Percy sat next to Reyna at class, listening to Jester, who stood up front. She and Reyna sat behind Pete and Nick, who sat up front. Jester was talking about who was going to be their instructor and most were surprised or impressed to see a blonde-haired woman walk up. Percy was quite surprise since it was the woman from last night at the bar Pete seemed to be into.

Percy might have toned out as Pete and Charlie bantered back and forth. It almost seemed like they were flirting in a way. She wasn't really paying attention, her thoughts drifting off to Luke. She hadn't stopped thinking about him since that morning, and she couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach. She knew she had a crush which didn't help since she was trying to deal with this sudden new feeling she was having for her best friend.

She couldn't stop thinking about Luke and how much sweet he was.The way he'd made sure she was safe, how he'd given her a place to sleep and fed her. Not to mention how gorgeous he was. She didn't even know him that well, and yet she felt a connection with him. She didn't know how to describe it, but there was just something about him that made her want to get to know him better.

Percy shook her head, trying to focus on what Charlie was saying. She looked over at Reyna, who was looking at her with a smug look on her face.

"What?" Percy whispered.

"You were daydreaming again." Reyna smirked, nudging her with her elbow.

Percy rolls her eyes. "Was not." She denied.

"Lies." Reyna retorted.

Percy sighs, looking down at her notebook. "Alright, fine. I was thinking about him."

Reyna smirks. "Him as in the hot bartender or him as your best friend?"

Percy shrugs, fidgeting with her pen. "Luke...But now the other him too thanks to you bringing him up." She grumbled.

"Oops. Sorry." Reyna chuckles, her tone not sounding apologetic at all. "So, did anything happen with you and him? Him as in Luke."

Percy glances around the classroom, then leaned in closer to Reyna, her cheeks flushing slightly. "We had a pretty deep conversation. He opened up to me about losing his daughter, and it was really emotional. He's such a kind and genuine person. I didn't expect to connect with him like that."

Reyna's eyes widens with interest. "Wow, that's heavy. It sounds like you really hit it off."

Percy nods, a small smile on her face. "Yeah, I guess we did. It's just...I don't know, there's something about him that makes me want to get to know him better."

Reyna's smile grew mischievous. "So, are you thinking of calling him soon?"

Percy nodded, her expression a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Definitely. I'm just trying to figure out what to say. I don't want to come off as too eager."

Reyna gave her a reassuring pat on the back. "Just be yourself. I'm sure he'll appreciate that. And remember, he gave you his number, so he's probably interested too."

Percy looks down at her notebook, the thoughts of Luke still swirling in her mind. "You're right. I guess I should just take it one step at a time."

Reyna's grin widens. "Exactly. And who knows? Maybe this will turn into something amazing. I'm already rooting for you guys." 

Percy couldn't help but smile at Reyna's enthusiasm, her face flushing as butterflies swarm in her stomach. "Thanks for the pep talk. I'll keep you updated."

Percy found it hard to concentrate. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Luke, and she couldn't shake the feeling of excitement and anticipation. The day ahead seemed brighter with the possibility of a new connection in her life, and she was looking forward to seeing where it might lead. Percy had a feeling this was the beginning of something special.

****

After class, it was time to take it to the sky. Percy and Reyna were teaming up to try to take Jester down. Everyone was teamed up, this activity acting as a trail as if Jester was an enemy and they were trying to take him out. Percy knew she was biased but she thought she and Reyna was a great team. She also thought they had a good chance of taking Jester down. Being the only girls here, they were definitely determined.

"You're going down, Jester!" Reyna called out, pointing at him with a smirk before she climbed into the plane she and Percy were using.

Jester chuckles, shaking his head. "In your dreams, ladies."

Percy climbs in next to Reyna, grinning. "Oh, we'll see about that. Let's show him what us girls are made of, huh?" She reached back to Reyna, who grinned back at her as they did their secret handshake they had made up.

"H*** yeah, let's do this." Reyna replied enthuastically. 

As Percy and Reyna prepared for their aerial challenge, Percy couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. The banter between Jester and Reyna was playful but serious, and Percy was determined to prove their skills. They had a solid plan and were ready to give it their all. The cockpit of the plane was filled with a mix of excitement and determination, the hum of the engines adding to the atmosphere of anticipation. The engine of their plane roared to life, and Percy took a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand. She glanced over at Reyna, who was already in the zone, her concentration evident in her eyes. Percy admired Reyna's confidence; it was one of the many reasons they made such a great team.

"Ready?" Reyna shouted over the noise of the engine.

"Ready!" Percy replied, her voice full of determination.

The planes took off, and the sky was filled with the hum of engines and the thrill of competition. Percy and Reyna maneuvered their plane with precision, their movements synchronized from years of practice and their shared competitive spirit. Percy's thoughts momentarily drifted back to Luke, she couldn't help it. That bartender never left her mind since the first time she met him. Percy knew she shouldn't let him distract her, but she couldn't help herself. He was on her mind and no matter what she did, she couldn't seem to shake him. She hoped she would see him again, and she had every intention of calling him later, but she quickly refocused on the task at hand.

