piper.

i quietly opened the door to our apartment. i grimaced as the hinges creaked loudly.

"piper? is that you?" i heard his voice from inside.

"yeah."

he emerged from the couch. his blue eyes were dulled down and his hair was growing out. on his chin, you could find hints of stubble.

"you were at percy's?" he assumed.

"well, percy was out, i was seeing annabeth." i said.

he said nothing.

"well, i'm back. are you hungry?" i realized i didn't eat lunch with percy and annabeth.

"i ordered pizza." he said.

we sat in silence, listening to the microwave warm up four slices. where was the love and the kisses that filled the kitchen? where was the laughing? i was still thinking about annabeth. what was she doing now? eating spaghetti with percy. laughing at his jokes. i wish jason would make a joke. the silence is eating me alive.

the microwave beeped. i made a move to get the pizza but jason beat me to it.

we chewed our pizza, but i quickly lost my apetite after the first slice. i stared at the second as it grew cold.

"jason,"

"hm?"

"do you still love me?"

"yes," he said, not looking at me. his eyes looked far off.

"..."

"..."

"really?"

"..."

he said nothing.

i took my remaining pizza slice to the balcony and ate in silence, looking down on the busy street below.