12: The Mistake

Annabeth POV

I gazed into Percy's beautiful sea-green eyes. They were sparkling with kindness and attraction. His hand was warm against my waist; I could feel the heat through my dress.

I noticed his gaze flitting down to my lips before looking back up.

I decided to make the first move. My eyes closed as I leaned forward and hesitantly pressed my lips into his. The kiss was soft and tentative.

Yet, everything inside of me exploded.

Percy and I both separated for an instant. His gaze was locked onto mine as a smile graced his handsome face. I smiled as well. We both felt it: the warmth, the ecstasy, and the love. It was powerful and all-consuming.

Both of Percy's arms tightened around my waist. This kiss was more passionate and heated. I moaned into his mouth as he pressed against me. While our first kiss was soft and loving, this one burned into a hungry fire.

My hands traveled to his hair as his body pressed into mine. My back was against the door as we kissed. His hands traveled up my waist as we caught our breath in a quick second.

My hand fumbled with the doorknob as I opened the door.

Percy and I collided into the bedroom while still making out. He was practically carrying me as we entered the empty room. It was hot and hungry, and I didn't mind it at all. I could feel all of Percy's past and present emotions in the kiss.

My hands gripped his blazer tightly and pulled it off of him. The rich blazer fell next to our feet. Percy somehow managed to deepen the kiss as he pressed me against the wall. My dress rode up in the process.

"Mmm, Percy, wait, wait," I said out of breath.

Percy stopped hesitantly as he leaned back. His eyes sparkled with lust and love as he searched my face. Then, he cleared his throat and stepped back.

"Annabeth, I, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just-"

"Seaweed Brain," I interrupted boldly. Percy looked at me quickly as his face showed concern and worry. However, I wasn't rejecting him.

I couldn't reject something so perfect and amazing.

I turned towards the open bedroom door before meeting Percy's eyes again. "You need to close the door," I said firmly with a smile.

Percy's mouth twitched into a smirk as he nodded.

He quickly walked towards the door but paused in front of it. "Are you sure, Wise Girl?" he asked as he looked back. Gods, he was so sweet and caring.

Percy was my guy best friend, and I trusted him completely. Through this interaction, I felt the connection between us. I felt all of the emotions of warmth and love that Percy held towards me. And, I knew that I couldn't find that level of love and intimacy with anyone else.

I realized that I felt the same way towards him.

My gaze locked onto his as I nodded. I kicked off my heels and started unclasping my dress to prove it to him.

Percy's gaze intensified as he smiled. He quickly locked the door before undoing his shirt. My eyes scanned his attractive upper body but not for long. Percy immediately came forward and crashed his lips into mine.

"Wise Girl," he murmured softly into the kiss.

His hand rode up my tight as he lifted me off the ground. My arms wrapped around his neck as he hoisted me up and carried me to the bed.

The bed was firm as Percy's arm placed me onto it. Then, his body fell on top of mine gently as we kissed. His hand shifted my hair to the side as his other hand pressed into my stomach. Our legs became tangled as his lower body pressed into mine.

His kiss shifted and traveled down my chin and neck. I groaned as my head arched back, allowing him to deepen the kiss against my neck.

"I love you, Wise Girl," he whispered into my ear.

For a second, our actions stopped as I gazed up into his sparkling eyes.

I simply nodded without any words. Regardless, his smile was radiant as he leaned down and kissed me again passionately.

The night continued in complete warmth and love, and I cherished every bit of it.

***

I couldn't stop smiling as I walked through the party. I fixed my dress for the third time as I searched for my Thalia and/or Piper.

Finally, I found them outside.

Thalia and Piper were dancing in the background within a large group of people. The DJ was playing a collection of pop songs. Ironically, one of Percy's songs was playing.

I made my way through the crowd until I found them.

"Hey, Annabeth, where have you been? You're missing the party," Thalia exclaimed over the music.

"Hi, I hope that you're having a good time," Reyna said as she walked up.

I smiled at Reyna before hugging her. I didn't know her that well, but it was obvious that we were very similar. "Happy birthday, Reyna," I expressed firmly.

"We're having a blast," Thalia said cheerfully.

Thalia was in a good mood. That was probably for the best because I wasn't sure how she was going to react to what Percy and I did tonight. We were safe though. I made sure of that at least.

Reyna nodded at Piper with a pleasant smile before moving along. She was going around the party, greeting and talking to all of her guests, which was admirable.

"Wait, Annie, what's up with your hair?" Thalia asked suddenly.

Piper stopped dancing and turned me around to see my hair as well. Piper gasped suddenly as she pulled away. She squealed immediately before pulling me into another hug. I laughed as she shook me in excitement.

