Yep! I'm still alive... Geez, I've turned into one of those writers. You know, the type of writer who updates stories probably like 3 times a year... Does it help if I say I'm really sorry?

I'm working on finishing this story, and I'm really sorry (again) for how long it's dragged on. Unfortunately, I don't know how many more chapters it'll take, but I definitely don't want make the story seem rushed. I'm working on it! ")

Thoughts on Love

"Ugh, that guy just doesn't know when to stop." Thalia said, shaking her head. "I mean, it's obvious that Annabeth doesn't want to talk to him."

"Yeah," Katie chimed in, "that's why it's called 'needing space.' You can't just go up to someone that's mad at you, and pretend that everything's okay. It just doesn't work that way."

"Well, Percy's always been rather stupid." Rachel joked.

Clarisse snorted. "That's the understatement of the century. Guys are idiots."

"Hey, Annabeth, you okay? You're really quiet." Dana asked.

"I was just wondering." Annabeth told the group. "Do you think that I was too rude to him?"

"What are you talking about, girl? You gave that b*stard everything he deserved!" Clarisse said emphatically.

"But I got mad over something really little. It was so petty, but I was really tired that day. I just wasn't in the best mood, and Percy wasn't making things any better. Plus, I was trying to figure out how to make Thalia happier." Annabeth cast a glance at Thalia.

Thalia smiled crookedly. "Don't worry about me; I'm fine. Maybe this is how things should be. Maybe me and Nico were never meant to be together."

"It's actually 'Nico and I.'"

'Yeah, Thalia, aren't you supposed to know that?"

"Who cares about that; how are you guys discussing Thalia's terrible grammar when she just mentioned something really important!" Dana exclaimed.

"Huh?" The group of girls blinked at her.

"Am I the only smart one here? Thalia, you and Nico are just going through a rough spot. Just because you guys had a fight doesn't mean the Fates are against you." Dana explained. "Couples get into fights all the time. You just have to tough it out. Getting into fights and making up creates a closer bond!"

"Isn't that just for mortals?" Thalia blinked.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "No, Dana's right. This is probably one of the things that 'mortals' are doing the right way. They're smart enough to realize that humans can't get along perfectly all the time. If they did, the world would be boring. Arguing and offering different opinions are one of the reasons that the mortal world has advanced so much."

Clarisse broke in. "Oh, come on. Get real. The gods are the reasons that the mortals have advanced so far. The Muses give inventors ideas, and the smart ones manage to get the job done. And the gods know that if a relationship doesn't work, it means that they just aren't compatible."

"Clarisse, open your eyes! The Muses may help out, but it's the mortals sense of determination that makes things work! And the gods have totally screwed up the word 'relationships.' I mean, honestly, all of you guys are the result of the gods' affairs!" Rachel exclaimed.

Silence.

"Sorry, guys, that was uncalled for." Rachel said sheepishly.

"No." Katie spoke up. "You're right. We needed to hear that. It's just that, you have to understand, we've looked up to our parents for our whole livesm trying to become someone worthy of their praise. Every one of their children wants to be that one special child that stands out from the crowd. I guess that we kind of think of our parents as idols, and we try to imitate everything we can."

Thalia looked down. When she spoke, her voice was unusually soft. "You guys are probably right. Maybe... I should talk to Nico soon."

"Thalia, that'd be great. And we're behind you every step of the way." Dana encouraged, smiling.

Thalia cracked a smile. "Well, I am the daughter of Zeus. Maybe I inherited his lousy relationship sense." she joked.

"Hey, guys, sorry, but I've got to go now." Katie said apologetically. "I've got a date with Travis."

"Ooo, hurry up and get ready for your date!" Rachel laughed. "I've actually got to go too, sorry. See you guys around! Good luck with your relationships, Thalia, Annabeth!"

"Aww, looks look the girls day out is over now." Dana pouted. "Oh well, let's get together soon, okay?" she asked.

