College in New Rome and a New Year's celebration
"So who should I ask to the dance?" Percy asked, teasing Annabeth. The words reminded him of that one time he, Grover, Thalia, and Annabeth went to the boarding school to rescue Nico and Bianca. He also recalled almost dying at least twenty times, so he was glad that this time, it was a bit different.
Annabeth laughed,"Janine over there might be interested," she shrugged, kissing Percy on the cheek lightly.
Percy grinned at Annabeth looking around at all the different buildings of New Rome. It was their senior year of college and tonight was the New Year's ball. In Rome, the New Year was supposed to honor the Janus, teh god of gates, doors, and beginnings. Of course, since Janus actually guarded New Rome, it was very important that everyone celebrated it, or else Janus would never leave them alone for the whole entire year demanding that "you filthy demigods never appreciate the work I do!". Both Annabeth and Percy owed a great deal to Janus. Both had faced the (annoying) god in the Labyrinth so many years ago. Would everything have been different if Annabeth had chosen differently then?
"Percy," Annabeth snapped Percy out of his trance, knowing that sometimes he got too carried away in his thoughts. Every once in a while he would confess that he felt guilty about so many things: Leo, Calypso, Bianca, the list went on and on. He'd stupidly thought that after the Battle of Olympus the gods would listen to him, but at least he shouldn't have forgotten his own promises. After Tartarus, he'd been a bit different, and Annabeth knew that. But they were together, and nothing would change the fact that they loved each other. There would be no more feud between Athena and Poseidon, at least with their children.
"Right. Yeah. Maybe I'll ask Janine," Percy managed to say, smiling. But Annabeth could see the look in his eyes.
Annabeth hugged him tightly,"Come on, Seaweed Brain," she whispered. "Let's go to lunch," she told him. They could never truly let go of the events in their past, but they did need to move forward. What better time than the day for new beginnings?
"Hey, you guys!" Frank came over and enveloped them in one of his signature bear hugs (thank the gods he didn't actually turn into a bear this time). "Long time no see," he commented after pulling away. ANnabeth couldn't help but notice that Frank had grown even more in the last five years. Sure, he was already a tall, handsome, and fit looking guy during the Battle against Gaea, but now he looked much more mature, though he still was same innocent Frank Zhang she had met five years ago.
"Are you and Hazel going to the New Year's party?" Percy asked, holding Annabeth's hand.
Frank looked a bit confused,"Uhhh don't we have to go?" he asked, making Annabeth laugh.
"Are you going together? As a date?" Annabeth clarified, nudging Percy softly.
Frank nodded,"Yes. We are," he shrugged,"Thought that was implied,"
"Then what do you mean we have to?" Hazel came up from behind them, jumping on Frank's back.
Frank turned red,"Well... I just assumed--" he was cut off by Hazel's laughter.
"I know. You have a weird way with words though," Hazel kissed his cheek and jumped off his back, hugging Annabeth and then Percy. "How are classes going?" she asked them.
"They're going well," Annabeth shrugged,"Senior year."
"Annabeth's opinion may not exactly be the same as mine," Percy muttered, though he didn't think his classes were horrible. He wished he had some extra free time though. It was hard to keep up with all of his work, along with training, eating, sleep, and obviously finding time with his girlfriend.
