Alright yall, get ready cause the next chapter is the last! And I'm sorry this is a bit late. My birthday was this past week and I spent some quality time with my family. Then, had a sleepover with a few of my friends that lasted the entire weekend. It was lots of fun and I'm completely exhausted because we didn't sleep at all. Anyways, remember to follow, favorite, and review! Enjoy!

*Edit* I posted this, then realized I had not done my replies to review section at the bottom. God, I need to go to bed.

"ANNABETH!"

Piper's yelling followed the sound of the front door slamming shut. Annabeth wildly sits up in her bed just as Piper comes running into her bedroom followed by Thalia. The blonde had been taking a nap after getting home from work. The anticipation and nervousness of her upcoming date with Percy had been causing her to be unable to sleep soundly.

In addition to this, Hallie had been particularly difficult today. Annabeth is exhausted. This causes her crash to the second her head hit the pillow when she got home.

"What're you doing in bed?!" Piper shouts, dropping her bag of supplies on the bed. She grabs Annabeth's hand and starts tugging out of bed. "It's already five! Your date is in two hours! We have to start getting you ready!"

"Two hours?" Annabeth repeats. "Pipes, that's plenty of time. Thalia, help me."

The other girl merely shrugs. "Don't look at me. Piper's the dating expert." Annabeth groans, while Piper starts pushing her towards the bathroom, insisting that she takes a shower while the other two pick out an outfit for her.

Thirty minutes later, Annabeth is freshly showered and sitting on her bed in a robe. She watches quietly as Piper and Thalia comb through her entire closet. Discarded items of clothes are spread around her room. "You guys do realize that I can dress for a date by myself, right?"

They ignore her as Thalia holds up one of the few dresses that she owns. "How about this one?"

The brunette eyes it critically, then shakes her head. "No, too fancy. They're just going to that little diner. She needs to look casual but cute." So, the raven haired girl tosses the dress in a random direction behind her.

"I hope you guys are going to clean this up for me." Annabeth grumbles, crossing her arms while surveying the messy state her bedroom has become.

"Yeah, yeah," Thalia flippantly replies. "Don't worry, Bethie, we'll clean up." This does nothing to reassure the blonde, who sighs and flops back on her bed.

Annabeth stares at her reflection in the mirror. The two other girls had picked out a brown sweater, skinny jeans, and a simple pair of brown lace up boots for her to wear. Thalia had her put her hair up in a simple bun, and Piper applied simple and light makeup. A look that is casual but cute - just what Piper had described.

By the time the entire process of getting Annabeth dressed is finished, it's almost seven. Enter self doubt and anxiety, stage left.

She turns to the two girls standing behind her. "I don't think I can do this." She says fidgeting with her necklace.

"Yeah- no," Thalia says, blue eyes determined. She puts her hands on the blonde's shoulders. "You are not going to let your anxiety control you tonight. Not tonight. Annabeth, listen to me: You are a strong, beautiful woman who can and will be going on a date tonight. You'll be okay. The world will not explode if you have one night of fun with a guy you really like, got it?"

She nods, and Thalia lets go of her shoulders.

"It also helps," Piper adds. "That this guy in particular has been head over heels for you for, like, over six months."

"Pipes, please," Annabeth begs. "Don't exaggerate about that. "

"Who says I'm exaggerating?" The brunette asks. "And you really need to stop doing that."

"Doing what?"

Piper gives her a look. "You need to stop talking down about yourself. You're undermining your own happiness. It's not healthy, Annie, it's self-destructive."

The blonde sighs, knowing her friend is right. "I know. I'm trying not to."

Piper pats her back. "We know." Then, checks the time. "Percy will be here any minute now." Annabeth starts to say something, but Thalia cuts her off. "Yes, we know. We'll clean up while your gone, and we won't post anything about the date."

Both Annabeth and Percy want keep the fact of them going on a date just between the them and their friends as it's just a first date. She starts to say as much when she's interrupted again. This time, by Piper, who hands the blonde her purse. "We know, Annabeth. Nothing's official yet. No letting the whole fandom know that their ship is practically canon."

