Song: As She's Walking Away

Artist: Zac Brown Band

(Percy POV)

I sat, lonely and miserable, in the dusty old bar, clutching an overpriced shot of whiskey. Smoke lingered in the air. The old bar stool was old and hard, but I didn't care. Everything in my life was so confused, so jumbled together that it was hard to see clearly. The burden that came with being a half-blood—running from monsters, dealing with melodramatic goddesses, warding off vengeful gods, missing my friends, my family—was sometimes too much to take. I'd found myself on this barstool one too many times. But, through all the confusion, one thing was certain:

Being single sucked.

I threw my head back and downed the shot like an expert, which I sort of was now. And then, through the cigarette smoke and dust, I caught sight of her.

Her curled, golden hair flowed effortlessly over her tan shoulders. She wore a flowing, orange top that took my breath away. But what left me completely, utterly, absolutely breathless was her face.

It was perfect.

Inexplicably, wonderfully, perfect.

I stared at her, not caring about anything else. She threw her head back and laughed at a joke. I was oddly envious; I wanted to be the one that could make her laugh. I wanted to hold her, to run my hands through her hair, to stroke her face. To kiss her.

And I didn't even know her name.

And yet, I felt like I could hear her every thought.

Silently, an old man slid into the stool next to mine. I barely noticed; I was too busy trying to memorize all the features of her face. He must've noticed me staring, because he laughed knowingly.

"A little lovesick, ain't we?" He chuckled.

I didn't answer. I could feel myself, slowly but surely, falling in love with this girl.

"Why don't you go talk to her, lad?"

I finally looked at him. He had a stubbly beard, and radiated alcohol. "I don't know her."

"That ain't a valid reason." He shifted to look me in the eyes. "You know, I once fell in love." His eyes turned glassy and distant, like he was reliving and old memory. "Why, she was perfect. And you know what I did?" He paused for emphasis. "I let her go."

"Why?" I said, only vaguely interested. I was still staring at the girl.

"Because I didn't have the guts to keep her." He waved down the bartender and ordered a shot. "Son, I missed my chance. Why don't you ask her to dance?" His drink arrived, and I tore my eyes away from the girl to watch as he downed it all in second. He then nudged me. "Go on, son. You might fall down on your face, but you'll never know unless you try." He sighed in regret. "Oh, and son, don't be failing in love as she's walking away."

He slowly got up and left, leaving me there to ponder his words.

My eyes slowly returned to the girl. She laughed again, and a pang of regret rang through me. And then, she put down her glass, and rose from her chair.

She was walking away. No. I wouldn't let her go.

I staggered out of my chair, a little wobbly from the drinks. I stumbled after her, but she seemed to be getting farther away the more I walked towards her. Finally, as she had one foot poised out the door, I caught her.

She looked back at me, and her pure grey eyes were out of this world. At a loss for words, all I could do was stare.

"Can I help you?" She said finally, her voice innocent and sweet.

"I'm Percy," I breathed.

She smiled and held out her hand. "Annabeth."