Annabeth's POV

We were dancing. It was winter – the first after Thalia's return. We were in the gym surrounded by colorful streamers. The room was crowded. Music played softly in the background as if it had been lowered for us. As if everything was focused on us. We were supposed to be doing something – watching the new demigods. Keeping and eye out for monsters. But none of that mattered. We were dancing. He had his arm around my waist. He smelled good – a scent that could only be described as Percy. Our fumbling inexperienced feet made dancing difficult, but that didn't matter either. All that mattered was that we were close. We were together. He twirled me then pulled me close. That smile of his was intoxicating. Our eyes met and the world was still. Just like a movie. My movie. The lights seemed to dim, as our faces got closer. And closer. And closer. Until finally…

I lurched forward, awakened by a loud noise. The dream slipped away, erasing itself from my mind as I registered my surroundings: the room, the bed, the warm blanket wrapped around me. My brother lying face down on the floor.

"Sorry," he grumbled. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and prepared to face the day. I tried to hold on to the world I had created in my sleep. My own little paradise. But it slipped through my fingers like liquid water. My dream – my happy place – was long gone, out of my reach. Unattainable.

Between Titan's Curse and Battle of the Labyrinth? Or maybe after? I don't know. I will not apologize for the length. It was as long as it needed to be. REVIEWS MAKE ME HAPPY:D Please, I like to be happy.