It's not Jason's fault, she realizes.
If Hera hadn't instituted the camper exchange program no one knew about, this wouldn't have happened. But it still hurts, when he turns her down because he knows there's a girl back home.
And, being a daughter of Aphrodite, she can empathize with him, and know that he really loves her, from the way he stares wistfully off into the distance when talking about her, and his reverent utterance of her name. Reyna.
So she lets him go, wishing him the best.
And then cries herself to sleep in Leo's arms that night.

For the longest time, Leo truly couldn't remember for the life of him what had really happened at the Wilderness School. Then he spent more time alone, and had flash backs. Soon enough, he had filled the whole gap. Only to find nothing had changed. He was still hopelessly in love with her.

She never realized how possessive she was. When she thought she had been in love with Jason, she had called him hers, firmly stating Drew couldn't touch him. She ignored everyone who whispered doubts about their relationship, tried not to feel the holes the envious glares she received burning into her back.
It was harder when Drew whispered confidentially to her that she had heard Leo had a crush on her.

He remembers the night Piper and Jason "broke up".
He wasn't sure how to play it, since he was supposed to be both of theirs as a best friend.
"Leo?" She stands, timidly at the door.
"Beauty Queen? What's up?"he notices her tear stained eyes, because he takes her by the shoulders and sets her down on the spare bunk in bunker nine.
"Jason and I broke up." She sniffles, and in an instant, she's bawling, and there's nothing he can do about his Beauty Queen crying, so he holds her, and rocks her, telling her it'll be alright, and she falls asleep in his arms.

The morning after the breakup, I explain to Leo that I don't blame Jason. He looks like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. I feel guilty when I remember he was also Jason's best friend.

She still loves him. Of course she does. How could he have been so stupid to believe she had actually let go?
Leo's heart is that much heavier.
The worst thing is, Jason knows. He knows his best friend is crushing on his ex-girlfriend. But there's nothing further he can do to help. He's already broken up with her.

She knows that Leo is crushing on her. Drew, Jason, and Annabeth tell her. It's also obvious from the way he lights up when she smiles, and how he'll do anything for her. But she wonders why he hasn't spoken up.
And yet, she's glad he hasn't, because, to be honest, she just doesn't like him like that.

When I finally get the courage to tell her, I'll send a huge offering to Aphrodite she won't say no.

When he finally tells me, I can see his heart shattering as he thinks he is being rejected. He walks away, shoulders slumped, head drooping.

She doesn't like me. Of course, I realized this AFTER I told her I loved her.
Gods, I'm so stupid.
I gulped.
"Well, okay then." I turn away.

I feel so stupid, because I realize I've loved him this whole time, and I just wasn't ready to show it.
"Hey! I never said no!"

She kissed me. She kissed me.SHE KISSED ME!
The first girl who didn't reject me on sight. Gods, I love Piper McLean.

The kiss sparks a fire, one that travels from my heart to my brain, and all of a sudden I remember what really happened.
I gasp, pulling back to look at him, as if for the first time.
"Repair Boy?"
"Hm?"
"I remember! And I think I love you."
He laughed, and kissed me.
"Love you, too, Beauty Queen."

Yes, I'll admit publicly that I ship Pipeo. R&R!