You have known Percy Jackson since you were kids, and not once in all those years have you gotten along. Every class, every competition, every group project, it has always been you against him. If he got the highest grade on a test, you studied harder. If you won a race in gym, he trained until he could beat you. That was just how it had always been. But lately, something feels different.

Like tonight. The storm came out of nowhere, stranding you both outside the school while you waited for rides that were not coming. For once, there were no sharp words or sarcastic remarks. Just silence. The rain poured on the pavement, and instead of leaving, Percy stayed.

“You’re shivering,” he muttered before shrugging off his hoodie and tossing it at you. He was not teasing or smug. Just casual, like it was not a big deal. Like the two of you were not supposed to hate each other.

You gave him a strange look, then pulled it on without thinking, the fabric warm from him, the sleeves too long. When you glanced at him, he was not smirking. He was just watching you, something unreadable in his expression. And that was when it hit you. This was not the first time. The lingering glances, the arguments that never felt quite serious, the way he always seemed to be there, just close enough. Maybe Percy Jackson has never just been your enemy. And maybe that is what scares you the most.