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"Somewhere between love and hate lies confusion, misunderstanding and desperate hope."
― Shannon L. Alder
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It was nearly two days since Annabeth and Percy's fight.
They weren't talking at all. No glances in the hallways, no gang meet invites; nothing, really. Only Jason came by to see her and told her that Percy was just being a jerk and that he would come back to his senses soon.
When?
Annabeth didn't want to attend any royal meals but her ego wouldn't let her. When Piper cheerfully demanded that they wear matching dresses (the next day), Annabeth turned cold and told her that she wanted to be alone for a while. For two days, it has been just her, her books, her work and classes.
She realized too late that if sitting with Drew and Rachel's gang was a bad idea then sitting with them without Piper or any of her friends is a terrible one.
Unfortunately for her, she arrived late the next afternoon and Percy must have done the switching seats thing again because she found herself in the back of the table with Stella and Drew on either of her sides. Piper skipped that day. Thalia, Clarrise and Tracy are, by fate, sitting next to Percy on the other side of the table.
They were talking about dates when she started eating.
Drew gloated, "- should've seen the stars that day. Gosh it was so good. He's an amazing entertainer. Always tries to keep the mood light. I can't wait to do it again."
Oh great, Drew got the rooftop dinner.
Katie continued, "We went on a walk across the outer gardens. You guys should check it out sometime. If you think the gardens around the palace are great, wait till you see the outer ones. I can't believe he actually knows the names of all the flowers that grow there. It was so romantic."
Stella snorted, "How is walking romantic? I got a horse back ride. Thing is, I purposefully got clumsy when I got on my horse and almost fell -"
Calypso interrupted, "Great way to ruin your date lady"
Stella narrowed her eyes, "Except, not really, because he offered to teach me balance by riding the same horse as me", she smirked. "And guess what? It was his horse. Actually, I don't give credit for that. It really tried to drop me down a few times and it was being a pain in the ass. The Prince had a hard time controlling it."
Annabeth mentally high-fived blackjack. Then she thought: But... he is good with me.
Amber said, "Must be because you're a new person."
Stella shrugged, " Yeah, that's what he said too. He said it was fine with his friends."
Was it just her or did Stella stare at Annabeth for a second there?
"But hey, all good in the end. He's got strong arms, I'll tell you that."
Sally suddenly called out, "Annabeth!"
The girls around her went quiet. "Your highness?"
"Why are you sitting all the way over there? Tyson's narrating embarrassing stories about you to your competition!"
Annabeth glared at Tyson who sent her a grin, "Okay fine. Just one more, I'll just tell them the bubblegum incident, okay? Besides, they say you're friends."
Percy wasn't even looking. It irked Annabeth. He was too busy talking to a Selected.
Thalia mocked, "We are friends, aren't we, Beth?"
Annabeth nodded to her but glared at the Prince, "Your majesty, if you leak the bubblegum story, I'll leak the swimsuit story."
All the royals except Percy started grinning. Tyson paled, "Hey that's not fair."
Annabeth shrugged. Tyson grinned mischievously and went back to his conversation as the girls turned to her.
"Gosh, Wise Girl, you're totally friend-zoned", said Drew.
Reyna snickered, "Someone told us you are competition. I wonder who the fool it was."
Cassy went on, "Have you girls seen how the Prince looks at her? Total sister material. I didn't know the whole family recognized it too."
Annabeth got irritated, "Percy likes me, alright? Your opinion doesn't change that."
Stella kept one hand on her back as if to say: Oh poor baby, "Sweetie, we're sure he likes you. Likes you like a sister that is."
Drew joined, "How is your name Wise girl when you can't even see this? Don't worry when I become Queen, I'll let you stick around as his sister and show you how much he enjoys me. I don't see why that's needed though. Maybe in the past he wanted a sister but now he really has one. She's a nice real princess too, unlike you."
Annabeth felt bile raising up her throat when she said 'how he enjoys me'. She clutched her hands and the soup spoon fell down. The room was too loud so no one but them paid attention.
Rachel leaned over from the other side and passed her soup spoon, "Don't worry. I haven't used it. I don't like soups."
Amber gasped and put one hand over her lips, "Good one Rachel, we'll give her the things we don't use. Like Prince's brotherly side."
A few girls snickered. Zoe joined the conversation, "Yeah and Mischelle's seat and room 23. Who would want a room in the palace with no windows anyway?"
Annabeth blabbered before she realized what she was saying, "That's not my room. My room is in the 3rd floor. Just like Percy. And for the record, I'm not his sister, I'm his best friend. We even have a gang."
Momentarily they all looked stunned but Drew recovered fast, "Wait... So you're telling me that you've practically lived in the same floor as Percy and been in the same gang but nothing ever happened between you two? Wow, you're way more friend-zoned than Thalia there. And she told us she isn't interested in the Prince like that."
She didn't tell me that...
"I know him from head to toe. If I try, I can guess what he's gonna eat next. Don't test me."
Zoe snorted, "Exactly Bethie, that's what we're saying too. You know each other so well that you're stuck in his friend-zone. Come on, when was the last time you remotely got him flustered or turned him on?"
