Hey guys! HAPPY NEW YEAR! Let's hope 2019 is a good one! I honestly feel like it should only be like 2016 why is time passing so fast?! Anyway, I really wanted to get this out on New Year's Day and I did! Chapter 35 is finally finished and it's a long one! Get ready for a bunch of little scenes, Percabeth fluff, and the long awaited state finals game! I really hope you guys like it cause I worked really hard on it! If you find inaccuracies then I apologize but it's hard writing these type of chapters because I've literally only been to one hockey game in person so just kinda go with it lol. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

NOTE: A small piece of this update was inspired by one of my favorite shows One Tree Hill (highly recommend!) . I decided to use the same song from that scene as well so just know that I don't own either of them.

Review Responses:

audengraham: Wow I can't believe how many times you reread the last chapter! I didn't think my writing was that good lmao. I'm trying to update as much as I can while I'm home on break don't worry! Hope you like this update as much as the last one!

sarjoo: Glad you enjoy them being together as much as I do! As for the plot twist…well you'll just have to wait and see if there is one! I will tell you that they've overcome several obstacles I had planned for them already though.

unicorn horn powder: I can relate to your comment on a spiritual level hahaha. The day I find a guy like Percy will truly be a miracle lol. But for now let's just enjoy life and love ourselves ok? Thanks for reviewing!

Disclaimer: Don't own

Annabeth quickly stepped out of the car along with Piper and Calypso. They had finally made it to the ice skating rink where the big game was going to take place. It had only been an hour-long drive, but their entire friend group carpooled in two separate cars. Annabeth, Piper, and Calypso had taken Piper's car. Thalia, Nico, and Will took Thalia's car. Jason, Leo, and Percy had of course taken a bus with the rest of the hockey team to the rink.

Finding a place to park had not been easy. It wasn't an exaggeration that the entire school was going to be at the game. More and more cars kept piling up by the second. Luckily, they had gotten there pretty early so the parking spot they got was relatively close to the entrance of the ice arena.

"Annie slow down will you? I'm sure you'll get to see my idiot of a cousin before they start warm ups." Thalia commented smugly. Annabeth hadn't even realized that she'd been walking rather fast towards the building and away from her friends.

She blushed and stopped so that the others could catch up to her while hugging the enormous Trident's jersey to herself. It smelled of Percy, like a subtle ocean breeze. She smiled widely to herself. Annabeth found herself feeling super excited at the prospect of getting to see him right before the game. They had seen each other earlier during the school day but she already missed him. Gods, she seriously hated how much of an effect he had on her.

Once they got inside the building after paying for tickets, they were ambushed by crowds of people pushing their way through to get to the entrance of the ice rink. There were people wearing black and blue to support the Trident's team and other people wearing purple and white for the opposing team called the Thunder Bolts.

In between the crowds of people, Annabeth took note of how fancy the ice rink lobby area was compared to their rink back home. Instead of wooden benches there were comfortable looking couches. TV's covered the corners of the hall from every angle so you could watch what was happening while getting something from the concession stand. The overall vibe of the place was very organized and modern. As more and more people shuffled around each other, a surge of disappointment came over Annabeth. She would never be able to find Percy in this mess. The teams were probably in some other room anyway. Piper and Calypso stood next to her, looking around for their respective boyfriends.

She was about to give up and suggest they just find a seat in the bleachers before they're all taken, but a sudden vibration from her cellphone stopped her before she could. She unlocked her phone to see that Percy had sent her a text.

Meet us by the water fountain behind the concessions ;) -Percy

Annabeth grinned while staring down at her phone. She quickly told the others. She assumed since Percy had said 'us' that Leo and Jason were going to be there too. She informed Calypso and Piper. After working out a plan so that Nico, Will, and Thalia could save them seats when they returned, the three girls started on their way towards the area behind the concessions.

They spotted the boys a moment later standing by a small water fountain. They were clad in their hockey gear, holding hockey sticks and their helmets in their hands. Leo was of course decked out the most with all the padding and extra stuff he had to wear. They wore their black and blue hockey jersey's that were majority black. Annabeth, Piper, and Calypso had on the primarily blue jerseys because those weren't the ones the boys were playing in that night.

