Him or her? (A Pipabeth story)

Chapter Three

Piper's POV

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Noises of other campers filled the air as everyone prepared equipment for Capture the Flag and discussed strategies. Piper adjusted her helmet on her head for what seemed like the hundredth time as she half-listened to her team discussing what to do. She wanted nothing more than to lie back down in her cabin, but yesterday she had promised Annabeth that she'd play capture the flag so here she was.

Piper watched as Annabeth talked, noting the dark look behind her eyes and the shadows under then. She mustn't have slept last night, Piper wondered. She had noticed earlier how multiple people had asked Annabeth questions asking if anything was wrong and no-one had yet to get an answer. Guess I got lucky yesterday.

Of course, despite Annabeth's attempts to push everyone away from the matter, it seemed to be obvious whatever the problem was, was about Percy. Piper had heard multiple people who were worried about Annabeth talk about it. Oh and Piper's siblings. Piper was awoken this morning due to her siblings having a lengthy discussion about Annabeth and Percy, what could've happened, and who was next in line to get with either of them. Of course, this discussion was being led by Drew.

"Piper!" A shout caught her attention. She saw everyone in her group had already started running off to start the game and Annabeth was standing in front of her with her eyebrow raised.

"Sorry Annabeth, just thinking about things," Piper spoke. Annabeth started jogging into the forest and Piper followed, not knowing what to do having ignored most of the conversation.

"What were you thinking about? Oh, by the way, you're with Chiara, Mitchell, Damien, the Stoll's, Nico and I as the group to find the flag."

Piper shook her head. "Doesn't matter. And you sure you didn't just want me here as your best friend?" Annabeth laughed.

"I guess I could include that. As well as the fact you are great at offense and it was this or on defense with Clarisse's group. The defense for her group, in case you were wondering, was not picked by her, much to her dismay." This time it was my turn to laugh.

"Come on," Annabeth spoke, running faster, "We need to catch up to the others."

"I mean, we don't have to..." Piper ran faster when Annabeth shot her a look, her face looking stern but her stormy grey eyes giving it away with the playful look in them.

Piper quickly looked away when she realized she had been staring at Annabeth's eyes. She shook her head confused. Why..? What..?

She turned back to the front to watch where she was going and slowed to a stop when she noticed Annabeth had caught up to the others. She shot a quick look at Annabeth who was busy rushing through the plan with others. Piper didn't know what she was expecting but didn't get anything helpful. After listening in to Annabeth rushing through the plan, with the odd statement by the others, their mini-group waited to get the flag.

The other team's flag was in a small clearing ahead of them, guarded by a fairly large group of defenders. It was propped up on a large rock in the center. The plan was to wait for their actual attack team to sprint in from their left and right to distract the defenders. If their actual attack team ran in from opposite their current hiding spot, Piper heard the others discussing, the defenders of the other team's flag would expect another attack opposite. This way, their group could run in from the side to get to the flag.

Their attack groups suddenly ran in and started fighting the defenders. When they were distracted, Annabeth gave the signal and Piper and the others sprinted into the clearing. She heard startled cries and shouts coming from the other team but there was nothing they could do as they were being attacked by the others. A few of them managed to slip away from the main group being attacked and ran towards the small group Piper was a part of.

Nico and the Stoll's split off to the right and Mitchell, Damien and Chiara to the left leaving Piper and Annabeth to get the flag. Piper slipped back a bit, letting Annabeth run ahead, so she could watch and make sure no-one attacked her from behind. Just a bit further, Piper thought. She could see Annabeth had almost reached the flag ahead of them when a shout echoed around the clearing.

"We got the flag!"

Piper turned her head to see a group from the other walking into the clearing holding their flag. Damn.

She turned back around, to quickly realize that Annabeth had skidded to a stop before the flag and was watching the other group too. Piper didn't have time to stop as she had been sprinting at full speed and ran into Annabeth, causing them both to fall to the ground, Piper falling on top of Annabeth. For a few seconds, The both lay there, looking at each other with faces close, before Piper quickly stood up turning back to the commotion. Oh, my Gods what is wrong with me?! What was that? She walked towards the main group of campers that had started walking back to camp. Nothing, she reminded herself, it was just a quick mistake.

She pushed herself through the main group and started running back to camp, hoping no one had seen what happened.

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Piper lay on her bed, her siblings preparing to sleep around her while also talking amongst each other. They had sensed something was up, but Piper, not knowing herself, was unable to tell them anything. Not like she would if she could anyway.

She had managed to avoid Annabeth for the rest of the day. She still didn't know exactly why she was avoiding her, but earlier had assumed it was the embarrassment. Now, Piper wasn't sure, but she still didn't know. She wasn't even totally sure what she was trying to figure out.

Piper sighed. All these thoughts were starting to frustrate her. At least, she thought dryly, they're keeping my mind off Jason.

A tap on Piper's shoulder dragged her from her thoughts as she turned to look at her younger sister Lacy.

"Piper, are you okay? You seem frustrated, and distracted." Her blonde pigtails bobbed behind her as she sat down on the edge of Piper's bed her head tilted in worry. Piper nodded.

"I'm fine, Lacy. Nothing to wor-"

"Hey," Piper turned to see Mitchell looking at her with a smirk playing on his lips, "This doesn't have anything to do with what happened at capture the flag earlier does it?" Unfortunately his question got the attention of all the others in the cabin and they stopped their conversations to look in interest.

"No, it doesn't.." She started.

"Oh!" Lacy exclaimed. "Do you like someone else now?" Piper could feel heat rising on her cheeks. Why am I reacting like this? I don't like someone else... Do I?

"No I don't-" She began to answer but was cut off. Again.

"Oh? What's this? Did Piper get herself a crush? You know, it's nice that you're moving on now-"

"I don't have a crush on anyone, Drew," Piper growled. She turned to Mitchell. "Don't you dare mention what happened to anyone." He shrugged nonchalantly causing Piper's suspicion to rise. "It's fine if I don't tell anyone. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who saw. Just the only one in this cabin."

Piper sighed and lay down on her bed, turned so that she was facing the wall. She heard multiple voices of frustration when Mitchell told them that it wasn't his right to tell. Of course, if he was right, the whole camp would know about the incident by tomorrow. She didn't understand why she was worrying so much. Her and Annabeth were just best friends and they could tell everyone that.

She closed her eyes and shut off her thoughts as best as she could. Slowly, as the noise in the cabin died down, she managed to drift off to sleep.