Chapter 36.

I saw Percy, I saw myself, we were sitting on the rock where we had our first kiss. It was us, in the forest, that day when I needed to breathe, I need to be far away from everyone. I had a secluded space, one that was just for me. Percy had found me, he sat down next to me, we kissed, I felt him, all of him. ’Are you my friend?’ I asked him while looking into his eyes. They were beautiful, a promised land of wonders and safety. ’Yes, for now’ he said. I didn't understand and he could see that. ’I’m hoping to be more one day’ ’More than what?’ ’More than your friend’ ’What do you want to be to me?’ We held each other's gazes for the longest moment. ’Everything’ my cheeks heated and I looked away from him. ’Why can't you?’ I asked him without making eye contact, that was a daring question. ’You need to be protected’ my brows furrowed and I turned to look at him. ’No I don’t’ I said and pouted. Percy chuckled and smiled from ear to ear. ’Yes, you do’ ’I can protect myself’ ’Maybe,