#mabb

“Oh my god, why are you out here?” Annabeth’s voice rang out behind her. Piper turned to see her best friend in a soft purple dress, hand in hand with a dark haired girl who was Reyna, her girlfriend.

“I feel terrible.” Piper choked, blinking quickly to keep her makeup from running. Annabeth frowned and let go of Reyna’s hand. In a moment Piper was wrapped in a hug. Silence surrounded them, crickets outside the only chatter.

“I mean, using Jason to make Percy jealous was a bad plan.” Annabeth said softly. Piper nodded into Annabeth's shoulder, holding her tightly.

“‘Nabeth, I'm going inside. I'll leave you two alone. But, I'd like at least one dance.” Reyna sounded understanding, her steps echoing as she walked away.

Annabeth held Piper at arms length, looking her over.

“You need to tell him the truth.” Annabeth told her, and Piper felt her heart sink to her knees.

“I don't want to hurt him.” Piper whined, but she knew it was no use. She would hurt him either way.

“Piper, you need to do this.” Annabeth stated, voice low. Piper sniffled, trying to ignore the stinging in her eyes. It felt like she swallowed a burning ball of regret.

“I do...” She mumbled, looking down. Her fingers hooked around each other, Annabeth's hands sliding off her arms.

“Then go. Good luck.”  Annabeth said softly. stepping back.

Piper nodded, walking back towards the gym. After a few paces she stopped, “Just not tonight. He seems so happy.”

Percy did show up to homecoming. Annabeth had convinced him. Despite that the two didn't talk much at school, they were close. She was the girl that he actually took out on dates. Though she liked Reyna, they were still close.

He entered the gym, walking past groups. Listening to conversations as he passed, his ears caught on his name.

“I bet Jackson is fucking Piper behind Jason’s back.” Percy froze. He fixed his eyes on whoever said it, feeling him give a death glare at the nameless kid.

“If you knew as much about me as you think, you'd know I don't fuck someone's girl if she isn't mine.” He snapped, taking his drink and walking on.

Jason waved him over, and Percy left the plastic cup on the table as he walked. He greeted Jason with a grin, pulling him into a conversation. Piper was also at his hip. Her attic blue dress sparkled, the neckline somehow staying up without straps. It looked like a bedazzled corset with sparkling tulle, the dress cutting inches above the knee. High heels in a crisp white, hair curling around her face. Her necklace sparkled as bright as her eyes, her smile was captivating.

He hated going cold turkey on her, but he needed to. If he didn't stop he'd go back to his flirting habits. Piper locked eyes with him, looking down. Jason was oblivious, and she looked back at him.

“I need to talk to you.” Piper huffed, walking behind Jason. He was grabbed by the hand and she dragged him out of the gym. Her hands felt soft in his.

The music was softer as they walked down the hall.

“What?!” Percy stopped, several yards down the hall. Piper turn to face him sharply.

“Call me princess.” She told him, and Percy blinked.

“Uh...”

“Call me princess or babygirl and remind me why I liked you so much.” She was breathless.

Percy swallowed harshly. He really wanted to, he wanted her to know that he was still him. Hot regardless asshole.

“Listen, Princess, you're making this hard on me.” He looked away, across the ceiling and back at the gym.  Piper turned his face to look at her. He saw her eyes flick to his lips, and she leaned in.

They finally kissed. It felt like how he wanted it to. Fireworks erupted in his heart. Before he knew it she was pressed into him and he felt her hand in his hair.

Then he remembered the consequences of getting caught. Roughly he pulled away and stepped back.

“No. I'm not doing this to him.” Percy shook his head, rubbing his eyes.

Piper was silent.

“He's inside, just dance with me in the hall?” She asked, “Cmon, let me by the stars to your moon. Just for a minute.”

Percy couldn't look at her. If he did, her eyes would make him melt and do whatever she asked.

“Princess, I can't.”

“Can't, or don't want to?” Piper tested, and Percy looked at her.

“If I do, we don't know what would happen.”

She took his hand and put it on her waist, holding his other hand up.

“Just a few steps.” She offered, and Percy closed his eyes. He kissed her on the top of her head, swaying slowly.

“Just a few steps” He repeated into her hair, taking in the smell of her floral shampoo.