The Resolution

Annabeth POV

I woke up to strange rasping. I rubbed my eyes in exhaustion while pulling myself into a sitting position. The sound was permeating throughout my room. I groggily looked at the clock, which read 2:17 am.

Suddenly, my attention snapped towards my window.

What in the world?

Percy was knocking on my window. He was sitting on a branch of a tree outside of my bedroom. He knocked again before tightly clutching the tree branch.

I ran towards the window and pulled it open.

"Seaweed Brain, what the hell are you doing?" I hissed. I immediately grabbed his shirt aand dragged him through the window.

He landed on the floor with a loud thud.

"I came to see you. I have something to ask," Percy responded. He arched his back as pain contorted his face. I guess I pulled him too hard.

"Why are you here in the middle of the night?" I asked as I crouched next to him.

I stared into his glistening eyes. I gently placed my hand against his cheek. His eyes closed slowly as he leaned into my touch. I could see the pain dissipating away. Thalia explained some things to me over the weekend.

I have an amazing stepmother, Helen, but not everyone could be like her. Percy has a very bad step-dad. Sex helped him with pain relief and distraction.

Even my touch was soothing him. It illustrated how much pain he must've been in the past three months during the proposal. Yet, he gave up sex for me. It made me feel so satisfied, but I felt guilty at the same time.

His eyes sparkled as I gazed into them. They were so beautiful. I simply got lost in them.

"Run away with me," Percy whispered.

I chuckled even though his expressions were serious. "Wait, Seaweed Brain. What are you talking about? You're can't just run away from him."

"I meant, run away with me for the night."

"EXCUSE ME?" I snapped as I shot up. My cheeks burned red at his innuendo. While I admit that I like Percy Jackson, I wasn't ready to sleep with him.

"No. Wise Girl, I didn't mean it like that. Ugh, dirty mind," Percy stammered. "I want you to come with me to Montauk. I'm going there tonight with Grover. I want you to come with me."

I relaxed before laughing in relief.

"You're such an idiot sometimes." I smiled "Come on. Take my hand."

His warm hand clasped around mine while I pulled him up. We settled next to each other on my bed. Our hands were still connected, and our fingers intertwined.

"Why are you going to Montauk right now?"

"I-"

Percy faltered. He took a deep breath before facing me. His sea-green eyes locked onto mine, and the pain dulled the color in them. Shadows swirled around us since it was nighttime; the only light was coming from the moon and stars outside.

I gently rubbed his hand with my thumb.

"Do you need a break or something? Did Gabe do something to you?" I asked quietly.

"He's always doing things to me. However, I need to go to Montauk because I have something to do there. Please come with me," Percy expressed.

While logic dictated that I shouldn't randomly go out of the city in the middle of the night, I couldn't say no to Percy. I had to be with him.

"Okay, but I'm not climbing out of my window."

Percy chuckled, and his face lightened. "That's fine with me. I nearly died during my journey up the tree."

I took a few minutes to get dressed in the bathroom before leading Percy downstairs. We were trying to be quiet because my dad, Helen, and the boys were asleep. Fortunately, it's Sunday tomorrow, so I have no obligations.

We were walking through the living room when we had to pause.

"AHEM."

A loud clearing of the throat resonated from behind us. Percy and I hesitantly turned around to face Helen in her nightgown. I instinctually let go of Percy's hand.

"Helen, um-"

"Annabeth, are you sneaking out of the house with a boy?" Helen asked seriously. "I didn't expect this from you or Percy."

"Mrs. Chase, this isn't Annabeth's fault. I just needed Wise Girl by my side tonight. I convinced her to sneak out with me," Percy explained.

"It's a good thing that you did," Helen smiled. "I believe that it's good for Annabeth to rebel a little bit. Just be careful and safe."

I smiled while giving her a tight hug.

"I told you that Percy likes you," she whispered into my ears. I laughed lightly before expressing a thank you.

Helen went back to her bedroom while Percy and I stood there for a few seconds. Helen was so chill about this. I was grateful that it wasn't my dad who woke up. He trusted me, but he still wouldn't like me sneaking out with a boy.

"Your step-mom is so cool," Percy expressed quietly.

A sad look entered his face as his right hand rubbed his left forearm. I thought that he had some bad habits, but now I knew why he rubbed his arms. His arms, chest, and stomach were the regions of his body that get the most injured by Gabe.

Rubbing them probably alleviates the pressure.

I gently grabbed his hand and kissed it.

I didn't know what to say. I was nervous about Helen initially, but she turned out to be amazing. Percy didn't get as lucky.

Percy smiled while looking at me. Then, we walked out of my house. Grover was waiting in Percy's car. I took the backseat while Percy was in the passenger seat.

"It took you guys long enough," Grover muttered.

"Yeah, well, we got interrupted by Annabeth's step-mom," Percy explained.

"Plus, it took some time for me to get ready. I wasn't exactly expecting a five-hour road trip in the middle of the night," I offered.

The engine roared to life as Grover started driving.

"I was thinking that you guys forgot about me and started making out. I guess I was wrong, or you guys are keeping it a secret." Grover laughed.

