My Sweet Temptation--A Percy Jackson Love Story

Chapter 8~~An Open Door

A few hours later, after seeing Percy retreat from where we were, I was in the cabin, packing things in my bag that I was gonna bring for the Swim and Beach activity.

I glanced over at my reflection in the mirror and made sure my two piece swimsuit was covering what needed to be covered. I couldn't help but notice that I had the same attractive features of the Aphrodite kids. 

Father must've really given me a power of each Olympian God, I thought as I picked up my bag.

I was about to leave when the door opened. I turned and saw Percy, wearing nothing but some beach shorts and was staring at me with a red face.

He caught my eye and quickly lowered his head as he walked across the room. I slid on a thin shirt and silently made sure I had what I needed and slowly walked towards the door.

I didn't know why I was taking my time just to be in the same room of my enemy, but whatever the reason was, it felt like I didn't care.

"Uh, Amber?" I felt my heart leap as I turned and raised an eyebrow.

"Do you mind helping me pack a few things I forgot? I'm not the most organized person in the world..." He said and smiled sheepishly.

"Sure." I replied and found myself grinning.

I didn't know what came up to me that made me agree, nor did I know why I couldn't stop smiling, but I couldn't even think straight! Especially if he kept smiling gratefully at me every now and then. His eyes twinkled as he smiled, as if he's enjoying our moment. I ignored these acts and concentrated on helping him, but when he wasn't looking, I couldn't help but smiled to myself. He picked up a picture frame and took a deep breath.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked quietly, as if I was afraid that someone would see me caring about him.

"It's just Annabeth," he turned his back to me. Normally I would've taken this as offensive because I wasn't exactly a love doctor, but I bit my lip from making a snappy remark. Having Aphrodite's power too, I could feel people's emotions, and right now I can feel sadness and remorse from the boy in front of me.

"You don't have to tell me anything, you know. I'm sorry for not minding my own business." I said and forced myself to walk towards the door when he called me again.

I turned and found him sitting on my bed. I felt my legs move on their own and made me sit next to Percy. I wanted to leave the room so badly. I was afraid that I'll turn weak, but there was a part of me, a very small part, that would give anything to make this moment last forever.

"She's still upset about the whole...bumping thing." He muttered.

I didn't know what to answer and remained silent as I pretended to be fascinated with my fingers.

"I just wish she wouldn't be so uptight." He continued, oblivious to my awkwardness. "She gets mad when I talk to other girls, and she was more than furious when she saw us on the floor."

"It was just an accident. None of us were planning on it." I said and as our eyes met, I felt a strange sensation in my stomach. I gripped the ruby of my ring for strength and discreetly took a deep breath.

"I'm glad you understand," he smiled gratefully and I couldn't help but smile back. "That's a really nice ring," he glanced at my hand, finally noticing my fiddling. "Where did you get it?"

"Uhm, my parents gave it to me when I was a kid."

"That's nice. Did--"

I quickly stood up as if my butt got caught on fire and said, "It's time to go swimming. Come on."

I hurried for the door, leaving a mixture of sad, suprised, and disappointed emotions swirling behind me. 

As the door slammed behind me, I felt as if another one opened in my heart.