I'm sorry this took so long to update. I got a little bit of a writer's block for a moment there plus I was deciding where the story was headed. This chapter contains some very adorable Jasiper and of course there's Percy being a fangirl trying to fix his OTP at the moment. So please enjoy the chapter and tell me how you like it! I'll try to update again soon, and of course there's the apology that this chapter is a little shorter than the others. Please enjoy and review!~ Bolts and Trees :D
Piper walked out of the bathroom after taking a long shower. Mellie was getting ready in her room and Piper was glad she had asked Mellie to go with her. She and Mellie had spent a lot of time together that week and for once Piper felt like she had someone to go to when she needed to. She quickly curled her hair and then tied it up onto an intricate up-do, she did her makeup and made sure that she had everything she needed. She smeared some red lipstick on her lips quickly and then went to go put the dress on.
She ran her fingers over the silky fabric of the white Grecian style dress and smiled. Her mother loved this dress and Piper remembered seeing it on her in magazines and plenty of family pictures. She gently slipped the dress on and looked at herself in the mirror, she looked exactly like her mother. She looked so much like her mother that it was scary. She heard something behind her at the door, "You look just like her you know."
She turned to find her father standing there wearing a tux, "Dad, you're home?"
Tristan smiled at his daughter, "I am, I decided that I didn't like the script."
Piper smiled and ran towards her father before throwing her arms around him and hugging him, "I'm glad you're home."
He hugged her tightly, "I am too, but I think we have a ball to get to."
Piper smiled and then noticed Mellie standing there with Hedge, she knew that Mellie and Hedge would most likely go back to their place and Piper would stay with her father, "You're going with me?"
He nodded, "Of course I am."
Piper smiled and hugged her father once more before they headed out to her father's shiny BMW convertible. They arrived at the country club where Julia's charity ball was being held and Piper instantly found all of her friends there. They all looked amazing. Piper's heart started to beat out of her chest when she saw Jason standing there in a tux, his blonde hair was tidied, his tan skin stood out against the white shirt, and then she saw Reyna standing there in a gorgeous deep purple and gold gown. Her heart was stabbed with a little resentment.
"I'm going to go talk with Mr. Chase, I'll catch up with you later." her father smiled before walking over to the blonde man who was talking with Percy's parents. Sally's book had taken off and recently she's started working on a sequel.
Piper took a deep breath and walked over to her friends who were all chatting and sipping on sparkling juice, "I thought you weren't going to come."
Piper accepted the glass of sparkling juice that Thalia offered her, "I didn't know my father was going to be here."
Thalia smiled, "You got a nice little surprise."
Piper nodded, "I didn't expect him to come back so early. He said something about not liking the script."
"So, you look amazing." Thalia smiled taking a sip of her own sparkling juice.
"Thanks, you do too." Piper smiled. Thalia wore a gorgeous bright blue gown that hugged her curves and Piper had to admit looked a little more risque than what Thalia would usually wear. Piper made note that Luke was talking with Jason and that Percy was glaring at Luke while dancing with Annabeth.
"Why's Luke here?" Piper asked.
"He asked if he could come." Thalia shrugged, "Apparently he went through my mother and she agreed."
Piper nodded, "His waistcoat matches your dress."
"That's a total coincidence, he's been practically stalking me for the past two weeks." Thalia rolled her eyes.
Piper smiled, "So, have you talked with Nico lately?"
"No, I haven't." the brunette shook her head.
"I think you should, it'll clear a lot up. I'll even be there if you want me to be there." Piper smiled.
Thalia shook her head, "I think we're over for good, besides he came here with a date."
Piper choked on her sparkling juice, "He did?"
"Yeah, he showed up with Drew." Thalia shrugged, "His choice."
Piper and Thalia then joined in with their friends. She was having tons of fun and then dinner was served. She smiled at her father who was sitting with her friends' parents. She noted that she was seated next to Jason who hadn't tried to make contact with her the whole evening.
She took her seat between Jason and Annabeth and unfolded her napkin making sure that it rested in her lap. Jason leaned over and finally decided to talk to her, "A bit over the top isn't it?"
