The Stroke of Midnight: Percabeth AU✔️

Heart Pounding

Annabeth's POV: 

"Finally, what took you forever?" Piper shouts when I arrive to Percy's house, duffle bag in hand.

"Helen," I spoke simply, walking into the living room.

Casting my bag to the side, I join the others in a circle. "Found it!" Leo yells.

He and Percy emerge from the hallway, holding a board game. I read the top when Leo places it down. Aggravation. I love this game.

"You're going down," Percy remarks, playfully glaring at me.

"Nope, however, you're going down to the bank to be cashed in for spare change," I reply smoothly back.

Thalia starts laughing her butt off at Percy's expression. We then all start playing the game and I take one of Will's guys out. "Muhahahahaha," I cackle.

Nico gives me a death glare and ends up taking one of my guys out. In this game, your trying to get all of your pieces to home; but to do that, every-one of them has to go around the board once. When your guy is taken out, meaning another player land on that guy, you have to start again with that one piece. Percy pouts when Hazel takes his last guy out, moving it back to the start.

"Meanie," He mutters.

Hazel smirks, her shoulder brushing Frank's. Eventually, Piper actually ends up winning and we all put it aside for a little game of truth or dare. I love dares.

"Okay, Leo truth or dare," Connor asks him.

Leo literally bounces on the floor with excitement, "Dare."

Connor grins evilly, "I dare you to go next door to your crush's house and ask her to join the game, in an Australian accent."

Leo's smile falters a little, but he gets up anyway and runs to the door, "I am a champion," He screams, closing the door.

We all laugh and wait. When the door opens, a girl that I recognize as Calypso walks in with a bright red Leo. They join us, and Leo goes next. "All right, truth or dare Annabeth?"

Leo doesn't give the kissing dares, or the gossipy truths thank goodness, "Dare."

Leo grins, "I dare you to go jump into the pool, then run into the street and sing the whole song 'Tightrope' from The Greatest Showman." Not one of his best dares but I'll take it.

They all get up and watch out the window as I jump into Percy's pool, coming out shivering. Then running through the house and to the front, I stand in the middle of the street and start singing as loud as possible. The sky is painted pink, as the sun goes down, and I try to distract myself when neighbors start coming out to watch.

"With you. With...you," I finish.

Running back inside, they give me smattering applause and I bow, before taking a seat.

"Here," Percy says, giving me his swim hoodie that says Jackson on the back. I blush and take it thankfully, pulling it over my head.

Thalia rolls her eyes, "Go get changed."

I reach into my duffle bag and take out yoga pants and a tank top. Percy follows me out, "You can change in here, and keep the hoodie on, you look cold." He scratches the back of his neck, his face turning red. I smile at his dorkiness.

"Thanks," I smile, and without thinking, I lean in, hugging him. He hesitates, shocked, before embracing me back, his strong arms wrapping around my waist. Tingles run throughout my whole body and I shudder.

Pulling away, I close the door to his room to change. When I finish, I pull the hoodie on again and ball up my wet clothes, stuffing them in my duffle bag. I take a moment to look at his room. Shells and paintings of beaches and oceans scatter around his blue colored room. I chuckle when I spot his unfinished homework splayed across this desk. Sighing, I open the door and leave my clothes outside to air dry. Re-taking my spot on the floor, I see Thalia has a face of creampie and Travis has runes drawn all over him.

"Piper truth or dare?" Percy asks.

"Truth," She answers.

"Who do you like?"

Piper glares at him, "I'm not answering that." A smile spreads across my lips when I see her trying not to look at Jason. My smile flatters slightly when I remembered that Percy and I at the ball agreed to get them together. Should I-no. I can't tell him.

"Oh come on Piper," Percy whines.

"No."

"Let's do something else," Thalia suggests. "Let's watch a movie."

"First though, does anyone want popcorn?" I offer, getting up.

A chorus of "yes's" sound and I walk into the kitchen, taking the bag from the counter and putting it in the microwave.

I hear footsteps behind me, "Hey," Percy says.

I turn around, the sound of the bag popping behind me, "Hey. You know I can make popcorn, right?"

Percy shrugs, "I just came to help since I'm the host."

He comes closer and bends down to grab the bowls out to my left. I laugh, "Thanks."

"No problem," When he stands up straight, we are inches apart. His sea-green eyes find mine and I stand paralyzed. He won't recognize my eyes, will he? We only ever came this close at the ball.

My breathing quickens, and his fingers lift my chin ever so slightly. The excitement starts to crackle off of me in waves. Slowly, we lean in, and my heart pounds in anticipation. 

I'll have you know, that I am very proud of this cliff hanger. Your welcome. :) - The Fangirl 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. I do not own PJO or HoO. I do not own Cinderella.