A/N: Hi guys. I'm the lamest author here so I have the lamest chapter. Seriously. I really don't know how to approach this chapter. I have a writer's block that has been going on for days now. Ugh. It's good that there's like two chapters left for this. I don't know if it's right to write an epilogue without having a prologue, since I'm planning to write one. Tell me if it's wrong.

It really feels weird writing a Jason/Annabeth scene, so it's a relief they are over. Oops. That came out wrong.

"Annabeth, Jason's now here."

Annabeth didn't even flinched or froze, there was no sign that she heard Thalia. She just stared at Percy's letter before meeting her bestfriend's piercing blue eyes, knowing that this was happening and there's no turning back now. Annabeth mustered all of her courage to finally end this mess she started. How she wished she had that courage a long time ago.

"Let him in."

Thalia's brow knitted in confusion. "Are you sure? Annabeth, if you're not okay-"

"Thalia, it's fine," Annabeth cut in. "Besides, I've made too many lies now. He deserves to have the truth."

"Alright. But. . .are you sure you're okay?"

The blonde nodded. "I will be. Don't worry. I'll call you later after this."

"Okay," Thalia agreed. "But promise to call me later."

"I got it. Promise."

Thalia then disappeared behind the door.

Annabeth gingerly placed the blue envelope on her desk and used the back of her hand to wipe the tears away from her eyes. At least, she had the mind to look presentable in front of Jason.

She really didn't know how to confront him without inflicting hurt in his emotions. But she guess it was bound to happen at some point anyway that it didn't bug her as much. Annabeth had done enough skirting around the topic that it made the situation worse. Especially now with Percy gone.

She so badly wanted to come and surrender herself in his arms. She wanted to feel him: his skin touching hers, his scent all over her and everything about him to be with her. Annabeth had never craved for someone's affection this badly that it's almost becoming addicting.

Percy was that drug who never stopped making her feel high. And she highly doubt she'll get over him.

But right now, she needed to fix this with Jason.

Her bedroom door opened and a figure stepped in. Annabeth heaved a deep breath before turning around to greet a familiar face.

There's no turning back now.

"Annabeth!" Jason exclaimed and rushed forward to pull the blonde in a tight embrace. Annabeth returned the gesture. "I missed you."

"Yeah," she mumbled. "I missed you too."

It wasn't a lie, she knew that for sure. Of course, it had been true that she missed Jason's company over the time he wasn't here, but she barely noticed that as she was always occupied with a certain someone. And for that someone, the reason she was doing this.

Jason pulled back and noticed her red-rimmed eyes. A worried look crossed his face. He took her face in his hands, willing those grey eyes to look at him. "Hey babe, what's wrong?"

Annabeth smiled at him a little before taking him to sit on her bed. She sat in front him criss-crossed. Annabeth fingered that loose strand on the pillow, a habit she kind of developed when she was nervous. She clearly didn't know how to start with it or how to broach on the topic. And this was one time she's going to take this without plans.

"Jason. . .We need to talk."

"I get a feeling that this sounds bad," he muttered. Jason ruffled his neatly combed hair and took out his glasses. He looked more younger now than he looked awhile ago, and Annabeth couldn't help but see him as her younger brother.

"You aren't diagnosed with a terminal disease, are you?" he asked warily.

Annabeth laughed a little. "No, I don't have a terminal disease. Why would you think of that?"

Jason shrugged. "It's the worst I could come up."

"So. . ."

"You aren't pregnant, are you?"

"NO!" Annabeth screeched a little too loud. That was so absurd! The thought made her flush deep red. She wasn't even thinking along the lines of doing that with Percy. It seemed too . . . intimate. "It wasn't that."

"Okay," he let out a sigh of relief. He pinched the bridge of his nose then he looked at her seriously this time.

"You are going to break up with me, aren't you?"

And this time, Annabeth didn't even bother to deny it. She just looked down, guilty.

At her empty response, Jason laughed without humor. "Figured."

Annabeth stared at his eyes, hoping to make him understand what she felt.

"Jason. . . it isn't because I don't love you, believe me, I do. It's just that when I look at you, I see you as my younger brother. I thought it will change soon enough, but it was there. You're like a brother to me. And I know, this is different from what we both want. You should find a . . .girl more deserving of your affections. The right one."

"I knew that this was coming," Jason mumbled. But he wasn't angry or scowling or anything past negative. In fact, there's a small understanding smile on his face. And though there's a bit of hurt, Annabeth knew that he understood. Perhaps, he felt the same way too.

"I'm sorry," Annabeth whispered. Then she wrapped her arms around him protectively, rubbing his back in a comforting gesture.

"Don't be. You deserve happiness as much as I do," he said before her retracted back. "Besides, it's cool that I can have another older sister that doesn't order me around. Thalia could be so evil if she wants to."

