Hey my loves! I'm back with another update. But first...can someone tell me why I keep seeing the number 69 everywhere? It's driving me crazy, and starting to creep me out. Like of all numbers I see, why that one? But anyway! Let's jump right into it!

But first, let me recognize my AMAZING reviewers! You guys are asombrosos! ≤33

IsleOfFlightlessBirds345: So, you asked if Percy and Annabeth are going to have any problems in their semi-relationship, and I don't wanna say too much, so I'm just going to say, yes. Sadly they will ): but that's not until a while later, so for now, enjoy the Percabeth we have at the moment! And as for your other question, which is what my favorite book from the PJO series is and why, that's a hard one. I LOVE all the books, but if I had to choose, I'd say The Last Olympian. Just... everything about it is awesome. Percy goes through so many changes in it, and I feel like he matures a lot in it, and I enjoyed reading about those changes. And, of course, Percabeth! They FINALLY get together in that book! I literally stayed up until five A.M reading the last book. I got as far as to when they kissed in the lake, but then my annoying sister got up and turned off the light! So I couldn't read anymore -_- that ungrateful rat. But yeah! I love all the books, but The Last Olympian I might proclaim as my favorite :D

Cinder Luna: You asked me how I can update at around 2-3 in the morning and if I'm superhuman or something XD well, no I'm not, sadly. And I update around that time, because during the day I don't have much time to actually sit down and spend at least two hours writing. My parents are always giving me chores to do, and never let me spend so much time with technology. So, I just end up writing in the night. My goal during the day is to write at least two thousand words, and in the night another two thousand, and so forth. It helps me alot, actually, so I'm fine with updating and writing at that time. Although, it can get pretty creepy, since I'm the only one up at three AM and I tend to hear noises...but I try to ignore them XD

niki4ever: I don't want to spoil too much, so I'm just going to say perhaps. And thanks! I love cliffhangers XD

istar144: Yep! It is her! And wow, youre a fast reader XD and read my reply to Cinder Luna above to know why I update at that time, I know, I know, I'm crazy XD I end up waking up at eleven the next day XD here's the next chapter! I hope you enjoy it! And I will try my best to write that scene of Percabeth in the pool. It'd be cute ((:

Guest: I love Silena too! She's amazing ((: And I'm glad you enjoyed the training scene! I did too! And I WANNA BATHE IN THAT POND :DD

Guest: Thank you so so much! ≤33

Disclaimer: Nope, I do not own PJO

Annabeth's POV:

We were all settled in the dining room, Reyna and Leo setting up the food in front of us. Silena breathed in deeply and grinned fabulously at Reyna and Leo. "Oh my God," she said. "I forgot how good your guys' food smells and tastes!"

Reyna laughed. "Well, now you're here to relive that memory."

Bianca stared at the food set up with a look of interest. "Whatd you guys make?"

Reyna sighed and gave Leo a pointed look. "We'll, we were going to make enchiladas Rojas, but this idiot added to much salt to the sauce for it. So, it was too late to make another batch, so we settled for making mole with arroz and frijoles." (AN: my favorite food)

Leo rolled his eyes and grumbled something I couldn't hear. Piper smiled at them. "We'll, whatever you guys make is awesome, so I'm ready to eat."

Reyna and Leo sat down next to each other, and grinned at them. "Well," Leo said with a sly grin. "Dig in, you guys."

Everyone instantly picked up their fork and shoved the food into their mouths. Silena closed her eyes in bliss. "Oh my God, you guys," she said after she swallowed the bite. "You should start a restaurant of your own."

Reyna and Leo glanced at each other and smiled, Reyna's cheeks flushing slightly. She cleared her throat and shrugged. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea. But I'd rather not have a building being blown up because this dumbass forgot to add something in." She elbowed Leo in the ribs and smirked.

Leo rolled his eyes and grinned. "Come on, Rey. I wouldn't cause the building to blow up. I'd cause it to set on fire."

