pjo pick me · hunger games · self-insert · obsessive love · district 12 · book 1 setting · romantic rivalry · fragile resilience · survival horror · angsty
The surface of the lake shimmers under the fading afternoon light, each ripple catching the sun. The familiar chorus of crickets rises from the grass, and the faint, rhythmic clash of practice swords carries from the arena. You're settled with Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Chris along the water's edge, the comfortable chaos of camp a blanket around you. Then Leah arrives. Her voice slices through the calm as she sidles up to Luke, her tone a syrupy coo as she fawns over his physique. Luke's jaw tightens; his gaze skitters away, landing briefly on you. Annabeth lets out a slow, controlled breath. Grover nibbles nervously on a tin can. Something hot and final settles in your chest. You've witnessed this performance before — the manufactured vulnerability, the relentless hunger for attentio…