Regret
Annabeth barricaded the door to her bedroom, pushing open her window. She peered down at the ground below, turning her gaze to a large tree barely in arms reach. If she could just reach the thick branch, maybe she could get down without a scratch.
She took a deep breath, feeling her heart race as she clung with one hand on the windowsill. One of Annabeth's feet pressed down to support her standing through the window. Her right arm stretched out, fingers grazing the dark bark. Annabeth's first shot to grab ti wasn't as she expected. With another deep breath she tried again, barely clutching to the window by her fingertips. Her right hand gripped the branch, but Annabeth's hips were tugged down sharply and the feeling on the window under her feet was lost. Panic rose in her throat, she could hear her heart in her ears.
Annabeth's left hand gripped the tree branch, fire igniting in her arms as she pulled herself onto the branch. A worried glance was cast back at her bedroom, everything still in its place. She turned her focus back onto the tree, slowly climbing down until her feet hit the ground. If she had thought she was tired, a new rush of energy filled her body, making her fingers and toes tingle with excitement.
She found Reyna where they met the previous day, and Annabeth nervously fixed her hair. "Reyna, I'm sorry. I had to sneak out and I don't have much experience with it. I'm not a tree climber." Annabeth rambled, laughing nervously.
Reyna's eyes crinkled as she laughed, "It's alright. You're here now, aren't you?" She stepped closer. Annabeth could feel her uneasiness. Did she want to hug? Dance? Maybe- "Anyway, you can see the royal family making their way through the city." Reyna interrupted Annabeth's thoughts. Annabeth nodded, and Reyna took her hand softly. "Follow me."
"Alright." Annabeth said quietly, feeling like the air was taken from her lungs when Reyna touched her hand. She could feel the loud thumps of her heart and felt her cheeks burn, if Annabeth didn't know better she could think Reyna heard her heart beating.
They walked through trees and over stones until they were at another small cliff, able to perfectly see the horses parade through town. Golden pieces of jewelery reflected the light into Annabeth's eyes, making her squint. Reyna bit back a smile, not letting go of Annabeth's hand.
Reyna pulled her to sit, and their knees touched. Annabeth's heart had a field day, jumping up to her throat and beating wildly at the addition of contact. This was a weird feeling for her. Reyna's warm, smooth skin was nice, but Annabeth didn't think this happened with everyone. She could hold hands just fine with her godmothers.
"Don't you think it's pretty?" Reyna asked, and Annabeth could hear a bit of worry in her voice.
"It is, though they didn't realize their jewelry would blind the citizens." Annabeth nudge her, and Reyna smiled.
Their eyes met again, and Annabeth felt something spread over her chest. Something overtook her, and she leaned forward. Their lips met in a soft way, drinking in one another. It felt so right to Annabeth- at least in her heart. Her mind blared trumpets and shouting. She pulled away sharply and looked down. She tore her hand away and got up fast. "I'm sorry, Reyna. I-"
But Reyna was already standing. Annabeth watched as she saw Reyna's face become taken over by hurt. "Don't be sorry." She almost shouted, beginning to run off. Annabeth scrambled up and followed her, her skirt hitting her ankles in the fast pace it took to keep up. Annabeth kept chasing her.
"Reyna, please don't-" Annabeth pleaded. Regret settled in her chest, her throat tightening and her eyes teared up. "Don't leave." She begged, but Reyna kept walking. Reyna cast one last glance back at Annabeth, matching her teary eyes, and hurried off. Annabeth tried to keep up but she tripped, losing sight of Reyna.
That was the final straw, and Annabeth broke into hot tears.