Reyna rolled her eyes back at him and reached for a tanish colored circle that was set on a red towel. She ripped a piece off easily and made a little tent with it, scooping up food with the tent and popping the whole thing into her mouth.

The food really was delicious. The thin strips of chicken were covered with a red sauce, with added so much good flavor to it. It was spicy yet had a sweet taste to it as well. I learned to discover that the yellowish grain-like pieces, arroz, Reyna had called them, tasted even better mixed in the the sauce.

Leo got up from his chair, quickly wiping his red stained fingers on a napkin. "I'mma go get some more tortillas," he announced, and then left the room.

Jason set down his fork, and faced Silena, who was eating to her heart's content, but looked as clean as ever. "So, how'd your trip here go, Silena?"

The girl nodded and smiled. "It went great. I had left around ten in the morning and Charlie managed to get one of the gang's airplanes. I had asked my chauffeur to take me to Chicago but told him to leave me in the city. I walked it from there."

Percy frowned. "How much did you have to walk?"

She shrugged and picked up one of the tan colored circles. "It wasn't so far. I only walked for about fifteen minutes."

Piper frowned at her and glanced down at Silena's feet, since she was sitting right next to her. "How can you walk that long in stilettos and survive ?"

Silena flashed her a brilliant grin and winked at her. "I'm amazing that way."

Piper snorted and scooped up some mole and popped it in her mouth. I gave them a quizzical look, wondering how close these to were. "Wait, so, you guys are stepsisters?" I asked them.

Silena tilted her head from side to side. "Well, more like half-sisters. We have the same Mom, but different Dads."

My eyebrows rose. "How'd that happen?"

Piper shivered and grimaced. "Mom never told us. And honestly, I don't think either of us wants to know. But, Silena ended up with us."

Silena sighed and picked at her food. "Yeah. Dad didn't want to have a child, and Piper's Dad didn't have a problem with me, so I ended up living with Piper and her family."

Nico raised and eyebrow at them. "You're Mom is something, all right."

Leo returned with another heap of tortillas, carrying them on another red towel. "What'd I miss?" He asked once he sat down.

Thalia shrugged. "Nothing much. Piper and Silena were just explaining their messed up family to Annabeth."

Piper stuck her tongue out at Thalia and threw her napkin at her. Thalia swiped it aside and smirked at Piper.

Piper rolled her eyes and we continued eating contentedly, laughs and stories filling the air.

After we were done eating, Percy started announcing who would do what.

"Alright guys," he began. "Thalia and Piper, you're on dish duty-"

"Oh no," Thalia interrupted, narrowing her electric blue eyes at him. "It's your turn, Percy. Just because you're all high and mighty being the gang leader and all, doesn't mean you don't have to do chores."

Piper nodded in agreement. "She's right. So," she smiled sweetly at him. "Get to work."

Percy scowled at them and grumbled under his breath. "Fine," he said.

The girls grinned and high-fived each other, then turned and left the dining room, but Silena went squealing after them, yelling, "Thalia! Let me give you a makeover!"

Thalia groaned from the other room. "Goddammit! I should've washed the damn dishes instead!"

I laughed at their antics and faced Percy.

A giggle escaped my lips at his scowling face, and he glanced at me, his eyes twinkling hopefully. "Help me?"

I laughed and rolled my eyes. "Alright, fine. But after this, we're hitting the pool."

Percy grinned dryly. "Deal."

Percy and I spent the next hour putting away dishes, washing them, and cleaning up the dining room and the mess of pans and pots and food Reyna and Leo had left in the kitchen.

Percy rolled his eyes as we put away the items, already having finished washing and putting away the dishes. "I've told Reyna and Leo so many fucking times to clean up their shit when they're done, but they never do."

I laughed as I closed the cupboard. "Well, at least they feed you guys. I doubt anyone else in this house knows how to cook."

Percy smirked as he turned to grab another pot to put away. "Jason and Piper tried to make breakfast for us once. They literally set the kitchen stove on fire."

