A/N: April 2020, just the year 2020 has been something. Times are rough right now. I'm not going to lie. I'm scared. I'm worried. I'm one of the lucky ones who has a job, can work from home, can be safe while so many others work to fight keep this fucking disease at bay. I'm doing my part to put a little good into the world with my writing. Thank you everyone for always reading, reviewing and supporting me. I hope each and every one of you are safe and healthy. Hug someone you love for me. We will get through this.
Connected
Reyna pushed the door open, squeezing between the people crowded at the door. She sighed in relief as the cold air fanned her heated face. The heavy door shut, cutting off the noise, and leaving her with the natural street sounds. She crossed her arms and leaned against the side, spying Leo through the frosty window pane. The waitress recognized Leo from her calculus class and eagerly dragged him over to discuss their final as he paid. Reyna felt awkward hovering there as they spoke.
Winter was approaching the city as the days inched closer to the long holiday break. The streets were filled with celebrating students who completed their finals or those who stopped caring and needed a heavy drink. Twinkling lights strung around the city, illuminating the Christmas decorations that lined the store fronts.
Reyna crossed her arms even tighter, thinking about the tinsel and wreaths she watched Bobby and Dakota hung earlier in the week. Everyone would be wearing santa hats or stupid holiday sweaters. Reyna thought with a smile. Gwen had one laid out for Jason with a Santa hat on the side. "For our young Santa." Gwen teased when Reyna tossed the hat back towards her. Of course he would somehow look good in a Santa hat. Reyna thought, feeling the smile on her lips before pushing the mental image of him away. God, you're on a date. Don't think about him.
"Ugh, it's freezing out here." Leo exclaimed as he stepped out. A warm gush of air from the door fanned Reyna's face before it shut behind him. His puffy coat wrapped around his body as he zipped it up. Warm brown eyes twinkled towards her as he tugged a beanie over his curly hair. "You should have waited inside. Don't want you to freeze."
"It's not that cold, California boy." Reyna replied with a small smile as she tugged her scarf.
"And proud of it!" Leo exclaimed. Reyna noticed as his eyes flickered towards her hands like he wanted to do something but thought otherwise. She slid her hands into the pocket of her coat, feeling the stray wrapper from some gum. "You're not originally from Seattle, right?" Reyna nodded her head, meeting Leo's gaze. "Somewhere warm?"
And with bad memories. Reyna bit back her first response and focused on the happy memories of San Juan. She thought of the neighborhood kids who ran by with a stray dog following after. The group of kind middle-aged women making tamales on the corner. The grandpa on the corner home bouncing his granddaughter on his knee, beckoning Reyna and Hylla to give them a treat. She's been away for too long. "Yes, it's hot with beautiful clear water, spicy flavorful food and warmth from the community."
"Sounds like California." Leo mentioned, pulling Reyna back to the cold present. He smiled sheepishly. "At least my part of the state. There's just something cold about Seattle and I don't mean the weather. The people…"
"We like to mind our own business." Reyna cut in, surprised by the sudden anger. Leo grimaced at her sharp tone, knowing his words weren't exactly right. "I did visit some universities in California. Yes, it's a lot like San Juan but I didn't want a replacement. I wanted a change, a radical one. Somewhere cold and gloomy. Seattle was an easy choice. Hylla is already up here interning for a company and applying for grad school. Olympus University has a beautiful campus and a good balance with sport and academics. For me personally, I think the city won me over. Each neighborhood has its own vibe, rhythm and energy. Sure, it rains more than usual but you need a little rain to appreciate the sun."
Leo looked at Reyna with a new understanding. "You really love this city, huh?"
"It's not perfect but it grows on you." Reyna replied back confidently.
"Still could be a little warmer." Leo murmured, getting a laugh from Reyna. They continued towards the campus, chatting about holiday plans. Leo's heading back home to see his parents and siblings. The way he spoke about his family, Reyna could tell he missed them. The way he described the organized chaos of his step father's garage, the warmth of his mother's kitchen and the laughter of his younger half siblings.
