Hello people! I am back! With a chapter! Obviously! What did you think this was? A muffin sale?
Well, ya'll know the drill. I do not own PJO! If I did, I would be a dude currently working on The Mark of Athena :P.
"So...this is awkward," Percy said.
"No duh," Annabeth muttered. She flashed him a small smile. "But it's kind of fun, don't you think?"
"...yeah. I guess it kind of is." Percy smiled. He thought that she looked nicer when she wasn't so serious. Even...pretty.
Annabeth's expression was light. She looked happy. "Come on!" she said cheerfully. "I'm hungry, and the buffet table is full."
"Umm...what's with the sudden character change?" Percy asked.
Annabeth's expression turned somber. "We can't have anyone suspect us," she whispered. "So pretend that you're having fun." Her expression turned cheerful again. "Come on!" She tugged on Percy's hand.
He found himself smiling. "Okay."
Pretending was going to be easy.
Thalia wandered out of the ballroom and out into the courtyard, one of her favorite places to work, besides the library. It was quiet and peaceful, and the air was filled with the wonderful scent of flowers.
"Hello, Ms. Grace."
Thalia stiffened and slowlyturned around. She forced a fake smile on her lips. "Santiago. How... pleasant to see you again. I didn't expect to see you this year."
"Ah, well. The school apologized for your...actions and invited us again. My father is currently striking up a conversation with the Headmistress. In the meantime..."
Santiago was the Ambassador of Spain's son. He was handsome, with black hair, tanned skin, and dark eyes. But he had way to big an ego.
"How...nice." Thalia forced her fake smile wider. "Well, if you excuse me-" She started to walk around him, but he held her back.
"Don't leave yet. Stay for a while. Let's talk."
Thalia let her fake smile drop. "Look, I need to meet some friends, so I should really-"
"I said, stay."
Thalia gave him a hard glare. "Look, Mr. Ruler-of-the-World, I beat you up once, and I can do it again!" She raised a fist to prove her point.
"Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you," he purred.
"Why shouldn't I?" Thalia scowled.
"Because if you do, then I will have no choice but to call my guards. And I can't have the school getting sued, can I?" He gave her a smirk.
Thalia thought of her options. She could satisfy herself and punch the darn boy, or she could risk getting the school sued, and Cara and Z could relocate Bianca somewhere else.
Thalia turned around. "Fine, then. But I still have to go. Good bye, Santiago." I hope I never see your stupid face ever again.
"Sorry." Santiago grabbed her wrist. "I'm not done talking to you."
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Come on. I promise that no one will bite your other eye out."
Ethan glared at Rachel. "Dances aren't my thing."
"Well, they should be!" she cried. "Now go before I make you!"
"What can you do?" Ethan snorted.
"You really want to find out?" Rachel narrowed her eyes.
Ethan let out a long, loud sigh and stood up. "If you insist," he muttered.
"Great!" she said brightly. She smiled. Ethan cocked his head, suddenly curious. No one ever acted this way around him before.
"So, are you just going to stare at me or are we going to dance?" Rachel gave him a playful smirk. Ethan blinked several times before realizing that he really had been staring.
"Sorry." He looked away.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Rachel poked him.
"Nothing." He shrugged. "The way you act...it's something that no one has ever done around me."
Rachel smiled. "Why not? You're cute."
"Well, I just...nothing."
"Okay, then." Rachel shrugged. "I'll go get us some drinks." She flashed him another smile and walked away towards the buffet table.
Ethan leaned against a wall and closed his eyes, only to re-open them again.
Did she just call him cute?
Annabeth sighed and leaned against a wall. "I'm so bored."
"Same here, I guess." Percy stood next to her, his hands in his pockets. "I wish they had a pool here."
Annabeth looked at him. "You like swimming?"
"Yeah. Kinda makes me feel like I'm more powerful, you know?"
"Yeah. I feel the same way when I'm, you know, around books or computers. I'm good at those kinds of stuff." She plucked at her dress. "Right now, I'd rather be in the library."
"Why?" Percy put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Annabeth sighed. "I ran away from my father when I was seven. I was made fun of at school, and my step-mother hated me. I met Thalia and Luke on the streets, and from there, Thalia and I were enrolled into Merriweather by a family who took us in. Books were probably my only comfort."
"What about Luke?" Percy raised an eyebrow.
Annabeth bit her lip. "I don't really like to talk about it. After that, though, Thalia and I have been pretty bitter towards...boys."
"Really?" Percy raised an eyebrow. "What about me?"
"What about you, Seaweed Brain?" Annabeth said irritably.
"Do I change that opinion?"
Annabeth felt very self-counsious. "Um..."
"Do I?"
The two were both suddenly aware that their faces were close. Really, really close.
"I...I don't know." Annabeth suddenly felt out of character.
So close...
Just then, a scream ripped through the air.
ASK THE CHARACTER!
From: Pokemonchen
Thalia (in this story): How did it feel to wear that dress? (It's so girly for you XD)
Thalia: I felt like I was half naked. But it was either that or this really short pink dress!
Rachel: I made her pick it!
Percy, Luke, and Nico: What were your first thoughts on Annabeth, Rachel, and Thalia when you first saw them?
Nico: Do we really have to answer this?
Percy: Unfortanutly, yes. Personally, I thought they all looked nice.
Ethan: *cough* Percy thought Annabeth was the cutest*cough*
Luke: *glares* I think they all looked quite nice.
Nico: I don't want to.
Ethan: You have to. They all looked pretty.
Nico: Fine. They looked nice! Happy?
Thalia: I will punch you.
From: miyame-chan
Luke, choose. Annabeth or Thalia?
Luke: Is this a joke?
Annabeth: Does he really have to answer?
Thalia: I'm so going to kill him.
Luke: I refuse to answer. Next question.
In some point in your life, you've gotta make a choice. And that's right now, buddy! :D
Luke: *groans* Fine. Annabeth, because she won't personally destroy me!
Thalia: *cracks knuckles*
From: PJO-HoO-KC-HGLuver
Dear Bianca di Angelo
(stating the obvious) WHERE ARE YOU! WHAT'S HAPPENING TOP YOU!
Headmistress Cara: It's none of your buisness where Ms. di Angelo is!
Peace and love, everyone!