Percy smiled upon seeing the blonde approach them. He still couldn't get over how cute she looked wearing his jersey. She smiled back at him and he leaned his hockey gear against the wall. When she was close enough, he took her hand in his, swiftly dragging her away from the two other couples so they could have more privacy. Her heart skipped a beat at the sweet gesture.

"Hey" He greeted, still casting her a giant grin.

"Hi" She replied happily, a smile emerging on her face as well.

"I don't know how much time we have. We may or may not have snuck out of the locker room when Coach Hedge was busy. It's probably going to cost me later, but I wanted to see you before the game started." He explained hurriedly.

Annabeth bit her lip in attempt to keep her smile from getting any bigger. Did he even realize how sweet his comments were? He was risking getting into trouble with Coach Hedge (trust her when she says that is something you did not want) just because he wanted to meet up with her before the game. She wanted to see him too, but she would never ask him to sneak out. He was an idiot but the whole thing made her feel giddy inside.

"You're insane. You may as well have signed over your death to Hedge." She said sarcastically.

Percy chuckled, taking both of her hands in his own. "Well I'm sure all will be forgiven if we win tonight."

He interlaced their fingers with both hands and Annabeth bit back another smile. She tried not to focus on how well his hands fit in hers.

"Are you nervous?" She asked, staring straight into his sea green orbs.

"A little. I'm surprised I'm not more nervous though, I mean this is the state finals game after all."

"Hmm well I guess that's a good thing right?" He nodded in agreement.

"Yeah it's great. Although if my theory is correct, I suspect my lack of nerves has something to do with the fact that my girlfriend will be watching from the stands. You should know by now you're my good luck charm Princess."

Annabeth felt the heat rush to her cheeks just like it had the first time he called her that. She took one of her hands out of his, hitting him playfully on the shoulder.

"Stop trying to make me blush Jackson!" She scolded. Percy laughed wholeheartedly and she rolled her eyes.

"Is your mom here?" She asked, changing the subject. Percy's eyes lit up at the mention of Sally Jackson. He was such a mama's boy.

"Yeah I think she's already seated in the bleachers. Knowing her, she's probably chatting away with complete strangers. That woman is crazy." Percy joked.

"Well hopefully I'll see her in there." Annabeth replied.

"Oh please, she's probably got a whole search party out looking for you already. She adores you. I'm still deaf in one ear from when I accidently let it slip that we're together now."

The grey-eyed girl laughed. Apparently from what Percy had told her, Sally freaked when she found out Annabeth was Percy's girlfriend now. And we're not talking just some little hug and a warm smile, we're talking a full-on fangirl moment where Mrs. Jackson had literally danced like a happy maniac and shrieked rather loudly. Will definitely had some competition in the biggest 'Percabeth shipper' department as she was sure he would call it. It warmed Annabeth's heart. She could count on one hand the number of times she'd met Sally so hearing about how happy Mrs. Jackson was for the two of them made her feel so loved.

"Perce, ten minutes till warm-ups we need to go." Leo interrupted from a little ways away, his arm hugging Calypso to his side. Jason was giving Piper a final hug.

Percy turned back to Annabeth. "Guess it's time for me to go."

Annabeth nodded. "Looks like it."

"Do I get a kiss for luck? I mean I figured it's kind of a tradition now." He stated teasingly.

He leaned towards her and looked to the side, gesturing to his cheek that she now had perfect access to. Annabeth rolled her eyes again before leaning forward to peck his cheek. At the last second, the raven-haired boy turned his head back around and caught her lips with his own in a chaste kiss. She smiled once he pulled away, her lips still tingling from his touch.

"Good luck Hockey Boy"

"Annie over here!" Annabeth heard a familiar voice call once she stepped foot into the chilly atmosphere that held the ice rink.

She spotted Thalia a second later sitting with Will and Nico on one of the bleachers. Upon taking a second glance, she saw Sally Jackson sitting next to Thalia while her other side was occupied by some older woman. The seats they had were pretty good. They were in the middle so they had a clear view of the full rink. Thalia waved them over.

Annabeth took a seat in between her choppy haired friend and her boyfriend's mother while Piper and Calypso filled in the other empty spaces along the metal bleachers. As soon as she sat down Sally greeted her excitedly.

