xlvi. La Vie en Rose

In the early hours of the cold January afternoon, New York City was busy and crowded with cars stuck in traffic and people hurrying to get to their destinations and Annabeth and Thalia were one of them as they headed to Artemis's Moonshine to meet Percy and Estelle.

Annabeth's blonde hair swayed in the wind and she wore a white collar blouse, black skirt with matching stockings, Mary-Jane shoes, and the earrings Percy had gifted her. While Thalia wore a black, long sleeve shirt, high-waisted jeans, and combat boots paired with a black choker and Estelle's friendship bracelet.

"I can't believe that I'm leaving today," frowned Thalia. "It feels like I have been living here for my entire life."

Today was Thalia's last day in Manhattan (though she had already made plans return to New York during her spring break) before she went back to California for the second semester of college (they're hosting at mini party later in the evening).

Annabeth cheekily smiled, "Maybe, well, you know you can live in here for the rest of your life if you move."

"Maybe," laughed Thalia, "You know what, I'll consider moving: there's so many greatest things here that I love really much."

"Such as?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow.

"Well, of course, there's Estelle—I love her so much—and if I live in New York, I can basically see her all the time! There's Jason and Mrs. O'Leary who I both love very much and...that's all," Thalia smirked.

Annabeth pouted and playfully hit Thalia, causing the girl to laugh.

"And of course, you," Thalia beamed at Annabeth as they crossed the unfamiliar street.

Her eyes wandered around in amazement and a smile formed on her face when she heard Thalia's squeal and saw Percy and Estelle waiting for them outside the restaurant.

"Hello!" Percy greeted Annabeth with a kiss, "So glad you guys made it! Shall we go inside?"

They agreed and headed inside the new, unfamiliar restaurant Percy had suggested for them, saying one of his friends had recommended it, and they got seated at the window (she and Percy on one side and Thalia and Estelle across from them).

"So, Estelle," Annabeth beamed, "How are you?"

"Wonderful!" exclaimed Estelle, then frowned, "But I'm sad that Thalley is leaving me tomorrow."

"I'm so sorry about that, Elly," grimaced Thalia, hugging Estelle. "But I'll be back before you know it then we can take over the world."

"Yay!! I can't wait!" Estelle grinned.

They then all looked through the menu and figured out what they wanted to order; while they waited for a waitress/waiter to come by (it was quite packed), Estelle and Thalia went to the restroom and Annabeth and Percy chatted.

"I can't believe school is starting so soon again," he pouted, "I don't want to wake up at 6 am, I just want to sleep in til 10am and hang out with you every day without stressing about schoolwork, tests, and just life in general. I want to be carefree and happy."

"Me too," she softly sighed, "But it'll be alright, we'll be alright, just six more months then it's summer! And it's three more months till spring break!"

Percy then exclaimed, "Ah, I can't wait for spring break and summer! It's going to be so much fun!"

"Yes, it will be," Annabeth softly smiled, "I really love spring, it's so beautiful: I love watching the cherry blossom trees bloom."

"Me too, it's breathtaking," he then shyly smiled, "Perhaps, we can watch the cherry blossom trees bloom this year together?"

"Is that a date you're asking me on?" Annabeth chuckled and Percy nodded with a blush and cheeky smile, "Well then, yes, I would love to."

A little while later, a red-haired waitress arrived at their table with a beam, "Hello! I'm Elle! I'm so sorry for the late! It's just been super busy today, thank for understanding, how can I help you...Annabeth? Percy?"

Annabeth's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at Elle, her classmate, Percy's deskmate, while Percy grinned at Elle.

"Hey, Elle! I didn't know you were working today! How funny is it that you're our waitress?" Annabeth furrowed her eyebrows at Percy and he explained, "Elle had told me she works here—she's the one who recommend me this place and told me what was the best dishes and et cetera."

"Yep, that's me!" Elle sheepishly laughed then looked at Annabeth, "How was your holidays? Percy told you guys went ice skating, Build-A-Bear, and just had a lot of fun together! Wasn't that nice?"

Annabeth opened her mouth to speak, however, nothing came out: she was speechless. Percy has been texting Elle over winter break and telling her about their days? (Not that he couldn't text other girls or anything, it's just...Elle didn't seem like the most sincere, kindest person to talk to.) And gosh, what's up with that condescending, envious tone? Someone was definitely green-eyed.

Percy nudged her and Annabeth plastered a smile, "It was nice and I did have a nice holidays! I spent it with everyone I love. What about you? Did you have a good holidays?"

