Aftermath-Percabeth

Chapter Two

Annabeth was shaking as she climbed down from the makeshift stage that New Rome had provided for their graduation. She was sweating from her nerves and the California heat.

People were still applauding as she sat next to some other graduating demigod. She felt herself blush and make eye contact with Percy, a thing she had done constantly throughout her speech.

"And now let us begin giving out diplomas," the headmaster of New Rome said. "Let's start with..."

They rambled on and Annabeth didn't listen until the C section.

"Chase, Annabeth."

Her legs shaking, she climbed the stage again. The headmaster smiled as they shook her hand and smiled for a photo that was snapped by a photographer. Annabeth accepted the diploma and smiled at the crowds, a sea of faces she didn't recognize.

"Congratulations, Miss Chase."

"Thank you." It was barely audible since Annabeth's voice was so full of nervousness.

She sat back down and stared down at the diploma. She'd done it. After four hard years of cramming for tests, taking notes until her hands hurt, and almost crying in class she'd done it. She was going to be an architect, and a mighty good one.

"Jackson, Percy."

She'd been too busy with her thinking time had flied. It was now Percy's turn to receive his diploma, and he looked about as scared as she was.

Percy wiped his palms on his gown before shaking the headmaster's hand. They handed the diploma to him and he accepted it with a shaking hand.

"Congratulation, Mr.Jackson."

Percy couldn't respond. His voice was gone, he was speechless. He just nodded at the headmaster before returning to his seat, his legs feeling like jello.

The rest of the ceremony he just stared in disbelief at the ground, hoping it would be over soon. The hot sun was really starting to effect his happiness.

"I would like to congratulate all the graduates and wish them nothing but happiness and success," the headmaster said, addressing the crowd of graduates. "And remember, if you're ever in need New Rome is waiting for you."

Everyone clapped before the ceremony ended. Everyone started getting up from their seats and locating their loved ones. Percy just sat, glued to his chair.

"Percy, we're graduated," Annabeth said as she sat down next to him. "We did it."

They sat next to each other in silence and disbelief. Then Percy took her hand in his.

"Thank you," he whispered. "I couldn't have done this without you."

"I couldn't have either," Annabeth admitted.

"Really, Miss Smarty Pants?" Percy asked and she laughed.

"Yes! In all seriousness, you were amazing through all of this," Annabeth said. "Now let's go find everyone."

Percy and Annabeth stood up and located Sally and Paul who were chatting with Fredrick.

"Hey! Congrats!" Sally said and pulled Percy into a hug. He blushed as his mom kissed his cheek. "And you, too, Annabeth!"

Soon Sally had pulled Annabeth into a massive hug.

"Congratulations, Annabeth," Fredrick said and his daughter pulled him into a hug.

"Thanks, dad," she whispered.

"Hey, where's Estelle?" Percy asked.

"Over there, by your friends," Paul answered. "I think she quite likes Hazel."

They both turned to see all their friends chatting except Hazel and Estelle. Hazel was showing Estelle how she could pull diamonds from the ground and Estelle kept giggling.

"Percy! Annnabeth!" Piper called and ushered them over to them.

"We better go say hi to them," Annabeth said. "Nice seeing you all!"

"You, too," Sally said with a warm smile. Percy and Annabeth intertwined their hands and walked over to their friends.

"Congrats, man!" Leo said as he high-fived Percy and then Annabeth.

"Great speech," Jason told Annabeth and she smiled.

"Thanks for coming," Annabeth said, addressing everyone. "I didn't expect all of you to show up!"

"Well, we wouldn't miss it for the world," Piper said and smiled. "None of us would!"

They all nodded in agreement. Then Annabeth's phone started ringing. She sighed and pulled it out of her pocket. She read the New York phone address and grinned.

"I'm sorry guys, I have to take this," she said and they nodded. She clicked answer and placed the phone to her ear. "Hello, this is Annabeth Chase."

Annabeth nodded along as the person on the phone spoke to her. Percy frowned and furrowed his eyebrows as he watched her.

"Okay, thank you!"

She hung up the phone and pulled Percy into a hug. "We got it! We got the apartment!"

"Really?! Which one?" Percy asked as they pulled apart.

"That two bedroom we liked," she said. "The really cute one with the blue bathroom with the huge windows in the master bedroom."

"That one? Yes!" Percy said and smiled. They embraced each other once more before fully processing it. They were getting an apartment of their own.

"It's not ready until June 5th, though," Annabeth said. "So I suppose we could rent a hotel room in New Rome and stay here a bit longer?"

"Of course! I'll go tell my mom the good news," Percy said, a goofball grin plastered on his face. Annabeth nodded and watched him run off to Sally and Paul.

Annabeth headed back to the dorms, wanting to confirm she'd packed everything. She opened the door and peered inside. She felt a bit homesick since she was leaving this dorm. She had lived there for four years and it felt like her home.

Well, Percy felt like her home. Wherever he was was where she wanted to be.

"Hey."

Annabeth spun around to see Percy, his graduation cap slightly crooked. She smiled and made her way over to him. She adjusted his hat with one hand and placed her other on his shoulder.

"We did it," she breathed. "And now..."

After a moment of silence Percy pulled her into a kiss. "We start our lives together."

Annabeth wrapped her arms around Percy and breathed him in. His scent-the ocean-was soothing to her.

"Ready to leave?" Percy asked as he slipped his hand into hers.

"Almost," Annabeth replied. She peered up at the small dorm that had been their home. She would miss it, certainly, but was ready for their own apartment. "Alright, I'm ready."

"Wait," Percy said. He started pulling her out of the room and down the hallway.

"Where are you taking me?" Annabeth asked skeptically. Then she knew. Percy had led her to a supply closet where he opened the door and revealed a ladder to the roof where they had spent many nights together.

"I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to this!" Percy said and helped her up. When they reached the roof of the dorm housing they peered down below. They were in the student part of New Rome, so it was modern and less beautiful architectural speaking.

They could still see the ancient style roads and monuments of New Rome in the distance. They both reminiscenced about how Annabeth had judo flipped Percy there. A small smirk appeared on both their faces.

"You ready now?" Annabeth asked after a few minutes of silence. Percy nodded and they headed back downstairs.

"I'm so excited for us," he said, not being able to contain his excitement. "I love you, Chase."

"Love you, too, Jackson."