Chapter 24

"So, we are officially boyfriend and girlfriend." Annabeth said, smiling at Luke and Thalia as they walked into the cafeteria together. "And... Percy has just been so sweet, and cheesy and-"

"Alright, hold on, we're super happy for you Annie, but... he outright just claimed you were soulmates?" Luke raised his eyebrows. "That's... bold, especially since that was your first date." "Oh, but being bold is really attractive!" Thalia added, looking at Luke.

"Props on that kid for outright saying that, and it's a good thing you felt the same!" Thalia looked to Annabeth now, smiling at her. Annabeth smiled and her cheeks turned red. "Well... you guys remember how I just rambled on about that moment Percy and I shared when we walked home together." Annabeth said. "... It just feels right. And like Percy said, he felt whole when he was around me, and... I honestly feel the same. I mean, it feels like... we are meant to be together."

"... Alright, Annie, go on and eat with your soulmate, he's already looking this way." Luke rolled his eyes, gently nudging Annabeth in her arm. Annabeth blinked and she looked over to see Percy eagerly awaiting her arrival, sat across from Grover. Grover was also looking over and he smiled at Annabeth, waving at her, before continuing to eating his lunch. He was used to Percy being so eager for Annabeth to come over and have lunch with them.

"Pfft, alright! I'll talk to you guys later!" Annabeth exclaimed, smiling at Thalia and Luke. "Bye!" "Mmh, bye Annie!" Thalia called as Annabeth walked off. "Later!" Luke also called after Annabeth.

Luke and Thalia looked to each other after watching Annabeth making her way to the table with Percy and Grover. "... You still owe me that ten dollars." "Alright, leave me alone, I'm an unemployed student." "... Mmh, no excuses!"

"Hey!" Annabeth exclaimed as she slid down next to Percy. Percy smiled as he wrapped his arm around Annabeth's shoulder. "Hey Annie." Percy said.

Grover blinked as he looked to see Percy being so close with Annabeth. "Oh, the date went well?" Grover questioned. "Thank god! I was worried that it wouldn't go well and that you two would hate each other and that-" "Grover, we love you, but please, you need to relax." Annabeth smiled softly at Grover. "Percy and I could never hate each other. We... have a special connection."

"Awh-" Percy began, smiling at Annabeth. "But I can get frustrated about Percy and find him annoying at times!" Annabeth exclaimed, smiling at Percy sweetly. "... What an awesome girlfriend you are." Percy said, frowning at Annabeth. Annabeth giggled and Percy leaned in, placing a kiss on Annabeth's cheek.

"Girlfriend-?!" Grover gasped. "Woah! Wait! You're officially official then!" Annabeth and Percy looked at Grover, both smiling at him. "Yep, officially official. No more oblivious pining." Annabeth said. "But you will have to suffer seeing us being all close and lovey dovey, Grover, I am sorry." Percy added. "Oh, that's fine!" Grover shrugged, picking up a sandwich from his lunch tray and taking a huge bite of it.

Percy raised an eyebrow. "... Got something to tell us, Grover?" Percy grinned. Grover's cheeks turned red and Annabeth gasped. "He's keeping something from us! Spit it out, Grover!" Annabeth exclaimed. "Not the food, spit out whatever you gotta tell us!" Percy added. Annabeth raised an eyebrow at Percy, giving him a look, and Percy grinned at Annabeth.

Grover swallowed the food and he smiled at his friends. "Juniper and I are going on a date together! We've been talking, obviously we like each other, but we're gonna go on a couple of dates before we make anything official!" Grover exclaimed. "Juniper has this idea for our date, so I'm letting her plan it. She's not telling me anything, she wants to keep it a surprise." "Awh, well we're happy for you, Grover." Annabeth smiled at Grover. "Yeah dude, we wish you the best of luck!" Percy smiled at his best friend.

Grover looked at the two of them. "... Yeah, when Juniper and I become official, I may start bringing her around or hang out with her during lunch so I'm not constantly third-wheeling-""You know what? That's fair-"

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