heeeyyyy! I'm supah dupah excited to write this chapter. sorry it took forever! I had a lot of things to think of this chapter. I love some you guys' automatic reviews. it makes me feel awesome.
Anyone in the mood for a lil Tratie?yeah? keep reading, loves.
Yes, GML, I know you're a 'her'.
ahahahah, well, this one is for you, GML; enjoy it.
be nice please in your reviews. not that you guys arent-just a reminder for those that want to be mean.
DISCLAIMER:
Percy: hey, aj121, do you own PJO?
Me: If I did, do you think I would let you leave Annabeth?
Percy:...If I say yes, will you make Reyna kill me while I'm at Legion Camp?
Me:Yes. And I will also tell Annabeth that you like Gwen.
Percy: *nervous laugh* But you won't, right?I don't like her anyway! *sees my expression*. Right. Well, annabethjackson121 does NOT own me or my friends. She's a good, great, nice, amazing...
And he just goes on:D. He's really a big idiot.
Annabeth POV
Travis's question was enough to make anyone want to smash their head against a brick wall. I highly doubt anyone would want to admit their feelings.
I swear, the gods never agree with me when I'm so sure of things.
"I will," Nico declared. Everyone turned to look at him like, 'oh, what does he have to confess?'. I locked eyes with my 'little brother', according to him, and he nodded. He looked so brave. His jaw was set, his dark, deep eyes seemed to bore into everyone's soul.
"What do you gotta confess, Nico?" Grover laughed awkwardly. I had a feeling the three of us were all thinking of that IM in November. "It isn't about, uh, the message we sent Percy...and Annabeth, is it?" He asked. Juniper was sitting on Grover's lap, resting her elbows on the wooden table. For a second I thought I saw Thalia look at me like, 'damn, girl, when don't IMs screw up your make-out sessions?', but she turned away.
Nico's face went crimson and then he shook his head violently. He wouldn't meet my gaze. Grover sighed out of release, shooting glances at the girl in his lap, like he was scared she would find out.
Nico shifted so he could see everybody. He spoke, his voice a little deeper than it was two months ago. Huh.
"When Bia-Bianca...died, I was so angry. She was all I had my whole life. Some of you know the feeling of losing a sibling-" Nico shot a glance at Thalia like, 'thanks for telling us, BTW'- "and it's hard. Yo, Stolls, imagine loosing each other. You would get...irrational. It hurts to lose someone like Bianca. I hope you can understand what I am going to say. Don't judge me. I've changed."
Nico looked around at the confused faces of our family. He was new to this, family. His eyes fell on mine. I nodded encouragingly.
"I blamed Percy. I blamed him so much. I never once considered it my fault, or anyone else's for that matter. It was his fault. End of story," he said that with so much certainty, it almost made me question if he still felt that way. "But now I know that it isn't Percy's fault. Percy never wanted me to tell anyone of you this. You especially Annabeth. He didn't want you to fell like Bianca's death was your fault because she came to save you. We were talking about her death a few days after the war. I am in good terms with her death, but I never knew Percy wasn't. He was so sad that night. He was...really upset. He felt like, despite the fact that she told him herself it was her decision, it was still his fault.
"He said that if she wasn't braver than he, she would still be here. He called himself weak, needy and not-worth it. Please, don't get defensive. Close your mouth, Annabeth, I assured him he was courageous and all that. Its just...Percy felt so bad about everyone who died. He felt like, if he wasn't born, the war, the wounds, the deaths would all be avoided. No, he wasn't suicidal, he was guilty. Guiltier than I thought he was, those days I wasn't searching for vengeance. I, for some reason unknown to me, thought he didn't care about the deaths. He said he wasn't the hero of Olympus. He said all those who died are."
Nico took a shaky breath, his eyes closed. "I just wanted you all to know...after what Percy told me about all of the fallen, all of the great, courageous things they did...I annoyed the hell out of my dad. Heh, bad pun." He opened his glistening eyes. Everyone was confused, including me. Katie had somehow moved onto Travis's lap, her head in the crook of his neck. Her eyes were distant. I knew some of her siblings had died, but I've never seen her this sad.
"What-what do you mean, Nico?" Clarisse choked out. Her eyelashes were wet, and Chris's hand was patting her shoulder until it moved down to clasp her waist in his arms. Nico smiled an Italian smile. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"I made sure all of the fallen heroes went either to Elysium or were reincarnated for the Isles of the Blest." He announced. Everyone gasped in unison and the next thing I knew, Nico was swarmed with hugs, tears and a few kisses. When everyone was done mauling the kid, I walked over to him. I pulled him into a hug, his head resting on my shoulder. I pulled away, tears on both of our faces. I put my hand on my boyfriend's best friend-well, other than Grover and me- shoulder and smiled.