She ruffled his hair affectionately. "Nah. We could just prank on her as a revenge sometime."

"You're a cool sis."

Annabeth beamed. "I knew it."

They laughed for some more before Jason dropped the bomb.

"So. . .who's the lucky guy then?"

Later that time, after Jason left to settle his luggage back, Annabeth picked up her phone and pressed Thalia's number.

The girl picked up on third ring.

"ANNIE? What happened?! Did it go right? Are you both okay? Are you-"

Annabeth held the phone at arm's length, her ears throbbing from the loud voice. "THALS!"

"Yeah?" the girl shouted.

"Stop yelling please!"

"Alright. So tell me what happened? Spill it out."

Annabeth chuckled. She could hear Thalia shuffling over her bed, trying to get comfortable for a good gossip.

"It went good, okay. Better than I expected. He took it lightly," Annabeth said. "Besides, he said I'm a better big sis than you."

"Traitor."

"Sorry, Thalia."

"So. . .are you still coming tomorrow? You know, it's the big day," Thalia asked.

At first, Annabeth was hesitant. She couldn't even bear to think that she'll be going to the competition tomorrow without Percy. But as she thought it over, she knew that he would be disappointed if she didn't show up. And it would be the best thing Annabeth could do for Percy right now.

"Yes. I'll be coming."

Looking over the mirror, Annabeth scrutinized herself. She adjusted the obi around her waist and fixed her white judogi.

She had come this far now, and it would be a waste if she let this opportunity go. Even then, she wished Percy was here beside her, trying to shake out her nervousness. It would be very nice to have him right now.

And Annabeth briefly wondered: "Would he be watching from afar? Would he even cheer for me?" After all, from the start they were the Best Duo Buddies. And she would do anything to get them back. To reunite the Best Duo Ever.

Speaking of- where was her new partner actually?

Annabeth hadn't actually had the time to meet him and the worst, she couldn't even recall his name. How she wished he was okay.

She wandered around, looking for a person who didn't have a partner yet. She looked lost - she'll admit that but she wasn't really expecting to stumble upon the grumpy-as-well Asian girl, Drew. Annabeth was hoping the girl would ignore her, but no such luck.

"Ready to fail again, Chase?"

Annabeth ignored her and proceeded to walk some more when she felt a tap.

She whirled around, perhaps having a feeling that it was Drew,but it was Thalia instead.

"Annie! Good to see that you came," Thalia greeted.

"Geez. I wouldn't pass on the opportunity to knock Drew down," Annabeth stage-whispered.

Thalia huffed. "Yeah, yeah. Kick her butt for me, okay? Anyway, Harry- your partner was looking for you."

"Same here. Come with me, Thalia.

"Sure."

They walked towards the rows of seats for spectators, then stopped in front of a lanky looking guy.

Annabeth inwardly cringed.

His curly brown hair was so long that it somehow covered his eyes and curled around his ears. His nose was a bit crooked and when he smiled, Annabeth could see his braces. In fact, he didn't seem fit enough nor he looked fine enough.

He extended his frail arm, showing his braced-teeth. "I'm Harry."

Annabeth, being the polite girl she was, shook his hand. "I'm-"

Harry cut her off. "Annabeth, I know. You're pretty famous."

The blonde just smiled, confused. "O-kay? That's cool."

"So. . ." He started but then a rumbling in his stomach stopped whatever he's about to say. He bent over, clutching his stomach tightly, as if he's in pain. Annabeth and Thalia stared at him, curiously.

"Uh, wait. I just- uh, I gotta go. . .to the bathroom? Yes, the bathroom!"

Harry then sprinted out.

"Oh well," Thalia voiced out after a few seconds of silence. "Looks like you're stuck with a loser, Annie."

"Ugh," Annabeth mumbled frustratingly. "Shut up Thalia."

After an half an hour, Harry still wasn't back. And to think that the battle will start within the next thirty minutes.

Thalia turned to her. "Do guys really take that long to poop?"

Annabeth shrugged. "Dunno. He must be struggling."

"Or he has LBM."

"Oh fuck. Please not."

"Let's go check on him."

"Yeah."

"Harry? Are you there?" Annabeth asked in front of the door of the male cubicle. There were some people who were giving them weird looks, but Thalia swatted them away with her glare.

No answer.

"Hey," Thalia shouted. "Give us a sign if you're okay. Shout or say something."

No answer.

Thalia growled impatiently. "If you keep on ignoring us, I'm gonna drag your sorry butt out here!"

Silence and a small call from the person inside. "Annabeth?"

Harry's voice sounded strained and hoarsed.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry but I don't think I can fight."

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

Oh yeah. I know it's terrible. But forgive me, please? We get Percabeth for the next chapter.