Drew snickered, "That's too far away, Zoe. When was the last time you wore something that made him stare at you? Have you ever worn red in your life? Trust me, from what I see, he isn't as innocent as he behaves with you. He's a total troublemaker."
Yeah I know but it is not like that.
Reyna joined, "I second that. Guys like him like it when you're fresh. When they don't know you. When there is this air of mystery around you. He already knows you well, if he hasn't seen anything in you yet, he probably won't in the future too."
Annabeth clutched her teeth.
He likes who I am, her mind defended.
Drew started, "You should have seen how he looked me up the other day. I think he may have a thigh fetish. Not sure yet. But I bet he likes things rough."
Annabeth felt her cheeks redden. How can she tell something like this after one date? How is she sure?
Is it false though?
"I bet you can't see things like this. When you look at him, the friendship filter blocks these." Said Amber.
"Annabeth, jeez don't get so angry. It is okay to be his friend. I don't think any of us would have a problem with that. Besides, I don't think he'll let you go either", said Rachel.
Is Rachel trying to be nice or is she trying to rub it on my face?
"Besides, him liking these things isn't surprising. It isn't wrong either, it is just a part you haven't seen and so what? What if he likes to -", said Cassy.
Annabeth cuts her, "I'm not here to be his slut. I'm here to help him with his responsibilities as a Prince. Like a real partner."
Drew snickered, "Think about it Annie. Percy is the Prince. He has everything that he could want: Fame, power, money, fan-girls, you name it, he probably has it. What is the one thing he doesn't have? Someone that excites him. Someone that keeps him on the edge. Someone who drives him crazy and gives him a good -."
Calypso cuts her, "Why do you think we're listening to the classes? We want to be good enough for a Queen too but Drew is right. This component is inevitable. If that's what it takes then so be it."
When she looked back towards the royal family, Percy is chatting away and not paying her any attention. Only Sally looked at her, slightly frowning like she were worried.
...
She knew Percy was free... well, comparatively. If Percy was right and the military problems were really over, that means the other royals would step in to handle everyday administrations and other works while they give Percy room to concentrate on the Selection. Besides, she knows for a fact that part of the gang met another time that morning and Percy couldn't possibly spend so much time with his friends if he was busy.
All these days she was waiting to spend time with him and now that he does have time, they're fighting.
Great, universe, great.
She decided that it was about time she stepped out and apologized to Piper. She put on a two piece white dress figuring that she owed Piper at least a walk around for ignoring her for two days. She opened the door and found a tall, blond hair man probably in his late 20s at Willow's desk.
Annabeth called out, "Luke!", she waved.
Luke turned to her, "Hey Annie! I was just asking about you", he walked a few steps towards her, "Apparently I can't trick anything out of your mentor."
Annabeth hit Luke on his shoulder playfully, "Of course you can't. She's too straight. What are you doing here?"
"I thought we could catch up. We didn't really get much time to before. I took a day off today so if you're free.. but.. now that I think about it, I'm not sure if I am allowed here on off duty days."
Luke took a day off and he could have done anything with it but he still chose to meet with me.
Annabeth doesn't want to feel excited. It's not right. However, she can't deny the sudden spike in her heart rate. Luke was her first crush.
"You're Percy's guard, I think we have exceptions. Sure, I'm free. So... I'll show you around?"
He frowned skeptically, "I'm the guard. I'm supposed to know the place. You'll show me around?"
"And I've lived here for years. Which makes more sense?"
Luke smiled, "Okay Princess, show me around."
If Miss. Willow had any problem with Annabeth showing 'random' guards around the palace, she didn't show it. She looked at them, listened to their conversation and went back to shuffling papers and writing something.
Annabeth wanted to care but she couldn't find it in herself to.
I need a break.
...
Luke and Annabeth decided to go to the gardens because 1) They can't go to the library because it was above the 2nd floor, 2) Library isn't the best place to catch up because they'll have to talk in hushed voices, 3) Gardens are places guards and Selected most go through and it won't look too odd to see a Selected with one there.
Luke, "- That's how it happened. Then boom three years of training and I get a good guard position. Two more years and I was recruited to serve the palace."
"Wow Luke, you've done really well."
"You've too! Architecture department in the palace! I knew you always had potential but I didn't realize how much."
"Thanks. It is the only thing I'm sure of. I can't see myself in any other place."
"Yeah, but remember when we were young and made scenarios and plotted the fall of royals?"
Annabeth didn't hear him laugh but she knew he meant it as a joke, "Talk about reality! Now you're actually a guard but faithfully working for the Prince and I'm a Lady also faithful to the Selection."
Luke's expression hardened but Annabeth didn't notice, "You mean that? You're really in it for Percy?", he mock teased, "Not even a little bit for the throne and to make our childhood dreams come true?"
Annabeth turned serious though, "We were children Luke, we didn't understand how things went on in this place back then. Things have changed too. We're finally at peace. No civil wars for at least 10 years. Why would I even think like that anymore?"
Luke sighed, "You know I didn't mean that seriously. I'll give you this, you're good at dodging questions, too bad I'm good at noticing it."
