A/N: My little sister said that I could be a daughter of Athena! I'm so giddy right now!

''No one can drive you crazy unless you give them the keys.''-Unknown

Chapter 6: Broken strings…probably

(A month later)

''Yeah mom, I arrived early, dad was called to Hawaii for a photo shoot or something…No, I'll be fine, Melie's at home, I won't be alone…Yes, I miss you too…Okay, see you in two days then. Love you!'' and with that Piper ended the call with her mother Aphrodite who was in Seattle preparing her autumn edition (she was a designer).

Piper pocketed her phone and exited the taxi after arriving safely in front of the Mclean's enormous house in New York. She gave the needed money, leaving the change too in a hurry to get in before the driver started to talk. She dragged her suitcases through the iron gate and towards the front porch.

''Piper, I'm so glad to see you back home! How have L.A. been?'' Melie, the housekeeper (and her sort-of-babysitter), greeted her at the door with a bright smile.

''Thanks and it was nice. You know…sun, warmth, sweating, beach…same old same old.'' Piper returned the smile while walking in and immediately heading towards the stairs. ''I need to go up to my room for a little while, can we talk later?''

''Of course, are you hungry?''

''No thanks, I'll see what's in the fridge later. See ya!'' she answered and carried her suitcases to her room on the second floor.

The first thing she did when she reached it was taking a long warm shower. She always felt kind of dirty and worn-out after a flight even though she was in the family's private jet with her father, who took off to Hawaii after dropping her off.

Truth been told, Los Angeles was kind of refreshing to her after all the drama between her and Jason. She had spend these past weeks with her father and mother because Tristan was about to start a big project in September, including filming in Tanzania for at least half a year. He was going to take off soon after her birthday on the 24th of August, in a few days.

Anyway, the month spent in L.A. was a real vacation to her though the thoughts about a certain blond-haired guy never really left her. They had the annoying habit to pop in her mind in the most unexpected times and places. Like that one time when she bumped into a guy while talking with Annabeth on the phone and he had to catch her by the waist to prevent any injuries. Or when she was enjoying the sun on the back porch and a certain song started from her player. Innocent stuff like that reminded her of him and she had to admit that she missed him.

She had finally admitted to herself that she liked him but that didn't change the fact that he was still one of her best friends. She missed just…talking and goofing around with him. Leo had called her almost two times every week but not Jason. She hadn't heard anything from him and was too chicken to call him herself. That would have been desperate. He had probably cleared up things with Reyna. They fought from time to time but in the end, they always ended up together.

As soon as she got out of the bathroom she dressed in a pair of black sweatpants and a grey 'Hello Kitty' top. Her hair was still wet but she didn't dry it as usual, it was warm enough for it to dry on its own.

She wondered what to do first, should she relax in front of the TV or get a snack? Her grumbling tummy decided for her and she headed towards the kitchen.

Piper was halfway through her peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich when her phone rang.

'''ello?'' she mumbled with full mouth.

''Mature. Chew, swallow and then try again.'

The brunette did as she was told and then rearranged her phone on her ear.

''Hello Annabeth.''

''Hi! How have you been? Are you home already?'' the blond girl said in a much happier tone.

''Fine I guess. And yes I'm here in New York, got here half an hour or so ago. Why?'' Piper asked while clearing up the mess she had made on the kitchen island.

''Well, I haven't seen you in so long and we need to discus your birthday party since I'm your best girl friend and…'' her voice faltered, sounding hesitant at the end. The other girl chuckled.

''And you need to check the bookstore but Percy won't go with you.'' Piper snickered preparing the coffee machine. ''What about Thalia?''

''She's with the flue. So…does that mean that you're coming?'' Annabeth asked innocently and the brunette smiled again, imagining her friend's pleading eyes.

''Why not, my shelf needs an update.'' She shrugged and pushed the start button of the coffee machine.

''Okay, meet me at two then?'' Annabeth asked excitedly.

''I'll come and get you.''

