Hey guys! I'm back! New chapter's up! Anyways, a reader asked if this story is in the past or present. It's in whenever you want it guys! But I think it's the writing is the same as in THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS... Thanks!
Enjoy!
Chapter 10
Percy's POV
"Annabeth, you ready to go?" I said to Annabeth when it was 5:30. I'm already set. I'm wearing the same tuxedo that I wore from last night, the night me and Annabeth's parents said that we're getting married.
"Not quite yet, Percy. I need help a bit. Come in." I heard her say through the door.
"Are you sure? You're wearing something right?"
She laughs at me and says, "Of course I am, Percy. D'you think I'm stupid enough to let you come in the room if I'm not wearing a single piece of clothing?"
"Er… fair enough. Alright. Sorry." I said to her, blushing a little.
I opened the door, though a little hesitant and looked inside.
She was standing in front of the closet, rummaging through some dresses, in her blue robe. When she heard the door close, she looks at me and smiles. I feel my insides melting in her smile. I smile back.
"So… why d'you need help?" I asked her.
"Well as you can see behind me, I have a few dresses. Specifically three."
"And?"
"It's obvious isn't it, Percy? I can't pick of what to wear."
"Oh… okay… And you need me because…?"
She huffs and turns back to the closet.
"Oh never mind. Just wait for me in the living room."
"Oh… no. I want to help… Why d'you need me again?"
She turns back to me and says in a very slow voice, as though she's speaking to a 4 year old.
"Percy, I need you because I can't pick of what to wear. So you'll pick. Is that clear enough for you?"
"Er… I think so…"
"Okay, Percy. Help." She drags me towards the closet.
"God, Percy. You may be the most awesome actor/ singer on earth, one of the hottest guys in school but you're pretty dumb sometimes…"
"I am not. D'you need my help or what?"
"I do. Okay, okay. What d'you think will suit me best?" she asked me.
"Er… they all look nice for you. You really love blue, don't you?"
"Yes, I do. Now pick or you'll just wait for me?"
"Alright, alright."
She grabbed the dresses and displays them for me.
"Now which?" Annabeth said.
"Er… I think the white one. I think it fits perfectly with your makeup. It's the same from last night, yeah?"
"I think you're right, Percy. Thanks. Are you sure, though?"
"You don't trust me?" I asked her, putting my hand over my chest as though I'm hurt. She laughs at this and says, "Alright, Percy. I do trust you. Now get out."
"Why?"
"You want to see me getting dressed?"
"Er… right. I'll see you in the living room."
"That's what I thought." She said, giggling at me just before I bolted through the door.
After a few minutes, about 5:40, I grabbed the car keys and waited by her door.
"Annabeth, you ready now?" I asked, knocking.
"Almost, Percy. Just putting on my earrings."
"Alright. Come on or we're going to be late."
"Okay, okay. I'm coming." She unexpectedly opened the door and walks out, accidentally bumping into me. Her hands accidentally went to my chest and my arms went instinctively went around her waist. I don't why but my heart just decided to tap dance. I hope Annabeth couldn't feel it…
"Oh sorry. I thought you were waiting for me at the living room? What happened?" she asks me, taking a step back.
"Er, sorry. You were taking too long. We're going to be late…"
"Er… right. Sorry. Shall we get going?"
"Yeah… "I offered her my arm and she took it. We walked towards the door.
"Milady…" I said to her, opening the car door.
"Why thank you sir." She said to me, getting inside the car. I closed the door and get inside.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
"Oh, Annabeth! Hi! So good to see you again, dear!" a woman said, maybe in her late 40s, approaching us.
We're now in the place where the family reunion will be held. The woman stopped in front of us and my hand instinctively went around her waist. Annabeth looked at me and smiled.
"Percy, this is my aunt, Gaea. Aunt Gaea, this is Percy." Annabeth said.
"Hello, dear. So good to see you." Gaea said, shaking my hand.
"Aunt Gaea, nice to meet you, too." I said to her.
"Well you, dears, seem like you want to see the others so I'll let you pass. Oh hello, dear. So good to see you again!"And she left.
Annabeth looked at me apologetically, blushing a little.
"Sorry. That's how my aunt behaves when she's here. She's from San Francisco, you know. She's divorced so… my uncle can't come here… She's doing good though."
"It's fine, Annabeth. So… mind if we walk around? Introduce me to your cousins."
"Oh, okay. Come on." She dragged me towards a table where almost every seat was taken. There were a couple of girls, and some guys. They looked at me like they couldn't believe I'm here.
