Scene: Chapter Twelve: "I Take a Permanent Vacation" from PJATO: The Battle of the Labyrinth
I was not in love with Percy Jackson.
That was not the reason I kissed him before I left him in that volcano. It was impulsive really more than anything else. I had the thought that he really could die this time; that he might not come back to me. I could see it in his eyes that he thought it too, despite his words of reassurance. And I knew that I would regret not telling him that I liked him. Emphasis on the liked.
Be careful, Seaweed Brain.
My words haunted me now, so long after I walked away from him without a word from him. When I saw the footage of what had happened at the mountain, I was awed that Percy could have caused such a large explosion. There was so much power involved in that, but it was quickly overridden by the sight of the destruction that it caused. There was that nagging doubt that no one could have survived something like that, but I didn't want to believe that he was gone.
But the days continued without any sign that Percy was anywhere. Two weeks passed and Chiron came up to me and gently told me that it was time that we burned his shroud. I wanted to rant and rave and tell him that we had to wait longer, that Percy would come back to me. But the two weeks without a word had worn me down. Worn me down into resentful acceptance. I insisted on making the shroud myself, without help from anyone.
My fingers worked tirelessly all day, embroidering the silver trident onto the green silk cloth. I knew that I had to do this. I couldn't let anyone else help me. This was my responsibility. He died to save me. The stupid Seaweed Brain.
The tears began silently. I let them trail down my cheeks, not stopping my work. Finally, the trident flared across the green, finished. I lifted it to see it better. His eyes had been green. But not green like this. His eyes had been green as the sea, bursting with life. Not this green. This green spoke of death.
I collapsed onto myself as sobs began to rack my body. How could my Seaweed Brain be gone? How could Chiron decide to have burial shroud burned? I cried myself into exhaustion and the next thing I knew, Chiron was clopping at the door of my cabin, telling me it was time.
I gingerly picked up the shroud. I gave a brief glance to the mirror, noting vaguely that my eyes were red and puffy. But I followed Chiron in silence to the amphitheater, where the fire was already started and the camp was already gathered. Chiron and I went to the center, since Tyson was not here and there was no one but me to burn the shroud.
Chiron faced the campers. "We have to assume he is dead," he said. "After so long a silence, it is unlikely our prayers will be answered. I have asked his best friend to do the final honors."
I stepped up with the burial cloth, my heart in my throat. It was such a beautiful shroud, but the simple fact that it was his shroud made me hate it more than anything. I set it on the bonfire flames before turning to face the audience. I knew how terrible I looked, but I swallowed my tears and choked out, "He was probably the bravest friend I've ever had. He…" I stopped as my eyes found a figure in the back of the amphitheater. Green eyes were boring into me. There were a lot of things I could have felt. But anger is what mostly surfaced in the forefront of my mind as I felt my face flare. "He's right there!" I called out.
Everyone's heads turned and quite a few people gasped.
"Percy!" Beckendorf was the first to recover from the sight of him. A bunch of other kids crowded around him to clap him on the back. Even Chiron left my side to gallop over to him. A few of the Ares kids cursed.
But I just stood there. That stupid Seaweed Brain. How dare he show up after he made me wait for him without a single indication that he had survived that explosion? I stood fuming in anger for a few seconds until finally the happiness and relief that he was alive finally overcame the anger.
I shoved aside the other campers as I yelled, "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" I didn't even care that I had interrupted Chiron. I saw panic flash through his eyes (he probably thought I was going to punch him), but I just threw my arms around him and hugged him. Deep down, I wanted the reassurance that he was really there. The other campers fell silent, which made me realize that I was kind of making a scene, so I pushed him away. "I—we thought you were dead, Seaweed Brain!"
"I'm sorry," he said. "I got lost."
I couldn't believe he had the nerve to throw that out as an excuse. "LOST?" I yelled, only partially aware that I was losing it again in front of the whole camp. "Two weeks, Percy? Where in the world—"
This time Chiron interrupted me and took us to the Big House. Percy told his story. I read between the lines and guessed where he had ended up. Percy wasn't exactly the best person at trying to hide the truth. I put two and two together and came up with Calypso's Island. But he had come back. He had come back to me.
But then, I got annoyed again when he told us his idea. I tried to explain the million reasons why it was a bad idea.
"Hard to admit we need a mortal's help," he said, interrupting me. "But it's true."
I glared at him, my anger flaring up again. "You are the single most annoying person I have ever met!"
Then I stormed out of the room. I ran back to the cabins, but slowed when I came past Cabin Three. Percy's cabin. I felt tears threatening on the edge of my vision. I was not jealous of Calypso or Rachel Elizabeth Dare. I had just gotten him back. But all he wanted was the help of that stupid red-head. My insides tied in knots; I let the admission flit lightly across my brain as I stared at the cabin.
Maybe, just a little bit, I was in love with Percy Jackson.
