then said, "You shouldn't have kissed me nor flirted with me, Elle, it was wrong."

"I know," Sighed Elle, looking at her manicure. "I didn't know what I was doing at that time."

"Then, why did you do it?" Asked Percy, furrowing his eyebrows. "If you didn't know what you're doing—why did you keep doing it? Flirting with me?"

"Look!" Groaned Elle, hanging her head in shame. "I thought I would have a chance, which I clearly didn't but I was just...I thought that if...I don't know."

Percy's sea-green eyes flickered at Elle. She looked ashamed and had apologized for her actions, which made Percy conflicted. Percy felt pity for the red-head girl—She just had a crush on him.

"Elle—"

"It's okay, I'll be okay. " Said Elle softly. "Anyways, as I said, you don't have to forgive me but I was hoping that we'll become friends—You seemed like a very cool person."

She smiled at him, and Percy glanced back at Lucy, who shrugged—clearly bewildered too.

"Uh, thanks," Said Percy. "I'll, uh, think about it, Elle. Is that okay?"

"Yes, it's okay," Said Elle, then added, "Well, I have to go but I'll see you around, Percy?"

"Um, okay."

Elle nodded. Percy watched the girl walk away till she spins around on her heels. Elle tucked her swaying red hair behind her and looked at him. Her brown eyes shimmered, and a charming smile was on her face.

With that, she walked away and disappeared around the corner, leaving him and Lucy confused. Percy looked at Lucy, and she sighed.

"What are you going to do now?" Asked Lucy, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I'm going to find Annabeth—wherever she is," Said Percy, taking out his car keys. "C'mon, let's go, we only have till the sunsets."

He and Lucy went around the city, looking for Annabeth. They went to Diana's Moonstruck and had left the cafe with a smoothie in their hand but no sight of Annabeth.  Then, they went to Hestia's Hearth and bought some blue Madeleines and even checked Venus's Vogue but no luck.

They were cluelessly walking around Manhattan when Annabeth had texted them to let them know that she was at Central Park, which they quickly drove to. Now, they were strolling in Central Park with the sunset happening.

The sky was a lovely shade of fading blue with a tint of yellow streaked against it. Percy could see the building's window slowly lit up as time went on. The cold wind blew past them, and Percy could feel his cold cheeks turned red.

He turned to look at Lucy. Strands of her black hair swayed in the wind, and her cheeks were reddened from the cold. Percy could see the sunset in the reflection of her purple glasses. She looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Did you know that," Said Percy, chuckling? "I'm marrying Annabeth sometime soon?"

Lucy's eyes widened, and she gasped, "Really? You guys are getting married already? I'm so happy for you, Percy!"

"Yes," Laughed Percy, then explained. "It's for Estelle, she wants us to get married—though I would like to imagine that it wasn't a joke because I actually want to..."

Percy's cheeks reddened, and he sheepishly looked away, biting his lips. Lucy gasped and nudged her with a smirk on her face.

"You actually want to get married to Annabeth?" Finished Lucy, beaming. "That's adorable, Percy."

"You don't think it's crazy or too soon?" Asked Percy, then said after Lucy shook her head. "I just found myself alone and I was thinking if I actually got a diamond ring for Annabeth—would she actually want to get marry too?"

Lucy smiled and hugged Percy. Percy sheepishly laughed, and when they pulled apart, Lucy had a grin on her face, and she squealed.

"I'm so happy for you, Percy," Exclaimed Lucy, then gushed, "Can I be invited to the wedding, please?!"

"Of course," Nodded Percy then said, "But I don't know if there's even a wedding. For all we know, she might break up with me tonight..."

Lucy bit her lips and shook her head. She reassured, "Don't worry, Percy, the fates aren't that cruel."

Percy frowned and shook his head. He quietly said, "But they are."

author's note! I hate this chapter so much—I'm sorry if there was parts that didn't make sense/grammar errors, I just didn't feel like rereading this chapter again! Nevertheless, we're on chapter 90 and ten chapters away from 100! I just wanted to say thank you and I'm so glad to been able to reach this huge number!! I love you and thank you for the support! It means the world to me! <3 Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!! Thank you for reading and have a good day/night! Much Love, Lucinda! 💙