Poseidons Daughter

Hatching plans

When we arrive at the front of Poseidon cabin, I slyly try to block myself from people's view by standing to face Luke.

They'd been making faces at us the whole time, what else was I meant to do?!

"Well uh...bye," I say then awkwardly wave and turn around to leave.

I WAVED.

That was horrific. 

"We're going to have to talk about it some time soon," Luke says, stopping me in my tracks.

"What do you mean?" I ask, playing dumb.

It's my speciality.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, we kissed, so what?" He shrugs.

PARDON ME, CASTELLAN!

Did he just say 'so what?'

Maybe we should take a trip down memory lane...

"Bella..." He whispers again, slowly lifting a hand to my chin and gently turning me around himself.

"I don't know what to say to you, I've said I'm sorry, and I mean it, so much. So damn much, it scares me. You know what else I'm scared of? Losing you, at least let me be your friend, then I know I can't break your heart like I already have, I'll cause less grief, just let me back in"

Was that just some joke to him? Did it mean nothing?

"Yeah, uh totally. It was just a kiss, right?" I mumble.

"Exactly, you were pissed off, I wanted us to become friends again, it's understandable given the circumstances," Luke smiles, if only his smile weren't so charming, I could probably hate him.

"Mmmhm," I nod, which is the only thing I can manage.

"Good talk," Luke grins and pulls me in for a hug.

But I can't bare to hug him back.

WE ARE ABOUT TO SPICE SHIT UP

Luke POV

"You what?!" Percy yells after I told him about mine and Bella's conversation.

It really didn't go as well as I'd planned.  I swear to the Gods I was going to tell her how I felt, honest.

But then I just...bailed. Luke Castellan does not bail.

"She's been so awkward since the kiss thing, I thought it was because she didn't want to be anything more than friends or something!" I sigh in exasperation.

Still doesn't mean you friendzone her after what you said to her on that night.

"You seriously thought, my sister, the daughter of Poseidon, would be that easy to read. Her mood is as changeable as the ocean you absolute-"

"I panicked!"

"What's this?" Jason quirks an eyebrow and joins Percy and I, followed by Leo.

"Luke just friendzoned Bella because he thought she didn't like the kiss," Percy sniggers.

"Wow dude, bad move," Jason shakes his head.

"Don't act like that, Gods, there has to be some sort of way out of this," I groan.

"Like what?" Leo asks, "knowing Bella, she's probably convinced herself that you never cared for her and this whole thing was a prank, she has a trouble trusting people."

"She trusts all of you!" I mutter.

"That's because we're awesome, Castellan. But seriously you're pretty much back to square one on this one, Luke," Leo says.

Square one?

Maybe Leo is right, maybe Bella will never trust me again. I kidnapped her, used her as bargaining material, played with her emotions, kissed her and then convinced her it meant nothing.

If that isn't mixed signals I don't know what is.

"We need to do something she'll notice," Jason smiles and adjusts his glasses.

"She's not going to accept a grand gesture after this," Percy rolls his eyes.

"I don't actually mean a something, I mean a someone," he continues, making me frown.

Bella, with someone else? Absolutely not.

"If we get Bella with another guy, she will realise how much she likes Luke, then she'll end up admitting her feelings."

"But how is this meant to help?" Leo asks, clearly as confused as I am.

"If she admits she likes Luke, it's a perfect opportunity for Luke to return the favour," Jason grins triumphantly.

"She won't believe him," Percy scoffs.

"Please, Luke here is going to get so overwhelmed with jealousy that it's going to be proof enough," Jason chuckles and sends a look my way.

"I don't like this. We're just playing with her feelings again, she'll get mad," I say anxiously, I really don't have enough room to fuck up again.

"Just say the plan was our idea, come on, we know how much you like her," Jason begs.

"Fine."