Hey people!
Here's the next chapter! I couldn't wait to write it, so I updated a bit earlier than usual. :D Lucky you guys!
I want to take a few seconds to say how thankful I am for you guys. I love each and every one of you. You're reviews make me laugh and fill my heart with joy. You guys are so nice!
Yeah, I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. Yeah, you're welcome.
Thirty (Jason):
"So, Jason… What are you doing later?"
"I don't know, Thalia." I shrug. "I probably have to write a play for my script writing class."
"Is that the one Nico was going to help you with?" She raises an eyebrow at me and I nod. "Then you're free because Nico and Percy are out."
"Where are they?" I cock my head. Usually I'm invited on these guys night out things! "Stalking out Rachel," Thalia answers. "So, want to hang with me?"
"Sure," I smile. "We haven't really spoken in some time because you've been on tour."
"Totally," she grins back. "So, meet me at Starbucks at eight, alright?"
"Why can't we just go together? There's one on the campus not too far from here."
"I… uh… Have some recording to do!" she explains. "At that recording studio in the music building… We need a new single."
"Oh. Alright," I say, remembering that the music building is on the complete other side of the school. Thalia continues to stand there and I give her a weird look. "Shouldn't you be recording?"
"Oh... Right!" Thalia remembers. "Adios!" She leaves the room and I sit in the kitchen awkwardly alone.
A vibrating starts in my pants pocket and I'm relieved that I have someone to talk to. Without checking to see who it was, I answer my phone and bring it up to my ear. "Hello?"
"Hey," a voice I instantly recognize says. But I can hardly hear him. A loud, pumping beat of music plays in the background.
"Uh… Percy? Aren't I always invited on these guys night out things?"
"This isn't a guy's night out," Nico replies. I guess he took the phone away from Percy. "I'm trying to make Percy get over Rachel and find a new girl. Do you know if Annabeth is single?"
"Why?" I ask. "Is he interested?"
"Maybe."
"Want me to ask her?" I question him, realizing that was probably the point of this phone call.
"YES," Percy moans in the background.
"Okay," I say as I make my way out of the kitchen and into the hallway. "Hold on." I put the phone down in my pocket and knock lightly on Annabeth and my sister's door.
"Come in!" Annabeth calls.
I open the door and step inside the clean and orderly room. That's completely the opposite of mine and Leo's. "Hi Annabeth!" I wave.
"What's up, Jason?" she smiles.
"I… Uh… Need some advice?" I say, but it turns out more like a question.
"Why don't you just ask Thalia?" Annabeth asks me.
"With these types of things, asking your sister could be awkward," I explain, making things up in my head as I go. "It's about… Uh… A relationship?" I try. "You must know about those. You're pretty… So you probably have a boyfriend… Am I correct?"
"Nope," she replies. "No boyfriend. But thanks!"
"Anytime."
"So… What about relationships?"
"Well, I like this girl…" I start. "But how do I know if she likes me back?"
"Has she given you any signs?" Annabeth questions me.
"I'm not sure. I'm not good with this stuff,' I tell her. "That's why I came to you."
"Just see how she acts around you," she explains. "If she acts a little nervous, she's totally interested. If she acts bored, she isn't. And if she doesn't act either nervous or bored, she probably likes you just as a friend."
"Thanks," I say, trying to remember all that she told me. "I'll check."
"Am I allowed to know who this person is?" Annabeth cocks her head at me.
"Nope! Sorry! It's confidential."
"Alright," she gives me a strange look.
"Well… Bye!" I wave as I leave out of her room. She's a pretty nice girl. If I didn't like Piper, she'd probably be my number two.
"Jason?" a muffled voice says. I then remember my phone is in my pocket.
I whip it out and say, "hey!"
"So… boyfriend?" Nico asks desperately.
"Nope," I smile. "And I got some dating advice too!"
"Yeah, I wasn't asking for that." Nico states. "Percy, she's single."
"YES!" Percy cheers from the background.
"Well, we got to go. We're kind of in the middle of a dance off. These rappers think they're better than us." Nico informs me.
