Hi! I'm back again! I have no clue why I'm so peppy, because I typed out this whole chapter, and then it got deleted. But any way, hope you enjoy! I know, in this chapter, I described practically all the celebs as shallow and rude and whatnot; these aren't my views... it is simply good for the plot point. Another thing; this is just a filler chapter, introducing characters, and the only really important thing that happens on this is Percy and Annabeth meeting, so I'm sorry if this is super boring. There is also a sentence in here that says "the supposedly straight model" I'm not saying models are gay, I'm just saying that the person maybe is, so I'm sorry if that offends you. My updating schedule is also non existent, so I might not post the next chapter in while... but who knows? I could post tomorrow.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. I'm only saying that once.
KnightLawn: Oh, Thanks! It's my first fic, so it's nice to know that people like my work. Also, shoutout for being the first person to review!
One last thing; I am currently on the search for a beta, so if any of you are interested, PM me.
-Lauren Swan
Edit: So I just re-read the chapter, and I just realized it's longer than I expected it to be, so... sorry? The ending is kinda rushed as well, because I didn't want to bore you guys, so sorry again. And, lastly, it isn't written as well as I'd like it to be, so, instead of saying sorry, I'm just going to say I hope the next chapter is better.
.oOo..oOo..oOo..oOo..oOo.
I awkwardly stood in the foyè of Piper's... sorry, Percy's mansion, listening to Drew Tanaka, (an Asian girl who was Piper's half-sister, thanks to Rena's infidelity, and was adopted by the owner of Tanaka films, a movie company), rant about how completely unfair it was, not renewing her contract to star in the latest movie in the Survivors franchise; after all, it was her who brought Jessica's character to life, and the public loved her. I absent mindedly nodded along, dropping in a few "yes"s and "of course"s and "I completely agree"s when I felt it was needed; other than that, I scanned the room, looking for who else was here.
There was Mr. Tartarus (no joke, that's his name), a business tycoon, along with being a stoner and a porn watcher. There was also Gaia Gardener, the earth-loving, fashion forward, cranky, old, and straight up rude grandma, who owned Earthen Wear, a fashion company that only used organic, natural materials to make their clothes. There was also Mr. Gardener (Gaia's son) someone who Piper and I suspected to be the leader of the gang that controlled the whole Eastern US, whose code name was "Kronos". And, last but not least, there was Octavian Arellano, the popular movie villain, and his best friend, Ethan Nakamura, the supposedly straight model. The host himself, Percy Jackson, wasn't here yet; or at least, his appearance hadn't been made. The door was wide open when I finally arrived, 5 minutes early, and now, 30 minute later, he was still no where to be seen.
I had to admit, in the beginning, I was kind of surprised when I saw all these people here; I myself wouldn't have come if I didn't feel bad for him. And yet, it didn't seem as though everyone was here to welcome him; their most extravagant looking, expensive seeming, trend-setting clothes were taken out of closets and worn, even if they had planned to wear it at a movie premier in two weeks, or were going to don it in public for the first time tomorrow; after all, they had to set a precedent now for what could be the next ten years: You aren't one of us, so don't try to act like us, talk to us, or even go to parties with us; it was a freak accident, you coming here, so we're going to pretend you don't exist.
Yeah, my neighbors aren't the nicest people around. Of course, on camera, I could practically choke on their niceness being shoved down my throat.
"And did you know who they're putting as my replacement? China Hung. I mean, that girl can't even talk properly, much less act." Drew complained.
"Yeah, I agree." I responded vaguely.
"I know right? Like, I met her a few months back at Coachella, but I never would have expected it would be her to-" Drew seemed to have finally noticed that the conversation was one-sided, and glared at me angrily. "Are you even listening to me?"
And cue her inner, bratty child.
"Of course."
"You aren't! God, I don't even know why I even tried talking to you!" Drew rolled her eyes and walked away, leaving my befuddled mind to try and recount the last few minutes of our, trying to remember what spawned her to leave me like that. However, I didn't put much account into her holding a grudge; ever since Piper left a few weeks back, Drew had tried to slip into her spot, though, as for why, I didn't know. She didn't have anything to gain from a potential friendship; at least, not anything visibly noticeable. Yet Drew was quite cunning, and I wouldn't put it past her to find some way to elevate her social status through me.
Another glance around the room told me practically everyone else appeared to be as bored as me; nothing, not even food, had been laid out to entertain us, and quite a few people, even though they had dressed up, seemed on the verge of leaving, if it weren't for the fact that they didn't want Percy to bother them later.
Last night, I had face timed Piper, and she had said that her brother might be late, but, just like his letter, I hadn't expected this. Late, in my dictionary, meant 2-3 minutes. Not thirty. And it definitely didn't mean having your guests come and go before you even show up; being at your own party isn't rocket science, it's common courtesy.
I carefully walked further into the mansion, trying not to draw attention to myself; I may know Piper well enough to walk inside her abode without her being there, but the others didn't... though that wouldn't stop them from exploring every nook and cranny of this mansion, trying to find something to exploit her. Walking purposefully, I walked into the main room of the mansion; what would be a family room, or a living room, had we been living in a relatively normal neighborhood. Familiar, worn, white, leather couches called to me, yet I ignored the temptation of getting proper sleep for once, and instead, carefully, silently, I walked toward the grand, wooden, spiral staircase that was the perfect singing spot in Piper's house; another great temptation of warming up my rusty vocal chords, another temptation I ignored. If Piper was still here, of course, I wouldn't hesitate in singing my heart out, but I knew practically nothing about Percy; only that he was dyslexic, unique, accident-prone, and a dancer, like Piper.
Crash
I jumped and turned behind me, only to see the other housewarming guests crowd into the room, their eyes looking at me with a sliver of confusion and question, before it was quickly masked with indifference. Their eyes quickly move from me to the railing above the staircase, and I carefully follow their gaze, only to hear someone enter the door. What?
Turning around, I walk back into the foye, the others trailing behind me; it appears that, for once, they are willing to follow me... something that I know will change as soon as they step outside the doorway.
"Crap. You're all here?" a male voice questioned. A man, brushing six foot five, glanced at us from the doorway, enticing sea green eyes wide with alarm and worry.
He had to be Percy. He had messy black hair, indulgent sea green eyes, and wore a causal pair of jeans and a shirt; in other words, he looked like a regular person, not, what my neighbors would call, Elite material... though maybe his lean, lithe figure, captivating eyes, and perfectly messy black hair could be his saving grace. In his hands there was a glass plate bearing... pizza? I'd been more confused this week then I normally am in a year; I'm practically never confused. Another, similar glass tray, once carrying coke cans, was now on the floor, the shards decorating the wooden floor. Percy quickly but the pizza plate on a hallway table, similar to the one I have, and dusted his hands on his jeans; though, I was impressed. Most would be intimidated by having so many celebrities in their home, while he just seemed more nervous.
I walked out of the throng of people and stuck out my hand for him to shake, "Annabeth Chase."
