"Annabeth, can I make a confession?" Piper asked quietly. Annabeth moved her gaze to the side to look at her best friend. Piper stared at the road and seemed to be lost in thought. For a few moments, the only sound was the radio. It was followed by Percy singing under his breath. He had his earbuds plugged in and wouldn't be able to hear them.
They were on the way to Reyna and Nico's apartment for game night. Nico was the one who invited them, but it was Reyna who gave them the address and even her number in case they got lost. Annabeth couldn't help but be a little suspicious about it. Especially since Reyna had been pretty much avoiding them.
It had been almost a week since Reyna had her incident with her elbow. She had spent the rest of the last week kicking the stuffing out of a punching bag, running miles, and working on her stamina. Lupa watched Reyna like a hawk to make sure that she didn't use her arm or elbow for anything.
Frank seemed to just accept that Reyna would never apologize to him. He focused on his training with Annabeth, and they were making progress, which was a good thing. Frank only had fourteen days until his fight.
"Is it that you love me and are leaving Jason?" Annabeth teased.
"No," Piper said quietly. Annabeth risked glancing at her friend and couldn't hide her concern. "It is about Jason though."
"Did something happen?" Annabeth asked. Piper sighed and looked down.
"No. It's stupid really. Never mind," Piper mumbled.
"Piper, any concern that you have is not stupid. Just tell me what's wrong," Annabeth said gently.
"I just keep thinking back to our conversation with Jason and how he used to date Reyna. I know it's stupid, but I can't help but think about it," Piper began. Annabeth frowned. She had worried Piper would allow that conversation to consume her thoughts.
"What do you keep thinking?" Annabeth questioned. She slowed down the car and pulled into a parking lot. After parking the car, Annabeth looked back and saw that Percy was taking out his earbuds and looked at them inquisitively.
"I just... I know that Reyna and Jason dated in high school. I know that Jason said that he doesn't have any feelings for Reyna, but she's so perfect. She's hotter than me and stronger than me. I can't help but compare myself to her. I just know I won't be that good."
"Piper, you know the last thing Jason cares about is looks," Percy said. He sat forward and rested his head on Piper's seat. "Don't get me wrong. You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever met, but Jason is blind. He cares more about his personality than looks."
"Piper, you are one of the nicest and sweetest people that there are. You shouldn't compare yourself to Reyna. The two of you are so different," Annabeth began. She tried to think about how to comfort her friend. Piper looked in between them.
"But, Jason and Reyna have known each other for years. Jason told me they were really good friends and started to drift apart after Reyna dated Thalia. Then, they really fell out of touch when Jason left the gym, but now that he keeps coming by, how do I know they won't rekindle what they had?" Piper asked.
"It sounds like the only thing they would rekindle is a friendship," Percy said. He rubbed Piper's shoulder. "I think all of us have changed since high school. The Jason and Reyna that dated back then are way different than they are now."
"Piper, you are amazing. Do not try to compare yourself to anyone," Annabeth consoled. She grabbed Piper's hands. "Jason is head over heels for you, and he would never do anything to hurt you. He's told me that he's more worried that you'll find someone better than him."
"I would never be able to find anyone better than him," Piper countered.
"And he thinks the same of you," Percy added. "The two of you are perfect for each other. If you ask me, you should talk to Jason about this and let him know your concerns. He'll reassure you that he loves you."
"But not as much as I love you," Annabeth teased. Piper smiled slightly.
"Thank you, guys. I know that I'm being silly over nothing," Piper said.
"I'm just glad you told us," Annabeth said. She turned back towards the steering wheel and grabbed it. Annabeth began driving again. "If you want Piper, you can exercise with me."
"Not all of us have four hours a day to work on our six-pack," Piper teased. Annabeth smiled. "You're like the most ripped person that I know."
"Reyna has more muscles than me. And better abs," Annabeth stated. She focused on the road and heard her friends fall silent. After a moment, she glanced at them. "What?"
"Annabeth Chase, did you just say someone has better abs than you?" Piper accused.
"It's the truth," Annabeth said with a shrug.
"You're not one to casually say that someone is hot," Percy commented. Annabeth felt her face starting to burn.
