I was walking on the beach, which in itself is not strange. Something about the situation seemed off. This was not a regular walk on the beach. I look over my shoulder, expecting to see something horrible. Nothing. I saw nothing. I let out a breath of relief. I start to wade into the water. I immediately feel more comfortable, as if the water is rejuvenating me. Oh wait, it probably is. Something still seems off. I shrug it off. I dunk my head under and give my normal greetings to the naiads. When I emerge from the lake, I see a sight that I do not need right now, something that does not help my case.
"Yo Perce!" a very shirtless Jason Grace calls from the beach. I try to run back into the water, but the lake seemed to get up and run. Literally. As I chase the lake, I turn to look at Jason. I screamed. Jason's face turned into Annabeth's. This was just too weird. Maybe I'm dreaming... Wait. I am dreaming! I try to pinch myself awake. Nothing. I knew nightmares were horrible, but this is just too much. How can I get away from this mutant thing? I know, it may seem stupid, but I'm dreaming right? What could possibly go wrong? I turn quickly, Jasabeth still chasing me. I soon see the climbing wall and start to climb. Hopefully this'll keep him away. I was wrong. Jasabeth must also be a ninja because he starts jumping all over the place, right below me. Once I reach the top, Jasabeth is right behind me. I look all around. There's nowhere to go... but down. I sigh and run towards the edge.
"Percy no!" Jasabeth says. The voice makes my hair stand straight up. Imagine a mix of Jason and Annabeth's voice, after they both smoked three packs of cigarettes. Hearing that voice is enough to make me jump. The fall felt like forever. I close my eyes and get ready for impact.
THUD!
It hurt more than I suspected. It actually felt kinda real. I open my eyes and realize I'm not outside anymore. I'm on the cabin floor. I sigh in relief. I wonder if I jumped off the bed? I don't care, I'm away from that thing. Man, I'm gonna really need some intense therapy after that. I peel myself off the ground. Obviously sleeping won't fix this. Maybe I should ask someone for advice. But who? I don't think I can even look at Annabeth right now. Jason is obviously not a good idea. Maybe I could try Rachel. No, I think she's busy. Leo would just laugh at me. Maybe I should ask Nico. He wouldn't judge me. I pop my head out of my cabin. The coast is clear. I slink out of my door and make a mad dash across the cabins, going especially fast in front of the Athena cabin.
Now comes the hard part, finding Nico. I think I'll have a better chance finding gold. I sneak to the arena and peek in. I see Jason and try to run before he sees me. I fail. I don't give him time to call me over, I'm off like a bullet. The next place I look is the lake. Good news is that the lake didn't run this time, the bad news is that Nico isn't there. I then run back to the cabins. I look towards the Hades cabin. Wow I'm stupid. Why wouldn't I check there first? Maybe I really am a seaweed brain... I knock on the door and wait for a response. I get none.
"Nico!" Percy yells, knocking again. "Please be home" I hear a very irritated groan coming from the inside. A few seconds later, the door swings open.
"For the last time I'm not gonna tell you what I meant!" Nico huffs. I still don't see how I'm not his type, but whatever.
"It's not about that. Can I come inside?" I ask. Nico sighs.
"Fine, but I'll have you know that you interrupted my midday slumber." Nico grumbles. I quickly scurry inside and plop down onto his bed. I can say, Nico's remodeling sure is working.
"What do you want?" he asks, only slightly irritated.
"I have a little problem," I say. He raises an eyebrow.
"Wait, you came here for advice?" Nico asks, looking confused.
"Maybe, but that's not important."
"Well, what is it?" He asks. I sigh.
"Umm, earlier I was sparring with Jason. After we were done, he took his breastplate off and I saw his happy trai-"
"Woah, woah. Where are you going with this?" Nico interrupts. I roll my eyes.
"If you let me finish, you'll learn."
"Fine, go on."
"Anyways, after seeing it, I felt a weird tingling feeling. It bothered me for some reason."
"Wait, you have a crush on Grace?" Nico asks. He looks slightly amused.
"No! I never said that," I retort, a blush spreading across my face.
"It all makes sense now! That's why you seemed jealous earlier and had the audacity to touch me" Nico says, a slight smile emerging on his face. "This is just too good."
"Don't be ridiculous! We're just bros," I say quickly. I bead of sweat runs down my face.
"Sure.. I bet you wanna give him a bro job," Nico says. My mouth drops. What happened to the Nico I know?! I blame Will...
"W-What?! No! That's gross!" I say, horrified. I can't believe my ears. Where did he even hear those words?!
"Trust me, you just need to accept the facts. You'll feel much better," Nico says, trying to surpress a smile.
"I am accepting facts! I don't like Jason like that," I say. Nico shakes his head in pity.
"Who are you trying to convince?"
"You!" I cry. What's so hard to understand!
"Sure you are," Nico says, rolling his eyes.
"You're no help!" I whine. I hate being this pathetic. I'm not usually like this. Maybe I've come down with something.
"I'm trying, but you're drowning in denial."
"I can't drown!"
Nico gives me the dirtiest look. "There's no winning with you." he grumbles.
"Well, I gotta go not like Jason somewhere else," I stutter.
Nico rolls his eyes. "If you wanna come to reality, I'll be here." he says. I quickly depart from his room. Well, that was not my best idea. I can't wait to prove Nico wrong when this phase rolls over.
