Ok so I know you all hate me! *dodges a dagger* phew! So yeah as I was saying it's been over a month since I have not posted. And now I will give reasons like it was my 14 birthday and then my periodic exams and all, but let's cut it cause I don't want to further bore you :) so as a compensation and an apology letter kind , I present this really really long chapter. This is kind of a filler but it will tell you so much about every character and their feelings. And once again I repeat that they all are of same age and were 6 years old in the last two chapters and now they are 16. Now go read!
CHAPTER 3- NEW RELATIONS
10 YEARS LATER (NOTE -THEY ARE ALL THE SAME AGE SO 16 NOW)
PERCY'S POV
"Is that Nancy Bobofit we are talking about?" Jason asked still a little confused. "Yep the one and only" Percy answered, unable to stop himself from laughing. It had been almost 15 to 20 minutes since they started talking about the topic and all four of them could not stop laughing. It even hurt to breathe now.
"Did she really made such a cheap move on you Percy?" piper asked, trying to compose herself a little. "Yes. I mean now I feel kind of bad you know? Like we are literally making fun of her when she would be sad about how rudely we kind of handled her at the moment. Right Annabeth?" Percy said looking directly into her grey eyes that he had grown very familiar with throughout the years.
She intently let her eyes seep into his as she analyzed him with her stormy eyes. After a second she spoke, "well Percy I thought it was kind of rude for her to just storm in and interrupt our lunch with such a disgusting and inappropriate comment. She crossed her limits so I just confronted her with the truth about how we really felt for her." She said in a menacingly calm tone that terrified him for a second. We all had stopped laughing and there was certain tension hanging in the air now. "Well Annabeth, I respect you standing up for me as a friend but Nancy is my friend too." Percy said, instantly regretting every word. "Maybe she is a better friend to you than me. I was just cruel when I said those things to her and now I apologize for it. There you go, fine Percy?" she said, still managing her calm but at the same time angry tone.
He was too shocked to say anything as his mind still replayed what both of them had said. "Annabeth I didn't-"he started to speak only to be cut off by Annabeth. "Save it Percy, I am sorry I just blew up, not everyone's having a good time right? I just thought that when you are stuck with a person from last 10 years, you get promoted to the best friend status or at least a good friend. Sorry that just got into my head." She said giving a quick smile, as if just noticing how tense the atmosphere had suddenly become.
"Annabeth! You are the bestest and most special friend to me in this world. You all are!" he looked around addressing piper and Jason too. "No matter what happens, you guys will always be my priority and I will trust your actions because I know you will do what's right."
"Ok ok Perce! Jeez now you are turning all sappy so you can stop now because I am pretty sure I can feel the love in the air" Jason exclaimed as everyone started laughing all over again. Seriously some laughing gas was in the air today. A little while later when the moment had subsided and all were just talking about their day, Percy suddenly remembered something that Annabeth had said. "Not everyone's having a good time right?" thinking about this he suddenly tensed. "Hey is everything okay wise girl?" He was cautiously aware of how the tone of his voice had become soft. It used to happen sometimes but only when he was worried.
Annabeth looked at him and gave a little smile. Then she thought for a second and Percy immediately knew what was happening here. She would come up with something as an excuse, hiding the actual reason, so he quickly added "I want the truth wise girl, because I care about you and I know there's something bothering you." As soon as he said Annabeth's facial expression changed. She looked as if she was tired of everything around her. Exhausted. She took a moment to compose herself and then spoke, "Nah, it's just my parents. They keep on fighting as if it is their job to fight every day. They keep bringing some 'Sons of Earth' case and then there they are, fighting all over again. It just keeps on getting worse, day by day."
Percy couldn't help but notice the sudden change of behavior in piper. She sat up straight and her face held an expression of fear and uneasiness. He swore he could see a bead of sweat on her face as she shifted in her seat a little bit. As if noticing his gaze on her, she quickly smiled at him. Percy knew there was something that she was hiding but he also knew that by the expression on her face, it was pretty clear she didn't wanted to talk about it.
"Well Annabeth you know that we are here for you and we will always be at your side, whenever you need us." She smiled at him and was about to say something when suddenly Jason gasped. We all turned to find him grinning. "Guys, what's special about tomorrow?" There was a moment of silence as everyone racked their brains. Oh. My. Gods. Realization hit him like a brick. How could he? He had been keeping tabs and even had prepared a gift and now here he was just one day before; he had forgotten. As if mirroring his thoughts, piper said "it's someone's 16 birthday now isn't it?" she said smiling vibrantly. We all looked at Annabeth who stared back at us as if we were some idiots who were talking in a language she didn't understand. "Annabeth don't you tell me that you forgot your own birthday now" Percy sighed. Her eyes widened for a moment then she let out a little laugh, "oops, guess it kind of just slipped my mind. Well now I am more excited to see what happens tomorrow."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
After some time they realized that it was getting late, so they decided to head home.
