Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or The Bachelorette
If you have seen The Bachelorette, I'm doing things slightly different. I changed the host's name because I wasn't sure if it was legal to use his real name.
Chapter One
"Ready?" Thalia, my best friend, asked.
"I think so," I had just finished packing for a reality dating show, The Bachelorette. I was the bachelorette. I didn't even sign up. Thalia thought it was a good idea to do that for me. Without telling me. And of course, the network thought I was the most interesting applicant, so here I am now.
"Let's go," Thalia said. I had to fly out to LA for the show. Thalia went with me all the way to the airport, but then I was on my own. I sat at the gate, waiting for the plane to get here. I wore sweat pants and a tee shirt, and my hair was pulled into a messy ponytail. Finally, the plane landed. I was one of the first people on board, and I had first class seating. I slept on the way, so the ride didn't seem too long.
I woke up when we were about thirty minutes away. I looked out the window, down at the fluffy clouds. I honestly hoped the show worked. I was tired of being single. Sure, I was only twenty-two, but I had had plenty of boyfriends. The most recent, and most serious, was with Luke. He dumped me last year for some high schooler he met at Starbucks. But I was over him. Way over him. The plane landed and the process of getting off started. I was off fairly fast and went to baggage claim. It took two large suitcases for all the stuff I had to pack. I spotted my first bag and pulled it off the conveyer belt, my second one soon to follow. I had been told to find a man holding a card with my name on it. I looked around and saw a buff man who looked to be in his mid-forties dressed in a black muscle shirt and jeans holding a card that had my name neatly printed on it: Annabeth Chase. I went over to the man, tugging my luggage behind me.
"Ms. Chase?" he asked.
"Yes and please call me Annabeth," He nodded and took my suitcases. I followed him to a limo that was waiting for us outside. The man put my stuff in the trunk.
"Thank you…uh…"
"Daren," he answered.
"Thank you Daren." I got in the back of the limo and Daren went to the front to drive. It was a beautiful day in LA, perfect for sightseeing. But I didn't have time for that. Daren drove me to a nice cottage right down the street from a huge mansion, where the boys were staying. I got out of the car, and Daren got my bags. He set them on the front porch and drove away. I went in the house, bringing in my stuff. I dragged the suit cases up the stairs and put them in the room with a king sized bed. I went back downstairs to take a look around. There was a nice kitchen and living room. The bedroom was the only room upstairs. It was small, but very nice. I lounged on the couch watching TV when there was a knock on the door. I got up to answer it. When I opened the door, Rob Roberts was standing there. He was the host of the show, and a film crew was right behind him.
"Hello, Annabeth." Rob said, "It's time for the before interview."
"Okay. Come on in." We sat on the couch and the film crew fiddled with their cameras, trying to get the perfect angle. I was informed that this was going to be my personal crew. They would follow me everywhere, except the bathroom. Their names were Stan, Ben, and Cal. They told us we could start now. Rob did a little introduction then turned to me.
"So, Annabeth, how are you feeling?" Nervous. Scared. Excited.
"Fine. I'm kinda nervous." Rob smiled.
"That's to be expected. Let's talk about the boys."
"That's a good idea."
"We have a many different occupations, from a lawyer to a marine biologist." He went on and on about the different types of people. I nodded and said things like cool or interesting, but I wasn't really paying attention. I didn't want to know everything about the guys before I even met them. Finally, Rob said he had to go.
"I'll see you later. You should probably start getting ready for tonight,"
"Okay. See ya." I answered. Rob left, but the camera crew stayed. The followed me when I went to get a snack, and they followed me into my room. I opened one of my suitcases. I had everything organized so that my formal stuff was in one suitcase and my casual stuff in the other. I pulled out a long midnight blue dress that was one of Thalia's favorites. It was strapless, but flowy in a way, especially towards the bottom. I hung it up to get any wrinkles out, and went into the bathroom. The cameras followed me. They are only allowed in the bathroom if I kept the door open, which I did. I'm not one for makeup, but Thalia convinced me that a little won't hurt. I applied one coat of mascara, eye shadow that was barely noticeable and clear lip gloss. Like I said, just a little. I switched the ponytail for a loose bun, and got my dress out of my room. I closed the bathroom door and put it on. I went back to my room and put on the matching heels. I was nervous because the guys knew who I was, they saw a little video before they applied, but I knew nothing about them.
About fifteen minutes after I was ready, a limo picked me up. I easily could have walked to the mansion, but I didn't really have a say. It was now dark outside, and the mansion looked beautiful. The architecture was amazing. I got out of the limo and was greeted by Rob.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"I think so," I answered.
"Okay. The first limo will be arriving shortly. Good luck." And with that, he left. The camera men showed me where to stand, and a few minutes later, a limo pulled up. This is it, I thought to myself. I took a deep breath, and the door opened. A guy with red hair and hazel eyes stepped out. He walked over to me and gave me a short hug.
"Hello," I said.
"Hey. My name is Parker, and I can't wait to get to know you."
"You too. I'll see you inside." He went in the door to the mansion. The next four guys went the same way. I was trying to remember the names. Parker, Davis, Chris, Robert, Samuel. I repeated the names in my head until the next limo arrived. The first guy out ran to where I was standing, and picked me up, bridal style. I have to say, I was a little scared. I let out a slight yelp.