Percy and I slumped in embarrassment. Grover kept making light-hearted comments about our relationship. Gods, it was gonna be a long drive.

***

The car ride to Montauk beach took a long time. Grover and Percy took turns driving, but they drove slowly because it was dark outside. Plus, they were both tired, and they were making sure to drive safely.

I fell asleep during the second half of the drive.

I didn't wake up until we stopped at a gas station. Grover was pumping the tank, but Percy ran into the shop.

"Gods, it's cold today," Grover shivered while sitting back in the car.

I looked at him in the driver's seat. I haven't spent that much alone time with Grover. It wasn't awkward, but we didn't know what to talk about. He was Percy's best friend, so I always thought that we should get along.

"Um, Grover, we're okay, right? I know that you blamed me for getting Percy into the proposal. Even I'm blaming myself. The deal put him through hell when he has his reasons for how he leads his dating life," I expressed softly.

Grove sighed "It's all right, Annabeth. I'm grateful that you've gotten closer to Percy. You're definitely helping him."

"He didn't break the proposal by the way."

"I know. Juniper told me. She's not the best at keeping secrets."

"Yeah, my girlfriend is a blabbermouth. However, her honesty is one of the things I love most about her," Grover said fondly.

"Anyway, Percy hasn't had sex at all even after the deal ended. I'm not going to expose Percy, but you mean a lot to him. He's committed to you, Annabeth. Bringing you along this trip confirms how important you are to him."

I felt giddy about everything that Grover was telling me. His words meant so much to emphasize Percy's love for me. I needed to hear them, especially during a time when Percy kept hesitating around me.

"What exactly are we doing?" I asked.

"Percy has some important business to do at Montauk Beach. It's not my place to tell you if he hasn't yet. You'll find out soon enough. We're almost there." Grover answered.

I nodded in understanding. Percy came back pretty soon after. He had some breakfast platters in his hand. The trio ate in comfortable silence.

After breakfast, Grover started driving to Montauk. We only had about 20 minutes left to go, which was good. I needed to get out of this car soon.

The sun was rising when we arrived at the beach.

Grover parked pretty close to the sand. Percy got out of the car first and walked towards the water. Grover and I followed behind him.

Percy was holding something in his hands, but I didn't get the chance to see what it is. His back was to us, so I couldn't study his face. I wanted to be next to him, but Grover stopped me from going too close.

His eyes shone with a message: give Percy some space for now.

We stayed pretty close to Percy though. He was walking towards a hill of rocks that were bordered the waterfront. The waves crashed onto them softly.

I've never been to a beach during sunrise. It was a beautiful scene. The sun's rays were illuminating the sand and rocks. The waves crashed against the rocks to create soothing background noise. The waterline sparkled with white foam as the seagulls flew in the sky above.

Percy climbed the glistening rocks. He clutched a container tightly as he used his others limbs to reach the top.

The water crashed below him, and the wind above ruffled his hair and jacket.

Grover and I stayed on the sand, looking up at Percy.

I finally noticed what he was holding. It wasn't a random container. It was a bronze urn that sparkled in the sun's rays.

I looked at Grove in shock. Tears sparkled as he watched his best friend. Then, my eyes returned to Percy. He was simply gazing at the urn.

"His mom died two weeks ago," Grover whispered. I looked at Grover again, waiting for more information.

"She was an amazing mom, but she was diagnosed with aggressive lung cancer a few years ago. It recently became serious. She passed away the night of Silena's party."

"That's why he ran out on the last day?" I asked.

"Yeah, he was saying goodbye to his mother. Sally Jackson was a beautiful soul, and Percy had been through so much. He lost his person."

Tears bristled in my eyes as I watched Percy again. He was slowly wafting the ashes into the wind. His mother's soul blew into the universe.

That's when I realized how strong Percy was.

His life was a complete mess, yet he was still standing. I couldn't believe all the things that he was going through. The pain. The hardship. The abuse.

I knew that I have to support and comfort Percy. I want our relationship to work, but I am willing to stay by his side until he's ready to try. This was my resolution.

I went forward and started climbing the rocks.

Fortunately, the top rock was a flat platform. I gently stood next to Percy as he placed the empty urn on the floor.

My arm wrapped around his as my fingers slipped into his hand.

"I'm so sorry, Percy. Based on everything you've told me about her. She seems like a wonderful woman and an even better mother," I expressed.

"She was incredible. I love her so much."

His head leaned against mine. His grip tightened around my hand as we watched the sunrise. This was a beautiful, intimate way of saying goodbye.

Grover joined us on the rock, and we stayed for a long time.

"You know, my mom wanted to meet you," Percy whispered. "After I told her that I was falling in love, she wanted to meet you."

"She passed away before I could introduce you to her."

"Sally is looking down on us, Seaweed Brain. She'll always be right here," I expressed while placing my hand over his heart. Percy's eyes clouded with mist.

"She's right, Percy," Grover affirmed.

"I believe that she's always watching me, and she wouldn't be happy with the life that I'm living right now," he paused in thought. "To make her happy in heaven, I'm gonna fight for my life and freedom on Earth."

I smiled at his resolution; it was the right decision.