Merry Christmas everyone!

I thought I'd have a different chapter up and that it'd come out next year because I just haven't been in the mood to write it, but then I had an epiphany to write this chapter.

This idea came from Wibbroka's Time of Our Lives and I just made it fit for the holidays. (It's a cute book; highly recommend).

Story #32: A Deconstructed Kiss Under What's Maybe Mistletoe

"It's cold, you need to bundle up."

Annabeth mockingly rolls her eyes as Percy forces on the hood of her winter jacket and zips her jacket up all the way. Annabeth's curls spill out of her hood, keeping her face warm against the frigid cold. She raises her hands to pull out the curls Percy accidentally zipped up. She frowns at him for being so persistent that she layers up (he thinks she isn't as used to the cold since she's from the West Coast), but she doesn't think he can see her grimace from the curls blocking her face.

Against the dark night where street lights pop and flurries fall from the sky, Percy's bright sea-green eyes pop against the pale, puffy skin bitten by the cold.

"I thought we were going inside anyways," Annabeth responds. She isn't sure how long she and Percy were standing outside in line for, but it's been a while.

"Actually, it's an outdoor event," Percy responds.

Annabeth looks at him, a grin teasing her lips. "Did you book it?"

Percy's smile flickers for a moment before he covers it up again. "Definitely."

"Percy."

He laughs nervously as the line moves up. He planned to take Annabeth to an outdoor winter architectural exhibit. He didn't think he needed reservations, let alone stand in a line for it. In his mind, he and Annabeth had the whole event to himself.

Percy walks a few steps ahead of Annabeth as he leans on the ticket counter. A tired booth toll worker in a striped and sparkled red-and-green vest stares at him with narrowed eyes.

"Reservation for Jackson and Chase," Percy says with a charming smile.

The tired booth worker types on a computer and clicks a few times. "I'm not seeing it."

"Yeah, you are."

"No."

"Try Percy and Annabeth."

A tired sigh and a few clicks later. "Nothing."

"I made reservations."

"No, you didn't."

Percy laughs nervously. Maybe he can get a pity pair of tickets with a sob story. He clears his throat but stops when Annabeth stands behind him. She gives him a look before thanking the toll booth and dragging Percy away.

"Where's Piper's charm-speaking when you need it?" Percy asks. "Seems like they lost my reservation."

Annabeth laughs a little. "I could tell that you're lying but that doesn't mean I know the truth."

"You could figure it out, Wise Girl."

Annabeth winks at him and Percy stops her in front of a pizza shop with its exterior under construction. Wooden beams coated in snow surround them, patching up the restaurant so construction could still occur during the day while people pass through underneath.

"Did you get us a ticket for this masterpiece?" Annabeth asks with a smirk in her tone.

"Funny," Percy states without laughing. Something hanging from a beam on the edge catches his eye. "Look, mistletoe."

Annabeth walks over and stands under it. She pushes her hood back to get a better look and frowns at Percy as he stands beside her.

"That's not mistletoe," Annabeth says. "That's a piece of plastic wrapping from the support beams."

"Mistletoe," Percy confirms, grinning.

That doesn't stop them from sharing a kiss.

Change of plans, I do have one more chapter before the end of the year! I'll probably post it on New Year's Eve.