With that Piper went to change while her coffee was getting ready.

''So how are things going?'' Annabeth asked casually while glancing at the back cover of a book in the bookstore in the Mall. ''What's happening between you and Jason?''

Piper frowned slightly and decided to not look up at her friend.

''Nothing's happening. I haven't heard of him since your birthday.'' She finally answered returning back some sappy romantic novel to its place on the shelf and walking towards the next section. ''We're rethinking things.''

Annabeth hummed, while carefully examining a book called 'Ruby red' (A\N: you should totally check it out if you haven't). Piper thought that her friend hadn't really heard her but then the blond girl took the book in her other hand and looked at Piper's multicolored eyes.

''So I'm assuming you're not talking to each other. Then is he invited? To your birthday party I mean.''

''I don't know, probably yes. I mean…ugh, it's not like he or Leo need invitations anyway. If he wants he'll come.'' The brunette said, her desperation evident in her tone.

''You still have to tell him the time and place.'' Annabeth reminded matter-of-factly.

''Are you ready to go?'' Piper asked suddenly, changing the topic while the other girl sighed.

''I think I am. Come, I'll treat you in the ice-cream shop on the last floor.''

She agreed and the two girls went to pay for their books.

''You still have to tell him you know.'' Annabeth pushed her as soon as they were seated at a table in the ice-cream shop, waiting for their order.

''Leo will tell him.'' Piper sighed fiddling with the long strap of her bag.

''Piper, you're so stubborn!'' the blond girl exclaimed finally leaning in her seat while a waitress came to bring them their order.

Piper's eyebrows were raised high in amusement while she took her ice-cram and she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips.

''I learn from the best. Though I'm sure I'll never be good enough to conquer you or Percy for that matter.''

''Oh, don't make this about me missy.'' Annabeth warned, leaning on the table again with a pointed finger before grabbing her ice-cream too. ''You know, even if you don't talk to him now, you can't avoid him forever.''

''First, I'm not avoiding him; we're avoiding each other. Second, I'm not acting like some desperate girl chasing after her crush.'' Piper frowned, clearly not liking the situation she was in.

''Ugh, you've decided about this, haven't you?'' the blond concluded and sighed when her friend nodded, vigorously. ''Fine. I'll be back in a minute, I need to use the rest room.''

With that Annabeth left the table. Piper sighed relieved and took a spoonful of her ice-cream, savoring the sweet taste of caramel and chocolate mixed with banana. It was her favourite. While she waited her eyes skimmed the place. She froze the moment her eyes landed on a familiar blond head three tables away. Her breathing hitched as she noticed he wasn't alone. Her dark, almost black hair, braided to the side combined with her royal-like posture was unmistakable. Piper's stomach dropped as she saw Reyna's face: smiling and laughing. Yep, no doubt they were together again. She couldn't see Jason's face because he had his back turned to her but she was sure that he was equally happy. Piper tried to sink in her seat before they had noticed her.

''What are you doing?'' Annabeth asked and she silently pointed towards their table. The blonde's analyzing grey eyes scanned the place before they landed on the happy couple. She quickly turned to her friend sympathetically. ''How long have they been here?''

''No idea.'' Piper muttered, trying to block the pain that was rising in her chest. ''Can we go?''

Annabeth agreed and went to pay the check and to get their ice-creams packed for home. Just before Piper left the table her phone rang. She groaned and put her bag on the table to dig out the annoying device.

''Yeah?'' she finally said while slowly making her way through the tables. The shop was packed.

''Piper, it's Melie. Can I leave you earlier tonight? Julia has fever and Gleeson needs me home.'' Her voice sounded nervous and concerned.

''No problem, of course. I hope she'll get better soon.'' Piper said sympathetically, trying not to bump into someone.

''Thanks, I'll be there tomorrow, I promise.'' Melie sighed relieved.

''I'll manage on my own, don't worry. Take care of your child.''

''Thank you so much! Bye now, I have to go.''