"No, it's a charity ball." Piper rolled her eyes and waited as the waiters walked around giving them their options between chicken, prime rib, salmon, or the vegetarian option. Piper decided to go with the prime rib considering that she had given up her vegetarian vows for the ever glorious bacon.
"You look great." Jason whispered.
"Thanks. You do too." Piper replied and went back to cutting her meat into edible pieces.
"You haven't talked to me for weeks." Jason whispered.
"I've been busy." she said which wasn't completely a lie but it wasn't completely the truth.
"You've been busy?" he asked not completely buying it.
Piper tucked a loose curl behind her ear and took a bite of the delicious dinner, "I've been busy doing things."
Jason didn't reply however he started a conversation with Reyna and Leo. Thalia and Luke were talking about something and she noticed Nico look over jealously from his spot next to Drew, the girl Luke had cheated on Thalia with, head cheerleader at their school, and the ultimate skank who had ripped apart countless relationships.
"So, how have you been lately?" Annabeth asked Piper.
"I've been extremely busy, my father just got back today." Piper smiled.
"I noticed that he was talking with my father earlier." Annabeth smiled.
There was something about the charity ball was sort of heavy, however she decided that she needed to let go of the heaviness and try to have a good time. She ended up having a good time until it came to the point where everyone was dancing. She stood on the outside of the dance floor watching her friends dance with their significant others.
Piper stood there and then Jason walked over to her, "May I have this dance?"
She looked at him and nodded, "I guess so."
He laughed and grabbed her hand, leading her out onto the floor. He placed his hand on the small of her back and held her hand firmly. She rested her hand on his bicep and allowed him to lead her through the dance.
"I'm sorry Piper." he whispered as they twirled past Reyna who was watching them with curious dark eyes.
"For what, you got back with your ex-girlfriend, you're at total liberty to date whomever you'd like." Piper rolled her eyes.
"I kissed you." Jason said, "If it means anything I really do like you."
"Don't make things harder than they need to be Jason, you're dating Reyna." Piper said.
Jason sighed, "Piper, I don't know why I worked things out with Reyna. I want to be with you, Reyna's a great girl and all but there's something that you and I have that I don't have with Reyna."
"Jason, look I don't want to focus on a relationship right now, I want to work on getting your sister and Nico back together." Piper lied. She did want a relationship with Jason but she didn't want to make it look like she was the reason Jason had left Reyna. She's already gotten that rep before and she didn't want that to happen again because people did hate her for the longest time.
"Piper I want a relationship with you." Jason whispered.
Piper stepped away from Jason, "I think you should get back to your date."
She backed away from Jason and decided to go take a walk outside in the garden that was illuminated with twinkling lights and there were several fountains running. She sighed and sat on one of the stone benches. She looked up and found the last person she had expected to be walking towards her.
"Piper." she smiled and took a seat next to her on the bench her deep purple dress fanned out around her.
"Hi Reyna." Piper smiled.
"You don't have to pretend. I know you like Jason and I know Jason likes you. I've been stupid for thinking that there's anything I can do to stop it." Reyna smiled.
"I don't like Jason..." Reyna stopped her.
"Piper I know you do. I think we'd all be happier if Jason and I broke up for good. You and Jason look cute together and you make him happier than I've ever seen him before." Reyna smiled.
"Reyna I'm not going to date Jason." Piper shook her head.
"He truly does like you Piper, there's no denying that. You'd be stupid not to date him." Reyna smiled.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked Reyna curiously.
"I'm not as bad as you think I am Piper, I have Jason's best interests at heart." Reyna smiled, "And right now you seem to be his best interest."
Piper shook her head, "I don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now."
Reyna shook her head, "You're scared."
"No I'm not." Piper shook her head.
"Piper, I've seen fear several times, I know what it looks like and when I look into your eyes I see fear. What are you scared of?" Reyna asked. Piper had never had a true conversation with Reyna and she didn't truly know what to expect.
"I'm not scared." she shook her head.
"Then what are you waiting for?" she asked.
"I don't want to look like the tramp Jason left you for. This has happened before and I really..."
"Piper I'm breaking it off with him because I know he'll be loads happier with you." Reyna laughed.
"You really aren't as bad as I thought you were." Piper smiled apologetically.
