Percy's POV

"That can't be good." Annabeth said.

"We have to go. Now." I grabbed Annabeth's hand and we ran to my car, quickly jumping in. I started the engine and we were off.

"What do you think happened? Do you think..." Annabeth didn't need to finish that sentence. I already knew where she was going.

"N-No. He wouldn't. And besides, he left before I texted you." I said as calmly as possible. I tried to convince myself that Gabe wouldn't hurt my mother, not in his right mind. But when he was drunk...

"Well, the best thing to do is stay calm. Panicking gets us nowhere. Just focus on getting us there quickly and in one piece." I knew that Annabeth could sense that I was freaking out. My hands were shaking on the steering wheel. I focused on my breathing. The pain that I had been feeling moments earlier was now numb, and adrenaline was kicking in. The only thing that mattered was my mother.

A few moments later, I pulled up to my building. Annabeth practically jumped out of the car before it fully stopped moving. I ran out after her, not even worried with locking the doors.

"What's our plan?" I asked as we ran up the stairs, taking them three at a time.

"We don't have one." Annabeth said.

"Well that's great." I kept climbing, even though I was getting short of breath.

"We'll do what I do half the time."

"Which is?" I asked.

"Wing it." Annabeth said as we arrived in my floor. I bust through the door, Annabeth behind me. We ran down the hall and to my door, and I quickly unlocked it, swinging the door open.

"Mom!" I yelled.

"Percy?" I heard my mom from the kitchen.

"Oh my god." I sighed in relief. I heard Annabeth exhale behind me.

"Are you okay, mom?" I asked as I hugged her.

"Yes, I'm fine. But, I need to show you something." My mother's expression was grim and serious. I followed her down the hall. We stopped at a spot on the floor that was stained red.

Oh shit.

I saw Annabeth's jaw drop from the corner of my eye.

Blood.

My blood.

"Percy, why is there blood on my floor?" My mother had a worried look in her eyes. "Is it... is it from you?" She whispered, tears in her eyes.

I must have forgotten to clean it up. I didn't know what I would tell her. I couldn't lie to her, not when my mental state was all fucked up. And I couldn't keep this from her anymore.

"Mom, I..." I choked out.

I fell apart.

"Percy." My mom pulled me into a hug and I sobbed for the second time that day.

I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. And my mom just held me.

She was about to find out.

This was it.

"Percy it's okay." I heard my mom whisper. "I need you tell me what happened. Please." My mother pleaded.

I looked back at Annabeth. She looked really sad. She nodded. "It's time." She whispered. There were tears in her eyes. I nodded back.

"Mom, there's something that I need to tell you."

><•><

"Oh, Percy. Why didn't you tell me before. You.. you went through all of that from such a young age, I..." my mom choked on her words tears were falling from her eyes. "I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."

"Mom that's exactly why I'd didn't tell you. Because you'd blame yourself. Please don't. This isn't your fault. You didn't know, you didn't do this, you didn't hurt me." I paused as tears rolled down my cheeks. "He did." I whispered.

"I wish you had come to me sooner. I'm so sorry." My mom wrapped me in a hug. I squeezed her tightly. Annabeth sat there in the arm chair sort of awkwardly.

"I'm sorry." I apologized to her.

"No, no I get it, it's fine." Annabeth shook her head.

"Mom, this is Annabeth." I introduced her as she stood up.

"You knew?" My mother asked.

Annabeth seemed to freeze up and a look of fear flashed trough her eyes before she answered. "I did." She nodded gravely.

My mom rushed up and wrapped her in a hug. At first, Annabeth didn't move. Then she wrapped her arms around my mom. That made me smile.

"I'm sorry that I didn't get the chance to meet you before." My mom pulled away.

"It's okay."

"Annabeth helped me a lot, these past months. When it was bad." I said, standing up as well.

"Oh, thank you so much." My mom started to cry again as they hugged one last time.

"Of course, Ms. Jackson." Annabeth smiled.

"Call me Sally." My mom smiled at Annabeth.

"Of course, Sally." Annabeth grinned at my mother.

"Annabeth let me stay over a few times, when Gabe was home or after he..." my voice trailed off. "She helped me by also just being an amazing friend." I smiled at Annabeth.

"That's what friends are for, right?" Annabeth smiled back at me, but still a bit of sadness in her eyes.

"Thank you, for taking care of my son. I couldn't show how grateful I am, Annabeth. If you ever need anything—" my mom thanked.

"No, no. It's fine, seriously." Annabeth smiled and shook her head. "I'm happy to help him." She gave me a small smile.

"You're so responsible." My mom stroked Annabeth's hair.

Annabeth laughed. "That's the first time I've gotten that compliment. But thank you." I chuckled.

"You're both so brave." My mom put a hand on each of our shoulders. "Percy, you put up with this for so long for me. I'm so sorry, and I love you so much." My mom cupped my cheek. "And Annabeth. You were there for him, when he needed you most. I'm sure that I speak for Percy as well as myself when I say thank you."

"Of course." Annabeth nodded.

My mom pulled both of us in. We all hugged for a little while before pulling away.

"Well, um," Annabeth started. "I should head home. It's getting kind of late, and my dad will be worried. But, it was a pleasure meeting you, Sally, despite the circumstances."

"I'm happy I got to meet you as well, Annabeth." My mom smiled. "I'll let Percy sat goodbye."

I walked Annabeth to the door. "I'm sorry that you had to see me and my mom like that—"

"No, please don't apologize. I get it. That's tough." Annabeth took a deep breath. "I'm just glad that it's over." She smiled at me.

"Yeah me too." I agreed. "I know that I've said this before but I don't think that I'll ever stop. Thank you. For everything that you've done. And for not walking away when things got hard and for sticking with me." I found myself getting teary-eyed and choked up.

"Even if I wanted to leave, I couldn't do it, Jackson. I wouldn't." She shook her head.

Right there, in the shitty hallway lighting, I couldn't help but admire her beauty. Even after climbing several flights of stairs and witnessing me falling apart and getting all emotional—which must be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining—she still looked gorgeous. Her golden locks were still wild and frizzy. Her grey eyes sparkled. Her flawless skin seemed to glow. But I knew it was her inner beauty shining through. That was just how amazingly gorgeous Annabeth was.

"I'll see you at school, Seaweed Brain." Hearing her nickname for me gave me a warm feeling inside. A safe feeling.

"See you later, Wise Girl." I smiled one last time before she turned and walked back down the hallway to the stairs.

Part of me didn't want her to leave, but I knew that everything would be okay. That I was safe now.

Everything would turn out okay.

•••

Authors note.

Okay guys I know that I'm giving out a lot of updates but I'm trying to catch up with all my shit so that I'm on time for New Girl On The Block which is my next project. But yeah. Anyways, thanks for all the reads and I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to comment, vote, etc. thanks and love you guys!
-bella💕