Hey, Everyone!

So, I've decided to update whenever I have the time, which should be a little more recently because school ended last week and after a week of the camp I'm going to, I know how to manage my time. So, thank you all for being patient, but I'm basically thowing my whole, "update every Sunday" pattern out the window.

Even though today is...Sunday...

Enjoy!

Chapter 3

I got up at 11:15 the next morning, cursed myself, and threw the covers off me.

I ran into the shower and quickly cleaned myself before throwing on a tank top and jean shorts. I found my sneakers by the door, grabbed my wallet, and ran out the door, checking the time on my phone to be 11:40.

I didn't even have time to realize that I'd woken up with my pillow case dry this morning until I was standing at the cross walk.

No more tears, Annabeth, I told myself as I jogged across while the sign still said walk. That's a good sign.

I met Luke at the table we were sitting at yesterday and I started to apologize.

He stopped me and smiled. "I'm just glad you showed up."

I smiled and took a second to catch my breath before he showed me to his car.

He drove a dark green convertible. He opened the passenger door for me and I sat in and waited for him to start the car.

"What kind of coupon?" I asked as he pulled away from the place and started driving off to the closest Rita's to my apartment.

"You know, just custards or gelatos or whatever else. I haven't taken such a great look at them," Luke confessed as he stopped at the red light by Percy's house.

I stared at the road in front of us and just tried to ignore the fact that I knew he was living a right turn and two houses down from where I was sitting right now.

"So, what kind of stuff do you usually get there?" he asked as the light turned green and the car lurched forward.

"Usually just a custard cone," I replied. "Twisted."

"Me too," Luke said, smiling as he made a left onto the next road. He pulled into the Rita's parking lot and turned off the car. He stepped out, came around, opened my door, and offered me his hand.

I laughed and took it. He pulled me out of the car and led me to the door, where he proceeded to open the door for me.

"Ladies first," I said, and gestured for him to enter.

"Ouch," he said with fake sincerity, and he walked into the shop while I laughed behind him.

The cool air hit me fast and since the place was basically empty Luke and I got to order right away.

"Two custard twists on sugar cones, please," Luke said as he dug through his wallet.

"Child or Regular?" she asked sweetly.

"Regular, both," Luke replied, and he pulled the coupon out of his wallet.

"Alright," she said happily, and she took two cones from the display and made her way over to the machine.

"She's friendly," I commented.

"Maybe it's a sign," Luke replied, eying me.

"That this outing will stay friendly? I think so, too," I replied.

"What did you think I meant?"

"I agreed with you."

"Hm," Luke commented, then he turned to the woman again, who was handing him the two cones.

He handed her the coupon and a five, and she gave him change, and he handed me my cone and we walked out of the shop together.

We laughed about random things and we ditched his car and walked.

We walked to the park three roads down, just like he'd promised.

But by that time, my custard was cone and I was munching on the cone, while he was trying to lick up the parts that were dripping.

I laughed as his futile efforts as melted bits of brown and white dripped onto the grass by our feet.

"Ha ha, you think this is so funny," Luke commented as he tried to lick up a small drip that was streaming down the side of his cone.

"Yeah, actually, I do," I replied as he finally gave up and just bit the bottom of the cone off. He started sucking out the melted custard until there was nothing left.

"Smart," I said as he swallowed the rest of his cone.

He smiled. "Thank you."

We walked through the grass and just talked about things, about life in general, until we reached the huge fountain in the center of the park.

"Want to get wet?" He asked.

"Um, no," I said, shaking my head.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to?"

"Not the right answer."

"Why do I have to?"

"Because it would be fun."

"You really think so?"

"Know so." He smiled at me and I sighed.

We both began taking off our shoes and socks, and then we raced each other to the fountain.

I climbed in first and Luke followed after.

I walked through the water up to the fountain, and I touched the cool stone and ran my fingers gently over the designs engraved and carved in the stone.

The grooves over the mermaid's head that would lead to swirls in the carving became my newest fascination and I was busy thinking about how it was done, when there was suddenly water on the back of my head.

I whipped around and saw Luke, laughing, his hands wet.

"Oh really?" I asked. "Really?"

He nodded.

"Okay," I said, and I slowly walked up to him. "Fine. You don't know what you just walked into, though."

I sent a splash his way that soaked his t-shirt and part of his shorts. He laughed and tried to splash me back but I moved out of the way.

I kicked the water into his general direction, and he ended up with his hair soaked and dripping down his face.

He tried to splash me again, but I moved to get away from it.

And I slipped and went crashing in the water.

When I surfaced, Luke was laughing his head off.

"Haha," I snarled, and I lunged for him and knocked him into the water as well, and we fell together.

I fell laughing and he fell trying to splash me again, but it didn't work, and we both ended up soaked.

I laughed as he sat up and I sat up next to him.

"You're right," Luke smiled down at me and I laughed a little bit, "I didn't know what I'd walked into. But I'm very happy to find out."

I don't know why it happened, but it must have clicked for both of us, because one second I was looking into his eyes, and the next our lips connected and…I wanted it.

I wanted to love again.

I wanted to love Luke.

Thanks for Reading!