Chapter 46: Third Time's The Charm
Guys… this is it… the last chapter…
Thank you for the reminder from Hidden in the flames meSTDSD today is Thalia's birthday! EVERYONE WISH HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson….for now….oh yea… I don't own the song in here too…. For song title read the note in the end :D
Annabeth's POV:
It was him, it was really him, Percy Jackson was standing on that stage ready to make a fool of himself. 'Is he talking about me?'I wondered. My heart fluttered a bit thinking about the possibility that he still likes me. I shook my head and continued on my way to walk out of the dance floor, 'This is probably just him going back to his old ways.' I thought.
I took one step, two steps then I heard the two words that made me stop in my tracks, "Wise Girl," I stopped and tried to will myself to keep on walking but my legs seems as if they had a mind of their own. I turned, just as everyone else did. The only difference, I knew who Wise Girl was, and they don't. All they see is a guy up there confessing his feelings for some girl, but what I see is Percy Jackson, for once in his life being sincere.
He stood up there, wearing a black classic tux with a sea-green tie that matches his eyes. "This one is for you, my Prettiest Friend." His eyes scan the crowd until it rested on me. I saw his mouth twitched into a slight smile
"This is what I look like today
And I'm trying not to pull out my hair
I'm trying hard to grow it but I'm far too shy to show it back there
That is probably why I like wearing hats
There's no denying I'm deferring the facts
Avoiding confrontation
Lacks tact in a situation
Behind every line is a lesson yet to learnBut if you asked me
The feeling that I'm feeling is overwhelming
And oh, it goes to show
There's so much to knowI wrote this for my prettiest friend
But while trying not to prove that I care
I was trying not to make all my moves in one motion and scare her away
Well she can't see she's making me crazy now
I don't believe she knows she's amazing how
She has me holding my breath
So I'll never guess that I'm a none such unsuitable, suited for herAnd if you ask me
The feeling that I'm feeling is complimentary
And oh, it goes to show
The moral of the story is boy loves girl
And so on, but the way it unfolds is yet to be told ."
I felt myself tense up as Percy walked closer to me, there was a break in the song and he stopped singing. I didn't know what to do, I couldn't move at all, I just stood there stupidly as Percy took another step closer to me. Unlike all those movie scenario I should only see him, I was actually aware of the people around me. They were staring with their mouth's open, most of the girls were scolding their dates that they should be sweet like Percy. I could see Nico and Thalia in the corner smiling like crazy as they danced to their own Green Day music. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Luke just leaning casually against the wall as he watched Percy walking towards me with the usual cocky smile on his face.
'DAMMIT I NEED TO MOVE NOW!' I yelled at myself, but my foot remained glued to the ground. 'Okay I'll admit…. This is sweet…but it's not like I'm going to tell him that.' I thought.
The music slowly died out, and the one and only Percy Jackson was standing right in front of me, with his hopeful sea-green eyes. Out of nowhere he brought out a bouquet of roses. "Will you care for a dance?" He asked.
I could feel the crowd anticipating my answer. I felt nervous, I felt vulnerable, and worst of all I felt fear. I looked straight into Percy's eyes, they were warm, hopeful, and comforting even. Just at that moment, and exactly like Cinderella I ran out of the gym, except I didn't drop my slipper or anything. I admit, I was scared, my whole body betrayed me, instead of staying and accepting his apology like I had wanted to. I was scared so I simply ran.
I looked back, and noticed that he didn't follow me. I face fell, "That jerk, I knew it… he was just playing me." I mumbled. I stared back at the opened door, almost hoping that he'll run after me, just like in those movies where the guy runs out after the girl. He was willing to make a fool of himself in front of the entire school, but couldn't manage to get off his lazy ass and run after me.
"Liar, coward, jerk, asshole…" I listed off insults after insults as I stared at the empty school.
"You know… you don't need to insult me like that when I'm right here." I heard a familiar voice rang out from behind me as two strong arms wrapped around my waist.
