" But, you're not my type."

Percy frowned. For some reason, his heart sank.

•••

It had been a few months. Apo- Lester had gotten the help of Percy, and was now off somewhere else with Leo and Calypso. Percy didn't care much about that, especially not today.

Percy's hands quivered as he quickly knocked on the Athena Cabin's door. He took a shaky breath and plastered on a smile as Malcom opened the door. " Annabeth," Malcom yelled. " She'll be just a second."

Percy nodded. Oh gods, he didn't want to see her. He didn't want to do this to her. Annabeth appeared at the door. She smiled widely as soon as she saw Percy. " Babe!" she cried, hugging Percy. Percy reluctantly hugged back.

" Hey," he laughed out in a trembling voice. " Want to go down to the beach with... with me?"

Annabeth smiled. " Of course!" Oh god, Percy couldn't do it. I can't back down now, he thought. Percy grabbed Annabeth's hand as the couple wandered down to the beach. Annabeth attempted to make small talk, but Percy wasn't up to it. He only answered with one word answers, usually a simple 'yeah!' or 'nah..'

Once at the beach, Percy turned to Annabeth. He just had to say what he practiced. " Annabeth. You... you know I love you. And... and I always will. But-" Annabeth's smile faded, "- I... I can't... it's not... me... you? Gah! I'm so sorry," Percy stuttered.

Annabeth nodded, a confused half-smile plastered on her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks. " No... no, it's... it's okay," she sobbed, " people... people change. I... I get it." She glanced up at Percy's lively green eyes. " Friends?"

" Friends," Percy replied.

" I'm..." Annabeth ran off, tears streaming off her face and into the sand. Percy's throat closed up. He thought that that would be the easy part, but now he knew he'd been terribly wrong.

Percy let out a quiet sigh. He scratched his arm, feeling a bit less guilty about leading Annabeth on; but when he looked down, he got a painful reminder. Small, thin cuts ran from one side of his arm to the other. Some were red and puffy, indicating that they were new.

He remember that the person he liked had no feelings for him. He remembered that the person he liked was dating someone. Oh, who was he kidding. He new that Nico di Angelo would never love him the way he did. He knew he would never have the chance at happiness.