Hey ho! Hello, again! Everybody will love this chapter because it's long. And everybody will also hate it because of the last part. And don't try to read the last part first if you're very curious. It'll spoil the moment. I wrote this chapter for about twelve days because I ran out of inspiration. I would like to thank the people who reviewed on the last chapter. And again, please vote for my poll. My summer's getting boring, I'm just doing the same stuff all over again. /sighs Anyways, have you played Pokemon Black and White? OMG. It's so epic! You should play. Ok, I'm getting off the topic. This is a very long chapter, so let's just get started.

Disclaimer: I'm getting tired of saying this. I don't own Percy Jackson.

Friday, the day of the dance. The hotel staff was setting up the dining hall for the dance. Annabeth went downstairs to check and see the area, specifically check if there's any sign of coffee. Annabeth saw Rachel, and Rachel winked at her. Annabeth smiled at her and soon faded away when she saw Luke also smiling towards her. His look was rather scary and Annabeth didn't like scary looks from other people. She turned back to leave and avoid Luke for the meantime. She still felt all guilty about that night. But of course, she forgot that Luke was taking her to the dance tonight. She mentally slapped herself for forgetting that.

Annabeth heard footsteps behind her, like someone was running. She looked where the noise was coming from, and saw Rachel running towards her. "Oh, Rachel!" Annabeth said with relief.

"Hey, Annabeth. I have a question." Rachel said.

"Alright. What is it?" Annabeth couldn't help but be curious because Rachel's face was a little worried.

"What happened to you and Luke's date the other night?" she asked.

"It wasn't a date." Annabeth said pursing her lips.

"He said it was a date."

"What he said wasn't true." Annabeth argued.

"Oh. Well, what happened?"

"Why?"

"Well, ever since that night he'd been…" Rachel looked around to see if Luke was listening. "…scary." Rachel whispered.

"Scary?" Annabeth asked confused. Shouldn't Luke be angry or sad? But scary? Why would he be?

"I don't know. He's been acting strange. Like he's smiling when he's alone but when people are around him, he doesn't want to talk to them. He also gets cranky and snappy when you ask him about it." Rachel said worried.

"I don't know what made him like that. I'm sorry." Annabeth lied.

"Oh." Rachel said.

Did she really have anything to do with Luke's actions? Did her rejecting do this to him? Annabeth thought of all these as Rachel said, "Thanks anyways. Have fun tonight!" Rachel smiled and left.

Annabeth was quite baffled at her discovery. She needed a sip coffee to unwind. She went to the coffee bar, ordered a coffee, and asked, "Where can I avail of a seat?"

"By your room, or by the pool." The barista answered handing her the cup of coffee.

"Thanks." Annabeth grabbed her coffee and headed towards the pool area. She decided to go there instead of her room because she'd never been on the pool area. While she was on the elevator, she thought of what will happen on the dance tonight. Would she actually have fun? When she reached the pool area, she saw Alice and Percy eating on a table beside the pool. Annabeth went towards the table to join them.

"Good Morning!" Annabeth greeted the both of them.

"Oh, Annabeth. Good morning!" Alice beamed. "Are you excited for the dance?"

"Not really." Annabeth took a seat beside Percy.

Percy blushed when he saw Annabeth smile at him. The two ate in silence while Annabeth sips her coffee with random thoughts swimming in her head. When Percy finished eating he asked Alice, "Can I go swimming now?"

"Fine, go ahead." Alice said.

"Thanks, grandma." Percy kissed Alice's cheek as a sign of thanks, and he winked at Annabeth. Annabeth couldn't help but smile on his childishness.

"He still asks permission?" Annabeth asked to Alice.

"He acts like a kid sometimes." Alice said.

Annabeth turned to look at Percy and she saw Percy take off his t-shirt. Annabeth showed no signs of gagging or anything, but she showed signs of blushing deeply. Annabeth had to contemplate Percy's body. She watched as Percy gracefully dives on the pool. She now knows why Percy wanted to be a professional swimmer.

Alice noticed the situation and looks where Annabeth was looking and raises her eyebrows. "Annabeth," Alice called, snapping Annabeth's thoughts. "Are you… blushing?" Alice asked.

"Uh…" Annabeth panicked a bit, she had an idea and fanned herself with her hands. "It's just because it's hot." Please buy it. Annabeth thought.

Alice narrowed her eyes, "Alright. I'll choose t believe that."

Annabeth sighed in relief. "Anyways, I have to get back to the room and fix it afterwards I'll go and walk around the hotel. I'll leave you for now." Alice smiled and left.

Annabeth drank the rest of her coffee silently. Afterwards, she threw her coffee in the nearest trash can, she just sat down, placed her hand on her head, and tapped her fingers on the table. She stayed like that for what seemed like an hour, looking like an idiot. "Hey, Annabeth." Annabeth looked around to see Percy waving at her from the poolside. "Come here!"

Annabeth stood and went to Percy. "Sit down." Percy commanded.

Annabeth reluctantly sat down on the pool side with her feet dangling on the water. "Nice day to swim." Percy said.

