Fate (PIPABETH FF) ✔️

Unexpected Actions?!

A N N A B E T H

I grasped Piper's hand tightly as we walked to our tables, hoping to the gods that my hands weren't sweaty. Then, I realized shortly after that clammy hands were the least of my issues– the bigger issue at hand currently being the way we were stupidly executing the beginning of the infamous "game plan".

At first nobody noticed the interlocked fingers, since we're, you know, friends and all, but I didn't miss the way suspicious glances were shot our way. To be fair, they have a right to be suspicious. I'd be wary too. But then another thought hit me, and I reconsidered. It's okay. Maybe they just think we're just being extra best friends supporting each other during the aftermath of a strangely messy breakup.

I was snapped out of my thoughts as my hand suddenly felt cold and empty, and I looked up to see Piper retreating to her table. Oh, uh... After hurriedly wiping my hand on my shirt, I raised it up and waved to the other girl, huffing in slight amusement as she suddenly looked very flustered.

Satisfied, I sat down at my table and Malcom elbowed me lightly. Turning to look at him, I felt myself grow slightly wary as his face was contorted into a strange expression. "What?" I asked. He shrugged and stayed quiet, but seemed to reconsider his silence. He spoke up. "So, you and Piper?" Malcolm asked, very out of the blue.

Holy Hades.

I couldn't help but be taken aback, already biting back the "No, what are you talking about?" already habitually building up in the back of my throat. "N... ah, I mean..." I trailed off as I realized that I hadn't prepared a ready response. Improvise, improvise...! "What are you talking about?" I ended up asking, nearly groaning at myself as I realized that what I had said was no different from my initial reaction. Please, just please, think I'm being shy and embarrassed...

At my strange expression, he laughed. "Never mind. I'm sure we'll find out later very soon." He teased. Internally, I let out a huge sigh of relief. "Yeah, I'm sure you will," I said in response.

I couldn't help but sneak a glance at Piper to see how she was holding up. She was surrounded by her fellow Aphrodite siblings, and she looked quite overwhelmed. I poked at my food. Oh, wait, what if she's being confronted to about the breakup...? I frowned. But surely they're aware that it could hurt her. After all, they should all be somewhat proficient with matters pertaining to love... Right?

I rubbed at my eyes before making up my mind. "I'm gonna see how she's doing." I announced, standing up. In the corner of my eye, I saw Jason and Percy sitting next to each other at the Zeus table. I swallowed harshly and walked to Piper. Guess the rules really don't matter all that much anymore, huh?

As I approached, I took a deep breath– it was now or never, it didn't matter if I felt like a fool. This was all for our plan, and I wasn't going to deviate from it or chicken out.

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm not a quitter.

At least, I really hope not.

"Hey, Piper..." I began, trying to look as casual as possible. I gave her a soft, barely noticeable smile– one reminiscent of what I gave Percy during our comfortable moments of silence– and couldn't help but feel anxious as she stared at me like I was a crazy person. Her slightly creased brow told me everything she wished to convey, mostly words like Are you crazy? or What in Hades are you doing?

As Piper realized that all eyes were on her, she put on a sweet, fake smile. "Hey, Annie," she replied, stretching out the -ie. I stifled an incredulous gasp that nearly made its way out of me. So I'm Annie now, huh? I took another quick breath as I willed myself to move– to do anything, to contribute. What does excessive PDA take the form of...?