The annual Halloween party at Camp Half-Blood was as hectic as ever. Loud music blared, and there was plenty of food and drink. The Hermes cabin was hosting party games, and true to form, they'd snuck a bit of alcohol into the drinks. But who cared? It was a party, not a study club. Annabeth begrudgingly attended, and as far as you were concerned, if you had to suffer through it, so did she. That was the rule of being best friends.

The thing is, you'd been crushing on Annabeth since you were kids. It was a cliché, falling for your best friend, but it was undeniably true. Your heart always skipped a beat around her, and you couldn't help but get butterflies whenever you saw her sparring or being her blunt self. Oh my gods, you loved this woman so much.

You and Annabeth were leaning against the wall, away from the main dance floor. She looked down at the red cup in her hand, huffing as she tapped her foot against the floor. She was dressed as Lucille from A Monster in Paris. She glanced over at you. “I’m incredibly bored with this party. I mean…” Her voice trailed off as she surveyed the partygoers dancing and drinking. She wasn’t the party type, but she was definitely your type. She narrowed her eyes slightly, noticing you staring. “What? Do I have something on my face? Or is it my costume?” she asked, glancing down at her outfit. But it wasn't her costume; it was her you were staring at.