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Just a Tourist

By: NotUrAverageMusician

I wished this afternoon I could relive yesterday afternoon, but sadly that was not possible.

I couldn't go to the beach with my friends this morning, after surfing lessons were over I had to pack up right away and put on some actual clothes. Even though the temperature was in the low nineties, aka best beach weather ever, I was stuck indoors with a bunch of stuck up girls.

Just how I wanted to spend my evening! (Please note the sarcasm in that sentence)

I was inside the Ocean City rec center where the meeting about the Night in Venice would be held. I counted nine other girls, some I knew and some I didn't.

And I already knew I wasn't going to get along with any of them.

A girl with long blonde hair was legit putting blush on by the pound at her seat while her neighbor was busy plucking out her eyelashes. Seriously people? If you absolutely need to do that, do it in the bathroom!

I was the last one to arrive, sweaty, because I had run all the way from home. My hair pulled up in a messy bun, not a trace of makeup on my face, like the usual. As the rec door slammed behind me every single girl turned a 180 in their seats to look at me, then seeing I wasn't really any competition, they turned back to the front.

I shook my head, why oh why did Annabeth have to get me to do this?

I took a seat as far away from any girl as possible, which was easy because all of them were trying to be near Drew. Surrounding her like secret service agents to the president. A couple of them were sharing seats so that they could be closer to the wicked witch herself, practically leaning forward hanging on to her every word.

The air conditioning was a nice change from the heat outdoors, but the rec room had such towering ceilings, it barely made a difference down here.

Just then Drew got up and started walking toward me, flanked by two other girls, Pale and Paler, it looked like they had never spent a day on the beach. Ever. Or outside for that matter.

"Hi there Piper!" she said with fake cheeriness in her voice.

"Hey Drew." I muttered, hoping she'd go away.

"Fancy seeing you here today, I didn't know that they allowed ugly girls to be in this competition?" Pale and Paler laughed and laughed like this was the funniest joke ever. "Is there no beginning to your good taste?"

"I'm surprised this room could fit your ego, Drew." I saw her shocked face, "But I'm not about to get into a battle of wits with you, I never attack anyone who's unarmed."

Drew's face flushed. "Yeah, well I think you have a good personality, just not for a human being."

"I don't understand why you're trying to make me hate you, there are enough people already."

"GIRLS!" Drew and I both turned to see where the voice came from. A lady with high heel stilettos was standing in the front with her arms crossed over her chest. Drew went back over to her seat and I slouched down a lot more in mine.

"Thank you, my name is Miss Artemis and I am in charge of the Night in Venice competition this year."

Drew raised her hand. "Excuse me, but what happened to Mrs. Hera? She always runs the Miss Night in Venice."

Artemis shrugged, "This year, she has decided to go on a vacation somewhere exotic and will not be running this year's competition."

All the other girls gasped, I just raised my eyebrow. I knew Mrs. Hera, the rich lady who spends summers here. She is one of those ladies who doesn't like people around her house. One time Leo and I were biking and stopped to get a drink in front of her house. Big mistake. She started shouting "GET OFF MY LAWN!" and she jogged outside with a mop in her hand that she must have planned to use as a spear.

I'll admit, even though she was a real crank, the lady had style.

"Things are going to be a bit different now that I'm in charge." Artemis explained, "You guys will actually have to get up and do something for your charity instead of looking pretty."

There was a chorus of groans. I was the only one who perked up at the thought of being helpful. I was already feeling super guilty about all this anyway. Being in a beauty contest that is. I didn't get why those girls were so stuck up.

One girl raised her hand, "But I had a charity for orphaned pound puppies. Does this mean I actually have to be around orphaned pound puppies?"

I smirked. These girls have never worked a day in their lives.

Artemis leaned in, "I'll let you in on a little secret. While you all think this is a beauty contest, and I'll admit, a lot of this contest relies on looks. But the main thing this is for is giving back, and I know Mrs. Hera wasn't concerned about you guys fulfilling your charity requirements, but you better believe that I am."

Drew snarled. She was not happy about this. I could see her whispering to her entourage. Probably planning a way to get Miss. Artemis kicked out of here.

Miss. Artemis smiled from where she stood on the makeshift stage. "I want you all do make a real difference and really try to raise money for a charity through hard work and dedication. Something I'm sure a few of you need to learn a little bit about." She looked in Drew's direction.

"I know some of you need to learn that you can't just sit there and post your picture so you can make the most money. I'm going to switch up the competition."

"What?" Drew snarled.

"The only money that you can earn for this years competition is money that you've worked hard to earn, not a penny from anything else."

"Why?!" Drew whined.

"I told you already, you need to actually earn your money. This means you've got to step up your game, girls. If you want to win then you'll help your charity. If you blow this off, then you might as well forfeit right now."

You could feel Artemis's threat hang in the air. I looked expectantly at Drew, hoping that she'd get up and walk away and for a second I thought she might, but she stayed put, her glare never leaving her eyes.

Artemis smiled in satisfaction, "Good. Now meeting's dismissed. Go on home and start thinking of money rising ideas!"

All the girls started whispering to each other as they walked to the exit. I was heading to Miss Artemis, an idea already blooming in my head, but I heard bit and pieces of conversation from the girls.

"She's so ugly. I can't believe she's in charge of a beauty competition."

"I want Hera back! She always understood us."

"Quit your complaining, girls. I think she'll be gone soon."

That last one was from Drew.

I made my way toward the stage where Artemis was packing up her things.

"Hi." I said, suddenly unsure how to approach the lady.

"Piper McLean." Artemis nodded. She had my form in her hand I had filled out to be here. Most of it in Annabeth's writing. "You're working for the Sunshine Foundation. I'm glad you actually picked a charity worth fighting for."

"Thanks." I was glowing inside. I was wondering if she'd distinguish me from the stuck up ones.

"I actually have a few big plans on things I could do to raise money and I know I'm going to need some help." I continued, "Do you think it would be alright if I brought a few friends?" I asked Artemis, "I have some really close friends who I think would love to help."

Artemis's eyes sparkled, "I think that would be a great idea."

"So then I asked if I could get some friends to help me, and that's when you come in." I was talking to Annabeth on the phone later that night when I was home alone. I almost always eat dinner by myself because my dad's at the store till late. Right now there was grilled cheese on the stove and Maggie was chowing down on her dog food.

"What can we do?" Annabeth asked.

I smiled, "I've got a few ideas."

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-NotUrAverageMusician