FOUR. part i) harlow's tale: ' nothing like a dream to create a future '
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ANNABETH'S SUDDEN conflicting disdain did wonders to Harlow's morale in the coming days. Post 'Percy Jackson got claimed and he's a Poseidon spawn', Harlow could be spotted grinning, humming a happy tune under her breath.
Ever since Percy had been moved over to cabin three, it seemed like there was a level of detachment from camp that there hadn't been before. Harlow still had to check him over once in a while (a chore she still hated), and Annabeth still stuck around him, generously teaching him Greek in the mornings, but it was more subdued.
And sure, maybe he looked a touch more glum than usual ("It must suck living in a cabin by yourself whilst everybody else isn't," Ataru had commented at breakfast once, staring at Percy's lone figure at his own little table) but who cared? The guy wasn't trailing around Annabeth like a lost puppy anymore, and his incessant questions weren't thrown at Harlow anymore. And, to top it off, Barbie had officially excommunicated him from stepping near the Aphrodite cabin ("Don't even look at it, jort boy. I'm serious! Ten feet away at all times!").
Harlow was fucking ecstatic.
"She's a child of Athena," she said gleefully to Barbie one morning, the two of them sitting by the lake, feet dipped in the water. She kicked excitedly, the water splashing up her legs. "Athena and Poseidon? They're literally known for being enemies. This is so perfect."
"She doesn't fully hate him yet," Barbie reasoned, shrugging. After capture the flag, it seemed like she'd cooled down on her disdain for the green-eyed boy (but only just a bit). Perhaps beating him up had been therapeutic for her, and she was willing to let it rest for a while. But Harlow wasn't– she was only getting started.
"Yeah, but I'll be super persuasive," Harlow shrugged, "I'll tell her how stupid he is and how cool I am and it'll all total up to me being the best."
"...Right," Barbie side-eyed her. "Has anybody ever told you how absolutely dumb that sounds? Or how delusional you are?"
"You," Harlow replied in a chipper manner. "Several times. But whatever, this will work. He's a son of Poseidon, she's a daughter of Athena– fate is literally working against them. I'm working against them– soon all those dreams will be what they are: dreams!"
Barbie sighed, glancing over at her before simply shaking her head. Red hair spilled onto her shoulder, and the daughter of Aphrodite took a deep breath in.
"You know what? Sure. It's not like I like the guy anyways. I'll support this, I guess."
Harlow grinned, leaning onto her quickly. "Ugh, this is why we're friends."
