The Summer of Beauty, Brains, & Bruises

Piper

It's been 7 hours now.

I have no idea if wedding receptions usually go that long or if just a bunch of drunk, ADHD ridden demi-gods party to much.

Probably the latter.

I can't find Annabeth anywhere.

I was hanging with Leo for a while but he went to find Jason.

Leo has been the happiest I've ever seen him since Jason was here.

I'm to scared to talk to him.

For a lot of reasons.

I think he always knew I loved Annabeth.

He always knew I would sneak glances of her.

He always knew I would pretend his blonde hair was hers.

And I can't face that.

I can't face the fact I dragged him around while I tried to figure myself out.

I did to him what Annabeth is doing to me.

Accept he didn't know there was a deadline.

Yea that's why I'm avoiding him.

The other reason is to depressing to think about.

"PIPER MCLEAN." Leo's unmistakable voice rang from outside the canopy where I was getting a drink. "GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE."

"Dam." I take a drink and head over to Leo.

"Come on!" He grabs my hand and drags me to the ocean.

There sitting in the sand is Jason.

"Leo." I try to pull away but he's not having it.

"Look who I found!" Leo calls to Jason.

Jason looks over he shoulder, a smile instantly forming on his face.

I sit down next to him.

Neither of us say anything, we just stare at each other, trying to memorize every detail.

Because I know-

"I'm gonna give you guys a minute." Leo says walking away. "Exactly ten." I watch him set a timer as he walks towards the canopy.

"Hey." Jason half-whispers.

"Hi." I whisper back.

"So-"

"Oh come here." I tumble into him burying my head into his shoulder, he places his head on top of mine.

I hold him as tight as I can, making sure he can't slip through my fingers, and he hold me right back.

"You and Annabeth huh?" He says holding me.

"Yea," I say into his shoulder. I move away just a bit to look at him. "I'm sorry."

"Why?" He asks.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead. Unintentional pun."

"For dragging you along while I tried to figure myself out."

He ran his hand through my hair, "Piper I love you."

"Jason-"

"Let me finish," He clears his throat. "I love you, and to me loving someone means you want the best for them. Even if it's not you. So if I got to help you discover who you are and who you love, I'm not sorry for a second of it."

"Ugh you suck."

"Why?" He asks laughing.

"You're so sweet and considerate, I really, really wanna be attracted to you."