Chapter 4
Exhausted after the day of drama and confronting my feelings I managed 2 hours of actual sleep before worry kicked in. And with force. Will and Chiron had explained how they were going to talk to Annabeth and try and get her to understand how it would better if we stayed away from each other for a while so I could recover, but all I kept thinking about was how this could make Annabeth depressed as well, so with much effort required on my part. I sat up, and attempted getting up but quickly failed as I collapsed on the spot. This sent the guard rushing in (who appeared to be Clarisse today) and she without grace picked me up and just dumped me on the cot. 2 minutes later Chiron came rushing in asking if I was alright, and why in Hades I tried to get out of bed, I explained simply about my concerns and demanded she not know why I was depressed.
As I couldn't rest or relax it seemed Chiron allowed me to drink some nectar and replenish my energy while saying "You are a good hero, always selfless" over and over. In all honesty I thought myself selfish for wanting Annabeth all to myself so I just listened and healed. Without resisting too much (well by my definitions), I healed enough to be able to stand myself. That lived for all of 5 seconds as Annabeth walked in thinking she was allowed back, and despite feeling weakened by the effort I jumped on her and yelled as loud as I could. Will calmly stood there letting me get it out before I agreed I was done and helped me back to bed. The next day my routine started again but with more force, waking up after falling asleep for 14 hours (Wow!) I was more than surprised to see Will staring at me in concern. That was before food was shoved in my face so hard, the smell caused me to promptly puke all over Will's shoes, the wooden floor and myself, realising his mistake he cleaned up and then brought a small amount of plain chicken in the room before I could even stop him. I ate bit by bit, but half way through Chiron and Grover walked in and I abruptly stopped eating. Coaxing wouldn't work, Chiron understood my awkwardness of eating in front of others and left me with Will to finish, but after being so embarrassed I couldn't eat anything.
Without warning Will put down the bowl signed and started picking up my right leg to do the physiotherapy I so needed. Chiron walked in at that moment and helped with my arms, this whole while I prepared myself for the fire that would soon spread through my limbs to build necessary muscles. 4 hours later I treated to another tiny amount of food to help me regain eating habits and energy, the plan was to increase meal portions when I feel ready each time and with bolder tastes till I was comfortable with eating in front of others. After the discussion Chiron left to talk to Annabeth, Will coaxed what he could into me and carried on with the physiotherapy till 8.30. At that point tired to the bone, I fell into a deep sleep. This routine continued on for the next 2 months, eating in front of others was particularly difficult so we compromised each time I thought I was ready 1 person would join the group who ate with me till it was 20 odd. And now I can say I eat with the whole camp and am perfectly healthy. My problem is still Annabeth, what to do?