For the love of Aphrodite (a Percy Jackson story)

L•V3

J,
Not calling because I don't want to wake you up.
Texting you to say we are at the hotel already and that we see you tomorrow.
Hotel lobby at 8, ok?
Ps.: do you want/need to talk about what happened?

I see the text on my phone and I start to write a reply.

Chia,
Not asleep. Was worried about you and felt bad about what I did, you didn't deserve that.
Glad to hear you came back safe and sound.
Tomorrow, Hotel lobby @ 8, ok.
Ps.: I think we should. Now? I could come to your room.

Send.

Maybe we should meet downstairs instead. I'm kind of bunking with Percy, I don't want to ask him to leave just so we could talk.
Maybe I can come over instead...

Oh.
Yeah, sure.
Whatever.
We can maybe not talk about it either...

Jay, please, don't do this.
I really want us to talk, come on.
Are you really gonna shut me out? Your chia? Huh?
Pretty please!!! 😊

Ok, fine.
One day I'll learn how to tell you no...
Room 84

I'm coming.

It took her longer then I expected but I finally heard the knock on the door.

"Hey" She said hugging me when I opened the door. "Are you ok? No more cute veins poking out, right?" She joked and I chuckled.

"Why must you always have a way of making things better?" I asked and she smiled.

"So you and Percy sorted things out?" I asked her and she nodded.

"I mean, I guess we did. We don't know what Aphrodite is holding back. But I guess we just decided to live the now and not worry so much..."

"Do I have to address him as your boyfriend now? Because to be honest I don't think I can do it without getting sick..." I said going straight to the point.

"I guess we never got to discuss titles. We're are official it's me and him, him and me. But it's all so new, he is like my boyfriend but he hasn't properly asked yet... Does it even matter tho?! You can just simply address him as Percy..." she says.

"Or Pervy" I joke and she chuckles shaking her head.

"What is going on, Jay?" She ask me placing her hand in my arm. Something that always calms me down.

"Chiara. I don't think I should say anything. It's not fair on you, you and him are together now... I guess it doesn't even matter!"

"Jason. Do you have feelings for me?" She shoots at me. Do I tell her the truth. I catch her eyes, yes, I tell the truth. How could I lie to those eyes.

"All of them, Chiara. I'm sorry." I say looking down.

"No. I am. I'm sorry I dragged you into this... Can I give you a hug?" She asked me and I nodded.

Chiara's POV

I hugged him. I felt bad for Jason. I had not been my intention to make him fall for me. I needed in my life, he was a much needed support system, a great friend... But I just couldn't do this to him. I couldn't let him fall in deeper just because I liked having him around, it was selfish and not right.