The fighter
C
Sypnosis: Percy Jackson's disapeerance affects everyone around him. Doesn't take a demigod to see it.
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters but Miss Woods and the two football players, Rick Riordan owns the rest (the setting etc), as does he the plot of Heroes of Olympus, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Dedication: To all of us, who've waited for this book for so long.
Author's note: This was based on a picture I drew. Of Annabeth, resting on her schooldesk waiting for the solstice. Waiting for her boyfriend.

toi MUST HAVE READ Lost HERO TO UNDERSTAND THIS FANFIC

The Fighter

    Woods’ eyes drifted from student to student. Some were still leaning over their desks finishing the test. Others were playing rock-paper-scissors and the populaire clique in the corner was passing notes, from one cheerleader to another. The class was completely quiet, but everyone was doing something.
    All but Annabeth Chasse.
    She was studying a map, adding dots and erasing them, but she didn’t seem as focused as she usually was when a map was in her hands. Her blond curls were brought in a hasty side-ponytail and her grey eyes were filled with sadness. Not like Annabeth Chasse.
    The cloche, bell rang. As if this meant the seats would burst into flames everybody sat up, collected their things and charged for the door.
-Annabeth may I talk to you? Woods asked. Annabeth nodded and walked up to her desk.
-What’s wrong? Woods asked. The usual confused look passed through her eyes and Woods hated it. Half the teachers out there didn’t give a damn; even among her colleagues. Half the teachers these kids’d have were monsters so when a teacher that cared came along, the look passed through their eyes.
-What? I don’t…
-You look sadder than I’d ever seen ou thought I’d see you. toi were really happy before the holidays. But for the past week you’ve seemed just plain depressed. Is that it Annabeth?
-No, nothing like that.
-Then what? You’re not like yourself. Are toi homesick? ou is it..?
-It’s my boyfriend. She a dit as her resistance snapped. She looked like she hated herself for saying it. Woods calmed down. Romantic trouble, that was it. Like all the 16 an olds of the whole school.
-I see.



-No, toi don’t. It isn’t what toi think. He’s missing. It’s going to be a mois soon. She said.
    Annabeth Chasse had a boyfriend. Well she’d have never guessed. For starters never had Woods seen Annabeth with somebody and she didn’t act like the other class girls who had a boyfriend. Giggling, flirting, as much makeup as was needed for the filming of “Wolfman”.
Add that to the liste of stereotypes Annabeth broke, thought Woods.
She was obviously biting back tears now.
-That’s terrible. I’m sorry, Annabeth. What was his name? Annabeth slipped a picture out of her pocket and put it on the bureau like a professional card player puts down their cards.
    5 kids were standing on the beach, suivant to a shed. Annabeth was clearly recognisable as one, wearing shorts and a bikini top. She had her arm around a fit boy, with black hair and sea green eyes. The photographer had caught Annabeth mid-laugh at a joke Woods’d never hear. The other girl was a redhead with freckles on her face and paint splotches everywhere. Another boy with curly brown hair was standing behind her, she couldn’t see his legs but he had a goatee and looked strong. The last boy was standing in the shadows. He was dressed entirely in black, his chemise read “I’m on a highway to hell: literally” and his hair was the same color.
-That’s him? Woods asked a little uselessly.
-Green eyes, cute smile. Annabeth nodded. Woods slid the picture back towards Annabeth who just stared down at it.
-It’ll work out Annabeth. Do toi want to talk? She shook her head.
-Wouldn’t understand. She whispered.
-Maybe not. Try to remember the good times. The sun might not be there but it shines wherever toi think it does. She said. Annabeth’s look went even plus distant. For all Woods knew, she could be thinking of the Queen of England, support beams and her boyfriend all at the same time and still get a perfect answer.
    A little smile crept on her lips. A funny memory, one she treasured.
-Thanks Miss Woods.
-Anytime, sweetie. Annabeth walked away, still looking worn-down and sad. She wanted one thing but this once, she couldn’t fight for it. She couldn’t fight to get it. Woods sighed. There was nothing she could do about it. She brought her coffee mug to her lips but it was empty.
    Woods got up and walked out in the corridor.

    Annabeth was walking towards her locker and was ambushed par two football players, wearing red and white jackets.
-Hey Chasse, got any plans for tomorrow?
-No, and none that I will make will involve you. She said. The seconde guy laughed.
-I wouldn’t laugh Stimson, same goes for you. She said. She pushed between them and kept walking.
-Awe common sweetheart, could be fun. The first a dit putting and arm around her shoulder.
    The reaction was fast, so fast, he probably didn’t even process it. She grabbed his arm, pulled it back painfully and kicked his legs out from underneath him. He flopped face-first on the floor.
-Next time toi touch me Mack Grey, I swear it will hurt a lot more. She said, a dangerous edge to her voice. She picked up her binders and walked away, but turned and passed.
-And FYI, I’m taken. And my boyfriend can kick your sorry butt any day. She said, before turning.
    Even if there were about 5 reasons to give detentions to either of them, Woods smiled.

    You could take the fighter out of the fight, but toi couldn’t take the fight out of the fighter.