"Yeah." The other girls agreed.

"Bye, guys.!"

"Bye, see you!"

"See you soon!"

The girls exchanged goodbyes, and set off toward their respective homes.

At night, Annabeth lay pondering. What should she do? She wasn't as carefree as Thalia, and wasn't going to just drop Percy because of something so small, but she knew that she'd be embarassed if she apologized to Percy. It wasn't entirely his fault, and she understood that she held part of the blame for being so short-temepered. Ugh, if only she could figure out what to do with her heart.

Percy was on Brooklyn Bridge, looking out at the harbor. He smiled, nostalgic, remembering the war that he had fought in. Annabeth was so fired up. She was ready to fight until she died. And she ended up being to key to saving the world. She reached out to Luke. Luke, who was the hero. He shook his head, clearing those thoughts from his mind. I'm not letting going of Annabeth that easily. No way, she's too amazing for that. And-

"Hey, young man, what are you doing here?"

Percy started, and whipped his head around, only to see a police woman staring at him.

"Oh, um, just looking at the harbor." Percy said dumbly.

The woman raised a skeptical eyebrow. The action reminded him of Annabeth. "I see." Was all she said.

"Yeah."

Percy saw the woman approach him and lean against the railing. She stared out into the harbor, as in deep in thought.

"Young man."

"Um, yes?"

"Do you know the story of Romeo and Juliet?"

"Kind of. Don't they kill each other because of their love?" Percy tried.

The woman shook her head and sighed. "You youths are all the same. Yes, that is the result, but you have missed the entire purpose of the story. They were extremely loyal to each other, and they were willing to go through anything to be together. Any complication that arose was treated as nothing, as long as they had each other. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, but it is also a story of extreme loyalty. Have you ever loved someone that way? You feel as if you can conquer anything as long as she is by your side, and you are willing to do anything for her?"

Percy didn't miss a beat. "Yes."

"Now tell me; have you ever hurt her?"

He winced. "Yes."

"What did you do to restore your relationship?"

"Nothing yet."

The woman narrowed her eyes at him. "Interesting. This is how you love? This is the person you would be willing to do anything for, yet you have done nothing to make things right between you two? I don't think that is love. I call it," she stared at him steadily, and he noted her gray eyes, "infatuation. Puppy love."

Percy looked straight at the woman, and said plainly, "You're Athena, aren't you?"

She tilted her head, and said, "Yes."

Percy sighed. "You know that I love Annabeth. I'm willing to do anything for her, but right now I have to let her cool down."

"Percy Jackson. I have told you numerous times that I do not approve of your relationship with my daughter. I don't want her to be let down, and you have down exactly that. I should destroy you for doing so."

Percy winced.

"However, unlike many of the other gods, I understand that couples have disagreements. But in the end, the most important thing is to see how the couple handles the situation. Annabeth was not herself that day, and shares part of the blame. Her temper was short, and you," she looked at him with disgust. "you are the spawn of Poseidon. You have no attention span whatsoever; a goldfish could focus more than you."

"Excuse me-"

"You did not help matters with my daughter at all. She was worried about your mutual friends Nico and Thalia, and was concerned about how they were feeling. She was conferring with you to try and come up with a plan to make them reach an agreement, and you refused to pay attention. You both share the blame. I will be watching you, Perseus Jackson. Don't screw up."

And she disintegrated into a pile of dust, causing Percy to cough violently.

"Great." Percy said aloud. "Now I've got an angry goddess watching my every move." He then looked over the harbor again, and shouted, "Annabeth, I swear I'll make it up to you! And not because of your mom, but because you are my only love!"

He tilted his head up to the sky, and grinned. "Yep. I'll start tomorrow."

Phew! Took me the whole day to do! I know the last part was a little weird, but I couldn't think of what else Percy would say...

I think'll I switch over to Thalia and Nico soon.

Luna Rivera528

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