Free periods are fun.

At least....that was the sentiment I shared until 20 minutes ago, before the Leo Valdez decided to karaoke with Grover and Frank.

"Oh gods, this is a nightmare," Piper sighed from beside me, covering her ears as Leo attempted a high note.

"Tell me about it," I replied, praying for the monstrosity to stop.

None of the aforementioned people had tolerable singing voices. It sounded like a choir of obese manatees with strep.

"If they keep going on, I'll be telling a jury about it," Piper covered her ears.

"I BEG of you guys to stappp!" Travis cried out, looking like he was on his death bed. For once I found myself agreeing with a Stoll.

"Annabeth," Percy whispered,somehow appearing behind me,"do something."

"I can't just jump over the table and steal their radio,Percy," I sighed, my face involuntarily turned sour as Grover attempted a high note.

"Okay fine then. I will"

"What do you mean-"

I didn't have time to finish my enquiry as Percy leapt over my desk, grabbing the radio playing Katy Percy and ran out the classroom, the music still blasting from the box.

"Hey! Get back here, aquabrain," Leo screamed as he chased after Percy.

Beside me, Piper let out a cry of relief.

"If you guys sing again, I swear to all the Gods that I will break your bones," she threatened, throwing a ruler and some other thing at Frank.

"Noted," Grover chuckled, throwing a paper ball in Katies direction.

"ALL HAIL HIM, THE KING OF HALF-BLOOD HIGH," Travis and Stoll cheered as Percy entered the classroom with a sullen looking Leo.

The radio nowhere in sight

"Now now guys, I wouldn't have done it without my queen," Percy bowed, winking in my direction.

I felt my cheeks heat up and I hurried my face in my palms. What one look from Percy could do to me.

He's only doing it to keep up the charade, a voice whispered from inside my mind. If you weren't fake dating, he wouldn't have cared.

"WELL THEN HAIL HER TOO," Connor laughed, blowing an exaggerated kiss in my direction.

"We made you this, Jackson," Travis said, procuring Percy a paper crown.

"Oh come on , we weren't that bad," Frank muttered as Percy was christened

"Get up there girl," Piper winked, practically pushing me into Percy's arms.

Percy's hands immediately came around my waist, straightening me beside him as Piper backed away.

I expected him to pull away after I steadied myself, but he didn't.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty," I whispered, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"OOOH THEY KINDA KISSED I GUESS," Katie shrieked, clapping her hands together in glee.

"Oh grow up!" I protested, unable to hide my growing smile. I shifted my eyes to notice Percy's wide grin mimicking my own.

We had a few classes after our free period. After which, I followed Percy to his place to help set up Tyson's birthday party.

Sally, Paul and Tyson weren't home, with the former two trying to surprise Tyson with a party upon their return from Town Jupiter.

"They're done," I shouted from the kitchen, trying to alert Percy to the existence of a new batch of cookies.

I took out the three batches of cookies from the oven, savouring the cinnamon smell that enveloped the room. The smell that mixed itself with an oceany scent as Percy appeared from behind me.

"These look delicious, Chase," he gasped, immediately reaching for one.

I swatted his hand away, "Absolutely not, they're for Tyson, Jackson," I chided.

"Mmm...I certainly agree," he replied, snatching one up from the baking pan anyway.

"Percy!" I snatched it back from him. I put myself between him and the cookies, creating a barrier.

"I know you want one too," he grinned, moving towards me with, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

He stood behind me, my back pressed against his chest. For a moment, I forgot to breathe.

I was glad to have Percy's weight behind me, already feeling my kneels buckle.

Percy reached from across my shoulder, gently peeling a cookie off the tray.

"Come on,Chase. Don't you want a snack? We've worked hard enough," he said, waving the cookie in front of my face.

"They're for Tyson, Percy," I replied, dodging the cookie he aimed at my face .

Honestly I was more focused on his proximity that the cookie.

"But"

"But I suppose we can have two," I sighed, cursing my weakness in his presence.

"That's my girl," he chuckled, moving away as he popped the cookie in his mouth.

I whimpered. I actually whimpered when he moved away, missing his warmth.

Percy looked at me, the gingerbread man cookie decapitated in his hands and asked me if I was alright.

I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek to keep me from doing something else stupid.

Stop it Annabeth. What's wrong with you?!

We had a few more decorations to hang and some more cleaning to do before the birthday boy arrived. I had to change my clothes as well, seeing as they were covered in batter and dust.

Tyson was extremely happy when he came back, especially after he met his friends, who were hiding behind sofas.

And all in all, the party seemed to be a success. Sally and Paul took over, somehow handling a room full of sugared up children with ease.

That left Percy and I to hang out in his backyard. I felt like we deserved the break.

Percy was sprawled on the ground, practically as unmoving as a corpse.

When enquired about his state, he said that he'd never seen 'a more vicious pack of children' and was 'dead tired'

"You can take off the crown you know," I chuckled, moving towards him, putting aside the Diet Coke I was sipping.

"Never. I was crowned King, and you must all beat witness my rule!" he said, clutching his heart.

"Well right now, you look about as kingly as a juice box," I rolled my eyes

"Ouch, I bow to you, my queen," he said, dramatically swooning as he fanned himself, "I surrender"

"I'm the queen huh?" I laughed, settling down beside him.

The grass pricked my skin, sending goosebumps all through my body. It didn't help that most of my skin was exposed. I never liked sitting on grass.

"Of course you are, you're my girlfriend after all," he grinned, readjusting his crown.

"Mmmhmm," I moved to get up, unable to tolerate the prickly grass.

"Where are you going, my lady?" Percy asked, grabbing my hand as I got up and pulling me back on the ground.

However, I ended up partially atop of him.

When I moved to get off of him again,I found  a firmly placed hand around my waist, and a grinning Percy.

"Now now,my queen," he whispered, "I thought we could do some stargazing "

"Percy," I felt my face flush, "what is someone sees us?"

He shrugged, "what will they say? You are my girlfriend after all," he winked, placing a light kiss on my shoulder blade.

My heart could have probably stopped beating right then and there.

"Alright alright," I whispered back, settling against him. Every part of me was in overdrive.

"Now, look to the right," he whispered

"Where? The sky is big you know,"

"Over these, wise girl," he chuckled, taking my arm and pointing it in the direction he wanted.

"Oh," I laughed,looking at the giant crown in the sky,"Long may you reign,"

Percy adjusted his crown again, "with you by my side, I shall"

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I'm alive I'm alive!

Hi

Any suggestions for the story? Apart from posting better?

(Posted on 21/9/22- 3:07am)

Stay tuned!!
—-S