Troubled

65

chapter sixty-five
percy

"What...what was that?!"

Rachel groaned as she rubbed her temples. Then she waved her hands in the air. "Gee, what a nice way to respond."

I rolled my eyes. "You know what I mean, Rachel. Why...why did you do that?"

"What, am I that bad of a kisser?" she asked with a smirk as she lifted herself a few inches taller by rolling on her feet.

"Rachel, you know what I mean," I protested, my arms crossed against my chest. "Why...why did you kiss me?"

"I just wanted to know what it would feel like," she explained simply with a shrug. "Now I know. And you're clearly not interested, so I'll just go home."

"Rachel, no—" I said as she turned around. I grabbed her wrist, forcing her to stay put, which she clearly hated. "I'm not mad at you. At least I don't think so."

"Oh, great," she said as she fought to free herself. "If you don't release me I'm gonna have to make a scene—"

I rolled my eyes as my grip on her wrist tightened. "Wait, no! I don't want you to leave mad at me. I'm sorry for such a weird response, but—"

"I totally get it!" she yelled. "You don't like me! I know! Now let me go—!"

I shook my head. "I do like you, Rachel! But...not in that way. At least not right now....listen, it's just complicated."

She laughed. "Complicated."

"Complicated," I confirmed. "Now let me just explain."

Rachel shook her head. "Nope. Help me! This man is trying to pull my arm off!"

In a true New York fashion, no one even stopped to look at us.

"Ugh, I hate this city," she murmured as she finally stopped trying to struggle. "Have it your way. Try to explain to me why you are so disgusted by me."

I rolled my eyes and released her. She, thankfully, did not run off. "I never said I was disgusted!"

"Is it the supermodel that broke your heart before the wedding?" Rachel asked as she folded her arms across her chest.

"Sorta," I said as I peered down at my feet, the cold of the city finally getting to me. I shivered as I desperately tried to stay warm. "She's not a supermodel. And she's not really my ex, either."

Rachel raised an eyebrow. "You mean you're still seeing her? Or did she die or something?"

I laughed. "Damn, Rachel, that's intense. And no, she didn't die or anything and I'm not still seeing her. As I said, it's all really weird and complicated. I don't even know how to begin to explain it."

Rachel shrugged. "Well, I wish you would. Because I like you, Percy. Romantically and non romantically. You're a little dumb, especially in the relationships department, but you make me laugh. So, please, explain."

"God, okay. How to begin...." I said as Rachel's glare on me intensified. "It all started one night a little more than a year ago...."

Rachel stood there quietly as I tried to briefly explain what had happened the previous year. I started with me being sent to a boarding school, somewhat glossing over the tiny details.

She stood there, slowly shaking back and forth to warm herself up. She never interrupted, though. She occasionally rolled her eyes at me or laughed, but never spoke.

Then I got to the details of my relationship with Annabeth. When I talked about her Rachel's smile dropped and she was suddenly silent, which was eerie to me.

"Oh, okay," Rachel said in a hushed voice as I finished my story. "I get it. I can't believe that was it."

I frowned. "What do you mean that's it?"

Rachel shrugged. "I dunno. You made yourself sound like some love sick fool. Like you two were Romeo and Juliet! Where's the death, the tragedy?"

"That wasn't tragic enough for you?" I asked curiously. She nodded. "You needed, what, a double suicide or something?"

She nodded and sighed, cold air escaping her lips and becoming mist in the cold. "It certainly would've spiced up the story a bit."

I rolled my eyes as I leaned against the building, part of me wondering where my mother thought I was. "I'm sorry. Next time I'm in some romantic affair I'll try to have a murder or two happen for you."

Rachel burst out laughing as she ruffled my already messy hair. "Thank you. Anyways, you're right. There's no way you're dating me, not after how heart broken you are over this girl."

Rachel made a fake puking noise in mockery of me.

"Gee, thanks, but there's no way I can see her," I explained. "Her family took her electronics, and I even tried writing her a letter months ago, still no response."

Rachel shrugged. "If you really love her like you say you do, then you'll find a way. Anyways, thanks for rejecting me. You should probably head back upstairs, I'm sure Sally is worried sick."

"Yeah, probably," I said with a slight smile. "Or she's passed out exhausted. Either one, I should probably get back upstairs."

"Alright, see you soon...." Rachel said with a small wave. "Happy Thanksgiving."

"Happy Thanksgiving."