"I am going to Reyna's house for the discussion of the upcoming school elections, so I can walk you home pipes. After all your house is in the way." Jason said. Piper looked a little uncomfortable but then quickly she nodded, "yep, let's go then." After talking for some time, Percy and Annabeth parted ways too.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
When Percy reached home, he immediately asked his mom if the necklace that he had ordered for Annabeth's birthday had come or not. She nodded, "yes Perce, and it's beautiful. Simple, delicate and so Annabeth. A symbol of wisdom." She gave the pendant to him and he smiled. It was beautiful indeed. He knew Annabeth was not the one to wear jewelry and all but he also knew that she cannot say no to this. It was elegant yet simple. It was a silver chain with an owl shaped pendant. The owl looked magnificent, as if it depicted goddess of wisdom herself. "Thanks mom. I hope she likes it."
"Oh she will." She smiled and he closed his eyes. Normally he was not the one to sleep this early, but today he was just exhausted. It had been a long day. "Percy?" I heard my mom's voice and opened my eyes to see her standing near the door. "Yes mom?"
"You know? Annabeth is actually a really nice girl. I mean-"she hesitated a little, then she said, "It would be really nice to have her as my daughter-in-law, Percy." She laughed. "MOM! I am just SIXTEEN!" he yelled but couldn't keep the blush from spreading all over his face. He just hoped that she wouldn't notice his tomato-red face, but oops. Too late. She came and sat next to him. "I know Percy. I know. But I just wanted you to realize your feelings before it's too late. I know that you have feelings for her, because the way you look at her is exactly how your father looks at me." She laughed a little. "Love. Care. Friendship. Those feelings Percy; don't hide them. Confront them and see where they take you."
"Is it that obvious?" he sighed. She shrugged, "honey I am your mom, I gave birth to you. You are a part of me, of course I know what you feel and how you think in the little head of yours." We both smiled at that. We just stayed like for some time when he suddenly heard his voice say, "But mom what if I don't want to? I mean what if I confess my feelings to her and she says that she doesn't reciprocate them? There will be so much awkwardness and it's just-"he trailed off. Then he completed, taking a deep breath, "I am afraid I will break this special bond of friendship between us. All these 10 years; they are so precious to me. I don't want to end this, mom." he sighed.
"For all I know Perce, Annabeth really likes you back. I know just the way I knew about your feelings. If you don't speak soon though, then it will be too late. Tell her whenever you are ready, without thinking of the consequences. Live in the moment Percy. Don't let your thoughts of future disturb your present. Live fully in the present without a care to future, because your actions right now will be the ones affecting your future." She said, then smiled taking a deep breath. "Goodnight Percy." That was the last thing I heard her say, before she left me deep in my thoughts.
Live fully in the present without a care to future, because your actions right now will be the ones affecting your future. Damn. His mother surely knew how to juggle with a person's mind. He thought for a moment. If you don't speak soon though, then it will be too late. Heck. A smile found his face as he realized something.
He loved Annabeth chase.
PIPER'S POV
Both of them walked in a comfortable silence, all through the walk to her home. She realized that they were soon standing at her front gate. "So I guess this is it." Jason said breaking the awful silence. "Yep" piper said not knowing what else to say. She had known Jason for now almost 10 years and she never had the problem where she didn't know what to say. But lately she had realized that her shitty heart had fell hard for Jason who was obviously oblivious as hell. She loved him. But she felt as if every time she tried to decipher Jason's true feelings about her, he just pushed her away. But now she had, had enough. Like honestly this guy had to atleast know now that she loved him. So, gathering all her courage she asked, "Jason?" "Yes?" he asked with a confused, innocent face. "Do you like- a; ugh, I mean do you have f-feelings for R-Reyna?" she blurted out. Jason looked confused and surprised. "What? I mean yeah ok she is fine. I like her, she is a good friend and all." He said as if it was a pretty obvious thing. "And what about me Jason? Do you have feelings for me? I mean do you l-like me? I just had to c-confess that I can't; I l-like you J-Jason, I really do. I have l-liked you ever since we were 12." Damn. Was it too straight? Jason just looked at her as if she was a maths problem he couldn't solve. Silence. Say something, say something dammit! Finally he said, "of course I like you piper. You are my best friend and I am so lucky to have a friend like you. Like that was not even a question to ask." He shrugged.
At first, her heart felt like it would explode from feelings. She was so happy, she felt like she was at the top of the world. Then realization hit her hard. Jason just said like a friend. Tears brimmed in her eyes. Her vision became blurry as they threatened to fall over. Gods was this guy for real? She was so angry right now at him. "JASON GRACE YOU ARE THE MOST OBLIVIOUS AND DENSE GUY , I HAVE EVER MET! I SWEAR YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WANT AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE FEELINGS!" she yelled before running back inside her house as hot tears raced down her face.
JASON'S POV
Idiot, idiot, idiot! How could he have been denser than this? How could he have messed up things more than this? He just stood there and watched as piper screamed at him and ran away, with tears all over her face. What made Jason feel worse was that he had been the one to blame. Sure he loved piper ever since they were 10, but he never wanted to tell her before hearing the same from her. He was never the one to act on impulse before knowing both the sides of the story. But now when she had confessed her feelings, he being the stupid person that he is, had blurted something stupid and friend zoned her. No. this was not going to happen. Nothing would make things better if he just stood there frozen. He loved piper with all of his heart and he would not let her go like this. Time to plan Jason grace.
