Fate (PIPABETH FF) ✔️

Love Her As A Friend

A N N A B E T H

I was laughing softly as I walked to my table from the small food-stealing thing that had just happened. It was fun, the most fun I had had since... well, since ever. I was glad that I had been distracted from life's problems.

Even if it was only for a little while.

I sat down and sighed in relief before turning as Malcolm tapped lightly at my shoulder. "Hey, what was that back there with you and Piper?" he asked, brow raised in inquiry. I shrugged, trying to fight back a huge goofy smile that was fighting to plaster itself on my face. I failed. "I don't know." I mumbled, hyperaware of the stupid grin on my face.

"But I got a bagel!" I said triumphantly. At the mention of the food, Piper turned her head to me from a long way away with her eyes squinted at me half-menacingly, half-mockingly. I smirked, shrugging, and she rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

Malcolm nudged my shoulder to get my attention, which he did. "What?" I asked. He was smugly smiling. "So, you and Piper?" he asked. I reddened. "For the last time, Malcolm, no!" I said. He shrugged. "Whatever you say, Annabeth."

"It's the truth!"

"Whatever you say."

After eating, I don't know how long I wandered along camp before I realized the dazed smile lingering on my lips. Quickly, I cleared my throat and straightened my expression– but not after checking if anyone around me noticed. 

"Hey, Annabeth!"

I turned around and saw Piper running to me with a wide grin on her face. I stopped in my tracks. "Yeah?" I asked. "Hey, what was up with that earlier?" she asked, her smile dropping into a confused one. I shrugged. "Because we're friends and I wanted your bagel?" I said. She scoffed good-naturedly. "Alright, then, whatever you say." 

Her eyes dropped to the ground. "But thanks, I guess," she whispered, looking away.

There was a comfortable silence before the other girl broke it with a loud exhale. 

"Annabeth?" she asked, her tone suddenly quiet and hushed. 

"Yeah?" I tried not to notice how much colder it had gotten as she stepped back away from me, retracting her arm and rubbing it with her other hand instead. 

"I'm sorry, but there's just been something bothering me this whole day." Piper laughed nervously and wiped her hands on her shorts. I crossed my arms and leaned forwards slightly, listening intently. "And it's been a little weird on my end, too," she finished. Piper continued to step away until she reached a secluded area behind a particularly thick tree. Her eyes traveled back to me as she ushered me over quickly. I followed suit, my brain racking through mental files of what she could possibly be asking about.

 "I'm sorry, I just have to ask this again. For... for clarification." Piper looked back up at me, her voice hushed and level. "Why did you kiss me?"

"Why I kissed you?" I asked, my voice dropping down to a slight whisper. She nodded, her eyes changing into a light, intricate, pale blue. My brow raised in obvious confusion before I could stop it. "I already told you, didn't I? I don't see why I have to repeat myself." 

Piper seemed slightly uncomfortable. "Yeah. Yeah, that's okay."

It didn't take a genius to know that she wasn't done asking. That was not the question she wanted to ask.

"Piper, be honest. Is there something else you want to tell me?" I questioned. 

She seemed to think carefully before sighing in defeat. "Yes. I wanted to ask if you were..." the girl trailed off. "Nevermind. This is stupid," she groaned. "Sorry I dragged you out here. You can go back now."