Puppets (Percy Jackson AU)

Piper

HEY GUYS!

So I've finished Puppets once and for all, wooooooo! Like the whole book is absolutely DONE. Complete. Finite.

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE SEQUEL AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A PRIZE AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER!

this chapter features dauntlessdemigod's OC, Stephanie Jaminson!

[18]//PIPER//:

Piper needed her loose ends tied up.

She was making it her mission to figure out who L was, confront Reyna about her totally obvious crush on Annabeth, talk to Jason and get absolute closure with her past.

The middle choices were least important, so naturally, that's what came first.

She approached Reyna after classes one day, knocking politely on the door. "Come in," yelled Gwen from inside. Piper hesitantly opened the door to find Gwen sitting on her bunk, reading a magazine aloud, with Reyna behind her braiding her hair.

"I need to talk to Reyna." Piper said.

Gwen looked up defiantly, which caused Reyna to accidentally release the braid, sending Gwen's hair everywhere. "I told you to stay still!" The Hispanic girl snapped.

"If you need to talk to her, you can do it with me here," said Gwen, ignoring Reyna's prior comment.

Piper laughed. "And yet, I don't believe Reyna would want you to hear this. It's about Annabeth." Reyna's head snapped up, her expression changing from her usual blank look to half a second of shock and love, then she was composed.

"I'll speak with her on my own," Reyna decided and exited the room, ignoring Gwen's spluttering cries. She turned to face Piper. "What is it?"

Piper leaned against the wall. "You have to be less obvious," she stated. "It's obvious about who you like."

"I like Jason," Reyna said, not sounding convincing. Piper started to laugh rowdily.

"And yet" -and here the girl gasped for air between bursts of laughter and tiny aftershock giggles- "it's so obvious how you" -she giggled, breaking down as Reyna stared at her as though she had two heads- "stare at Annabeth when you think that no ones looking" -hysterics jumped in as Piper laughed so hard she started to cry- "and you long after her knowing she'll never notice you" -more laughter- "and you're so, so alone, Reyna, just looking for love"- the laughter started to subside to giggles- "or at least for attention, because that's all Jason ever gave you"- the laughter abruptly ceased- "you're just so desperate, aren't you, Reyna Avila Ramirez Arellano?" Piper finished, arms folded over her chest.

Reyna took a step back. "Piper McLean," she started, "I am going to kick your fucking ass to Switzerland, you son of a bi-"

Gwen opened the door and slapped her hand over Reyna's mouth. "Goodbye, Piper!" She said cheerily, dragging Reyna into her dorm and closing the door as Piper laughed.

Next on the list? Jason.

She found the blonde outside, bouncing a basketball against the wall. He was bouncing it mindlessly, focused on his thoughts. Piper hesitated, not wanting to break his rhythm. She waited as the ball hit against the wall, before stepping in and grabbing it.

"Hey there," she said, leaning against the school wall, dribbling the ball.

"H-hi." Jason squeaked slightly, before turning bright red and clearing his throat. "What's up?"

"Nothing, just bored. Think fast." She tossed the basketball at his chest, and due to quick reflexes, he caught it and cracked a smile. "Nice one," she complimented him.