Chapter 4: Percy POV

"I need you to start dating Rachel. Secretly." The words swam in my head as I assimilated the horrifying news.

No way. I don't even know how I feel about her. I mean she's nice and all and she sure is more damn easier to hang out with but my heart belongs to Annabeth. I should have just handled this on my own instead of asking this creep for advice. I should have convinced Annabeth that I love her and that she is the sunshine in my day and moonlight of my nights. Convince her to love me and yet I am her talking to this lady about dating Rachel, when in the first place I should be fixing things with Annabeth.

"I can't just do that" I said disgusted with Aphrodite.

"Every good love story has a twist, Percy. Do as I say and I shall make it the most tragic love story in history" she said batting her eyelashes. Tragic? What the hell?

"You mean like Romeo and Juliet?" I said, pretty sure that it was a tragedy. All I knew was that everybody dies in the end.

"Yes and no. Everyone doesn't have to die in the end" she said rolling her eyes. "After all, it's the journey that matters, not the destination and every story has to be unique-"

"Let me get this straight. I just want a normal goddamn relation with Annabeth, not a fricking tragic story" I growl at her. She just sighs.

"That wouldn't be worth my time"

"I don't wanna date Rachel" I whine, like a little kid who doesn't want to go to school.

"Neither do I, I just want a good romance" she huffs. What the hell?

"Isn't there anything else I could do?"

She shakes her head.

"Please?"

Same response.

"I'll just figure things on my own.

"Percy?" Annabeth called. I whipped my head around, startled. She was watching us both intently with that calculating look on her face.

"We're leaving for camp. Are you joining us?"

"I...um...uh" I stammer. I was so occupied by the thought of cheating on Annabeth to make a relationship with her, my immortal brain forgot to function properly.

"He will join you at camp" Aphrodite said. Annabeth ignored her and looked at me for my reply. Gods, I love her.

To agree or not agree?

"I'll join you at camp" I confirm. Annabeth leaves me without a word and my chest aches with every step she takes away from me. Love is as complex as solving a really tough calculus question; even if you finally finish solving it, you don't know if it will turn out right.

"How will you manage on your own if you can't even handle a simple question like this?" she asked, sympathy in her voice.

My cheeks heated instantly and I imagined my fist wrapping around her pretty little neck. It calmed me for some reason. But I couldn't give in to her demand even if it meant getting some high quality relationship advice. Not to mention that every sane person would think twice about trusting Aphrodite's work. But I need to gain Annabeth's trust and in no way I can't do it myself, now that I'm a god. What is going on inside that smart mind of hers? Is she taking all of this like a math problem? Gods damn it.

"Will you make sure Annabeth doesn't find out about this?" I asked her. She just smiled at me, taking a sip from her goblet of nectar.

"I will do what is necessary" Isn't that very convincing.

"I will convince Annabeth that you love her. What more do you want? Don't let greed get the best of you"

"That's the whole point. She knows I love her. I want her to love me" I said, irritated.

"That's a part of the deal. Do you agree to my terms?" she questioned. I reluctantly nodded my head, hoping for the best.

"When should I um..."

"Come to me? When you need advice for whatever it is. Leave the rest to me" Oh wonderful.

"Don't mess up, okay?" I threatened, swearing a little.

"Here's a tip: It's not cute when you swear. Especially in front of your crush" she said, mocking me. I glared at her and turned to leave, but then a deep voice demanded my attention.

"Perseus Jackson!"

I turned around to find the lord of the forges waiting for me with a strange look on his face.

"Hephaestus" I addressed him.

"I will not forget the favor you did for me back in the Labyrinth" he went on. "Therefore, I would like to return the favor to you. Beware of love, Percy. Just know that the grass isn't greener on the other side, it's greener where you water it."

"I... don't understand what you mean" I stammered, understanding well where this was leading.

"You know what I mean. Beware of love, Percy. My wife included."

For an instance I forgot Aphrodite was his wife and she cheated on him blah blah blah so he must know what he's talking about.

"Ill...um keep that in mind"

Getting to camp was easy. I just had to close my eyes and concentrate on the beach of Long Island. Then when I opened my eyes, I found myself in the desired location and it was...well, nice. The ocean breeze caressed my face gently, making me smile but the smile vanished quickly. How I wish I could have Annabeth right next to me, knowing that she loves me even if I'm a god.

I walked up to camp and saw that all the campers were gathered around the Big House. I jogged up to them and saw the most bizarre sight I have in my short immortal life: Rachel lying on the ground, shrouded in green smoke; Apollo hovering over the Big House taking this all in and Chiron... gods, Chiron. I hope he's okay.

"What's going on?" I asked. I heard Annabeth mutter something about a perfect day or what.

"Oh, today's usual. You became the lord of calm seas and protector of marine life, while Rachel here became the damn Oracle" Annabeth said flatly. What in the name of the gods?

"What the..." I was about to swear out loudly but I stopped myself. Swearing isn't cute.

"Percy? You're a god?" Chiron asked me, sadness evident in his brown eyes. I just nodded, too confused to even process what the hell is happening here.

"Now, now. There are some rules for the Oracle here" Apollo said, grabbing out attention. "She can't date, she can't marry. That sort of thing. She is the seer of fate, speaker of prophecies, yada yada yada" he continued. But I wasn't listening.

"She can't date?" I asked, gaining the spotlight once more. Annabeth's sob was not unnoticed by me and I feel terrible for asking this.

"Nope" Apollo confirms. I nodded my head. What the heck? Is this a part of Aphrodite's plan? How will I secretly date her now? Great. Now if I date her, not only will I be breaking Annabeth's heart, I will also be breaking the Ancient Laws. Damn it.

"I'll be in my cabin" Annabeth said, dismissing herself and I feel extremely guilty. Poor Annabeth. When will I stop hurting her?

"Annabeth-"

She doesn't even turn as she says, "Don't, Percy. I'm done. Goodbye."

[I just remembered Oracles aint supposed to date and it made everything even complicated. I know this chapter isn't great because it's Friday and I just had classes and I'm so damn tired and sorry if this isnt long as you expected. And thanks for the 200+ views on the first week! It means the world to me to know that there are ppl who enjoy my work and keep reading! Thanks for the support. ILY all! I've got classes so gotta go. Stay cool.]

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