Gab's PoV

I woke up the next morning feeling more tired than usual. I didn't sleep well, but it wasn't due to nightmares. I knew I had no right to be jealous, but I couldn't help it. Reyna has been taking up a majority of my mind for the past two days. Now Thalia has shown up, and I think they might have a thing for each other. It doesn't matter. She was never going to like me anyway. I need to get her out of my head.

I turned over and looked at an alarm clock my siblings gave me. It was six in the morning. I groaned. I am not a morning person. I turned off the alarm so that it wouldn't go off in an hour and grabbed a book Annabeth let me borrow because it looked interesting. It was no use. After fifteen minutes of struggling to read it, I gave in to the fact that I could not concentrate. Thoughts on the quest, the prophecy, and Reyna swirled through my mind. It took everything in me not to throw the book across the room in frustration. Sometimes, I hated having a hyperactive mind.

"Gab? I didn't think you get up this early."

I turned over again and saw Annabeth sitting up in bed, staring at me. "I don't usually. I had a hard time sleeping." I admitted.

Annabeth looked at me like she was doing a thousand calculations at once. I was used to the look. I saw it in the mirror on mornings I couldn't figure out which gender to present myself as. Finally, she said, "You have something on your mind. Something other than the quest. Do you want to talk about it?"

I thought that over for a second. She was close friends with Reyna, but she was also my sister. I guess it would be safe to trust her with this. "Promise not to jugde me or tell anyone?" I asked.

Annabeth looked surprised. "Of course I won't judge you, and I swear on the river Styx I won't tell anyone unless whatever you have to say is about or puts someone in danger including yourself." She winced at her words. "You know what I mean. I just can't be sworn to secrecy if it'll hurt someone."

I nodded. "I know. Can we go somewhere else to talk though?"

"Sure. We can go to the beach. No one will be there this early in the morning." Annabeth suggested.

"Okay." I got dressed and packed my binder in my bag. Today was a girl day, and I didn't know how long I was going to be outside of camp.

I followed Annabeth out of the cabin quietly and down to the beach. When we got there, Annabeth led me to a group of rocks that were perfect for sitting on and looking out over the sea. "Percy takes you here," I realized. "The rocks have been moved, so it was in the perfect position to look out over the water."

Annabeth nodded with a soft, far away smile. "Yeah, so what happened?"

"I kind of have a crush, and they don't like me back. I think they like someone else." I said while blushing slightly.

Annabeth smiled slightly, but her eyes held the same sadness that I've grown used to coming from her. "Who is it?"

"It's... Uh... It's Reyna," I mumbled.

Annabeth's eyes widened in shock. Then she began to laugh. "Oh my gods. I can't believe this is happening."

I frowned at her. "I thought you promised not to judge me!"

"I'm not judging you. It's just... Ugh!" She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "This is all stupid! Look, after the quest, I think you should talk to her."

"Why?" I asked suspiciously.

"I can't say. I've been sworn to secrecy." Annabeth's eyes gleamed. "You should really talk to her though. Trust me. You won't regret it." Annabeth checked her watch. "Oh Hera! It's 7:30. You should go get breakfast before you leave."

"Wait, Annabeth!" She stood up and brushed the little sand that had gotten on her pants off.

"I have to go meet Percy and check up on Nico. Good luck on your quest!" She ran off back up to the cabins, leaving me alone at the water's edge.

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"Where were you?" Ari asked. "We were supposed to leave five minutes ago!"

"Sorry, I was late to breakfast, and I forgot to grab my bag while I was eating," I said, panting slightly. I had ran from the Athena cabin to the top of the hill when I realized I was running late.

Annie and Nelson were staring at me quietly with grim expressions. Ari rolled her eyes. "Okay, we're shadow traveling to the Underworld. Nico explained to me how it works, and I should be able to keep going after this jump. I'll be tired, but I'll still be functional."

"I have a rough map of the Underworld for you two," I told Annie and Nelson as I pulled out the paper from my pocket. "There is an exit over here," I pointed at a spot by the Styx, "that leads to Central Park if you need to leave."

Annie took the paper and put it in her pocket. "Okay everyone, grab hands," Ari said. I took hold of Ari and Annie's hands while Nelson held their other hands. Ari closed her eyes in concentration and melted into the shadows, taking us with her.

I decided to end the chapter there because it seemed like a perfect place to stop. I hope you guys liked it! Have a great day!