The Choosing (Percabeth AU)

37. Bad Smells Pt2

Annabeth couldn't stop crying. She'd thought she'd seen Luke dead !!

She cried harder as she hugged him. "Don't you dare die on me."

"It's alright Annie. I'm here. I'm alive," Luke said as he caressed her hair.

Just about then, Thalia rushed into the room.

"Oh my gods Luke !!!" she gasped and kissed him.

Pulling away, he laughed. "You guys really did jump to conclusions huh."

Annabeth pouted. "In my defense, I was this close to figuring out these murders. I had theory....and I totally blame it for this. But since it's a guard who's been killed, I'm completely off the track now."

"Theory huh? Let's hear it," Luke grinned.

Thalia swatted him. "Not now you don't!" she said. "We thought you died idiot! I don't know what..." she chocked.

Her eyes betrayed a rare emotion, fear. "I thought we lost you."

Luke looked at both of them. He laughed, despite his best judgment.

The girls didn't take kindly to that and took turns slapping his arm.

"You can't get rid of me that easy you know!" he smiled.

Thalia tried to keep a straight face, but failed. "Yeah, you're like a bad smell. Hard to get rid of."

"I'd be a pretty good smell."

"No you wouldn't."

Annabeth rolled her eyes and excused herself, leaving the lovebirds alone. She heard them bicker as she walked off. She caught the words, pine cone, ugly shoe, idiot and shipylippybubaka....which she really didn't want to know about.

She made her way towards her room, but of course, got lost.

It'd been just around a week since they arrived at Rome and she hadn't yet gotten used to the palace. It was very different from her mother's.

As she turned around a corner, she saw Percy. He had his back on the wall, and Drew Tanaka was sprawled all over him.

Annabeth could see how uncomfortable Percy was, he was politely trying to get her off of him. But of course, it hadn't worked.

She cleared her throat loudly, making the two jump. Percy used this opportunity to get away from Drew.

"I gotta go," he said, and running towards Annabeth and pulling her back around the corner.

"I owe you one," he announced.

"Percy listen," Annabeth said hastily. She wanted him to know. "I've been thinking about the murders. And everyone who died, was an heir. Someone is trying to eliminate competition, take over. And the only two people I know who are sadistic enough to do that....And who weren't with the group when it happened were.."

Percy's eyes widened in realisation. "Drew and Octavian .And they weren't there....."

"Exactly. But then the guard....it kinda threw me off track."

"Maybe he figured them out or something?"

"Could be. I don't know. I just wanted to tell someone."

"Well thank you for telling me Wise Girl," he smiled.

Annabeth nodded. Relief flooded her chest. She was so grateful to have finally told him.

"Let's get to dinner," Percy's tummy rumbled. "I'm starving. And then we can do some investigating."

"You read my mind," Annabeth agreed. And the pairing made their way towards the dining hall.

As they did, they saw Drew nearby, stance like a predator hunting for its prey.

Annabeth felt her heart beat faster. What if she had heard them?

Percy held her hand gently, he seemed to have been thinking the same thing.

Drew Tanka strode past them, her black hair flying in the wind. She made her way towards the Royal's Residence Rooms without a glance at the couple.

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It was dinner time, and everyone was there.

Luke, Thalia and Annabeth sat together, the couple bikkering and the latter trying to get them to shut up.

Percy and Leo were having an argument about something to do with cookies. Percy, (what a great guy) had asked one of the staff for some cookies, and now Leo wanted them too. He was trying hard to steal from Percy, but mostly he failed.

As Piper watched the two, she couldn't help but notice Jason's absence. He was always the reasonable one, though he could be a kid sometimes.

She smiled to herself as she ate faster. Earlier that day, when Piper was on her way to the little girl gathering, before they found the body, she'd run into him.

Jason had told her he had some "pontifex maximus business" to deal with. Piper had laughed and said she'd meet him at dinner.

Piper cast an eager glance at the doors, hoping to see Jason walk in. To say her hopes were met was an understatement.

The doors opened and Jason entered......with Drew? Her hand was linked with his as she wore a devilish smirk.

Drew walked next to him, laughing flirtiously. She made a disappointed face as Jason excused himself.

Piper had to ask him about that.... She scooted to make place for him next to her.

But he didn't come her way. He didn't even spare her a glance as he went straight to Reyna and sat down beside her, smiling.

Reyna looked just as surprised as Piper felt.

"Whoa Jason shouldn't you be sitting with your fiancè ?" she teased, loud enough for the entire table to hear.

The boy looked confused. "I am. I'm sitting next to you."

Almost the entire table stopped what they were doing to stare at him.

Leo was the first to speak, of course. "Yo man you forget 'bout Piper already?" he yelled from across the table. Now the entire room was staring. Servants and all. Coach Hedge, who had recently arrived, looked pissed.

"No I didn't," Jason laughed. He pointed to her as if to show that he knew who she was. "But I am sitting with my fiancè right now. I don't see the problem."

"Jason..." Reyna started. "It's been months since we've broken up, you're engaged to Piper."

Only then did he look at Piper. She was staring at him, dumbfounded. She assumed she looked pretty heartbroken, because Jason immediately faltered, believing her.

"What do you mean we're engaged? How could I forget something like this? I wouldn't forget," he protested.

"Hey man you alright?" Percy asked.

"I don't know what's happening here."

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Short chapter, but at least we put you outta your misery. 😂😂

What you guys think happened to Jason?

Stay tuned !!
----------------------S&D

Ps. This might or might not mean updates gonna be regular.

(Secret message from S:
Pssst
You
Yeah you
Yea you only!
Person reading this
So....I wrote a book.
It'd be cool if you check it out)