I laughed and raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

He nodded, his smile amused. "Yeah. Now we don't trust them being in the kitchen unsupervised, for more than one reason."

I shook my head, a smile on my lips. I really enjoyed spending time with him. But sometimes, he could be so bipolar, it scared me. One second he could be laughing and teasing and being happy, like right now. But if one bad thing comes up, he turns into a whole other person. One that's scowling fiercely and eyes are burning with anger and is slamming his fist against things and cursing senselessly.

Percy finished putting the last pot away, and he turned to me, a playful smile dancing on his lips. "Ready to hit the pool?"

I smirked. "Thought you'd never ask."

Twenty minutes later, we were entering the room where the indoor pool was. It was long and wide and took up most of the space of the huge room. A couple of pool chairs sat around the room, a blue and white color.

I was instantly hit with the smell of chlorine, and a pleasant feeling washed over me. I don't know why, but I'd always liked the smell of it. It just filled your lungs in a relaxing way, and instantly put you at ease.

Beside me, Percy breathed in deeply. He grinned. "Don't you just love that smell?"

I laughed and nodded, watching with amusement as Percy's face lit up when he spotted the pool.

He had changed into coal blue swim shorts and a simple white T-shirt. His green eyes were bright with glee, and he wasted no time in taking off his T-shirt and running to jump in the pool. The sound of him slicing through the water filled the room, and I laughed as he broke through the water and grinned at me, his black hair plastered to his face adorably.

"Come on, Annabeth! What are you waiting for?" He coaxed, waving me over. "Or is little Miss Supermodel scared of the water?" He teased, grinning at me slyly.

I scoffed and walked over to the nearest pool chair, kicking off my gray sandals. "As if, Jackson. I was taking swimming lessons since I was four years old."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Is that so?"

"Mhm," I answered, removing my gray loose shirt and tossing it on the chair. I tried to ignore Percy's eyes on me as I took off my clothes, revealing a gray and salmon colored halter top bikini bra and the salmon colored bottom half.

I caught his eye as he smirked at me, but his eyes didn't look me up and down in a perverted way that would make my blood turn cold and make me stiffen instantly. Ok, maybe his eyes did wander, but they didn't linger on a certain place for too long, and I was grateful for that.

I walked over to the edge of the pool and stared down at the water. Percy swam closer to me, the smirk not leaving his face. "Come on, Chase," he said softly. "Didn't you say you've been taking lessons since you were four?"

I rolled my eyes. "Cause I did."

He raised an eyebrow at me and grinned dryly. "Then prove it."

I sighed and crouched on the floor, tentatively poking a finger into the water to test it. I recoiled. It was cold.

Percy chuckled, but remained silent. I huffed and brought my hand out to dip it into the water, when I felt someone grip my arm and tug me into the water. I shrieked in surprise as I crashed into the water, feeling the bubbles of the water tickling my skin. I felt my bare skin go cold instantly, the warmth I once had leaving my body.

I broke to the surface, gasping for air. Percy swam up to the surface as well. He grinned slyly at me, and I instantly glared at him. "You're going to pay for that, Jackson."

Percy smirked and winked at me, his eyes glinting challengingly. "Come at me."

With a low growl, I quickly jumped on him, sending us both underwater. I climbed onto his back and wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. Percy swam up, breaking us to the surface. He laughed as I tightened my hold on him, not loosening my grip.

"So you wanna play like that now, do you, Wise Girl?" He said. I frowned in confusion, but before I could question the nickname, he flipped forward and dove us back underwater. I lost my grip on him and swam up to the surface, coughing momentarily. Percy came up as well, grinning.

I coughed and raised an eyebrow him. "Wise Girl?"

He shrugged. "You and your smartass retorts."

I rolled my eyes. "You know, that's not really an offensive nickname."

He winked and smiled dryly at me. "Who said I wanted it to be offensive?" Not waiting for an answer, he lurched forward and wrapped his arms around my waist, tugging my underwater.

