When The Villain Falls (Depressed! Percy) (Percy Jackson)

Chapter Fourteen

Luke

It was less awkward than I expected it to be. I was worried Grover was going to feel like a third wheel.

Thank the gods he didn't.

But then again, it helped when Clarisse and Thalia showed up.

We weren't planning on them coming. But they said that they heard the news that I'm back (not that I'm dating Percy), and figured they'd kick me back here, so they stopped in. See what's going on.

They were shocked that Percy was here.

"Look," Percy told them, and I'm surprised Grover didn't say anything about the whole relationship. He looked like he was going to, considered it. "My step dad's being sort of an ass lately, yeah? So I'm staying anywhere he isn't. Also, why is that surprising?"

Clarisse shrugged.

"I mean, you were trained to like kill each other." She reasoned, and I guess I could understand that. "That could make people like hate each other. Normally does."

"Yeah," I agreed, slowly nodding. "But here's the thing, we talked outside of camp. We we're friends outside of camp. And some more, but whatever. We're cool."

As I started making lunch and Percy was in the bathroom or something, I heard them ask Grover. The whole situation with Percy and I now.

"Well uh... Ask Percy."

Thanks, Grover.

Percy came back out probably 30 seconds later and it wasn't a big deal. They didn't ask right away. Instead, they decided to observe.

Clarisse

Body language is a huge thing. And figuring this out required I knew some of it.

We went to the table and Percy dishes us food, and when he tried to get past Luke, he doesn't put his hand on his shoulder. Rather, his lower back. Which is a questionable area to touch someone in general.

Curious, we texted the others. They didn't know anything.

But then again, Percy was sort of shoved off after the war. So who knows, right?

Outside of that, absolutely nothing was indicated between them. Just seemed like friends.

Until I went to put my number in Luke's phone for future reference. And his lock screen was a photo of the two of them. It looked like they were doing something together fairly recent. Almost like a date. It was a cute photo.

And if that wasn't enough, the next photo was. It was kind of cheesy. But it was a little older. Not too old. Somebody drew it. Them, standing on different sides of whatever. They had the red string on their pinkies. Connecting them. It's hard to explain, but yeah.

Feelings we're at least had on Luke's end.

So we left that night and I text Luke because I'm like his favorite person.

Me: Hey, Luke

Me: When are you asking him out?

Luke: ???

Luke: Who am I asking out? Why?

Me: Percy, dumbass

Luke: What?

Me: Oh my gods, don't hide it. I went in your phone when I added my number. You're not very subtle, Luke. Your lock screen is a photo of you guys. And don't get me started on your home screen.