Leo's hand gently brushed the back of Reyna's left and she flinched, curling her fingers closed. She avoided Leo's confused glance, looking at the dimly lit path to the dorms. She wasn't sure if she wanted the date to end. Leo is a wonderful distraction. But he's not Jason. Reyna furrowed her brow at her treacherous thoughts. Jason spun a spell around her, creeping into her mind like he occupied a space.
"Reyna," she frowned as her steps quickened like she could outrun her thoughts. "Reyna!" A hand grasped her elbow, tugging her back. Reyna whirled around and stared at Leo with his warm brown eyes, curly brown hair and uncertain smile. "Hey, was the date really that horrible you're trying to rush away?"
"No." Reyna answered immediately, forcing her shoulders to loosen. He smiled in response, a hopeful sort of smile, and she cringed internally. Not at Leo, never at him. Leo is wonderful, charming and so sweet. He deserves better. Reyna turned her arm, placing her palm over his forearm. She could feel the warmth from underneath his puffy coat. "I'm a terrible person, Leo." He blinked at her comment, hand cradling her elbow. It's just not the hand she wanted to touch her. "It was a fun date."
"I'm sensing a but," Leo whispered. Reyna nodded her head, hating how Leo's smile waned.
"I have feelings for someone else right now." Reyna closed her eyes, not sure what to expect from Leo. His hand was still on her elbow and he didn't move back. Slowly, Reyna opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. There was a thoughtful expression like her words were a problem he could solve. "See, I'm terrible. I'm leading you on. I'm using you."
"No, you're not." Leo said, squeezing her elbow as he inched closer. "I'm more observant than you think. I've known but I'm hopeful. You wouldn't go out with me if there wasn't a small chance, would you? Do you want to try? Do you want to try this with me?" Reyna opened her mouth about to say something when Leo's phone vibrated wildly in his pocket just like their first half-date. "Piper has impeccable timing." He murmured, diffusing the tension.
"Pick it up." Reyna ordered, seeing the concern in his eyes. Piper will always be his number one. He pulled it out, reading the text. A sharp intake audible in the evening. "What is it?" Reyna asked, worried about their friend. Leo looked up.
"Piper and Jason broke up."
###
The plastic bag smacked Reyna's legs as she jogged up the stairs of Jason and Percy's apartment. She panted, resting her hands against her legging clad knees as she stood in front of their door. Shoving her loose hair out of her face, Reyna took one more breath before pounding her fist against the door. Silence greeted her.
"Come on, Jason." Reyna whispered as she reached into her pocket for her phone. She sent Jason a flurry of texts but there wasn't a response. He wasn't at the Cafe Jupiter. Only Dakota and Gwen were there, closing up. He could be wandering around the city but that wasn't his style. "Jason!" Reyna shouted, knocking on the door again, not caring if she was bothering the neighbors or disturbing peace.
The door swung open and Reyna's fist nearly punched the person in the face. "What's going on- Whoa!" Jason caught her hand, curling his warm hand around her smaller one. "Reyna?" He blinked at her like she was a deranged person. His damp blond hair dripped droplets of water onto his white t-shirt. A small towel hung over his shoulders. His cheeks were flushed from the heat of his shower. Reyna stared, feeling her chest squeeze tightly. She hasn't seen him since her confession in the rain about a week ago.
"Hi…" Reyna whispered, not sure what else to say. Jason shook his head fondly as he lowered their joined hands.
"Is there a reason you were trying to knock down my door?" Jason asked as he pulled her in. His fingers caressed hers as she slipped her hand out of his. Shivers rippled up her spine from the feather touch. She focused on unbuttoning her coat, hiding the flush of her cheeks. There's a palpable silence as she glanced up, meeting Jason's stunned gaze.
"What?" She asked, hanging her coat.
