HIRAETH

Chapter 20

Caleb's POV

I glanced at Annabeth, her hair being blown my the sea breeze.

The sun was setting, making her hair look like liquid gold.

She was making me nervous.

She stopped ubruptly, and I flinched.

"... can I trust you."

I was silent. She turned around.

And kissed me.

My eyes widened. Gods, it felt so good- but red alarms were ringing in my head.

This is wrong.

I pusher her off of me, and held out both of my hands.

"Woah."

She scowled. "L-"

"No."

She froze. I took a deep breath and avoided her gaze.

"Annabeth, I get what you mean, but-"

"You're exactly what they told me."

"... Annabeth-"

"You played with me."

"Gods- please-"

"You always liked Lucia, didn't you?"

I covered my face with my hands. "Annabeth, let me explain."

"Can I trust you?"

I didn't know what to say.

What do you want to say?

The truth.

What do you have to say?

"No."

Tears were running down her cheeks. "Who can I trust now?"

"... Annabeth. There is nobody to trust at war."

"... this. This is war?"

"There's one coming."

"The Battle of the Labyrinth."

"No. Something bigger."

"The Second Titan war."

I started at her, and she took a stumbling step back in the sand.

"Caleb, you don't mean...." she swallowed hard. "You have to something to do with.... war. You don't mean it, right?"

"You're too smart."

"No. No.... Please-"

"I'm sorry."

She stared at me, trying to find a hint of a lie in my face. She clenched her teeth.

"I hate you."

She ran off, kicking up sand behind her. My legs felt weak. I did it. I did it.

I did.....

I wiped my tears.

Gods, I did it.

I crouched in a ball, crying, wondering why I had to make Annabeth cry.

~

"You're not going?"

"... yeah."

"Why not you go to the infirmary?" Connor said.

I shook my head.

Travis sighed. "Chiron might be looking fo you because of Carl."

I stood up, ignoring my ringing head. "Alright."