"Oh my gods, Annabeth, this is such great news," Piper exclaimed.

"What are you talking about?" Thalia asked abruptly. She was already annoyed that she didn't know what was going on.

"Uh, maybe, we should go to a more secluded spot," I suggested.

We maneuvered through the crowd before walking inside the house. There were a lot more people inside since it was getting a little cooler outside. Regardless, we found an empty area in the front living room (as a reference, this mansion had three living rooms).

"Okay, Annie, tell me what the hell is going on? Why is Piper acting like a crazy fangirl right now?" Thalia asked firmly.

Piper was still smiling as she whipped out her phone.

"Why is your hair messed up like that?" Thalia asked.

I instinctually brushed my hair with my hands. Then, I used Piper's phone to make sure that my hair was all right.

"Wait, Annabeth did you and Percy-" Thalia faltered off as she made the realization. "Oh my god, what?!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

"It kinda just happened," I said shyly. I was immediately uncomfortable as Thalia and Piper both waited for more details. But, I wasn't one to share my feelings that much.

"He said that he loves me," I said with a hesitant smile.

Piper squealed as she hugged me again. I laughed in joy. Even Thalia was smiling as she said, "I told you so. I knew that Percy had feelings for you, and you like him too."

"So, what now?" Piper followed up.

I sighed as I said, "I don't know. We didn't really talk about all of it yet. Of course, there's a lot to talk about with everything that's going on."

"You guys would make such a cute couple," Piper said.

Thalia quickly grabbed our hands and started walking deeper into the house. "Wait, Thalia, where are we going?"

"I have no patience for your stalling. You're gonna talk to Percy. I need to know the status of this beautiful relationship now," she said urgently.

Piper smirked as I flushed red. However, I knew that I needed to talk with Percy. He was a world-famous pop star, and while that didn't matter to me, it would definitely influence our relationship.

"Wait, Jason, do you know where Percy is?" Thalia asked.

Jason was enjoying a drink with a group of guys in the kitchen. Jason immediately smiled when he saw me. Clearly, Percy had told him.

"Finally, this is happening," Jason exclaimed. "Annabeth, I'm being completely honest, Percy loves you very much and he always has."

I nodded as a smile stretched on my face. I was realizing that as well.

"Anyway, I'll take you guys to Percy. Come on," Jason said. We all walked to the third floor and followed Jason towards the office room.

Mr. Arellano (Atlas) sometimes worked from home, so they had a large room that acted as a mini board room for meetings.

The third floor was empty because Reyna's family said to not go up. As such, everyone had listened to their wishes. However, clearly, Percy was up there.

"Jason, why is Percy up here?" I asked.

"He's in a meeting with my dad and a few other people. They pulled him in soon after he came back downstairs," Jason expressed.

I nodded as we approached the office room; the door was open.

We were still standing outside when we heard their voices. The conversation wasn't that quiet anyway.

Thalia, Jason, Piper, and I paused outside the door.

"Percy, this is a big deal, and it will greatly influence your life. Please, think about yourself and think about her," Chiron's voice resonated. His fatherly tone was full of concern.

They were obviously talking about me. It was so sweet that Percy already went to his label and manager about our relationship. Clearly, he was trying to make us work.

"What choice do I have, Chiron?" Percy said slowly.

My smile faded a little as I noticed his words and his tone. It wasn't representative of someone that was in love and asking for a relationship.

I stepped closer to the door, closer to the entry.

It was strange, and I couldn't quite understand it. Based on my friends' facial expressions, they were lost as well.

"So, what are you going to do, Percy?" Zeus's voice asked gruffly.

The silence that followed was deafening. There were some shifting sounds and inaudible whispers that came from the inside of the room, but Percy wasn't talking yet.

The moment felt like a lifetime as I waited for Percy. I even considered barging into the room, but I held back.

"It, it was a mistake. Annabeth and I would never work. Besides, tonight, it- it wasn't even that good anyway," Percy's voice expressed tensely.

I froze as storms burned my eyes. My mind raced as my heart sunk. I felt the emotions breaking me as small, silent tears began to stream down my cheek.

Disappointment and devastation. I hated those feelings, and I hated the pain.

I didn't understand why and how. Why Percy was like this? How he could be so inconsiderate? I thought that he genuinely loved and cared about me.

Thalia gently pulled me into a hug as Piper held my hand. Their expressions were confused and sad. Jason seemed lost in thought.

It was a mistake. It wasn't even that good.

Those words from Percy kept reverberating through my mind and body. They penetrated my heart and soul. Tears flowed down my face.

It was a mistake.