The blonde gives the brunette a look of confusion. To which, Piper merely shakes her head. "Nevermind. I forgot that you don't speak fandom. Remind me to teach you at some point." They all pause a sharp knock on the front door echoes through the apartment.

"He's here!" Piper squeals in excitement as she pulls Annabeth to the door. Thalia passes them and opens up the front door, winking at Annabeth as she stands back to reveal Percy. For a split second, once again, she feels as if she's dreaming. But the frigid mid-February air washes over her, grounding her to the reality of the evening.

He smiles radiantly at her, looking more handsome than she's ever seen him, blue hair and all. "You ready to go?"

She nods, returning the smile. "Yeah, just let me grab my coat." She grabs her coat from the closet and quickly slips it on as she walks towards him. "Alright, let's go." She notices Jason leaning against the doorframe of the opposite apartment. He grins at her and gives her a thumbs up. Annabeth rolls her eyes as a smile appears on her lips.

As they walk down the hall, towards the stairs, the blonde hears Piper say, "I feel like a mom watching her daughter go off on her first date."

By the time Annabeth and Percy arrive at the diner, her nerves have almost gone away. During the car ride over, they talked and chatted like they always do. The atmosphere around them wasn't romantic as you assume a date to be, but it wasn't casual like when they would just go out for lunch together. It's different. A good different.

The blonde slid into her side of the booth, Percy across from her. A waiter comes over and takes their orders. As the waiter walks away, she raises an eyebrow at Percy.

"What?" He asks, noticing her look.

"A milkshake when it's barely above freezing outside?" She questions with an amused smile.

"Key words: 'above freezing'," He points out.

"So, if it was below freezing you wouldn't order a milkshake?"

He nods. "Exactly." Annabeth snorts at him. He changes the subject. "So, how was work today?"

Annabeth groans. "Terrible. Hallie threw a tantrum - oh, no, not just one - but two." She holds up two fingers for emphasis.

"She did?" He eyes with concern and interest. "Why?"

Annabeth smiles in thanks at the waiter as he sets down their drinks. "Did I tell you that my boss is pregnant?" She pauses, waiting for his answer while taking a sip of her diet cola, and he nods. "Well, the due date is getting closer, and I guess it's been a stressful pregnancy. I can tell is that Hallie is not sleeping well because her parents are stressed, and she's also worried about her mom. Anyways, how was your day?"

Percy smiles. "Well, I finished editing a few videos, then I was going to finally finish that essay for music theory, but I procrastinated until it got to late."

"Percy," Annabeth exclaims with an incredulous laugh. "That essay is due next week, and we've had over a month to turn it in!"

"I know." He sighs. "I'm just stuck on the middle."

Annabeth smiles kindly at him. "Tomorrow, I'll help you."

"You will?" He immediately brightens, as she nods in conformation. "Thank you, my beautiful savior!" She's thankful that at that moment the waiter brought them there food, as she was blushing fiercely.

They dig into their food.

Percy dips a fry into his chocolate milkshake as he says, "So, there's something I've got to admit."

This peaks Annabeth's interest. "Oh, really?"

"First," He looks her directly in the eyes. "You have to promise not to laugh."

"Now, that's not fair!" She protests, gray eyes sparkling with interest. "I can make no such promises."

Percy shrugs, "Fair enough. Do you remember that when I dyed my hair blue the first time, it was because I lost a bet?"

"Mhmm."

"Well, I never told you what the bet was."

Annabeth gasps in realization. "That's right! I asked but you told me not to worry about it. So, tell me, what was the bet?"

"Thalia and Nico bet that I would chicken out of asking you out." He reveals. "And I did."

Annabeth's eyes widen in surprise. "Wait, just how long have you wanted to ask me out?"

Percy blushes, and rubs the back of his neck. "Like, since August." Piper's comment of Percy having liked for over six months comes rushing back to her.

"Oh my god, now I feel bad."

"What, why?"

Annabeth bites her lip. "Because I haven't liked you for nearly as long. Well, I don't think I have. I mean, I didn't realize it until two weeks ago."