He held his grip on me fast as I thrashed and threw wild, playful punches at him. He brought his hands up and tried to tickle my underwater. My thrashing became more consistent then, and I managed to escape his hold, instantly swimming away from him.

When I made it above water, a few feet away from him, I coughed and spluttered. "Really, Seaweed Brain?"

A baffled expression crossed his face. "What the hell? Seaweed Brain? Why that nickname, when you have so many other, better, non-offensive nicknames to choose from?"

I laughed at the look on his face and shrugged. "Well, you seem to love the ocean, and I'm sorry to break it to you, Seaweed Brain, but you can be really oblivious and stupid sometimes." I smiled sweetly at him. "I think it fits you perfectly."

Percy let out a low growl and lunged for me, but this time, I was ready. I swam to the side as he passed me and sliced through the water as fast as I could, but it was hard to do that when you're laughing so hard.

I quickly swam to the other end of the pool, and I glanced over my shoulder to see that Percy wasn't anywhere. Frowning, I stopped. I scanned the pool, trying to find him. "Percy?" I called out. Nothing.

Suddenly, I felt someone wrap their arms around me from behind. I gasped in surprise and tried hard to calm down my racing heart.

"Got you," Percy whispered in my ear, his hot breath fanning my skin.

A shiver ran down my spine from the warmness of him and the coldness of the water. He planted a kiss on my shoulder, and I smiled, turning to face him. He kept his arms around me as I did, and when I faced him, a grin was on his lips.

I grinned back at him. "I guess you did, Seaweed Brain," I whispered.

Instantly, he frowned. I laughed and kissed him, and he responded immediately. I smiled against his lips, and he tightened his hold on me, my body flush against his.

I've never felt more happy.

Two hours later, I was getting out of the shower again, a smile on my face as I remembered Percy's complaints when we finally got out of the pool.

"We gotta go take a shower now," I had announced as I dried myself.

Percy had pouted adorably, his green eyes sparkling. "Again?"

I had laughed and smacked him on the arm with my towel, causing him to grin. "Yes, you nasty. We smell like chlorine. I don't want to be a walking pool."

He had rolled his eyes but grinned nonetheless.

I chuckled at the memory and shook my head. Percy made me feel so happy. So content. Safe. I didn't want to lose those feelings.

I've been trying hard to not start hyperventilating or stiffen when Percy hugs or kisses unexpectedly. It's Percy, I'd tell my beating heart. He won't do anything to you.

Or would he? I had thought he wouldn't do anything to make me feel uncomfortable, and yet he did. What if Percy's the same?

But Percy's not him. Percy shows you utter, genuine respect. His eyes don't linger on certain parts of you when he sees you. He might sometimes look you up and down, but his eyes always return back to yours, and nowhere else.

Right. I shook my head, feeling guilty for comparing Percy to that monster. Whenever Percy and I kiss, he doesn't deepen it and make it heated. He keeps it slow, and his hands don't wander. He doesn't make attempts to touch me in places I wouldn't be comfortable with. Percy respects me.

I erased all those other thoughts as I changed into my pajamas. I clicked my phone on to check the time. Eight twenty-five.

However, I didn't just see the time. I saw about ten alerts for missing phone calls, and about twenty text messages. All from Melissa.

I felt my mouth go dry. I hadn't even thought of her from all that's been happening. I promised her I would call her. I never did. And how long had it been since the interview? A month already?

I raked a hand through my damp hair, cursing myself for being so ignorant and forgetful. How could I have not remembered about her? She must be worried out of her mind. And then with the vague answers I gave her? Fuck.

What time was it over there in New York? Six something?

I dialed her phone number, waiting with a beating heart for her to answer. What would I even tell her? Hey Mel, it's Annabeth. Yeah so, im just hanging out with the most wanted people in America, and I've killed about three people already. Oh, and did you hear about that hotel being blown up? Yeah, I helped cause that. But anyway, I'm fine, you know. I have about an eighty percent chance of dying, but I'm fine! You don't need to worry at all. Say hi to everyone for me!

