Chapter 1- Annabeth

She wasn't sure what her purpose was. It seemed as though all she ever did was stand in the background, watch as the heroes did their work. But, this was the real world. She'd come to learn that there were no heroes, or princesses, or even fire-breathing dragons that terrorized civilizations and burned crops to ashes. Annabeth was just another student, at a normal high school, with no friends. No, scratch that, one friend.

Thalia Grace, one of the most obnoxious teens in the world, with a life goal to defy anyone who crossed her path. That's how she and Annabeth had become friends. Annabeth had accidentally bumped into Thalia at the elementary playground, and had oddly struck up a conversation. Annabeth had admitted to having no one, and suddenly, they were best friends. By defiance.

Annabeth and Thalia were polar opposites, especially when it came to school, which seemed like Annabeth's whole life. Thalia's highest grade was a C-, Annabeth was on the A honor roll. Thalia relied on Annabeth to keep her grounded, attached to the goodness and purity of life, something Annabeth possessed, yet had no knowledge of.

Annabeth had little family, her mother was dead, her father was in a coma, her stepmother was an abusive drunk, her two twin brothers were little devils. Thalia had extensive family, cousins and parents, a little brother, aunts and uncles. Annabeth, who only had herself, was truly, by all standards, alone.

So there she stood, watching her father's chest rise up and down slowly, the beeping of the monitor seemed so far off, so quiet and unnecessary, yet it was the only reassurance that he was still here, possibly listening. Annabeth took his hand, which was as cold as ice and as rough as sandpaper, and squeezed it, hoping maybe a little bit of her warmth revived him, maybe he'd wake up one day... but no, he'd been this way for years, just another person in such a large, harsh world.

Annabeth remembered those days, before her stepmother, when she and her father would curl up, reading a book together and laughing at all those funny parts. Annabeth remembered his nickname for her, Flower. She hadn't realized what it meant at first, she thought maybe a metaphor to recognize her fragility, yet now she knew why.

She was a flower, a tulip in a field of dry leaves, a hydrangea in a clearing of green grass, a rose in the middle of a storm, a lotus in the eye of a hurricane, in his eyes, she was blossoming. Annabeth missed him, she missed his laugh and his corny jokes, she missed the idea of having someone, did that make her selfish? Yes, but did she have a right to be? Absolutely.

Annabeth sat down in an uncomfortable hospital chair the nurse had supplied her with, and watched him slowly. Annabeth watched his eyes flutter, she missed those Brown irises. She shivered, pulling her coat tighter around herself with her unoccupied hand. Annabeth reached out and pulled the blankets up to her father's chin, and let go of his hand. It was time, time to let it all out.

"Dad, I'm scared..." she knew how childish that sounded, but she didn't care. Her voice was just above a whisper, tears rolled down her cheeks. "I miss you," she admitted, wiping the tears away.

"Thalia's gone for the next few weeks, she's going to Disneyland... I know she'll hate it, it's not her type of thing. I honestly don't know why any member of her family would want to go... they're all so straightforward and headstrong. I remember when we went, and I got sick on all the candy you got me, and I missed the fireworks." Annabeth was ready to sob, she shook her head, resting it in both her hands.

"There's no one to look after me... I need you to wake up- I can't lose you too. So please, for me, don't... Don't be like this," Annabeth finally sobbed. "I'll be back on Friday..." Annabeth rose, grabbing her school bag and wiping off her tears and shaking away her fears. She adjusted her coat and rushed out the door, bumping straight into someone.

The person grunted, toppling over and landing on his rump. "Oh! I'm so sorry, uh... here!" Annabeth held out her hand, which the person gladly accepted, and pulled them up. Annabeth blinked, staring straight into a pair of sea green eyes.

A/N: Wow, that was... AWESOME! I'll be posting every Friday, by the way, R&R, and please follow and favourite if you liked it! I really appreciate reviews, so if you read it and enjoyed it, or the writing style, please comment! Oh, and be sure to check out my one shot called: A Cold Night, and read the stories I've followed and favourited! They totally rock! I hope you loved it!