Disclaimer: I am not Rick Riordan. Therefore I do not own PJO or any of his characters.
A/N: this chapter is kind of a filler, yet still important to what goes on next.
Piper pulled back ,panting heavily. She searched his eyes for something, then shook her head. She untangled her body from his, scooting away from him. She looked away, lost in thought.
Jason, still confused, rubbed the back of his neck. Had he done something wrong? Did he put his hands on the wrong place? Did his breath smell? Was he a horrible kisser? Does she regret kissing him?Oh no. What if she actually did want to go back to Dylan? What if he had just taken advantage of her lonely state? That would mean he technically forced himself on her. Piper could press charges. Well, she had kissed him first and- No! HE COULD FREAKING GO TO JAIL!
Piper glanced at him then returned her gaze back to her feet. She hesitated and took a second look at him and then laughed. She freaking laughed. "What?" he snapped, sounding harsher than intended. She covered her mouth to smother the giggles. "Sorry. Just the look on our face- priceless! What were you even thinking about?"
A blushed formed on his cheeks. "Nothing," he mumbled. When he regained his wits, he stared at her. "What about you? What's wrong?"
She shook her head. "Nothing's wrong. I just...I don't think this is right." She gestured between the two of them. Jason's heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. So she did regret this happening. He didn't know when his heart had had time to start acquiring feelings for Piper McLean, but he didn't care. He knew his feelings run deep, and Piper's went even deeper. It had only been five days. Not nearly enough time to start falling in love with someone, but obviously his heart found a way.
Probably seeing his crestfallen face, she lightly put a hand on his arm. "Not like that. I mean, yes, I want...you, but I think it's just too weird right now. I don't want to rush a relationship with you Jason. I've just gotten used to the fact that you left and now you're actually here...I don't know what to do. Yes, I still love you- gods, more than you know- but I think it's too soon."
This is probably the crap all guys here from girls. 'I don't want to rush things...' and garbage like that. It's clear she doesn't want to be with him, so why can't she say that?! He jerked his arm from her grip. "How many times do I have to say that I didn't choose to leave you?! I was forced to, and you know that, Piper. I wouldn't do that to you." He got off the bed and walked to the door as she continued talking behind him.
She nodded sadly. "I know. I was an idiot to convince myself that. But I need time. I'm sorry. Can we be," she held out her hand,"fiends? Strictly platonic. For now a least?" He could her the pleading in her tone.
He hesitated. He could very well walk out and leave Piper in her apartment, giving her her answer, or he could agree like an idiot.
He turned slowly. Did he really want this? He wanted Piper, and maybe this was another approach. He could tell every passing second was breaking her. If he left... he would break her heart. Again. But, no, this wasn't about pity. It was about what she wanted. What he wanted. This was a way to prove to Piper how bad he wanted her and show her that he wouldn't leave again. Not voluntarily, at least.
He heard her sharp intake of breath. Slowly, Jason walked back to Piper, slipping his hand into hers. He nodded.
Relief flooded into her eyes and she jumped up, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, so much Jason. I am so so sorry. We'll make this work." He nodded absentmindedly. "Sure." He hugged her tighter, not wanting to let her go. He waned to kiss her so bad; but apparently he couldn't, since they were 'friends' now.
"Guess who's the boy on fire!" Leo yelled, tugging on Jason's arm.
Jason, irritated, continued to take orders, smiling at customers. He tried his hardest to ignore the Latino, but it was like trying to ignore a persistent little kid. They were receiving several weird looks from strangers; Jason was not going to risk getting reprimanded by Octavian.
"What, Leo," he said through gritted teeth. Leo grinned. "Guess who's the boy on fire!" he said again. "You need to stop watching Hunger games. It's the 'girl on fire', Leo." His tone was that of an adult trying to be patient with a child.
Leo put a hand on his chin, pondering the possibility. "No...I don't thinks so. She stole that from me. Ask me why I'm the boy on fire!" He hit Jason in the arm, pleading him to ask.
"Excuse me, am I going to get service anytime soon?" a customer asked. He nodded. "One moment, ma'am. I'll send someone your way." He grabbed Leo's ear and dragged the boy away. On his way to the Rec room, he asked Will Solace to cover his shift for a few minutes.