Jason coughed, turning slightly away. "You look nice, nicer than usual." The compliment warmed her body and she smoothed her hand over her gray mini skirt to avoid his gaze. Her outfit probably screamed date. Her sleeveless red top revealed the dark skin of her slender shoulders. Her necklace dangled just over her chest. Makeup brushed her cheeks and brightened her lips. "Are we doing girl talk? Because this can't be a thing? You seeing me after your dates?"
"I…" Reyna cringed at the sound of her voice, higher than usual. Calm down, it's just Jason. She told herself, walking deeper into the warm apartment. "You weren't answering my texts." Jason pointed to his phone on the table.
"Battery died." He replied curtly, sitting on a bar stool. The pajama bottoms he wore hung low on his hips. "What's up?" Jason asked, lacing his hands in front of him.
"I heard. I was with Leo when he got a text." She said softly, gripping the plastic handle of the bag tighter. Jason's eyes narrowed. She could see the gears in his head turn as he parsed her words. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"Of fucking course. Because we live in a damn small world." Jason murmured. She knotted her hands together, not sure what to do. Percy wasn't around, probably at Annabeth's. The television played in the background of some documentary more as background than anything. The kitchen counter looked spotless like someone scrubbed them harshly. Reyna internally smiled. Jason is like her, channeling her emotions into a quantifiable task. "Are you here to check on me?"
"Yes," Reyna answered immediately, "and to be whatever you need." She slid into the stool beside him, placing her hand on his arm. Touching Jason is easy, she could do it without a second thought. With others, Reyna felt guarded, consciously aware of her hands. But with Jason, she reaches out, seeking him. It's because you like him, you stupid girl. Reyna pushed that thought away. He doesn't need someone pining over him right now. He needs a friend. "I'm here as a friend."
"Friend…" Jason echoed softly almost like he was disappointed. Stop, mind. She ordered. "Ok, Friend Reyna," he teased, trying to smile. It was almost there. "What's in your bag of tricks?"
"Distractions." Reyna exclaimed as she poured the bag on the counter and shifted through them. "Terrible cheesy movies to laugh at. A box of cake mix with frosting." She waved a package of cookies. "And when our cake fails miserably, a back up." Jason laughed, reaching for the cookies.
"Are you insulting my baking skills?" Jason asked, fingers curling around the pack. Reyna tossed it to her other hand, holding it as far as she could.
"Ah, nope, not yet." Reyna laughed as he tried to reach around her, invading her space. "There are careful steps!"
"Steps?" Jason countered, breath fanning her face. "I'm sad and want sugar." She turned and blinked, realizing their position. His right arm rested on the counter next to her body. Her shoulder pressed against his chest as he reached with his left arm around her back. If she moved just a bit closer, her lips would brush his neck.
Reyna quickly turned away, hugging the sweets to her chest. Her heart beated rapidly in her throat. "Ah, sorry." Jason murmured behind her, pulling back. The chill was immediate and Reyna didn't like it. "What are my orders, Friend Reyna?"
"Get me an apron." Reyna ordered shakily, trying to regain a sense of norm. "This outfit is way too nice to get flour on." A soft 'yeah' answered her as Jason stood up to get her things. She pulled her long hair into a bun, needing to keep her hands busy. They moved easily through the kitchen, working like a seasoned team. Reyna smiled at the memory of their cafe shift, thinking back to simpler days when feelings weren't so complicated.
"You said there were steps." Reyna blinked at Jason's statement, hands deep in a soapy sink of dirty dishes. Jason slid the cake pan into the oven, double checking the temp and timer. "Who taught you?"
"One of Hylla's friends, Kinzie." Reyna said fondly as she scrubbed the messy bowl. A strand of her dark hair fell out of her bun, falling into her face. She blew it out, thinking of the older girl. "She's a fiery storm that just blows into a room. Messy red hair. Killer legs and body. Easily grabs the attention of the whole room without trying. She falls fast, crashes a lot. Whenever her relationship goes south, Kinzie would commandeer our apartment, demanding we cancel whatever plans we had and spend the day eating horrible junk food and making insane amounts of sweets." Reyna laughed, shaking her head. "One time, I tried sneaking out but Hylla dug her nails into my arm to keep me there. She's a lot to handle but you love her."