"Bianca would be so proud, Nico." I told him. More tears sprung from his eyes, he wrapped his lanky arms around my waist and he cried softly into my shoulder. This was so uncharacteristic, but I ignored it. It had been bottled up, I'm sure.
"I know. I know, oh gods, I know. I miss her so much..." He muttered into my shoulder. Even Clarisse was crying. Katie was sobbing into Travis's neck and he was shushing her with a far-away look in his eyes. Thalia was staring off towards her tree. Pain gripped my heart. She lost her first love, Luke. Jason looked coldly at the Big House, realizing his misplacement, I hope. Will was playing with his bow and quiver. It used to Michael's quiver and Lee's bow. Connor was smiling, looking towards the entire camp. He was probably remembering all the pranks he pulled on everyone. It was a sad smile, though, matching his teary eyes. Piper and Leo were locked into a convo. Mal was staring hard at the Athena cabin, remembering our fallen siblings. Clarisse muttered Silena and Charlie's names and everyone let more tears fall. Even me, holding a broken, once-lost friend I could never replace. I couldn't replace anyone. Not even Silena with Piper. Nor Charlie with Leo.
"I love you guys so much," I said spontaneously. They all looked up at me except Jason. He looked down. He knew that wasn't meant for him. My family smiled softly, murmuring the same thing back to me and each other. I don't know where it came from, but I knew I've been meaning to let them all know. I don't regret saying it. I meant it with all my heart.
"I know..." I blurted out. "That there is so many lost, fallen. So fucking many." I cussed. Many flinched at my statement, obviously expecting someone other than me to swear. Connor chuckled half-heartedly. Leave to him to find humor in such a tender moment.
"You're so fucking much like Percy, Annabeth. He said the exact same thing to us guys once." Connor said, an apologetic smile on his face. I've heard that so many times. He's rubbed off on me. What can I say?
"I've heard, Connor. Family does that to us, though. We rub off on each other. You even get my intelligence sometimes," I said. People laughed, wiping their over-due or over-seen tears away.
Connor smirked. "Christmas lights on the Big House? So my idea, babe."
"Don't call me babe."
"Okay, babe." He nodded. I sat back down, and Nico sat next to me. I sometimes wonder if I remind him of Bianca. He put his head on the table and closed his eyes.
"Who's next?" He mumbled.
"I am." Thalia stood up. My sister, my Hunter, my favorite tree, the one whom I have been through so fucking much stood up to spill the beans.
"But first, I have to apologize..." She started, looking directly at me. Her face was hard, her eyes pleading for forgiveness. Her hair was flat against her head. Her electrifying blue eyes gone.
Another person I've put through hell for something they didn't really do. Another unnecessary apology.
(fllaaaaaaaaashback. Boo yah!)
I slept for longer than I should have. I slept from around ten in the morning to seven at night. I stumbled towards the living room wearing my cotton, comfortable clothing. It was dark outside and I could hear a Glee episode on. I heard Paul's stifled laugh, clearly too embarrassed to be caught laughing at Rachel on Glee. I heard two people speaking in hushed, urgent tones. I snuck towards the doorway, preparing to eavesdrop.
"Mom, I'm telling you, we didn't get into an arguement," Percy insisted. I peered into the kitchen. Percy was standing next to his cooking mother, with his hands gesturing he was angry. She shook her head. She was still wearing a black pencil skirt of mine she borrowed and her blue blouse. Her hair hit her shoulder blades with each swivel of her head.
"Then why is she clammed up in your bedroom? What is she doing in there, anyway?" She asked. Percy's face darkened. He stepped backwards, stumbling into a kitchen chair. He stood erect and grimaced at the memory.
Oh, I remembered what happened. I told Percy it was okay, even though it was obviously not. He noticed this before I could. He knew it really wasn't what I wanted. He was the good guy, not pushing anything and I was the hasty, stupid girl.
He was the good boyfriend.
"Mom," Percy said in a controlled voice. "Please, just stop. She's sleeping. She told me she wasn't feeling good. PMS or something. I don't know. I didn't want to pry. Is that so bad?"
"Eh, I don't know, Perseus. Sounds fishy-no offense. Are you sure you didn't do anything to hurt her feelings or something?" She asked, thinking it was an innocent question. Percy tensed and he slammed his hands onto the counter, making Sally and I jump a few feet in the air.
"Sally?" Paul asked warily. "Everything alright, Percy?" He called. Sally said yes and Percy shook with anger.
"Just let it drop, dammit. I don't want to talk about it, okay?" He shouted. Sally looked hurt and Percy's face fell into a painful look. He pulled his mother in a hug. "I'm sorry, Mom. Really. I didn't mean to yell. I'm just frustrated. I just...don't want to talk, alright?" He said.
The good son.
