AN- Popped into my mind, kind of a write as I went sort of thing. Not real long but I didn't think I could expand it without it being worse.
When Rachel was younger, before she realized what a dick her father was and before she became more cynical than anything else, she loved to draw her dreams.
She drew the castle she would live in, shiny and towering atop a hill filled with flowers. She drew the prince she would end up with, blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes with a charming smile and adorned in armor.
Every night, after the maid tucked her in, she would take the picture out from under her pillow and gaze at her, willing her dreams to feature him in every starring role.
XxX
When Rachel got a little older, before she ever met Percy Jackson and his pen-that-was-a-knife, she decided that she wasn't really into knights in shining armor or fairy tale castles.
She drew a mansion she would live in, gorgeous and jealousy-provoking. She drew the heir she would end up with, blonde hair and sparkling eyes the color of the money they would both be swimming in.
Every night, before she tucked herself in, she would look through her sketchbook and will herself not to feel guilty for wanting a pampered life because she was an heiress and she deserved it.
XxX
When Rachel finally discovered what a weasel her father was, before she ever fought Annabeth for a boy, she decided that money wasn't what she wanted. Especially not her father's.
She drew the loft she would live in, a mattress on the floor and easels acting as wallpaper. She drew the man she would live with, brown hair and brown eyes, a palette in his hand because they would both love art.
Every night, before she slammed the door behind her, leaving the remains of a fight with her father in the dust, she would glance at the easel in the corner and the dream home presented on it. And she promised herself she would make it a reality.
XxX
When Rachel finally met Percy Jackson, before she ever knew what heartbreak was, she decided that a hero was what she wanted.
She drew monsters with fangs and claws attacking her and villains with dastardly grins kidnapping her. She drew a boy with black hair and green eyes and a sword that gleamed because he would spend forever defending her.
Every night, before her father could stress her out over going to Clarion and becoming a lady, she would look at her homework and picture Percy thinking about her the way she thought about him.
XxX
When Rachel finally grew up, before she understood what regret really was, she decided that love was stupid and could get you nowhere.
She drew forbidden embraces and hidden moments. She drew an apartment, lined with fancy furniture and filled with two lonely souls that finally found one another. She drew a boy with black eyes and black hair, olive skin covered in dark clothes and a crooked smile that rarely appeared.
Every night, before she cried herself to sleep, she'd look at the picture hidden under her mattress and think about what could have been.
AN- Hope you liked!