A/N: Hey Guys! I'm back!

NOTICE: Alright, so my updates may be a little slower than before, just cause I have so much going on, with colleges and school. This does NOT mean I'm stopping or going on hiatus. I WILL continue writing. The only difference is that my updates may be a little more spaced out than usual. It's just cause of all the things I have going on. Thanks for understanding.

Anyway, here:

We got to the ball on time, luckily and didn't miss a word of Reyna's speech. And later as everyone started to socialize, Jason came up with his date and girlfriend Piper.

"Wow, nice Perce. I was sure you were going to forget, or come in late," he said as way of greeting. I scowled at him,

"Well you were wrong," I huffed. Jason looked at Annabeth,

"This was your doing?" he asked. Annabeth just smiled.

"Maybe," she said.

"I knew he'd forget!" Jason said triumphantly.

"Jason, why is that something to be proud over?" Piper asked with a raised eyebrow.

Jason shut up. Piper turned to Annabeth,

"Hello, Nice to meet you, I'm Piper," she introduced.

"Annabeth," Annabeth greeted. We all talked a little more till it was time to eat. By then my other friend Leo had joined.

We sat around a round table and ate and talked. Annabeth seemed to be getting along great with my friends, and they seemed to like her back. They took her in the group almost instantly. Unfortunately, that led to a lot of teasing on my behalf. But somehow, despite my embarrassed face I couldn't bring myself to mind too much.

"And so that is the story of how Percy almost lost his swim trunks in the ocean," Leo concluded masterfully. Annabeth, along with everyone else, laughed at my expense. I buried my face in my hands and groaned.

"Thanks guys," I said sarcastically.

"No problem Perce, anytime," Leo smiled back, knowing full well I had not meant that literally.

"I'll pass," I said frowning. Then Annabeth, with her soft hands pried my hands of my face and took them into hers,

"Come on Percy," she said smiling. Her hands were in mine, and she was leaning on me slightly,

"I won't tell anyone...except maybe Stella," she continued. I looked at her horrified.

"Just kidding! But the look on your face was worth it!" she laughed.

"I like her," Leo and Piper said, "don't let her go."

There was that saying again, I scowled at them. But I wasn't really planning on letting her go anyway.

-LINEBREAK-

The night was almost over but there was still dancing left. Now, I'm not a terrible dancer, but I'm not the greatest either. I'd say I'm decent enough, but I figured that was going to change if I danced with Annabeth on the sole fact that I'd be nervous.

As couples and dates drifted to the dance floor I turned to Annabeth who had a champagne glass in hand. I toasted with her then after I built up the courage, asked her to dance with me.

"Annabeth, may I have this dance?" I asked as a new song played. She accepted my outstretched hand and we entered the dance area. Annabeth, as it turned out, was an amazing dancer (when was she not amazing?) and we waltzed along to the music.

The night started to turn when we had taken a break from dancing. A man with brown hair had walked up to Annabeth and asked her to dance. I, of course, was glaring at him, warning him to back off, he just smirked.

"Hello beautiful, may I have this dance," he said in a 'charming' voice. It was disgusting, it broke my heart when Annabeth smiled back at him.

"Thank you," she said, and at this point I was ready to murder the dude, "but I don't feel up to dancing," she refused politely. It was my turn to give a smug grin to the dude who had been rejected.

"Oh I'm sure I'll make it worth-" he started again, but I cut him off.

"Look she doesn't want to, now back off," I said slipping an arm around her waist. The guy scowled at me before leaving.

Annabeth turned to me with a raised eyebrow,

"Well someone's a bit possessive," she said teasingly.

"Can you blame me, you're mine," I blurted, then realized what I had said, "my date I mean, like your my date cause I asked you-"

"I get it," Annabeth cut me off placing a hand on my chest. I realized I still had my arm around her. I shut up with a light blush on my cheeks.

We stood there for a while just watching the whole scene when I decided to show her something. I led her through the ballroom doors and into a small balcony. The hall had many of these small balconies along the sides.

This one in particular gave a view of the New York City lights and skyline.

"This is beautiful!" Annabeth gasped.

I smiled down at her, glad that she liked what I was showing her. She was really close to me at this point, and my arm was still around her waist. She smelled like lemons, and her pink lips taunted me as I stared at her.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or the scene, maybe it was her scent, or just her in general. I dont know what possessed me to do what I did next but before I knew it I was leaning towards her and my lips were on hers.

A/N: Oooh! Cliffy? maybe? Well, how was it?

Please Review!

See ya! :)