She nodded into his shoulder and he kissed her cheek and let her go. He walked in to living room and I bolted into the bedroom to continue my facade of sleeping. I lain there for a while before I gathered the courage to go out there. I walked back out there and I peered into the living room. Percy was seated in the arm chair and Paul was sitting on the couch, a smile on his face. Oh, he was so easy-going. Percy's foot was tapping. He had ADHD bad.
"Percy?" I squeaked. His head snapped up but he didn't move, which wasn't like him. His face looked so apologetic. Paul gave me a smile and gestured to come in. I walked slowly into the room. I sat on the end of the couch, far away from Percy. Paul was in between us, which seemed like the last place he wanted to be. Being in between two of the most powerful demigods was never a good thing.
"Uh, well," Paul stood up. "I'm feeling hungry all of a sudden. You two know how good Sally's food is. Gotta love her. See ya'!" And with that little speech he left. Glee's cast was singing some modern song I didn't have the time to listen to. Percy was staring intently at me, waiting.
I felt so vulnerable. I felt like I was exposed. Embarrassed. I pretty much had a mini meltdown because my boyfriend and I were gonna 'mess around'. It wasn't like I could just forget it. I don't why, but I burst into tears.
"Percy...I'm so sorry," I blubbered. I was pretty loud, because the whispering in the kitchen ceased and the not-so discreet eavesdropping started. Percy jumped up from the arm chair and wrapped me in a hug.
"Shh, Annabeth," He soothed. I sobbed into his shoulder, not caring if his nosy parents heard or not. "It's okay, Wise Girl, I'm here." He helped me stand and led me into his bedroom. He sat on his bed, with me curled into his lap. He was smoothing my hair down. His soft arm was wrapped around my waist, pulling me close. His mouth was next to my ear, whispering all kinds of reassurances.
"Its okay, really. I'm not mad, Annabeth. Oh gods, please stop crying, you're scaring me." Was his last plea before I climbed off of him. I couldn't handle him touching me. He deserved better than me. He deserved someone that could be comfortable with changes. Someone that would be comfortable with herself.
"Percy," I said, finally stopping the tears. "Please, forgive me." I begged. Sea green hit dark gray. He was confused.
"There's nothing to forgive, Annabeth." He said with certainty. "I should be apologizing. I'm so sorry. I never know when to stop." He looked down, ashamed. I grabbed his face so my hands were on both sides of his beautiful face.
"I led you on. I made you believe I was ready. I practically lied to you. I'm sorry. You don't have anything to be sorry for. I don't want to hear another word out of you. I won't do that to you again, Perseus Jackson, I promise." I said.
I kissed him. I let all of my love and appreciation for him into that case. He didn't stay still, but he didn't kiss back with enthusiasm. He just let me do what I needed to do. He said something that was to tear me apart one month later.
"I promise never to hurt you, Annabeth Chase." He promised. "I love you, so much, Wise Girl." I smiled at him, believing my amazing boyfriend.
He kept his promises. He was the only exception.
He had no idea...
Oh, if only he knew...
(end flashbaaaaack. sorry!)
"Annabeth Chase, Sister," Thalia started. I looked up at her. I've known her since I was seven. She is my best friend. She would do anything for me. I trust her with my life. "I'm so, so, so sorry I didn't tell you I had a brother. I wanted to so badly. But I felt like, if I did, I would just be bringing back hurtful memories. Like I'd be bringing back my...mother." She took a deep breath. Jason's hand materialized on her thin shoulder. I felt the oh-so familiar pang of jealousy I always got when Jason did things like that. I eyed his hand there. It should be Grover's hand, or Nico's. Someone who cares. Someone who knows what my family is going through.
"I was scared. I told...I told Luke. I couldn't hide anything from him. And look where that got me. Hurt. I couldn't...I couldn't tell you, Annabeth, because it would be a reminder of how cruel the Fates are. You should know that." She looked at me expectantly. What she wanted, I didn't want to give. I wanted to stay mad at her, yet I don't.
"You don't need to stay mad at her if she's apologizing." Jason said, his voice, his words, ringing in the air. I saw Grover tense. Katie glared. Travis scoffed. Connor mumbled something about me being worse then Kronos when I'm angry. I shrugged that one off.
"Excuse you?" I glared at him. What freaking right did he have telling me that?
"I'm just saying-"
"Maybe you shouldn't!" Mal snapped. Jason rolled his eyes. That boy was pushing it, let me tell you.
"Annabeth, I know what your feeling-"
"No. You really don't. At all. You think I'm being-"
"A bitch?" Jason offered, clearly happy he got the chance to get that out. My eyes narrowed. Nico's head shot up from the table and he unsheathed his Stygian blade. He put the tip on the table and twirled the blade. He was the scariest twelve year old I knew. His dark eyes showed his hate for Jason at that moment. Jason flinched, but put on his brave face. Thalia looked a little pissed; this was her confession time.
