Percy's POV

"Ding!" my computer lit up as I received a confirmation email notification from that pesky app that Grover was begging me to try out. After five years of being single, I guess I could see his kind intentions in getting me to download these apps. Then again, that was Grover for you. He couldn't stand the fact that I was living alone in my apartment, without a partner to care for. It took a bit of time but I finally settled on a specific app - Widows Love Messages. Wait... that wasn't it. I struggled through my dyslexia to read the app name again. Windows Live Messenger. Yes. That made more sense.

A grin crept up my face as I pondered on a suitable nickname. Many different options flooded my mind, but the common theme revolved around either marine life or the colour blue. It took a while, but I finally settled on BlueMarlin188. Despite the many mythological creatures I had encountered, I always favoured marlins over everything else. They just seemed so...majestic.

Anyways, I quickly set up my profile and added Grover's contact into my contact list. "Hmm," I pursed my lips as I stared at the computer. I wasn't too sure about how I would go around adding new people to my contact list. Grover had said that the app would be pretty self-explanatory, but it still took me a long while before I finally managed to view a page displaying random contacts.

I skimmed through several peoples' bios, trying to find someone who I felt would click with me easily. After scrolling for what seemed like an eternity, the cursor finally hovered over someone's profile that caught my eye. OwlHead127 had completely different hobbies than I did; I preferred swimming and sleeping while she preferred reading and visiting museums. Furthermore, she lived in Florida, while I was stuck in my three-bedroom apartment in New York City. Since we had a lot of differences, I felt that she would be an easy friend to make, due to the wide array of topics we could talk about.

Oh well, here goes nothing. I clicked on the green icon above the username and began to type up a witty greeting.

Six Months Later

I trudged home wearily, my boots crunching on the fallen leaves. The students were especially rowdy in class today, most likely due to the recent rumours of some celebrity couple breaking up. I didn't bother keeping up with the news anymore, not since our split. She was the one who updated me about current affairs and read me interesting stories from the daily newspaper. Sigh. Initially, I tried suppressing all memories of her to try to block out the pain. It didn't work. She was already too involved in my life and the friends around me. It took one long, painful year for me to finally put my thoughts about her aside. However, every now and then, I still wondered what things would be like if we either of us cared enough to hear the other party out.

Damn. Annabeth Chase. People often joked that she was going to be Annabeth Jackson. I shook my head and chuckled to myself. There was no way in Hades that she would marry yet alone speak to me after the incident.

I groaned as I fidgeted with the keyhole of my door. I stepped onto the welcome mat gingerly and took off my shoes, careful not to dirty the polished, wooden floor. I guess some of her habits stuck with me.

The bed shook as I threw my body onto it, wishing to have a quick nap before waking up again to mark assignments. The clock on the wall ticked rhythmically and a chill draught drifted in through the open window. I slowly drifted asleep as the darkness enveloped me like a warm blanket.

"Ding!" my laptop buzzed as I faintly attempted to wipe the sleep from my eyes. Still groggy, I glanced at the clock, which now read 9.00PM. Oh shit. I had overslept. I sighed as I sat down and opened up my laptop. *One new message from Windows Live Messenger* I found it hard to contain my excitement as I started to open up the message. Over the past six months, OwlHead127 and I quickly became close friends, as I had expected. We talked about our daily affairs, but we agreed to a strict no-name policy. We only referred to each other by our usernames, and nicknames if we chose to create one.

OwlHead127: Hey, how was school today? I hope everything is going well.

BlueMarlin188: I am beyond tired :c but at least Lucy wasn't being annoying as always. How about you?

Lucy was a student of mine. She often pestered me about questions she already knew the answers to. She was the stereotypical overly enthusiastic student, or perhaps she just had a crush on me. I could never tell.

OwlHead127: Haha, at least class must have felt a bit more refreshing for you! As for me...I can't say I'm doing too well...

BlueMarlin188: Oh? What's up?

OwlHead127: I...I had a huge argument with William. I'm not sure what our current situation is right now.