Percy laughs at her rambling. "Beth, it's fine. I'm just glad you realized it." Then, he pauses. "Wait - two weeks ago? Like, right before I asked you out, two weeks ago?"

Annabeth nods. "Yeah. It was Girls' Night. Piper and Thalia kept taking about the possibility of you and I going out, and I just suddenly realized it."

"That's funny," He comments. "Because the day after your Girls' Night and my Guy's Night, Piper kept badgering me to 'grow a pair and finally ask you out because it's the perfect time' - her words. "

They share a look, and in unison, "Piper." Annabeth laughs while Percy smiles and shakes his head.

"I'm not surprised." Percy says.

"Neither am I." Annabeth agrees.

They fall into conversation as the time passes. Once finished with their meal, Percy pays despite Annabeth telling him that she can pay for her half. They leave the diner and start heading towards the car which was parked a few blocks down. As they walk, Percy hand slips into hers and she doesn't let go.

"I had fun tonight." Percy tells her as they stand in front of Annabeth's door.

"Me too." She says with a smile.

He nods. "We should do this again." The blonde smirks at the casual way he says this. She can't help but to tease, "Percy Jackson, are you asking me out on a second date?"

"Yes," He grins at her. "Yes, I am. So, your answer?"

"I would love to go on another date with you, Percy."

His smile is dazzling. Then, he leans down and kisses to her forehead. When he pulls back, Percy softly tucks a lose curl behind her ear and smiles affectionately at the blonde.

"Annabeth," He starts. "I just want you to know that we can go at whatever pace you want, okay? I don't want you to do anything you're uncomfortable with." Sometimes, she doesn't know how Percy is even a real person and not just a fantasy.

Still, slightly in shock, she looks into his eyes. There's nothing but honesty and gentleness in them. She looks down and then back up at him. "Thank you, Percy, really."

He smiles affectionately at her. "You deserve nothing less, Beth." Just with a simple sentence, she can feel herself falling deeper for the man standing right in front of her.

In a moment of bravery, Annabeth places her hands on Percy's shoulders and stands up on her tiptoes. She means forward and lightly presses her lips against his. There's a squeak followed by a loud thump from across the hall and Annabeth jumps back. The interaction had taken place in less than three seconds to which Percy had no time to react. He just stares at her, in shock.

Blushing fiercely, the blonde quickly unlocks her door and mumbles a 'good night' before slipping inside and closing the door. She leans against the door, breathless, and ten seconds pass before she hears a door close. She sinks down to floor and bites her lip to keep from squealing.

Why had she suddenly done that? She didn't know, but did she regret it? Not at all.

REPLIES TO REVIEWS:

DecemberRome: Lol, I imagined that as my best friend's pterodactyl screech that they do when they're excited.

ZebraGirl202: I'm glad you're okay!

FreelanceWriter365: Don't let your past relationships discourage you. The fact that you've dated means you're doing better than me lol. I've been single for my entire life. My best friend says that I don't leave the house enough... they're right. And thank you for your continued support!.

DreamCatcher06: I hope you liked this chapter as well!

Guest: LOL I can't even tell if you're actually joking or not.

Bookworm's fanfics: Thank you so much! I do hope I can continue to read your wonderful comments, and you're very welcome. I wanted to see how much my writing had improved from earlier fics that I posted on another account (which the stories are deleted and the account abandoned because they were TRASH (and not the good kind))

instant flare: Thank you so very much!

TheFalcons: Sooooo, what'd you think?

awesomeguy2279: Everyone fangirls, no matter their gender. I mean, my best friend identifies as non-binary and they even say that they fangirl lol

Guest: No, John will not be coming back as the next chapter is the last chapter.

Sara: Well, John is in jail, sooooooo….

Abby: Honestly, I don't how yall see it as addictive. I barely like my own writing as it is.

Guest: Thank you, that's so sweet!

Wonderland AKA Cay-Cay: He was more nervous then emotionless lol

Truecolors459: Thank you!

Guest: It did, it really did.

ElGris: I have a weakness for clichés and it SHOWS.

22mitchellc: Thank you for the song suggestions, but I already have them all picked out :)

Voldinette: Don't worry, I won't abandon it as the next chapter is the last!