CHAPTER 10:

Annabeth POV

I saw it.

A spider.

All the horrors of Arachne were coming back to me.

I was vaguely aware that Percy had killed the spider, because I was in one of my horrible flashbacks. I remember having her weave her own trap and then pulling me down back to Tartarus with her. And Percy trying to pull me back up. And us falling.

Suddenly, I heard a voice right next to my ear. It was my Seaweed Brain.

"We're okay Wise Girl. I love you. I'm right here. I love you. I'll protect you. I love you. I won't ever let anything hurt you. I love you so, so much, Wise Girl." Then I remembered where I was.

In gym class-where everyone was staring at me.

Percy wiped the tears away from my cheeks and kissed my forehead lightly.

"Coach, I'm going to go take her outside, okay?" He asked, and Coach Hedge immediately nodded.

He led me outside, to a bench.

We just sat there for a few minutes, staring straight ahead, with me still curled into him.

"Which one was it?" He finally asked.

"I saw a spider." And that was enough of an answer.

"I know, but which specific memory was it?" He pressed.

"All of them with her. Her weaving her trap, pulling me down, you falling with me…" My voice trailed off. "Percy, why did you fall with me? I hate that because of me you went through what we did." I whisper.

He snapped his head straight towards me. "Annabeth. Don't ever believe that it's your fault. It's hers. And that's that. And I'd rather be there with you then you be there all alone and have to face the horrors down there by yourself." He replied, gently caressing my cheek as he spoke.

I just nodded. After a few minutes, I stood up and pulled him up. "Let's go back Seaweed Brain." I whispered. He followed me back into the gym.

Juliet POV

When I saw him comforting her, I realized that it really was a lost cause. He loved her. She loved him. It was simple really.

I have to get over him.

I looked around to see someone new. I figure if I can start to see what guys are sweet and nice, then I can slowly become friends, then start crushing on them, like I had done with Percy.

As I look around, I notice someone in the corner of my eye staring at me. It's Connor.

I look at him, and he blushes, and ducks his head, which in turn causes me to blush also.

The doors open with a loud creak and Percy and Annabeth walk back in. But I don't go running after Percy like I usually would. I stare at Connor for a second longer, and then walk up to him.

"Hi, Connor." I whisper.

He looks shocked that I'm talking to him. "Hey, Jules." He says.

"Jules?" I ask, and he blushes even deeper.

"Sorry, I just really like making up nicknames, if you want, though, I won't call you that…" he says hurriedly.

"No, no. It's fine. I like it." I say. He smiles at me.

"Hey, would you um… Maybe like to go to the smoothie shop a few blocks from here with me after school tomorrow?" He asks, looking at his feet.

I smile. It seems like I was already getting over Percy. "I would love to."

He looks up, surprised. "Really?" He asks.

I nod. "Really." He smiles.

Coach Hedge POV

I hate seeing my cupcakes so sad, especially two of my favorite cupcakes.

After Tartarus, they had been having these flashbacks. If only I had blown more stuff up, then they wouldn't have fallen. It's my entire fault! I vaguely notice a tear fall down my cheek.

Hazel sees though, and walks over to me.

"Coach? Are you okay?" She asks gently.

Hazel POV

Poor Coach. What's wrong with him? He NEVER cries. He screams. He smiles. He DOES NOT cry.

He looks up at me. "Hey there cupcake." He says.

"Coach, what's wrong?" I ask him.

He sighs. "I feel bad that they have to go through that." He says, pointing in the general direction of Percy and Annabeth. "I was your chaperone! I was supposed to keep you all safe! They fell into that horrible pit on my watch! It should have been me! I could have kept them safe!" He whisper-screams.

Did he really think that? Oh, coach.

I wrap my arms around him gently. He returns the hug. After a minute, he pulls away.

"Thanks, cupcake. I needed to vent out my problems." He said.

"No problem, coach. And you know that Percy and Annabeth don't blame you at all, right?" I ask, just to let him know.

"Are you sure?" He asks doubtfully.

I nod confidently. "I am absolutely positive." He smiles.

"Thanks, cupcake." He pats my shoulder, and dismisses the class.