Hey guys! I am sooooo sorry for not updating soon! I had a lot on my plate and it didn't help that I started to have some computer problems! I can't believe I haven't updated in two months! I am so sorry, again, but at least I make up for it with a lengthy chapter! Anyways, how did you like the last chapter? Finally, after the long wait, here is chapter 10. Since there are going to be 5-6 chapters left, the first four are going to be their freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years of college, and if there will be six chapters(which there probably will be) then the fifth chapter will be their graduation and the last one will be the epilogue. So that is the plan for the rest of the story. Hope you like this chapter!

Disclaimer: Go back and look at Chapter 1

Chapter Ten: Graduation

"Annabeth! Hurry up! We don't have all day!" My dad called from downstairs. The gang and I had come home from our weekend at the beach last night, the night before graduation.

"I'm coming Dad!" I yelled as I struggled to put on my gold high-heeled open toed shoes that Silena had picked out for me. Along with my dress, she had picked out everybody's outfit for today. I was wearing a short, strapless, white dress that was Grecian inspired. It went down to the middle of my thighs, and it had a beautiful gold sequined design along the waistband of the dress. I grabbed my cap and gown from the back of my desk chair as I ran, the best I could with these heels on, out the door of my room.

"Finally! You were taking forever!" both of the twins exclaimed when I finally made it downstairs.

"Shut up you two! I'd like to see you try to walk in these heels!" I glared as I walked out of the door. They stuck their tongues out at me as they ran to the car and jumped in, knowing that I couldn't chase after them in these shoes.

"Annabeth, you can get them back later! We have to get going! Do you want to be late?" Helen asked. I sighed and climbed in the car beside the twins. My dad and Helen climbed in the car with my dad in the driver's seat before he started the car and took off.

When we finally arrived to school, the parking lot was already full. We finally found a parking space close to the entrance of the school. After my parents and the twins went into the gymnasium to take a seat, I went to the bathroom to find Thalia, Cassie, Piper, Silena, and Bianca. We had all decided to meet in the bathroom closest to the gym before we had to go line up. When I got there, Silena was checking everyone to make sure they looked good which meant she was criticizing their outfit.

"Sorry, I'm late, guys. It took me forever to get this outfit on!" I exclaimed once I was standing beside Cassie. Everyone looked great! We all had dresses on, which was Silena's idea.

Cassie had on a short, blue dress with a black floral design at the waistband; it also had light blue dots scattered around the dress, the bottom ruched into four layers. She wore small black heels to accommodate the black floral design at the waistband. It was gorgeous. I could tell Cassie was in love with it.

Thalia had on a short, black dress that had a long, sheer sleeve flowing across one shoulder and down one arm, and on the left side of the waist, there was a gold metallic insert. She had on gold gladiator sandals to bring out the gold metallic insert. All in all, the dress was totally Thalia.

Bianca had on a short dress that was white from the waist up and black from the waist down. The dress was a one shoulder with the strap going across the left shoulder, and it had an embellished empire waistline. She had on heels that looked like gladiator sandals with small rhinestones all over the straps. I could tell Bianca had picked it out; the dress just screamed Bianca.

Piper had on a strapless, rose colored dress. It was beautiful. It had a fabric belt that tied in the back; it also had a three buttons down the front, and at the bottom of the dress, there was lace going around the bottom of it. She was wearing black, open-toed heels. Just like all the others, it screamed Piper.

Silena had on a short, white spaghetti strap dress, sort of like a sun dress. It was kind of like Piper's with it having a fabric belt that tied in the back and three buttons down the front. So the only real difference between Piper's dress and Silena's was the fact that Silena had eyelet embroidery all over the dress. Surprisingly, Silena was the only one that wasn't wearing heels or sandals; she was wearing a pair of cream flats. It was gorgeous, nonetheless.

"We just got here, so you're not that late." Silena told me.

"Good," I sighed.

"Okay, let me see your outfit." Silena demanded.

I rolled my eyes as I took off my gown and handed it to Cassie who was putting hers back on.

"Okay, you all look fine!" Silena stated. "I just need to do a few touch ups on all of you."

"Silena, we only have thirty minutes until the ceremony starts!" Cassie exclaimed while the rest of us groaned knowing that when Silena says a few touch ups she means a lot of touch ups.

So that is why twenty minutes later we were running out of the bathroom to go join the other students outside of the gym where we were supposed to wait. I went to find Percy before the teachers put us in alphabetical order. I found him towards the back of the line, talking to Will Solace.

Will noticed me first and shouted, "Hey Annabeth!"

I waved to Will as Percy turned around with a huge smile on his face. He turned back to Will and told him something before he jogged over to me.

"Hey Wisegirl," Percy greeted as he pulled me into a hug. I returned the hug before I pulled back and gave him a peck on the lips.

"Hi Seaweedbrain, I can't believe we're graduating today."

"I know, I'm going to miss everyone here, but at least we'll be together."

