The Stroke of Midnight: Percabeth AU✔️

Epilogue: Graduation

Annabeth's POV:

The morning sun shines in through the attic window. Today is graduation, the day I have been waiting for my whole life. The day I get to say goodbye to Helen's ownership of me and the day I get to start a fresh chapter in my life where no chores for Helen and her daughters in sight. With Percy's help, I was able to move out to Piper's house, but I decided to stay the last couple nights for Bobby and Matthew. I'll miss them, but thankfully we've worked out a deal with Helen for me to come whenever I please and see them.

Stretching, I yawn and push myself up. Looking around at my attic, I take in its sheer emptiness when everything is gone. Brushing off the dust from the floor, I walk over the mice, who have given me great company. Placing them in their cage, I walk to the door. Turning around, I say one last goodbye to the place that I've spent most my life in and leave, sealing the door shut.

"Breakfast is cooked," I comment, walking through the house. Helen and Drizella look down in shame.

"Leaving already? Here, let me give you a hug! Wait, what time is graduation?" Anastasia greets me, running down the stairs.

I laugh. She and I have become closer now that she's with Steven and has finally found the courage herself to stand up to Drizella's orders and influences. "Grad starts at three. The ceremony begins at four."

She smiles and gives me a thumbs up, "Perfect, Steven and I will be taking Bobby and Matthew."

My smile grows more, "Thank you, Anastasia."

Anastasia waves her hands, "Oh it is nothing. Today is your day, go have fun!"

"Tell Bobby and Matt that I'll see them there!" I shout over my shoulder, opening the door.

"Sure will! Oh, and tell Percy that if he doesn't treat you right, he'll get a firm smack with a block of cheese!" She calls out after me. I laugh, shutting the door. For once, for the last time, they actually all noticed when I left.

***

"Ouch!" I complain as Piper plucks another eyebrow.

"You know what they say, beauty is pain," Piper says, then pauses. "Which I don't agree with."

Thalia, munching on dill pickle chips, walking by comments, "Beauty is comfort."

Piper turns to look at her. "How so?"

Thalia shrugs, "Comfort in who you are as a person. Being comfortable in who you allows your beauty to shine through more clearly." We all stare at her as she stuffs another chip into her already full mouth.

Calypso and Hazel come storming in, almost knocking over Reyna who's braiding her long brown hair. "I found the eyeliner!!" Calypso says in triumph.

"And I found some music to put on while getting ready!" Hazel says, tripping over a shirt on her way to the speaker.

"Do we have to do eyeliner? Thalia whines, as Calypso approaches her.

"Yes, now hold still. And don't punch me please," She adds the last part when Thalia glares at her.

Once Piper is done with my eyebrows and mascara, I get up and turn off the music, which was playing Bruno Mars. "I think before we listen to music, we should have a pep talk before grad. And I know the perfect speech," I say, clicking a video on my phone. The girls all go silent when I press play, the volume filling the room.

"Good morning as team faculty and families of my fellow graduates. It's an honor to be standing up here today.

I know we all think that we're immortal. We're supposed to feel that way...we're graduating. But like our brief four years in high school, what makes life valuable is that it doesn't last forever. What makes it precious is that it ends. I know that now more than ever.