"Annabeth! Oh sweetie it's so good to see you!" She stated happily.

"It's good to see you too Mrs. Jack- Sally" Annabeth corrected herself, turning towards the woman politely.

"Now tell me my son wasn't playing a cruel joke on me when he said you two were dating. I mean you're wearing his jersey and it sounded like he was telling the truth, but I never know with that boy." Sally commented while casting a hopeful glance towards the blonde who laughed in response.

"It's true, we're really together." She confirmed, smiling to herself.

Sally Jackson gasped excitedly before pulling Annabeth into a tight embrace. Her presence was so warm and comforting that Annabeth almost didn't mind the fact that she nearly couldn't breathe. They separated a moment later and Sally started bombarding her with questions regarding where and when it all happened and if her son was treating her right. The blonde smiled as she conversed with her while the Trident's team started making their way out onto the ice for warm-ups.

Percy stepped onto the smooth ice, gliding across it easily as he warmed up with the rest of the team. Whenever he had the chance, he would cast a glance up into the stands in an effort to try and find his friends. When they were almost done with their warm up drills, his gaze caught on a familiar face or rather faces in the audience. He couldn't hold back the grin emerging on his lips when he spotted Annabeth and his mother deep in conversation. His girlfriend was laughing at something his mom said as she talked animatedly with her hands. It was a refreshing sight to see. His mother never liked any of the girls he used to bring home until Annabeth came along. He felt a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach as he watched the two females interact. His thoughts were interrupted when Jason shoved him lightly and gestured for him to move because it was his turn to practice a shot on goal. He brought his attention back towards shuffling the hockey puck with his stick, now feeling more energized than ever.

…

"Jackson takes his stance, takes aim…SCORE FOR THE TRIDENTS!"

Annabeth stood up with the rest of the audience, screaming as if her life depended on it while Thalia and Sally Jackson were cheering loudly on either side of her. The buzzer went off and the crowd remained standing as they clapped, whistled, and cheered on the team clad in black and blue. Annabeth couldn't believe how exciting the game was. It was now second period and the score was 3-4 with the Tridents in the lead. It seemed like every few minutes one of the teams was scoring. It didn't take a genius to see that the opposing team was very skilled because they were keeping up just fine with the Tridents. All of the players on both sides looked absolutely exhausted but they were fighting for the championship as hard as they could. Just because the Tridents were up by one didn't mean they were destined to win.

The players exited the rink for the short intermission once the second period had ended. Annabeth saw Percy in the middle of a huddle with his teammates. Coach Hedge was standing next to him hurriedly explaining game plays she was sure they already knew but wanted to engrain the information into their brains. They drank from their water bottles as if they hadn't had any water in days. Percy took off his helmet, running a hand through his sweaty hair and breathing heavily as he listened intently to what his coach was saying. Annabeth heard a few excited whispers and sighs from a couple girls around her. She could only assume they were looking at Percy. Despite the fact that his hair was going in every direction and he was exhausted, the green-eyed male looked downright sexy. She blushed at her thoughts. She was sitting next to his mother for Gods sake!

The female voices continued to giggle and whisper around her as they watched Percy. Annabeth tensed. Now that she was officially his girlfriend, she couldn't help but feel like there was a giant knot in her stomach every time she noticed other girls ogling Percy. Sure they hadn't been together that long but that didn't mean he didn't get stares everywhere he went.

Percy turned his head, his gaze matching hers. Annabeth smiled and he grinned back, sending her a quick wink before turning back to the group huddle. She instantly felt a little bit better. Percy wanted to be with her. That was all she needed to keep the smile on her face as the third and final period began.

…

The third period of the hockey game was the most exciting and eventful one. Both teams managed to score, they seemed to be taking turns. Jason and another Tridents player named Anthony managed to score a goal each. Annabeth could hear Piper cheering loudly for her boyfriend. Jason was playing an amazing game. By the end of the period the score was 6-6, a tie that could only be broken with sudden death. Annabeth hadn't known what sudden death was in hockey until Percy explained it to her after one of their practices. If the teams were tied by the end of the third period they went into overtime known as 'sudden death' where they played back to back twenty minute periods until one of the teams scored a final goal which would end the game once and for all.

