Percy PoV

I knew it. It's a bad idea to go at this ball.

After the announcement of the ball, Anne had come to ask me to be her date. Without thinking too much, I accepted.

She's pretty and nice, now I can see that she's hoping for something else. But I am not ready. I don't want to. I can't. I wouldn't betray Annabeth.

"She told you to go ahead. I know it must be painful, but you have to move on," Nyx said to me in a serious and compassionate voice.

"It's not that simple. I don't want to. I just can't."

"You can't keep it from me. I know this wound has never been closed. Even though you've learned to hide it better over time, you're still in so much pain. And that makes you dangerous."

It's rare that she uses a tone like that when she speaks. Usually in a good mood, it makes me feel strange to see her speak so seriously.

"I just need time."

"No. You are a powerful demigod. So far these memories are temporary enough, but if one memory stronger than another comes up, you can't be reasoned with."

"Why would one memory be stronger? I just have to stop thinking about it."

"Because the memory depends on the event that is happening. Remember Hazel's black holes. The closer it is to a past experience, the deeper it will be. Don't become your own danger, Percy. Turn the page."

"I wish I could. Believe me. But I can't. Every time I see her again. Every time I smell her. She is everywhere! Annabeth is everywhere around me, I can't forget her like that."

"I'm going to have to. You're clinging to ghosts. And you know as well as I do that ghosts are harmful."

"Not necessarily all of them. Look at the ghosts at Hogwarts. They're pretty cool."

"You know what I'm saying."

I'm sighing.
"All right, well... I'm gonna try harder."

And that's how I ended up opening the ball with Anne.

In the days leading up to the dance, Harry and Ron had a hard time finding their dates.

I was surprised that Ron didn't ask Hermione.

It was obvious that he had a crush on her. But he didn't.

"I didn't think about it!" Was his argument.

"Dumb idiot! Said you didn't have the courage instead!" I throw, hitting him on the shoulder gently.

"Nonsense! "
But his ears turn red, and he hits me back to change the subject.

Finally, Hermione went with Krum. Enough to increase the jealousy of some people.

The music starts and we advance on the track.

Several times, I walked on Anne's feet, giving her a smile.

"Not like that, seaweed brain! Put your hand down!"

I raise my head.
"What ?"

But it's not Anne anymore. It is Annabeth who is holding herself in my arms.
She is smiling at me.
"Your hands."

She grabs my hand and places it on her hip, then we start spinning to the rhythm of the song.

"How do you... How..."

I look around me. I'd come back to Westover Hall, a military school where I'd been on a rescue mission a few years before.
It seems so far away.

It was also here that I shared my first dance... with Annabeth...

"Percy?"

"Percy? Yes?"

This time it's definitely Anne facing me.

"How are you doing, Percy? You seem lost."

"Yeah, don't worry. Just in my thoughts."

Let's start dancing again in silence. Some people had joined us on the dance floor.

Then my memories resurface, I arrive at the mountain where Atlas holds the sky... except that it's Annabeth.

"Percy no! Don't come!" Annabeth shouts at me, having taken the place of Atlas.

"Do not move!"

But the battle breaks out, and I throw myself into the fray with a scream of rage. Nobody touches Annabeth.

"Percy!"

I raise my head. Anne stands in front of me, looking frightened.
She places her hand on my arm.
"You are trembling..."

"Anne, excuse me. I'm really sorry but do you mind if I...?"

"No, go ahead. I'll wait for you."

She watches me leave looking worried.

I walk out of the room, ignoring the calls and the whistles on my way, and I go to the bathroom.

Memories overwhelm me again, and this time I carry the sky with Artemis, helplessly watching Annabeth fight.

Then a change of scenery. I am with Annabeth in Tartarus. The first time. We are surrounded by monsters, and we fight.

I draw my sword and slice off telchines, then centaurs.

"Watch out!"
Annabeth throws herself and stabs an enemy who was approaching me.
"Be more careful, seaweed brains!"

In spite of the situation, I sketch a smile.
Even in the depths of Tartarus, she is magnificent.

Then again change of scenery.
Everything becomes blurred. The decor is not clear. But I recognize the scene.

It is there. Lying in my arms, me helpless.
I don't want to relive it.
I don't want to lose her again.
I don't want to...

"PERCY!"

I open my eyes.
Hermione is standing in front of me with her wand pointed at me.

I look around me. I'm at Hogwarts, in the bathroom.

"What's that?"

I turn my attention back to Hermione.
"What's that what ?"

"Do you have a sword?!"

I'm looking at my hand. Without realizing it, I was holding my sword drawn.
But why does she have her wand towards me? Does it...

"Hermione, did I hurt you?"

"No, but you were fighting an invisible enemy. If someone had gotten in your way..."

"I told you so. Put an end to these memories. Turn the page."

"Percy, can you explain? A sword?"

"I'm sorry, Hermione, but I can't. Not yet, I can't. Please, can you leave me alone for a few moments?"

She looks at me and then she nods with compassion.
My expression had to reflect my state of mind so that even Hermione would leave without question.

Once she had closed the door, I approached the mirror.
"Let's put an end to these memories. The past cannot be changed. It must stop haunting me."

And my memories come and go. All the good times with Annabeth.
But I know it's over.

"Seaweed brain? How are you doing?"

Annabeth was standing in front of me. We were on a terrace, in front of a forest. I don't remember this place.

Annabeth smiled at me and offered me her hand.

I grabbed it and she dragged me against her.
She serves me in her arms.
"I love you, Percy."

I hug her back.
"It's not real..."

Annabeth steps back.
"I'm happy. You're starting to understand."

I admire her face.
"I don't want to understand. It would mean losing you forever."

"No, Percy. It would mean moving on. You have to move on. You deserve it."

"But without you."

"We've had this discussion before, Percy. We have to."

Little by little her image is fading.

"You accept it little by little. I will disappear and you will finally be able to move on. I love you, Percy."

She comes over and kisses me. Then she steps back, with a smile on her face.
"I'll be waiting for you."

Everything begins to turn and I find myself in the bathroom at Hogwarts, alone.

"I love you too."
Tears are streaming down my face.

But this time it doesn't feel like I'm losing her.
No.

I accept it. For the first time, I accept, even if it is difficult, that Annabeth is dead.

Until now, I lived in denial. I realized this as I remembered.

The bathroom door opens and Anne comes in. She approaches and lifts me up.
She takes me in her arms, in a comforting attitude.
"I don't know what you went through, but it must have been complicated,"she whispers.

"It's all over now. The past shouldn't stop me from moving forward. It's part of me. But you have to know how to move forward."

I'm taking a deep breath.
I grab Anne by the hand.
"Let's go."

"Turn your back on the past, and follow the path that fate has set for you," Nyx says.

I look at Anne.
"Would you allow me this dance?"

She smiles.
"With pleasure."

And we move towards the great hall.

🔱 🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱
Hello demigod!
All right!
Percy has finally accepted!
But is this really the end?
Won't Annabeth come back one way or another?
We'll see!

On the other hand:
For the time being, there are no plans for Anne and Percy to become a couple, although I have a definite idea of something feasible.

To be seen!
Give your opinion ;)

This chapter is not very cheerful, but Percy needed to make this mourning, which in the end was not done. Sorry if you didn't find the daily dose of humor!

Dear readers, I also want you to know that I love you, many of you read and give feedback and it makes me happy!
Thank you!

See you in the next chapter,
In the meantime,
Stay cool, demigod 😁🔱

Word count :
1523