Hey guys! Wow, we are nearing the end!

A quick reminder: Upon the arrival of the epilogue, the poll on my profile will be closed, and the first chapter of the new story will be up! Look out for that!

Percy convinced Annabeth to go to this diner near town. It was a place that Percy held very dearly to his heart, and was also just the epicenter of the town. Everyone went there. Kids from the high school, adults, families, everyone worth seeing went there.

Now of course, people not worth seeing went there too, but that's another story.

That's why Percy was surprised, when Annabeth admitted, "I actually have never been there."

Let's just say, that meant alone they had to go, despite being on a date, despite anything. It was such a comforting place, and always made him feel a bit better about himself whenever he went. Now, as Percy was thinking of it, he hadn't gone since the crash.

As he thought about it deeper, he hadn't paid a visit in a while. This would be his first time visiting in a long time, and Annabeth's first time visiting overall.

The diner wasn't far away- it couldn't be, being the central meeting place of kids and families everywhere. It stood smack-dab in the middle of their little town, pictured as a typical, run-off the meal family restaurant.

As they approached the place, Percy turned to Annabeth, trying to gauge her reaction. Her face was set to neutral, not showing any particular emotion at all. A small smile sat on her face, but that hadn't changed for the most of the time they stayed together.

Annabeth opened the door for Percy, and he swung in, inhaling the scent of grilled cheese, burgers and sweat. The signature smell of the restaurant, of course.

They took a couple seats near the back, and Percy noticed a couple of kids he recognized hanging around. They all nodded at Percy, and he smiled at them, turning back to Annabeth.

"So," Annabeth said, "What do you recomend?" She was looking at the menu, which consisted of five main food items. Percy always went with grilled cheese, so much to the point that the waiters and waitresses didn't have to ask for his order.

"Grilled cheese," Percy told her. "And a coke."

Annabeth nodded at him. "I'll get the burger." She said seriously.

"What?" Percy exclaimed jokingly. "Are you doubting my meal choices?"

Annabeth clicked her tongue. "Says the one who likes blueberry bubble tea."

Percy feigned offense. "Blueberry bubble tea is good."

"Didn't look that great." Annabeth laughed, and Percy soon joined in. "Anyway," She said, and motioned over to his leg. "We haven't really talked about your injury."

Percy shifted in his seat, a bit uncomfortable. "It's healing. The doctor says I'll be out of the crutch soon enough. My arm is healing fast. That's good."

Annabeth hesitated before speaking again. "When will you be able to swim again?"

"A couple months." Percy told her. At least he would be able to competitively swim during the school year.

She nodded, "That's good."

At this moment, the waitress went over to their table to ask for their orders. She nodded at Percy, already knowing what he was going to say, and telling him it was nice to see him. When she saw Annabeth, she politely asked her order, and she replied, "A burger."

As the waiter left, Percy shook his head. "I can't believe you still want a burger."

"You know I just did that to spite you," Annabeth told him. "And plus, grilled cheese isn't my favorite."

Percy shook his head solemnly. "I can't believe it."

"That's your problem," Annabeth replied. "I certainly can believe it."

"Fine," Percy said, and they continued talking until minutes later, when the waiter came back with their food. Annabeth immediately dug into her burger, and Percy soon followed suit, taking a bite of his grilled cheese. He watched her as she ate her food, chomping into the burger over and over again until the burger was gone. She then began eating her fries, while Percy was still finishing his first slice of sandwich.

"I'm impressed." Percy told her, and watched as she finished eating a fry.

Annabeth rolled her eyes at him. "Please don't make fun of me. My father has constantly remarked about my less than perfect eating habits, but to be honest, if it's good, what am I going to do, not eat it?"

Percy nodded. "But that goes two ways," He said, "You can eat it quickly, and have the food for that moment, or savor it, and carry it on."

Annabeth shrugged. "I'd rather eat it quickly. Makes the moment bigger."

He beamed at her- not just smiled, full on beamed. It was nice he could have conversations like this with someone- so random, yet topical. It was as if they were made for each other- okay, maybe that sounded weird, but… Percy couldn't help feeling that a puzzle piece clicked into place whenever he was with Annabeth. It made him feel a little bit more like himself.

They continued talking, and eating until the food was finished, and it was time for them to leave. Percy picked his crutches up, and slung, alongside Annabeth to the door, and they walked outside, nearing a more secluded part of the town.

Nearing a bench, Percy set his crutches down, and sat on it. Tapping the space next to him, Annabeth sat next to him, and they were quiet. It wasn't an awkward silence- more of a balanced, emotional one.

After what seemed like hours, but was probably just minutes, Percy turned to Annabeth, and she turned to him, almost as if the same thing was on their minds.

"Can I kiss you?" Percy asked, and Annabeth nodded.

Percy closed his eyes, and they leaned toward each other, slowly, as if time was going by slowly, as if everything had built up to this moment, and now-

As he moved closer, he noticed nothing was happening, and he opened his eyes, to see Annabeth's, wide open and… scared?

"I lost my notebook."

I hope you guys liked this chapter! Next chapter is going to resolve a bunch of things throughout the plot, like the Drew conflict, which I think is really important. Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts in a review on this chapter!

Also, the Monday update will be postponed again. I'm sorry, I've been really busy these last couple of weeks, so you will see it (I hope) Wednesday.

Some replies:

SketchyWolf, I do take requests, but it depends on the request itself and how busy I am with life, along with writing. If you have a request, feel free to leave it in the reviews, and I'll be happy to look at it!

. . , I totally agree. I've never seen that type of story either. I think it would be cool to write, and If you have any suggestions, pm me, I'd love to hear them! Thanks so much for your compliments, I'm so glad that you are enjoying the story (:

T minus two chapters left!