Annabeth's heart pounded in her chest. They were so close, one more goal and the Tridents team would win the state finals game. She couldn't imagine the pressure the team was undergoing at that moment. The stands were overflowing with people from both sides and everyone was chatting nervously amongst each other. She stared at Percy who was busy using the short break to talk to his team in a group huddle.

"Ok guys this is it. Now I know you all want that state champion title and I do too but let's really take into account what's important here." Percy started, staring at all his teammates who looked exhausted beyond belief and had nervous looks on their faces.

"We've played our hearts out tonight. Whether we walk out of here with the trophy or not, I'm proud of each and every one of you because we've never played a better game."

"Leo you've blocked countless goals tonight, if it wasn't for you we definitely wouldn't be in sudden death right now. Anthony your offense has been on point from the start and you scored the goal that tied the game. Jason you've been unbelievable tonight, scoring half of our goals. Liam your defense has been flawless. I could go on and on but we'd be here all night. The point is win or lose, you guys should walk out of here feeling great about yourselves. I don't know what I did to deserve such a great team."

"Perce stop you're going to make my mascara run!" Leo stated sarcastically, fanning his face dramatically and pretending to cry. The rest of the team burst out laughing at the action and Percy cracked a smile at the Hispanic boy.

"But seriously dude, without you we never could have made it this far. You're the best captain a team could ask for." Jake, another player commented from the side. The others nodded in agreement.

"Thanks guys."

"Might I suggest we try Riptide once we have possession." Jason spoke up after a moment, proposing one of the plays they named.

Percy hesitated. Riptide was the name of a play they hadn't practiced too much during practice. It was effective but rather hard to execute. It required everyone to be at precise locations at the exact same time in order to work. He looked up to Coach Hedge who had a look mirroring his. What came out of the coach's mouth next surprised the raven-haired boy.

"Your call Jackson."

Percy stared at his teammates calculatingly. "I don't know guys. We've barely practiced that one."

"Come on Perce! We both know that if we can pull it off the game will be over."

"Yeah we got this Jackson!"

More and more voices chimed in as he thought it over. They were right. If they successfully executed the play they won. The tired looks amongst his teammates were replaced with ones of confidence and determination. He smiled, if anyone could pull it off it was this group.

"Alright let's do it." He decided at last. A chorus of triumph echoed over him as the Tridents players high-fived.

"But remember what I said. Even if we don't win-" He was cut off by none other than Leo Valdez a moment later.

"We know Perce. But let's admit it, it wouldn't exactly hurt to go home with the state championship title!" He said loudly. The others voiced their agreement and nodded their heads, a newfound energy radiating from the group.

"And I'm sure miss Annabeth Chase will be quite impressed as well." Coach Hedge stated coyly from his spot in the huddle. A smug smile on his face.

A chorus of ooo's and ohhh's emerged from the group. Percy's fellow teammates slapped him on the back of the head and his shoulder teasingly while he turned beat red.

"Coach!" He tried to argue but his teammates were still taunting him with whoops and hollers. Some of them ruffled his hair and he slapped their hands away.

"He speaks the truth!" Jason added. Percy glared at him.

"Shut up and let's play some hockey!"

Annabeth watched as the teams took their respective positions on the ice. The entire audience was watching intensely as the game wore on. She noticed that the Tridents team was skating with newfound determination, their skates gliding across the smooth surface of the ice. Leo managed to block a shot on goal and then all hell broke loose.

The puck shuffled along the ice with Jason Grace keeping it under his hold. The crowd dressed in black and blue screamed when they realized who had possession of the small black hockey puck. Sally grabbed Annabeth's hand tightly and the blonde returned the action, squeezing back just as tight while they held their locked hands by their shoulders. Jason skated across the rink, making sure to keep the puck under control. He smiled when he saw that Percy had managed to break free from his defender and meet him. The other teammates on the Tridents team were successfully keeping the Thunder Bolts team back. Jason passed the puck to Percy.

