Chapter 15

A/N: honestly, idk how I feel about this chapter, there's some bits I'm a bit iffy about, but I'll leave it.

This chapter will include a bit of abuse, just want to say that before you continue on.

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"Gabe, please, Percy has a friend over!""A friend? Seriously? You can say it's Grover, we both know Grover is his only friend."

The voices got louder, as did the footsteps. Annabeth kept looking at Percy as Percy was breathing in and out, trying to calm down and Annabeth took her pinky away from Percy's. Annabeth held her hand over Percy's. She could feel his hand slightly trembling. Annabeth didn't like that.

"It's not Grover, Gabe, please, let Percy have a couple more hours alone with his friend-!"Percy's bedroom door opened and Annabeth glanced over. Annabeth saw an older man, he was... something that you didn't want to look at for a long time.

"Oh! A girl!" Gabe exclaimed.Annabeth instantly felt uncomfortable as Gabe entered the room and she saw Sally stood nearby the front door, behind Gabe."Since when is lil Percy a ladies man?! Especially when your face was so fucked last week?"Percy didn't look at Gabe, he was still trembling and he held tighter onto Annabeth's hand.

"Percy, Percy, hey." Annabeth said softly, looking to Percy. "Deep breaths, deep breaths."Percy couldn't hear Annabeth. He could only hear Gabe and his comments. Which was not what Percy wanted at the moment."Oh relax girly! Percy is fine! He's just a pussy. A fucking coward who can't face his own fears."Annabeth wanted to scowl back, not liked being called 'girly' by this old man. She didn't like his tone or the words he used to describe Percy.

Annabeth didn't look at Gabe. She kept her gaze on Percy. "Perseus." Annabeth said firmly, wanting Percy to look at her. "Percy, look at me, please." Annabeth took her free hand and gently rested it under Percy's chin, turning his face so that he could see her face. "Deep breaths." Annabeth tightened her grip on Percy's hand. Percy's lower lip trembled slightly as he met Annabeth's eyes. He couldn't move, he couldn't do anything.

"Sweetheart, you shouldn't try. Percy never listens to anyone. That's what makes him such a disappointment. You should leave him, he doesn't deserve to have a girlfriend. He doesn't deserve anyone's love." Gabe scowled. Annabeth kept ignoring Gabe and she stared into Percy's eyes. Percy took a deep breath and Annabeth smiled slightly, nodding a little. "Good." Annabeth said quietly. Percy felt his heart skip a beat as Annabeth kept being gentle. Percy looked away from Annabeth and he looked over at Gabe.

"Oh! Now you acknowledge my existence!" Gabe exclaimed as Percy got up from his bed. Annabeth fiddled with her hands now that she had taken them away from Percy once Percy stood up. Percy took another deep breath and he met Gabe's gaze. "You're the one who doesn't deserve love!" Percy managed to snap, glaring at his step-dad. "I mean, honestly, who do you think you are to verbally abuse me and my mother all the goddamn time and-?!"

SMACK!

Annabeth placed her hand over her mouth as she watched Gabe raise his hand and smack Percy right in his cheek with his backhand. Percy held his cheek and he stumbled a little bit, his eyes welling up.

Annabeth felt something rise in her chest and she grumbled as she got up onto her own two feet and she stood in front of Percy, facing Gabe. "What?" Gabe scoffed down at the little girl before him. "Leave." Annabeth said, her tone of voice stern. "I can call the cops right now and get them over here as I witnessed you slap Percy, I watched you verbally and physically abuse him!"

Gabe kept his gaze on Annabeth. He felt weird as this 14 year old girl was glaring at him. She didn't seem like she was bluffing. Gabe looked at Percy who glanced at him, still holding his cheek and his eyes still welling up.

"You need your own girlfriend to stand up for you? Fucking hell, you really are a pussy." Gabe scowled before turning away. Gabe went over and left Percy's room. "I'll be back tomorrow, Sally! I can't stand being here with your crybaby of a son and his little girlfriend."Sally stayed silent as Gabe stormed off. Everyone stayed silent. The front door opened and it had slammed shut after another moment.

Annabeth turned around and faced Percy. "Hey-" Annabeth said softly, reaching her hand towards Percy. Percy flinched and Annabeth retracted her hand, frowning as Percy looked at her, his eyes still wide with fear. Annabeth backed away slightly, especially when Sally entered the room and went over to Percy.

"Percy, I am so sorry-" Sally began, cupping Percy's face. Percy gently shoved his mother's hands away from his face. Percy stayed silent as he shot his mother a look, a look which said 'don't embarrass me any further, please.' Sally stayed silent and she watched as Percy went over to the window in his room and he opened it up, slipping under it and going to the balcony of the apartment. He sat down and he mostly shut the window behind him.

"Annabeth, perhaps it's time for you to go home-" Sally began, her own eyes welling up as she faced Annabeth. "I'm sorry, Sally... but I don't think I can leave right now." Annabeth said quietly, looking at Sally. "... Would it be alright if we talked in another room? Let Percy recover from what happened?" Sally glanced at Percy. She knew he was listening and he waved his hand, as if dismissing her and allowing her to talk with Annabeth and that he'd be fine.

Sally looked back at Annabeth. "... Come with me, sweetie." Sally said, gently resting her hand on Annabeth's back and guiding her out of the bedroom to go to another room in the apartment. As Sally guided Annabeth out of the room, she glanced out of the window, carefully watching Percy.

Percy brought his knees up to his chest and was hiding his face in his knees. He was still trembling and Annabeth had a feeling that he was crying. But, she had to give him a few moments to himself and see what Sally would be willing to share about their situation. If Annabeth could help at all.

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Word count: 1043