Percy's PoV

I hugged Annabeth before she left to stand with the other valedictorians I promised to save her a seat before she turned and left. I was proud of her. Despite how messed up our lives are, she finished as the top of our class, she even helped me make it into the top forty percent. The graduating class proceeded into the room before we were allowed to take our seats. I took a seat next to Robby, Rachel, Nicole, Juniper, Grover, and Skylar. Grover was on my direct left and there were a few empty seats next to me for the twins and Annabeth. After some boring stuff, Annabeth walked onto the stage.

"I'd like to welcome everyone on behalf of the Goode High School Graduating Class of 2016." The seniors cheered at the mention of our class. "Thank you to all of our friends and family who helped us get to this pivotal point in our lives. Thank you to the friends who cheered us on when we needed it; thank you to the family that told us to keep going when we felt like giving up; but most of all, thank you to the family we've chosen. There are some friends who mean too much to you to simply be called friends, and there is family who let you down when you needed them, but the family you choose is the one that matters. They are the ones who not only told you to keep running, but grabbed your hand and dragged you when you wanted to stop. They are the ones who will keep pushing you towards your future. Many people will tell you you are the only one who can create your future, and they are not wrong, but there is no point to that future if you don't have those people who helped you up when you fell. Remember this as you go out and make the world a better place. Don't let anyone hold you back; help them fly with you." Everyone cheered for her as she came back to sit with the rest of us. When she sat down next to me I put my arm around her and kissed her cheek.

"That was beautiful, Wise Girl."

"Thanks, Seaweed Brain." The twins sat down next to her and gave her a pat on the back before turning their attention to the stage. They finally began to call names to go onstage and receive their diploma.

"John Ashman," there was a round of applause as he took his diploma.

"Annabeth Chase," I smiled and cheered as she took her diploma. She'd done it. She graduated High School. That was impressive enough, but the fact that we'd managed to live this long was amazing.

"Blake Cos," more applause.

"Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Juniper Dryad," I cheered loudly for my first friend at Goode and my best friend's girl.

"Max Eugene East. Leonore Ender. Wes Scott Frost," there was more applause.

"Katie Gardner," I saw Travis hug Katie before she went up and smiled as she came back.

"Vivian Rose Gonzalez. Tracy Faith Green," I zoned out after these names for a little while.

"Perseus Jackson," I snapped out of my daze as I heard my name. I was about to say I didn't hear the question before Annabeth nudged me towards the stage and I felt myself grin. I had somehow managed not to get myself killed long enough to graduate. I honestly never expected this day to come.

"Jaysin Jefferson. Skylar Jones," I cheered for my new and old friend.

"Benjamin Kale Kanker," there was more applause.

"Robert Jeff McManus," I cheered for my second friend at Goode.

"Nicole- I think there's been a mistake, there's no last name on here..."

"That's not a mistake. My mom didn't want to conform to social norms," Nicole said as everyone laughed and cheered.

"Marissa Ross," more applause.

"Miria Hope Scott," I cheered because I wouldn't have to deal with her anymore.

"Travis Stoll," I cheered for my friend who was there for me before I knew who I was.

"Wayne Richard Thomas," there was more applause.

"Grover Underwood," I cheered for my first and best friend who had saved my life on more than one occasion, yet remained the most humble living thing on this planet.

"Alex Wynn. Alexis Wynn," I cheered for my friends who had helped me pass school after everything I'd gone through and didn't ask questions when I left without warning.

They completed the rest of the ceremony before we all switched over our tassels. They congratulated us, and we all cheered as we threw out caps into the air. I turned Annabeth to face me and pulled her into a hug.

"College in New Rome?" I asked

She nodded with a huge smile, "College in New Rome."

With that I kissed her, and it was pretty much the best end to any high school career ever.

Fin

A/N: That's it folks! Thank you all for sticking with me this entire time! *hugs* You all mean so much to me, thank you for supporting me through this entire process! Over 12,000 views, 400 votes, and 500 comments before the story was even finished! Thank you all so much! I'm working on more stories now, but they wont be up for awhile, so if you want to see more of my writing, read Finding Soul on AquariusEquestrian's account! It's a cowrite about a bunch of powerful teens going to an academy to train them to save the world. I hope you all continue to support me, and I want to thank you all for supporting me this long! *more hugs*