The dance was in full swing by the time Annabeth and I arrived.

The auditorium was set decked out in some cool mystical drapery, which made it look like a winter wonderland. Everything was white and blue, which reminded me of Elsa straight away.

I could see Chiron and some chaperones chatting in the background by the snack tables, content in their own little bubble. Some of them were swaying as they talked, which unfortunately seemed more like they were doing hip exercises than vibing to the music.

I'm pretty sure Travis Stoll was doing the lawnmower while Connor dabbed in the background vibing with the music.

I honestly don't know what was going on with those two, but it was entertaining to watch nonetheless.

Annabeth looked beautiful.....but then again, when does she not?

Her hair was tied up into a bun, held together by some invisible force, two golden locks framing her face perfectly. She wore a little black dress and a denim jacket to battle the cold, and no jewelry except our bead necklace and her mom's owl earrings.

She was perfect....Gods I was so lucky.

She moved to chat with the teachers and Chiron almost as soon as we entered, giving me a quick peck on the cheek before leaving me to the mercy of mingling in a crowd.

Last month had been nothing short of a nightmare. The thought that I was going to lose her plagued me, I couldn't sleep, and I barely wanted to eat.

I was in a catacomb-like state....barely existing in the real world, a slave to my own intrusive thoughts.

I regret not telling her earlier....or even immediately. And honestly, if I was in her place, I would've reacted the exact same way.

I don't want to lose her.

I pushed all those thoughts away, inhaling deeply as I looked over at my girl as she hugged Chiron tightly, both of them looking on the verge of tears.

Everything has a way of working out.

I found my way toward the back of the auditorium, where a couple of my friends stood, looking as confused as a hamster in a bowl of soup, not joining the majority of the school on the dance floor.

We spent a while catching up and were also corralled into taking team pictures by the teachers so they could hang them on the walls after we graduated.

Chiron made a heartfelt speech that left me a little glassy-eyed.

I would miss my town and school terribly. Being away from it felt like five lifetimes instead of five years. And now I'd be away for five years more.

I looped a finger around my bead necklace, trying to bring my focus back into the real world. This was not the time for tears or sadness, it was a celebration after all.

A clear, loud laugh broke my thoughts, like a cool breeze on a summer day. As I watched Annabeth on the dance floor, twirling along with Juniper, I knew everything would be alright.

I felt the tips of my lips quirk up at the sight.

I had my Annabeth. Everything would be alright

And my friends...my town? They'd always be here

"It was nice knowing you bro," Jason said, temporarily pausing his constant staring at Piper to interact with me, "you ship out next week right?"

"Yeah and Annabeth's gonna come like three weeks after that," I explained.

"I always knew you two would end up together," said Frank Zhang with a content look, "Hazel and I even had a bet about it. I won 15 dollars."

"Grover said it was obvious to everyone but us," I laughed, "but I don't know..."

"Oh yeah figured it out almost immediately," Connor grinned, "Now we just need Percababies."

"Percababies?" I scoffed, "You make them sound like octopuses"

"At least he didn't deny that we'll get Percababies," said Katie Gardener, intertwining her hand with Travis's.

Before I could reply, Annabeth joined in.

"What are you guys talking about?" she asked as she pulled up a chair, slipping off her heels and tossing them aside.

"Just you guys' percababies," smirked Connor.

"Percababies? You make them sound like octopi," she replied, swiping a strand of hair away from her face.

"AWWWWW," Piper squealed, "you guys are adorable!"

"Thanks?" she laughed, winking at me discreetly.

"If you guys don't mind, I'm stealing my boyfriend to the dancefloor," Annabeth said firmly, her voice tinged with humor as she dragged me towards the hordes of sweaty and dancy teenagers, her footware back.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. She turned those dazzling stormy eyes towards me, taking a deep breath as we swayed to the music.

"I was...talking to coach and....yeah, I was thinking of going to therapy," Annabeth sighed, a few seconds later.

"That's awesome, wise girl," I said, kissing the top of her head, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," she nodded, "I....I just hate the way I treated you after our fight....it's not fair on my part. Besides, I clearly need some help to process....well a lot of things," she said with a light laugh.

"How can I build a future with you, If I'm stuck in the past?" she continued, "So....yeah..."

"I'm so proud of you, wise girl," I grinned, pulling her closer to me, "Who's gonna be therapying you?"

"Oh...Miss Mellie just became a certified therapist," Annabeth replied, closing her eyes and she floated along to the music, "and I love Miss Mellie so it's perfect."

"I think you're perfect," I smiled, watching her face turn a shade darker.

"Did you not just hear the whole conversation we just had?" she laughed, wrapping her arms around my neck as the slow dance began, "Besides, Percy Jackson. If anyone Is perfect, it's you."

Okay, that got my heartstrings.....just a LOT.

"You know...I'm glad we burnt down that shed if anything," I smiled, swaying along to 'Lover' by Taylor Swift.

" So you could fulfill your lifelong dream of becoming an arsonist?" Annabeth teased, opening her dazzling eyes, amusement evident in them.

"More like fulfill my lifelong dream of being by your side," I winked, spinning her around the room as she laughed heartily.

"There's no one I'd rather have committed arson with than you," she grinned as I set her down, "I love you, seaweed brain."

"I love you too, wise girl."

"Guyss!! Let's take a picture!" Grover called, gesturing us both over.

"Sure," I shrugged, dragging Annabeth along to the opposing end of the room.

"Say cheese," Grover said, positioning his phone directly above us before Annabeth stopped him, placing a hand on his arm.

"Grovs....I just wanna say...Thank you for everything. I don't know if I would even be here without you right now...I love you, you know? You can always count on me for anything," she said, wrapping him in a tight hug.

"You know I love you too, G-man," I threw myself into the hug, wrapping myself around both of them like a human burrito.

'Is she okay?' he mouthed silently to me as we held onto the group hug

'she's a little emotional' I mouthed back, trying not to laugh.

"Sucks that we'll miss your birthday though...." Annabeth sighed as we pulled apart.

Grover looked scandalized, "that's why you were so nice weren't you?!"

"So the picture?" I nodded to Annabeth, barely able to conceal my laughter.

"Mmhmm, Picture. Grover, you coming?" she laughed, snatching his phone.

"It's my phone!" he bleated, looking utterly defeated," you two are bullies."

"But you love us," Annabeth winked.

"I do," Grover melted.

Snatching the phone from Annabeth, Grover said, "Okay guys! Everyone say! Just graduated!!"

"Just graduated!" our trio screamed as the flash went off, capturing the moment forever.

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SORRY FOR THE LATE CHAPTER!!! PUT DOWN THE WEAPONS AND WAR PLANS AlyviaVillalobos  and @PercabethIsMyHeroin

Guys....this is the last offical Chappy of Half of my Heart!! There's gonna be three bonus chapter so yay?

Random but Its like 1am and I just had  a Mulan momment and chopped off half my hair with a pair of scissors.

(Posted 8/4/23- 2:04am)

Stay tuned!!

---S