L E G A C Y / / Percabeth's kids fic

.: chapter 06 :.

Charlie Jackson

The Jackson-McLean first night tradition is something Ethan, Andrew and I have done for years. We couldn't do anything until everyone was asleep, so for now we had to act like everything was normal, and like we weren't planning on sneaking out of the house tonight.

Mom's doctor told her to keep off her feet, so I was making dinner with Piper today. I hadn't seen her much since she got here. I love talking to her, she's always kind of been like a cool Aunt to me.

"How has school been?" She asked as I peeled potatoes.

"It's fine, my grades are good," I shrugged.

She looked over at me and smiled, her eyes full of mischief, "Any boys?"

I laughed and shook my head, "No, no one special."

"What about your friends? How are they?" She continued, but I could tell she didn't believe[e me about the guy's thing. How was I supposed to tell her that I have feelings for her son?

"They're great, we hang out as often as we can. They're really fun."

"Who was that guy here earlier?" She smirked.

"Oh that's just my friend Mason. We're working on a project together."

She raised an eyebrow, "He likes you, you know."

I busted out laughing, "Mason?! No way! He's like my best friend. He doesn't like me like that." I refused to believe it.

"Charlie." She put down the knife she was using to cut other vegetables, "You've got to trust me on this."

She was right. If I was going to listen to anyone about relationships, Piper was who I'd go to. In fifth grade she helped me make the perfect valentine for the guy I liked. And in seventh grade she helped me ask a guy to the dance. Being the daughter of Aphrodite, I guess she was an expert.

"How can you tell?" I asked.

She shrugged, "I can just feel it."

"I don't like him like that." I sighed. "At all." I internally cringed. Dating Mason would be like dating a brother. Then it hit me. We were going on a date tomorrow! How did I not realize that he meant it as a date? "Oh no..."

"What is it?" She looked concerned.

"He asked me out tomorrow." I groaned, "I didn't realize he meant it as a date!"

Piper stifled a laugh, "Tell me what happened."

I told her everything while we dropped our cut up meat and vegetables into the boiling soup broth. She grimaced, "And you really don't like him?" I shook my head. "You have to go anyway."

"Why?! Can't I just make up an excuse?" I complained.

"Because if you don't let him down now, you never will, and this will just keep happening."

I sigh, knowing she's right. "How do I do that?" I stirred the soup.

She leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. "You have to tell him the truth, you need to say that you only see him as a friend and aren't looking for a relationship." I nod. "He's pretty cute though isn't he." She teased.

I giggled and shook my head, "I've never looked at him like that."

She looked unimpressed and cocked an eyebrow.

I shrugged, "I guess he's attractive, but not really my type."

"What is your type, Charlie?" She questioned, even though I felt she knew the answer.