Chapter Four - A Chance at Romance and Guaranteed Friendship

Disclaimer: I do not own PJO or HoO. Rick Riordan does.

Thanks to IIII Winter Wolf IIII, CrazyPeopleLikeMe, ferdinandthhegreater, The Kinda Man, DareRelaqz, EscapingToTheBooks, ItzJewel-chan, and Guest!

Anonymous review reply:

Guest - Hm, I'm not quite sure... I think it'll be later than you'd want it to be, lol.

A/N: I hope the wait for this chapter was an easier one comparable to the others - please enjoy :)

And oh, gosh, please let me know what the heck I do with these tenses.


Travis

Connor only needs to take one look at my goofy grin to know where I've been.

"How's Katie?"

My grin widens, despite how impossible the action seems. "Lovely, thanks for asking."

"Any updates regarding the two of you?"

I can't help but puff out my chest a bit. "Well, she took my arm tonight, as I was walking her home."

Connor sucks in a breath, then jumps off the countertop to give me a hearty clap on the back. "Well done, little one."

"Why, thank you."

Connor smiles. "What an amazing feat you accomplished, my dear Travis. The amount of time to complete such a task was only equivalent to the number of years you've lived."

I roll my eyes. "Shut up." However, that quip had no effect on my good mood or my gigantic smile. I swear, my cheeks were gonna ache tomorrow. I was smiling way too hard.

Connor smirks. "Yeah, yeah."

I clear my throat. "Anyways, something between the two of us… Well, I'm not sure how to explain this, but when I was walking her home…"

"The atmosphere felt a whole lot different than usual?" Connor offers, raising an eyebrow, silently asking if his guess was correct in the slightest.

I gave him a nod as a reply.

Connor smiled. "Well, guess you finally hit the freefall."

"And, what is that?"

Connor's smile suddenly seems a whole lot mischievous, reminding me of the times when we were younger, when we spent every waking moment of our lives causing some sort of trouble.

I give an audible gulp.

Connor's eyes twinkle. "Enjoy the ride, Travis, dear."


The next day, Katie finds me at the diner, in my regular spot.

She just rolls her eyes, as usual. Then, she proceeds to head to the counter without a word of greeting. If I didn't know her as well as I did, I'd feel a little miffed, but I knew she was reciting my order. There really was no need to, though, I mean... It was a given that whenever I'd come to this humble abode I'd have my usual, and pretty much all the staff knew me by now. I guess it was just to keep up appearances.

The diner was empty save for me and an elderly couple sitting at the counter in the swivel chairs. They were chatting in hushed tones to each other. My heart warmed at the sight. I was a hopeless romantic, so whenever I spotted an aged couple side-by-side it was a given that I'd go a little soft.

"Mind quitting your gaping, Travis? That's how you become to look like a creep."

I smiled, and turned my attention from the couple to the goddess before me. "Good afternoon, Lovely ."

Katie just blanches, and wrinkles up her nose in distaste. She just looks even cuter. I don't hesitate to tell her so.

"Oh, put a sock in it," Katie retorts, without missing a beat. My smile widens, and I lean forward, placing my elbows on the tabletop. Katie cocks an eyebrow, no doubt unamused with my lack of table manners. My smile turns into a smirk.

"How's your day been?"

"Well, it was actually going quite well until the regular neanderthal came in at my shift."

"Ah, that doesn't sound too good. He still here, or have you managed to kick him out yet?"

"I'm quite good at restraining myself from kicking out customers, but he's one that tests my resolve."

"I see…" I sit up a little straighter, and Katie shifts her weight to her other foot, her hand coming to rest on her hip. "What's the answer then? You've been keeping me waiting."

Katie hums, and her green eyes twinkle in a sly manner. I try to keep my heart from leaping out of my chest. "I myself don't know it yet. It all depends on the neanderthal, after all."

"Well, I wish him the best, then." I jokingly raise an imaginary wine glass. Katie just rolls her eyes, like she always does, but a smile comes to her lips.

"So, what are your plans for today?" She asks.