"Hey," the guy said, "I'm Brian. I wanted you to know that I'm strong, and will catch your heart when it falls for me." he put me down and went inside before I could say anything. The next guy didn't do that, thankfully. His name was Nathan. The other guys were normal too. Brian, Nathan, Kyle, Xavier, Scott.
Everyone in the next limo was normal. Joe, George, Will, Tyler, Hunter.
The next limo, the first guy stood out, in a good way. A very good way. His hair was either black or really dark brown, and his eyes were a beautiful sea green. He walked over to me and gave me a hug, like all the other guys. But his hug was different. It didn't feel forced, it felt natural.
"Hello," I said, smiling.
"Hey. How are you?"
"Fine. How are you?"
"Good. My name's Percy."
"It's nice to meet you, Percy. I'll find you inside." He smiled and walked towards the mansion. The other four guys were normal, except for one of them. He started dancing hip-hop when he got out of the limo. It was…interesting. Percy, Cole, Andrew, Tanner, Drew.
Everybody in the last limo was normal. Eric, Jake, Connor, Steven, Zach. When the limo pulled away, Rob came out.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"I think they're a great group of guys." I answered. Rob told me I had to do some individual taping. I went into a room that had a red curtain against one wall and a stool in front of it. I sat on the stool and the camera man started asking me questions.
"What did you think of the guy who picked you up?"
"It was a little bit scary…" I answered, and the camera guy smiled.
"What about the dancing?"
"He was good, I guess." I answered a few more questions, then was told that I could go. I headed the room where all the guys were waiting. When I walked in, everyone stood. I was handed a glass of champagne.
"Is everyone having a good time?" There was a chorus of 'yeah!' I was about to say something else, but the guy named Brian interrupted me.
"Um, Annabeth, can we talk?" he said.
"Yeah, sure." I answered. We walked off to someplace private, and I could hear the confused voices of the other guys. We sat on a little couch, and Brian scooted a little too close for my liking.
"So, what do you do for a living?" I asked.
"I'm the lead singer in a band."
"Cool. What's the name of your band?"
"The Takers,"
"Neat. So, where do you see yourself, maybe five years down the road?"
"Oh, I'm going to be famous. Hopefully married to you. I mean, you're really-" he didn't get to finish because another guy, Chris, interrupted him.
"May I have a turn?" he asked.
"Yeah, just one second." Brian said. That was when he kissed me. It was very uncomfortable, and I broke away almost immediately. After he left, Chris sat down next to me.
"Wow," he said, "he seems very pushy." All of the conversations were very similar. I had just finished talking to Steven when Rob came out.
"Hello everyone. I'm bringing the first-impression-rose. Annabeth, give this to who gave you the strongest first impression. Gentlemen, if you receive this rose, you'll be safe during the rose ceremony." And he left.
"Okay." I said. "Um, may I talk to Percy please." I said. He got up and went with me outside. There was a chill in the air, and I guess I must have shivered, because Percy was draping his jacket over me.
"Thank you," I said, because it really helped.
"Any time," we sat on a little bench.
"How are you feeling? About all this, I mean," Percy said.
"It's different. I'm not used to all the attention." I admitted.
"Yeah. Some of the guys seem to be pushing themselves onto you."
"They are. It's uncomfortable with some of them."
"I can imagine."
"I'm comfortable with you, though." Percy smiled.
"Good. I'm comfortable with you." Now I smiled.
"Good. So, what's your job?"
"I'm a marine biologist."
"Oh, so you get to play with fish all day." He laughed.
"What do you do?"
"I'm an architect."
"Really? What kind of stuff do you design?"
"All sorts of things."
"Do you mind if I write something on you hand?" Percy asked. I narrowed my eyes.
"It depends…what are you wanting to write?" I questioned. Percy chuckled.
"It's nothing bad I promise." I sighed dramatically.
"If you insist," I said holding out my hand.
"Well, my pen's in my jacket." Percy said. The jacket that I was still wearing. I looked inside the pockets and found a pen. I handed it to him and put my hand back out. He gently wrote numbers on the palm of my hand.
"In case you need me." Percy said as I realized that must be his phone number.
"I'll be right back." I said getting up, "Stay here," I gave him his coat back and went inside. I found the first-impression-rose and grabbed it off the little tray, ignoring the groans from some of the other guys. I went back to Percy. When he saw the rose, he smiled.
"Percy," I said, "will you accept this rose?"
"Of course." He said, and I pinned the rose on his jacket. We went back inside and I sat with the group and we all talked. Soon, Rob came out.
"Annabeth, gentlemen," he started, "it's time for the first rose ceremony." I got up and went with him to a little room with pictures of all the guys
"Annabeth, we want you to keep Brian on. Everyone else is up to you." Rob said, then walked away. A few minutes later, I went out to the ceremony room. Rob had just finished explaining that if you don't get a rose you go home, Percy is already safe, and all the other basics. I stood next to the little table with the roses. I had seventeen to give out including Percy's, so only sixteen left.
"Zach," he came up to me.
"Zach, will you accept this rose?" he seemed to notice the numbers on my hand, even though I tried to keep them hidden.
"Yes," he said. I pinned the rose on him. I went through the same process with Brian, Jake, Cole, Davis, Samuel, Steven, Tanner, Andrew, Drew, Xavier, Scott, Joe, Tyler, Hunter, and Parker. The other guys went home, I congratulated everyone else, then went back to my cottage to go to bed.
I don't know if this is any good. Please tell me what you think!