Percy's POV:
She ran away from me, she rejected me. Those were the first words in my mind as she looked at me one last time before running out the door. I should've listened to Nico, what even made me think that this cheesy shit would even work. Everyone was looking at me with a pitiful look on their face, everyone except Nico, Thalia, and Luke. I ignored them and went on staring down at the roses in my hand. She rejected me, she really did rejected me. I heard felt like it was torn into two pieces.
"DUDE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Nico yelled at me. I didn't answer, I was too sad, she had just rejected me. "THIS IS WHERE YOU RUN AFTER THE GIRL!"
"Nico! You don't get it right? She just rejected me! That's done! She pretty much implied that we're done! She wanted nothing to do with me!" I yelled back at him. Luckily the music was on full blast so no one gave us weird looks.
Luke stepped in close and grabbed my shirt as if he's about to beat me up, "Listen here Jackson, you're gonna run out there and grab her back. She likes you, believe it or not. She's just scared. So why don't you get off your cowardly ass and get her back." Luke spat at me and shoved me towards the exit.
'She's scared? Annabeth? Scared? Oh sure those two words totally works together.' I remarked sarcastically. 'Why would she be scared though?' I wondered. Then it hit me like a thousand blocks of weights. 'DAMN I'M STUPID! I hurt her twice already, what's the guarantee that I won't hurt her a third time.'
I scrambled up to my feet and hurried out the door just in time to hear Thalia say, "Don't screw up Kelp Head!"
~CHEESYCHEESYCHEESYBEWARE~
I found her, her back was turned to me, she looked almost as if she's about to cry. 'Great job Percy, you officially screwed up.' I scolded myself.
"Liar, coward, jerk, asshole…" She called out to no one in particular. I assumed it was me though.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, 'Damn… I'm turning sappy, I seriously miss hugging her.' I thought as I hugged her. "You know… you don't need to insult me like that when I'm right here." I smirked at her.
"What are you doing here?" Her body tensed and she turned around. She glared at me, but her eyes seems to soften a bit.
"Chasing after the girl of my dream." I answered a bit too cheesy.
Annabeth rolled her eyes and just then I realized who close we are…not that I really mind. "Oh really…? Where'd you get that line from?"
"The internet?" I replied with a bit of uncertainty. 'Come on! Stop getting nervous!' I reminded myself.
She raised an eyebrow, "So who's this girl of your dream then?"
"You." I replied without hesitation. I wasn't sure if it was my imagination but her grey eyes seem to brightened as I said that. "It's always been about you, I'm just asking to be forgiven." I continued.
"You seriously expect me to forgive you just because you sang a cheesy song?" She questioned me.
"Yes…?" I tried, unfortunately Annabeth glared at me. 'Wrong answer.' I told myself. "I- I mean…" I racked my brain for answers, "Umm… There's a chance that you might turn a bit more humane and accept my way of apology right?" I said a bit unsure.
"So you're saying I'm inhumane?" Annabeth asked her eyes narrowing as she released from my grip.
I wanted to punch myself. "No- that's not-" My tongue was twisted the same way my head was twisted with so many cheesy lines that Nico have been trying to hammer in my head."Look I'm just trying to say is I'm sorry and…" I was about to ramble on and on until Annabeth interrupted me.
"Just shut up, Jackson."
I smiled, "Does that mean I'm forgiven?" I asked her, putting on my best puppy dog face.
She grabbed the flowers from my hand, "Does that answers your question?" She asked me back as I put a huge grin on my face.
Before she could walk back to the gym I quickly asked, "Then can I ask for one dance with the beautiful lady?" I stood there holding out my hand stupidly as she turned around her face brightening up just a bit more.
She put down the roses and rested her hands on mines. "You know… you're getting a bit sappy Jackson." She said scornfully but I could tell it was a joke.
"You know that you liked it when I said your name up on that stage." I smiled down at her as we swayed to no music in particular. She didn't say anything as we danced in silence for a couple more minutes. "You know that song I sang,..?" I began after a while. She let out a slight nod. "All those words are true, that's exactly what I think of you. My prettiest friend." I confessed.
