Who am I kidding? Did I really think I could do this? I thought to myself, my hand hesitantly pulling away from the button for the 600th floor.

This is the first meeting the gods have called me to. I should have been on my way up the Empire State Building, but instead I was hit with a sudden nervousness, so I jumped out of the elevator.

I, Annabeth Chase, was finally given the chance to build something permanent. I was given the opportunity to rebuild and redesign Olympus!

But I can't bring myself to step back inside the elevator that will take me to the council meeting. I clutched my rolled up blueprints tightly and nervously smoothed down my charcoal pencil skirt. I hoped I looked professional, and not like an immature 16 year old kid who didn't know what she was doing.

It's not like I didn't have confidence in my designs- quite the contrary. I knew that each new temple I had sketched out was an improvement, the updated throne room was exquisite, and the placement of the golden statues of the gods were spot-on. I started to let my mind wander. Did I leave anything at home? Maybe I should have added an extra slide to the PowerPoint presentation. Why don't I go into the bathroom and fix my hair?

I know, I know. I'm just stalling.

I still can't bring myself to get inside the elevator though. The guard at the front desk is looking at me strangely. Am I going up or not?

I want to go up, but I need a second to think, I need someone to talk to...

Wait a minute. Why didn't I think of that before?

I pulled my cellphone out of my messenger bag and hit the only number I had on speed-dial. Demigods weren't supposed to use cell phones except for emergencies, but this definitely qualified as an emergency.

"Hello?" Percy's mother answered their phone after a few rings.

"Hi, Mrs. Jackson," I said politely. "This is Annabeth. Is Percy home?"

"Oh, Annabeth! Yes, he's here, hold on just a minute," Mrs. Jackson informed me, then I heard footsteps over the phone.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank gods he was there. I was going to stop by his house after the consultation meeting was over, but I hadn't been sure if he was there now.

A moment later, a familiar voice came through the phone.

"Annabeth!" Percy said happily. "You're finished already?"

"No," I managed to say, still feeling the panic rise in my chest. "I haven't even gone up yet. I can't."

Percy's confusion came through clearly. "What? Why not?"

"I just can't, Perce," I say, feeling tears well up. "I'm not good enough. I don't deserve to redesign Olympus, my ideas aren't good enough!"

"Are you crazy?" Percy asked. "You showed me some of the stuff you thought up, and wow! It's amazing, Annabeth, you're definitely good enough. You've earned this. You deserve it."

"I'm scared. What if they don't like it?" I said quietly, voicing my biggest concern.

"Don't even think like that," Percy said firmly. "They're all going to love it. You're the smartest person I know, and your designs are flawless and amazing. So get up there and show them your hard work!"

I smiled at Percy's confidence. "Thanks, Percy," I said, taking a deep breath. "I- I'm going up now. I don't want to be late."

"Good girl," Percy said approvingly. "Go get 'em, you look beautiful."

I blushed. "Percy, you can't even see me," I pointed out.

"I don't need to, I know you do," he insisted, and I could hear the smile in his voice. "I'll see you when you're finished. Good luck, even though you don't need it. I love you, Wise Girl!"

"Thanks, Seaweed Brain," I said with a smile, my confidence building. "I love you too. 'Bye."

"'Bye!"

I snapped my phone shut and dropped it back into my bag as I turned back towards the elevator. It opened for me, and I took one last deep breath, then stepped inside.

This time, without hesitation, I pressed the button for the 600th floor.

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Thanks for reading!:) Please review!

Xoxoxo,

EmMarie

Edit: Fixed the 600th floor typo:)