LAST TIOMOE:

Rachel and Connor went on their date and found out they were soulmates <3 (i love this noncanon shipppp)

THIS TIOMOE:

It's been 2 months since the last chapter took place. Piper has a great idea for the gang's Winter Break, and the excitement is through the roof.

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(Jason's POV)

It's December. Snow has coated New York City, and it's still constantly falling. Every girl has bought the newest snow boots, and many don't even wear sneakers to PE.

The cold air made the fact that I walk to school 1000% better. Thalia can usually catch a ride, because we only have one car, which my dad uses to get to work. And Thalia shouldn't be driving anyway. Because our (hers. But they're twins in this world) birthday isn't until Wednesday, December 22nd, making her still 15. So it's kind of illegal.

Today, Thalia caught a ride with Katie, since she's already 16 and has her license. I always decline offers from Katie or from Calypso, or anyone really. Except maybe one of my cousins, but they don't offer often. I decline because I don't really want to be smushed in the car with Katie and Thalia and them, even though we're friends, that'd just be awkward. And, you know, I don't want to be stuck in the backseat with Piper.

And today's Hazel's birthday! December 17th, she is now officially 16. Everyone wished her happy birthday over text and on Snapchat and Instagram, but it'll be nice to say it in person. This year, I got her a big pack of colored pencils, since she loves to draw.

The school play, it's in one month. January 23rd, right before Nico's birthday. I guess we're almost ready. Mr. Apollo still hadn't had Piper and I kiss on stage, because I guess he wants the surprise effect or something. I don't know. It's Mr. Apollo, it's just the way he is.

But it gives me more anxiety. I don't get any practice. Which sounds weird. But I really like Piper, and I don't want to mess it up.

It's Friday, and Winter Break is starting tomorrow. Piper texted our group chat last night, saying she had the perfect idea for break, but she was going to tell us in person. Even better, it would be a last-minute kind of thing. The sarcasm? It's excessive.

I finally made it to school, and eventually, the first four periods of the day. And then we have lunch, which is where Piper will tell us about her big idea. I mean, she already had that idea about the gift exchange (that we just HAD to do. Now I chose her name from the bowl, and I have to get her a gift!), what's next? Something bigger? She seemed excited.

We all gave our gifts to Hazel and wished her a happy birthday, and later on, Piper spoke up. "So, guys, I know it's last minute," Piper started. "But my dad has this huge log cabin in Vermont. He offered to have us driven up there for the next week, right before Christmas. We'll leave tomorrow, the 18th, and we'll get back on Christmas Eve. How does that sound?"

Everyone murmered and smiled in agreement. "My dad has to know you have parental permission, so you'll have to ask your parents," Piper explained.

Thalia and I looked to each other, and I guess twin telepathy does exist, because I knew exactly what she was saying. We both did. I could tell.

"Um, my dad won't care. I know for sure. He's...um, on a...business trip until after Christmas anyway," I lied, but Piper bought it. She nodded.

"Neither will our dad," Nico shrugged. "Since Jason and Thalia are going, he'll let Hazel and I go."

"I don't see why Mom would say no," Percy agreed.

"My parents won't care. They're doing some hockey trip thing with Matthew and Bobby that I wasn't gonna go on anyway," Annabeth added.

Others texted parents, and they all agreed. We waited for Rachel's dad to answer.

Connor was tracing patterns on her palm and wrist, which Rachel didn't seem to mind. They announced they were soulmates two months ago after some date that apparently Katie and Travis witnessed. At the sight of the couple, Piper rubbed her own wrist instinctively, which brought me back to that time in American History last month.

~Flashback~

Piper and I were partners for a research project. We were researching Peter Salem, an African American soldier in the Revolutionary War. I had been writing information on the poster, while she drew and colored some pictures 

Piper sighed as she rubbed the scars on her wrist. She still has yet to properly break up with Zak, her creepy excuse for a boyfriend, but they hadn't talked or even seen each other since that party.

"So, what does Zak do, exactly?" I spoke up. I put down the pen and looked at her. "You know, if you don't mind saying."

She sighed and pulled up her sleeve, covering her wrist. She took out a flare pen and started to doodle on her hand, which I noticed is a stress reliever for both her and Rachel. After a minute, Piper answered. "He just...hurts. Cuts, bruises; the whole shebang."

"He cuts  you?" I asked in revulsion. "Like, with scissors? Or with a knife?"

She looked like a little girl being yelled at by her father. Piper looked to the ground. "Yeah," she answered in a small voice. "Scissors, or a knife, or whatever is nearby."

"Why the hell would he do that?" I demanded.

"I don't know!" Piper snapped, trying to lower her voice. She dropped the flare pen. "If I knew, I'd get it stopped. I think it's like, a sexual thing. I just...don't know!"

"But why you?"

"I don't know!" she insisted. "Maybe I'm an easy target, 'cause I don't get it to stop. But it...it's not my fault! And I didn't ask for it, before you tell me that. I always have to hear that! I didn't  ask for it, that outfit, I didn't mean-" her eyes watered. "I didn't want him to - he didn't...I  didn't-"

"What did he do?" I hissed. What could he have done to her? And how could you hurt someone like her? She's just so...je ne sais pas  (Yes, I picked up French from her. Shut up!).

She looked up at me, her eyes seemingly broken to pieces. The conversation wasn't meant to show me her like this, so scared, so...defenseless. Piper wiped her eyes. "You can't repeat that. To anyone. At all."

"What did he..." and then it hit me. I didn't ask for it, before you tell me that. I always have to hear that. "Piper, he didn't-"

She saw the realization in my eyes. The bell rung, and she quickly gathered her stuff. "Put the project away, would you? I owe you one," Piper whispered, and hurried out of class.

~~

"Jason, you're staring," Leo hissed to me, and I punched his shoulder. He turned to Calypso and whined to her. I have no idea how she deals with that.

"My dad said yes!" Rachel cheered. The table clapped, and Rachel stood up and bowed sarcastically. "Thank you, thank you," she laughed.

"So, we leave tomorrow," Clarisse repeated. "What's the battle plan?"

"Get someone to drop you off at my house. We'll drive there together. And don't worry, I'll have entertainment, food, and phone chargers. But only if you have an Apple!"

"I have to bring my own charger? I feel attacked!" Travis whined. Of course, the Stolls have the signature Stoll Stuff phones.

The table laughed, and I decided that I was ready for this trip. And that I would also be confronting Piper at some point at the cabin. What if my assumption is right? I have to tell someone and get it to stop.