I sighed. If only.

"Annabeth? Oh God, Annabeth? Is that you?"

Melissa's voice shook me out of my thoughts. "Melissa? Yes, it me," I said shakily. I took a deep breath. I can't sound scared. I've got to sound perfectly at ease.

"Oh God," I heard her sob from the other end. I felt a pang of sadness and guilt. She sounded so scared and relieved. All because of me.

"Are you ok?" She asked, her voice wavering.

"I'm fine, Melissa," I responded, my voice cracking slightly. I cursed myself, but I couldn't help it. Hearing her voice brought so many feelings onto me. I felt an overwhelming feeling wash over me. It was too much. I couldn't get through this conversation without crying.

"Where were you?" She asked shakily.

"Annabeth?" I turned to see Percy poking his head into the room. His eyes were questioning and full of concern when he spotted me. I was sure my eyes were red. They were already stinging with tears. I gestured for him to wait and sit on the bed. His eyebrows furrowed, he complied, quietly sitting down and keeping his eyes on me.

"Annabeth? Where are you?" Melissa asked frantically.

I took a shaky breath and closed my eyes slightly. "I'm in Chicago."

"What?" She asked, her voice panicked. "What are you doing there?"

I tried to ignore Percy's stare and opened my eyes, keeping mine glued to the bed. "Melissa," I started, my voice cracking again. "I'm here to visit some family friends." I felt so guilty lying to her. A tear slid down my cheek, and I made no move to wipe it away.

My eyes shifted to Percy, whose face was pained and troubled. He held out his hand and grabbed my forearm gently, pulling me closer to him. He made me sit in his lap, wrapping his arms comfortingly around me. I leaned into him, my breathing shaky and broken.

"Annabeth," I heard Melissa say on the other end. "Tell me the truth. Are you all right?" Her voice cracked with worry, and I felt another jab at my heart. I couldn't lie to her. But I had no other choice. I was fine. Physically, yes. Emotionally, not that well. But I was fine. I wasnt lying to her when I said I was.

Another tear traced my cheek, and Percy's hand came up to wipe it away. His other hand stroked my somewhat wet hair, and I felt myself relax slightly at his comfort.

"Melissa, I'm fine. Nothing is wrong. I'm safe. Don't worry," I responded, trying hard to keep my voice steady.

"Annabeth, why didn't you call?" She demanded, her voice pained. "You said you would, and when you didn't, I was worried out of my mind. I tried calling your Mother, but she wouldn't answer. I tried to call everyone I knew that knew you as well, but they all said they haven't heard a word from you. Do you know how scared I was?"

"Melissa-"

"Annabeth," she said, her voice wavering. "I almost called the police from how worried I was."

I shut my eyes tightly, trying to keep any tears from escaping. Percy tightened his hold on me, burying his face in the crook of my neck.

"Melissa, I'm so sorry. I've been so busy and distracted, I didn't have time to call you. I haven't even checked my phone the past weeks. I wanted to get away from the world for a while. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I wanted to have some peace. But Melissa, I'm so, so, so sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry so much," I apologized, my heart filling with guilt and remorse for lying to her.

She took a shaky breath. "I just want to hear you say that you're ok. That you're out of harm's way. That nothing bad is going to happen to you."

Its just that, Melissa. I'm not out of harm's way. In fact, I'm putting myself in front of it. I can't say I'm safe.

"I'm ok, Melissa. Nothing bad is going to happen to me," I forced out, the words sending a pang through my chest.

She took a wavering breath. "Ok then. Annabeth, I want you to call me once a week. I want to know that you're safe and ok. Can you please do that?"

I nodded, then realized she couldn't see me nod. "Alright, Mel," I agreed. "I will call you soon."

Her voice cracked as she said these last four words. "I love you, Annie."

Tears streamed my face. "I love you too, Mel," I whispered, but she had already hung up.

I put the phone down, my arm numb. My shoulders shook silently as I cried, feeling so much guilt and longing. I thought I was done with crying, but I wasn't.

