First person

Percy

Over the next few weeks, I started spending more time with Nico, because he knows some of my secrets. He had lots of questions. I've been giving him sword fighting lessons too.

A new kid had come to camp. His name was Charles the new son of Zeus, he was not very nice, and he didn't like that I was better than him at everything.

Then my other friends started growing distant. Some actually seemed to start disliking me. I decided to look into it.

It was obviously Charles's fault. He's had a grudge on me for a while now, so of course he would try and take away my friends.

They all started spending more time with Charles. Even Annabeth. I started to get nervous about that.

Pretty much the only people who didn't grow even more distant were Nico and Thalia. Thalia as always with the hunt and Nico --- well we've gotten closer. Now I'm like the slightly overprotective big brother.

Anyway, I wanted to propose to Annabeth before it was too late. I had told Nico my suspicions once during sword practice, and hey encouraged my idea.

I asked Athena for permission, and she said yes.

I mean, I fell into Tartarus for her daughter, so I had already proved myself in her opinion.

Hephaestus made the ring. It was beautiful.

It was a shining black (not pitch black like evil, but more like a black like my hair and shiny) with a bright sea green gem on one side a bright grey one on the other.

It was perfect.

Nico decided to come to help me out if there's a problem.

I was practically bouncing around the place as I made my way to the Athena cabin.

I knocked on the door, smiling, unable to contain my excitement.

Malcolm opened the door.

He was one of the few people who still liked me.

"Hi Percy, Nico," he said.

"Hi," I said. "Have you seen Annabeth?"

"Yeah," Malcolm said. "Apparently she had to talk to Charles. They went to the beach."

My smile didn't waver, but it got slightly more strained than usual at the mention of Charles.

"Thanks," I said. "Bye."

"See you around," Malcolm replied.

Nico and I ran off again, but I was a little less hyper than before.

When we got close to the beach, I saw two people. They were Annabeth and Charles, and they were kissing.

I didn't notice letting the box drop until I heard the thud of it hitting the sandy ground.

Both Annabeth and Charles looked over.

Annabeth saw the box and her eyes widened. She gasped.

I looked down at it. The box had opened when it hit the ground to reveal the ring.

Annabeth started crying.

"P-Percy!" she sobbed. "I didn't m-mean t-to! H-he kissed me f-first."

I just stared at them in shock.

"Percy, the answer is yes," Annabeth whispered, starting to walk over.

I picked up the box and put it back in my pocket.

"The answer to what question?" I asked coldly. "The answer to what question, Athena spawn?" Then I looked up and shouted, "No offence, Athena!"

An owl flew by, signaling Athena accepted the apology.

"The question you were about to ask," Annabeth said.

"Well if you were to ask me that question right now, I would be saying no," I said. "Not after what I just saw."

I turned on my heel and walked away. Nico scrambled to catch up.

I turned back a few steps later to see Annabeth crying and staring at me in shock. She didn't think she would be rejected.

I didn't go back to my cabin. I ignored the people staring, and ---- quite literally ---- stormed into the woods.

Nico ran in after me.

Unfortunately, the monsters I wanted to let loose my anger on stayed away.  :(

After what must've been hours of walking, I finally got to a clearing ---- but not our usual one.

I walked right to the center of it and sat down on a rock.

Nico sat down next to me.

"Percy," he whispered. He was crying silently.

I looked at him. He was looking up at me sadly.

He hugged me, and I hugged him back.

I pulled away and gave him a sad smile.

"Thank you," I said.

Nico nodded and smiled back.

"You know I think of you as my little brother, right?" I told him.

Nico smiled more.

"Yes," Nico said. "And you are the best big brother ever."

I pulled him in for another hug. I couldn't help but let a tear trail down my cheek.

We pulled apart and started walking back the way we came.

"I think I'll go to my mom's apartment and check in on her and Paul. I need to get away from here, at least for right now."

"Okay," Nico replied. "I understand."

I smiled back at him. It was a true, genuine smile. "Thanks. Bye Nico."

"Bye, Percy," Nico said.

And with that, I walked away.