"He did what?" Luke punched the wall so hard it created a hole.

"Luke," I sighed, "calm down."

"I will not calm down! He kissed you knowing that we're dating!"

"Yes, I know he did, but he also texted me an apology almost right after I left. Percy clearly feels bad about what he did. So, please calm down."

"Okay, okay." Luke took a deep breath, and the vein in his neck pulsed slightly slower. "I just can't believe he did that!"

"You don't need to worry," I reassured him, "which I know you're doing. I only see Percy as my best friend, nothing more; you're the one for me."

"I know I am" -Luke shifted his footing and kissed me- "but I'm just scared because you know, Percy is one of your old friends and rivals me in looks. So I just thought because he was making a move, you might break up with me."

"I'm not going to break up with you, Luke; you know that, so please don't do anything to Percy."

Luke pursed his lips while his eye movement increased. "Okay, I won't do anything."

"Thank you." I kissed him. "This will all cool down soon. Remember, there's only 4 weeks until fall break."

"Can you stay away from him for a few weeks? At least until we get back?"

"Luke, I need to talk to him. That wouldn't work."

"Please?" Luke said. "It'll make me feel better."

I thought for a moment. "Alright, but I still might text him."

Luke didn't appear pleased with this statement, but he didn't protest. Over the next few weeks, I avoided Percy as Luke requested. I had an inkling Percy was doing something similar, as I didn't see him in the cafeteria at the same time as me.

Very soon, fall break arrived and Luke's unease about Percy lingered, casting a shadow over our interactions. Despite my attempts to reassure him, his distrust seemed to grow with each passing day. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the situation than met the eye.

We were going to visit my family in San Francisco for a few days and then go camping in Yosemite National Park. The day of our departure I met Luke at his dorm. He walked down the stairs, sipping a cup of coffee while looking very fatigued.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey," he said without meeting my gaze.

He proceeded over to the trunk and dropped his suitcase into it. I climbed into the driver's seat, intending to talk to my boyfriend. However, Luke didn't want to have a discussion; after he buckled his seat belt, he immediately pulled out his phone and started texting someone.

The engine rumbled to life, and I pulled North Hill Ave and then merged onto Interstate 210. Now and again, I glanced at Luke with apprehension; his brow furrowed deeper and deeper as his fingers moved rapidly across his screen.

"Who are you texting?" I asked cautiously.

Luke glanced up, slightly irritated. "Just a friend. I have to arrange something."

"Okay," I said. "You know you can talk to me if you need to, right?"

"Yes," Luke replied without looking up. "Just let me work, okay? I promise I'll get off when we get to your parents' house."

"Alright."

The next few hours passed in awkward silence. I turned on the radio after hour two passed because Luke was exhibiting no signs of putting down his phone. He began a call with someone in a very hushed tone. This action only increased my frustration and concern for my boyfriend; I didn't understand why he was acting so secretive.

I occasionally stole glances at Luke, scrutinizing him closely. I noted that his left hand was lying open on his leg, an indicator that he was calm or eager about something (His left hand was usually the one that he clenched when he was furious).

Finally, after five and a half hours of driving in an uncomfortable atmosphere, we arrived in San Fransisco. I pulled into the driveway of my parents' house and turned off the engine. I tapped Luke on the shoulder to inform him that we had arrived.

"Okay, thanks, Chris. Have a good fall break. See you soon." Luke placed his phone in his pocket and grinned at me. "Shall we?"

"Let's go," I said, slightly taken aback by his abrupt change in attitude.

We climbed out of the car and grabbed our luggage. The garage door opened, and my father and stepmother walked out.

"Hello, Annabeth." My dad hugged me and took my suitcase. "How was your drive?"

"It was fine, Dad," I said.

"Hello, Luke," my stepmom said.

"Hello, Helen," Luke said cheerfully. "How are the plans coming on your project?"

My stepmom immediately launched into a conversation about her project with Luke, and I watched him. I knew that hewas hiding something; Luke didn't just go from being irritated to cheerful in a second normally."

"Something wrong, Annabeth?" my dad asked. "You look worried."

"It's nothing, Dad," I lied, pushing a smile to my lips.

My dad looked skeptical but said nothing else. As I entered my childhood home for a well-needed break, I knew one thing: Luke was hiding something, and I intended to discover it.