Chapter Text
Raindrops pattered against the bus window in an almost rhythmic pattern. Annabeth watched the rain pour down, the trembling of her knee betraying her anxiety.
“Great day for the biggest storm of the year,” she thought, almost snorting out loud.
This was one of the most important and stressful days of her life so far. It was her first real job interview. The folder hidden deep inside her bag, protected from the rain, was evidence of her many years of effort, sleepless nights spent poring over books, and tears shed over countless pages of notes underlined with colored markers. After six years of torture, Annabeth could say she was a doctor. Just a doctor, plain and simple, but a doctor nonetheless. However, it wasn't enough. Her aspirations to become a specialist were numerous and ambitious, nothing new for her. Excellent grades, countless teaching assistantships, numerous theses, and credentials of merit in competitions, conferences, and courses.
She had spent the last six years of her life investing in her future, and today was the day she would finally see the fruits of her labor. Her goal was to enter the cardiovascular surgery residency program at New York Presbyterian Hospital, but there were only a handful of spots available for hundreds of applicants. Among the graduates of her class, no one could outshine her. Except, perhaps...
“No, Annabeth. Don't even think about it. He's not even interested in cardiology. It would be just her luck if he suddenly wanted the same thing you want. It's not going to happen. Don't stress yourself out.”
Her attempt to contain her own anxiety was moderately successful, and before her brain could jump to another topic, her eyes widened when she realized they were pulling into her station. She jumped out of her seat like a rocket, almost running to the door. Fortunately, a black-haired boy caught her hand before she slipped, waiting for the vehicle to stop so he could get off. She gave him a relieved smile and stepped off behind him.
Her umbrella did little to protect her from the heavy rain falling on the city. Her boots were splattered with mud, her plaid dress pants slightly rolled up to keep them from getting soaked, while a gray raincoat covered her impeccably ironed white shirt. Fortunately, the walk to the hospital was no more than a block away, so Annabeth quickened her pace, longing for the warmth of a drink in her hands.
Once inside, she headed for the cafeteria on the ground floor. She still had more than 20 minutes to spare, plenty of time to review her notes with a coffee by her side. Her hand was about to touch the door handle when it suddenly swung open, causing her to stumble slightly. Panic spread across her face as she saw the dark liquid spilling from a cup directly onto her clothes.
The hand carrying her bag took the brunt of the impact; the hot stream on her skin almost made her grit her teeth and curse, but any reaction stopped short when the girl's brown eyes met the confused expression in the blue eyes of the man in front of her.
“You always manage to make my day more difficult. How do you do it, Chase?” the boy protested angrily.
“It's not my fault you still don't know how to look where you're going when you walk, Percy,” the girl replied coldly. She wasn't going to let the boy's unfriendly tone get to her. Not today. With a sigh, she set about assessing the damage caused by the hot coffee on her clothes. Miraculously, both her shirt and pants were intact. The damage to her boots was irrelevant considering they had already been through the mud and water on the street, and her jacket had saved most of her gray cardigan from damage.
Grabbing a handful of napkins from the nearest table, she set about helping the blonde-haired man clean up the mess on the floor. He just gave her a scathing look before muttering.
“Leave it, princess. You're going to break a nail,” he laughed bitterly before throwing the now coffee-colored wad of napkins into the trash can.
“Shut up before I regret refilling your coffee,” she retorted. The blonde raised his eyebrows in slight surprise for a fraction of a second before narrowing his eyes.
“I never asked you to refill anything.”
“Your loss,” replied the girl, rolling her eyes slightly. Always the same.
What was Percy Jackson doing in that hospital, on that particular day? Of all the people who could have applied for the same residency, it had to be him.
The two of them knew each other very well. After all, they had fought their entire way through college for the same merits and privileges. They had competed to be paid TA positions on three occasions, captain of the academic competition team on two, and their final GPAs were practically identical, with him having only one fewer failed exam on his record. They had even graduated with the same subject on the same date. Even so, she was confident that he would devote himself to epidemiology and scientific research, as he had been boasting for years. Luck still did not smile on her, and the boy's permanent presence in her life continued unabated.
Annabeth did not want to be unfair. Percy was not a deplorable human being. His treatment of his patients had always been impeccable, and even as an assistant professor he was extremely patient and kind; he was even joking, warm, and generous with the vast majority of his colleagues. The problem had always been personal against her, and it would have been a lie on her part to say that she did not act in exactly the same way. Few people in her life made her hair stand on end like Percy did.