"OH MY GOD! IT'S THE PERCY JACKSON! HERE! IN OUR REUNION!" One of the girls shrieked.
"Shut up, Clarisse. And yes. Percy Jackson is here in our reunion." Annabeth said.
"Shut up, Chase. Gonna introduce us or what?" the girl said.
"Alright, alright. Er… Percy, these are my cousins… Clarisse, Hazel, Travis, and Connor." She said, pointing to each one.
"Hey. Nice to meet you. I'm Percy." I said to them. Hazel and Clarisse gave me hugs and Travis and Connor shakes my hand.
"Nice meeting you, Percy. I believe Annabeth already told you about what happened to me last reunion, right?" one of the twins, Travis I think, said.
"Yes, I did." Annabeth said, smirking a little.
"Oh yeah! Connor, I won." He said as his twin, Connor, gave him 50 bucks.
"Okay, guys. We're just going to see mom and dad, k? See you guys later." Annabeth said, dragging me again.
"Where are we going?" I said.
"Away from Clarisse. And to mom and dad." She replied.
"What 'away from Clarisse'? What happened?"
"Nothing, Percy. Don't worry. Nothing happened. Just her death glare was enough…"she said that last part barely audible but I still heard it.
"What d'you mean? Come on, Annabeth. Please tell me." I said to her, turning her around to face me.
"It's nothing, Percy. Clarisse's smart. She'll know something's up. You're here in our family reunion, not related to any of us, and you're always with me. What would you think if you see that?"
"I would think something's up."
"Exactly. Clarisse thinks something is up."
"Oh…"
"Hey mom. Hey, dad." Annabeth said when we saw her parents.
"Annabeth, dear. Hello. Hi, Percy. Oh, you two look really cute if you're a couple."
"But, mom, we're not a couple. We're just friends." Annabeth said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh… then my advice, Annie, is hurry up." Frederick said.
He shakes my hand and says, "Treating her well, Percy?"
"Yes, Mr. Chase."
"Please, call me 'Frederick'. I'm going to be your father-in-law in a couple of months. Now, later we're going to announce it alright?"
I just nod.
"Frederick, d'you mind if we're not going to announce it?"
"What d'you mean, son?" he said, leading me to a side of the room where there's no people.
"What I mean is that, I'll just propose, you know. I know Annabeth wants a guy to propose to her before she gets married. She said enough this afternoon for me to get a hint. She wants to have a little romance. So I'll propose to her later in the middle of the reunion. That way, it'll be much easier for us to explain. I figured that if we said that we're getting married with no ring on her finger, they might figure out that it's an arranged marriage."
Frederick nods, letting what I said sink in.
"You may be right, Percy. I'll go say it to Annabeth." He said starting to go back.
"No, Frederick. This may be an arranged marriage but I want Annabeth to feel that it's true. I want to surprise her, sir." I said to him.
"I knew I made the right choice agreeing to this arrangement. Very well…" then he went back to Athena and Annabeth.
"Percy, where did you and dad go? What did you talk about?" Annabeth asked me when I went back to where me and Frederick left her and Athena.
"Don't worry, Annabeth. It's nothing… Don't worry." I said to her reassuringly.
"Alright. Come on. I'll introduce you to the others."
Then she dragged me everywhere in the room…
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Annabeth's POV
When the reunion's about to end…
"Percy, I'm just going to the rest room, k?" I said to Percy, we were sitting at one of the tables, watching my family dance, sing, eat, and talk.
He looks at me then said, "Alright. I'm just here."
I walked towards the rest room. I opened the door and went in front of the mirror. I looked at myself and reapplied a bit of lip gloss to give my lips extra shine.
Then the door slams shut.
I look at the door and find the person I've been avoiding since the start of this reunion.
"Clarisse." I said to her.
She smirks and leans backward to the door.
"Hello, Annabeth. You've been avoiding me tonight… are you hiding something?" she said. I put my lip gloss back in my bag and looked at myself one last time before turning to Clarisse. Poker face on.
"I hide nothing, Clarisse. And even if I do, it's none of your damn business."
"Oh, Annabeth. You're starting to be feisty. Did Percy teach you that? Why is he here anyway?"
"He taught me nothing. And he's here because my parents invited him."
"Why is he always with you then?"
"Jealous?" I asked her, grabbing hold of the door knob and started to turn it.
"Never been jealous of you, Chase." I flinch again when I heard my last name in that manner. Clarisse holds my hand and stops me from turning the door knob.