"Yeah, I don't know what I would have done if we didn't go to college together," I admitted as Percy pulled me into a hug.

"I know I would have been lost without you."

"You're always lost without me," I smiled into his chest.

Percy looked down at me and exclaimed, "That is so not true!"

"Or is it? Think about it Perce, you wouldn't know what to without me." I whispered as I leaned up and kissed him.

"You know, I think your right, as always." He whispered against my lips.

"Yo, lovebirds! Break it up, we're about to start!" Travis yelled at us as he ran passed us to get into his spot.

I pulled away from Percy and told him, "I'll see you later. Love you."

"Okay, see you. Love you more." Percy replied before he gave me a quick peck on the lips and turned to find his spot in line. I started to walk to the front of the line quickly and made it just as one of our teachers came out of the gym to give us orders. Pretty soon, the doors opened and everyone started to walk inside the gym. As I began the long treacherous walk down the aisle, I couldn't help but take in my classmates' faces as we sat down, knowing that this was going to be the last time I saw most of their faces.

Lights were swirling all around me, and I could feel the beat of the music through the dance floor. The gang and I had gone to Olympus one last time before we had to leave early tomorrow morning - if we wanted to make it to New York by noon. The ceremony had gone perfect, and after we all took one big group photo for our parents, we escaped from them and headed to Olympus.

Everyone was on the dance floor, excluding me. I was watching everyone as they danced; I kept thinking about how I couldn't believe we had finally graduated. Suddenly, I was pulled out of my deep thoughts when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around expecting to come face to face with Percy or Luke but I didn't. It was Jason's friend, Brandon; apparently, Jason had invited him to come with us to Olympus. You know, I was really starting to hate Jason, and more importantly, I was really starting to hate Brandon. He was really starting to annoy me; he keeps flirting with me and trying to get me to go on a date with him even when he knew I was going out with Percy. Speaking of Percy where had he been when I need him? I thought Nico said something about how he went to the bathroom.

I was pulled out of my deep thoughts again when I heard someone clearing their throat. I looked up to see that Brandon was looking at me. I composed myself quickly and asked as politely as I could, "Yes, Brandon?"

"I was just wondering if you wanted to dance with me? Please?" he added when he sense my hesitation.

"I don't know Brandon; I'm waiting for my boyfriend," I tried to decline.

"Come on, Annabeth, it's just one dance!" Brandon grabbed my hand and dragged me onto the dance floor before I could protest. A slow song was playing so Brandon pulled me close to him and took one of my hands in his own while he put his other on my lower back. After a few seconds of us dancing I felt Brandon's hand that was on my lower back start to drift lower than it already was. I looked up at him and tried to pull away but he managed to keep his grip on me.

I looked around for one of my friends to help me but I didn't see anyone, I was about to give up looking when I caught sight of someone's messy black hair coming towards us, Percy. I breathed a sigh of relieve when I saw him break through a crowd of people and stand right beside us. I looked at him and I knew he understood the look on my face, which was saying help me.

"Hey, Brandon. I'd really appreciate it if you took your hands off of my girlfriend," Percy told him with steel in his voice. I looked at him and saw he was looking, more like glaring, at the hand that was drifting further down my back.

Brandon looked up at him and asked, "What are you talking about man?"

"I repeat: I would like it if you took your hands off of my girlfriend. I don't like you having your hands all over her." Percy replied with the same amount of steel in his voice, and this time I could hear a little bit of anger in it.

"Dude, calm down, we're just dancing," Brandon feigned innocent, still playing dumb.

"Brandon, I would really appreciate it if you let me go, please." I stated as politely as I could, hoping to try to calm Percy down so he wouldn't end up punching Brandon. I let out a sigh of relief when he let me go. As I walked over to Percy, I felt Brandon's eyes follow me. As soon as I was in arm's length he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. As we walked off, I saw Percy glare over our shoulders at Brandon who was still watching me.

Instead of leading me to where our friends were, he led me to the same deserted hallway that he led us to last time we came to Olympus. I leaned against the wall as I watched Percy. He was pacing slightly, I could tell he was trying really hard not to go back there and punch Brandon.

"Percy," I whispered. He looked up from his pacing and looked at me. He sighed and came over to wrap his arms around me. I took a deep breath as I leant my head on his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" I asked him quietly in his ear.

He shook his head, "No. All I want to do right now is go up to Brandon and punch him for touching you."

"Come on, Perce, let's just forget about it. This is supposed to be our graduation night," I tried to calm him down as I ran my hand through his hair.

"I know, and honestly, I can't blame him as much as I hate to admit it." He sighed into my neck.

"And why can't you blame him for putting his hands all over me?" I asked him, confused.

"Please don't remind me, but I can't blame him because you look gorgeous in this dress. But, that still doesn't give him an excuse to have his hands all over my girlfriend." He explained. I pulled away, figuring out the perfect way of distracting him, and looked at him.

