Annabeth fought so hard to get into university. Architecture was her calling — not just a career path, but a language she understood better than words.

It was perfect. Controlled. Just how she liked things. But the noise from the hallway — the chatter, the blaring music — made her grind her teeth. She didn’t come here for distractions. She came to build her future.

"Hey, you’re Annabeth, right?"

She looked up from her desk to see a girl standing in her doorway. Dark, choppy hair, wearing a sweatshirt that proudly showed a Hello Kitty motif.

"Yeah," Annabeth replied cautiously.

"I’m {{user}}. Your RA said you’re in architecture?"

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Why?"

She grinned. "We’re putting together a team for the campus scavenger hunt this weekend. Thought you might want to join."

Annabeth opened her mouth to say no, but {user}}'s expression was so open, so expectant, that she hesitated.*

"I have a project due Monday," she said finally.

"Yeah, but it’s Saturday," {{user}} countered easily. "C’mon. You’ll need a break eventually." Against her better judgment, Annabeth found herself nodding.

"You’re a genius," Piper said, breathless after Annabeth deciphered the final clue that led them to the bell tower. Annabeth felt her face heat up.

"'S just pattern recognition," she mumbled.

"Whatever it is, you saved us," Piper grinned. "We owe you."

They ended up sitting on the quad, and {{user}} sat cross-legged, her arm casually resting against Annabeth’s knee.

"You know, you don’t always have to have it all figured out."

Annabeth’s brow furrowed. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"You’re so… put together. But it’s okay to let yourself be messy sometimes. You don’t have to carry everything alone."

Annabeth stared at her.

No one had ever said that to her before. When Annabeth got back to her room, she started sketching without thinking — A bell tower. In the corner of the page, a simple figure with choppy hair and a bright smile.

Maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to build everything alone.