"We're going to finish high school, here in New York. Together," Percy smiled softly. Annabeth retuned his warm gaze and smiled back. The war with Gaea and her giants was finally over. The demigods could now rest safely (or at least safer than before). Annabeth and Percy are starting their junior year at Goode. Survivors of Tartarus or not, will they be able to juggle uniforms, prying mortals, homework, and being demigods? Or is a mortal high school more than they can handle? My first fanfic. No flames. Rated T.


Chapter One

No One's POV

"I'm not going through with it."

"Yes, you will."

"No, I won't."

"Don't be such a drama queen."

"I refuse to do it."

"How bad can they be?"

"Very bad."

"They're only school uniforms, they won't kill you."

"And how can you be so sure about that?"

"You wore them for a whole school year last year and didn't complain,"

"Yeah, well that was back when the end of the world was still pending. Now that both wars are over with I don't have to go through that painful torment ever again. And I won't. I'm so not into self conflicted pain."

"Gods of Olympus…"

Percy looked up at Annabeth and gave her a wry smile. "But I'll do it for you though,"

She rolled her eyes but gave him a peck on the cheek nonetheless. "Don't forget about Sally and Paul,"

"Oh, and them too, of course."

Earlier that week both teenagers had applied to go to Goode High School. They had just received the student handbook and were currently going over the dress code section, sipping their coffees as the October chilly winds blasted against the other side of the glass doors of the Starbucks they were sitting in.

Annabeth frowned a little. "I'm surprised that they accepted us without a test or anything. And the fact that school ahs been in session for weeks bothers me a little too."

Percy slung an arm over her shoulder and leaned against the cool red leather of the booth. "Don't worry, Wise Girl. Everything will be okay."

Annabeth appreciated the gesture, but she couldn't let him know that. "Last time you said that was before we went on the quest into the Labyrinth, and Pan died on that quest. And Luke turned into Kronos, and-"

"Okay, okay, I get it. You don't want me to comfort you." Percy withdrew his arm and traveled to the other side of the booth so he was facing his blonde girlfriend.

Annabeth rolled her eyes once more and returned to reading her handbook.

Percy took another sip of his sugary coffee and almost sighed. He loved being here with Annabeth. He loved the peacefulness in the air, the car honks roaring outside, the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg and caramel and vanilla. He loved the soft heat blowing out of the air conditioners, the steam pouring off the surface of his drink. He loved New York. He loved the fact that he could finally try to lead a normal life with his love.

This moment, he realized, was one he wanted to last forever.

Annabeth perked up, catching his attention. "Says here that they have a wide variety of sports teams."

"Please elaborate."

She sighed. "Well, I see a swim team, football team, volleyball team, debate team, basketball team, co-ed track and cross country teams, and a soccer team. They might have a field hockey team, but I didn't check. It also says that volleyball and debate are year round, so I'm totally doing that. I think you should do swim, Percy. Or at least basketball if you don't want to "cheat."" She grinned.

Percy narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. "The fact that you would dare insinuate that I would cheat during swim hurts me, my dearest Annabeth."

Annabeth stifled a chuckle. "And what would it take for me to repair your gaping wound, kind sir?"

"Alas, but a single kiss on the lips, my sweet. That is all it would take."

Annabeth couldn't keep it in this time. She snorted. Then she leaned over also to steal a kiss from her boyfriend.

Percy smiled against her lips. Annabeth did too and it took all of her willpower to lean back. Percy pouted at her but she gave him a sweet smirk and turned back to the book.

xxxXXXxxxXXXxxx

Around 30 minutes later, Percy and Annabeth were walking into the Jackson-Blofis residence. Their cheeks were rosy from the cold, and they both appreciated the warm scent of cookies and hot chocolate that seemed to come from everywhere.

There's no place like home sweet home. And this was definitely home.

Sally Jackson-Blofis wafted out of the kitchen, her long brown hair tied back in a ponytail, her face streaked with flour, and her long sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her hands were covered in a fine layer of white powder.

