I finished reading 'A Paris Apartment'.
I remembered initially not being as intrigued by the beginning of the book as I had been when I picked it up, finding the prologue a little boring. Nevertheless, I grabbed it and restarted it when I was bored, and it elicited a different reaction from me.
I ended up loving it.
It's literally one of the few gifts of writing in the world, a blessed tale spun in mystery and threaded with intense and thoughtful scenes. It feels like you have to run to catch up with the author's eloquent method of describing the events of the book, but it's incredible. I couldn't put it down at all once I got soaked into the peak of the story.
Maybe don't judge books by your first read either.
I stuffed the book on my desk, along with the other books I'd read. I'd finished all except for Hotel Magnifique, which I was planning on starting soon. The cover page was one of the most gorgeous designs I'd ever seen, embossed in golden patterns over galaxy swirls that provided a subtle hint at the magic of the book. I'd picked it up solely off the design, but I had a feeling it would promise an incredible story.
I caressed my fingers over the cover, smiling softly, before checking the time. 4:30. I should probably grab a snack and some water.
I sighed, rubbing my eyes. Too late for an afternoon nap now.
Oh, well, maybe I'll sleep better at night, I reassured myself, trudging out of my room into the hallway. My phone shook in my sweatpants pocket as I skipped down the stairs, leaping off the second last step into the kitchen.
I felt a buzz in my pocket as I grabbed a Pepsi can from the fridge, pulling out my phone. I lit up at the FaceTime request from a familiar sweet person I'd been missing.
Accepting it, I smiled at the camera. "Hazel!"
"Annabeth!" Hazel responded, mirroring my enthusiasm. She was grinning at the camera, hair frizzy around her face. "I haven't seen you in forever! How are you? How's New York? You doing okay?"
"Hold up, hold up", I laughed, "I barely caught anything you said."
She rolled her eyes.
"Well, you can't expect me to just say nothing! You moved only a few days ago, and you haven't called once. I need some updates, Anna, come on."
I nodded, sobering up at her reminder that I hadn't called these guys since I got here. I bit my lip, tilting my head apologetically. "You're right, I'm sorry. I meant to, I swear, I just...forgot."
Hazel smiled, and I knew it was forgiven. "So you guys settled in okay?" She asked, face getting closer as she took the phone in her hands and started moving somewhere.
I nodded, opening the Pepsi can. "Yeah, everything's great. We've already met our neighbors and they're so nice. There's this super sweet lady whose name is Sally, and her son who's my age. He introduced me to some of his friends and has been giving me a tour of the place."
Hazel smiled warmly. "That's great, Annabeth. It's nice that you've gotten comfortable there quickly."
I grinned. "Don't tell Nico that though, he might start thinking I've replaced you guys."
"Like he would mind", she rolled her eyes sarcastically. "He's not the jealous type anyways."
I laughed, remembering how much Nico hated admitting he was jealous, yet it shone through and through whenever anyone approached Will.
"So", Hazel started, a glint in her eye, "what is this I'm hearing about a boy your age?"
I bit my lip, unable to stop my giddy smile, which didn't go unnoticed by Hazel. Her eyes widened, her face splitting into a grin.
"Oh, so he's not just any boy", she said suggestively, and I didn't bother trying to hide my grin.
"He's definitely not just any boy", I said, lying down on the couch on my stomach. I plunked my head on the pillow, propping up the phone so my face was visible on the screen.
"Details, please", Hazel commanded.
I rolled my eyes. "So, his name is Percy, and he's this amazing person. He's kind and shy and cute and he's Nico's cousin, by the way."
"Hold up, what?"
"Yeah, so he's kind of your cousin by extension." I explained, waving my hand in some sort of dismissal. "Anyways, he's so great. He took me around the place, and introduced me to his friends. He's working a part-time job in this nearby library."
"He sounds amazing."
"Yeah, I have a feeling you're going to love him." I said, smiling at the thought. "I kissed him last night, by the way."
Hazel gaped at me through the screen. "You did what?"
"Yeah, we were watching this movie and then we just ignored it and started talking and I kissed him."
