Jason

After Nico left, Jason laid back on his bed and stared at the ceiling. How had things even come to this?

A few months ago, he had been dating Piper. Happily, or so he thought. But he never really felt like they had connected, truly… he knew that Piper had been convinced they were in love. She had all of these memories of their relationship that Jason didn't have, and her mom was the love goddess, for Jupiter's sake. But there was something with Nico that he had never felt with Piper.

Jason had never even thought he swung that way. His whole life he'd always been interested in girls; Reyna for a little bit, Piper, etc. And he still liked them, for sure, but… how could he date Nico and still call himself straight?

He blinked twice is surprise. Date Nico. He was dating him. Sure, it wasn't official, they hadn't ever said it out loud, ever called each other honey or used the word "boyfriend". But what they had was undeniable.

Jason wasn't sure what to think of it. And when he wasn't sure of something, or he was confused or worried, Jason liked to work out. Fight. Spar. Anything to get him moving and take his mind off of Nico's lips, his face, his hair…

He grabbed his sword and headed over to the training room. No one else was in there, seeing as a game of capture the flag had just been played. Who on earth would want to practice after a game?

Jason Grace did.

He started with push-ups and crunches, jumping jacks, ran a few laps. Then he got out the practice dummies and began fighting, whirling around, slashing, trying not to think about anything else.

Nothing mattered for the next hour and a half. It felt like a minute to Jason. He was soaked with sweat and breathing heavily, but the burn in his arms and legs felt good. It was the kind of pain that kept you from thinking about certain boys with certain dark, endearing eyes.

He allowed his mind to wander to Piper for a second. She'd been devastated when he told her they should take a break. What he didn't say was that it was because he was in love with a boy, but looking back, that almost would have been better. He'd been so lame about it.

He had told her that they didn't have the same connection they used to, and that he felt that he didn't want to fall in love with her knowing how short demigod's lives usually are, and he couldn't bear to lose her.

It was so bad. So lame. He couldn't have messed things up worse. She didn't speak to him for a week and a half, barely glancing at him and avoiding him at all costs. The few times they saw each other recently, she had been cordial, but distant.

He had too many regrets. He was going to go talk to her.

Annabeth

"I'll be going back to college tomorrow," Annabeth said to Lillian, skipping a rock out over the lake. "I'm sorry I have to go. I wish I could spend more time with you, but…"

Lillian nodded. "It's okay. I get it. I'm still gonna miss you, though." She threw her arms around Annabeth, who hugged her back.

"I'll come visit more," she said. "Promise. I won't do what I did last time… I won't stay away or anything. But you have to promise to try to do your best and not always compare yourself to the others."

Lillian nodded. "I'll try. I'll think about mom and try to be wise, like her." Annabeth smiled.

The lake was glittering under the late afternoon sun, sparkling like a thousand diamonds on the surface. Annabeth could smell the ocean air in the distance, and she tried not to feel sad. Lillian wouldn't want to see her cry and break down.

In the distance, campers were heading to the mess hall for dinner. Lillian stood up and brushed off her shorts. "We should go to dinner," she said. "Come on." She offered a hand and helped Annabeth up, which was kind of funny seeing as Lillian was about four and a half feet tall. Annabeth accepted her help anyway.

"What time do you leave tomorrow?" Lillian asked, tugging on Annabeth's hand to move her along. Annabeth shrugged. "Probably in the morning sometime. Not quite sure yet. I think I'll stop by-" She almost said she would stop by Sally's apartment, but then Lillian would ask questions and start talking about Percy again.

"Stop by where?" she asked curiously. Annabeth thought quickly. "Um, at a cupcake place in the city. I promised my friend that I would get her one on my way back."

"Oh," Lillian said. "That was nice of you." Annabeth nodded absently. "Mmhmm. Well, I have to go pack, I'll see you at the fire tonight," she said, heading off towards the cabins. Lillian pouted, but continued on to the mess hall.

Annabeth watched her go and skip over to the Athena table. She reminded Annabeth so much of herself.

She smiled and reached the cabin. She would visit, like she promised. Of course she would.

Annabeth began to pack.