Elysium(second book in Ambrosia)

(Percys POV) Past, Present and Lie

I watched Ambrosia as she smiled and laughed, feeling a slight blush creep into my cheeks.

"You're in love," Thomas said, sliding in next to me as he set his food tray down.

I looked away quickly, hoping he didn't see me staring at Ambrosia.

"What? No. No," I said, turning my attention back to my food tray.

I poked my fries, just moving my food around.

"Oh c'mon. I can see it. You've been blanking out every five minutes," he said, nudging me.

"Doesn't mean I'm in love," I muttered, a blush creeping into my cheeks again.

Thomas laughed, stealing some of my fries.

"Oh please Percy. I know you. The last time you kept spacing out was when you promised to marry that girl in preschool. What was her name again? Annabelle or something?" He said.

Ambrosia. Her name was Ambrosia.

"Yeah, Annabelle," I lied, refusing to look up.

Thomas laughed. "You were such a flirt back then. So which lucky girl stole your heart this time?"

I looked up and my eyes met Ambrosias, even though she was across the cafeteria.

She smiled and waved, her books clutched to her chest.

"No one in particular," I replied.

"Awww man you are such a terrible liar. I can see how love struck you are," he replied, punching my arm,"So tell me, do I know her? At least describe her."

He had obviously missed Ambrosia waving and now when I looked again, she was gone.

I sighed, looking over at him. "Do I have to?"

Thomas nodded, laughing.

"She's beautiful. Like beyond beautiful. And she has these eyes...these eyes that just seem to glitter with happiness no matter what and they always seem to understand. She always seems to understand. And when she smiles, you can't help but smile back. Her happiness is so infectious. And when she laughs...it seems like the sun shines for her and her only. But she doesn't realize any of this. She's humble and loyal- God she's loyal to a fault. She'd never turn her back on someone, no matter what they did. She's the one person who forgives you when no one will even look at you. And she's always there. She's the girl who pretends everything is perfect in her life, even when it isn't. She always tries to keep her burdens away from others. She never wants them to feel used. And her smile...I just can't get over it. It's beautiful, like a spell that you never want to be lifted," I smiled as Ambrosia entered the cafeteria again and headed towards us, her infectious smile on her lips.

"Doesn't sound like any girl I know. Is it that Annabelle chick?" Thomas asked as Ambrosia reached our table.

"Who's Annabelle?" She asked, sitting next to Thomas.

"This chick Percy's in love with," Thomas said, kissing her.

She smiled at me as he draped his arm over her shoulder.

"You're in love? Do I know this Annabelle?" She asked.

I hesitated, then shook my head.

"I don't think so Princess," I smirked, hoping it covered up my blush.

She laughed as I winked at her and Thomas smiled, stealing another fry.

"So it is that Annabelle chick!" Thomas said in triumph.

I smiled at Ambrosia. "Yeah. It is."

Only later would she realize that there was no Annabelle. Only Ambrosia.

I watched as she stepped out the convertible, walking towards her house.

The jock emerged from the car, following her.

He put his hand on her shoulder. She stopped as he said something.

I heard murmurs of words I couldn't make out but prepared to take the jock down if he made any threatening move.

I had been an idiot once, but I wasn't going to take that chance again.

I wasn't going to let her get hurt by another abusive boyfriend again.

Instead she shook her head and my eyes widened as tears rolled down her cheeks.

The jock spun her round and hugged her, her loud sobs reaching me as she hugged him tightly.

I stared, motionless, as my Princess cried.

And someone other than me comforted her.