"Don't worry, Chase. I'll find out soon enough." Then she lets go of my hand and left.
I took a couple of deep breaths before leaving. But when Percy saw me, just his reaction said everything: 'what happened?!' I just shrugged my shoulders and drank some of my drink. I spotted a door by the side of the room and realized this place has a garden.
Good… I need a little peace and quiet… and I need to know what happens next in The Mortal Instruments…
I look at Percy, who is also looking at me.
"Er… Percy, I need a bit of fresh air. I don't like too many people much. I'll just go in the garden, k?"
"But—"
"Please, Percy?" I looked at him. Grey eyes to Sea green ones. He nods.
"Thanks. Be back after a couple of minutes."
Then I left.
I entered the garden and my jaw dropped.
It was more than beautiful. It was nature. There were beautiful flowers, plants, and butterflies there. The flowers have amazing scents it's like I'm walking through flower scented air- I really was, actually. I look around and saw a fountain in the middle of the garden. There was a bench around the fountain. I approached it and looked at the design. Then before I knew it, I was muttering how the fountain could've been and how it looks alright.
I sighed and sat on one of the benches. I opened my phone and played some music. I shuffled it. Then I started reading.
Then the first song played…
Playing: "Mean" by Taylor Swift
You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again got me feeling like I'm nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard, calling me out when I'm wounded
You, pickin' on the weaker man
Well, you can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know what you don't know
Someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
You, with your switching sides and your wildfire lies and your humiliation
You, have pointed out my flaws again as if I don't already see them
I'll walk with my head down trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again
I'll bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now 'cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know what you don't know
Someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
And I can see you years from now in a bar, talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion but nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing
But all you are is mean
All you are is mean and a liar and pathetic and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean
But someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean, yeah
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
Someday, I'll be, living in a big old city
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
Yeah… that's what I told her… I thought to myself as the song ended. I'm no longer reading. I'm just watching the fountain and thinking.
Then the next song plays, and I sang this to myself before.
Then I started singing to myself as well, remembering why I sang this…
Playing: "Just Walk Away" by HSM
I guess I should've known better, I tell myself, "this time it's different." Just Walk Away! Ooh, and don't look back. I really wish I could blame you, Just Walk Away! Ooh, and don't look back. Ooh, I've got to let it go. Just Walk Away! Ooh, and don't look back.
to believe that my luck could change, Oh.
I let my heart and forever
Finally learned each other's names.
No goodbyes, cause I can't bear to say it.
I'd never survive the one that's coming,
If I stay, Oh no!"
Cause if my heart breaks, It's gonna hurt so bad.
You know I'm strong, but I can't take that.
Before It's too late. Oh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk Away) Ooh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk Away)Oh yeah yeah.
But I know that it's no one's fault.
(no one's fault)
A Cinderella with no shoe,
And a prince that doesn't know
he's lost.(know he's lost)
This emptiness feels so familiar
Each goodbye, just the same old song
But this time I will not surrender!
'Cause I'm gone, Ooh,no!
Cause if my heart breaks, It's gonna hurt so bad.
You know I'm strong, but I can't take that.
Before It's too late. Oh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk Away) Ooh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk) Away-aye-aye, yeah.
Start protecting my heart and soul.
Cause I don't think I'll survive a goodbye again.
Not again!
Cause if my heart breaks, It's gonna hurt so bad.
You know I'm strong, but I can't take that.
Before It's too late. (Before It's Too Late!)
Oh, just Walk Away!
(Walk, Walk, Walk Away) Walk Away, Walk Away, yeah!
(Walk, Walk, Walk Away!) Walk Away, Walk Away,
(Walk Away, Walk Away, Yeah, Walk Away!) Walk Away,
Walk Away.
(Oh, Walk, Walk, Walk Away!) Walk Away, Walk Away, Ooh
no.
After singing, I looked around the garden and up the sky. I could barely see the stars there since the place where we're at has so many bright lights. I looked back to the door where I entered to see if anyone's there. After that, I stood up and started walking around the fountain. I left my phone, in its loudest volume, and bag on the bench. Then the next song started and I remember the movie very well and decided to have a little fun in my alone time, a bit.
Playing: "Can I have this dance?" by HSM
Take my hand
I sang along and closed my eyes. I outstretched my hand forward as though I'm offering it to someone to take it.
Then unexpectedly, SOMEONE DID TAKE IT.
