Annabeth
Prom was...seriously underwhelming.
Do you remember when you were younger and expected high school to be as fun and entertaining as "High School Musical"? Then, you got to high school and realized people didn't sing in the hallways, and people weren't as nice as they seemed, and it turned out Sharpay wasn't as evil as it got.
That was how prom was. The decorations were cheesy at best. The theme for this year was "Happily Ever After." Walls were painted with vast castles and rolling hills behind them. The grand ceilings held extensive lanterns inspired by "Tangled" by a string. Fake trees wrapped with Christmas lights were littered around, and a grand staircase was in the front of the hall. On the opposite side of the room, I could see a large, golden carriage with metal horses pulling it.
"Wow," Percy whispered next to me. I had to admit, it would've looked charming to anyone else in the school. For me, on the other hand, they looked ridiculous. After all, I had never been one to believe in fairytales. I was just too much of a realist.
"I know," Hazel said from behind us.
We made our way down the entry staircase and merged with the crowd. At least a few hundred students were here tonight. I could see a lot of the single and dateless guys sitting in the corner, drinking punch. Many, however, were up dancing with their dates or friends. Some of their moves were bizarre, but I admired their courage to dance like that in public.
"Hey, guys!" Thalia waved as she shouted from the group she was standing in. I immediately recognized them as a group called the Hunters. They were all part of a club that a teacher organized last year and focused on protecting wildlife. How they did that while living in a large concrete jungle called New York City? I had no idea.
"Hey, Thalia," I said while approaching her and giving a hug. "You look beautiful tonight."
Thalia was dressed in a long, silver dress. It almost sparkled when it caught the light. Then, I realized everyone else's dresses were slightly different. Thalia's was the only one that gave off a small glow. I wondered if that meant she was the leader. Her electric blue eyes were as stunning as always, and her black hair was cut short.
"Nah. You look amazing, though. I'm glad you waited for the right dress." She gave me a large smile. Then, her gaze focused on Percy behind me, who was awkwardly messing with his pockets. "Percy, you look good."
He did look good. Handsome was a better word. His thick, black hair was styled up, so it wasn't in his face. His sea-green eyes dazzled in the soft glow of the lanterns. I wasn't accustomed to seeing him all dressed up with a suit and bow-tie. I could get used to it though.
He gave her a small smile and nodded. "Thanks, Thals. You look as...sparkly as ever."
She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up Percy. Now, you guys go have fun tonight. But not too much fun."
"So original," I teased as I grabbed Percy's arm. His eyes widened in shock as I pulled him to an open space on the floor.
"So," He said nervously, "what do you wanna do?"
I punched him in the arm. "Dance with me, obviously."
"Oh...ok," he muttered. He grabbed my waist, and electricity shot up my spine. I wrapped my arms around his neck.
The D.J. picked that exact moment to start playing a slow song. I recognized it as soon as the first word was uttered. It was "Little Things" by One Direction. I, like many other girls in my school, went through a whole phase of loving them during middle school. I couldn't pretend that I was completely out of it, though. I still knew all their songs and adored them endlessly. That's why I couldn't hold back from singing the verses along with the song.
Your hand fits in mine like it's made just for me
But bear this mind it was meant to be
And I'm joining up the dots with the freckles on your cheeks
And it all makes sense to me
I never really adored this song as much as I enjoyed the others. Maybe it was because I could never relate to it. But even after the first stanza, I started to realize how wrong I was. Maybe it was cheesy, but everything finally made sense to me. After 18 years of thinking I had everything together, I was starting to realize nothing made any sense. At all. Well, nothing except him. Percy.
Across from me, he smiled at my singing. I could tell my voice was horrible, but I didn't care if he noticed. His feet kept nudging into mine. I thought it was adorable.
I know you've never loved the crinkles by your eyes when you smile
You've never loved your stomach or your thighs
The dimples in your back at the bottom of your spine
But I'll love them endlessly
I thought of Percy again. Did he like how he looked? Did he mind that he had a striking resemblance to his father? I imagined him staring at the mirror, glancing at the younger version of his father, who abandoned him. I shuddered at such a horrible thought.
I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth
But if I do, it's you, oh it's you, they add up to
I'm in love with you and all these little things
You can't go to bed without a cup of tea
Maybe that's the reason that you talk in your sleep
And all those conversations are the secrets that I keep
Though it makes no sense to me
Percy smiled at me knowingly. I stuck my tongue out him in fake annoyance.
I know you've never loved the sound of your voice on tape
You never want to know how much you weigh
You still have to squeeze into your jeans
But you're perfect to me
I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth
But if it's true, it's you, it's you, they add up to
I'm in love with you and all these little things
You never love yourself half as much as I love you
You'll never treat yourself right darling but I want you to
If I let you know, I'm here for you
Maybe you'll love yourself like I love you oh
I've just let these little things slip out of my mouth
Because it's you, oh it's you, it's you they add up to
And I'm in love with you (all these little things)
I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth
But if it's true, it's you, it's you they add up to
I'm in love with you, and all your little things
After the song, an upbeat tune played that I didn't recognize. It wasn't long until it all faded away, though. Percy wrapped me in a huge bearhug that I thought was going to cause me to faint.
"Annabeth?" He asked while my head was muffled in his chest.
"Yeah?" I pulled away and glanced up at him. His eyes danced with an emotion that I hadn't seen before.
"I think I'm in love with you."
"And all these little things?" I asked, half-joking. I didn't know how to respond. For a while, I had been feeling it. I just wasn't sure I was ready for him to know it.
"Of course. I'm in love with you...and all these little things," he smiled gently.
I cupped both of his cheeks in my hands and leaned in for a long kiss. As much as I hated to admit it, the kiss was just like the fairytales I had dubbed as fake. Fireworks exploded in my stomach, and I didn't think I could ever pull away. This wasn't fake; this was real life, and I was in love.
I pulled away. "I'm in love with you too, and all these little things."
Maybe, just maybe, fairytales do exist.
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Percabeth is so cute it hurts. My school has a winter dance and I know I won't have a date by then, and it kinda depresses me. Oh well.
Question: If you could plan your school's prom,what prom theme would be your dream?
Mine would probably be around the world or something like that.
Thanks for reading. Stick around for the last few chapters!
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