I picked at the dirt underneath my fingernails, sitting in the tall yet soft grass of the strawberry fields.

I was waiting for Jack, who had surprisingly remained faithful to me all these years. He had invited me to a picnic and told me to meet him here at 5:00. I glanced at the sky and immediately knew the time, a trick I had learned over the years.

5:10.

It wasn't like Jack to be late. Sighing, I thought back to the day I first laid eyes on him.

He was tall and red headed, with crystal blue eyes and a splash of freckles across his nose. He had full lips and was very muscular. His red hair always seemed to be messily styled, sort of like Percy's, but better.

Percy.

That name brought back memories, too many memories. I wasted so much of my precious time on him, time where I could've been with Jack. True, he had fallen into Tartarus for me, but that was far from romantic. He hadn't even ever taken me on a real date! Then again, we had been busy saving the world, but it was beside the point.

Looking up again, it was nearly 5:20, and I started to panic. Deciding to look for Jack, I leapt to my feet and adjusted my skirt, fixing my hair. I then proceeded to jog down to the dining pavilion to see if he was there.

When I got there, I saw something that brought tears to my eyes. It was empty except for two people.

Jack was furiously kissing Alicia, a nymph I recognized.

"Jack?" I whispered, but loud enough for him to hear. He turned to face me, eyes clouded with love and lust, and his lips curled up into a smirk.

"Oh Annabeth, did you really think I loved you? You're so pathetic, it was so easy to get rid of Jackson, and then guess what? I get famous for being there for you, who got your reputation from Jackson in the first place! You do realize the only reason you are Architect of Olympus is because Jackson mentioned it to Athena once, when he was trying to get on her good side. If he hadn't, your mother never even have looked at you!" He snorted. Hot tears welled up in my eyes.

"B-But Jack! Everything I did for you! I did everything for you! Look at me!? I changed for you!" I shrieked, full of anger and betrayal. Was this how I had made Percy feel?

I had first come to Jack when I had begun to have nightmares of Percy with someone else, someone beautiful, godly even. With bright silver orbs and graceful features. He had comforted me, and I had slowly begun to trust him more, he was there when Percy wasn't, there to comfort me after my nightmares, to soothe me if I had flashbacks of the pit.

Alicia laughed. "Didn't you hear, stupid spawn of Athena. He loves me, never you. We've been dating from the beginning, you just never noticed. Isn't that right, Jackie?" She purred. I wanted to puke.

Jack laughed, pecking Alicia on the lips. "Oh, how right you are, my beautiful nymph!" He sang. I sobbed.

"Fine! I hate you! You'll be sorry, Jack!" I screeched, storming off. Ran to my cabin and threw open the door, ushering the rest of my siblings out. They left quickly, recognizing that I wanted privacy.

I tore off the skirt I was wearing, and washed the makeup from my face. I pulled my hair back into a messy ponytail and pulled on my old shorts and a camp t-shirt.

Looking in the mirror, my grey eyes were filled with determination and anger. I would go to the gods and tell them the truth. That Jack had tricked me. Seduced me. He'd lured me into a false sense of security, and I wouldn't be afraid to bet that he had help from the Morpheus cabin to control my dreams.

I stomped out of the cabin and out of camp, not even bothering to inform Chiron or Mr. D.

One sickening taxi ride later, provided by the Grey Sisters, I was at the Empire State Building, my drain bone life hidden up my sleeve.

I walked up to the security guard. "Do me a favor and give me the key to the 600th floor. I'm not in the mood for the 'there's no 600th floor kid,' rubbish, so unless you want a drakon bone sword through your throat, do as I say." I ordered, and he nodded quickly, eyes wide with fear and his hands fumbled for the key.

"Yes, Miss...." He gulped.

"Chase." I growled, and slid he key in the elevator slot, pressing the button.

Soon I was on Olympus, and running towards the Throne room.

I bursted through the doors, interrupting a conversation between Zeus and Poseidon.

I bowed before them, noticing their disgusted stares and assuming it was because I barged in.

"I apologize for my disturbance, M'Lords, but there is something that has come to my attention that you must know." I spoke, standing to face them.

Poseidon snarled. "We already know what you did to my son, you stupid brat!"

I felt tears coming quickly and hot, but I held them back, biting my lip. "I began to have nightmares of Percy leaving me, cheating on me. Knowing that demigod dreams usually predict the future, I believed them and was heartbroken. I came to Jack for advice, and Piper was with Jason at Camp Jupiter at the time. He comforted me, and led me into a false sense of security. At the time I couldn't think straight, and I fell for his trap. He comforted me after my nightmares, and gave me a sheet of chart paper that had all of the camp defenses. He told me he found it in Percy's cabin when he went there to ask him to apologize to me. I believed him and thought it was evidence of Percy being a spy. After that, I had a dream. Percy was talking with a hidden figure, who simply oozed an aura of darkness. He called him master and bowed before him. I just found or today that Jack was using the Morpheus cabin to influence my dreams."

Zeus seemed to ponder this. "Then why haven't you broken up with Jack?" He mused.

I responded, "Lord Zeus, I hadn't realized who he truly was until now. I recently found him cheating on me with a nymph, Alicia. He told me he only wanted my for my fame, and that I was just a plaything." I explained angrily. He nodded thoughtfully.

"Brother..." Poseidon growled. "You..you don't believe the Athena scum, do you?"

"Poseidon, I understand she is your rival's child, but this is valuable information. I believe she is telling the truth." Zeus retorted.

"Then make her swear, on the Styx." Poseidon suggested. I put on a determined face. I would do it if I had too. I had been stupid, and it was time to pay for my mistakes.

"No." Zeus said. No?

"Why?" Poseidon growled.

"Brother, we have made to many paths on the Styx. Lady Styx's river is clogged, and she cannot hold anyone to their oaths any longer, until it is cleared. Apollo is currently grounded, and Artemis is hunting. I believe her, and pardon her for her innocent crimes." Zeus declared.

"Very well. However, Athena scum, I curse you forever more. Do not dare go by my domain, or else you shall face my wrath." He growled, before disappearing into sea breeze. I gulped.

"Do not mind him, Annabeth. Now, you are dismissed. The gods shall deal with Jack privately." Zeus announced, before vanishing in a strike of lightning.

I kept a straight face for as long as I could, but I bursted into to tears the second I passed the Hearth. Suddenly, small arms wrapped around me, Lady Hestia.

"Shh. Annabeth Chase, you might've done Perseus wrong, but I do believe you are sorry and ready to start over. For this, I will forgive you for your wrongdoings." She soothed. I nodded gratefully and bid her goodbye, quickly hurrying out of Olympus.