"Neither are you." Reyna smiled.
"Why are we just now getting along?" Piper asked with a slight laugh.
Reyna laughed, "I don't know, I guess we've been so blind over the whole Jason ordeal that we've never truly gotten to know one another."
Piper smiled and hugged Reyna tightly, "Thanks Reyna. Everything will work out for you."
Reyna smiled and hugged Piper back, "Don't worry about it Piper, things always work out the way they're supposed to."
After her talk with Reyna, Piper returned to the ball to find Jason standing there alone. She didn't see Reyna anywhere so she decided to go talk with Jason and face what she should have faced a long time ago.
"Hey, what's such a great dancer like you doing all alone?" she asked.
Jason smiled at her, "Waiting for the right dance partner."
"Then what are you waiting for stupid?" she asked.
"The lady's consent." he smiled and led her out onto the floor once more. He placed his hand on the small of her back, and held her hand firmly. She rested her hand on his bicep and they twirled around the floor like they had moments earlier.
"You really do look amazing." Jason smiled at her.
Piper rested her head on his chest and just closed her eyes for a moment. Her mind raced back to the night they were dancing in the rain. She loved that night and found herself thinking about it often, especially when she needed to smile.
"You look amazing too." Piper smiled.
She liked the butterflies in her stomach that she got whenever she was near Jason. Jason was an expert at dancing and Piper allowed him to lead her around the floor. They danced for what felt like moments but was truly hours, talking and smiling, and having so many moments that Piper was sure they'd beat Allie and Noah from the Notebook.
"This is romantic." Piper whispered.
"Isn't it though?" Jason chuckled and kissed the top of Piper's head. She looked up at him and smiled. She didn't want this moment to ever end, it was right up there with dancing in the rain. She wanted to play out this moment for the rest of her life.
"I was thinking about traveling after high school." Piper said.
Jason looked at her, "To where?"
"Europe, Asia, Australia. Anywhere." Piper smiled.
"Then I'm going with you." Jason whispered.
"What about your dreams of going to Harvard?" she asked.
"They'll have to wait." Jason whispered.
"You really want to go with me?" she asked.
"Wherever you go, I'll go." Jason whispered. Piper realized that Jason truly did care about her. He may have problems showing it but he truly did care about her.
"Sounds like a plan." Piper smiled.
Jason stopped twirling around the dance floor for the moment and then kissed her softly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. She loved the tingly feeling that his lips left on hers and she drank in every moment of the kiss.
"Now we just have to get Thalia and Nico together." Piper smiled.
Jason nodded in agreement, "We do."
"I was thinking we could get them together at the Founders' Day Festival, we'll have a full week to get them together." Piper smiled and looked over at Thalia who was dancing with Luke and looked like she wanted to die.
"So are we canon now?" Jason asked.
Piper laughed and kissed him softly, "Yes, we are."
"Good, that's one less ship I have to worry about." Percy said from out of nowhere.
"Where did you come from?" Piper giggled.
"Word on the street is you're trying to get my OTP back together." Percy waggled his eyebrows.
"Maybe we are." Jason smirked.
"Well Annabeth and I want in on it." Percy said as he and Annabeth stopped swaying back and forth.
"Well, I guess you guys can help out." Piper smiled.
"Good because Luke doesn't deserve her and Drew doesn't deserve him." Annabeth said as they made their way over to a table where they sat and devised ways to get Percy's OTP back together.
Piper walked into the Grace house and found Thalia sitting on the couch eating from a Ben and Jerry's container of Phish Phood, "Hey where's Jason?"
"He's in the kitchen." Thalia said not even looking up from her ice cream.
"Are you ok?" Piper asked.
Thalia didn't reply so she walked into the kitchen where Jason was pulling a bubbling batch of mac and cheese out of the oven. She smiled and got plates and forks, "Surprise."
Jason smiled and kissed Piper's cheek, "You're just in time for dinner."
She smiled and helped Jason serve up the food, "Has Thalia done anything today?"
He shook his head, "She's been a zombie all day. It's not like her, usually when I wake up she has coffee and breakfast ready."
Piper nodded knowing how Thalia usually was, "Have you talked to her at all today?"
