Everyone is talking about the famous Percy Jackson again.
All Jason knows about the guy is that he's Annabeth's boyfriend and that he did a bunch of noble stuff, but honestly he doesn't see what the big deal is. He glances at Annabeth, who's staring murderously at the tablecloth as if trying hard not to cry. He meets her eyes and mouths: You okay?
Annabeth gives a small nod before looking away.
"He must be dead," Travis declares. "If he was alive, he'd be back by now."
Suddenly Annabeth stands up, nearly knocking her chair to the floor, and throws her knife onto the table. The rooms grows silent as she storms out of the room. Travis lowers his eyes, looking embarrassed and slightly guilty.
Jason doesn't know why, but he gets up from the table and starts to follow Annabeth out the door. He feels everyone's eyes on him, especially Piper's large and kaleidoscopic ones, questioning him. He knows he should stay, that it's really not necessary to leave, but he goes anyway.
He finds her in the Athena cabin, sitting with her head against the wall looking absolutely miserable. He stands there in the doorway while she sobs uncontrollably.
Jason finds himself walking over to her, sitting down next to her and wrapping his arm around her comfortingly. "I'll find him," he says all of the sudden. "I'll do whatever it takes to find your boyfriend for you."
The sobs subside, and for a minute there's dead silence. Annabeth looks up at Jason, stunned. Jason can't help but think that even at a time like this, she's really pretty, although her grey eyes are puffy and bloodshot from crying. "You...really?"
Jason nods solemnly. He's only doing this for Annabeth.
"Promise?" The words come out as a whisper.
"Promise."
And so Annabeth rests her head on Jason's shoulder. She trusts him.