"Do you really think I look pretty?" I asked him while smiling slightly.

"No, not pretty, gorgeous." He corrected me as he looked down at me. I looked up at him, still smiling, and leaned in closer to him. Even with the heels I had to stand on my tippy-toes, which is really hard to do in heels by the way, to be able to be head level with him. He chuckled and leaned down for me.

"Thank you, my freakishly tall boyfriend, for helping me." I whispered.

"No problem but I do have one thing to ask for in return."

"Okay, what is that one thing?"

"This," Percy replied before he closed the small space that was between us which caused my eyes to flutter close. I smiled into the kiss as I kissed him back. I felt one of Percy's hand slide up from the small of my back to cradle my head and his other hand was still on my lower back while my hands found themselves resting on his chest.

"Gods, you really do know how to distract me." Percy whispered against my lips when he figured out what I did.

I smiled as I replied, "Don't pretend you don't like it, Perce."

"You know I love your method of distracting me, but do you know what I love even more than that?" he questioned as he pulled away slightly.

"I knew you loved it, and no, I don't actually. Would you care to enlighten me with it?" I asked as I leaned in to give him a kiss.

"You," he whispered.

I pulled back to look him in the eyes as I replied, "I love you too, Percy."

Grinning from ear to ear, he kissed me again, before he leaned back and whispered, "We should get going. The others will be looking for us soon."

"Percy," I sighed, "I don't think they'll be looking for us, I mean they'll probably just think we're dancing," as I leaned in again and kissed him.

Then I was, for once, corrected when we heard the unmistakable voice of Benkendorf as he called out, "Found them you guys!"

I groaned and l broke away from the kiss and buried my head in Percy chest and asked, "Is there no privacy with them?"

I felt Percy's chest rumble as he chuckled and replied, "I don't believe there is, Anna; I don't believe there is."

"Percy, babe, wake up." I whispered in his ear as I shook him awake. Our plane was about to land, and he was still asleep. Finally after a few more minutes of shaking him, he finally woke up.

"What was so important that you had to wake me up?" Percy asked, the sleep in his voice evident.

"We're about to land." I rolled my eyes.

"Finally, I can't wait. You know how much I hate flying. How did you convince me to take a plane in the first place?" he groaned.

"Oh shut up, and I don't think you were complaining about flying when you were drooling on my shoulder." I countered, laughing when I saw Percy turn a beautiful shade of red.

"Shut-up," Percy muttered.

"Oh, come on, babe, you know I love you," I replied as I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"I love you too," Percy replied as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

After we got off the plane, we headed straight to the baggage claim. We got all of our bags and walked out of the airport to catch a taxi. When we were finally able to catch a taxi, we climbed in and told the driver the address to our apartment before sitting in a comfortable silence. The rest of the gang had caught earlier flights than we had and were already at the apartment complex we were all staying at.

Pretty soon, we were in front of our building. As I got out of the cab to get our bags, Percy paid the cab driver before coming over to help. When we finally got all of our bags out of the trunk, with a little help from the cab driver, we said our thanks and walked inside of the complex. As soon as we walked into the lobby, I was in love with the building. I was still admiring the lobby when a bellboy came to help us with our bags. The lobby was gorgeous; it was just like a hotel lobby room. They had tile floors and a waiting room with a reception desk off to the left and elevators to the right. The waiting room had one couch, a love seat, and about three chairs all positioned around a round coffee table. Percy and I followed the bellboy as we walked to the elevator; we were on the 3rd floor in apartment, 315.

When we got to the 3rd floor, Percy went ahead of the bellboy to open the door, with the key he still had from his last visit here. After the bellboy left, we started to unpack our things, and pretty soon, we were almost done. When we finished unpacking and putting things in their proper place, Percy and I were cuddled up on the couch watching TV, soon deciding to go check on our friends tomorrow instead of tonight. I was so glad Percy had come ahead of time to make sure our apartment was fully furnished.

Soon, I was falling asleep; I looked at my phone to see that it was only 8:50. I think all the settling in and unpacking wore me out. Percy, sensing that I was about to fall asleep, picked me up bridal style and carried me to our room. I felt Percy kiss my forehead as he slid in next to me and wrap his arms around me. I sighed in contentment as I rested my head against Percy's chest. Soon, I fell into a deep slumber listening to Percy's steady heartbeat.

So did you like it? I hope so! Again I am so sorry for not updating sooner! If you want to see the girls graduation dresses I'll post them on my profile. I should be updating soon, seeing as I am almost finished with the next chapter but no promises because not only am I working on Secrets but the sequel to The Nanny, my crossover between Twilight and PJO, You Don't Know Everything, and the first story I am thinking of starting when I publish The Beginning.

I'm so happy I was able to write a lengthy chapter! I haven't been able to do those in a while! Oh, and please you guys, go to my profile and vote for my poll! It's about what story I should publish when I publish The Beginning. I'll try to update soon!

Until Next Time,

~booklover484 :D