Trying not to get upset, she sat down at a table to review the points on her resume that could be strong when fighting for her place, but her brain was completely blocked. No matter how many times her eyes scanned the lines on the paper, they didn't seem to sink in, as if they were written in Mandarin Chinese.
She sighed as she looked at her watch and quickly finished the last sip from her cup before getting up and heading to the third floor.
Once there, she saw that the list of applicants called that day was not very long. Because of her last name, she was usually one of the first to be called.
Her interviewer was a woman in her forties with hair cut straight across, almost to the millimeter, and gray eyes that seemed to scan every insignificant detail.
The interview went as well as she could have hoped for in her wildest dreams. Her file was flawless, and she knew how to conduct herself with confidence, thinking before she answered and arranging her words with rhetoric worthy of a politician.
“One last question for you, Miss Chase, and then you're free to go,” murmured the woman across the desk. “What do you think you could contribute to the residency program if you are selected?”
The young woman weighed the question for a couple of seconds before answering, debating how honest she should be.
"I am extremely aware of the high level of excellence required for this position. It is my goal to strive with perseverance and discipline to achieve the level of knowledge necessary to eventually bring innovation and confidence to the institution. Even leaving academics aside, I consider myself a professional who is dedicated to others first and foremost. I understand that every attitude one takes toward others is imparting something. When we are kind, when we empathize, and when we show sympathy for others, it brings about a change in people. I firmly believe in my duty to do good, even when it is not easy, and I am committed to doing that every day of my life to the best of my ability. At the end of the day, I believe that treating people humanely is the best contribution we can make.”
Relief washed over her body when she saw the half-smile on the woman's face in front of her.
“All right, then. Over the course of the week, you will receive an email with the final response to your application. If you are accepted, you would start the program next Monday,” she replied, guiding her toward the door.
“Thank you so much, really.”
“You're welcome, Annabeth."
As the next candidate entered the office, Annabeth walked toward the stairs, putting on her coat as she went, when she felt the impact of another body against hers.
Percy's nimble hands reached for the girl's elbows, stabilizing her.
“I told you to watch where you're going, Jackson,” the girl huffed angrily.
“Sorry, I really was distracted this time,” he mumbled, looking down at his shoes. It was then that Annabeth noticed the redness in his eyes, and her expression softened.
“Are you okay, Percy? I'm sorry,” she asked, seeking his gaze, very aware of his hands on her forearms.
“I’m fine.” he replied curtly, letting go of her, turning around, and heading for the stairs. Annabeth sighed and entered the elevator, still thinking about that strange interaction. All her thoughts disappeared the moment the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, revealing the torrential rain falling heavily outside the hospital doors. It was definitely not a good idea to walk to the bus stop at that moment, and God knows how difficult it is to get a taxi on days like this. She stopped in front of the door, weighing her options, until a voice cleared behind her.
“Don't even think about going out like that, you'll get soaked.”
She didn't have to turn around to know who it was, but she spun on her heels, looking into those bright blue eyes. They were too bright sometimes.
“I have to get home sometime. Who knows when it will stop.”
“If only someone in this lobby had a car and was your neighbor…” Percy retorted, holding his car keys up in front of her face.
“Neighbors? Since when?” asked the girl, frowning.
“I moved two weeks ago, right around the block from you and Piper.”
“How do you know that?”
“I saw Piper enter the building a few times, then Grover told me.”
Annabeth glanced back at the street, and somehow it seemed that the storm was only getting worse. The idea of her warm apartment, a book, and a cup of tea was very tempting, but she didn't even want to think about what the blonde man would ask her in return for such a favor.
“Come on, Annie. The offer won't last forever,” the boy urged her.
“How much will it cost me for you to give me a ride? I know you,” she raised an eyebrow.
“Can't I do something nice for you for once?”
“It would be the first time,” the girl muttered, grimacing.
“Well, I'm not a complete jerk.”
“Allow me to doubt that. The few times I've asked you for favors in the last six years, you've done nothing but laugh in my face or question my intelligence,” the girl retorted. “And don't call me Annie.”
“Times change. If we're going to be coworkers for another four years, it would be nice to be civil, at least.”
Annabeth wrinkled her nose, rocking slightly on her heels. She really hoped she wouldn't regret her decision, but the guy seemed to have good intentions.
“I guess it's time for a white flag.”
The guy rolled his eyes before turning and walking toward the garage stairs, gesturing for her to follow him.