86. Ghost
The first time she sees him she thinks it's her imagination. Her grief- that she has undeniably tried to repress- catching up with her. It's her subconscious trying to help her heal in the only crazy way it knows how.
She's wrong.
The second time is when she's walking in New Rome. He's just there, in that spot they always used to go on their breaks. The coffee shop with the blueberry muffins that he loved. He's standing and he's watching her and his eyes are so sad that she gasps and then turns and walks the way she came because no, he can't be here, he's dead.
The third is at Percy and Annabeth's house, and she's not sure if it's her imagination anymore or if it really is his ghost coming back to haunt her but none of the others see it and she can't hide how shaken she is so she excuses herself under the pretense of going to the bathroom.
The water is cold on her face when she splashes it but it doesn't tame her red cheeks. She's shaking as she sits on the toilet lid and holds her head just trying to breathe.
She's going crazy.
She hears a knock on the door and then Annabeth's voice from the other side. "Reyna? You've been in there for a while. Are you okay?"
She's not okay.
The door opens and Annabeth takes a look at her face before stepping inside and closing the door.
Then Reyna can't stop talking.
"-and now I'm seeing him everywhere and Annabeth I feel so guilty because what if- what does it mean? Why is it even happening? We weren't- I mean I wasn't- Leo-"
"Shh, hey. Reyna I know, okay?" Annabeth places a hand on her arm. "Believe me, I get it. Do you want to hear what I think?"
Reyna meets her eyes, tears forming in her own despite her willpower. "What?"
"I don't think you're seeing Jason because you were in love with him." Reyna opens her mouth but Annabeth continues before she says anything. "I think you're guilty because you're in love with Leo and happy with Leo and Jason died. And you feel bad for Piper and guilty for not finding him sooner- which nobody except you thinks, by the way- and I think you don't think you deserve to be happy with Leo because Jason is gone and you miss him."
Reyna shook her head. "That doesn't make any sense." She says. "Jason and I were friends, in the end. I swear Annabeth, after Leo and I started dating I didn't want Jason anymore-"
Annabeth smiled at her, but it was shaky. "I had a friend once. Luke. I thought I loved him until I met Percy and he changed everything." Annabeth was looking past her now, lost in memory. "Luke died," she continued. "And I dreamt about him for months after. It was- horrible. He said horrible things and it took me a long time but I finally told Percy about it."
"Was he mad?"
"I think he was hurt more than anything. Because I hadn't told him sooner. But he helped me, Reyna, and I think Leo could help you."
"I don't know," she said.
"Jason was his best friend." Annabeth said. "He more than most understands missing him."
Annabeth got up and moments later Leo appeared. He took one look at her and then sat on the bath rim and took her in his arms.
"It'll be okay." He promises. "Whatever it is, it'll be okay."
Reyna believes him.