A/N: I connected the two parts, therefore 'In Time of Need' is only one part (shortened some things). Some people were wondering about Annabeth, why she was being out of character ... plus, of course we have to cover her approval for Percy and Nico dating.


VII: ANNABETH

~ Pieces. Ashes. Hope.

I was sitting in my cabin, when there was a knock on my cabin door. I was the only one in here, since my siblings were helping the Hephaestus cabin work on a set of machinery that involved blueprints, vast knowledge of wiring and batteries, and of course: aluminum foil. I won't bore you with the details, though.

As I opened the door, I saw Percy, and he had at the guiltiest expression all over his face. He looked . . . I don't know, just so innocent. Like he was still the clueless kid who didn't have any idea how he got into this world. It was obvious he was with Nico.

Honestly, I didn't know it will hurt this much. Even though it was me who gave the book, me who convinced Jason and Hazel to make it work. It was ironic—because I did everything just so I could find myself rejected in the end.

I mean, I'm happy for Percy. His eyes are just so filled with joy for the son of Hades, like there were infinite dreams and new experiences out there and it lifted up my regret. I wished that I could experience what he was feeling—the pounding adrenaline, everyday smiling because you knew . . . you knew that there was nothing that could ruin your day when your true love was with you.

"Come inside," I greeted, maybe sounding out of place for me. We were going to be awkward, because he had no idea that I knew, and he didn't exactly go well with emotions. Blunt would be so much better, but Percy tried his hardest to make it non-painful, gentle, and of course, ambiguous.

We both sat on my bunk, and Percy fumbled with his hoodie zipper, pulling it up and down. Signs of nervousness. Possible boredom; or absentmindedness.

"Annabeth, I care for you," he said. "I mean, I'm faithful. Until one day when I kind of accidentally, um, was not faithful, you know?"

I tried not to role my eyes or smirk. Ah, I love his evasiveness. He never did disappoint. I took the opportunity to tease him. "What do you mean, 'not faithful'? Does this involve with having an intimate relationship with someone else, or just like a one-time thing?"

He looked blankly at me. "Wait, does not being faithful mean something like cheating?"

Okay, I give up. He looked so flustered and lost, so I gave him the answer. "This doesn't happen to be with someone I know, is it?"

"Possibly. Er, maybe. It's Nico di Angelo," he said.

"Wow, congratulations," I said truthfully. I kissed him on the cheek. "Trust me, Jackson; I knew it before you came to me."

"You did? How?"

Ah, maybe he thought he was being suave.

They didn't know. They didn't know I helped.

Even though I take pride in what I helped mend or fix, maybe Nico and Percy did it on by themselves. Ha, my Seaweed Brain has grown-up so fast.

"I'm the daughter of Athena," I said nonchalantly. "It was written all over your face—how you'll say 'Nico' all trance-like. And let me just say 'finally'. Nico liked you since forever."

"I'll let you have your moment of glory. But seriously, you're not angry at me?"

"I could tell we didn't have that special connection anymore. Admittedly, I thought we'll grow up and be together forever. I guess it's a dumb theory, considering that change has to happen. And since I care about you, I want you to be happy."

He gave one of his frustratingly endearing smiles. My heart stirred, and I still selfishly wished that I had him. "I hated change, too. But now I think it's cool. I mean, you change for change. You learn so much, and think differently. It's supposed to happen."

"Because life isn't what you always planned." I let out a sigh. "That's the thing—the future you cannot plan for. You just have to live it, never knowing what will happen next."

"Dude," Percy said, wearing a goofy smile. "That's the best part."

"Did you just call me 'dude'?"

"Uh . . . no?"