Worry was evidently etched onto my face. William was OH's fiancé. They had been dating for the past year or so until he recently popped the question. Then again, OH seemed like a calm, level-headed person. I doubted that she would even get into an argument. Although we had only been chatting for the past half a year or so, we had already become close friends.

BlueMarlin188: Oh. I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure things will turn out alright. Have faith yeah?

OwlHead127: Thank you. I'm sorry but I have to go now, my boss is asking for me to finish a report on maximising the structural integrity of modern skyscrapers. Maybe we should continue tomorrow morning?

I smiled. She was such a nerd, although she didn't see herself that way.

BlueMarlin188: Sure thing. Good night OH, don't sleep too late :) Ciao!

I quickly shut my laptop after her reply and let out a long sigh. It was going to be a long night ahead.

Annabeth's POV

My eyes fluttered open as the bright morning sun peered its head in through the opened curtains. I groaned as I got up from my bed and began to head to the bathroom.

William peeked his head out of the shower, his blond hair still wet and unkempt from his bath. I forced a patient smile and waited for him to finish freshening up.

William was my fiancé. He had blond hair that was always neatly combed to the left. His brown eyes often glimmered with ambition and pride, and his voice was low but gentle. He stood five inches taller than me but he was rather lanky. With an exceptional singing voice, he was a rising star in the music industry. I still remembered how he serenaded me on our first date...

I snapped back to reality. "Are we cool about yesterday and everything? I need to know that we're okay." I asked.

"Yeah. Sorry about that. All this stress from the media and the paparazzi is really messing with me, y'know?"

I rolled my eyes. This was the third time he had used the same excuse for starting an argument. I briefly nodded and surfed the Internet on his laptop while waiting.

"Woah, what the fu-", I started before the laptop screen was shut right in front of me.

My face must have displayed a myriad of emotions as William stumbled back from the laptop. Hurt. Anger. Betrayal.

His deep, husky voice questioned, "What did you see? Why do you look so shocked?"

I panicked, blood rushing to my face. I tried to think of a convincing lie on the spot, and managed to stammer out an excuse. "Oh, erm, it was password protected, so I didn't see anything except your account picture."

His account picture was of a semi-naked Scandinavian model. Although we were together, I never really brought it up. I just hoped that it was convincing enough for him to drop the subject.

He turned around, no longer concerned with my antics.

I quickly rushed to the bathroom and locked the door. Without anyone around to see me, I started crying as I processed what I had actually seen on his laptop. Fumbling around, I managed to fish out my phone and I texted the only person I could think of.

AnnabethChase: Yo Piper, could we meet up? I have something urgent to get off my chest. I think William and I are through.

After getting that text out, I sighed and crumpled to the floor. Piper was always there for me, and I was for her too. Ever since her break-up with Jason, she seemed more kind-hearted and caring than usual.

I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding as I heard the door slam shut. William finally left the house.

I took a quick shower and applied some makeup on. Right before I got dressed, I sent a quick message to BM. They were the only two people in my life I had been able to talk to about my issues without getting judged. Another person would be Percy, but I hadn't bothered to keep in touch with him for the past four years. About a year after I caught him red-handed, he kept writing me letters and apologising. When I made it clear that I was unaffected and moved on, he gave up and stopped writing. It had been five years, and I still missed his enchanting sea-green eyes and charming smile. Snapping back to reality, I scoffed at how everyone had believed his fatal flaw was undying loyalty. He had been anything but loyal that night.

Browsing through my closet, I picked out a simple gray t-shirt and some denim jeans. I wore my owl earrings and debated over wearing the special necklace Percy had gotten me to symbolise our friendship. Although I hadn't kept in touch with him, the necklace still felt like a part of me. I wore it every day, and my hand subconsciously rubbed the intricate design of the beads on the necklace. However, I knew that William didn't approve of me wearing it.

Well, he's not here now, I thought to myself.

I put it on and slung a blue cardigan over my shoulder before heading out to the Starbucks around the corner.