Annabeth turned to him. "What question?"
"Are you really in it for only the Prince?"
Annabeth looked down. So many people had asked this question that she had started doubting herself.
She was so sure it was all for him before.
But it can't be. If Annabeth really wanted to compete then she needs to do a good job at being a royal too, not just a lover.
It has to be for the throne too. Not because she wants it, not because she's greedy for power but because she may have to take half of Percy's responsibility and burden.
She wasn't sure if she was ready for it.
"Luke, I'm here as Percy's best friend but we're giving it a shot I guess... If anything, I'm here to support him for his responsibilities and not the power", she admitted.
"He needs someone to slap him on the face when he goes things wrong though. He needs an anchor like that. But I guess he always depended on you indirectly, right? That breakfast in the diner is not the first time he's forgot stuff or became irresponsible, is it?"
She wanted to ask how he knew what happened but she missed her chance. They were walking side by side with a respectable (but not awkward) distance between them. Someone else was walking on the other side because halfway through the gardens, another couple came into their view.
Percy and Rachel.
Percy had both his hands in his jeans pocket and Rachel was wearing a light orange floral dress that made her red hair stand out in the evening light. If this wasn't the royal palace then people seeing them would have thought it was a double date. All the four stopped in their tracks for a second before they approached each other.
Percy was the first to speak, "Lady Annabeth, what are you doing here?"
Annabeth's expression closed off. "Same as you, Prince. I'm showing a friend around. I'm sure those things are not prohibited for the Selected.", she put one arm around Luke's arm to emphasize her point.
Luke, if anything, smiled and adjusted their arms to look more formal. He saw Percy's obvious irritation but didn't budge.
Percy turned to him , "Aren't you supposed to be on duty now?"
"I took a day off, your majesty. For myself. I'm sorry we disturbed you. We really didn't expect anyone to be here", Percy's jaw tightened at that statement.
Luke's tone turned, "We should get going. We'll stay on the other side and not bother you, your highness", he bowed a little dragging Annabeth halfway but she looked straight at Percy.
Percy ignored him, "Lady Annabeth, why aren't you with the others for dinner?"
Annabeth genuinely forgot that it was already dinner time. She was so busy catching up with Luke.
She lied, "I already ate in my room."
He sighed, expression morphing into concern, "Annabeth, are you eating properly?"
She wasn't but that isn't his problem. She's filling herself with junk but she doesn't owe to tell him.
"Of course I'm eating, your highness. I don't see why you should bother about that. Just another Selected here.", her voice was stern.
"What.. Wise Girl.."
Annabeth tightened her arm around Luke, "Lets get going."
They rushed off to where Percy and Rachel came from. Annabeth immediately pressed herself to the edge of the building, safely hiding from the Prince's view. Luke looked at her, dumbfounded then mouthed a 'what'.
She ignored him and listened to Percy's conversation with Rachel. She thought that maybe they didn't move because she was able to hear them without pitch change.
Rachel asked, "What was that?"
Percy scoffed but it wasn't harsh, "Good question."
"Did you guys fight or is this how you are?"
Annabeth mentally face palmed herself. Yeah we did. Now you go spread it around.
"Is it that obvious? You know I -"
Luke interrupted. He kept his face too close to Annabeth and whisper scolded, "Annabeth! What are you doing?"
Her heart started beating weirdly from his close proximity but this wasn't any time for her to rethink her past feelings. She had to know what Percy and Rachel were talking about.
She whisper replied, "Just make sure no one sees us, will you?"
"This is wrong."
She pushed him away, "Then imagine you never saw me and stand guard."
Luke opened his mouth, closed it and decided it was best to get over with it. Annabeth missed part of what Percy said.
Rachel spoke again, "Right. I can see how that went. Percy, you'd have had fights before right? Just talk it out."
"We always fight but not like this. I don't know, Rachel."
First name basis now? Ugh.
Rachel said, "It isn't logical though. This is the Selection. I can't get jealous over you dating 24 more girls, can I? I have to focus on proving myself."
Annabeth's anger spoke in her mind. Ah, what now?
Annabeth has guided Percy over so many of his decisions that she didn't need to be part of the council to influence it.
How is that for proof?
Luke nudged Annabeth but she didn't care. Percy responded, "It is not so black and white when you have history but sometimes... I just wish she'd see things from my point of view. She just..."
Luke interrupted, "We need to go.", he pulled her away roughly and they entered the palace.
Annabeth yanked her arms off of him. "You should have let me be Luke! Why can't you stand -"
He was hearing none of it though, "Annabeth! What was that? Do you even realise what you were doing? Eavesdropping the Prince!?"
She hanged her head down.
"What has he done to you! Tell me what happened."
She did. She told him how she was feeling hurt because she was 'just another Selected' to Percy. She told about how he lied to her and kept lying.
Luke wrapped one hand around her in the end and said, "He's a jerk. You know I'd never do anything like that."
Annabeth got the implication and felt uncomfortable.
He held out a pinky finger and Annabeth sealed the promise.
Why are you here after so long, Luke?
Why complicate things more?