I shrug. "Connor's come back for the weekend, and there's that new superhero movie, so I guess-"

A giggle escapes Katie, and both my eyebrows immediately rise, going up so high I'm pretty sure they were long gone off my head. Holy hell, that giggle was f-

"Superheroes, really?"

Alright, all sense of arousal just went out of me like a damp candle. My cheeks redden, and my heartbeat speeds up. "What? They're great!" I try to protest with vigour, but my voice comes out all weak and shamed.

Katie's smile vanishes the instant the tone of my voice registers in her ears. "Aw, Travis, I'm sorry. That sounds like a great way to spend time with Connor and I'm su-"

I find my voice, but can't bring it in myself to appear as if I'm fine. I'm pretty sure I looked like a kicked dog at the moment. "Yeah, yeah. It's alright, I take no off-"

Katie places a hand delicately on my arm, stopping me in my sentence with that simple movement. "Travis, I'm sorry."

Even though I'll probably not regret cherishing the moment later, I just shrug her hand off of me as gently as I can. "It's okay, Katie," I reply.

At my reaction, Katie just looks at me with a mixture of surprise and anxiety in her eyes. She can tell that I felt hurt over such a silly thing, but she doesn't know me well enough to know whether she can - or rather, should, press the topic. The fact that she doesn't know hurts me more than her trivial amusement.

I clear my throat. "Anyways, how about you? Have you got any plans for the weekend?"

Katie purses her lips at the change in subject, knowing that she's missed her chance to do simply whatever mere moments ago.

"Um, I don't know. Nothing really. I've got to go shopping sometime, though, you know, for school, though. Maybe I'll do it over the weekend."

"And as it always is for girls, once you head to the mall you'll probably end up in Forever 21 or something."

Katie grants me a light laugh. "You hit the nail right on the head."

I take a chance. "Then I guess you'll need someone at your side to make sure you don't go fooling around."

Katie tilts her head, and a hint of a smile rests on her features in such a wonderfully gorgeous way. "I guess I do, when you put it in such a way."

And just like that, my ego returns with gusto. "Well, then…"


Later in the afternoon, Connor and I find ourselves in the back of a movie theatre, stuffing our faces with popcorn and whispering in hushed tones as the trailers play on the big screen.

"Dude, so, guess what?"

Connor speaks with his mouth full, "Yeah?"

I can't help the grin that breaks across my face. "I got a date with Katie."

That bit of news causes Connor to start choking, earning the attention of the people around us. Instead of offering help, they grant us both death stares. I take on the job of apologising, as Connor simply continues to try and barf up all the popcorn he's got in his mouth and throat.

Yes, he is quite the charmer.

Once Connor's no longer choking and everyone's turned back to face the screen, we continue our conversation.

"So when is it?" Connor queries, looking rather happy for me. I'd feel a whole lot touched by his expression, if there weren't bits of spit around his lips.

I don't have to think about my answer. It comes to me just as easy as breathing. I doubt I could forget the answer even if I got hit with a sledgehammer. Sure, I'd die, but if brought back to life, I'd still remember. "Sunday afternoon."

"Make sure you dress smart," Connor advises.

"I'm a date virgin, not stupid."

Connor smirks. "Hey, hey."

Then, I think about it, my heart rate slowing down as I come to some sort of conclusion. It's an unpleasant one. I sigh. "Well, knowing Katie, it probably isn't a date. So there's really no need to do anything fancy, right?"

"What'll the two of you be doing?"

"She's shopping, and I'm just tagging along."

Connor blinks. "And she's letting you?"

"Um, yeah, pretty much."

Connor barks out a laugh, ignoring the fresh onslaught of glares he's bringing our way.

I hear the door open from behind us, and someone - a late-comer, I assume, shuffles in, taking an empty seat near the two of us, probably because it's one of few ones left.

Once he's got no more laughter in him, Connor continues on, "It sounds like a date… I think. No sane girl would let a guy take the place of one of their girl friends if they go out shopping."

I blink, remembering another tidbit. "But I'm only there to keep her on task. When I say shopping, it's shopping for notebooks and planners and all that. Not for clothing."