She blinked. "...wow. I just- wow."
I bit my lip, stifling a laugh. "Is it really that unbelievable?"
"I mean, I don't know, maybe? Who are you and what have you done with Annabeth Chase?"
"I'm holding her ransom", I deadpanned, "I've already called her family asking for a sum of 15 grand."
"I'd ask for more", Hazel went along with it, "that's a pretty shit deal right there."
I rolled my eyes, smiling at Hazel's subsequent laughter. "Anyways, speaking of boys and kisses", I started, smirking at the pink tint across her cheeks, "how are things going between you and Frank?"
"He's doing good. We actually went the other day to this horse stable, and we spent hours riding around. There was this amazing steed that seemed a little more aggressive than the others, named Arion. Frank wasn't the biggest fan", she laughed.
"That's so cute", I grinned.
Hazel shook her head, tucking a curl behind her ear. "He is cute. He's still terrified of Nico, though. Nico pretends he's mad at Frank, but in reality, he loves him. Still keeps telling me he'd go for him if it weren't for Will."
"Oh, gods", I doubled over in laughter at the thought, "of course he'd say something like that."
Hazel shrugged. "I always thought Frank wasn't Nico's type anyways, he does love his blonds."
"He ticks all of your boxes, though." I reminded her, smirking again.
Hazel rolled her eyes, before she heard a call behind her, and turned to me with a slightly apologetic glance. "I got to go, Anna. Call me later?"
"Of course", I smiled. "I'll actually call this time, I promise."
"You will. Bye, Annabeth." The call ended with Hazel's warm smile, before reverting to my phone screen.
I turned around, staring at the ceiling. When Hazel brought up Percy, it actually reminded me of last night's events.
I was upstairs, reading, when I heard some commotion downstairs. I'd frowned, setting my book aside, and stepped out, listening from the top of the stairs.
I couldn't really catch what was said, but I'd recognise Sally's voice from anywhere. She sounded worried and desperate, and my dad had stepped out of the house with her.
I'd gone downstairs as he came back with a thoughtful face, and when we'd asked him what happened, he'd waved his hand around. "It's not my story to tell", he explained with a finality in his tone, and we didn't ask any further.
I was confused. What happened last night?
I didn't think anything would happen after I left, but something went on in the house that my dad wasn't keen on explaining. Though, I could still attribute it all to someone in the house that Percy and Sally were both uncomfortable with.
I shifted tensely at the memory of Percy's stepdad and what he'd said and done last night. A few minutes had clued me in to what kind of a person he was, and I shuddered at the thought of having to live with him.
But then...
I thought back to the day we'd first met. I remember his face and jaw being decorated in bruises. When I'd seen him at the cafe, he'd had small scratches on his face.
The first few times I'd ignored them, thinking he'd probably gotten hurt somewhere.
But come to think of it, every time I'd seen him, he sported some kind of injury. Either they'd be visible on his face, or he'd wince whenever he moved.
I could only tell myself they were harmless injuries for so long.
I nibbled on my nail, as I allowed myself to contemplate this. I didn't really want to think about it, cause I'd probably jump to unnecessary conclusions, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. And I definitely am not an expert on anything like this.
What is this?
Did anyone else know about it? I mean, clearly someone else would've noticed the things I did, and for much longer than me cause they knew Percy before I met him.
But I couldn't find out without overstepping boundaries.
Maybe Thalia would know?
She's off limits too, my conscience reminds me. The only person who can answer your doubts is the person they're about in the first place.
I pulled my fingernail out of my mouth, tapping my forearm. Asking Percy is out of the question.
Hey! So does your stepdad abuse you? I was just wondering and wanted to ask!
Sounds fun, but no.
If he really trusts me, he'll tell me at some point. All I can do now is assure him of my support no matter what, and be there for him.
Author's Note: Yes, Hazel curses. Deal with it.
Also, The Paris Apartment and Hotel Magnifique are two books I'd highly recommend, they're great must-reads. I honestly couldn't put them down when I'd read them, they were fantastic. So check them out!