I took a deep breath as I walked into school Monday morning. I didn't see Annabeth at the party, not that I thought she would be there but still. I was starting to get antsy about tonight, and I wondered if Annabeth felt nervous at all when I went to her house. I don't think so. She handled it so well.

I shook my head as I walked to my locker, getting my math notebook. Today was when we got handed back our quizzes, and honestly, I was scared to find out my score.

Before I could head in that direction, a girl, Piper, I'm pretty sure, came up to me. I tensed, remembering what she did last time.

"Hey there, how's it going with Annie?" I blinked, confused.

"Um, I'm not sure? I'm getting my math quiz back today if that's what you mean" I rubbed the back of my neck, still confused when Piper rolled her eyes.

"No, dumbass, I meant how is it going in the whole closer than friends category" I didn't know what code she was talking in, but I had no idea.

I looked at her, still confused, and she threw her hands into the air and said, "That's all I needed to know, thank you" she looked annoyed as she walked off, but I was still confused as to why. I shrugged it off. No sense getting all caught up in some kind of language I was too out of the loop to understand.

I walked to math class and waited for my quiz to be handed back. I took it shakily from Mrs.Velma and looked at the top of the paper. My eyes almost fell out of my head. 73%! Mom was going to be so happy! It's the highest score I've gotten since never!

I smiled goofily as class ended, and I raced to my classes.

The time for Music was upon me as I went quickly into the room. Before we went to an instrument, the teacher lined us up and spoke about the competition.

"Ok, I know you guys have been waiting for this, and I already had to say these instructions of my previous five periods, so please sit tight and let me speak before running your mouths. First, we will be holding an audition to sort the people who know their instrument from beginners. Then the preliminaries will begin with those not disqualified. The preliminary round is a show of skill and mastery. Then finally, after a count of the votes, there will be a total of seven kids that compete in the competition. Over the next week, once you come into class, please head right to your instrument of choice and begin to work. I will make the rounds and put names down if you plan to participate. The sign-up sheet will be open till Thursday at the end of seventh period. Auditions are on Friday during the period and after school. Please find an instrument and begin working."

I took a deep breath and rushed to the walls of guitars, I wanted to reserve my favorite one for the competition, and since I knew it by name, it would be easy to keep it to myself. I examined the wall of around ten guitars until I saw the light brown guitar with blue wave-like patterns along its sides. Riptide, a beautiful guitar that I would pay good money for if I could. I sighed happily as I picked it up and walked over to my regular seat.

I strummed the guitar and began humming the cords to a familiar song, Sweet Caroline, by Neil Diamond. I kept my humming quietly as I let the guitar take over with its soothing and fluid music. I felt myself sway as I played the song softly, not noticing that class was over until the teacher tapped my shoulder. Carefully placing Riptide back and thanked Mrs.Fin before racing out to PE.

PE class was as brutal as always today. All we did was run suicides, and my limbs were screaming the whole time from both exhaustion and pain. As the teacher called for a break, I struggled not to crumble to the floor. I breathed heavily as I waited for the teacher to stop dragging the class out and let us go.

Finally, the teacher dismissed us, and I hurried as fast as possible to the locker room. As I changed in the bathroom stall, my mind wandered.

The teacher told me that I didn't have to do mandatory tutoring sessions anymore. Would Annabeth continue hanging out with me in the library after school?

No, she has friends that she was neglecting for me. I didn't want to get in between her friends.

I sighed. No matter how much I wanted to stay in Annabeth's warm presence, I couldn't. I wouldn't make her hang out with me.

I shook my head as I walked out of the locker room to meet Annabeth in the library. I took a deep breath. This is fine; once I tell Annabeth about my quiz scores, I'll say goodbye and go hang out in the Music room. She'll probably agree with me anyway. No backing down, just tell her the score and that she didn't have to tutor me and leave. No sweat.

So why was I hesitating? My hand hovered over the handle to the library.

Get a grip, Percy! She wasn't happy hanging out with you anyway. Let her have her happiness and freedom.

Steeling myself, I opened the door and walked to our tutoring alcove. I knew that I wouldn't leave once I sat down, so I took a deep breath and remained standing.