''Bye!'' Piper said and the line went dead. She looked around just to notice that Annabeth was nowhere to be seen. ''Great.''

She glanced around, turning in a full circle to see if her friend hadn't returned back to their table without seeing her. But instead of grey eyes, Piper locked eyes with a pair of dark brown ones. Reyna. Guilt and pain swarmed in her and she quickly averted her head, continuing her search for Annabeth. A nagging feeling at the back of her neck made Piper instinctively turn back to their table. This time, Jason was the one eyeing her carefully, a small smile creeping on his face. Reyna was trying to smile too but it didn't reach her eyes.

He raised his hand to wave at her and Piper waved back trying to bring a smile upon her face and almost managing. Jason turned to say something to Reyna and made an attempt to stand up. Piper froze. She wasn't ready to talk to him. Besides, things were quite obvious now. So when his eyes traveled back to hers, she just shook her head and stepped back. A deep frown crossed Jason's face while he was standing there, beside their table, uncertain of what to do.

''Piper, over here!'' Annabeth's voice sounded from the exit and the brunette turned to her, relieved.

With a last glance at Jason, who was still looking at her with a questioning expression, she turned around and walked away.

It was nearly eleven o'clock in the evening. Piper was alone in the whole house and was huddled in a blanked on the comfy couch in the living room, watching the film 'Beastly' with Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens. The film itself wasn't that bad but it wasn't what Piper usually would choose. However, when she came back home she felt she needed something like this: a sappy romantic Hollywood fairytale that would distract her from her own misery. Or maybe it would trigger her to cry or something, to help her ease the pain. She was okay with anything that will make her forget about Jason and Reyna together.

She was already in her pajamas: white t-shirt, saying 'American dreamer' in a dark purple color and boy-shorts in the same dark pattern. She had politely declined Annabeth's offer for a sleepover, wanting to be alone for a while. She had a feeling that she could explode every minute and there was no need of an audience for that.

As she watched the story progress she wondered why it mattered to her after all. She knew that they would end up together. Sure, she hoped that maybe Jason will come to her but she never really expected it. After all, Jason and Reyna knew each other since elementary school. And Piper came-what?- a year ago? She knew perfectly well that she couldn't beat that.

She didn't have any special talents, she was an average student. She could play volleyball but that's it. While Reyna was a born leader, a beauty with confidence and attitude. She was smart and knew what she wanted from life. Things that Piper knew Jason liked in her. Things she knew she could never be.

Piper shook her head and tried to concentrate on the screen instead. There was no point in thinking about this anymore. She had always known to never hope for more than a friendship with him. And she was okay with that until that stupid night when they got so stupidly incredibly drunk and jumped on each other. Why was fate so cruel?

The doorbell startled Piper and she glanced at the clock. Eleven twenty-three. Who could be at her door in this time of night? The gate was locked so whoever it was, it must have jumped over it or something. Otherwise, he or she would have used the intercom and not the door bell. Grabbing the closest thing to her, a heavy crystal vase, she carefully made her way towards the front door. She swung the door open and almost dropped the item in her hands.

''Jason?!''

''Yeah, hi, um…I know it's late but can we talk for a while?''

A/N: Okay, I'm a little more satisfied with this chapter than with the previous one. Though there was no JASPER here, at least no happy one that is. There is a slight Jeyna but don't sweat it, there is more to that so don't be angry with neither Jason nor Reyna for that.

On another note: the next chapter is the last one. After that there is only an Epilogue and the story will be wrapped up. Also next chapter will (finally) include more JASPER. I hope you'll enjoy that my fellow readers. Because it will be especially for you. Thanks for all the support showed through reviews, favorites and alerts.

Oh, almost forgot, I don't hold grudges against the mentioned movie, I actually really liked it but it was the only one that came to mind. I don't watch these kinds of movies usually. And the book, Ruby red…I highly recommend that. The author is Kerstin Gier.

Stay tuned for the next chapter; see you on Sunday (if I live through my biology summer course that is). Love you guys so much!