Hello fellow writers. I will be trying to write multiple stories at the same time, so the gaps in between each posting might be a tad long. Sorry. I hope you enjoy, though. All rights go to Rick, of course.

The Side Window

Chapter 1: Does She See?

Percy's POV

I had finally returned. Sure, it's not exactly the way I wanted to, but at least I was back. Looking around, you wouldn't know why I was so excited. The room was a mess. That's what happens when my step-father took over his room. Beer cans suddenly found their home in the man's new-found "study". Mud was caked on the floorboards, and a particularly sticky magazine was on his desk. I still don't understand why my mother put up with that guy. All this started to fade, however, when I looked to my window.

The window was within stepping distance of the house's next door, so it was great when I found that the room across from him was another kid my age. She was in her room when I walked in mine. She smiled, and my heart rate raced. She was seriously the best thing. Her blonde hair swirled down her face, and her smile would illuminate the room. Looking into her eyes was like looking into the eye of a storm, beautiful, yet intimidating. Not only was she stunningly beautiful, she was also the most intelligent people I knew. I consider myself pretty smart, even with my ADHD and dyslexia, but she blew my mind. We used to sit up all night just talking. It wasn't always smart stuff either. We just talked sometimes. She was wonderful.

She turned down her music and ran to the window. "Percy!" "Hey, Annabeth," "Why are you home so early?" "I was 'disrupting the classes' again." "They kicked you out?" "Yeah," "That sucks." "Tell me about it." "Hey, they don't know what they're losing." "Thanks Annabeth." "Why don't you just go to my school?" "Isn't it really expensive?" "Couldn't your mom pay it? It specializes in ADHD and dyslexia." I always forgot that she was ADHD and dyslexic too. She was so smart; it felt odd that she had them. "She doesn't have the money." "How about your dad-" "He's my step-dad" "Well, how about him. He owns a store. He should have the money." "Even if he didn't waste it all on booze and gambling, he wouldn't give any to me." "Your mom could make him." "She wouldn't, though. She's too nice." "There's no such thing as too nice." "There is when you're married to Gabe Ugliano."

Speak of the devil. He came in almost as soon as I said that hideous name. As soon he walked in, I could smell the alcohol. He was smashed. "Percy Jackson, the prodigal son, returned at last." He's a sarcastic son-of-a-bitch, I'll give him that. "What do you want, Gabe?" "I heard you got kicked out of another- wait a second. Who's this?" "That's Annabeth, Annabeth Chase. She's lived there since we moved here." "Well maybe, Ms. Chase, you should butt out of our little conversation." She looked at me, obviously worried "Percy-" "No. Do as he says. We'll talk later." I gave her a brave little smile. She was a bit hesitant. "Ok, Percy. I'll talk to you later." She closed her window and closed her blinds. "Now then," Gabe said. I was choking on the smell of beer on his breath. This was going to hurt. "Now that we're alone, let's continue where we left off, shall we?"

Annabeth's POV:

I shouldn't have left him. I should have known that something was gonna happen. Percy had been my best friend since he moved next door. That was when we were about 6. In the ten years he's lived there, I've noticed some things. First of all, Gabe was a brute. He was even worse when he was drunk, which was normally. Second, Percy was very good-natured, but his ADHD and dyslexia made it impossible for him to succeed in the schools he was sent to. He was kicked out within a year, every time. Third, his mother was always working, which means Gabe could do whatever he wanted to poor Percy. The only way his mother could stop it was sending Percy away to boarding school. I don't think Percy realizes that. He just sees that Gabe beats the shit out of him and his mother sends him away from her. His father died, or as he says was "lost at sea", soon after he was born. Basically, his life was absolute hell.

Naturally, I was worried for him. This time, though, I needed to know what happened. So, as soon as I closed my blinds, I peeked through them. The music that I had turned down was now turned off completely. I couldn't make out completely what was said, but I picked up on the general idea. Basically, Gabe started screaming at Percy about "wasting his money" by getting kicked out of school again. He then went on and basically pointed out every flaw Percy could ever have. Every now and then Percy piped up with some come back. Gabe slowly back Percy up against his wall.

"No place to run now, huh Percy?" With that, I had to stop looking. I couldn't bring myself to watch this. I did catch the first hit. Percy went down, but Gabe dragged him up and yelled at him to "take it like a man." The sound of the blows echoed through my room. I flinched with each one. I couldn't take it anymore. I curled up in my bed and turned back on the music. I don't know how loud it ended up going, but it did drown out the sounds of next door. Even Percy's screams faded out eventually.

To be continued...

Please take the time to review this. It means a lot when someone can help out. I will continue this, it might take a few weeks though. Sorry. Make good choices! Peace!