Chapter 9: L, the way you look at me
Jason walked into the uptown restaurant well dressed, and wobbling ever so slightly. Piper had outfitted him in the latest fashion, gotten his hair cleaned, and had an uber ready in the space of fifteen minutes.
Jason was thoroughly impressed by her skills. As he half-stumbled his way over to his father's table, everything was going sideways in his head. Should Jason be impressed by Piper's skills? Should he find this brown-haired girl stunningly attractive? He could be in a relationship and still find other people hot, right? Yeah, but maybe not think that they had an amazing laugh, or wonder at their unbelievable dedication at whatever they did. That didn't sound like something a boyfriend should do. Jason reached the table to find everyone staring at him.
"Glad you finally decided to join us Jason," Jason's father joked. There was no warmth to his smile though. The crisp autumn air had nothing on the look that Jason's father gave him right now.
"I am terribly sorry father, the traffic was horrendous, and I only received your message some thirty minutes ago, a terrible excuse I know," Jason said as he sat into his seat.
"The short time of the message didn't seem to stop Reyna from appearing on time," Zeus said motioning has hand to Jason's right.
Jason turned to see his girlfriend sitting next to him, looking at her feet. She wore a pair of black business pants and a blouse. Only Reyna could look so stunning in something so formal. She didn't meet Jason's eyes, or his dad's. She didn't want to get caught in the middle.
Jason grabbed her hand under the table, and gave it a hard squeeze. A silent apology as it were. Reyna gave him a soft smile.
Jason turned back to his father and said something about it never happening again, and that was that. Jason couldn't help but notice his father's tone of voice though. It was like a grapefruit, a little tart.
Of the brunch, there is little that needs to be said. Some people talked about business strategies, others talked about political ones. Every couple of minutes someone would ask Jason and Reyna a question. Tested their knowledge. It was, as is every business brunch Jason's been to, quite boring. Him and Reyna could only have the smallest of conversations. Affection was not to be displayed in a meeting, no sir, his father would have him hanging by his thumbs. The only interesting thing to happen, Jason missed because he was in the bathroom. Apparently, Thalia stumbled her way into the restaurant, her hair a mess and was wearing the same clothes she had worn last night. Jason had just finished washing his hands when he saw Thalia standing by the table being grilled by their father. It was not a pleasant sight. The words disgrace, disown, disgust, and disappear came up a lot. Jason didn't know his father was so good at dissing.
After brunch when everyone else was starting to leave, their father made Thalia stay behind. Jason took Reyna by the hand, and led her out of the restaurant. They wandered into downtown after a while. They held hands, and took in the sights. They talked, teased and laughed in nice, equal measures. Eventually though, Reyna asked the question.
"So, why were you really late?"
Jason breathed, "I was at Silena's party."
"Oh, you mean the one your dad didn't want you going to?"
"Yeah, that one…" Jason said.
"That explains why you weren't in your room when I knocked," Reyna said.
Jason cursed under his breath, "I'm sorry Reyna, I should've told you."
"Telling me would've been nice, but you know what would've been even better? Inviting me. Bring your girlfriend along, isn't that what most guys do at parties?" Reyna asked. She looked him in the eye.
"Reyna, it really isn't like that. I swear, there are no other girls," Jason stopped and grabbed her shoulders.
"Oh really? Then why didn't you invite me?" Reyna pushed his arms off.
"Because I thought you would've been busy, or in a meeting or something…"
"What do you mean? Jason that's ridiculous…"
"Is it Reyna? We've barely been talking to each other lately. Every time I see you, you're in a meeting, or about to do a skype call. Don't get me wrong, that's one of the things I like the most about you, your drive to accomplish and succeed, but I've missed you. I've missed spending time with my kickass girlfriend.
Reyna softened her glare. She cupped Jason's face in one hand.
"Fair, I haven't been there recently, but Jase, you have to tell me about these things. I do care about you. Look, how about this, I'll spend the entire weekend with you right now. Doing whatever, hanging out with whomever, going wherever. Just promise me, you'll tell me if you go to a party. I don't want to be possessive, but if you sneak around, that worries me, fair?"
Jason nodded, then he grabbed her and kissed her. Reyna melted at that point. She felt her entire body shiver uncontrollably. Jason wasn't much better. Then he took her, and started leading her off to Central Park.
Percy was enjoying one of his favorite past-times right now, making out with Annabeth. After texting Nico to make sure he was ok, and showering the grime off his body, he remembered that he and his girlfriend had the apartment to themselves. It was a good time.
During a small break, Percy found himself running his hand through her hair. Her golden locks felt perfect in his palms.
"Did I ever tell you how much I love your hair?" Percy ran his hand until it hit a knot.
Annabeth giggled a little bit, "You've mentioned it once or twice. Nice to know you still think so."
Annabeth leaned up and gave Percy a quick kiss before lying back in his lap. She felt almost perfectly content. There was something missing though. Something she was forgetting about…
"I love it almost as much as I love you," Percy said leaning down to give her a kiss.