I opened my eyes and I see Percy holding my hand and smiling cheekily. I smile back and played along. Then I continued to sing.
Take a breath.
He did, still smiling. My smile widened even more.
Pull me close.
He did. Our faces were just inches apart. My heart started to beat faster and louder in my chest I hope Percy couldn't hear it. We were eye to eye. Blushes forming in each other's cheeks.
And take one step.
He followed but looked at our feet. Still holding onto my hand. Butterflies started to fly around my stomach.
Keep your eyes locked on mine…
I touched his chin with my other hand to make eye contact. Another set of butterflies started to fly inside me. I could look at those sea green eyes forever and never get tired of them.
And let the music be your guide…
I put his other hand, the one not holding my hand, around my waist. And my other hand, the one not holding his, went to his shoulder blade. Then we started having a waltz…
Then he started singing Troy's part, still looking in my eyes as though memorizing every part of it…
AND THAT ALONE MADE MY KNEES TURN LIQUID…
Won't you promise me (Now won't you promise me, that you'll never forget)
Under his gaze, I lost my breath. It's like my mind's under a spell. I can't believe how well my voice intertwines with his…
You'll keep dancing (To keep dancing)
We were still under each other's gazes. My blush, I'm sure, is turning redder by the second. His eyes started to twinkle like they have stars inside of them.
Wherever we go next…
I prepare for the chorus.
It's like catching lightning
The chances of finding someone like you…
He made me twirl and puts his hand back on my waist.
It's one in a million
The chances of feeling the way we do…
And with every step together
We just keep on getting better
So can I have this dance?
(Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?
He pulls me to the side of the fountain and made me step on it. He follows.
I let go of my hand and took a step back, but still smiling at him and butterflies still flying in my stomach.
Then he started to sing again…
Take my hand.
He offered his hand to me and I took it.
I'll take the lead.
We went back to our former formation. With his hand on my waist and mine on his shoulder.
Then we started waltzing again. Yes, on the fountain.
And every turn will be safe with me.
Don't be afraid, afraid to fall.
He made me bend backward a bit, directly above the water but I don't feel scared one bit. I lost myself in his eyes.
You know I'll catch you through it all…
We went back to dancing. I smiled at him as we danced. I never danced waltz in my whole life but this is fun.
And you can't keep us apart (even a thousand miles can't keep us apart)
Coz my heart is wherever you are
Our faces were only inches away from each other…
But I let go from his hands and started running around the fountain, him on my tail chasing me.
Then we sang the chorus again.
It's like catching lightning
The chances of finding someone like you…
I didn't realize that he stopped so I kept on running. I kept looking on my back to see if he's there and when I looked back in front, his arms were outstretched, ready to catch me… and I went directly to his chest. My hands landing on his chest and I blushed even further. I looked at his face and continued singing with him.
It's one in a million
The chances of feeling the way we do.
I started to go out of his embrace but his grip tightened around me. My heart's threatening to burst because of this.
Oh My God!
And with every step together,
We just keep on getting better.
So can I have this dance?
(Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?
Then I prepare for the bridge.
Oh no mountains too high
And no oceans too wide
Coz together or not
Our dance won't stop
Let it rain
Let it pour
What we have is worth fighting for
I know I believe that we were meant to be
Ohhh!
I smiled at him as my hands went to his chest, our faces a couple more inches before touching. Percy seems to notice this because his eyes keep on darting back and forth from my lips and eyes. My smile widened at the thought.
But I took a step back and started to run around the fountain again. He smiled as he got the message: 'meet me on the other side'…
He ran as well, but on the other direction. The moment we saw each other again, the last chorus started.
It's like catching lightning
The chances of finding someone like you
(like you)
We caught each other there. Smiling and singing…
Is this heaven already?
It's one in a million
The chances of feeling the way we do
We went back to waltzing.
And with every step together
We just keep on getting better
So can I have this dance?
(Can I have this dance?)
Can I have this dance?
We looked deep in each other's eyes.
Can I have this dance?
Can I have this dance?
Percy made me twirl in the last word. Then we were like that for a moment before there was a loud round of applause, pulling me back to earth because everything seemed like a fantasy…
I just realized that everyone, and when I say EVERYONE I mean EVERYONE… I could see mom and dad, Clarisse and my other cousins, grandma and grandpa, and others. They were all smiling happily at us, well, except Clarisse that is.
I just realized then that Percy's hand was around my waist. Another set of butterflies flew around my stomach.
It seems Percy led them here. I looked at Percy and frowned.
