Luke's Return

Luke

I thought that seeing Annabeth again would be awesome, that she would see me and somehow, everything would be all right. But I could guess from the look she was giving me that that wasn't how things were going to work.

It hurt, the look she was giving me, but I knew I deserved it. Knew I was a horrible awful, good for nothing, what was it Percy had called me? Oh yeah, deadbeat.

Percy had left to go talk to the crew, leaving me and Annabeth alone. She was playing with her bead necklace, twisting them, back and forth, back and forth. There were ten beads, the college ring her dad had given her, and a new addition. A small coral pendant. I could only assume that Percy had given it to her.

I sighed; Annabeth stopped rubbing the pendant, and looked towards the floor.

"So," I started, hoping to make conversation. "How long have you and ..." I hesitated. She noticed and looked up, giving me a harsh look.

"Percy? How long have me and Percy been dating?"

I nodded meekly, not really sure where the hostility had come from.

"We got together not long after we defeated Kronos." She studied me before looking back at the floor. "Seaweed Brain forgot it was his birthday and we – Tyson and I- baked him a cupcake." I nodded, looking around at the room, anywhere but at her.

"And the uh the pendant? Did Percy give you that?" She gave me a bewildered look, probably wondering why I was asking all these questions. I just shrugged, not really knowing myself. I just wanted to know these things, for some strange reason.

She sighed, nodding. "Yes. It's from his dad's underwater palace." I couldn't help but let out a snort. Spoiled brat. She shot me glare. "He gave it to me for our anniversary."

His dad's palace? Really? I let out small huff, rolling my eyes. I couldn't help but be bitter. Percy had this amazing life. His dad thought he was the best thing in the world, he had amazing, loyal friends and, he had Annabeth. What did this kid not have?

There was a knock at the door, followed by Percy's voice. "Open up Wise Girl." She smiled for the first time since I've been here and I felt my stomach twist. She hopped up and unlocked the door, letting a disheveled looking Percy in.

Annabeth went back to sitting on the bed and Percy looked her over, almost as though checking to make sure she wasn't hurt. Did he think I was going to hurt her? The skeptical look he gave me confirmed my question.

"So much for that plan," Percy ran his hands over his face. "You should have gone. It was mayhem; Nico and Piper were all over me, asking me what his name was and how come they'd never seen him before. I couldn't think of anything."

He ran his hands through his hair and I could tell that it wasn't the first time. I could tell I was causing a lot of stress and I felt a little bad. I had already caused enough stress and pain for them.

Then again, I thought, as Percy made his way over to Annabeth, giving her a kiss. Maybe a little stress to keep him on toes wasn't too bad.

Once he was settled comfortably next to Annabeth, her nestled into his side, he turned to face me. I felt warmth spread through me and it didn't take long for me to decipher it as jealousy. 

"Alright deadbeat," Percy said, obviously missing my scowl. Annabeth nudged him, giving him a pointed look. Again Percy didn't seem to notice as he continued. "Only we know who you are and it should stay that way. If Nico were to find out who you are he'd send your sorry as-."

"PERCY!" Annabeth exclaimed. Percy just shook his head a small smirk on his face.

"Sorry, butt," he corrected himself. "He'd send you right back to the Underworld."