I could have given up at that point. I figured, maybe, just maybe, I was being a bitch. Maybe I was born to be one, ignoring everything everyone told me. Going against the odds. Believing in my fucking family with Luke and Thalia.
Maybe I was just stupid.
"Sure. Sure, Jason. I am a bitch. I have no reason to be so effing upset. I can't help it, you know? Being the daughter of Athena, hubris just takes over. Maybe I should let you lead Percy's camp. Maybe I shouldn't be angry for my best friend to hide such a secret from me. I mean, I should be used to it by now. I should be used to being in the dark. Luke hid so much. He lied, too. I should be used to it. I should be okay with Percy's disappearance. I mean, its just another broken promise to had to the list. I am a bitch, though, that much I know. That's all I know these days." I agreed with him. Whatever.
I saw Mal's jaw clench, his knuckles white. Connor's ever-present smirk was missing. Call the authorities. I noticed juniper appeared on the table. Juniper-the girl- was glaring at Jason threateningly. Grover was studying my face. Where was the strong young little girl who believed in herself?
I'm afraid Percy took her to Legion Camp.
Jason sighed, not appreciating my truthfulness. "Annabeth, I..." He looked nervously at Piper, who looked everything but good. "I left Reyna. She's..she's there, with Percy. I trust him. He trusts me. I know for a fact that Reyna is probably trying to murder Percy, which is sort of what you're doing here. Juno-er, Hera wants me to lead you guys. I have no respect from the campers because of you. While Percy is gone, you are the leader, according to them. That's not true this time. Hera wants Percy and me to lead the camps together. I'm sure-if Percy is the great guy you say he is-"
"HE IS!" Clarisse shouted, surprising us all. "But this isn't about you, is it, Jason? No, its not. We'll talk about Annabeth's 'bitchiness' later. Right now, you should be explaining why we should forgive Thalia." She snapped. Jason's eyes narrowed. Thalia's eyes were wet from tears and I was standing, my fists balled together on the table.
"Riiiiight. Well, anyway, you don't need to be angry. I know you want to be. You want to be angry at something other than Percy's disappearance. So this is a good chance. I know you're not really that cynical to pick and chose what to be angry at, but your subconscious is telling you this is it. But its not. You know its not. Soon, you'll be back in New York, going to school and Thalia will have to return to her Hunters. Be good to each other now. Thalia has her reasons why she didn't tell you, and I, personally, don't think she needs to share them." He gave me a stone look. I returned it and he flinched. I wanted him to go away, but I knew he couldn't.
"Fine. Fine. Thalia, I'm sorry, truly. I was just...being a bitch. Sorry. Its what I do these days, though. I'm stuck practically attacking my brain for a logical explanation. Too bad there isn't one. The gods like to fuck with your mind, and right now, I'm their target. I'll try to remember everyone's feelings when I'm upset." I promised and sat down. Mal's arm went around my shoulder and I looked at Thalia.
Hurt. Shame. Pity. Shame. Hurt.
It kept repeating irregularly. She knew, somewhere deep down, I was justified for being angry. Her blue eyes shown with so much emotion. She's been through a lot, too. But she didn't understand love as much as 'Tratie' or 'Percabeth' did. She was alone, eternally.
I kept going, "But Thalia, remember, we are supposed to be a fucking family. Even Luke remembered that in the end. But he knew when his end was. He died for our family. I hope we never forget that. He was hero. I don't care what Percy says. We were a family once." I crossed my arms over my chest. I was defiant. I was always defiant.
I hurt Thalia. A thousand painful looks shot across her face. She loved Luke once. She was only twelve, though. She didn't understand her feelings.
She didn't understand Luke. No one did. And I just reminded her of our brother's death.
"Annabeth...I am your family. I just...couldn't.." She cried, her silver glow turning a dark color. The tiara on her head lost some its shine. Jason rubbed her back. That should be someone else.
"Please don't explain yourself." I begged. "I think that will hurt us more than the truth, Thals." I admitted. She nodded. I know I should've hugged her, but I couldn't. She was still on Jason's side. She was on enemy territory. She was torn between her lost family and the family she found.
I tore people up so much.
(Flashbaaaaaaaack time,yo!)
We were just lying there. I was curled into a ball and Percy was against my back, his arm draped over me. He had fallen asleep, his breathing heavy. I woke up about half an hour ago. We were in his room. He forgave me. I couldn't bring myself to forgive myself, however.
Someone knocked softly on the door. They waited five seconds-about the same time it takes someone to put on their shirt if it was removed-and Sally peered in. She smiled at me and took in the situation. She looked at her son, who looked very childlike at that moment. She walked in and closed the door. She pulled a chair up next to Percy. I adjusted myself so I was facing her while I was still in Perce's arms.