Annabeth's eyebrows almost shot off her face. Right, there it was, Percy saying he loved her. Was she ready for that? She didn't know. She cared so much for Percy, but love? What would her mother say? Wait, when did she care about that? She started gesturing with her hands, like she was talking with her mom. It helped her to play out the scenario. She was so focused on her internal argument that she accidentally hit Percy in the face.
"Oh, my god! I'm so sorry Percy! I didn't mean to, I just got stuck in my head. Sorry!" Annabeth sat up and grabbed Percy's face looking over it.
"I'm fine Annabeth, don't worry about my face," Percy gave a light push to her hands, "What the hell happened though? One second you're giggling, next it looks you're rehearsing for a Shakespearean play."
"Percy, I feel awful saying this, but I have to be honest. I don't know if I'm ready to say the big L word yet," Annabeth grabbed his hands and took them in her lap. She opened her mouth to speak, but Percy cut her off.
"What do you mean not ready? You said it last night when we came home from the party," Percy replied.
Annabeth's eyes widened. Shit! That little blip in her memory from last night…it was her telling Percy she loved him.
"Annabeth…you're getting that glassy eyed look again. You feeling ok?"
Annabeth shook her head, "Yeah, no I'm fine…it's just…I was piss drunk last night Percy. Don't get me wrong, I really care about you, I really do…it's just…I don't know if I'm ready to say that word…"
"Is it because of your mom?" Percy asked.
Annabeth nodded. She started shaking. She felt like she was going to explode. All the little gears in her body were working over time. Here she was, with a boy who had risked everything for her last year, who had defended her and stuck by her. She couldn't even say she loved him. She felt oil leaking down from her eyes, or were they tears?
Percy looked at his girlfriend start to fall apart. He was so conflicted right now. Part of him said that he should be angry. He felt like a zoo, so many sounds, and urges clouding his mind. His angry lion was roaring. His impatient horse was pacing, and kneading the ground. His stubborn elephant wouldn't stop tooting it's horn in outrage, asking for an answer. The rational part in his head said that he should feel offended. Offended that this girl he had done so much for couldn't tell him that she loved him. He felt himself starting to sweat. His hands clenched. He closed his eyes, and took a breath. His inner beast quelled. The lion sat back down, the horse stopped pacing, and the elephant put its trunk down.
Percy opened his eyes. He was ready to talk normally, talk about their problems. He wasn't ready for Annabeth shaking, and sobbing. Her body jerked as tears fell from the sockets of her eyes. All of Percy's topics of discussion fell apart on his tongue. He just grabbed her. He put her head into his chest.
He didn't say anything. He wasn't going to lie. He knew she wouldn't believe him. He could picture her disapproving look. He could see her roll her eyes, and start to curse him off for trying to pull a fast one on her. He heard the words she said, and he started to chuckle. Then he was laughing like a Hyena. He fell backwards, taking her with him.
Annabeth pulled herself up to consider his laughing face, "I'm sorry do my horrible mental problems amuse you? Do you want me to keep going?"
Percy gave her a lopsided grin, "I don't know. How long can I keep laughing until you decide to hit me?"
"Zero seconds, on the dot," Annabeth replied.
Percy nodded right away, trying for his best serious face. He gave a bunch of little salutes. He threw in some yes mams for good measure.
Then he saw the twinkle return to her eyes, "You're such a seaweed brain, you know that, right?"
"Yes, but ever so unfortunately, I'm your seaweed brain," Percy tapped her on the nose, "which means you can't keep crying."
"Oh really, and why's that?" Annabeth replied.
"Simple really, I'm like a puppy. I need attention, and lots of it. Don't you understand that this relationship is all about me?" Percy asked.
Annabeth sat up very serious like, and nodded a couple times, and said some yes sirs in a mocking tone. Percy chuckled as he sat up as well.
"Look, we'll figure things out later. All that matters, is that I know you care about me. If you can't quite put it into words yet, that's ok. I know you love me. I heard you remember? So, until the time that sober Annabeth is as smart as drunk Annabeth, I'll wait," Percy said.
Annabeth crashed into him. She did love him, she really did. If only she didn't see her mother's face whenever she tried to say it.
"Honestly, not so much as a word in reply!" Piper threw her hands into the air. Frank and Leo were chatting in the other room. Nico was eating breakfast. Hazel was stuck with screaming Piper. It was official now though. Piper liked Jason, she admitted it. So now they sat in her bedroom trying to figure out what next. Or Hazel was trying, Piper was ranting.
"I buy him a new suit, organize an uber, and made him smell like a fucking daffodil. What does he do? He mumbles a 'thanks' before running off to some stupid brunch he didn't even want to go to."
"I thought you said no reply? Isn't thanks a reply?" Hazel asked.
"Yeah, but…it's not really. Anybody can just saw thanks. Here have this black marker, I don't need it anymore," Piper said handing Hazel a marker.
