I am ready to die. I knew I had to finish other stories but NO- my mind had other ideas. I swear- SWEAR- I will stick with this one! I promise, and if I don't, you can cut off my fingers. Anyway, this chapter takes place before the Lost Hero, and this is a fake memory with Jason. But Grace is real. Enjoy this story.
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Leo sighed as he stared at the candle that stood proudly in the middle of the table.

He was the school dance- Alone. Piper and Jason were of course going together, and right when Leo joined in, they left him in the dust. So, Leo had been alone for the past two hours, watching teens party.

"Hey, Leo," Jason shouted over the music suddenly.

Leo looked up and saw Jason and Piper side-by-side, grinning from ear to ear. They must've had a good time without a third wheel.

"You wanna come dance with me and Piper?" Jason asked.

Leo made himself smile and reply, "Nah, I don't feel like third wheeling tonight! Go ahead without me; I'm gonna go get some fresh air- But don't have too much fun without me!"

Jason shrugged and returned to the dance floor, Piper at his side.

Leo stood and slunked over to the emergency back door. The lukewarm Nevada breeze hit his face as he muttered, "Finally- someplace quiet…"

Leo's voice faltered as he noticed a girl leaning against the barbed wired fence, listening to her iPod, looking lonely. She had chocolaty red hair that was in perfect ringlets, almond-shaped hazel eyes, and a beautiful face. She was in a white silk dress that fitted her perfectly. It was Grace Hughes, a girl from Leo's Math class.

Why's she alone out here? Leo wondered, then without hesitation went over to Grace. Somehow, she didn't notice. Then he poked her in the shoulder.

Grace yelped and flinched, headphones flying in the air.

"Why aren't you inside dancing, Grace?" Leo asked with raised eyebrows.
Grace looked up at Leo, surprised. Her face turned angry. "What the heck, Leo? Don't scare me like that!"

But it took her a moment to process the question. Grace got to her feet with a grunt, and answered, "Dances aren't really my thing…" Then she asked, "Uh, Leo… what are you doing?"

Leo bent over to pick up Grace's iPod. He stood back up, brushed the dirt off the screen, and asked, "What were you listening to?"

Grace was silent as Leo looked at the screen. Perfect Two by Auburn.

"Just gimme back my…" Grace fell quiet and watched Leo put one of the headphones in his ear, then in hers'.

"What are you doing?" Grace asked incredulously.

Leo didn't answer. He just brought Grace close and wrapped an arm around her waist. Grace flushed, but took Leo's other hand. Grace's fingers felt warm.

They swayed to the music, quiet and blushing.

Leo guessed they stayed there all night.