"Yes, I did! It was lovely! I spent it with my family in North Carolina and we had such a great time!" gushed Elle then sheepishly smiled, "Anyways, what can I get you today? Is it just the two of you? Are you guys on a date?"

"No, we're not," Percy shook his head, "We're here with my little sister and Annabeth's friend, Thalia."

"Speaking of, they're back," mumbled Annabeth, watching as Estelle and Thalia returned to their table.

Elle greeted Thalia and Estelle and quickly took their orders; she then came back with their drinks and told Percy to call her if they needed anything.

Her mouth agape, noticing Elle's wink at her boyfriend, and her eyes locked with Thalia's—the girl must have seen the wink, she looked flabbergasted and Annabeth bit her lips.

"So, who's Elle? She seemed to know you guys very well," asked Thalia curiously (and Annabeth clearly knew the girl was trying to figure if she liked Elle or not).

"Oh, she's just Annabeth and I's classmate! We have multiple classes together and she's super kind and nice!" Percy explained with a half-smile, "I really like her!—well, of course, just as a friend. She's just a friend."

"Ah, alright," though Thalia was not quite satisfied with his response, she nodded.

They eventually got their meals and happily ate; Elle would frequently come by their table to check up on them (more than she have to) and laughed Percy about topics that Annabeth quite didn't understand and when she left, Percy explained it to Annabeth who pretended like she knew what he was talking about.

(Thalia and Annabeth glanced at one another with distasteful looks and she knew they're definitely going to talk about this later.)

They then all beamed when Elle placed down their desserts they had ordered: Estelle's chocolate mousse, Annabeth's tiramisu, Thalia's green tea ice cream, and Percy's chocolate cheesecake.

"Oh, we didn't ordered a red velvet cake," frowned Percy as Elle placed down a slice of cake.

"It's on the me, don't worry," Elle sheepishly smiled,
"I remember that you really like that red velvet cake I got you when we had our study sessions and I just wanted you to see your adorable smile again."

Annabeth furrowed her eyebrows and scowled at Elle, but the girl didn't notice (or pretend not to). She could not believe that the girl was flirting with her boyfriend right front of her!

"Oh, alright, thank you, Elle," Percy nodded with a kind smile.

"Of course! Call me if you guys need anything!" Elle flashed a smile at them all and walked away.

Thalia furrowed her eyebrows at Percy, "Uhh—"

"Isn't Elle so nice?" before anyone could respond to his question, Percy grinned, "Who wants a piece of red velvet cake? It's super good! I love it so much!"

Though she and Thalia accepted a piece, Thalia glared at Percy and shook her head disapprovingly at her and she awkwardly smiled, preparing herself for the conversation later today.

After they paid for their lunch, they had some fun around Manhattan for a couple of hours then went back to Annabeth's apartment for Thalia's goodbye party (plus dinner) and Annabeth could tell the girl was trying her hardest not to cry. When the party was over, she and Thalia went to her bedroom.

"You know you can cry, Thalia, I'm not going to judge you," Annabeth reassured.

"I know, but I'm not going to cry," Thalia quickly wiped her cheeks and frowned, "Besides, we need to talk about your boyfriend who thinks you're either stupid and won't notice or he is very oblivious because Elle was totally flirting with him and he just went along with it!" 

"Percy is just very oblivious," Annabeth sighed, "He thinks Elle's flirting is just friendly gestures when it's not! Also, I'm so glad that you also notice Elle was flirting, I didn't want to seem like a crazy girlfriend."

"Trust me, you're not a crazy girlfriend," Thalia reassured then asked, "Are you going to mention anything about it to Percy?"

Annabeth shook her head, "Probably not: I feel if I do, he'll probably reassure me it's nothing and Elle is just a friend—which I guess is true—and besides, I trust him reject her advances and not to do anything stupid."

She then looked down at her bead bracelet—the one he had made with love—and bit her lips, "I hope I'm not wrong."

[originally published on 1/3/21 && formerly titled Bittersweet Tarts.]

[1/3/21] author's note! uhh, I did something bad lmao. This cliffhanger was supposed to be for yesterday's chapter but I decided to give you guys a fluffy chapter instead! And here is it! Elle is been reintroduced into the plot and what chaos could she bring? I'm still kinda pondering the ending so I might change it though I probably not going to! Anyways, I guess you'll be back on Wednesday for the next chapter!! Thank you for reading and have a good day/night! Much Love, Lucinda! 💙 (also, this ending was for you, Lex, Lex4205 !!)