"Okay," I say, not knowing how to respond. "Bye!"
"YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MUSIC. YOU JUST TALK. RAPPING SHOULDN'T EVEN BE PART OF MUSIC," Nico shouts in the background.
"Sorry about that…" Percy laughs. "Nico likes to argue… But who doesn't?"
"Hmm…"
"Well, hang up now!"
"Sorry!" I snap as I angry hang up the phone. Well that was unnecessary…
Time flies, and before I know it, it is 7:50. I put on my light weigh jacket and slip on my sneakers. I take my room key and leave the suite, ten minutes early. I've always hated being late. For some weird reason, it really bothers me.
I walk across the campus, using the flashlight on my camera because the sun went down hours ago. Finally, I reach the Starbucks and I take a step inside. Thalia isn't in here though… In fact, no one is besides one person. I turn to get a better look and recognize a familiar face.
"Piper?" I gasp.
"Oh, hey Jace!" she smiles. "What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for Thalia," I say as I sit down next to her. "What about you?"
"Leo," she answers. "He's always late, so I'm not worried."
"Yeah," I nod. "Thalia probably got stuck up recording. Dave the manager can be pretty annoying sometimes."
"I see."
"Yup."
Minutes go by and it's kind of awkward. Piper is fidgeting with the zipper of her snowboarding jacket. Hmm… Fidgeting… Is that a sign of nervousness? It can't be. Piper just, doesn't like me like that. We're friends and only friends. I mean, if she liked me and we're here alone, wouldn't she make a move already?
Wait… I'm supposed to make the move. "So…" I say. "Want some coffee?"
"Isn't it a little late for that?" she cocks her head at me. "It's eight thirty. We'll be up all night if we drink coffee now. Plus, we've got to be up at seven for chemistry tomorrow." That pretty much shouts that she doesn't like me.
"Right," I say awkwardly. She doesn't say anything back, so I check my phone. Most people would consider that rude, but we're not on a date so it doesn't matter. The name LEO VALDEZ lights up on my screen and I check my messages. Sure enough, Leo sent me one.
LEO VALDEZ: Enjoying your date? ;)
JASON GRACE: Date? Huh?
LEO VALDEZ: ;)
JASON GRACE: No… You didn't…
LEO VALDEZ: But I did! :D
JASON GRACE: I told you I didn't need help with this!
LEO VALDEZ: But technically it wasn't help… It was assistance.
JASON GRACE: That's what help is, moron.
LEO VALDEZ: IT WAS THALIA'S IDEA!
JASON GRACE: Wait, what? Why would she do this to me?
LEO VALDEZ: Maybe she thought you needed some 'assistance'.
JASON GRACE: I don't need help from her, and I certainly don't need help from you.
LEO VALDEZ: Calm down, man. We were just trying to help.
JASON GRACE: If helping means creating awkward situations when I TOLD YOU NOT TO means help, then you surely succeeded.
LEO VALDEZ: Don't be mad. We thought you'd appreciate it.
JASON GRACE: Now Piper never wants to talk / see me again because I don't know what to say or do. Thanks, Leo. You're a great friend.
He responds, I just don't check my phone again. I put it back in my pocket and then turn to Piper. "You know, they aren't coming."
"I figured," she sighs.
"Want to head back with me?" I ask her as I stand up.
"Nah, I'm going to hang out here for a while. Maybe I'll get some coffee or something," she replies.
I nod, unable to speak. I wave before leaving the coffee shop, feeling completely friendzoned. She said she didn't want coffee, and then used it as an excuse to avoid walking back with me. Great, just great…
CLARIFICATION - PIPER WAS JUST USING THAT AS AN EXCUSE BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO NERVOUS TO WALK BACK WITH HIM. IT ISN'T BECAUSE SHE HATES HIM, LIKE JASON THINKS.
OH, AND SPOILER ALERT: THAT WASN'T THE LAST YOU'VE SEEN OF RACHEL. She'll come back, but she won't be a jerk that time! I promise!
Who's chapter should be next?