Disclaimer – I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

I edited this chapter and took out the song lyrics. If you want to listen to Life Less Ordinary, it's by Carbon Leaf. It's really a great song. Thank you for reading!

Life Less Ordinary

I stood near the edge of the dance floor, waiting for Nick to bring us our drinks. He had left ten minutes ago, and hadn't come back.

My eyes settled on Percy, dancing with the girl from Aphrodite's cabin. She threw back her head and laughed at something Percy said. He had his hands on her waist, and one of her hands rested on his shoulder, the other cradled his head as they twirled.

Silena noticed I was standing alone, and skipped over to me.

"Where's Nick?"

"Getting us drinks," I said, tearing my eyes away from Percy.

"Oh. Want to dance?"

"Uh..."

"Come on," she urged, taking my hand with a dazzling smile. She took both of them and we spun around, our hair whipping around us. I laughed. Suddenly, she let go of my hands, and I stumbled backwards, tripping.

Two arms caught me, and I was staring up at Percy.

"Hi."

"Hi," I replied, breathless. He still held me, smiling and looking down at me. "Can you let me go?"

"Oh, sorry." He lifted me up and steadied me before letting me go.

"So, where's your... date?"

"Shannon? She's talking with Silena. Where's that dude you came with?"

"His name is Nick, and he's getting us drinks. He's really nice," I said, putting on a dazzling smile, not unlike the one Silena smiled.

"That's-"

"Hello, part-goers!" the DJ cried into the microphone. He was a satyr, believe it or not. "I have a special request, for Annabeth Chase. Where's Annabeth Chase?"

My eyes widened and I looked around for the culprit. Silena ran over to me and pushed me to the front of the crowd. Nick was there, standing with a girl I recognized from Hermes' cabin.

"There she is. This song is Life Less Ordinary. Here you go, Annabeth." He put a CD on and hit play.

Soft beats swelled over the crowd as couples melded together to spin across the dance floor. Soon I was lost in the chaos. Somehow, though, Percy found me.

He stared at me expectantly, waiting. My mouth opened and closed, trying to form words. It seemed like everyone was watching us, as if timed had slowed down.

"Percy, I don't know-"

"Annabeth. Just dance with me."

Hesitantly, I reached out. Our hands touched, and I ripped mine away. Percy stared at me, confused and hurt.

"Percy I'm sorry but..."

"But what Annabeth? I've tried and tried, and tried to convince you to go out with me, and each time you've turned me down. Do you know why I haven't given up?"

"Why?" I asked softly, inexplicably afraid of what was coming next.

"I LOVE YOU!"

Couples dancing by stared at us with wide eyes, and singles lingering around the edges gawked. But the music hadn't stopped, it's spell weaving in and out of the mass of bodies.

I stepped back, blushing. Percy stared at me hard.

Silena stepped forward us, but I had already taken off, running into the dark, away from the music and dance and Percy.

"Annabeth!" I heard someone call after me, but I didn't stop.

Dark trees covered me, cooing over me as I ran.