Children of The Big Three, Book 3: Titans Curse

Chapter Two: The Dance

"This is so stupid." The Daughter of Zeus stated, as she put a fake, spray painted black, rose in her hair. Though her words were that of malus, her body was anything but. Thalia's cheeks were stained with a pink blush that refused to leave her. The girl was a word that had never been used to describe her before, giddy. Thalia was giddy. Her fair, white skin clashed with her pitch black dress, which hung to her developing figure nicely, and uncharacteristically goofy smile would have made some feel uncomfortable. While Percy did feel uncomfortable, it wasn't at all for that.

"Yeah. Totally stupid." Percy responded, doing his best to put the finishing touches on his bow tie. Percy's suit was also black, the only discerning factor from every other suit there was his teal bow tie, which he still had to hit Nico for. How could he not know his eye color by now? They've literally known each other for like, two years now. Though, that side tangent only came up because Percy was incredibly uncomfortable and nervous; and wanted any kind of distraction he could get. Sure he had danced with Thalia back on their quest in the Sea of Monsters, but that was completely different. It was a spur of the moment, casual thing. This time, they had the whole shibang going on; a dress and a tux, formal lighting and music, and they were pretending to be a couple, as if it weren't bad enough. Plus.. Around six months ago was when they last danced, and that was before she had kissed him. It was on the cheek, but still; pretty big deal for him. Just thinking about it made him blush. He brought his hand to his cheek, where she had put her lips at. For a moment, he could have sworn he still felt them. He looked at Thalia, and his eyes couldn't help but gravitate toward her glossy, lipsticked mouth. She was doing something with her hair, so she wasn't really paying him much mind. Percy could tell he was being weird, but he brought a finger to his own lips, and noticed how rough and jagged they felt, compared to how Thals looked. For some reason that made him feel insecure, like he was doing something wrong. Thoughts started filling his head. She'd notice how clammy his hands were, or see how nervous he was, or maybe she'd think he was constipated. He'd throw up, or embarrass her; or expose the Demi-God to a monster, or-

"You ready to go?" She asked, as she gently tapped on his shoulder.

"Yup!" Percy lied.

So they headed in. Nico went ahead.

Thalia used the mist to convince one of the teachers of them being transfer students, which Percy seemed miffed about not being taught. "I'll teach you next time we have time to our selves." Percy excitedly agreed. Some French dude who was obviously a monster gave them some grief, but didn't attack, so they went to the gymnasium, where the dance was being held.

"I don't get it, why not just dust the obvious monster?"

"Cause we don't know who the kids parent is. Bad guys always give away vital information in their little monologue."

"Ahh." Percy and Thalia found a nice table to sit down at, and with the rather gothic aura the two gave out, many avoided sitting near them. The Son of Poseidon got the two some punch, and they just sort of.. Sat there. Song after song, they sat there and drank, every now and again speaking to each other. With each song, they looked at each other, as if they expected the other to do something, but they never did. It was getting decently late, and the DJ said that this was one of the last songs, requested by a: 'Nick fe Anglei.' Of course, he made it clear that this song was for: 'P-Dawg' and 'T-Pain.' And of course it was a song that wasn't even close to romantic. Quite the opposite in fact. Hurt by Johnny Cash.

"I'm gonna murder that kid."

"We're gonna murder that kid. Just, ignore it. People will just think it's a prank and-" It was then that Percy noticed that Thalia had just pounded down the rest of her punch like it was a shot glass. "Uh, Thals?" Thalia stood to her feet, and forcibly grabbed his wrist, which meant he had to get up. "Uh, what's goin on?"

"We're gonna dance."

"Uh, I don't really think-"

"Stop thinking then. I don't care if this isn't a dancing song, or if anyone is looking at us. Because I'm dancing with you, and you're dancing with me, and that's all that matters. Got it?"

"Yes ma'am." He muttered humorously. Percy was shoved onto the dance floor with her, to which Nico cheered, and Percy made a mental note to kick him where the sun doesn't shine. "So, uh, what kind of dance are we-"

"Slow dance."

"Really? To this?"

"We're a lovey dovey couple, remember? What else would we do?"

"Uh, yeah. Right." He didn't know where Chirons privates were, but he'd kick them too.

"Come on Perce, chop chop." She said impatiently. It was then that Percy realized that Thalia wanted him to lead the dance. He had no idea how to do that! The dance they had done on the ship was clumsy and informal, this was a legitimate slow dance. Thalia must have seen the panic on his face, because she giggled a small bit. "You are the most clueless person I've ever met."

"I will not argue that." Thalia comically rolled her eyes, and took hold of Percy's hand once again. She guided it to her hip, and Percy instinctively moved the other to her shoulder. Thalia put both of hers on his shoulders, and they began to sway gently as the lyrical portion of the song began.

I hurt myself, today. To see if I still feel. I focus on the pain, the only thing that's real.

"Could Nico have picked a worse song?" Thalia muttered, and Percy chuckled. The duo started making bigger steps, moving more freely on the open dance floor.

The needle tears a hole, the old familiar sting. Try to kill it all the way, but I remember; everything.

Percy did a bit of a risky maneuver. He pushed Thalia away from him, to which she looked a little bit shocked, but he held onto her hand, and she realized that it was a twirl. So she allowed herself to be pulled back in; and the two moved in a sort of backwards hug for a minute, before going back to their normal dancing.

What have I become?

Percy cautiously brought a hand up to Thalia's cheek, and rather uncharacteristically, Thalia moved her head into his hand, and smiled warmly at the touch.

My sweetest friend. Everyone I know, goes away in the end.

Thalia looked at Percy a moment, and nodded.

And you could have it all, my empire of dirt.

She closed her eyes. She looked up, for Thalia was shorter then Percy.

I will let you down.

Even Percy could tell that her lips puckered, and in the moment, the Son of Poseidon began to bring his lips down to meet hers.

I will make you hurt.

Percy was inches away from Thalia. His hand on her cheek, and her breath hitting him. Said breath began to hitch when he moved in ever closer. Percy hesitated a moment, this would be his first kiss, after all.

Then a plastic cup smacked him in the face.

Of course, it was thrown by the man, the myth, the legend, Nico Di Angelo.

"Ey! I appreciate you guys getting into character and all, but the Demi-God just walked off with the obvious monster guy! Let's go!"

And just like that, the moment was gone, Thalia was completely red in the face,

And Percy wanted to die again.