Jester was a skilled opponent, and his maneuvers were challenging. But Percy and Reyna were in sync, their teamwork shining through as they executed their strategy. They communicated through quick glances and hand signals, anticipating each other's moves. As they engaged in aerial maneuvers, Percy felt a rush of exhilaration. The thrill of the challenge was a welcome distraction from her swirling thoughts about Luke. The adrenaline coursing through her veins made her feel alive and focused. She pushed the thought of him out of her mind for now, knowing she had to focus. She could think about him later, and besides, she had more important things to worry about right now. Like kicking Jester's butt.

After several intense minutes, the battle was coming to a close. Jester was holding his own, but Percy and Reyna had the upper hand. As the two planes circled each other, their maneuvers getting closer and closer, Percy felt a rush of anticipation. She knew this was their chance to take Jester down, and she was ready. With a shared look of determination, she and Reyna took the shot, their bullets hitting the target with accuracy. The impact was enough to bring down Jester's plane.

"We did it!" Reyna cried, pumping her fist in the air.

"H***yeah, we did!" Percy shouted, high-fiving Reyna.

"Great job, ladies. You make a h*** of a team." Jester praised them as the three landed their planes.

Percy couldn't help but feel proud. She knew she and Reyna made a great team, and it was nice to be recognized for their skills. She felt a sense of accomplishment wash over her as they took their plane back to the hangar. The adrenaline was still pulsing through her veins, and she couldn't help but grin at Reyna.

"That was incredible!" Percy exclaims, unbuckling her harness and stepping out of the plane. "I can't believe we actually took him down!"

Reyna laughs, brushing her hair back from her face. "I knew we could do it! You were amazing up there. We really showed him what we're made of!"

As they celebrated their victory, Percy's heart swelled with pride—not just for the win, but for the bond she shared with Reyna. They had trained hard for moments like this, and every success reinforced their friendship. Percy and Reyna did their secret handshake they made up as Jester walked over to them.

"Well done, girls." Jester comments. "You can go clean up." The girls thanked him and headed to the girls locker room, chatting excitedly about their performance.

"I can't believe we actually did it!" Percy exclaimed. "It was so exhilarating."

"Right?! I was so focused and in the zone." Reyna grins. "We were awesome out there. Hey," She said, turning serious for a moment, "I just want to say how proud I am of you. You really stepped up out there. You're a natural."

Percy felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. "Thanks, Reyna. That means a lot coming from you. I couldn't have done it without you. You're the best teammate anyone could ask for."

Reyna's grin widens. "Back at ya, girl. Now, let's get cleaned up and head home. We deserve a little rest and relaxation after that victory."

As the girls got cleaned up, their excitement had died down, but not their happiness. They were still buzzing from the victory and couldn't help but share smiles as they reminisced about the highlights of the match. The locker room was filled with their laughter and chatter as they exchanged stories and opinions on their aerial tactics. It was clear they were proud of their achievements, and their camaraderie was palpable. They were a team, and they knew they could always count on each other.

Percy and Reyna's friendship had been tested, but it was stronger than ever. They had grown closer and their bond was stronger than ever. The bond of sisters and Percy was grateful for it.

****

That night when Percy was getting comfortable and ready for bed, she stared at the sticky note with Luke's number on it. Her stomach was full of butterflies and her heart was beating fast in her chest. She could hardly contain her excitement, and she had to fight the urge to dial his number right away. But she didn't want to come off as too eager or desperate, and she didn't want to bother him, either. After all, he was probably busy with work or whatever he did outside the bar. Percy knew she would call him eventually, and the anticipation was building.

Percy was laying in her bed, her heart racing. She couldn't stop thinking about the way he made her feel. She could still remember the warmth of his smile, the kindness in his eyes, and how easy it had been to talk to him. It was as if they had known each other for years, even though their connection had just begun.

She turned the sticky note over in her hands, the numbers scrawled in his neat handwriting. It felt like a lifeline to a new chapter in her life, one that was exciting yet terrifying. Percy knew that reaching out could lead to something special, but the fear of rejection lingered in the back of her mind. What if he didn't feel the same way? What if she made a fool of herself?

Shaking her head, she tried to dispel the doubts. "You can do this, Percy." She whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. After a few moments of hesitation, she grabbed her phone and opened her contacts. The familiar butterflies returned as she scrolled to find his number.

"Just be casual," She reminds herself. "It's just a conversation."

She took a moment to gather her thoughts, finally tapping the screen to dial. Her heart raced as the phone rang, each tone echoing louder in her ears. She had envisioned this moment countless times, but now that it was real, she felt a mix of nerves and excitement.

Then, just as she was about to lose her nerve, the call connected, and she heard Luke's voice on the other end. "Hello?"

"Hey, Luke!" Percy said, her voice a mix of enthusiasm and nervousness. "It's Percy."

"Hey! Wow, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon." He replied, his tone warm and inviting.

Percy could hear the smile in his voice, which made her feel a little bolder. "I know it's only been a day, but I just wanted to see how you were doing. And, you know, I was thinking about our conversation."

"I'm glad you called. I was hoping you would," Luke said, sounding genuinely pleased. "I've been thinking about it too. It was really nice talking with you."

They exchanged small talk, and as the conversation flowed, Percy found herself relaxing. They talked about their day, shared laughs, and even discussed their favorite movies and music. Each moment felt more comfortable than the last, and she was amazed at how easy it was easy to connect with him.

"Hey, are you busy tonight?" Luke asked suddenly.

"Tonight?" Percy repeats, trying not to let her excitement get the best of her. "Not really, why?"

"Ever been on a motorcycle before?"