When I Don't Remember You (Percico)

Chapter Three: A Place To Start

Percy Jackson

I took a nap after that because I fucking needed it. Nico told me that he was going to be leaving camp just to take a few days off in the general area of the city so if I need anything to like, send an IM. Said that if I was overwhelmed or needed to talk but felt like I couldn't do it with Grover or something, to just IM him and he'd answer or just come over.

Most of that speech, though, I was just trying to not think about how we were holding hands.

He left, though, like he said he was going to, so I fell asleep, didn't have a single dream for the first time all week, to then be awakened by my best friend freaking out because I was sleeping.

"Hm?" I hummed as I could hear Grover repeating my name before feeling him shake my arm, which felt a little out of pocket because he should be able to tell that I was just like, asleep. Not dead or anything.

So there's no reason to shake me like a baby.

"Oh, thank gods," Grover said after letting out a breath he seemed to be holding. "Sorry, I just... I left when you were freaking out and then by the time Chiron and I got to the docs, you were gone and so was Nico and we didn't know where you went and then we found you and you were asleep and..."

"And I was just taking a nap, chill, G-man," I tried to reassure him. "I'm okay now, I was just really tired and then stuff happened with Annabeth and I got really anxious and according to what Nico said, you saw that part so... Yeah. Nico left, by the way, said he needs to unwind for a few days or a week or so and he'll be back when they start building cabins. We can IM him if we need him for anything."

"Oh, okay, that makes sense," Grover told me, looking down for a second as he relaxed. "Sorry, I was just worried because I didn't know what was going on with you at all. Um... What happened with Annabeth? Are you guys okay?"

"Are we-" I started and stopped as soon as I started, shutting my mouth. "I uh... I don't know, actually, um..."

I stopped again for a second, not wanting to ponder on the what if she hates me now part because I'm sure she's already on her plane home so I won't see her for at least a few months to find out.

Well, I could probably IM, but...

I don't know if my brain would let me.

"Did you know-" I asked Grover because he's a satyr so I feel like he should know. "Did you know that Annabeth liked me?"

And slowly, Grover kind of nodded his head.

"I mean she didn't tell me until pretty recently because she was like, distraught over knowing the prophecy and stuff," my best friend insisted. "But I noticed it a long time ago. Why? Did you overheard from somebody else, or...?"

I shook my head.

"No, she told me," I clarified for Grover as I grabbed my backpack, knowing that Rachel would be here soon to head home and celebrate my birthday or winning the war or something if we're feeling up to it. "She uh... She stalled a lot but she told me and then she asked me out for dinner and then I said no, or moreso I said that like I couldn't because I don't like her that because I don't and I never have and then she asked about the Labyrinth because of the joke I made about a kiss for good luck and apparently she didn't know it was a joke and then she got really quiet and it made me anxious and I apologized a lot and then she was just quiet and then she said she should head out or something, I don't know, I don't remember what she said because I couldn't breathe because we've been on completely different pages for like two years now and... Yeah."

Does Grover know I'm gay from the mental link?

I wasn't sure but I was also too afraid to ask.

"Hey, take a breath, it's alright," Grover tried to reassure me. "Annabeth has always been bad at losing or at rejection or whatever doesn't go how she expects it. She'll get over it. Like you said, you didn't know, so it's better that you were honest and rejected her so she can like, move on, rather than feel bad and lead her on for a while and make an even bigger mess later. This isn't even a mess it's just like... A plate in the dishwasher. It's a little dirty right now but it'll get washed over soon and it'll be fine. Everyone is just tired and anxious and sad today, Annabeth included."