"Ask ,me!"
"Fine! Why are you the boy on fire?"
Leo grinned flirtatiously. "I'm so hot I'm on ladies cant handle the heat!" he whooped loudly. Jason rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Leo? This is why you're bothering me?" He turned to walk away, but Leo grabbed his arm once again.
"Fine, fine I'll tell you. After ages and ages of asking, I finally agreed to go out with Calypso." After pointed look, Leo sighed. "Fine; she finally said yes. But she only said no all those other times because she couldn't handle my radiance. All da ladies love Leo." He grinned.
"I'm really happy for you, but I have to get back to my shift .So should you."
"We're going ice skating."
"And this involves me how...?"
It was his turn to roll his eyes at Jason. "A double date, dummy. Get your girlfriend to come along with us."
"What? No, we aren't- we're not- she's not my girlfriend. Piper and I are just friends. " Leo gave him a look saying 'really?' "Sure, Jason. Like I don't see how you guys look at each other. Please go with us. For me, man."
"Why? Aren't you totally head over heels for Calypso? Why do you need us? It'll just ruin the mood."
"I don't know what to say. Please, Jason." Leo gave him the doe eyes. Finally he caved, sighing. Leo, knowing he won, brightened. "Thanks, dude. I owe you big time."
"Fine, but it's not a double date."
Grumbling, Jason returned to the front room, grabbing his note pad. As he passed by Piper, he took her hand and led her into a corner. Caught off guard, she blinked. "What's up, Jason? Need something?"
Reluctantly, he nodded. "Um...yeah." Awkwardly, he rubbed the back of his neck. Why had he agreed to this? "Do you...want to go ice skating with- I mean- no - Leo - Argh!" He stumbled over his own words. He took a deep breath. "Okay, let me start over. Leo wants us to tag along on his date with Calypso. Will you go with me-us?"
Smiling, Piper stood on her toes and ran a hand through his hair affectionately. "It's cute when you fumble over your words. And, yes I would love to go on a dat- ice skating with you-er, Leo and Calypso." A grin broke out onto her beautiful face. Jason's world stopped. He felt like, in that moment, Piper was his world. Nothing else mattered. Light caramel skin, heart shaped face, bow shaped full red lips, captivating eyes, choppy mahogany hair framing her face...perfection. Piper was the epitome of perfection, flaws and all. Her lips were moving but he heard no words. All he could think about was how hard he had fallen for Piper in a matter of over 30 days.
He finally snapped out of his daze when she gently shook his arm, calling out his name. "You alright, Jason? You look a little pale." Despite her concerned tone, she looked nothing but elated. No matter how hard she tried, she never stopped beaming.
"Um, yeah, I'm fine. So...I'll see you there tomorrow? Or should I just come your apartment? Because, It's no-"
She shut him up by a kiss on the cheek. "You're rambling. I'll meet you guys there, okay? I'll be looking forward to it." She turned to walk away, but then paused. Whirling, she placed a ghost of a kiss on his lips then started walking away. As if second thought, she called out, "Platonic!" over her shoulder. He watched as she walked back into the din of the cafe, a slight skip in her step.
Jason, still slightly dazed, turned and ran into the bathroom, slamming the stall door behind him. "YES!" He punched the wall. He was too ecstatic to register any pain. "I HAVE A DATE WITH PIPER MCLEAN!" He slid down the wall, running his hands through his hair.
He'd have to remember to thank Leo soon.
A mop of curly hair popped up over the stall wall. "I thought you said it wasn't a double date?" Leo grinned mischievously. Jason stood up and pushed Leo's head away from the wall. Rolling his eyes, he replied, "It's not a date, Valdez."
"But you said-"
"I know what I said," he interrupted, still not being able to stop smiling. Forget what he'd said earlier about thanking Leo.
A/N
Hey guys, I know this chapter kinda sucks, but it's important for the next chapter(which, I promise, will be better).
I'm so excited! I'll be starting my new story soon. I would very much appreciated it if some of you read *hint, hint*.
Rate and review
~greekfreak302
