C H A P T E R O N E: Relationships
[I don't own The Percy Jakson or anything else in the series.]
Connor watched as Travis danced happily with Katie. Connor hadn't seen his brother this happy before.
Connor hated it. He hated that at any moment he could rip that happiness away from his brother. He hated the fact that Katie was just as happy with Travis. He hated the fact that he could hardly spend time with his brother without seeing Katie. But most of all, He hated being in love with his brother's girlfriend.
Connor clenched his fists and turned away. "Fuck 'em." He mumbled to himself. "Fuck her, fuck him, and fuck myself."
"Who ya talking to, bro?" Connor jumped at the sound on the new voice.
"You scared the shit outta me." He hissed.
Jake shrugged and sat down next to him. "What'cha doing sitting alone?"
Connor chuckled humorlessly, "I could ask you the same thing."
Jake shifted, "At least I'm not staring at my brother's girl like a creepy stalker."
Connor frowned, "Ouch." He put his hand over his heart. "That was uncalled for." He continued.
Jake rolled his eyes at his friend's level of maturity. "Grow up."
Connor gasped, "Never!"
"Okay, Peter Pan. " Jake chuckled.
"I would look great in tights." Connor added confidently, raising his chest in what he thought was the heroic sense.
"Yeah… Whatever floats your boat, Princess." Jake patted his shoulder. "But seriously man, what are you going to do about the 'Katie problem.'" He raised his hands and put quotation marks around 'Katie problem.'
Connor scowled, "Katie is not a problem."
"Your right." Jake agreed. "Being in love with her when she's with your brother is the problem."
Connor growled in irritation. "Just… Shut up." He mumbled brilliantly.
Jake raised his hands in defense. "Whatever, man. I'll catch up with you later." He said as he got up to dance.
"Yeah, later." Connor said, after he had already left.
Connor was as alone as he felt.
Connor pulled the string on the back of the bow. He aimed the arrow carefully at the target.
3… 2… 1… He began to let go of the string when…
"Hey Connor." Connor jumped in surprise, making the arrow go off target.
"Damn it." He snapped. He narrowed his eyes at Drew, the ditzy Aphrodite girl.
"Oh, sorry." Drew said carelessly. "Anyways, have you asked anyone to go to the fireworks yet?" She batted her eyelashes.
"Uh." Connor stalled.
"Because if you don't…" Drew touched his arm. "I'm available."
"I, uh…" Connor's eyes widened as her fingers inched up his arm. "I… already have a date."
Drew's fingers froze, "Really?"
"Um, yeah." Connor said with more confidence. "So if that's all you-"
"Who?" Drew demanded. Connor could feel her fingernails sinking into his skin.
"Um." Connor's brain decided to stop working at that moment. "Is that any of your-"
"Connor." Drew's voice was soft, like silk. "Are you lying to me?"
"No!" Connor defended. "No, I really have a date."
"Then who?"
Think Connor! "It's… It's…" His mind suddenly jolted, as if Thalia had shocked it with her spear. "Nyssa! Yup, I am taking her to the fireworks."
Drew's face scrunched up in disgust. "You mean the grease monkey from cabin nine?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Oh. Well, if you change your mind…" Her lips brushed against his cheek, then she waltzed away.
Connor sighed and ran his hands threw his hair.
He was in deep shit.
"Nyssa!" He sang, skipping into the armory. "How are you on this fine summer day."
Nyssa's shoulders slumped in exhaustion. "What mess of yours am I going to clean up now?"
Connor grinned nervously. "Well, did I ever tell you how much I love you and that you're my best friend?"
"Yes." Nyssa answered, "Every time you get your head stuck up your ass 'cause you played a prank on the wrong cabin. Which is, every cabin. Because they always find out you did it."
"But that's what you love about me!" Connor argued playfully.
Nyssa rolled her eyes, but agreed. "Yeah, I guess."
"Yay!" Connor cheered, picking her up and spinning her around.
She wacked his head, "Put me down!"
Connor set her down on the ground. "So that we've established the best friends thing… I need a teeny tiny favor."
Nyssa shook her head, "What is it this time? Did you put tarantulas in the Athena cabin again?"
"No! You know my rule about using the same prank twice! You-"
"Wait four months until you pull it again." Nyssa said with him. "Did you… use the golden pineapple prank?"
Connor shook his head, "This wasn't exactly a prank…"
Nyssa frowned, "Then what-"
"Hey Connor." Jake greeted him, "What are you doing here?"
"He's gotten in trouble again." Nyssa muttered.
Jake chuckled, "You're lucky Nyssa's your best friend, no one could've gotten you out of the rubber weapons prank, but her."
But Connor wasn't paying attention to Jake or Nyssa anymore; his attention was on Katie Gardner, who was skipping threw strawberry fields, helping satyrs pick the high ones.
"She's always helping others. " Connor smiled.
Nyssa blushed, and then realized he wasn't talking about her. She scowled, "Earth to Connor." She slapped his arm.
"I'm here." Connor blinked, "Sorry."
"So what is it this time?" Jake asked, sipping his soda.
"Well, I kind of need Nyssa to pretend to be… my girlfriend." Connor admitted, kicking the ground sheepishly.
Everyone within three feet of Jake got an unplanned soda shower.