"Hey Percy," she was sitting in the familiar armchair as she smiled at me. She closed her book after placing a bookmark somewhere near the end. Her eyes sparkled with a mysterious emotion as she looked at me. My breath got stuck in my throat. I didn't want this to end.

Suck it up, Percy. Once she hears the quiz score, she'll probably leave anyway. You might as well go on your own terms. I took a deep breath, but then I got confused.

But then why would she want to help me with the competition? You dimwit, she probably feels pity towards you.

But why did she agree to dinner tonight? She probably didn't think you'd get a high enough score.

I let out a shuddery breath and looked at Annabeth. She looked confused.

"Hey, Annabeth"

"You looked lost in thought there, so I was worried. Hey, I was looking through your playlist and thought that this song, Your Graduation by Modern Baseball, would be good. It's not too hard but still has a few techniques in the song to qualify you."

"Yeah, sounds good. Um, did you think of a name yet?"

"No, not yet. I'll try to think of one by tomorrow. Also, did your mom text you a time for dinner tonight?"

I froze. I forgot to text mom about Annabeth coming over. "Um, no, not yet, I'll ask her."

I grabbed my phone from my hoodie pocket and typed in the password. Getting to my text messages, I pulled up Mom's contact.

Me: Hey mom, I forgot to tell you, but Annabeth agreed to come today. I know it's short notice, but do you have an idea of what time she should come over?

I sent my message and knew she probably wouldn't get back to me for a few minutes.

For some reason, no matter how busy she was, mom always answered my texts a few minutes after they sent. Regardless if she was on break or not. My phone buzzed in my hand.

Mom: That's great, honey! I can't wait to meet her. I'll probably get home around 7

Mom: Don't let her come till 7:30. I want to help you make dinner and change into more casual clothes

Me: Ok, mom, I'll tell her 730

Mom: Love you, Blue! See you tonight!

Me: Love you, see you soon.

I looked up at Annabeth; she was watching me expectantly.

"So, what'd she say?"

"Um, 7:30 tonight is a good time to come over" I rubbed my neck sheepishly.

"Alright, sounds like a plan. Onto the competition again, what kind of mask do you want? An animal head? A masquerade mask? A Phantom of the Opera mask? I need specifics!"

"Um, I don't know, but the animal head might mess me up since it's so bulky. The masquerade mask is fine as long as no one can figure out who I am."

Annabeth nodded and wrote something down in her notebook. Whether it had to do with what I just said or homework, I had no idea.

"Any nickname that you like that you want to be your alias? I could make one up, but I was thinking of asking your mom tonight first."

"Um, my mom calls me Blue sometimes but other than that, it's just Percy or Perce," I continued rubbing the back of my neck.

You've got to tell her sometime, Percy! Don't be a wimp! Just tell her your score! It's actually a good result. This shouldn't be hard! Maybe I can wait until after dinner tonight; then it won't be awkward around mom.

I nodded to myself and quietly agreed to wait till tomorrow to break the news to Annabeth. Then her phone went off.

"Oh, I didn't realize how long we've been here. I've got to go, Perce, see you tonight!" she quickly packed up and rushed out of the library, not bothering to wait for my response.

Huffing, I turned on my heel and walked to the entrance of the school. I heard the slamming of doors and figured it was Annabeth leaving.

Walking quietly, I stepped out of the school and began my dreaded walk home. I was mildly freaking out. First, I had around two hours give or take to get beat up by Gabe. Mom was coming home, so I had to clean up the house to make it look like nothing out of the ordinary is happening and third, Annabeth was coming over for dinner.

A part of me wanted to speed the hours up so I could be sitting around the dining room table with Mom and Annabeth. But the majority of my mind wanted to make time slow to a stop so I wouldn't have to deal with it.

I quickly registered how long I had been lost in thought when my feet stopped in front of the door to my house. Gabe first, clean up next, patch up after that and then wait for mom to get home. Easy, I've done it before. I can do it now. Taking a deep breath since it'll probably be the last good one I take for a few hours, I unlocked the door and walked in.

Closing the front door, I was immediately met with fists.

