The Events of Olympus Resort | A Percy Jackson Fanfiction

Chapter 20

Annabeth POV

I'd never seen the resort's ballroom before tonight, and I've got to say, I feel like I've stepped into the ballroom of a castle. The room is lined with marble columns that stretch all the way up to the domed ceiling, and a brilliant chandelier hangs from above, its crystals so delicate I feel as though they might shatter under my gaze.

The tall, arched windows that line the walls have a brilliant view of the blossoming roses in the resort's gardens and the pitch black sky outside. The ballroom is on the highest floor of the Colosseum, so through the windows we also have a view of the city lights and the Los Angeles skyline.

I inhale sharply, biting the inside of my cheek.

One day I'm going to create something just as brilliant as this.

Beside me, Percy's voice startles me out of my thoughts. "Hey, you good?"

I look over at him, and not for the first time tonight, I appreciate just how handsome he looks. Percy's sea-green eyes stand out brilliantly against the darkness of his charcoal suit, and he looks more put together than I've ever seen him.

Except maybe his hair. That was always going to be a lost cause.

I smile up at Percy. "Never better."

He grins, and together, we move forward into the ballroom.

All around us, couples in crisp suits and cocktail dresses roam around, smiling and holding champagne glasses. The more colorful clothing stands out brilliantly against the whiteness of the marble ballroom, and I can't help but think that the whole place looks like a modernized version of an old painting.

Tonight is the annual Olympus Resort board dinner party, and I've got to say, it lives up to its prestigious reputation. Dozens of donors and timeshare owners are intermixed with a few people I recognize who are actually on the resort board with my mom. There are also a couple of teenagers sprinkled here and there, no doubt children who got roped into this just like Percy and me.

I sneak a glance at Percy while he's not looking, and I can't help but smile when I notice the way the moonlight catches his hair, giving it a silvery glow. When Percy catches me starring at him, he flushes.

"Why are you smiling?" He asks. "Do I have something weird on my face?"

I smirk. "Nothing that isn't usually there."

Percy makes a face and playfully bumps me with his shoulder, making me laugh.

We're a lot closer now, and I can feel the heat of his arm against mine. And almost against my will, I slowly snake my hand around his wrist, wrapping my fingers through his.

Percy beams down at me, holding my eyes for a long moment before saying, "Let's go find the others."

We make our way through the ballroom, weaving our way through couples and cocktail tables as we do. I nudge Percy when I spot our friends, and together, we head over to them.

Jason and Thalia stand close together with Piper and Luke right behind them. Jason and Thalia's arms are crossed over their chests, and they appear to be arguing over something. No doubt it's something stupid.

Jason looks handsome in his licorice colored suit and blue tie, and Thalia looks down right gorgeous as well. She wears a long, black, two-pice dress that has a collared neck and exposes her midriff. Her choppy hair is pulled back with a thin, silver headband, and her electric blue eyes stand out more than ever.

"I can't believe you've been playing me this whole time," Jason whines.

"I can't help it that you were too dumb to figure it out!" Thalia protests.