Author's note: Hey guys! Long time no see! Hopefully, the covid hasn't been too hard on you guys and life has treated you all well! My life has been totally school-centered since school started in August, so I hope you understand. There is a little bit, a tiny bit, of spice in this chapter so if you don't like it/find it comfortable to read you may skip the part in the middle, but I promise that it is very mild since I'm not sure if I, myself, am comfortable writing anything too sexual yet. No more other words: Have a nice time reading! Enjoy! xoxo

Chapter 12

Looking down at Annabeth with his blazing green eyes was one-one other than Percy Jackson. His hair was not as messy as half an hour ago, but a few black curly strands of jet black hair were still sticking out in different directions. Annabeth found this surprisingly hot. Hot? What an extraordinary word choice from Annabeth. Maybe the drink she had drunk a few minutes before had contained something funny. Or not so funny.

A giggle escaped Annabeth's slightly parted lips. A wave of anxiety was making its way up her throat. It was after all Percy Jackson, the mysterious "gang leader", king of Goode High that was inviting Annabeth for a dance.

"Y-yes." There was a significant stammer in Annabeth's reply as she clumsily answered him.

This made Percy's lip twitch a little. This girl would be the ruin of him, he darkly thought.

As the perfect gentleman, Percy stretched his hand out in front of her, successfully ignoring Luke's face that had contorted into a deep shade of red face and was radiating anger. Rage that would later this night be erupting out of his fist, which then let out a satisfying crunch as it made contact with a person's face.

Annabeth's voice had now once and for all stopped functioning so all she could do was stare at him with her stormy gray eyes and reach out and slip her fragile hand in Percy's. The simple action was followed by a golden spark that started from where the pair's hands connected and made its way up both of their bodies straight to their hearts and erupted as a warm glow in their chests.

Then Percy placed his other hand around Annabeth's slender waist and guided the hand that was tightly around Annebeth's to his shoulder where her other hand had unconsciously gone. Now, with Percy's both hands possessively around Annabeth's waist and her hands tenderly placed on his shoulders, they were ready to dance.

The gang leader turned out to be an extremely talented dancer as they swayed from the other side of the dance floor to the other with complete ease as he twirled Annabeth once in while making her squeak in fear but also intense joy and excitement. This would be one of those nights that she would remember the rest of her life, and she could only hope that Percy would also.

As the last slow song came to an end both of them were panting heavily, but also with stupidly wide grins plastered on their faces. When both of them had finally calmed down the intensity of the situation started really creeping in. They were both covered in a thin sheen of sweat and the distance between them was mear inches. It was like there was an invisible magnetical pull that was drawing their faces closer and closer.

One second and their lips would touch.

One second and their relationship would change.

One second and the world around would disappear.

In the spasm of rapture, their lips touched. It was like a million fireworks had exploded around them and they were both sucked into the world of pleasure that their bodies had created as they molded into one. There was no Percy or Annabeth, there was only Percy and Annabeth.

Annabeth's hands itched as they found their way into Percy's hair, gripping at the strands of his jet black hair. Percy let out a deep groan in reply. In this hot staggering moment, the kiss became hot and wild. Percy's hands circled around Annabeth's hips, grabbing at the soft satin of her dress that hugged her generous curves. Annabeth's palm was now on Percy's stomach and she could feel his burning skin and muscles that were hard as iron, which had been accomplished with intense training over the years.

Their lips moved in complete synchrony as they kissed each other with a burning passion, but they were starting to get greedy. Percy wanted to taste Annabeth's skin – her soft porcelain skin that smelled like chrysanthemums. Percy's sweet kisses stopped for a moment before latching his lips just below Annabeth's earlobe and gently sucking at her peachy skin right there. He didn't want to scare her. The sensations were totally new to Annabeth and also a little frightening, but she felt trust for Percy. A soft moan escaped her lips and it drove Percy crazy.

Then a cough interrupted their own moment.

It was Thalia. Thalia's eyes were wide with astonishment and something else that Annabeth couldn't yet decipher and her mouth formed a perfect "o" as she stood before the pair. She didn't look too well after seeing Annabeth's and Percy's interaction as her long legs were trembling. Percy stiffened beside Annabeth.

"I have been looking for you from everywhere, Annabeth. You – you don't even know how worried I have been," there was a hint of accusation in Thalia's voice after she finally spoke after the short disturbing silence as she quickly glanced at Percy. "I was thinking that we could do something together, but apparently you have found someone." Now, her voice was filled with hurt and anger.

"I'm so so sorry, Thalia! I really am, I just didn't know where you went and really wanted to – dance..." Dancing seemed to be a wrong word now since Thalia had caught Percy and her during the act and it sure as hell didn't look like dancing.

Luckily Thalia didn't note that this time. She was still too hurt at seeing her best friend and her ex-boyfriend interacting in a too friendly manner. And yes, Percy Jackson was Thalia's ex-boyfriend.

"Umm. Yeah, I understand. I'm going upstairs to Nico, I heard the Stroll brothers and a few of our friends are playing truth or dare, so I was thinking of joining." Then Thalia turned around and started walking away.

Annabeth felt guilty. She didn't want Thalia to judge her just by what she saw and didn't want to part with her on a bitter note. "Hey, I'm – we'll come with you. Right, Percy?" Annabeth regretted it right away after speaking. She hadn't asked Percy what he wanted and now he would surely reject her.

Percy was still staring at Thalia, but he nodded slowly. Annabeth let out a shaky breath – Percy hadn't rejected her. But her heart was still thumping wildly because there was something in Percy's look that made her breath hitch. His jaw was set hard and his eyes were dark as the night sky. Since Thalia hadn't stopped walking even after she heard Annabeth's reply, Annabeth had no other choice than to take a deep breath and lace her fingers with Percy's and drag them towards the staircase.

Maybe it was the magical spirit of the party, but Percy didn't let go and they walked together upstairs.

End of chapter 12

Author's note: Thank you so much for reading! Hopefully, you liked this chapter and didn't find it boring. I hope for a lovely day to all of you, my lovely readers! Love you guys!