Then, a new voice enters our conversation. It's one of a girl's. "Well, despite that, it certainly sounds like a date."

In unison, Connor and I turn to look over at the newcomer. Since it's all dark, we can't see anything of her. "Um, does it really?" I ask, wary.

I can hear the smile in her voice. "Yes, it does. Well, it sounds like one. More like a casual hangout that could easily become a date if you make it so."

Right. That catches my interest. I shift in my seat. "Any tips?"

The girl is about to speak, when someone in the row in front of us yells out, "Shut up!"

I feel the tips of my ears warm.

Then, a whisper reaches me, "After the show, I'll let you know."


Nico

I sighed. "Beckendorf, what the hell am I doing? Really, what the-"

Beckendorf cuts me off by slapping the back of my head. "Stop beating yourself up about it."

I pursed my lips. "It's not as if I can just stop."

"Listen, all you can do is just be there for her. If you smell something is off, you go to her and do whatever you gotta do," Beckendorf advises.

"I guess that's right." I clap my hands over my face, and sink lower into Beckendorf's couch. I hear him munch a couple of Doritos from where's he's sitting in his La-Z-Boy. "Fuck. I'm her big brother. If I hadn't… If I hadn't…" I trail off, misery loud and apparent in my voice.

Something hits my head, and falls to the ground with a small snap. Probably a Dorito, I muse, feeling rather mournful all of a sudden.

When Beckendorf speaks, he sounds ice-cold, "Stop. Nico for fuck's sake, just stop. It's over and done now, alright? Sure, you fucked up back then, but you're clean now. So, just - just stop it. Don't think so much about what you should've and what you shouldn't have done, and think of what you should do now - which is to stop moping, and start doing."

Beckendorf's words hit me like a whirlwind, yet the feeling I get from his words is from anger. I feel surprisingly tranquil.

"You're right," I breathe out. My hands fall from the sides of my head and down onto the couch, each sinking down into it, as if they want some sort of hiding place.

Beckendorf just spreads out his arms in a smug fashion. I just glower in return, but my glare soon turns into an expression of gratitude.

"Don't think so hard," Beckendorf finishes, calmly.

I set my jaw, and give myself a firm shake. After I feel as if my mind has been cleared of it's storm, I cast Beckendorf a smile. "I knew there was a reason you were my friend."

Beckendorf snorts. "More like why you're my friend."

I snort. "As if you had much choice anyways."

He gives a chortle. "Sadly, that's true."

I smirk. "There's that new movie, wanna go catch it?"

"Hell yes. We need to have some way to lighten up, after all. Hang on, this better be the superhero one you're talking about, alright?"

"Why would I be talking about any other movie? Come on, you know me."

Beckendorf smirks. "Sadly, yes."

"Haha, fuck you, too."


When I shut the door behind me, I am greeted with silence, as I usually am.

Despite the stillness of the house, I know Bianca is just upstairs, locked in her room as she usually is. And, I know that my father is down in the basement, where he does whatever he does whenever he happens to be at home. I only know he's here today for sure because he takes the day off work every Friday.

I make my way up the stairs, and towards my room. My feet halt without my permission, though, the moment I begin to pass Bianca's room.

I close my eyes, and raise a hand to her door, and give a few, light taps. "You alright in there?"

There is no answer for second, and then, her ever tired voice reaches me, "I'm good."

I can smell the faint smell of tobacco, but I know that this time, I should handle this threat differently.

I swallow. "I'm trusting you here, Bianca. Call me crazy, but when you say 'You're good', do… do you mean it in the way I hope you do?"

As always, there is the solemn quiet before she answers, and it's not the answer I was hoping to hear - exactly.

It is a gentle hum of assent, and I know Bianca is trusting me here, too. Despite whatever we've gone through, have we still retained that closeness only siblings share? I know that along with her response in that single and almost instantaneous hum, that question is posed.

I purse my lips, hearing that hum she's granted me a thousand times over in my head, and I know.

I get the sudden urge to cry.


Author's Note: I know the two perspectives are written in different lengths, but I hope you don't mind.

How'd you enjoy this chappie? It wasn't the greatest, but things are moving along :p

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