The Player's Proposal

29: The Moon Lilies

Annabeth POV

Some of the girls came to Persephone's, which was a beautiful indoor garden. It was one of the best attractions in our city, and it was open at night. The world-famous moon lilies grew in Persephone's garden.

The flowers only bloom in the presence of direct moonlight.

"These flowers are so beautiful. How do you think Persephone discovered them?" Piper asked. I rolled my eyes as Hazel chuckled.

The answer to her question was on the plaque. We were inside of a glass garden house. Ropes separated us from the fields of different flowers. We were standing in front of the moon lily plot and gazing at the shining petals.

"Persephone discovered the flowers during a trip in Brazil. Her team was traveling in the Amazon rainforest when they discovered the moon lilies. You would know this if you just read the plaque," I stated.

"It's Friday night. I refuse to be smart on Friday nights."

"That explains why you always make out with my brother on Friday nights," Thalia commented. Everyone laughed as Piper blushed. Her red cheeks matched the roses behind us.

We continued walking through the greenhouse. Percy would be arriving at any moment, and I already told the girls. They said it was fine.

Juniper, in particular, thought it was a good idea for Percy to hang out. While everyone was commenting on the marigolds, I pulled Juniper aside. We stood next to some mushroom and fungus plots.

"Juniper, what did you mean by Percy needing to hang out. You said that it would be good for him to get out and have fun, and you meant every word," I said firmly.

"Grover and I don't have many secrets between us."

"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked.

Juniper nervously twirled her green hair around her finger. She dyed her hair green during winter break, and the color was still very clear. It suits her well.

"Percy should've won the proposal."

I was about to protest when Juniper interrupted me. "I know that you feel differently, but Percy won this proposal. He went three months without having sex. Percy faked his loss."

That stumped me.

I wasn't expecting that. Percy faked his loss so that I could win. He purposefully lied to everyone, but I didn't know why.

"Percy lied because he wanted me to win the proposal?"

Juniper touched my arm and squeezed gently. "Annabeth, Percy faked his loss and lied because he cares about you. He didn't want you to hurt."

"I don't understand," I blurted out. It didn't make sense.

"Well, you're the smartest person I know. Think about it a little more," Juniper smiled. With that final comment, she rejoined our friends and left me alone with my thoughts.

Percy faked his loss for me. His actions proved how much he cared about me. He expressed his feelings for me without using any words. Warmth exploded in my chest as butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I've never had any guy care enough to lose for me. Percy understood my self-respect and pride, and he protected me from any damage to my personality.

I involuntarily smiled. Gods, he was such a sweet and stupid Seaweed Brain.

I felt bad that he apologized to all his ex-girlfriends because of me.

However, I felt elated at the same time. His actions proved how much I meant to him and how much he understood me.

"Hey, Wise Girl. What are you doing?" a voice asked from behind me. The butterflies in my stomach turned into owls, hooting and flapping their wings.