"I never said Reyna was hot," Annabeth denied.
"You said she has more muscles and better abs. That's your version of saying something is hot," Piper pointed out. Annabeth rolled her eyes, but her face kept heating up. "This could work out. You can date Reyna and keep her away from Jason. I don't have to worry that way."
"Maybe Reyna would keep me away from you, and you would lose your best friend," Annabeth countered. She wasn't sure why her mouth was dry all of a sudden or why she was blushing this bad. Did she have a crush on Reyna? No. Did she think Reyna was hot? Well, who wouldn't?
"I win!" Piper called. Annabeth looked at her in confusion and shock.
"That's cheating," Percy complained. Piper turned around in her seat and held a hand out.
"What are you two talking about?" Annabeth demanded.
"Piper and I made a bet on who could make you blush first tonight, but it wasn't supposed to start until after we got to the apartment," Percy explained.
"I never agreed to that," Piper said. Percy rolled his eyes but gave her a twenty.
"I'll get it back," Percy promised.
"No you won't," Annabeth interrupted. "The two of you are not going to use me as the center of your bet. Piper, did you mean what you said about Jason, or was that just to mess with me?"
"I did mean it. I just saw the opportunity to mess with you after," Piper said. "I know you're not attracted to Reyna, but you do let your eyes trail sometimes. I'm just saying."
"Reyna's bisexual, right?" Percy asked with a suggestive tone. Annabeth blindly reached backward to smack him and hit something solid. "Ow!"
"Both of you shut up," Annabeth warned. She focused on the road in front of her. Whether Annabeth had a crush or not, which she didn't, was irrelevant. Reyna obviously didn't like her that much. There was an unspoken competition between the two of them. If Annabeth was ever going to think about a relationship with Reyna, which she would not do, she would first need to be friends with her.
Annabeth really hated her friends. Who cared if her eyes trailed? She used to do the same thing when Percy was at his swim meets or when Piper and her were exercising together. Annabeth didn't see a problem with that. It wasn't like she was ever going to act on it. There was nothing for her to even act on!
Annabeth let out an angry breath and focused back on the road. Her friends were getting under her skin, but she was just going to relax. It didn't matter. Her friends fell silent as she drove, and no one spoke until they pulled up to the apartment.
Percy whistled and leaned forward. Annabeth studied the building in front of her that looked more like a house than an apartment. The neighborhood itself looked rather quiet and peaceful. Annabeth knew they were in the right place as she recognized Hazels' car. Annabeth parked next to the car.
"Did anyone expect them to live somewhere darker? Like a funeral home?" Piper said as she got out of the car.
"I bet it's just one large black room that has a coffin or two to sleep in," Percy commented. Annabeth whacked both of her friends. She would admit that this place wasn't what she thought it was either. Annabeth double-checked the address on her phone even as she looked back at Hazel's car, but this was it.
"Want to help with the beer?" Piper asked Percy. He nodded, and Annabeth opened the trunk for them. As they got the beers, she walked towards the front door. Annabeth knocked, and it opened a moment later.
"Hey," Reyna greeted. Annabeth blinked in surprise at the woman in front of her. Reyna looked so different now than she did in her training gear. For one, she had her hair down. She wore sweatpants and a plain purple shirt. "Did you find the place okay?"
"We did," Annabeth answered after a moment.
"Come in," Reyna said as she stepped to the side. Annabeth slowly stepped into the apartment and looked around. Her eyes focused on the living room that she was now standing in. There was a large flat screen TV that had a few gaming consoles on the shelf below it. Frank and Hazel were sitting on a couch across from the television.
To her right was a kitchen with about ten boxes of pizza on the table. Reyna held the door open for Piper and Percy as they walked in, and she took the beer from them. Nico appeared from the hallway and nodded to them.
"This is a nice place," Annabeth complemented.
"Thanks. I picked it out. Reyna was thinking about living in an alley," Nico joked.
"Shut up, Nico," Reyna called from the kitchen. She glanced back at them. "Help yourself to pizza. Piper, we also got two vegetarian pizzas for you. They're in the black boxes."
"Thank you," Piper said.
