Misunderstanding Tears

by astrangetypeofchemistry

A small, quiet afternoon in a small, quiet cafe. Or well, it was supposed to be. Until a stranger burst through the door and got dumped by his girlfriend over an apparent misunderstanding. But it's none of my business. AU Prachel Break-up. One-shot.

I do not own Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Thalia Grace, or Rachel Elizabeth Dare.

Misunderstanding Tears

I was sitting quietly in the cafe, speaking with my best friend, when the door was flung open.

Very loudly, might I add.

"So sorry I'm late," the newcomer said in a loud voice.

I turned around, not pleased at all with this black-haired, sea-green-eyed muscular stranger who was watching this frizzy red-haired and grass-green-eyed girl sitting in the table closest to mine.

"You better have a good reason," she sighed. Under her breath, she added "This time."

The boy pouted as he sat across from her, and the entire cafe watched them silently.

"This time?" he questioned.

"Perce, on your birthday, you were a half-hour late to the movie."

"Mom wanted to show me something."

"You showed up two hours late on Valentine's Day."

"Zoe needed me."

"And you completely ditched me for my dad's New Years Party."

"Grover was in the hospital."

"So?"

"What do you mean so?" 'Perce' questioned. "He's my best friend. I had to be there for him."

The girl's eyebrows knitted. "Are you saying Grover is more important to you than your girlfriend?"

The boy sighed softly. "Rach, I'm not saying that. But you need to understand. He was in the hospital."

"You have an excuse every god damning time, Perce!" the girl exploded. "I can't do this if I'm not important to you.

The boy's smile fell, and sadness immediately passed it's shadow over his eyes. The entire cafe was watching them silently.

"Okay," he choked out after a tense minute. "If that's what you want." He stared at her for a whole minute, as if waiting for her to disagree. She didn't.

He took a deep breath, then took a box out of his pocket.

"The reason why I was 10 minutes late," he said as he slid it over to her. "Happy Birthday, Rachel Elizabeth Dare."

He got up as Rachel opened the box. From my position, I could easily see what was inside.

A gold bracelet with a paintbrush charm was laid along the length of the velvet box.

"Percy..." she said softly.

The boy turned and gave her a small, soft, and sad smile before turning away and walking out the door.

Rachel was watching him walk away, his shoulders slumped, as tears gathered in her eyes.

"You fucked up, sister," Thalia, my best friend, commented.

Rachel burst into tears.