"He's so fond of you, you know." She whispered. She looked lovingly at Percy. His lips were pouted out and he sighed in his sleep. His gray streak fell onto his forehead. Sally flinched. She heard the story. Her baby boy held the weight of the sky on his shoulders. She brushed the hair back and leaned in to kiss his forehead. He smiled a little in his sleep, his dreams pleasing him. Sally looked sad, but she smiled.
I wondered if my mother had ever wanted to do that to me.
"So he tells me," I answered. She smiled at me.
"Paul and I love you, honey. We want to help you two with any of your problems. We don't like seeing either of you two hurt." She said. I nodded. I loved them too.
"I love you guys, too. You're so good to me. Percy's lucky to have you two." I told her. She looked at her son, his lip twitched in his sleep. She smiled at that.
"He wasn't so lucky once, you know." She whispered, her eyes seeing a memory. I remembered something Percy told me once: 'My mother married Gabe Ugliano for me. She suffered so much for me. He was abusive, she was quiet. I can never repay her for that. I love her so much, Annabeth'.
"Neither were you, Sally." I whispered back. She looked surprised. No one really thought of it that way. She nodded, finally admitting her pain.
"Yes...I did. It was hell. But we're happy now. We found love. I have Paul, which is more than what I could ever dream of, and he has you. It pains me when you two aren't in good terms." She locked eyes with me. They were a soft brown, caring. I knew she was curious, but she didn't want to really know. I looked down in shame.
"I'm sorry," was all I could muster. She looked at me like, 'honey, you're fine. No need to apologize'.
"Pish posh. Don't worry about me," she scoffed. Percy shifted in his sleep, so his arms were wrapped around my waist, his face in my hair and his back to his mother.
"Oh, this represents so much," She continued, chuckling softly. She smoothed the hair on the back of his head. I felt a little uncomfortable like this in front of her. For a moment I was the fourteen year old girl in Sally Jackson's car riding up to Maine, hearing stories of a naked, young Percy. I was just a child then, not much more than I was at that moment. Now I was in the arms of her son in his bed while he was asleep.
"Don't worry. His back faces you because he knows you'll watch it," I assured her, quoting something I heard Chiron mutter about Clarisse walking away from Chris. Sally smiled softly. Gods, she sure knew how to show her love for Percy.
"He's my world, Annabeth. It was hard for me the past four years. Hell, the past sixteen years I was worried. Its an odd sensation I'm feeling now. He has someone new to love him. I have to let go some more now. I have to trust you, Annabeth." She confessed. She looked at me, pleading for me to agree.
"I'll...I love him, Mrs. Blofis." I managed. Her worry lines vanished. "He's my world, too, you know. Just don't tell him that. His sense of importance his big as it is," I chuckled into Percy's hair. He shivered in his sleep. Sally grinned; she knew Percy's ego. "I love him so much. I won't hurt him. I won't leave him. We'll be together always. Especially is Aphrodite has her way," I scowled, causing Sally to laugh knowingly.
"She still after you two?" She giggled.
"Of course. She pops up all the time. Whether its in biology and she whispers in my ear about seaweed or she distracts Percy in Trigonometry-by the way, I have no clue why they put him in there. She is horrible! Wait- how do you know about her?" I ranted.
"Oh, she comes to see sometimes when you two are at camp. Especially when you two were fourteen. Oh gods, you two are her favorite couple!" Sally Blofis gushed.
"Oh, that annoying woman." I grumbled. I figured she wouldn't get too upset because Percy already-stupidly- agreed she can dress me up for Valentine's Day. Seaweed Brain...
"Dear," she said more seriously. "Be good to each other." She stood up, tears in her eyes. She bent down and kissed her son on the forehead. "My baby is in love," she whispered and left, wiping her eyes. She shut the door with a final smile.
Sally Blofis trusted me with her son's life. Yet, I couldn't trust myself to take my relationship to the next level. I was afraid to hurt him, to become a different person. I was afraid we'd both change.
I felt so guilty knowing that Percy was irrevocably in love with me and I was worried he would change his mind. I was so stupid sometimes.
About five minutes later, I heard Percy's stomach growl and I felt a chuckle on my neck. I shivered. He chuckled again. I shivered again. Before he could realize the pattern, I pulled his head away from my hair. He was grinning.
His stomach growled. "I'm hungry," he informed me.
"I wouldn't have guessed it," I joked. He kissed me lightly on the lips. He was about to get out of bed, but I pulled him on top of me. His heart sped a little faster when I pulled him in for a kiss by his hair. His hands were caressing my face. Mine were playing with his hair. We stopped to breathe. He had a guilty look on his face.
"Its alright, Percy. I'm okay with this. How we are right now." I reassured him. He forced a pearly smile. He kissed me lightly on the nose. Seaweed Brain sat up on my stomach, making sure his weight wasn't put on me. When he least expected it, I flipped him over so I was on top of him. He looked pleasantly surprised. Goof.