"Sounds like fun." Jason said, so much closer than before. He stood by her side, rinsing the soapy spoons. "It's like you're an expert in being a distraction." Reyna shrugged her shoulders, looking at the dirty water.
"Hey, don't move for a second." Jason's knuckle caressed her cheek, brushing the stubborn strand out of her face. He tucked it gently behind her ear, lingering for a moment, a moment too long. There was that look again, a soft tenderness that warmed her whole body and made Reyna feel safe, content, excited and nervous all at the same time. Butterflies erupted in her stomach. She wanted to lean closer. She wanted to run away. "There. You were saying? Reyna?"
"Sorry," Reyna looked at the dirty water, talking without thinking. "You're distracting. I mean, I'm supposed to be distracting. I mean, God." Reyna crouched down, burying her face in her upper arms, not caring that dishwater was dripping down her arms. Jason chuckled beside her, a warm sound she wanted to hear over and over again. "Stop it! It's not fair." Reyna ordered, looking up at him.
"Not fair?" He asked, holding a hand out to her.
"Yes, not fair." Reyna repeated, standing up and invading his space. Her wet finger poked his chest, leaving a wet mark. "You do this thing with your stupid cute eyes and smile and my mind just goes blank. You can't do this. My heart… it's not fair. You know how I feel about you. I have no idea how you feel about me."
Reyna blinked as she processed her own words. He just broke up with his girlfriend. She shouldn't be demanding to know his feelings about her. Reyna stepped back, shaking her head at herself. "What am I doing?" She murmured, avoiding his gaze. "Sorry, give me a second." She turned around, running to the bathroom.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid." Reyna paced the tiny bathroom. Her hands cradled her cheeks, feeling the warmth from her blush. "What am I doing?" She faced her reflection, taking in the messy dark hair, ruffled clothes and unmistakable smile on her lips. She shook her head as she turned on the water, letting the cool steady stream calm her. She's here to be his friend, not demand answers for her own feelings. He's confused now, just broken up with his girlfriend. "Be normal, Reyna."
"Reyna," a knock broke her thoughts followed by Jason's voice. "Are you ok? You can hear me right?" She turned the water off and stared at the door, neither approaching it or stepping away. He sounded so close. "I take it by your silence you can hear me. Listen. Just listen please." The hardwood creaked as he shuffled on his feet. "Yes, you're right. It's not fair. A girl who is so wonderful and amazing as you becoming a fluster mess around me. I don't know how or what I did to cause you to like me. Me, a washed up college dropout who knows too much stupid useless knowledge and bums around making coffee with no goals in life."
Reyna inched towards the door, wanting to deny his deprecating insults but his next words stopped her. "But I'm fucking glad you did. I like you. I like you so much, Reyna Rameriz. You're constantly in the back of my mind. What is Reyna doing? Would she like this? Would she find this funny? Constantly." Jason paused for a second, gathering his thoughts. "I think I liked you when I was dating Piper. It was more apparently as I saw the guys in your life, guys who could be right beside you in the way I couldn't be. I hated that thought. I hated how I thought that while dating Piper. Fuck Reyna, our timing sucks. Piper doesn't deserve a guy like me. You don't deserve a guy like me. You deserve someone so much better."
"What if," Reyna said to the door, curling her hand around the knob but not turning it. She pressed her forehead against it, wondering if he was doing the same. "What if I don't want anyone else? What if I like you and all your stupid flaws? What if I want you?" She closed her eyes, scared on what's on the other side of that door.
A shaky breath answered her. "Give me time, Reyna. Just a little bit. Please, you deserve all of me."