Percy sat, rubbing his eyes, furiously, with his hands. He was at Grover and Juniper's reception. The newlyweds were making their rounds around the tables, thanking people for coming, leaving Percy with no one he knew. Percy had forgotten everyone's' names as soon as they were introduced to him; except for Grover's Uncle Ferdinand…but only because he seemed eerily unemotional and as still as a statue.

But Percy didn't really care about Grover's relatives. All Percy could hear at the moment were Juniper's bridesmaids—Rose and Daisy or something like that—going on and on and on and on. They were gushing like teenage girls about how cute Grover and Juniper looked together, and it was seriously about to give Percy a migraine. No, Percy was actually to the point of wanting to pound his head into the wall. He had been listening to this all day long: in the morning when they were getting ready, at the ceremony, during pictures. Trying to calm Grover's nerves was exhausting enough, having to listen to them on top of that, made Percy just want to strangle someone to death. Actually, no. It made him want to strangle himself to death.

Finally, Grover and Juniper had returned to their own table. One of the bridesmaids glared at Percy, and he took it to mean that it was time for his speech. "Can I have everyone's attention please?" He stood up and scanned the twelve tables surrounding him. There was one for each of the twelve business owners—not that they bothered to show up—and their friends. Grover was the friend of the friend. Like, the owners were the agents, and he was the talent scout. He introduced people he thought the owners would like.

Percy was about to start, when he choked after looking at the Athena table. There, sitting among a bunch of other intellectuals that was looking at him skeptically, was Annabeth. She looked beautiful wearing a gray dress that was cut low, revealing—No. No. Stop it. Percy told himself, pull yourself together and stop liking like an idiot.

Percy quickly looked away, and swallowed the lump in his throat. He tried starting with a joke, to lighten the mood after his awkward pause. "I think Grover picked me to be the best man, because he knew how comfortable I was speaking in front of people." He paused to give everyone a chance to laugh politely at his joke. Then, he began again nervously: "I've been looking through every book from Socrates to Shakespeare, trying to find someone who can put into words how Grover and Juniper feel about each other. But what I realized is there are no words for it." Percy paused for a second. Then, deciding to abandon his pre-written speech, he acted on wherever his gut instinct was leading him. He looked back at Annabeth again, "That when you have it, you trust it. You believe in it, take a chance on it. You're willing to sacrifice anything to keep it, no matter what the cost."

Annabeth sat. Her whole table stunned at Percy's simple yet meaningful speech. She faintly heard the maid of honor begin her speech, but Annabeth didn't care much.

Right now Annabeth was filled with panic. She had no idea that Percy would be here. She was making a legitimate effort to get over him, and he was ruining her previous weeks' work. And what in Hades was he trying to pull with his speech? Did he want her to make another gigantic decision without thinking? 'Cause she knew how well that turned out last time.

Annabeth was so preoccupied with deciding whether she should make up an excuse to leave early or not, that she did not notice Thalia's frantic—yet subtle—hand movements that were trying to capture her attention. She only noticed Thalia when someone on her right went to use the bathroom and Thalia took her place.

"That was some speech, huh? You wouldn't think he's the kind of guy that thinks that deep."

"Yeah," Annabeth replied, only half aware of herself talking.

"So, were you serious about wanting to join my group? It'll be so much fun if you did. We'd spend like every minute with each other, traveling the world and all that stuff."

"I'm considering it. Do you think it's worth it?"

"Well, it depends. The rules are really strict."

"Is it livable?"

"It mainly depends on if the person can give up the things the rules say they have to. It's mainly giving up men, but we live in nature, like tents and stuff, so you won't have many electronics. You could ask our newest member. She joined a few weeks ago. Her name's Bianca—"

"Di Angelo?"

"Uh, yeah? Do you know her?"

"We were introduced briefly…She's in your group?" Annabeth asked.

"Uh, yeah," answered Thalia, somewhat confused by the urgency and hysteria in Annabeth's voice.

"Since when," demanded Annabeth.

"She came to New York a couple weeks ago, I think, and she ran into Artemis," replied Thalia, knowing nothing of the reason for Annabeth and Percy's 'break-up.'

Annabeth was about to lose it. Annabeth knew of the wild look in her eyes, could feel the hysteric laughter threatening to escape her lips. Using the last of her control, Annabeth told Thalia she'd come over to her table later, Haley—the girl who went to the bathroom—looked like she wanted her seat back. Thalia left with a nod and Annabeth hid her head in her hands, trying to hide the maniacal grin that was taking over her face.

Honestly, the situation wasn't funny at all. It was just so ironic. So fucking sardonic. Annabeth just should've known that this was how everything was going to work out. That her life was just one big mockery.

Annabeth straightened up after she felt sober again, and heaved a heavy sigh. My life is going to Hades.

Percy had kept his intense gaze on Annabeth, but she had looked away during the middle of his speech. He seated himself while everyone applauded and zoned out while the maid of honor gave her speech. Flowing music and a constant buzz of small talk evaded the room after all the speeches were done. Percy vaguely recognized some of the songs playing—Need You Now, Perfect, Breakeven—but he didn't fully acknowledge it.

Percy was too busy feeling like he was in high school all over again. More specifically, he felt like it was a replay of his prom: sitting by himself at a table, with all his friends dancing, and too scared to ask his secret crush to dance.

The song changed again and Percy would have laughed if he were not so preoccupied with his thoughts. No One Else by Allison Iraheta was playing. Grover was obsessed with American Idol, Percy should have figured that he'd fit some of their songs in.

Percy stood, determined that this would not end up exactly like his Prom had, though he was still as nervous as Hades. He stood up and made his way towards the Athena table. He scanned the table as he approached and saw the mixed looks on all of their faces. They looked confused at what he would be doing at their table; and definitely repulsed at who he was.

All of this was forgotten when Percy's eyes reached Annabeth. She had her back turned to him, but even from that view, she was absolutely gorgeous. He tapped her bare shoulder to get her attention, and realized he'd forgotten what a simple touch could do to him as a spark flew up his arm and into his whole body. She turned around to face him and he saw, first shock, then a guarded indifference.

"Hi," he said in a hoarse whisper. He cleared his throat before beginning again. "Um, do you…do you want to dance?" Percy nervously ran a sweaty hand through his hair and clenched his other into a fist while he waited for her answer.

"No."

AN: I'm so so sorry for taking so long with this update. I went on vacation last week. And I'm very lazy during the summer :P Even though i have homework and all that stuff during school, I still am more motivated to write. I have no reason why though.

Anyways...Like my cliffhanger? I do. It's like you're watching your favorite TV show and you're on the edge of your seat and then it blackouts and the credits start rolling and the theme song starts playing. (But of course I hate it when it happens to me.) Speaking of TV shows, anyone know where I got Percy's speech from? If anyone gets it, I will definitely give them a prize, cause even I wouldn't know. And I think myself an obsessed fan of this show, but only of its earlier seasons.

I really recommend listening to the songs from this chapter (and every song I've used so far).

Need You Now by Lady Antabellum

Perfect by Michelle Featherstone

Breakeven by The Script

No One Else by Allison Iraheta

So this is my first, chapter not based off a song. How'd I do?

I plan to update soon this week. But plans don't always work out...reviews always help though *poke poke, nudge nudge, wink wink*