"And how we are right here," I whispered seductively in his ear. I kissed his neck. "I'm okay with this, too." He groaned softly and clasped my hips. He pulled me closer to him and I continued kissing his neck. His stomach grumbled again. I looked up at Percy's red face.
"I'm hungry," he said stupidly. I got off of him and he frowned. His stomach growled again.
"Let's go eat, Lover Boy," I laughed, holding out my hand. He grabbed it and before I could open the door, he slammed me gently against it. He pressed his sculpted body against me and sighed into my ear. My knees felt very weak.
"I love you, Wise Girl," He whispered. He backed off of me and laughed at my expression. I wanted him pushing his weight against me again.
"I love you too, Seaweed Brain. No more teasing, or I'll start teasing you." I threatened. His face blanched. Then he started laughing.
"Sure you will, Wise Girl. Sure..." he muttered, walking out into the living room with me trailing behind him.
I brushed my fingers against the small of his back and he froze. I could see his ears and his neck turn crimson. Point one: Annabeth. Zero: Percy. He turned slightly to glare at me.
"Oh, gods..." he muttered. "You'll be the death of me."
"Good," I whispered in his ear before walking into the living room.
The last thing I heard was Percy's unintelligible grumbles.
(end flashbaaaaaaack)
"I like Katie," Traivs blurted out, breaking everybody away from their thoughts. Katie and Travis's faces turned beet red. Connor laughed loudly.
"Really?" Will Solace said sarcastically. "We never would have guess it, especially since she's sitting on your lap."
"No." Travis corrected himself, "I mean, I really really like her. She's amazing. She hates my practical jokes, but I still do them. I can't help but touching her hair. Its so beautiful. I think about her all the time. I want her to be mine. She has patience, and an awesome smile. She makes my day. And..." he looked at Katie, who's face was red and her eyes tearing up from the raw moments of the day.
"And I love her," he whispered softly. Katie threw her arms around the neck of the blonde boy with brown eyes and kissed him. Travis's hands found her waist.
"I love you too, you big idiot." She cried. Everyone cheered, including me. Everyone deserved love.
Connor slapped his brother's back proudly. "I'm happy for you two," he said. We all muttered in agreement. Travis's eyes were locked into a gaze-fest with Katie's brown orbs. We all looked away, letting them have privacy-as much as they could-in their moment.
"I miss my brothers and sisters," Will said out of nowhere. Huh, something must be in the water here. Everyone is impulsive today. "Everyone thinks I'm just out to be the best archer and live up to my brothers and sisters who've fallen. Truth is, I can't. They're too good. You can't just live up to the fallen. They surpass you as soon as they die. End of story; they're the heroes. But I really miss them. I miss all who had died. They were so young. And I think life is too short to be angry with each other. Everyone's feelings- Trav and Katie's, Annabeth and Percy's, Charlie and Silena's-feelings came out when we all thought it was the end. We shouldn't do that. We should 'fess up now and stop procrastinating. I'll admit it right now," He stood up on the Athena Table-don't blast him, Mother-and shouted towards the cabins where the campers were cleaning.
"I LIKE YOU A LOT, JANVIER LACROSSE! YES, I LIKE THE DAUGHTER OF HERMES A LOT!" He panted when he was done, showing off his immaculately white smile he inherited from Apollo, his father. Kids came out of their cabins, curious to see who professed their love to Janvier. (Pronunciation: sh-ahn-vee-air. *winks* je parles francais, et toi?)
Janvier, or January in French, came out of the Hermes cabin. She looked confused, but a little hopeful. She looked at Will and her dark blue eyes shone. The next thing I knew, her dirty blonde hair was whipping in the air, and the fifteen year old sprinted to the table. Will had climbed down and was grinning like a lovestricken fool. I wonder if Percy ever looked that way. Or worse, me.
"You've always been an idiot, Will." She giggled. Kids were watching from their cabin doors, unsure if they should leave their cleaning jobs. Will just flashed another smile and pulled her into a hug. Everyone was either smiling or scowling-well, the Hermes kids were.
"Ahem," Connor cleared his throat. The lovebirds faces turned red and Connor raised his eyebrow. "We'll have to have a little, ah, discussion concerning Janvier, won't we, Travis?" Connor didn't even look behind him to know Travis would back him up.
"Definitely, Connor." Travis agreed, his voice more macho than it was when Katie was talking to him. Janvier whined.
"Guys..." She complained. Will's arm around her waist tightened.
"Its sure worth it, Janvier, don't worry." He assured her, sending a nod to her brothers. Connor 'humph'd and Travis nodded. We all respected Will, but sometimes he got caught up in the moment around, er, ladies. Once he kissed Janvier randomly because 'well, someone had to make the night worth talking about'.
