And they were roommates

Chapter Twenty Three

"Come on Percy." Rachel dragged me by the arm through the empty parking lot with her skateboard in her hand.
It was now early December. Four months since Annabeth had left. As you have probably guessed I still wasn't over her. I've felt the urge to buy a ticket to Rome way more than I should've. Each time I thought against it.

She was probably much happier living her dream than being with me. And I was ok with that. As long as she was happy.
In the past four months a lot has changed. I got a new steady job and moved out of Pipers apartment. My apartment was small but it was enough.
"Percy can we try have a good day today? You've been working non stop and quite frankly you look completely exhausted." She turned to me and laughed. Her girlfriend was busy with work so she decided there was nothing better to do than take me skateboarding.
"Yeah ok. I'll try."

For a while we skated freely around the parking lot.
My mind was racing with thoughts. My brain found it the perfect time as I was skating to think about Annabeth. What if she already found someone else? What if she already forgot about him? What if-
My thoughts were interrupted as I ran over a large rock and got flung forward. I skidded across the pavement and groaned.
"Percy!" Rachel sprinted over and examined my face. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine." I rubbed my cheek and pulled away seeing blood on my hand. I huffed and stared at my skateboard that laid a few feet away.
"I have never, in my 10 years of knowing you, seen you crash on flat pavement. What happened?"
"I just ran over a big rock." I motioned to the unbothered rock that laid a few feet away.
"No. You would've skirted around that rock easily. You were distracted weren't you? What were you thinking about?"

I glanced at her and she gave me a gentle smile. "Her." Tears threatened to spill from my eyes.
"Hey come here." She pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back. "You'll see her again."
"Yeah right. The degree she's trying to get will take at least five years of schooling. By then she's not even gonna remember who I am."
"Stop that. Of course she will remember you." I huffed in response and pulled away from the hug. She gave me another gentle smile. "Hey let's go get you some coffee and head back to your apartment. We can go watch Christmas movies. Ok?"

I wiped the stray tears away and smiled at her. "Yeah that would be great."

~

We watched movies for hours, bundled up in blankets. As it got later, Rachel had made hot chocolate. It wasn't Iced coffee but it'll do.
After the third movie I started to get agitated and couldn't sit still. I fiddled with my hands and tried to keep as still as possible.
Suddenly Rachel's phone lit up and dinged. She inspected the notification and smiled. "Uh I should probably get going. Allie wants me home."

"Yeah. I was getting kind of bored anyways."
She gave me a quick smile before hugging me. She stood and collected her things before walking to the door. "Don't try overthink about her again ok? We don't want you burning your apartment down." I laughed and nodded. After she left I couldn't help but think about it. I felt the urge to book a ticket to surprise her for Christmas. Would she even want to see me?

Ok maybe Rachel was right I needed to stop overthinking this. I stared at my computer contemplating buying a ticket.
I finally came to my decision and stood. I turned off the TV and started towards my room.
Maybe I'll book the ticket tomorrow. Maybe I can see her again.