A/N: So, I didn't get 5 reviews. But I figure 3 are good enough so here is the next chapter. I know its a bit short but the next one is really long. So REVIEW if u wanna read!

Disclaimer: I'm not a dude and I'm not old. So if u didn't figure it out, I don't own PJO or HOO.

The next day, I went shopping with Aunt Aphrodite. It was a nightmare. And it took the whole day.

We went to every store and mall in the whole city. I must've tried about a thousand dresses and she still didn't feel any of them were good enough. I felt like a freaking bride searching for the perfect wedding dress. For the gods' sake, it was just a party!

She dragged me into yet another store. That's it, I decided, it's the last store I'm visiting. Looking around, I realised it was a boutique. An expensive one.

"All right, let's look around!"she said with excitement.

I glanced around, sighing inwardly. Will we ever find anything she likes that's halfway decent? I asked myself.

My eyes fell on a dress. Oh-kay. Perhaps, that one would do. I pointed it out to Aunt Aphrodite."How about that one?" I asked.

She looked at it. "Wow! It's so pretty! Here, try it on!" She exclaimed, handing it to me.

I put the dress on and stared at the mirror in shock. It was a soft, white silk that felt like velvet. It was off the shoulders, with a little, golden waistband and ended a few inches above my knees. It was intricately covered with floral designs, too, and still didn't look extravagant. It made me look elegant and beautiful. I could even call myself sexy, looking at the way it fit my body. And it complemented my golden-blond hair perfectly.

Aunt Aphrodite squealed with excitement. "Its so perfect! And it looks great on you! I can do so much with your hair for this dress!" She trailed on about whatever over-the-top stuff she was planning to do to my hair but I wasn't paying attention.

My gaze had just fallen on the price tag and my face fell. "Its too much," I muttered to myself.

"Oh, no, your hair will look great, dear," she said, misunderstanding the reason behind my crestfallen face.

"I'm not talking about the hair," I replied sullenly, "I meant that its out of my price range."

"Ah, don't worry about that, sweetie. It's all covered," she said brightly.

"But I can't let you pay for it," I told her firmly.

"Oh, no, dear, I'm not paying for it. Athena had given me a credit card for your expenses. She couldn't give it to you, didn't tell me why, and asked me to give it to you. I guess, I forgot to do so, but in any case, its not out of your price range so you can buy it." With that she went to the cashier and got it packed. She even got a pair of sparkly white high-heels to go with it. I didn't protest though, as I was to wrapped-up in my own thoughts.

We left the shop, her ranting on about how she was gonna dress me up and me deep in thought. Had my mother actually cared enough about me or was it just because she cared about what image of hers I reflected in the party? I thought to myself, fingering the credit card which was now in my jeans pocket.

Percy's POV

"Percy! Are you ready yet? Your dad will be here any moment!" My mom's scream echoed through the house.

I sighed and called back, "Just a moment, Mom!"

I looked at myself in the mirror and decided that I couldn't handle anymore 'dressing up'. I wore a black dress shirt, with a tie, for Hades' sake!I would have been happier with regular clothes, but, no. This was the 'big party' as my mom called it, and I had to look my best. Of course, I'd have been happier if I'd been allowed to drive myself, but, then again, who listened to me?

Anyway, I was going to this party only for Annabeth. I wanted to surprise her, like she'd surprised me, so when she'd called today I'd told her that I would meet her tomorrow. I knew she would be there because Athena was throwing this party, and of course, she would drag Annabeth. Gods, I could just imagine the expression on her face!

I heard the doorbell ring and hurried downstairs before my mom could call out again. My dad, Poseidon, stood at the door, wearing his grumpy look. He, too, hated such parties, but they were inevitable. He owned a big business which dealed with cruise ships.

I bid a quick goodbye to my mom and stepdad, Paul. Mom, as usual, gave me a big hug, and I had to remind her that we were already quite late.

Finally, I hurried over to my dad, and his chauffeur drove us to the party venue.

A/N: The next chapter is the party. REVIEW people, if u wanna read! 5 reviews and I'll upload the next chapter! And I mean it this time!