Her face fell a bit. "Is that what I am? Just your prettiest friend…? Nothing more?" She asked softly. "I get it." She sighed and let go of my hand.
"No you don't get it!" I pulled her back. "That's not just all! You're my prettiest friend that I've been crazy about since we broke up. Every day the only thing on my mind was you. You don't know how much those grey eyes are affecting me, they are beautiful and mesmerizing. " I took a deep breath. "At the beginning of our relationship, I was a jerk and everything was a lie, everything was based on a bet. However, as I got to know you, I was amazed by your stunning beauty and stubborn personality that I learned to love. I still care deeply for you, even if you do not see me as a friend anymore. I promise to always be there for you no matter what. I ask a second chance at us, and I lost your trust, so I will only ask for one more chance to prove that I care. Third times the charm right?" I looked at her straight into the eyes. "Will you be my girlfriend…" I paused. "Again?" I kneeled down and held out a box.
Annabeth didn't answer me, her face was emotionless as if in shock. I mentally cursed, 'Damn…. That was too cheesy…' I thought. My face fell, 'She's just going to reject me again.' I thought dejectedly.
Apparently Annabeth thought so too. "What did you do? Rehearse that whole thing for the past week?"
I was baffled, "Woah, how'd you know?" I frowned. 'Great way to screw everything up…' I mentally scolded myself. "Did I screw up?" I asked her. 'Getting off topic here Percy.' I reminded myself.
I stood up to meet her eyes, "Annabeth I'm being sincere this time, I really mean it when I'm asking you to be my girlfriend."
"How do I even know you are telling the truth?" She questioned me. "Every other time it was all on a bet or a lie."
"The bet was just a cover and the lie… I didn't even know that I lied!" I argued. "I was always serious about liking you though!"
Annabeth seemed a bit taken back by my sudden outburst. "Percy-" Annabeth began, but I was on a roll.
"You didn't know I was pretty much like a walking zombie when we broke up! I missed you, it was like my heart's being torn to pieces! Did you know how much I was suffering! I never meant to hurt you, I swear! I was just-" Annabeth's lips smashed into mines. I felt like my brain was melting all over again and I kissed her back. We pulled apart for air. "Does that mean it's a yes?" I asked breathlessly noticing our faces were only centimeters from each other.
She smiled at me, her grey eyes were truly shining with joy, "Yes." She answered finally.
"Can you turn around then?" I asked her.
"Why?"
"Just turn around." I told her.
"I don't have to listen to you." She shot back.
"Take it as I'm begging."
"Fine." She turned around as I took the necklace out of the box.
I grinned calmly but inside I'm pretty sure my heart was doing jumping-jacks or something. "Then Ms. Chase, here's my gift to you." I opened the box and took out the necklace. Carefully I unclasp the back and pulled her blond hair back. "You know I will love you forever and always." I quoted off the necklace.
Annabeth looked at it for a second, her eyes were wide in shock. "It's beautiful." I imagined her saying. Of course Annabeth being Annabeth said, "Seriously Seaweed Brain, can you get anymore cheesier."
"I thought you like cheesiness?" I smirked remembering what Thalia told me earlier.
"Well from you, no thanks." Annabeth said stubbornly.
"Come on Wise Girl," I pleaded.
"Fine."
"Yes?" I urged her on.
"Thank you." She mumbled.
"Can't hear you!" I said in an annoying voice.
"Thank you." She mumbled only a slight bit louder.
"Huh?" I said obnoxiously.
"You're seriously asking for it Seaweed Brain." She mumbled and lean up and destroyed my eardrums, "THANK YOU!"
"No need to be so mean." I murmured.
"You totally asked for it." She shot back.
I stood there interlocking my hand with hers. "You know… they are waiting for us inside the gym." I reminded her.
"Let them wait, I think I deserve a little lone time with you." She smiled.
