Disclaimer: Pearny is mine, most of the rest are by Rick Riordan.
Author's Note: Really happy! All way through. 6,750+ views, 79 reviews, 21 favorites and 16 followers. Really awesome!
37. Bad Day
At dawn, I ran with Henry and the rest of the 2nd cohort. I knew he knew something was off. He kept taking glances at me and I could feel his eyes fill with preoccupation.
I had breakfast with the 2nd cohort in Camp Jupiter and even the legionnaires looked at us with concern since we weren't laughing and chatting like usual. Henry was moody and I was just trying to get by that awful dream.
"Are we going to talk about that kiss?" said Henry dropping his fork suddenly and noisily right in the middle of breakfast. Everybody dropped what they were doing to stare at us.
"It meant nothing" I said like defending myself.
"It clearly was because you are acting weird" said Henry almost snorting.
"Whatever" I snorted at him.
"Whatever" he snorted at me.
After breakfast, I trained with 2nd cohort. I taught some kids, including JJ, how to use the spear while Henry had shooting lesson. We weren't talking at each other. He was upset at me and I let him. Maybe it would be easier to say goodbye that way.
After training, Henry walked me to Annabeth's house. We held hands as a reflex but we weren't talking to each other. Peter was inside sitting on the couch and with one look at us his face brightened. The smug bastard knew instantly that something was wrong between us.
"I will go to pack" I said and climbed the stairs in hurried steps. I packed without hurry. I cried again in the bed trying so hard to convince myself of leaving New Rome and Henry.
Suddenly, I heard fighting noises. I ran downstairs to find the furniture moved or upside down. Peter and Henry were at each other throwing punches. Patrick and Annabeth walked in at the same time at me.
"Peter, back off!" said Patrick grabbing Peter's shoulder.
"He started" yelled Peter.
"I will be glad to end it with my fist in your nose" said Henry ready to strike again.
"I dare you" said Peter taunting him.
"Henry, punch him" I said and everybody turned at me, even Henry. Everybody expected me to stop them.
"What?" said Henry surprised.
"Do it. Punch him. Make him clear that I am yours… Your thing" I said harshly.
"Pearl" said Henry softly and walked at me.
"Do whatever you want. I just don't care anymore. I am sick of you two at each other's throats. You can kill each other if you want" I said and I felt tears almost coming out.
"Pearl, you are not a thing" said Henry closing the distance.
"Well, I feel like it" I said and walked upstairs fast leaving everybody flabbergasted.
Lunch was definitely awkward. Henry stayed because Annabeth needed help cooking. Peter locked himself in Philip's bedroom until it was time to eat. I wasn't talking with Henry which had everybody throwing glances of preoccupation on both of us over the table. The only happy person in the table was Peter with a smug smile even chatting like nothing ha happened.
We were supposed to leave after lunch but Nico had something to do before. I was waiting on Nico with the rest of the family with my bag at hand. For the first time in days, I was desperate to get back to New York.
One hour later, Nico arrived and we started to say goodbye. I kissed Pamela and everybody goodbye. I was sad of leaving them but sadder because of Henry. I looked at Nico and asked him silently for a moment alone with Henry. Nico nodded at me and I took Henry's hand. Both of us walked out to the backyard.
"We need to talk" I said looking at his eyes.
"What's on your mind, salty lips?" he said cupping my face with his tender touch. I removed his hand. I needed my head clear.
"I am breaking up with you. I'm sorry but this long distance relationship isn't working for me" I said harshly.
"You are lying" he said loudly. I felt the whole family watching us from the windows or doors.
"I am telling you the truth" I said trying so hard not to cry. Henry took my hand and he was shaking. His eyes were so full of tears that it almost broke my resolution, but I had to be strong.
"Don't leave me. Tell me how to fix it. Tell me where I was wrong. I won't fight Peter no matter what he says" pleaded Henry. He looked hurt and heartbroken. Everything was my fault.
"I'm sorry" I whispered. He shook his head and he looked me with a hard cold stare like Annabeth's.
"What are you hiding?" said Henry with determination. He knew me so well.
"I found out that I like Peter better" I lied so well that I believed myself.
"You are lying" said Henry. He wasn't buying it.
"Sorry, take the necklace" I said putting the necklace in his palm.
"I don't want it. It's yours" he said with his open palm.
"Take it, Williams" I yelled
"The Sun will freeze before I will" he yelled louder and in pain. I was so heartbroken that I had to leave. I threw the damn necklace to his chest.
"I have to go now" I said and turned around.
"Don't leave me" he pleaded again as he put his hand on my shoulder. He was shaking in pain and I was full of tears.
"I'm sorry but I am" I said softly and teary.
"You are not leaving. You are going to stay and tell the goddamn truth" said Henry with his hand on my shoulder pulling me to him.
I tried to break free but his grip on me was tight. He left me no choice. I summoned water from the freshly wetted grass and I trapped his legs in ice. He was so surprised that he let go and I ran at the house. Everybody stared at me as he tried to break free.
"Pearl, wait! Don't go!" he yelled at me.
"Nico, let's go now" I said loud. Nico nodded and I was again in New York.
"Pearl, are you ok?" said Nico at me. I wasn't moving and the family stared at me with concern.
"No, I will be in my room and I don't want dinner... Nico, thank you for everything" I said and walked to my room. I threw my bag against the wall and crawled myself to bed. I cried for hours until I felt asleep.
I had just broken the heart of the most amazing and loving guy I had ever encountered in my life. He was everything I wanted and dreamed of. I was despiteful and despicable. I really hoped it worked it. Then maybe I wouldn't have to face his death.