"I thought you were supposed to be home on time today. Your little fake tutoring sessions are over!" Gabe was shouting as he punched me repeatedly in the face. I felt warm blood run over my mouth as my nose bled. I wasn't sure if it was broken, but it still hurt like hell.

My eyes blurred with tears as he hit me straight on. I gasped as he changed targets and punched me in the stomach. Air wouldn't come into my lungs, and I was minorly freaking out. While I was just barely getting oxygen back into my body, he grabbed my neck and pushed me against the front door.

I struggled in his meaty grasp as I tried to get some air where it needed it to go. Then he slammed me repeatedly into the front door while holding my neck. I gasped out what little air remained in my lungs as spots danced across my eyes. My lungs burned as I looked at Gabe with fear as I clawed at his hand.

Please, please let me make it through tonight, just tonight, I prayed.

As if my hopes had been answered for once in my life, Gabe dropped me, and I crumbled to the ground, coughing and choking as I tried to get oxygen into my body. I didn't care that Gabe started kicking me, and I didn't register when he started whipping me with his belt.

I felt the pain of his blows, but I was still dazed from the slamming into the door, and all I could focus on was the sweet oxygen as it filled my lungs. Then I saw Gabe walk down the hall. I slowly understood what that meant; it had been longer than I thought.

I shakily moved my arm as it screamed in pain to my hoodie pocket and took out my phone. It was cracked, but it worked. I looked at the time, 6:50 pm. Shit.

I felt panic well up inside me as I saw a few texts from my mom.

Mom: I'll be home in ten minutes! Leaving the office now!

Mom: Hey, Blue, I'll be home around ten minutes late. Sorry I had an unexpected meeting with my boss. Love you, see you soon!

Mom will be home in around twenty minutes, give or take. I had to clean up first. Then I could fake going to the restroom while I'm patching up. I closed my eyes and counted down.

3. 2. 1.

I pushed with as much strength that I could muster as I rose from the floor. Getting to my feet, I struggled to stay upright.

I breathed heavily and went through the list in my head: beer bottles, blood, glass, dishes. I nodded to myself and got to work. I started tidying up the front door area first. Best to start with what she would see first and then work towards the back.

I went into the kitchen and grabbed a broom and dustpan. Cleaning up the leftover glass shards from last week as I worked. I stumbled as I finished making the floor spotless after scrubbing the bloodstains off the hardboard floor.

Then I made my way to the living room. I cleared the numerous beer bottles from the floor and placed them in the trash. Well, most of them in the trash. I had to get a new trash bag and put the rest in.

I hoped that Gabe was dead asleep when I was forced to turn on the vacuum. I quickly cleaned up the living room as paranoia and fear clutched my mind as I worked. Every so often whipping my head around to search for an angry, disgruntled Gabe. As soon as I finished, I turned off the vacuum and cleaned out the filter.

I moved into the kitchen and scrubbed the dried blood on the floor. Then I filled the sink with hot water and soap. There weren't many dishes because the only one who used the dishes was Gabe and occasionally mom and I.

I quickly washed the few stray plates and silverware. Drying them as I put the dishes away, I wiped off the counters and swept the kitchen. I looked at the three rooms, content with my work. I walked into the restroom and checked the time.

7:09 pm, I cursed as I realized I had taken too long to clean and quickly examined my face. The makeup was smudged, and the blood from my nose had dried. I took a small rag from the drawer and wiped off the remaining makeup and blood.

I looked and saw a black eye and a few large bruises on my nose and cheeks forming. I silently wished I had the ointment that Annabeth had used; it made things heal so much faster and didn't hurt or itch. Sighing, I decided to leave my bandages on around my torso and arms and left the restroom to my bedroom.

Pulling out my makeup kit, I quickly applied it to cover my bruises. As I felt my nose, I didn't think it was broken. I placed some makeup around my neck, not sure if the strangling from earlier would show up. I heard the muffled sound of a door close. I froze.

"Percy? Are you home?" I melted when I realized it was Mom.

I checked my makeup one last time and ran out of my room. I went to the front door and hugged my mom. She returned the gesture and then whispered.

