Perspective of Max

I wasn't having the best of days.

First, I was forced into a fight with someone who I was supposed to work with. Then, I passed out from fatigue, only to see visions of Jessica Perez, my deceased girlfriend, becoming me to join her. It sort of formed into a dream, and I saw her chose rebirth. Any hope that I had of her being returned from the underworld, all gone. I know those chances were slim to none, but hey, I had to cling to them.

To make things worse, when everyone saw Nemesis as someone from their past, all I saw was myself. The only person who I'm angry with, the only person who, in my mind, deserves revenge.

Now, I listened to Jessica Dawson, my not deceased friend, tell us about how our enemy is almost completely unbeatable. If Tartarus had both the Titans and Giants on his side, I had no idea how we could fight him.

"Well... Let's not focus on Tartarus now." I said, pushing myself up from the ground, but only with the help of Jess. I think she felt pity for me, after I had just told her about all of my deepest pains. I didn't want her to treat me any different because of what I told her, I just want her to talk to me as if I never said anything, but it's too late for that. "Let's focus on Jess. You did amazing! You are definitely a daughter of Aphrodite!"

My arm was slung over her shoulder as she helped me walk back towards the boat. I didn't wanna look at it, but it felt like Shane got my leg pretty bad. Instead, I looked at her, and I noticed a light blush on her face.

"It was nothing..." She said quietly, helping me climb the ladder on the back of the boat.

"Nothing? You and Tanner took down a goddess! That's not easy!" I said to her as I limped my way to a seat.

She didn't respond, but she looked pretty happy with my compliments. Once she was on the boat, she helped Shane up and put him in the seat next to me.

"Hey, man." Shane said, looking at me. "I think it's time that we stopped this stupid feud of ours. When I saw you instead of Nemesis, I realized that this has gone too far. So what do you say? Friends?" He asked, holding out his hand.

I reached out, giving him a firm handshake. "Friends. Why were we even enemies in the first place?"

"To be honest, bro, I have no idea." He shrugged, chuckling. "Something stupid, I'm sure. Let's just not get into it."

I agreed, and once everyone was in, the boat raced off to the dock. My adrenaline had calmed down, and I started to feel the pain in my forehead and my right leg. I didn't see any blood, but it definitely still hurt.

"So, guys." Jessica said. "Explain to us what happened? Were you possessed, or, what?"

Shane shook his head. "No... I can't really explain it, but I was completely there. I think she made my hate for Max boil over the edge, and I couldn't control myself anymore. I'm assuming the same happened to him. I knew what I was doing... But I couldn't stop, I'm sorry Max."

Max nodded. "It's not your fault, neither of us could control ourselves, you said it yourself. I'm just glad that Jess beat her before I ended up killing you."

"Killing me?" Shane looked shocked. "I was totally winning!"

"Since when did winning mean 'sucking?'" I said, smirking.

Shane just shook his head with a laugh. A few weeks ago, that would have started a little conflict between us. Now, it felt good to actually laugh with this kid.

We made it back to the dock without another revenge driven goddess attack, and Jess docked the boat in the spot where the man who they had, um, borrowed it from left it. I limped my way back to the car, getting in the drivers seat and closing the door. The others got in the same seats that they were in before, and Jess looked at me with a concerned look. "Are you sure you're okay to drive? I mean, you cod really use a nap."

"I'm fine." I assured her.

"I know but... I have my learners permit, and your leg isn't on great shape.. I'm just concerned." She pleaded.

"If I need you to, I'll ask you to drive." I smiled at her, charmspeaking just a tad to get her to calm down. "Now, let's look at that paper."

Tanner, who was still holding Nemesis' bag, rummaged through it for a bit before pulling out a small, almost identical piece of paper to the one that Hestia gave us. "It says Lake Erie, and then more numbers."

I fiddled with the GPS for a bit, getting directions to Buffalo, New York. "Well, looks like we're going back to New York then. Everyone strap in, it's about a five hour drive.

"Max, if you could make me go to sleep, that'd be great." Said Shane from the backseat as I started pulling the car back onto the road.

"Go to sleep, Shane." I said, pouring charmspeak into my voice. I saw him pass out against his seat belt through my rear view mirror. No surprise, Tanner was basically already asleep, leaving just me and Jessica.

After a few moments of silence, Jess spoke up. "Listen, Max, I'm very concerned for you. You just had a tough fight with Shane, you're obviously beat up. Not only physically, but mentally. I know how hard that must be for you, and I want to let you know that I'm here, whatever you need, I got it."

I glanced at her before putting my eyes on the road. "You don't need to do anything for me, but thank you."

"No, I don't need to. I want to." She sighed. "Over the few days that I've known you, I've felt myself getting closer to you as a friend. One of my better friends. And seeing you in that much pain just seems... Terrible."

"I appreciate your concern, I really do." I said, my voice becoming very horse. "And I do believe I can get past this time in my life.. It'll just take some time. I just wish I had a chance to say goodbye... That's all."

"So... You are still in love with her?" She asked quietly.

"I mean... I always will be. There will always be a spot in my heart for her. But that doesn't mean my heart is full." I said, realizing I was able to get these words out without choking up. For some reason, I felt comfortable with Jess, almost as if I could talk to her about anything. I haven't had this feeling with anyone since... Well, you get the picture.

Jess nodded, and I stopped the car at a red light. It had gotten rather silent, and it didn't look like the light would change anytime soon. I tapped my thumbs against the wheel and quietly sang along to some of the songs on the radio. Suddenly, Jessica had grabbed my shoulders, turned me towards her, and kissed me. Like, a real kiss, nothing on the cheek, nothing on the forehead, but on the lips. I was completely shocked, and not really sure what to do. I gently kisses back for a second, before pulling away, seeing that the light had changed. I pressed my foot on the pedal a little bit too hard, and the car jerked forward, but my sleeping passengers remained in dreamworld.

I was speechless for a second, before finally speaking up. "What- what was that? Why did you.. What?"

"I'm sorry.." Jess said, putting her face in her hands as if she was ashamed. "It's just... You're so good looking and nice and wonderful and how you were complimenting me on the beach... When you said your heart wasn't full I just... I'm sorry, I really jumped the gun there, I'm sorry..."

"No I mean... You're great.. You really are, but.." I shook my head. "I don't even know what I'm trying to say.."

"It's just, I like you, a lot." She said, hanging her head. "And really needed to get that out of my system. Ever since I first saw you walk into my French class, you've been the only thing on my mind. This quest.. If you don't make it, I don't think I'd be able to finish it.. And that last line of the prophecy."

"Let's not worry about that last line right now." I said, grabbing her hand and squeezing it tightly before letting go and putting my hand back on the wheel. "I'm alive, and that's how it's gonna stay."

She looked relieved, and blushed slightly at me grabbing her hand. Yes, I did have feelings for her, but it just felt weird. Here comes a girl, who may just be perfect, with the same name as the girl who I already know was perfect, and of course, I couldn't not like her. Why does my mom have to be the goddess of love?

"Promise? Promise me you'll be okay?" She asked.

I hesitated for a second, promising being a touchy subject with me. I once promised Jessica Perez that I'd keep her safe, and the next day, she died. But I answered anyways. "Yes, I promise."