"There's also wings and breadsticks," Nico offered. Annabeth hesitated, but once Hazel and Frank stood and made their way to the kitchen, she followed. Reyna passed out paper plates and leaned against the counter. She watched them quietly.
"Thanks for inviting us to game night," Percy said.
"I needed an easy victim," Nico said. Percy gave him an accusing look. Nico smirked. "I'm sure Annabeth will put up a fight, but you'll be weak and easy to take down."
"If I wasn't about to devour pizza, I would show you who is weak and easy to take down," Percy threatened.
"Hazel, there is some soda in the fridge for you and anyone else who wants it," Reyna said. Hazel looked at her and nodded. "And Frank."
Frank had a pizza halfway to his plate, but he froze upon hearing those words. Everyone else fell completely silent, and they all glanced to the side. Reyna shifted awkwardly and looked like she was going to shut down. Instead, she swallowed painfully and looked right at Frank.
"I'm sorry about what I said, Frank. I shouldn't have said that, especially not in front of the others. I should have pulled you aside and calmly told you my thoughts," Reyna apologized. She hesitated and looked away.
Annabeth studied Reyna. While she thought the apology should have happened the day after their argument, she could appreciate that Reyna was saying it in front of everyone. It was one thing to swallow your pride and apologize to one person. It was another to apologize in front of a group of your peers.
"I'm just... sorry," Reyna said again. It looked like she wanted to say more, but she just stared at the ground.
"I forgive you, Reyna. And, I do respect your opinion. I just want to prove myself," Frank said.
"You will," Reyna said after a few moments. She looked up at Frank. "Just remember that Kahale is a boxer. He is going to hit hard and fast. Against him, bold action and fearlessness are going to be the only things that matter. Every move you make needs to be planned well and not half-assed."
"Kahale is going to do the same with every punch that he throws. Just be careful," Reyna warned.
"I will," Frank promised, and a smile came to his face. He focused on grabbing another slice of pizza. Annabeth could see the tension between the two of them dissolve. Frank grabbed a beer and moved towards the couch. Reyna stayed frozen in her spot.
Annabeth found herself studying Reyna until she felt Piper nudge her. Piper whispered in her ear, "Will you stop undressing her and grab some pizza?"
Annabeth stiffened, and her face turned beet red again. Percy looked at them and scoffed at Piper. In response, Piper stuck her tongue out and made a motion for money. Annabeth looked at her friends and glared at both of them.
"I will kill you two," Annabeth whispered threateningly. She walked towards the kitchen and grabbed a few slices with some breadsticks. Then, she grabbed a beer and walked towards the living room. The couch had been pushed aside, and there were a few board games set on the floor. Everyone was sitting in a circle around the assortment of games.
As Annabeth sat down, Piper sat on her right. Percy was practically dragged towards Hazel and sat in between her and Frank. There was an empty space to Annabeth's left until Reyna sat next to her. Reyna didn't look at her. She just quietly ate her pizza.
Annabeth wanted to say something to Reyna. She wanted to tell her that what she did was smart, humbling herself in front of the others and admitting her mistake. Reyna didn't look like she would appreciate that comment, so Annabeth kept her mouth shut.
Truthfully, Annabeth thought they could be good friends. They were both at the top of their fighting game, and they could push each other to be better. Annabeth could also see how she and Reyna would butt heads with both of them being too proud to back down. Either way, Annabeth hoped that she had the chance to get closer to Reyna and actually be her friend. Instead of this awkward position they found themselves in.
It would make life at the gym a lot easier as she wouldn't have to worry about Reyna hating her. Annabeth did notice that Reyna wasn't too happy about Annabeth's weekly training sessions with Lupa. Annabeth wasn't sure why though.
Sparring with Lupa was some of the most fun that Annabeth had the whole week. Lupa won all of their sparring sessions so far, but she had given Annabeth plenty of advice. Annabeth got the impression that Reyna was jealous, but she wasn't sure why. It still bothered Annabeth, but she was just going to have to ignore it and hope that those feelings passed in time.
For now, Annabeth would just enjoy the game night. Then, she would help Frank be fully ready for his fight. After this event, she would learn who the challenger for her title was. Annabeth would have a new focus: her title defense. Annabeth would successfully defend her title and show the world just how great of a fighter she is.