"Why have you been avoiding me?" Reyna asked.
Jason winced. They were sitting in a coffee shop. They had both gone there separately and Reyna had spotted him and insisted they talk. He should have known she would bring it up. He should have known she would track him down. Reyna was not the kind of person you could mess with one day and hope to smile the next.
Everything about her suggested confidence. She was lithe and tall with arms and legs that were sinewy with muscle. She could fight better than most men Jason knew — even the others in Lupa's cult. Her brown eyes were beautiful the same way a panther's eyes were. She was sleek and dangerous and there was beauty in that, but Jason knew she wasn't the one for him.
"Reyna, I should have been more upfront with you," Jason said, "but I was scared of hurting your feelings."
"You hurt my feelings by ignoring me," Reyna said. "Just tell me why you did it."
"No, it was me," Jason said. "Ever since we left Lupa's cult, I've felt awkward around you. I know she wanted us to get married and you're an amazing person Reyna, but—"
"But you don't love me," Reyna said flatly.
"I love you platonically," Jason said. "It's just — all that happened. I want to escape from those memories. I want to forget about what she did to us."
"And I'm a reminder of them," Reyna said bitterly.
She sighed and set down her latte. Jason looked at his untouched brownie. Lupa used to make brownies on special occasions and they had been his favorite food. They had been fed on a diet that was mostly bland. Lupa insisted they eat like gladiators, so they had eaten bowls of unflavored oatmeal and lots of drinks made with ash.
"Jason, you remind me of Lupa too," Reyna said, "but I have never cut you off. I have always tried to reach out to you. Even if we cannot be girlfriend and boyfriend, let's at least be friends. I know more than anyone what you have faced. Don't shut me out because we shared pain together."
"You're right," Jason said. "You want my brownie?"
"Of course," Reyna said. "How has life been for you? Have you been seeing anyone?"
"I went out to dinner with a woman," Jason said with a shrug. "You?"
"This guy at work named Michael keeps hitting on me, but I kind of hoped you would like me back," Reyna admitted. "Maybe I should go on a date with him."
"Only if you feel comfortable," Jason said. "I'm sorry again."
"No, I understand," Reyna said, her eyes downcast. "You cannot make someone love you."
She took another bite of the brownie. Jason's stomach felt like the Bermuda Triangle. Reyna finished the flaky pastry and licked off her fingers.
"That was really good," she said.
"Do you want me to buy you another?" Jason asked.
"You sure?" Reyna said.
"That's what friends are for," Jason said, "and you are my best friend."
YOU ARE READING
Judgmental (a Percy Jackson AU)
FanfictionWhat would you do if you were in their shoes? Percy Jackson has never had an easy life. Now finding a job is near impossible after his latest screw-up: landing in jail. Annabeth Chase planned her life out carefully. She did everything right, but...
