Chapter 3: Annabeth and I Dance with the Fireflies

"Are we there yet, Percy?" asked Annabeth as I held her hand to guide her toward the park. After we'd left the apartment, I covered her eyes by using a handkerchief. She raised an eyebrow but didn't press on.

"Not yet, Wise Girl," I answered gleefully.

"This better be good, Seaweed Brain," she murmured flatly.

The electricity wasn't back yet. Thank the gods. The view at the park would be wonderful without the city lights. Just the moon and stars shining brightly, and...ah, I'll just tell you later.

Everything was wet because of the heavy rain a while ago, but I had no problems with it.

After a few minutes of walking, we finally reached our destination. It was a good thing that there were no people around. Drops of rain still sparkled on the foliage.

I guided her to my favorite spot and bench in the park, which was facing a small, clean pond.

After we'd seated on the bench, I took the handkerchief from Annabeth's eyes. She gaped at the sight.

I spread my arms. "Ta-dah! Behold, my favorite spot in this park!"

First, she looked at our surroundings, at me, then at our surroundings again. Second, she was speechless; her mouth was formed like an O. We were surrounded by fireflies. Many fireflies. Their lights were sparkling all over the place.

Seeing her in this kind of situation, I guffawed out loud. "Annabeth, I think this is the first time you became like this."

She quickly closed her mouth and slapped my arm. "Very funny, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth scowled.

I grinned. "So, what can you say about this?"

Annabeth gazed at the still pond, touched the firefly that was near her face, then smiled softly. "This is very wonderful, Percy. To tell you the truth, this is the first time that I saw a firefly." The little creature flew off to join its friends. Her gray eyes were now looking directly at the bright, night sky, and her face was so cute. She sighed. "I wish I could see this every night."

I thanked Artemis for making the moon very bright tonight. And then I had another idea. I held Annabeth's hand, which was so smooth despite the hours she was working together with the pencil. I wondered what her secret was.

"C'mon, Wise Girl, stand up," I told her.

Annabeth gave me a confused look. "Huh?"

"Just stand," I urged.

When we were already standing, I bowed and held my hand right in front of her. "May I have this dance?" I asked with suave.

Annabeth smiled while rolling her eyes. "Your head is full of kelp, as always." She accepted my hand.

I put my right hand on her hip, and then Annabeth placed her left hand on my shoulder.

We started dancing and listening to the crickets' sounds, which were very relaxing.

"Remember when we were at Westover Hall? That was our first dance," Annabeth started.

"Gods, that was so embarrassing! You were, like, about to judo throw me when you held my hand."

She giggled. "And you kept stepping on my toes." Her giggle was like music to my ears.

Scratch that. It really was music to my ears.

Both of us laughed, remembering those hilarious moments. The fireflies were also having a dance of their own, too. Then Annabeth hugged me, and I hugged her back. The feeling was heartwarming to the core.

"Thank you so much, Percy. I'll never forget this night," she whispered in my ear.

"You're always welcome, Annabeth. Same here," I whispered back.

We continued dancing in silence, enjoying and cherishing the moment. It was like I didn't want anything to disturb us.

After a minute or two, Annabeth broke the silence. "Percy?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

I pulled back slightly from the hug, and looked directly in her beaming gray eyes. That was when I noticed her blonde hair was shining under the moonlight. I put a strand of it behind her ear and smiled. "I love you too, Annabeth. So much."

I kissed her with passion, and she did the same thing. Her arms were now behind my neck, while my arms were wrapped around her waist. We did that for a minute before breaking apart for air, and then we smiled sweetly at each other.

"I brought something," I said as we sat again on the bench and fished said something out from my pocket.

"What is it?" Annabeth asked, excitement in her voice.

"Here we go!" I held a digital camera. "Let's take a picture together."

She beamed. "Good thinking, Percy."

"What are you saying, that I'm not thinking properly?" I asked, frowning.

Annabeth laughed. "Of course not! I'm just happy that you thought of bringing a camera. This will be our souvenir." She looked around. "No wonder this is your favorite spot—you're facing a pond."

"You got that right. Whenever I want to be alone and think clearly, I just sit here and enjoy the view. It makes me feel that I'm near the sea." I turned to her. "And I wanted to surprise you."

"You surprised me, all right. Thank you for sharing this place with me. Now, turn on that camera."

I positioned it in front of our faces and said, "Say cheese!"

"Cheese!" she said with a grin.

Click!

000

When we arrived back at the apartment, it was already midnight. Thankfully, the electricity was now back.

"Want to have a midnight snack?" I asked Annabeth.

She waved a dismissing hand. "No, thanks. I'm already tired. Where should I sleep, Percy?"

After she'd asked that question, I suddenly became nervous, and I didn't know why. "Oh, er, at my room. I'll just take the sofa here and—"

"We can sleep together if you want to," she whispered. I was sure a blush formed on her face.

My legs were now shaking. "B-but...w-what if..." my voice trailed off.

Annabeth's eyes widened in shock. "Percy, you're not thinking about that, are you?"

"What that?" I didn't understand her.

Her eyes rolled. "Don't play dumb with me, Seaweed Brain."

"But I'm not playing dumb!" I protested.

But Annabeth continued like she didn't hear me. "You know what I'm talking about. We're not yet married, and our parents will surely kil—"

Now I understood her, and I wasn't thinking about that kind of stuff. I was thinking about my problem in sleeping, which I knew she'd deduce sooner or later. "Yes. I mean, no! I'm not talking about that! Oh my gods, Annabeth! I didn't know you had it in you!"

Annabeth crossed her arms over her chest in a demanding position. "Then what?" She searched my troubling eyes, and then smirked. "If you mean you talking in your sleep, I already know that since we were twelve years old."

My face became blank, and Annabeth became silent. Suddenly she started laughing uncontrollably. "Oh gods, Percy! Until now? You really are so easy-to-read."

I hated it whenever she did that: reading my eyes like an open book. One time, she'd even told me that I didn't have a good poker face. Go figure.

It was my turn to roll eyes. "Shheeesshhh, Annabeth."

Her eyes still showed mirth. "It's just that when I first saw you—"

I cleared my throat. "Been there, done that. Now, we should go to sleep."

"Can I borrow some of your mom's clothes?"

"Sure, go ahead."

000

When I was sitting on my bed, I looked at the pictures in my digital camera when we'd been at the park: Annabeth and I smiling; Annabeth and I doing a wacky pose; Annabeth surrounded by fireflies; me sitting on the bench; the night sky; the park; and many more pictures that we'd taken. I thanked the gods for having this beautiful evening with her. I just wanted to make her happy and free her from stress.

I was distracted from my thoughts when Annabeth came inside. I caught my breath. She was wearing my mom's light blue nightgown with butterflies printed on the side. She looked strikingly beautiful-with her hair down to her back.

I immediately turned my gaze to the lamp beside my bed. "Y-you look...gorgeous." I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, and I could see she was blushing. I believe I was doing the same thing, too.

"Shut up, Seaweed Brain," she answered. I wasn't offended, though, because knowing Annabeth, she was just shy. "You look good in a pajama, by the way."

I gazed down. I didn't know I looked good in a pajama outfit. My sheepishly smile appeared out of nowhere. "Well, let's go to sleep, then," I said as I tumbled on my pillow. Annabeth slid next to me.

"Thank you so much, Percy," she said while smiling at me.

"I thank you, too, Annabeth." I put my arm around her gently.

"Good night, Percy."

I kissed her forehead. "Good night, Annabeth."

My lips had formed a smile before I fell asleep.