Percy gave his mother a quick kiss on the cheek and disappeared in the living room to play video games.

Annabeth gave Sally a strong hug. "Hi there, Sally."

"Hi, Annabeth! Well? How was it?" Sally immediately demanded, taking a step back.

Annabeth shrugged. "It was fine. We went over most of the handbook. Percy is mortified about the whole uniform gig."

Sally wrinkled her nose. "Ugh, I had to wrestle him into his school uniform every morning during back during his freshman year."

Annabeth kicked off her boots and smiled. "I can imagine. Do you need any help?"

Sally nodded. "I hope you don't mind roasting a chicken for me. I'm hosting a dinner for one of the families of my colleagues and I've been so busy baking the cookies that I forgot. Silly me."

Annabeth smiled and placed a hand on the older woman's shoulder. "Of course I'll help. Fortunately, I know how to roast a chicken."

Sally puffed out a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much."

"No problem, anything to keep me busy, and to help you."

xxxXXXxxxXXXxxx

The dinner was a success. Sally gained praise form her friend for the book she had published during the period of time that Percy had gone missing.

Percy grumbled from behind the sink and plunged his hands into the gray soapy water, the liquid rising up to his elbows. He still didn't understand the fact that he couldn't use his powers to clean the dishes.

You wanted to be normal, his mother said. Not using your powers is normal.

Ha.

He felt a pair of arms slip around his waist, causing him to almost jump out of his skin. "Annabeth? Is that you?" He asked cautiously.

"No, Seaweed Brain, it's a psychotic murderer who just so happens to have an undying affection for you. Of course it's me." She answered back.

Percy laughed and rolled her eyes. "Well sorry for being suspicious, Chase."

"Apology accepted."

"Whatever. Hey, did you say you had an undying affection for me?" He joked.

Annabeth pulled away and rested her head against his shoulder. "Why wouldn't I?"

Percy shrugged, not expecting that answer. "I dunno,"

"Only you, Percy." Annabeth chuckled.

Percy blushed. He changed the subject, desperate to take her attention off of him for a little bit. "So, um, when do we get to school?"

"We start next Monday, so around 8 days. I decided to go school uniform/supply shopping tomorrow with Sally."

Percy groaned at the mention of those accursed clothes. "I hate uniforms,"

"I've gathered that much information already."

"But I love you, so I guess it's worth it."

Annabeth shifted so he wouldn't see her blush. She pressed her face against his arm. Percy pecked her hair.

"I love you, Annabeth."

She looked up. His vibrant sea green eyes were staring back at her. She blushed slightly more. His lips were pulled into a loving grin.

"I love you too, Percy." She answered,

Then he pulled her into a kiss. And it was impossible for her to pull away from this one. Oh no, her mind wouldn't respond to her desperate attempts to end the kiss. Her heart raced. Her logic went haywire for a few seconds.

Annabeth never wanted this moment to end. She wanted to be like this forever, wrapped in his sturdy warm arms, standing in the scarcely lit kitchen at 10 PM, listening to the muffed car honks from the outdoors. All she wanted was to have her lips attached to his for eternity.

Percy seemed to have had similar thoughts. He pulled away from the kiss, much to her disappointment. But that emotion vanished when he dragged her into the dark living room and popped in a DVD.

They eventually got tired of watching the movie, and gradually fell asleep.

The last thing Percy remembered was Annabeth's little puffs of breaths against his chest as he cradled her in his arms. She was curled up into a ball against him, as if desperate for warmth, even though they were buried in blankets.

The car honks from outside faded into nothing. Percy's eyelids drooped. His breaths evened out.

One last thought struck his mind as he drifted off to dreamland. Percy felt himself smile.

Oh well, he didn't really like doing the dishes anyway.

Author's Note:

So there's chappie No. 1! I hope you guys liked reading this! This is going to be really fun to write, I know that. Please no flames, as this is my first story!

Stay tuned for chapter 2!

With love,

SilverScense