Countdown of 12 Days of Christmas

Day 2- Ugly Sweater Contest 12/15/2020

"Just move your hand over Perce. Just a little to the right. Not your left arm, your right!"

Annabeth and Percy were invited to Piper's Christmas dinner, and apparently, there was an Ugly Sweater Contest. If you didn't know, Annabeth was very competitive, in which she wanted to win the contest. She looked through Amazon for a whole week, trying to find the perfect ugly christmas sweater-

Cue the glowing light and angel music.

-when she found the ugliest, most perfect sweater to ever be found. It was a conjoined sweater with two people, which was green(Silena would scream at sight), had red dots over it, and Santa was on the toilet, while Mrs. Claus was in a bathtub screaming because the Grinch was brushing his teeth next to them, and green fur was in random spots all over the sweater.

Perfection.

And of course she needed to be a duo to fit into the sweater, so she called Percy, to join her, and honestly, she didn't expect it to be so hard to fit in.

"Is that a string?"

"Percy, you're going to loosen it up. Just relax a little, we'll have more space then."

Percy's out of control body got into control, and the chaos slightly calmed down.

"Now Percy, but your right hand in the sleeve hole, and leave your left hand beside where my right hand is right now."

Percy obediently listened to her instructions, following each step of hers, and slowly, Annabeth started relaxing.

Once Percy was done, Annabeth did the same thing for her side. Percy put his left hand in her right hand tightly, and Annabeth held his with the same force. God, she loved her boyfriend.

"Now let's get to Piper's, I'll drive."

Annabeth moved forward, but Percy held her back.

"What happened?"

"How are you-or me- or us, going to drive?"

"What do you mean-oh! Right! Right."

Percy tapped his brain, as if telling her to use hers, and Annabeth stuck her tongue out, before realizing the situation.

"We can Lyft?"

"Yeah, that's much better."

30 minutes later, they were at Piper's house. Lots of shoes were near the doormat, music was blaring out of the house, lights were blinding Ananbeth, and the smell Turkey was scenting the air.

Annabeth sighed. Christmas.

They walked in, as the door was unlocked- and wow- it was chaotic.

Sally was cooking unnecessary, but delightful food in the kitchen, with Paul and a few other parents helping her out, Estelle was running around with Thalia and Jason chasing her, Piper was talking animatedly with Hazel, Frank, and Leo, while Nico was just splayed across the carpet on his phone, and yes, it was messy, but it felt like home.

Piper spotted her, she signaled to our friends, before heading towards Annabeth and Percy who was beside her, not really having a choice.

"Hey guys!"

Without many words, she hugged them, and Percy and Annabeth tried their best to hug back, successfully failing.

"I'm so glad you guys could make it! We have dinner out, even though Sally is still cooking, but we're going to have the contest in a few minutes, so if you do eat, make sure to be careful to not spill anything."

Annabeth resolutely chose not to eat.

"Oh and by the way, Chase and Jackson, with whatever monstrosity you're wearing-"

"That's the point."

"-you'll never beat me. Santa Claus without a beard always wins."

"You're on, McLean."

But inside, she was doubting herself. The Beardless Santa was famous for winning. For 4 straight years in a row, Piper has always won.

Piper strutted away, and Percy seemed to sense Annabeth's feelings.

"Hey, it's okay. We'll win for sure."

Annabeth's lingering hope went up, because when it comes out of Percy's mouth, it's so convincing.

"Yeah, yeah, you're right."

"Now let's go talk to Thalia."

"Yep... let's do... that."

Thalia had given up on chasing Estelle, and was sitting on a large red beanbag.

"Damn, Jackson. Your sister is as energetic as us on the last day of school. You give her any candy?"

"Hi, Thals. Yes, I'm feeling great. My day was great so far as well. How about you?"

"Shut up. You already know how I am."

"And how is that?"

Thalia got up and put her hands towards Percy's neck, so Annabeth stepped in to prevent any injuries.

"Chill out. And I thought 5 years together might relax some tension."

Estelle must have really tired out Thalia, but she didn't even complain, and rested back down onto the beanbag.

"Whatever."

A few minutes later, a light chime echoed around the house.

"The Ugly Sweater contest is starting! Be prepared to lose!"

Laughs came around the house, and everyone gathered together near the lit up Christmas tree.

Piper, as the host, spoke up. "Let's get this started-oops! I left Reyna in the room. I made sure she stayed there so she wouldn't be able to look at the sweaters before the contest started. Oops!"

Poor Reyna.

Piper scuttled away to her bedroom, and everyone stared at each other. It wasn't really an awkward silence, just everyone was trying to count the amount of people here, Annabeth guessed, since she had done the same, and decided to state her answer.

"16."

Everyone looked up at her.

"Wha-"

"16 people."

Everyone seemed slightly flustered, it made Annabeth laugh, which made them even more red. Luckily, Piper seemed to have mercy for them, and walked out with a blindfolded Reyna. She placed Reyna in a seat, and took off her blindfold.

"If I knew I would be trapped in a room for 2 hours, I wouldn't have come. I remember the last years, you actually let me have a piece of food before getting locked up."

"No need for remarks, Reyna. Just judge."

They all organized in a line, and waited to be called on.

Many people have asked why Reyna should be the , for one, she's an impartial judge. Always fair and never choses favorites. Two, she's the only person who's fine without winning. Everyone else wants a chance for a prize.

It was silent in the room, except for Reyna's clinking of her bracelet charms. When it was finally their turn, Annabeth and Percy walked up to Reyna, and stood there, looking proud, which may look silly to an outsider, considering what they were wearing, but they didn't really care.

"Next."

Annabeth and Percy turned around for a second before Reyna said-

"Next."

They slid away, and Annabeth sighed in relief. Reyna was always intimidating.

"How do you think we did?"

"I'm sure we'll win, Perce.

After the judging, everyone huddled in one corner of the room.

"I'm obviously going to win."

"Piper, sweetie, there's no chance. I'm going to win."

"Do you guys like fire?"

"How is that even related-"

"I HAVE DECIDED!"

Silence.

"The winner is...The Christmas Bathroom!"

It took everyone else a moment to realize what she meant, but Annabeth immediately recognized it, and hugged Percy with her free hand.

"We did it! In your face, McLean!"

"Fair game Chase and Jackson. Good game."

A few hours later, they were cuddled up in their own sofa watching Home Alone.

"I had fun today, Percy."

"Me too."

"I love you."

She heard a drowsy "I love you too", and it was only then Annabeth realized something. She didn't need to win some stupid contest, she had the greatest thing in the world right in front of her.

Who needed some stupid prize, anyway?

Eh. To much cringe for me. This is a little better I think.