Just like his father.
Will turned to the majority of us. Nico's mouth was hanging open, like, 'what the hell just happened?'. I'm pretty sure mine was the same way.
"That was my confession, guys. Love ya'," With that, Will waved and walked towards the cabins with his arm around Janvier's waist.
"Holy-" Travis started.
"-Shit." Connor finished for him. Then at once, "Who does he think he is?". They didn't even find their synchronization amusing.
"Yo, Connor, we gotta have a talk with that boy soon. Preferably when Jan isn't around. I doubt Dad's gonna do it. Too many messages." Travis said, a very serious look on his face.
"He is the son of Apollo," Grover pointed out helpfully. "He was born with confidence." Travis and Connor didn't find this amusing as the rest of us did. They shared some kind of telepathic agreement and nodded.
"Well..." Leo said awkwardly. "Another girl taken away from Fireman, dammit." He grumbled. We all chuckled. He was in love with anyone with boobs, sometimes.
"Fireman," Piper scoffed. Her voice was so smooth, and pretty-sounding. "Puh-lease, Leo, you can't be that sure of yourself." She nudged her shoulder against his and he shoved her a little bit, grinning. They grew closer as friends now that they were sure Jason was never really their friend. Stupid Mist. But they were always friends, now they understood why: they were both laid-back, funny and they cared about everyone.
"What can I say? Todo el mundo me ama." He said in Spanish. Chris, whom I never spoke Spanish, laughed.
"Not everyone loves you, Big Guy." He laughed. Clarisse held his hand on top of the table; she was smiling.
Leo shrugged. "Oh, but a lot of people do. Maybe not the way I'd like them to, but they do. Except Piper. She can stay my friend. Anyone other chicka, hey, I'm single." He flashed us a white smile, contrasting to his tan skin. Piper slapped him in the back of his head.
"Oh shush. Your ego is getting the best of you, Sparky." She laughed playfully. She cast a glance at Jason, who winced at her happiness and the pain he gave her and turned his head. Her smile fell and the scowl she wore a lot returned. Leo noticed this and put his arm around Piper's shoulder and smiled. She returned it.
"That was my confession, yo!" He announced. We all laughed, not really expecting anything less from Leo.
"You are so 'G', Leo, I'm jealous." Grover feigned jealously. Leo grinned.
"Hey, what about your confession, Creepy Sheep Guy?" Leo asked. Everyone roared with laughter at that nickname. Leo looked around sheepishly.
"I don't have one. Everyone knows I run around like a chicken with his head cut off when something is wrong. Juniper too. We're straight-forward." He said.
"Yeah, and you eat furniture." I giggled. "Percy said he IM'd you when he was at school and you were eating a chair. He said he didn't even get to ask you his question 'cause he was laughing so hard."
"...Oh yeah, that too." Grover said, embarrassed. "I think he needed help with Trig. Something about you on a field trip with your creep roommate...?" He raised a furry eyebrow. Creep roommate? Ah, so he didn't like her at all.
"Yeah." I said.
"Can I confess something?" Mal asked. We all turned to him. He took a deep breath. "Okay, once, I got a zero on a test." He announced. We all sorta looked at him like he was nuts until he bursted out laughing. He shook his head. "No, no. That wasn't it. I just wanted to see what you'd do. I confess that...I threatened Percy." He gulped and looked at me like I was going to explode. Maybe at one time, like in the summer, I would have. But I was used to Percy getting threatened. Hello? Invincibility mean anything to any of you?
"Yeah, yeah. We knew that," Clarisse said. "We all knew that. You never really told us what it was about though. Annabeth, obviously, but like, what?"
"Oh, well..." Malcolm looked at me nervously. "I told him if I ever catch him 'looking at maps' in my cabin alone with Annabeth again, I'll call Thalia and we'd kick his ass." He said sheepishly.
We all erupted into laughter, including me. Mal remembered the day before I delved in the Labyrinth? Woah.
"Sounds like Percy!" Katie laughed. "'Looking at maps'. He's so stupid!" We all agreed. Thalia looked at Malcolm and mouthed Dude! Why'd you confess that? I wanted to kick his ass!. Mal shrugged and Thalia fumed.
"I don't even want to know what 'looking at maps' means." Clarisse said with disgust. I felt my face get hot from her assumptions.
"Its what it sounds like. Well, before we went into the Labyrinth, Percy and I were talking in my cabin and I started to cry. I was, uh, hugging Percy when Mal came in. Percy said stupidly, "We were just looking at maps,". He's so stupid, but, gods, I love him." I laughed. Nico roared with laughter at Percy's idiocy. Jason looked a little disturbed.
"You guys have no respect for your leader," he said with disgust. Laughter died down. We all looked at him peculiarly. I felt my eye twitch in anger: a feeling I was becoming very friendly with.