"Thanks," Hazel replied absentmindedly. Her thoughts lingered on the feel of cold wind on her face, and a thick Spanish accent telling her that his aunt was a bitch.
"Exactly my point! I mean, I'm not expecting a goddamn kiss on the cheek or anything, but some actual recognition would be nice!" Piper said.
Hazel felt the bed vibrate. She picked up Piper's phone.
"Jason said he's coming back," she read out loud.
"Gimme, gimme, gimme!" Piper jumped with her hands out onto the bed.
Hazel pushed Piper away.
"Piper, get over yourself. He's just a guy. A guy with a girlfriend nonetheless. You are not needy. You will never be needy. Now repeat after me; I am kind"
Piper sat cross-legged, "Hazel come on…"
"I am kind," Hazel repeated forcefully.
Piper rolled her eyes, "I am kind."
"I am smart."
"I am smart."
"I am important."
"I am important," Piper echoed, "Wait isn't that from a movie?"
Hazel grinned, "First, it's a book, The Help. Second take a lesson from it. You are no one's little worker. You are you. You are awesome."
Piper nodded, "Ok, first, it's also a movie. Second, I know that. I had a moment of weakness. Third, fuck off and give me my phone!"
Hazel rolled her eyes. She still tossed the phone to Piper. Piper's fingers danced for a second. Then she sat there quietly. Then her phone vibrated again. Piper's face dropped like lead. Her body dropped with it, and sank into the fluffy mattress.
"He wants to bring his girlfriend apparently," Piper said. She picked her phone back up and type a message.
"What'd you say?" Hazel asked.
"I said yes. No point in avoiding it really," Piper replied, "Don't want to come off as too much of a bitch, do I?"
Hazel shrugged. She didn't really care much anyway. Boy drama wasn't her thing.
Apparently, the boys liked it that way to. Out in the living room Leo had already apologized to Frank for his behaviour. Frank apologized for his overreaction about the couch. They shook hands, and decided to put it behind them. Then they made a couple jokes about themselves to make the other guy feel better.
Frank was still blushing like a beetroot after his naked morning stroll though. He walked into the kitchen, and thank any deity there is, Hazel was not in the room.
Leo strolled in without a care in the world. He picked himself up a plate, then he reconsidered. He picked up a second plate and piled on the Mardi Gras style pancakes. He was about to squirt some Maple Syrup onto Frank's plate when Frank cried out.
"Leo, what the hell do you think you're doing?" He shouted.
The girls came running in, "What'd Leo do now?" They both asked.
"Nothing, I was just putting Maple Syrup onto Frank's pancakes!" Leo replied. Nico sat there quietly, observing the situation. He found the whole thing rather funny.
"That horse shit isn't pancakes! That's closer to tar than syrup!" Frank said.
Piper rolled her eyes, "Frank, its just syrup."
Frank grabbed his plate, "As a proud Canadian, I would rather eat dry pancakes than subject them to that lowly piss you call syrup."
Frank sat down, as straight as an officer in the RCMP in dug into his pancakes. He was a man of duty, respect, and no one could deny in that moment, as Frank Zhang ate his dry pancakes, that he was a true Canadian.
Everyone else in the room just stared. They had always considered Frank the quiet one. The guy who didn't do strange things. In that moment though, they saw how strange a man of the Great White North could really be. Even Nico stopped eating to stare. It made no sense, but then again, when did Canadians?
They were roused from their stupor as the doorbell rang. Piper ran over and opened it to find Reyna and Jason holding hands.
"The doorman recognized me from this morning. Let me right on up," Jason explained.
Reyna grumbled a bit, "Decided to give the Puerto Rican girl a hard time though…"
Piper grimaced on the outside. On the inside though she felt just a tad happy. Just a tad though.
Piper led them to the kitchen area where Frank was still eating his pancakes like a dutiful Canadian. The others enjoyed their pancakes drowned in syrup (Frank still called it tar).
"There aren't any left. You ran out…" Hazel said.
"It's ok we had brunch," Reyna replied.
"Oh yeah, how'd that go? Did you get caught Jason? Did ya? Huh punk? You think you can get away with having a good time?" Leo asked standing up.
"Leo calm down," Jason said.
"I want the truth!" Leo screamed.
Reyna, who wanted to make a good impression on Jason's friends, jumped to the challenge, "You can't handle the truth!"
Jason looked mildly surprised. Reyna gave him a wink, and a kiss on the cheek. She pulled up a chair, "So any plans for the weekend?"
"We still have to decide. I mean we have the whole weekend," Frank said.
"What about homework? Did you guys do yours yet?" Jason asked.
"Jason my friend, there's time for homework, and that time is Sunday night! Or Monday morning!" Leo said.
Hazel laughed a little bit, and Piper nodded. Nico had gone quiet again.
"Alright then troops, options!" Reyna said.
Jason was almost stunned into silence. He sat down beside her to discuss…options…. he could've sworn Piper was looking at him!