Annabeth's POV

Don't waste your time on me
You're already
The voice inside my head
I miss you, I miss you

I laid on my bed, flat on my back, staring at the ceiling. I absentmindedly twirled with a thread on my shorts, for my mind was preoccupied with a million other thoughts.

The normal shit like, what Piper is doing, how everyone is back in San Francisco, how amazing it was to knee Luke in the balls, or really, how much I'd like to do it again.

But also new shit, like... Jackson.

He was definitely being abused by someone or in some way, and not just by Luke and his cronies at school. I was smart enough to figure out that much.

I was itching to find out the truth, put the pieces together, but this was one of the things I knew I shouldn't prod at. I know that home life can be touchy, especially with Jackson, and I can't pry. For some odd reason, I feel the need to respect him, at least with this. I think it's because I understand how things can be rough at home. Through the divorce, my house wasn't exactly the friendliest and homiest place. But it's Jackson. I'm supposed to tease him and make fun off him.

I sighed, frustrated with feelings. Emotions are so complicated, I hate them. Emotions and feelings are stupid. I don't like feeling things. I'm not a sensitive person, and it's hard for me to open up. I guess I gained some sort of trust issues after the divorce. I trusted my mother and she just left. Like it was nothing. Like we didn't need her. When we did.

We really did.

I exhaled, thinking it might blow away the sudden anger I was feeling. The anger that had resurfaced from all those years ago.

I checked my phone. 7:34 p.m. on a Friday night. I should be out with friends right now, like a normal teenager.

Oh wait, I don't have friends!

And I'm not normal.

I love my life.

I checked Snapchat, sending streaks, and opening peoples' snaps without responding because I'm not in the mood. Yeah, I'm that person.

I scrolled through Instagram before watching The Office on Netflix.

A few episodes later, it was 9:47 and I was still bored. Being ADHD, having nothing else to do, and being restless, I headed out for a walk. Or really, a skate. I was gonna ride my skateboard.

I grabbed my stuff—phone, earbuds, board, and a $20 bill—sticking it in the back pocket of my black denim shorts. I pulled my black hat on, along with my Converse. I jumped down the stairs, taking two at a time, as usual. "Going out!" I yelled as I opened the door, ready to run free.

"Where?" Helen emerged from the living room with a mug in her hands.

"For a walk." I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice. I failed.

"Are you going with anyone?"

I bit back a snarky retort. It would only make the conversation longer, and she might not let me go if I 'talk back'. "No." I replied as calmly as I could, slowly inching out the door. This woman was really pissing me off.

"I don't know if your father would let you go out at night like this." She sipped her tea.

"He'd be fine with it." I insisted. One leg was out the door. I just needed to get the other three limbs out, and I'd be set.

Helen seemed to contemplate this. "Fine. I'm taking Bobby and Matthew to my parents' for the weekend, and your father is in Florida on a job. We won't be home until Sunday night. You have your key and our numbers if you need." She said, though there was no warmness in her voice, like a normal person would have. I wasn't surprised, for this was Helen's general attitude towards me.

"Okay." And with that, I walked out the door. I breathed a sigh of relief and frustration, for she let me go, but not before annoying the shit out of me. At least I wouldn't have to deal with her for the rest of the weekend. I just shook my head and threw down my board. I hopped on, deciding I'd go to that pond.

I rode past all the people, shops, and whatever else you find in the city. What amazed me was that the city was never dark. During the day, they had sunlight. At night, they created their own light, from illuminated billboards, to neon sings. It was always so bright.

When I lived in San Francisco, we didn't live in the city, but we were pretty close to it; about a 15 minute drive away. But we live so much closer to the Big Apple now.

Eventually, I reached the pond, with one of my favorite songs playing—Fly Away, by 5 Seconds of Summer—no surprise there.

I want a little bit of California
With a little bit of London sky
I wanna take my heart to the end of the world
And fly away tonight
I want a little bit of open ocean
With a New York State of mind
I wanna take my heart to the end of the world
And fly away
Fly away tonight.

I picked up my board and began trekking through the woods. Leaves crunched under my feet, and twigs snapped in my wake. I looked up, seeing glimpses of the navy sky through the tree leaves. I finally reached the dock and looked up, examining the clearing.

When I saw who was sitting just under the moon—I didn't even need to see their face to know who it was—I felt a mixture of disappointment, annoyance, and happiness.

And there I was, staring at his jet black hair as he chucked a rock across the pond.

And I thought one thing—

Aw shit.

•••

Authors note

Guys this is only 1003 words I just hit the mark like wow. Anyways, this is pretty shitty but here. Hope you enjoy though you probs won't. And cue outro: Thanks for all the reads! Don't forget to vote, comment, etc. thanks and love you guys!
-bella💕