So, finally, an update! Sorry guys, I've just been busy with schoolwork lately. Plus, this chapter took a lot of brainstorming. Anyways, here's chapter seven. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the PJO characters!


Reyna's POV:

Sleep never came.

I was constantly being awakened from my own nightmares. Most of them contained Percy, which usually woke me with a strong pang of pain in my chest. Finally, dawn broke over the horizon, and I had made my decision.

I lay on my bed, fully dressed, dreading to see Percy to tell him my choice. I should have seen it coming, didn't I? That this would get out of hand, but I'd be ready to stop it if it did?

Then why is there the feeling of pure and utter pain seeping through my chest?

The truth was clawing its way out of my heart, but my mind shoves it back onto its cage, silencing it.

For a while, anyways.

As if right on cue, a knock on the door brings my mind back into focus. The knock sounds urgent, and soon it turns into pounding. I quickly dash over and open the door.

Standing there is a very pale Percy whose eyes looked vacant and crazy with worry at the same time.

"What's wrong Per-"

"Annabeth," Percy croaks, his eyes flickering to mine for the first time. The sea green eyes were dark and fidgety now. "She, she's gone."

()()()()

"What?" I say, incredulous.

Percy takes a sharp breath and walks into my room. He paces frustratingly and mumbles to himself.

"After the movies last night, I couldn't- I just couldn't take it anymore and…" he looks at me warily. "I told her- everything."

My eyes widen.

"What?" I exclaim.

"Yeah, she didn't take it lightly at first, when I told her I loved yo-" Percy stops and looks at me. My heart is racing, though I don't know why.

Percy loves me?

I swallow hard and try to slow my breathing. Percy studies me, and a small, warm smile creeps up onto his face. But it is gone instantly, replaced by a grim line.

"…Well, she yelled, then cried, and then left. I tried to go after her, but I didn't want to make a scene. I had a dream afterwards when I was sleeping where my dad told me not to follow Annabeth. At first I didn't get him, but after I realized she was gone this morning, I knew what he meant."

My eyebrows furrow and I bite my lip.

Running away? A daughter of Minerva would never do something so rash and dangerous.

Yeah, but wouldn't you want to run away if you found out Percy doesn't love you anymore?

I freeze.

Stop thinking like that, I tell myself mentally, You can't love him.

"Reyna," Percy pleads, and my skin crawls. "Come help me find her."

"Percy, Neptune himself told you to not follow her," I point out, and Percy scowls.

"I don't care about that! I just want to get my…" Percy hesitates and searches for the right word to say. "…to get my friend back."

That hesitation. That simple pause made my blood boil. Anger bubbled in me, and I lock my jaw.

"Damnit, Percy, why can't you just listen and follow what people tell you!" I say, my voice rising.

"Because I can't just let her die! What if she gets hurt?" Percy shouts, his cheeks flushed with anger.

"What if this is all Gaea's trick? What is it's a trap? What if…" my voice catches, "…what if you don't come back Percy?"

The last part comes out strained, and I only realize it until I've said it.

Why do I say these things? Do I have no control over myself?

Percy's eyes soften, and before I know it, he's embracing me so tightly; I can smell the saltwater on his chest.

He places a deep, loving kiss on my temple and cheek, and looks down at me with those endless green eyes.

"I won't get hurt, Reyna," he whispers onto my hair, "I promise, just for you."

Just for you.

My skin tingles at his words, but my mind quickly pushes the thought away.

I push him off me and nod emotionless.

Percy frowns and says, "I'm leaving at noon, which is like, two hours from now. I don't know when I'll come back."

I nod expressionless again.

Percy's frown deepened into a scowl, and before he leaves, he mutters bitterly, "Reyna, one day, I'll be able to tear all those walls you've got put up. And when I do, we'll both be at peace because we need each other. You are just too stubborn to admit that."

My heart stops.

The sound of the door being shut is clear and loud as it bounces of the principia's walls. You can't even hear me breathe.

Maybe because I'm not even doing that.

Percy is leaving, and might not come back.

The mere thought of it makes me sick to my stomach.

And then there is what he said.

Will he?

Will he tear my walls down? Because he seems pretty close.

I clutch my chest and wince. I hate how he makes me feel this way.

I hate it.


So, yeah, sorry for the short chapter. I promise to write longer ones soon. Writing "conflicted Reyna" was fuunn. :) So, did you like it? Did you not? I will not know, unless you revieeww!

Thanks for reading!

-The TimeMachine