Jason nodded, "I tried but she's not much of an intellectual conversation these days."
Piper frowned and walked out to the living room where the distressed teenager was sitting eating her Ben and Jerry's, "Thals, what's wrong?"
Thalia looked up at Piper and shook her head, "Nothing's wrong."
"Are you aware that Jason's cooked all day?" Piper asked knowing that would pull her out of whatever funk she was in.
Thalia looked at Piper, "And he didn't blow up the house?"
Piper laughed, "No he hasn't managed that yet."
Thalia set the carton of ice cream down and cradled her face in her hands, "I'm sorry, I've been having a bad day."
Piper laughed and hugged Thalia, "It's fine Thalia, everyone has them now and then."
"It's just he had the audacity to bring the skank who tore Luke and I apart to my mother's charity ball and expects it to be alright with me." she said. Piper could hear the tears in her voice.
"Look, if Nico's going to be that much of a moron then let him be." Piper whispered. She hugged Thalia again and stood, "Jason made Mellie's homemade mac and cheese."
Thalia's head perked up and she wiped the tears from them, "Sounds amazing."
After dinner Thalia decided that she'd do the dishes so Piper and Jason went up to Jason's room. Jason noted that Piper was wearing a pair of black shorts, a white tank-top, and a thin red flannel over it.
"So, Percy's hanging out with Nico right now." Jason said, "It's guys night."
"Go, get the dish on Nico's side of the story and that'll help." Piper smiled.
"Will you stay here with Thalia?" Jason asked he was concerned about his sister.
Piper nodded, "Of course I will."
Jason kissed Piper quickly, "You're the best Pipes."
She smiled, "Go, I'll take care of Thalia."
Jason pulled into Percy's driveway and was inducted into a nice round of COD Black Ops. Nico was kicking Percy's ass. However Percy was managing to constitute a very important conversation, "So, you bring the skank who Luke cheated on her with to her mother's charity ball? What did you expect to come out of that man?"
Nico shrugged, "Drew's trying to tell me that she's pregnant with my kid."
"So that means you have to take her to a charity ball?" Percy asked, "Do you really want Thalia back man?"
Nico looked over at Percy, "Is that even supposed to be a question Jackson?"
"Then why don't you make Drew take a freaking test?" Percy asked as he killed three enemies in a row.
"I know I used a condom, I shouldn't have cheated on Thalia with Drew, but I know that I used a condom." Nico shook his head.
Percy raised his eyebrows, "You cheated bro?"
"It was a stupid, drunken decision." Nico muttered as the match ended and the final score was tallied.
"I didn't know you cheated." Percy scoffed, "Good luck getting her back bro."
"You don't think I don't know that Jackson?" Nico growled.
Jason decided to step in, "Nico the girl's a mess. She's been sitting on the couch eating Ben and Jerry's all day watching the Titanic, Thalia absolutely hates the Titanic."
"She's watching the Titanic?" Percy asked in shock.
Jason nodded, "She cries at the part where Jack stops Rose from committing suicide. She usually hates that movie."
"Do you think she'd talk to me if I went over there right now?" Nico asked pausing the new match they started.
Jason shrugged, "Not sure bro, Piper's with her right now."
"I need her back. I can't take life without her man." Nico shook his head.
Percy eyed Nico suspiciously, "How bad do you want her back?"
"Enough that I was practically doing the same thing she was but with the Notebook." Nico admitted.
"You watched the Notebook and...cried?! Nico diAngelo cried over the Notebook? Which part?" Percy asked as if this were scandalous.
"I teared up at the part where Noah told her that he wrote her a letter everyday for a year." Nico muttered.
Percy smirked, "I told you that movie was romantic Jason."
"That's beside the point, you want her back?" Jason asked Nico.
Nico nodded, "More than anything man. I've been thinking about standing outside her window and playing our song."
"That's a start." Percy muttered, "However you need to do a little more than sing your guys' song from outside her window."
"Like what? She won't answer my texts, calls, I've even emailed her!" Nico shook his head.
"The Founders' Day Festival." Jason answered, "I guarantee that we can get you two back together by the dance at the end of the Festival."
Nico looked at Jason and then at Percy, "I hope you two are right, where do we start?"