Fate (PIPABETH FF) ✔️

Nope, Not a Dream

P I P E R

I stood there in plain shock. My eyes were widened and I was as stiff as a board, suddenly hyperaware of the placement of Annabeth's hands. Her touch felt like fire, and gods above did it burn. Oh gods, was all that looped in my head as she pulled away angrily with a glint in her eyes, chest heaving with what was most likely excess adrenaline. I subconsciously touched my lips and stared at her with astonishment.

What the heck? Did... did that really just happen? I thought we were faking this whole thing, but I guess not... I thought frantically.

I remembered her whispering, "sorry for this" and then swooping in and kissing me. Me, of all people. Jason and Percy stood there stiffly and were silent. Annabeth was quiet, but obviously still angry and flustered, and I was sure I was a deep crimson by the way my face seemed to be heating up like the flames in Hephaestus's forge.

I opened my mouth to break the silence, but nothing useful seemed to emerge from my throat. "I, um..." I cleared my throat, the pounding of my heart still rushing through my ears.

Suddenly, a sharp inhale coming from behind brought us all out of the tension. Simultaneously, we all whipped around, eyes scanning the environment in high alert. Stupid, stupid, I began to panic. If someone really saw that, I... My throat dried as a person came into view, visibly aware that they had been caught.

"Drew?"

Percy was the first to speak, voice strangely steady. The girl stared at us, a strange expression plastered on her face as she crossed her arms. "Yes, it's me, alright..." she trailed off, her incredulous gaze flitting from me to Annabeth. "But did I really just see what I thought I saw...?" She seemed to scoff with disbelief. "And here I thought you two were just being petty. Thought you might've finally gotten the guts to complete the Aphrodite cabin trial, too."

I stepped forwards, ripping my wrist away from the blonde girl as I did so. "Drew, I promise this isn't what it looks like, I just..."

Drew glared. "Do I look stupid, Piper?" she deadpanned. Internally, I bit my tongue and fought the urge to say yes. "N-no, I mean, not now in particular, but really, this isn't what it looks like." I tried my best to convince her, but the mild shake in my hands seemed to give me away. Drew's shoulders stiffened. "Then would you care to tell me what, exactly, is going on?" she questioned.

I swallowed harshly. "Um..."

Drew sighed, looking up and studying the faces of everyone else currently present. "See? It's just as I thought. The heroes of Camp Half-Blood look really pathetic right now, to be honest." Her words stung and seemed to strike a nerve within everyone as we all seemed to snap back to life, but then Drew spoke again before any of us could argue. "Save the drama, people."

Oh, I know YOU of all people didn't just tell us to quit being "dramatic".

"To be honest? I don't care about the rest of you, but I do still have a little... let's say, bone to pick in terms of Piper here and the issue of cabin counselor." She glared at my direction, and I tried my hardest not to wither under her gaze. "So, for your guys' information, all I want to see is this girl put back in her place. If any of you happen to get caught in the crossfire, well, then, that doesn't concern me, now, does it?" Drew seemed triumphant.

Well, that was just great. I wanted to collapse and never get back up again. Maybe I could become one with the forest– turn into a tree right where I stood, like that one nymph in that one story I'd heard one time. The tale was foggy in my memory, but as far as I could tell, that nymph was running away from a particular issue by turning into a tree. Maybe I could, too.