"We love our leader," Chris grumbled.
"He's just a big idiot." Clarisse waved her hand dismissively. Jason looked at me, probably waiting for me to flip shiz on him or something.
"And what do you think?" He queried.
"I love him. He's my Seaweed Brain. My camp's Seaweed Brain. He's a little dense, but gods, he's our leader." I told him with pride.
"Where's his respect?" Jason asked, trying not to offend us.
"Up your-"
"Connor," Katie said warning him.
"Sorry." He muttered, hanging his head down. Katie nodded triumphantly, like a mother who just got her child to use a fork.
"He has his respect," I assured him. "He saved the world. We love him for that."
"Oh." Was all he could say to ruin our happy mood.
"Does anyone else have something to confess?" Thalia asked. We all looked around and decided a) no, we didn't and (more subtly than a) b) Jason ruined our mood.
Ah, very constructive, this meeting was.
"Well, this intervention took a turn for the better." Nico said. "Annabeth didn't get mauled. Progressive, I conclude." Most of us snickered while others-namely, the new ones- looked confused.
"Its about time someone in 'Percabeth' wasn't attacked," Katie laughed. I laughed awkwardly. This was good, right? We weren't fighting and I would be leaving in two days. I would come back in June, ready as ever to get my boyfriend back.
"So...this is probably the last time we'll be together before...summer." Leo said sadly. "What are we gonna do, Pipes?" He looked at her, clearly lost and non-confident. She looked pained. Then she thought of something and smiled.
"Well, for starters, we're boarding with Mrs. Blofis, Percy Jackson's mother, and we're going to her husbands school together. Its called Goode High, I think." She looked at me. She was right. They were boarding at Percy's house to be close to camp and for safety reasons, close to me. "And Annabeth will be right down the road to visit whenever she wants."
"Wait," Grover interrupted. "Isn't Percy's apartment two bedrooms?" He looked at me. This was very true.
"They've been planning to move for a month now. They're moving down a block. Right down the road from my school. Purely coincedental. Its a four bedroom apartment. Really nice." I told them. Leo and Piper were grinning, clearly happy to stay together with someone they knew.
"Are Percy's parents cool?" Leo asked. "Like, will I be able to skip my homework because Mr. Blowfish is the principal?" Piper's hand moved so fast to smack his head, I had to make a reminder to takes notes.
"Yeah. They're the absolute best. Part of the reason they were moving was so I could stop sleeping in Percy's room every weekend, when I came over." I chuckled. I bit back a curse when I realized how that sounded. Piper grinned, being the daughter of Aphrodite and all.
"WAIT! That's not how I meant that to sound! He was sleeping on the couch, honest. Well, except that one time...but nothing happened! They're moving so I could have a bedroom. I guess now I have to share a bedroom with Piper and Leo gets his own room." I said defensively. Thalia's eyes narrowed at me, and I swear even Nico cringed under that glare.
"Yay!" Piper squealed, anxious to share a room with me. "I can't wait!"
"Me neither. I'll be over every weekend." I promised.
"I'm in good hands then," Leo grinned, and winked at me. A swift slap to his head later, he was swearing up and down he was joking. I believed him. He was just being a doofus.
"Yeah, Mrs. B is awesome." I smiled. I sighed when I saw the sad look on Thalia's young face. She was supposed to be about twenty-one and Luke was twenty-three. I'm sure she wished she could go to school with me, be normal and have fun. But she was dedicated to Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, and she loved that more than mortality.
I went over to hug her. I wrapped my arms around my friend and I cried a little, thinking I wouldn't have that much comfort. Thalia's tears soaked my shoulder.
"GROUP HUG, YO!" Connor shouted. We had another group hug and this time it was Piper who was behind me. After about one minute, we all pulled away, grinning through our tears.
"I really love you guys," I said, choking up a bit.
"Love you too, Bethy," Connor grinned and gave me another bear hug. I choked a little and he let go. We all laughed.
"I guess this is almost goodbye," Nico said. Our expressions fell.
"Well, I'll see all of you in June, right?" I asked, my voice squeaky. I didn't want anyone else to leave.
"Of course!" "Duh!" "Dude, really?" and other responses made me smile.
"Good." I chuckled.
"We should head back to our cabins." Katie said sadly.
"Yeah..." Travis muttered. We gave each other brief hugs and departed, tears falling down our faces.
"Goodbye, Family." I mumbled to myself.
awww. was it what you all wanted? I hope so! please review. I love all who read this. The next chapter will just be an lil tidbits about flashbakcs and Leo, Piper and Annabeth's school days. its set over the next two months following this chapter. It starts with the goodbye. I cried when I reread this. What'd you think? did you like their confessions?
this was a filler, really. Have fun tonight on Valentine's Day! I know I will *winks*. Show the love and review.
Love ya, AJ121
"I