"Then I think you still owe me a dance." I grinned and grabbed her other hand. We swayed to the sound of nature as she rested her head on my shoulder. I smiled at her relaxed featured. I knew right then without question that I'm in love with her. I was in love with Annabeth Chase. "Annabeth Chase I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you." I told her with honesty and oddly enough it was true. I loved how she could make me feel alive by just walking into a room. I loved how she could smile and instantly make my day. Best of all I loved how she could make me feel loved.
For a while she tensed as if surprised, "I love you too Seaweed Brain." She finally replied.
I was finally happy for once in my life, sure it wasn't perfect, heck me and Annabeth was probably not going to have everything completely set and stone, but all I knew at the moment was I loved her, that I'd do anything to have her just next to me. I finally found love, not the happy ending, but just the present ending that I'm perfectly fine with. So instead of saying that we lived happily ever after, I'm just going to say we lived our lives to the fullest possible and I don't think I'll ever regret ever loving her.
THE END
I actually rewrote this chapter so many times before I decided that it was a good enough of an ending. I'll admit it's pretty darn cheesy but I couldn't help myself, I'm all for cheesy endings, it's just me. (Not that I'll ever admit it in real life) Oh yeah, in case some of you were wondering, the song in this story was Prettiest Friend by Jason Mraz, it's a wonderful song so give it a try.
I can't believe it… I'm actually finished with my first story, at first I wasn't sure whether or not I'll do good on this story (notice many of my grammar mistakes, and added to the fact that English have never been my strong subject,) but I actually really like this story and pretty sad that it's coming to an end. As I'm writing this I'm kinda having a hard time parting with this story, but it have to be done. Sadly this is officially the end, I'm sad to know that this story is coming to an end, but we all saw it coming right? Damn… never thought I would've written 46 chapters…. I did finish it before the end of the year! Well I hope you all a good Christmas, I'm going to miss all those threats you guys put out for me to update, all those favorites and alerts… man I'm turning into a Percy… Don't worry though I'm planning to start on another story in about a month or two. I actually already have it planned out a long time ago, but I just want to focus on one story at a time so there's less pressure and such, but yeah I'm planning on another one soon. (Just going to take a break :D)
Also for my next story… do you guys suggest another Percebeth AU or a little story of Annabeth/Luke/Thalia old days on the run? I already have plans for both so it's cool :D
And last of all, I want to personally thank you all of the people that helped me with this:
My brother (actually my cousin): I want to thank him for always being there for whatever problem I have and helping me with this fanfic, even though he does get annoying at times, he means well….I think…He had a big contribution in this fanfic and he'll probably pester me for it later but I'll thank him.
My sisters: My first readers in all my chapters to make sure that they are good and actually fun to read. The one who actually started me on this, when she started with her Korean idol asian fanfiction, which pretty much got be all fired up in writing this (don't ever tell her this though)
My friends: I don't know if you guys ever noticed but most of the characteristics and such I based them on my friends, believe if or not… I have a friend that acts like Silena… always trying to make me wear make-up and dresses….*shudder* and I have a friend with an obsession like Nico, just not with ninjas (but hey I've got not right to talk… I'm obsessed with zombies :D)
Reviewers: Most of all…. I thank you all the reviewers, without you guys I wouldn't be able to have the ability to write this whole story nor even have the encouragement to continue writing. You guys probably don't know this but each and every one of your reviews actually made me happy, whether it was constructive criticism or just praises, I was glad for them all. I can't believe I'm saying this but I enjoy all those threats that a few of you always made sure to leave. I remember some of those humorous paragraphs you guys would leave. Those long descriptive reviews, I swear I read them all, and trust me I read them with a smile on my face and a feeling as if I'm about to burst out screaming.
Now if you read all of this…. You all deserve a high five and I'll even throw in one of my zombies to protect you guys in case zombies start coming out of their graves. Another little prize, you guys should read through these two quotes, they are worth reading :D
"There is only one happiness in life, to love and to be loved." –George Sand
" Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep... wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you' re just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have YOU... The one who turns to his friends and says, thats her... " – Unknown
P.S. Yes I can't bear to stop writing/typing yet, but any other questions/suggestions, please message me and I'll reply ASAP
Agent Astro Zombie
