Percy's eyes shot open. A shrill ringing caused him to sit up. One of the home phones (Annabeth had these for some reason)  ringing on his nightstand. He sat up, grabbing the phone and blinking.

"Hello?" Percy asked groggily.

"Is this Percy Jackson, Sally Jackson's son?"

Percy hesitated, "Who is this?"

"This is Nurse Tilles from Evercare Hospital-"

"Yeah, it's Percy. How did you know I was here?" Percy asked, though he had his suspicions. His mother probably tipped them off about him being at Annabeth's.

"Your mother, Sally, checked herself in. She was badly bruised-"

"I'll be there soon, okay?" Percy said, heart hammering against his ribs.

In his panic, he didn't notice the blonde asleep next to him, holding the blankets to her chest. (Plot twist: It's a popular girl 😂😂)

Percy jumped off his bed, tossing a shirt on and. .  . (Wait for it) more clothes than a guy should need after normal sleep (there it is).

He heard a groan, causing him to jump. Annabeth sat bolt upright, looking at Percy with wide eyes. Percy's own eyes became round, noticing Annabeth for the first time.

Annabeth held the blankets to her chest, still staring at Percy.

"Holy shit." They both said.

~

Percy left the room so Annabeth could get dressed, having a few near misses with her little brothers.

Annabeth came out of her room to see Percy pacing the room.

"Your brothers are up," was all he said.

"Percy-"

"Hmm?" He said sharply.

"Shouldn't we talk-"

"I- um. . ."

"Percy, we'll go see your mom and then we'll talk, okay?" Annabeth asked gently.

Percy nodded numbly, "Yeah, okay,"

~

Percy was sitting in the chair next to his mom's hospital bed, his head resting on her leg. Sally's eyes danced under her eyelids, and Annabeth squatted down next to Percy, whose eyes were glassy. He had a fragile look on his face, as if if Annabeth said something about his mom, he would break. Shatter like glass.

Annabeth out a head on his face, gently, as he lifted his head.

"Are you okay, Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth asked softly.

"No," Percy's voice cracked.

"Come here," Annabeth said quietly, wrapping her arms around Percy. He buried his face in her neck.

"It was Gabe," he said quietly.

"Who?" Annabeth said quizzically.

"Gabriel Ugliano. My mom's ex-husband. He was abusive," he whispered, pulling away, just to rest his forehead against hers.

"To you? To your mom?" Annabeth asked, drawing circles on his back.

"Both," Percy's voice cracked again.

Annabeth kissed his nose and he looked at her miserably.

"Why do you think it was him?" Annabeth asked softly.

"Look at her arm," he choked.

Annabeth pulled away from him and looked at Sally's arm.

G.U's

"She divorced him when she found out he was abusing me. Well, she tried. He started hitting her, as well. Took her two years to finally get away from him. I pay half the mortgage and buy my own food.

"She doesn't have much money, anymore. I actually have a better job than her. You know that candy shop, Sweet On America?"

Annabeth nodded, "I go every Friday,"

"She works Monday thru Thursday, sometimes she goes after church on Sundays," Percy frowned.

"What do you do?" Annabeth asked, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I work at a waste management plant on Tuesdays, Saturday's, and some Sundays." Percy frowned.

Annabeth sat up, kissed him, and wrapped her arms around him. She pulled herself into his lap and leaned the side of her head on his shoulder.

She felt his lips press onto the top of her head, and she closed her eyes, allowing herself to fall asleep.