"I thought you were the only one who followed me… what's all this about?" I asked him.
"Er… well…" Percy scratched the back of his neck nervously.
He looked at dad, who nods encouragingly, and to his dad, who gave him a thumbs up.
He looks back at me and did what I didn't expect.
He knelt on one knee.
My eyes widened in realization as he fished out a small black box from his coat.
Oh my god!
"Annabeth, I promise I'll take care of you every day. I'll never cheat on you nor break your heart. I promise to cherish you forever. So… Annabeth Chase… WILL YOU MARRY ME?" he said, opening the box to reveal a silver ring with a medium sized blue diamond, I think, and sea green and grey small ones around the band. Tears started streaming down my eyes as one of my dreams came true.
He proposed! He proposed!
I was jumping up and down in my mind when I realized he's still waiting for my answer.
Even though I say 'no' we're still engaged… I smile at the irony.
"Of course, Percy. Yes, I will." I said to him then everyone in the crowd cheered.
He stands up and puts the ring around my finger. It fits perfectly and I know it's perfect.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" someone around the back of the crowd said and started chanting it. The others followed.
I looked at Percy who was looking at me expectantly like he's asking 'Will we?'
I shrugged and just kissed him.
It was sudden and only took a couple of seconds but the moment our lips met, it felt like years. I closed my eyes and saw fireworks of red, blue, sea green and grey.
I opened my eyes again and looked at Percy's still closed ones. I laughed making his eyes open and for me to see the new twinkle in those eyes.
He smiles at me and I smiled back. We looked at the crowd who were cheering and whooping at us. Percy hopped off the fountain and lifted me down, too. He made me look as though I'm as light as a feather. But I'm pretty sure I'm not.
"Oh, dear, congratulations!" Aunt Gaea said to me when she approached us.
"Thanks, aunt." I replied.
Me and Percy approached our parents.
"Well done, Percy, well done. Nice number, too." Dad said, clapping Percy on the back.
"Thanks, Frederick. Hey, dad." He said.
"Nice one, Percy. Couldn't have done it better myself." Poseidon said.
"Well if you guys don't mind… It's getting late. And we're going home tomorrow so… we better get going, k?" Annabeth said.
"Yes, Annabeth. Good night." Mom said to me.
"Bye, mom. Bye, dad. See you." I said to them, kissing them on the cheek.
"Bye, Sally. Bye, Poseidon." I said to Percy's parents.
"Bye, dear. We're so happy for you." Sally said, giving me a hug.
"Thanks, Sally. See you all." We waved goodbye to everyone and went back to Percy's car.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-
"Wow, Annabeth… I feel so lucky right now." Percy said when we the car turned around the block.
"Why is that, Percy?" I said to him, cocking an eyebrow.
"One, I got to hear your voice, which is not bad, you know, and two, we're officially engaged." He replied.
"Yeah… I think I'm luckier. I get to sing a duet with the Percy Jackson, and got him to propose to me in a very romantic manner. And got a kiss as well." I say the last part quietly, hoping he didn't hear.
"So you liked the kiss?" Percy said to me jokingly.
I groaned and looked out the window.
"What if I did?" I asked him.
"Nothing. I'm just saying I enjoyed the kiss, too." I looked at him in shock.
"You're serious? Really serious? You enjoyed the kiss we had? You're not kidding?"
"Yes, Annabeth, I'm serious. Why do you kept on asking that?"
"I don't know. I just didn't think that you'd find me kissing you enjoyable."
"And why would you think that?"
"Because… you kissed a lot of girls before and I just, you know, kissed you." I said; quiet enough so he could barely hear it.
"Oh… but… that kiss was different. That one quick kiss, you know. That kiss was different."
"How? How could my kiss with you be different?"
Before he answered, he took his time. He drummed on the steering wheel and hummed a few tunes.
Then he looked at me and smiled.
"Because… I felt something I have felt a long time ago. Just that one kiss made me complete again, but now I think there's a crack missing making me incomplete a little. Just… you know… I felt something in here." He tapped his chest, directly on his heart.
I looked at him a couple of seconds and realized I was staring, which is rude. I blinked and looked in front.
"Oh… you have a wonderful voice, by the way." I punched myself in my mind for the stupid comment.
Of course he has a wonderful voice. He's a singer, the most awesome one that is…
He just chuckles and continues driving…
Chapter 10 finished. Hope you guys like it. Again the time of the story is the same as writing in the heroes of Olympus. Thanks guys.
Next chapter coming soon.