"Hey, we should probably start making dinner. Your friend will be over soon, right?" I nodded and reluctantly let go of her. "Sorry I'm late. What do we have in the fridge?"

"It's ok, mom, as long as you're here. I'm not sure. We always have stuff for pasta, though" I shrugged. I haven't felt this safe and comfortable in this house in weeks. I honestly just wanted to jump around and laugh and do nothing but curl up and fall asleep.

"Well, I don't think we should do the same thing every week, especially when someone is coming over. Plus, from how fidgety you look, I'm guessing she's special," I stiffened.

"Mom, there's nothing special it's just that I haven't had a friend in a while" I quickly pushed out, and my mom just smiled softly at me and grabbed my hand.

"Come on, Blue, let's go see what we can make for dinner" I let my mom pull me into the kitchen, and we separated to look for cooking materials.

"We have tortillas and cheese. Oh, if we have enchilada sauce, we could make cheese enchiladas!" My mom started getting excited.

She loved enchiladas ever since my best friend in first grade, Grover. He was friendly and had a love for enchiladas. Unfortunately, he died in a car crash later that year. I shook the memory away, and I smiled at my mom.

"We have the red enchilada sauce along with olives and canned chicken. I'd say enchiladas it is!" I grinned at her as I pulled the cans out of the cabinet.

She clapped gleefully and pulled out the other ingredients. I opened a cupboard under the counters and pulled out a glass 13x11 pan, and set it on the tiled countertop. I sprayed the pan with cooking spray, and my mom grabbed the corn tortillas and started ripping them in half while laying them out on the bottom.

I opened the shredded cheese and placed a healthy amount over the tortillas. Then mom took the olives and opened them with the can opener. I grabbed the can opener and opened the chicken while she poured the excess juices from the olives into the sink.

I traded her places and poured the chicken juice in the sink while she poured the olives on the cheese. After she finished, she began tearing the corn tortillas in two while I poured the chicken along the top. I turned the oven on at a temperature of 350 while she placed the torn corn tortillas over the chicken. Then added a little more cheese to the top. I opened the enchilada sauce and poured it all over the enchiladas.

While we waited for the oven to heat up, my mom pulled down her recipe book.

Instantly I knew what we were doing and started pulling out the remaining milk, eggs, and butter from the fridge. My mom chuckled as she got out the flour, sugar, and baking soda. Getting out a mixing bowl, we started making her famous blue cookies.

We worked in tandem, pouring in ingredients and mixing the food dye in. Like always, mom made me close my eyes as she put in her secret ingredient. The oven beeped, so I put the enchiladas in and set the timer for 20 minutes.

I heard the doorbell ring and quickly left the kitchen to see who it was. I opened the door to see Annabeth, who was wearing a casual outfit of a light blue t-shirt and skinny blue jeans. The look was completed with black converse, and a Yankees baseball cap with her ponytail pulled through the back of it. Suddenly I became aware of the blue cookie dough that had dried on my cheek after wiping my face.

"Hey Percy, is that blue cookie dough?" she pointed to my cheek, and I felt embarrassment creep from the back of my neck to my ears.

"Um, yea, it is. Come in?" The last part kind of sounded like a question as I opened the door wider to let her in. I crossed my fingers as I hoped Gabe would remain sleeping. He usually did, but with my luck, he would wake up and make this dinner hellish.

I led her to the kitchen, where my mom was finishing the cookie sheet.

"Um, hey mom," she turned around "this is Annabeth, Annabeth, this is my mom" I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly.

"Oh, nice to meet you, dear! Welcome, I was just finishing up the cookies. Percy, could you check on the oven for me?" I mentally thanked my mom, and I got out of the weird position between the two ladies.

I looked at the timer; 3 minutes left. I opened it and saw the sauce bubbling slightly and closed the door. It needs a little bit longer. I quickly changed the timer to 5 minutes and walked to the cupboards bringing out the cups and plates.

I walked out of the kitchen and past mom and Annabeth as they talked. I set the table and returned to the kitchen to grab a potholder and a pitcher of water. Quickly placing the two items on the table, I walked back into the kitchen just as the oven timer went off.