"Yeah." Annabeth nodded.

"Why don't you go for a swim?" Percy asked.

"I'm not in my proper swimming attire, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth rolled her eyes playfully.

"Well, you're wearing a tank top and shorts. That's perfectly fine for me." Percy shrugged.

"I just don't—"

"Shhh." Percy put a finger on Annabeth's mouth to shut her up. "Don't try to reason with me."

Annabeth took Percy's hand away from her and said, "Try me."

Percy was already smirking and Annabeth had to panic because Percy had an evil glint in his eyes. "Don't even try, Jackson. Don't even—AAAAAHHH!"

Percy pulled Annabeth towards him making Annabeth fall into the pool. Percy was laughing hysterically, while Annabeth was fuming mad underwater. When Annabeth surfaced, they both felt the time stop around them.

Their faces were two inches apart. Percy's heart was beating as fast as a train as well as Annabeth's. They both stared at each other's eyes. Green to gray. Both of their feelings (the "hysterically laughing Percy" and the "fuming mad Annabeth") had faded and were replaced with longing. Percy's longing to have Annabeth, and Annabeth's longing to be with Percy. Percy started lean closer. His actions were becoming automatic. Annabeth closed her eyes and Percy closed the gap.

Time stopped for the both of them. The kiss was blissful enough. Percy placed his right hand on the back of Annabeth's neck and the other hand on her waist. Annabeth's hands were on Percy's hair, tangling them. Percy wished the moment would last, but he needed the damned oxygen. He regretted his choice of pulling away, "I uh… have to go back uh… upstairs. I uh… think I have to uh… to something." Annabeth stuttered.

Annabeth went back to the surface and grabbed a towel. Percy watched as she left. Percy smiled, threw a punch in the air, and shouted, "Yes!"

Annabeth was probably blushing on the way back to her room. She closed the door, and leaned on it. She touched her lips and thought of earlier. It was an unexpected that they would kiss. She was supposed to be mad at him. But damn Percy got away with it with a kiss. But does that mean that Percy liked her too? Percy was her first kiss, and that was saying something. The only reason that made her respond to the kiss was her feelings towards Percy and his eyes. Oh, those eyes. She can stare at it as long until her eyes get dilated. The kiss was supposed to be more romantic if it was underwater but it wasn't. Annabeth sighed. She went to the bathroom to dry up and change.

Luke paced back and forth in front of Annabeth door. He was a bit uncomfortable because of his tux. His tux was grey with a blue tie. He didn't know if Annabeth was willing to go with him after what he had said to her. But he had a plan. He was still hesitating about his plan. He had a very wicked plan. But what can he do? Annabeth was the only thing he wanted but didn't have.

A door opened behind him and he looked back, "Luke." Percy said flatly.

"Percy." Luke almost growled.

"Listen," Percy started. "I don't wanna fight right now, okay? By the way, where's Rachel?"

"She's at our room."

"Thanks." Percy walked out worried about Annabeth being with Luke.

"Oh, Luke." Annabeth had the door opened. "I thought I heard Percy."

"Uh, yeah. He just left a while ago."

"Oh."

"Gosh, Annabeth. You look gorgeous."

"Thanks." Annabeth smiled.

Luke offered his hand, "Shall we?"

Annabeth reluctantly held Luke's hand and strode off.

Percy and Rachel were already downstairs. He didn't even bother be formal to Rachel. There were people dancing already. Of course they were a bit late. But who cares? "So, did you ask Annabeth out already?" Rachel asked.

"Uh, yeah."

"And?"

"She accepted." Percy smiled. "Oh, and uh… did I mention that we kissed earlier this morning?"

Rachel broke out into a grin. "That's awesome!" Rachel exclaimed. "Although I'm a bit jealous. You never asked me out."

Percy looked at her with raised eyebrows. "What? I was just kidding!" Rachel put her hands up in surrender. "Oh, look. Here they come."

Percy looked at the direction where Rachel was pointing. Percy felt like melting right on the spot. "I think I'll need to take my brother to the dance floor. So you can have time with Annabeth. You're face is telling me you need it." Rachel said.

"Good idea." Percy said.

"Hey sis!" Luke greeted Rachel.

"Hi Luke, Annabeth. Anyways Luke, I think we need to be on the dance floor, the two of us." Rachel said.

"Okay." Luke turned to Annabeth. "Save the last dance for me, eh?" Luke said to Annabeth with Percy scowling.

Annabeth nodded, and the siblings took off. "Miss Chase?" Annabeth looked at Percy. "I think you just dropped something." Percy said.

"What?" Annabeth looked around for something she dropped.

"My jaw." Percy said grinning.

"Ha-ha. Very funny, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth said sarcastically. "And why did I drop your jaw?"

"Because you look beautiful tonight, Wise Girl." Percy said blushing.

Annabeth blushed at the compliment. "Well, you look handsome tonight, Seaweed Brain."

Annabeth noticed that his necktie was little bit loose. She smirked and tightened Percy's necktie. "Now, you look perfectly handsome."