Everything from that moment on seemed to go in slow motion. Percy shuffled the puck with his stick. He heard the crunch of the carved up ice under his skates, the light tapping of his composite hockey stick against the ice. His breathing was heavy, and he could see his own breath in front of him. He smelled the familiar scent of the ice rink that one simply couldn't describe unless you were there. The shouts from the bleachers and the commentary from the speakers sounded muffled, as if it was just background noise. All his senses, all his attention was on his skating technique and the puck that was moving in front of his skates. It was just him and the sport he loved so much. He saw the opposing team's goalie, moving cautiously from side to side trying to anticipate which way the puck was going to go. Percy took his stance, stopping near the goal and drawing his stick back. He heard a resounding clash as the stick made contact with the puck.

Every eye in the entire arena was on the plastic black hockey puck. Annabeth watched as the opposing team's goalie moved to one side in attempt to block the shot. It all happened so fast it was hard to know if the shot was good or not. There was a moment of complete silence.

The red light lit up above the hockey net and the buzzer sounded throughout the entire ice rink.

[Song Tribute-Heartbeats by José González]

The crowd went insane. The cheering was so loud it was impossible to form a thought. Annabeth jumped up and down yelling at the top of her lungs along with the rest of the crowd before she turned to Sally Jackson and the two of them hugged happily. Her friend group embraced each other while on the ice Percy and the rest of the Tridents team shook hands with the opposing team before jumping on each other like a pack of animals. Black and blue confetti flew all over the place in the air around them.

The atmosphere was so full of energy that people started getting off of the bleachers and running onto the ice towards the team. Someone had opened one of the gates to get onto the ice. Coach Hedge was handed the giant trophy cup and was grinning like a madman along with the rest of the team. Annabeth turned her head and was met with the sight of familiar sea green eyes amongst the sea of black and blue and the confetti flying everywhere.

She fought her way through the crowds of people making their way onto the ice. Percy untangled himself from his teammates who were now admiring the gold trophy cup, his helmet and hockey stick long forgotten. He shoved his way through the people now on the ice, getting pats on the arm and words of congratulations from everyone he passed. He was surprised no one was slipping considering they were on the ice and the audience had sneakers on. He searched desperately for a pair of stormy grey irises.

"Percy!" He heard her voice call. He frantically looked around him with no luck. Her voice sounded fairly close though.

"Annabeth!" He shouted over the groups of people.

It went on like that for another five minutes, the two of them fighting to get to each other from both sides. There were hundreds of people but he didn't care, he needed to find her.

He was about to call out her name again when he nearly knocked someone over. The girl gasped at the motion of being jolted back and Percy nearly got whiplash from how fast he turned back around.

There she was, beautiful as ever with her hair still in the blonde braids they had been in all day (now with pieces of black and blue confetti mixed in) and his ginormous blue jersey.

His green eyes caught her grey ones. Overcome with emotion and adrenaline, he surged forward. His arms wrapped around her tightly as he lifted her off the ground. She laughed joyfully, wrapping her legs around his waist so that she was raised slightly higher than him for once. He held her legs securely around him and she embraced him tightly. Her hair smelled like lemons, a fragrance he would never get tired of.

"You did it!" She said happily. He hugged her tighter against him.

After a minute, she loosened her hold on him so that she could look him in the eye. Percy used the moment to his advantage and leaned up, pressing his lips to hers and kissing her strongly. She sighed and let him kiss her, confetti falling all around them and people walking every which way. Her hands settled on his shoulders as she responded enthusiastically.

She pulled away breathlessly, her legs still wrapped tightly around him. He smiled up at her and she grinned back, the butterflies in her stomach matching the energy from the crowd.

And that's all for chapter 35! So what did you guys think of the state finals game? I'm dying to know all your thoughts after reading this update! Whenever I get reviews where you guys explain how much I made you fangirl it makes my day! There were so many scenes in this chapter so I'd love to hear your thoughts on the little Percabeth meeting before the game, Sally and Annabeth's relationship (more to come of that), the game, and the Percabeth fluff at the end…I want to know it all! I will tell you one of my favorite things to write was the hockey team teasing Percy about Annabeth. Don't worry just cause the state finals are over doesn't mean the team doesn't still have practices (they practice all year round). Happy New Year again and I'll see you guys when the next update comes! Love you all!

REVIEW, REVIEW, AND REVIEW!

-M