(Percy pov.)

"No, actually, you told him that you couldn't care less."

I groaned and smacked a palm to my forehead. "I said that?"

Grover shrugged. "I was there, remember? You got me in trouble and everything."

I began working my hands feverishly. "Well, maybe that's a good thing, right? Like, maybe I said that because I'm not afraid…"

Grover gave me a wry smile. "Somehow, I doubt that."

I threw my hands in the air. "I can't believe I said that to my dad of all people! How stupid am I, huh?"

I slumped down on the rock and covered my face with my hands. "Gods, I'm such an idiot."

Grover swam closer and poked my fin. "Hey, he just wants to look out for you. It's not like he's trying to be a control freak, he's just worried about…"

"I know, I know, after what they did to Mom, what will they do to me?"

I looked up at my friend, a scowl pulling on my forehead. "But that's kind of dumb, don't you think? I mean, how will they even know that I'm a...that I'm…"

"The heir?"

My face paled. "Oh gods. Grover, are we supposed to be anywhere right now?"

He frowned, tapping his chin. "No...I don't think so. Are you-"

I grabbed his shoulders. "Grover I'm serious. Something to do with cake…" Our eyes widened at the same time. "Birthday!"

I smacked my forehead. "No! How on earth-"

Grover started cracking up. "Dude! How do you forget that?" He grabbed my wrist and pulled me underwater. "Come on! There's still a chance we might get there right as they start the announcements."

"You were supposed to remind me!" I accused. "If you had said, 'oh Percy, by the way you're turning 16 today, and if your dad finds out you've been to the surface, he's going to flay you alive!' That'd be great!"

Grover rolled his eyes. "Oh chill man, you're overreacting. It's not like your dad is going to go full on hurricane mode in front of all his guests."

I socked him on the shoulder. "Grover! I am not overreacting. Turning sixteen is a big deal! You know, the whole 'first time I'm actually supposed to see the surface' thing? Not to mention my dad highly encouraging my interaction with other mermaids…"

Grover grinned mischievously. "Speaking of which, you meet anyone recently?"

I felt a blush rising in my cheeks. "Um, no."

He laughed. "Ha! You hesitated! Come on spill, who is she-"

"Grover."

"where and when are you guys meeting-"

"Grover!"

"What color are her eyes - oh! Is she hot? Does she-"

"Grover, shut up!" I socked him on the shoulder. "Just lay off okay? I don't have a girlfriend."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Okay okay. No need to get testy here. I was just asking."

I shot him a look but didn't respond.

With Grover, there was never such thing as "just asking".

I mean, as much as I would love to have a girlfriend, most of the mermaids I knew had exactly two words in their vocabulary: "You're" and "hot".

It was honestly pretty annoying, especially since the only girls who even had any personality at all weren't "noble enough", meaning they weren't spoiled rotten.

A good girl. Was that really too much to ask for?

~line break~

Overhead, the stars had just begun twinkling, but from underneath the surface, they looked like watery blobs.

Slowly at first, the light of the stars was replaced by the much more dominant lights of the city. As we got closer, we could hear music and laughter on the streets. The people were celebrating.

On my left, Grover shot me a worried look. I ignored him and tried to swim a little faster.

When we reached the palace, it appeared to be almost deserted except for a few lights from the kitchen. The ballroom, where the party was being held, had no windows.

It was then that I saw a figure on the steps, one with a full head of honey-colored hair, and a lanky form.

The merman bowed. "My lord." He greeted. "The king-"

I elbowed him in the side. "Hey Will, what's up? Not so formal, eh?"

He seemed a little flustered by my brash attitude, decided to go with it.

"Your dad wants to see you."

Even though this message didn't surprise me, I still felt my heart sink a little. "Right, the party, I know. But please tell me he won't address me in front of the entire assembly? That'll be embarrassing."

Will chewed his lip. "Um...he uh, he's waiting for you in the throne room."

I froze. The throne room? Uh oh, this had to be serious.

"Oh...okay." My tail swished nervously. I turned to Grover. "We'll just go up there first then."

Will shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. "Actually, he wants to talk to you um...alone."

I felt the blood drain from my face. Grover and I went everywhere together, no matter what. If my dad wanted me alone, and in the throne room, it had to be something really bad.

The only two times he'd done this before, were when he told me about Mom, and when I'd gone to the surface for the first time.

To be honest, I was scared.

I swallowed thickly. "Um, okay. Thanks Will. Tell...tell him I'm coming."

A/N:

Yay! First chapter! I hope you guys enjoyed that. Honestly, it was really fun to write, and not that sorry about the cliffhanger, but the second chapter will be coming soon! (I hope)

R&R

-Amy