Percy blushed even more. "So, care to dance?" Percy offered his hand.

"We haven't found a table yet." Annabeth pointed out.

"So what? I'd rather dance with you."

"Whatever." Annabeth took Percy's hand and Percy led her to the dance floor.

"So, are we still going to have our date on Saturday night?" Percy whispered.

"Of course." Percy twirled Annabeth.

"I'll be leaving on Sunday afternoon."

"Oh."

"I hate to leave but I have to."

"I know."

"If I wasn't going to leave early, we would have a lot of time together."

Percy smiled at the thought of having all those times with Annabeth and afterwards he remembered something, "Did you know, I noticed something today." Percy said.

"What?" Annabeth asked.

"Grandma was euphoric while we were dressing up. I asked her why she was that happy. She told me it was a surprise. Then she rushed down here. I've never seen her that happy."

"Oh, I don't know."

Silence enveloped around them. Percy was staring intently at Annabeth. He noticed she wasn't wearing makeup. It was her natural beauty working alone. He stared at Annabeth's eyes. And in case if you are wondering where Annabeth was looking or what she's even doing. She was observing the dining area. And as the daughter of a brilliant architect, she thought that the designs of the ball weren't complementing the scenery at all.

Back to Percy's case. He was staring at Annabeth's eyes. He noticed that everytime you looked at it even more, her eyes keep on getting darker. Annabeth noticed that Percy staring at her, "What?"

"Oh, uh… nothing."

Someone cleared their throat, and the both of them saw Luke and Rachel. "I believe I'm her escort." Luke said.

Percy looked helplessly at Rachel and she just shrugged. Percy let go of Annabeth's hand and Annabeth hesitantly went to Luke. Percy watched as Luke led her farther in the crowd. "I'm sorry." Rachel said.

"Why are you sorry?" Percy asked.

"Because I didn't distract Luke for a while."

"Nah, at least I got to talk with Annabeth for a while."

"Alright."

After a few minutes of dancing, Percy decided to find Annabeth and Alice. While he was searching the crowd, he didn't see Annabeth with Luke. So, he figured that Annabeth found a table. He searched and searched and searched. Finally, he found Annabeth and Alice laughing with an old guy. The old guy was probably old because he had white hair and the weirdest thing was he had a resemblance with Rachel. Percy went to sit beside Annabeth and asked, "Who's that guy?"

Annabeth whispered back smiling, "That's Alberto."

"Oh." Percy nodded and noticed seconds later what Annabeth had said. "Wait. What?" Percy looked back and forth between Annabeth and the guy who was supposed to be Alberto.

"Uh-huh." Annabeth nodded.

"So you mean…" Percy faltered realizing something.

"Yeah. The search is over. We found him."

"Oh." Percy's face fell.

"Why? Aren't you happy?" Annabeth asked.

"No, no. I'm happy. I'm very happy for grandma." He whispered the last part to himself. What Annabeth didn't know: Percy was saddened by the news because it will really make Annabeth leave earlier. If Alberto wasn't still seen before Annabeth's flight, he can still convince to stay. But sadly, no. Annabeth will be leaving.

"Oh, is that Percy Jackson?" Alberto asked.

"Yes, that's my grandson." Alice replied.

"So, the girl beside him… what's her name again?"

"Annabeth." Alice said.

"So, this young girl, Annabeth is his girlfriend?"

"No!" Annabeth and Percy said in unison.

Alice chuckled. The two were blushing deeply. "Uh, no sir. She's not my girlfriend." Percy said formally.

"I see." Alberto said.

"They're almost in that stage." Alice whispered to Alberto.

They all talked about themselves, how Alberto was the grandfather of Rachel and Luke (shocking, right?), their past, present, and what they planned to do in the future. Alberto remembered that he was going to have a speech—as the owner of the hotel—to give the responsibilities to Luke and Rachel.

After Alberto had finished his speech, of course the people applauded him. It was Rachel's turn to deliver the speech. She thanked her grandfather blah blah blah. Afterwards, Rachel gave the microphone to Luke. He also thanked his grandfather, blah blah blah. And he added, "But before I bid farewell," this was it. Luke's plan. He took a deep breath. "I would like to thank someone," Luke looked at Annabeth, and she sensed that something will go wrong. "Someone that inspired me. Someone who changed my life. I want all of you to meet," he pointed to Annabeth. His plan was not going to fail. "Annabeth Chase, my girlfriend."

What a wicked plan, Luke. Cliffhanger? Hahahahaha. Luke is so mean. Yeahh. Anyways, for you guys who don't understand what the dance is for. The dance is like the turn over rites. Where Alberto would give his position—as the owner of the hotel—to Rachel and Luke.

And if you are also confused about their family, Alberto is the father of Rachel's dad. Luke's mom married Rachel's dad (creepy), making Luke a Dare (another creepy one). As for Alice, Alice is the mother of Sally. Okay?

Well, anyways. Chapter 9 will be something alright.

Review?

-BE18