ANNABETH'S POV
It was her birthday tomorrow. Her 16th birthday. Damn she was forgetting things. She was never the one to forget a thing, even if it was as simple and basic as her birthday. She sighed and focused on the present. English? Check. Maths? Check. Greek? Check. Art? Check. Biology? Check. She sighed again as she realized that she had already completed all her homework from the classes that she had today. Well maybe it wasn't that bad. She smirked a little as she realized she could always read pride and prejudice, with a hot cup of coffee and silence. Heaven. She always loved- "I SWEAR IF YOU GO THERE, FREDERICK CHASE, I AM TAKING MY DAUGHTER AND WILL MAKE SURE THAT BOTH OF US WILL NEVER SEE YOUR FACE EVER AGAIN." Her mother's scream interrupted her thoughts wildly. Were they talking about splitting up? Terror seized Annabeth as she just stood there, frozen. "DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND ATHENA? ALL OF THIS IS NO JOKE! I HAVE TO GO BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THESE GUYS ARE DANGEROUS AND WILL NOT STOP." Her father yelled then suddenly sighed tiredly. "I have to go honey. They will not be expecting me tomorrow and that is when I will strike them. They will not know what hit them. The bridge will be deserted tomorrow and there will be no civilians; due to the construction going on."
"Fredrick, w-what if something happens to you? W-what if you d-d-die? What if you don't come back t-tomorrow?" Annabeth watched in horror as her mother cried helplessly. She had never seen her mother cry nor did she had seen her break down like this. Helpless. Desperate. Athena chase was the strongest woman she had ever known. Her mother never failed. Her pride was everything and she used to always have the best plans and strategies despite the situation. Annabeth watched as her father went to her mother and simply took her in his arms, tears glistening his eyes. "I love you Athena. I always have and I always will. You and Annie are my whole world. If anything-"her father's voice was cut off when she ran up to her room. Annabeth could not take more of this. Where was her father going? What on earth was happening down there? Beep! Beep! Beep! Her phone's vibration interrupted her thoughts. She picked up the phone,
"h-hey Annabeth" piper greeted in a weak voice at the other side of the receiver.
"p-piper?" Annabeth tried to sound strong and normal; not like she had been crying but her voice betrayed her.
"Annabeth, everything okay there? You sound no better than me." Piper asked.
"Yeah it's just my parents' pipes." Annabeth ended up telling all the things that she had heard.
"Where did you s-said your father is g-going again?" piper asked in an uneasy voice. Annabeth found it a little suspicious of why out of all things, she would ask the location again. But she decided not to stick on it as if she could not trust piper, then she could not trust anyone. "I heard him mentioning some bridge that would be under construction tomorrow."
"O-okay" she heard piper sigh a little. "Well Annabeth try not to think about it much okay? Go to sleep. I will tell you what happened with me tomorrow. Bye!" With that piper hung up leaving Annabeth once again in her puddle of thoughts.
That night all four of them slept with numerous thoughts racing in their heads, unaware of the future and the fates waiting for them.
SO THAT WAS IT GUYS! PHEW. IT'S THE LONGEST CHAPTER I HAVE WRITTEN BY FAR! IT'S NEAR 3000 WORDS AND WAS ONLY WRITTEN TO SHOW THE AGE GAP, THE NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND THE MAIN PLOT PICKING UP. (I don't blame you if you found it boring though) :) BUT SERIOUSLY THE NEXT CHAPTER IS GONNA BE MAINLY ABOUT JASPER, PERCABETH, WITH A BEAUTIFUL AND EVIL CLIFFHANGER. HAHAAAHA *LAUGHS EVILLY* I AM GONNA WRITE LONG CHAPTERS LIKE THIS ONE NOW. BUT I WANTED TO INFORM YOU THAT MY MID-TERMS ARE COMING AND THEY ARE LIKE SUPER IMPORTANT FOR MY ACADEMIC SESSION.
I HAVE TO STUDY MY BUTT OFF IF I REALLY WANT TO ACE THESE EXAMS, SO I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO POST UNTIL A MONTH I GUESS. I WILL TRY TO WRITE AS MUCH AS I CAN BETWEEN MY BREAKS BUT YOU KNOW YOU GOTTA STUDY MAN. SO UNTIL NEXT TIME! PLEASE READ FURTHER AND WRITE A REVIEW! I APPRECIATE REVIEWS A LOT! LIKE THEY MAKE MY DAY. AND ALSO YOU CAN PM ME (PRIVATE MESSAGE DUDE!) AND YOU CAN FOLLOW THE STORY SO YOU CAN KNOW WHEN I POSTED ANOTHER CHAPTER. SO YEAH THAT'S IT! THANK YOU. PEACE OUT! - CASSANDRA