Now What?

<3> I Never Loved You.

Percy fell onto his bed from the long drive back. He groaned and rubbed his eyes exhaustion taking over his system. But before he could fall asleep there was a loud knowing on the front door.

"Percy Jackson!?"
"Mr. Jackson!"
"Open up!"
"We would like to interview you!"
"You dirty cheater!"

Percy sat up and grit his teeth walking to his window. They must've seen his car was back and came to terrorize him with their flashing cameras and their invading questions.

He opened the curtains and slid the window up. "WHat!?" He yelled quite ticked at the whole situation.

"Why did you break up with Rachel Dare?!" They all seemed to explain or more words or less. Percy groaned under his breath. "Why does it matter?" He asked before noticing a read haired woman push her way to the front.

"Because I'm here." Rachel said and Percy's breath got caught in the back of his throat. He didn't know if he could do this now. If he could deal with the stress. "Rachel.." Percy mumbled and she wiped a few tears from her eyes. "I've come to talk about your decision." She said and Percy gulped just standing there in silence.

"Please let me in love." She begged and Percy gulped before sighing and nodding. She smiled in appreciation and Percy slid the window closed before shutting the curtains. "What am I doing?" He mumbled to himself before walking down a flight of stairs and opening the front door. "Come in." He ordered ushering her in from prying eyes.

"Wow Rachel, you look nice." He said noticing the sleek white dress and she shook her head. "Stop fooling me Percy." Percy looked away and sighed in exasperation running a hand through his wild hair.

"Why Percy? Why would you all of a sudden break it off without any warning or sign!?" She exclaimed and Percy groaned. "Rachel it's too hard to explain-"

"I don't care!" She yelled her face red with anger. "I have all day Percy, so explain.. Explain it to me. Tell me everything." She grabbed his hands over the counter and he sighed looking down at them noticing her long acrylic nails. Annabeth never wore nails like that. He liked the natural look better.

"I-I don't know Rachel. You wouldn't understand!" He said pulling his hands away and walking into the living room that they had spent many nights in together just watching movies and eating take out or popcorn.

The sound of Rachel's clacking heels alerted him that she had decided to follow him into the living room. "Percy." She said her voice quaking. Percy snapped his head in her direction to see her lip crinkling up the tears brimming in her eyes his heart cracking just a bit from hurting this girl so badly.

"Please you have to tell me.. Give me closer so I'm not wondering about it my whole life not knowing why. If I wasn't good enough or if there was someone else or you were just tired of me." She looked down at the carpet and wiped her nose as tears began streaming down her face.

"..I- I...." Percy sighed and clenched his eyes closed. "I never loved you Rachel."

She looked up at him with wide eyes. "I-I'm sorry I just- I just realized that I knew there was no point in marrying you of I didn't love you. I didn't want to put you through that." He explained and she nodded the tears flowing out at a faster pace now. "A-alright." She wiped her face clean and Percy stepped towards her slowly opening his arms offering her a shoulder to cry on.

She nodded and quickly fell into his arms. "I hate you so much." She stated through her sobs just breaking Percy's heart more. She squeezed his shoulders and punched his chest a few times her anger and sorrow getting the best of her. Percy just stood there and took it knowing it was all his fault for this.

"I'm so sorry Rachel."

She lifted her face and smiled at him a look on her face that only someone close to her could understand. "J-just one last time love?" She asked and he nodded.

She sighed and weaved her fingers into his hair slowly sniffling as she scanned his face up close for the last time. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his Percy tasting the saltiness of her tears instantly.

She pulled away and threw her hands over her mouth. "B-bye Percy." She grabbed her purse and ran to the door opening it letting Percy look at the crown of reporters yelling and asking questing immediately after she opened the door.

Cameras flashed as she looked back at him. She waved before shutting his door and walking down the steps to leave.

Percy sighed and locked his front door before picking up his phone and calling Grover. "Yeah?" Grover answered. "Can I have a few body guards tonight? The fans are a bit angry with me." Percy chuckled drying and Grover tsked.

"It's your own fault but sure man." Grover said and Percy sighed. "Thanks man, bye." Grover hung up the phone and Percy headed up to his room to finally get some much needed rest.

~~

"So you're skipping this interview?" Grover said as he drove Percy to a park where Percy had asked him to take him. "I just want this whole thing you be over.." Percy groaned and Grover smiled at him in compassion.

"Hey, I'm here for you." Grover pat his leg and Percy smiled knowing he had a friend. "Thanks. I really needed that right now." Grover looked over at him and snickered. "Don't look at me like that, you look like a lovesick puppy.' he said and Percy blushed before looking out the window. "S-shut up!" he said in embarrassment as they pulled up the sunlight traveling through the foliage giving a calming warm feeling to them both.

"So you're really gonna go after her after all these years." Grover said and Percy nodded watching the kids play down by the creek.

"She's all I ever wanted but I didn't know it." Percy confessed and Grover smiled.

"Then I support you."

Percy turned to Grover in astonishment.

"Go get her Percy."

<~~~~~>

I haven't been very active on this account but I'm so glad I got to update this book. I didn't know how much I needed to do that haha.