xlv. As You Wish

New Year's Eve. It felt strange for Annabeth to say it out loud, but it was already the end of the year and she couldn't believe it was already December 31st and in just a few hours, she would be celebrating the new year with Percy, Estelle, Thalia and countless others in Time Square when the ball drop. However, in the meantime, Thalia scrolled through her phone whilst lying on her bed while Annabeth read.

"I can't wait to see Estelle!" gushed Thalia out of nowhere, causing her to laugh, "I'm sorry! I was just thinking about how she was a sweetheart! Gosh, I love her so much!"

"She is," Annabeth then smiled. "You know, who knew that you would like kids? That was something I never expect to happen."

Thalia blushed, "Well, I still don't like kids—they're in a pain in the ass—and it's Estelle, we're talking about, Annabeth, everyone loves her."

"Hm, true."

They then began reminiscing about the year for the next twenty minutes till Bobby walked in her room  and informed them dinner was ready.

He exclaimed as they headed to the dining room, "We're eating chicken and rice for the New Year's! Mommy also said that we can drink orange juice."

Because the twins were excessively drinking orange juice, Helen limited their daily orange juice intake which caused her brother to be very, very grumpy and every day, they begged for juice.

"Oh, yay," Thalia grinned, "Bobby is finally having his juice after fifty years."

"Get Bobby his juice!" laughed Annabeth, "We should start a petition against Helen."

Thalia's eyes brightened, and she exclaimed, "We should! Get Bobby his juice 2021!"

Bobby giggled at Thalia and her's comments, causing them to smile.

"Can you believe that this is our last dinner before 2021! Isn't that crazy to think about?" exclaimed Helen, placing the seasoned chicken on the table, "This is our first New Year's in Manhattan!"

"Haha, yes," laughed Frederick as he scooped the white rice and placed the bowls onto the table, "It feels like we have lived in New York for our entire life. We all having a great time here in New York, right?"

Annabeth nodded with a soft smile. She was having the absolute greatest time in Manhattan: everything in the past four months felt like a fairytale—a dream come true—from meeting Percy, befriending him, and calling him hers.

Annabeth then instantly chuckled when the twins squealed as Helen got out the orange juice.

"Bobby! Matthew!" scolded Helen, carefully placing the two cups of orange juice. "Calm down, it's just orange juice."

"Oh, how I miss you, orange juice!" Gushed Bobby, picking up the cup of orange juice and sipping it. "Oh, I love orange juice!"

"Bobby, don't act like that!" frowned Helen, giving each of them their utensils. "Crazy people act like that—are you a crazy person?"

"No, but I just like orange juice," frowned Bobby. "I'm sorry, mommy."

"It's fine, just don't do that again," Helen then exclaimed. "Anyways, it's time to eat dinner!"

Annabeth bit back her laughter as she listened to Bobby and Mathew argued about what was the best fruit juice: it was ridiculous (but funny) to hear Bobby's argument on how orange juice was the best while Mathew thought otherwise.

"Obviously, grape juice is the best juice!" Said Mathew, shaking his head at his brother. "Orange juice is so bland!"

"No, you're bland!" Said Bobby, frowning at his brother. "Grape juice is disgusting-it tastes like medicine!"

Matthew opened his mouth to say something, but Frederick calmly interjected, "Guys, how about we just eat dinner in peace? After all, it's the New Year."

"I agree with your father," Helen chimed in. "It is New Year's and I want you guys to be kind to one another."

The twins grumbled and glared at one another, chasing Helen and her father to sigh.

"Well, technically, it isn't the New Year's yet," Thalia reasoned. "So, they could still fight it out, personally, I love orange juice."

The twins start arguing and Thalia sheepishly smiled and nonchalantly continued eating while Helen glared at her.

"Guys, stop!" yelled Helen sternly at the twins, but they continued to shout. "If you guys don't stop fighting, I'm not going to buy orange juice ever again!"

That threat made the twins stop arguing and they quickly quieted down.

"I have a quick question, Annabeth," asked her dad midway throughout the dinner, "You told me that you and Thalia are going to the Blofis then to Time Square and you guys will watch the ball together, is that correct?" 

"Yes, it is. Is that alright?"

"Of course, it is," Frederick reassured, "It's just that after the ball drops and you guys hang around for ten minutes, you and Thalia will immediately come home, alright?"

"Sounds good," she nodded, "Wait, are you guys going?"

"Yes, we are," Helen exclaimed. "It's our first New Year's in New York and we have to see it live!"

"Yes, we have to," Frederick chuckled, then suggested for Thalia and Annabeth, "If I were you guys, I would finish eating dinner and quickly leave—it's going to be very crowded tonight."

"Yes, I know," Annabeth chuckled.

Sally instantly greeted them with a hug when they arrived at the Blofis and they all wished one another a Happy New Year's Eve and hang out for a bit then they left for Time Square.

The full moon was decorated the night sky and her ears buzzed from the laughter and cheers as Percy pulled her through the noisy crowds, hands intertwining so they didn't lose one another, and Annabeth often glanced behind to make sure Thalia, Renya (the kind girl who Thalia has been hanging out lately with and possibly have a crush on?), and Estelle were nearby.

Her eyes widened in amazement and she grinned, trying to take in everything from the flashing billboards, neon signs, the glowing ball, and the big countdown that ticked closer to midnight.

They eventually stopped walking when Percy concluded the view would be perfect and his arms enveloped her, keeping her warm from the cold, windy night, as they quietly chatted and waited.

Annabeth's breath hitched and her eyes fixated on the big timer as it countdown fifteen seconds and she grinned.

"10!"

"Percy?"

"9!"

"Yes, Annabeth, what is it?"

"8!"

"7!"

His sea-green eyes shimmered as she turned around to face him and she cupped his cheeks, causing him to blush.

"6!"

"5!"

"I love you so much—more anything in this universe and I promise to make you happy and love you forever."

"4!"

Percy's eyes softened and he caressed her cheeks, "I love you too, Annabeth. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"3!"

"2!"

Annabeth gasped, feeling Percy's soft, warm lips on hers, and her ears buzzed as the crowds erupted in cheers when the countdown hit midnight and music filled the air. They pulled away with grins and gazed up at the sky to see the gorgeous fireworks and confetti.

"I can't wait for us to have a beautiful new year together, Annabeth."

"Me too, Percy."

She had kissed him at 11:59 on December 31st and didn't let go till it was 12:01 on January 1st so she could have a perfect ending and a perfect beginning.

[orginally published on 12/31/20 && formerly titled You Better Know.]

[I missed the orange juice campaign days iykyk :') it just seems very weird to new readers lol.]

[12/31/20] author's note! Happy New Year's Eve/Happy New Year's! This is my last chapter for 2020! I'm so sorry if it was quite long-it just ended up longer than I wanted it to be! I don't have that much to say besides thank you for reading False God and sticking with me during this journey of writing! Your comments made the world to me and I love you guys!! Tomorrow, I'll post act four and maybe chapter sixty four! That's all, thank you for reading and have a good day/night! I'll see you in 2021! Haha! Much Love, Lucinda! 💙✨