When We Were 'Us'

An Unforgettable Sunset- Rachel POV

"this camp really is beautiful." I sighed as we walked through the main street of New Rome. "Sometimes I wish Camp Half-Blood was like this."

Percy chuckled. "Camp Half-Blood is way too disorganized to put all of this together."

"True."

I was having a really hard time thinking of him as 'Haley'. I've been calling him that, because he asked, or more commonly 'Hal', but he's always been and really always will be Percy to me.

"You hungry? Carmen's deli should be open for another hour, we can go bother her if you want." Percy suggested as we sidestepped a couple of thirteen-year-olds hotly debating something that probably only made sense to them.

"I'm down for that. I haven't been to a decent deli in so long."

Percy put a hand on his heart, looking offended. "New York has the best delis, you clearly haven't been out of Camp in a very long time."

I grinned at him. "Eh."

He scoffed. "Eh? That's all you can say? New York delis are a state treasure!"

"If you say so, Hal. Where's Carmen's shop?"

Percy huffed, but shook his head and pointed down the street. "That way a couple blocks. It's nice out so she'll probably have her patio seating open."

I nodded and we walked down the street together.

I so wished I had my sketchbook. The sun was going to set soon, and California sunsets were one of my favorite things to paint.

"Here we are." Percy stepped off the road to the side, opening a glass door to a little shop for me. I smiled and went inside, looking around and taking it in.

"Heya Rachel!" Carmen's head popped out of the door to the back. "Enjoying your tour?"

"I upset Haley, so I think my job is done." I grinned, walking to the counter.

Percy made an indignant noise, remembering what I'd said. "I can't believe you don't think New York delis aren't a masterpiece of this Earth."

"They're not." Carmen and I said at the same time. He grumbled something under his breath.

"So what do you recommend, Hal?" I looked up at the menu. Percy grinned. 

"I usually let Carmen pick for me."

"And she hasn't poisoned you yet?" I looked at Carmen. "What are you doing?"

She laughed. "He's kind of an important person, we need him around."

"If you say so... alright, I'll take that bait. Make whatever you like, I'll try it."

Percy nodded. "One for me too. I'll pay."

Carmen waved us off before I could even protest his offer. "This one's on the house, to celebrate Rachel's christening to New Rome life."

"Aw, thanks Carmen." Percy grinned. "Rachel, you want to pick a table?"

I did, and we sat and talked until the food came out. Then talked and ate. Then talked some more. It felt like we hadn't seen each other in years, and when Percy eventually suggested going down to walk on the camp beach, I agreed immediately.

"I love California sunsets." I fiddled with the strap of my sandal as we walked barefoot through the sand. "They're always so pretty."

"Yeah." Percy seemed a bit absentminded.

"You okay?" 

He shrugged, kicking a bit of sand.

"I miss New York."

I paused, looking at him. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Percy sighed and looked out at the ocean. "I don't know what to say? It's just a general feeling in my gut, really. I love being out here, I love the job that Camp Jupiter has given me and the escape they've offered from what happened at Camp Half-Blood, but I don't belong here. 

"I don't fit, and I've made myself stick out like a sore thumb so that I can pretend that my appearance is the reason why. I miss New York, I miss Camp, I miss my mom, I miss everyone- well, almost everyone- that I grew up with!"

"Well you can go home, can't you?" I suggested. "I fly out here to visit home all the time, Camp Jupiter got you all the way across the country for a job and they should be able to help you visit family."

"I don't know, I'll try to talk to Reyna about it." Percy rubbed a hand across his face.

"How about this, I'll pay for your tickets." I had access to a decent amount of Dad's fortune, so I didn't have to 'bother' him every time I needed something.

Percy's eyes shot open and he stared at me. "You'd do that?"

I nodded, smiling. "Of course."

"Rachel, you're amazing!"

I didn't even realize what was happening when he pulled me in.

It was like being transported inside my own art piece, and suddenly I knew exactly what that painting in my cave at Camp Half-Blood was.