I never would be.

Annabeth walked into the studio, an awestruck look on her face as she watched the photographers shoot pictures of gorgeous girls in all directions. The women looked confident and perfectly at ease, putting on flashy smiles as they posed for the cameras.

Annabeth smiled. She would be doing this as well. But first, she had to meet her manager. The one that would have to decide what goes on in Annabeth's career.

Annabeth was excited and bubbling with happiness as she walked around the studio. From the few times she'd been here, she'd already felt like it was home.

"Miss Chase!" She heard a male voice call behind her.

Annabeth turned and smiled at the familiar man by the name of Carlos Martinez, her assigned photographer.

He gave her a bright grin and wrapped her in a hug when he neared her. Annabeth, surprised at the affection, tentatively hugged him back. Carlos pulled back and grinned widely at her, gripping her by the arms. "Look at you!" He exclaimed, his voice thick with a Hispanic accent. "Que maravillosa! Gorgeous as ever! How are you?"

Annabeth laughed. "Thank you, Carlos," she said, smiling warmly at the kind man. "And I'm doing very well, thank you. And how are you?"

Carlos's espresso eyes glimmered. "Great, great, thank you for asking. Now come! Ms. Meyers is already here and waiting to meet you!"

Annabeth's smile grew wider. "Oh, that's great! Please, lead the way."

Without another word, Carlos grabbed her by the hand and dragged her through the studio, maneuvering around different stations and photoshoots with ease. Green screens were everywhere, along with models practicing strutting down catwalks, different studio men and women shouting out advice and correcting the models.

Finally, Carlos rounded a corner, where a woman stood typing away on her phone.

The girl was about twenty five years old, with thick, long chocolate brown hair that reached mid-back, tied up in a high ponytail. She was about Annabeth's height, pretty tall but not too tall. She had a deep tan, with high cheekbones and long dark lashes. The woman looked up from her phone and smiled when she spotted Annabeth. She had startlingly caribbean blue eyes that shimmered light blue, sharp green specks swimming around in them. Her eyes flashed with confidence, amusement, and yet still held a cold look to them. But even with that cold look, a warm smile graced her pink lips, her eyes twinkling.

The woman wore dark blue jeans and a black blouse, black stilettos on her feet. She walked towards Annabeth, her ponytail swinging and heels clacking. She thrusted out her hand, her smile still intact. "You must be Annabeth Chase. I'm your manager, Melissa Meyers. Pleasure to meet you."

Annabeth smiled back and shook her hand, surprised by the woman's firm grip. "Pleasures all mine."

The woman smiled, her eyes flickering over to Carlos. She raised an eyebrow. "Carlos, this girl's even more beautiful than you described," she shot Annabeth a wink. "With that pretty face of yours, we're bound to travel the whole planet in less than a week."

Annabeth laughed.

Carlos sighed and shook his head, mistified. "Annabeth's beauty cannot be put into words. But, well, now that she took on this career, we'll see what words people come up with to describe her beauty. I bet a hundred bucks they will literally make a new word to describe Miss Chase here."

Melissa smirked. "I'll take on that bet."

Carlos laughed and nodded at Annabeth. "Well, I will see you later, Miss Chase. You have a photoshoot at four thirty."

Annabeth nodded, smiling politely. "I'll be there."

Carlos smiled in return and headed off. Melissa grinned at Annabeth. "Well, Miss Chase, I have a feeling that you're gonna make us some big bucks."

Annabeth laughed, already liking this new manager of hers. Annabeth too, had a feeling, but that feeling was that Melissa and her, would turn out to be very good friends.

Melissa opened her mouth to say something, but when she spoke, it wasn't her voice.

"Annabeth," she said. The voice was female, and vaguely familiar. "Annabeth, wake up!"

I jolted awake, my heart racing. I remembered that day like it was yesterday. I had been so happy getting to know Melissa. I had taken a liking to her instantly. But that dream just brought on painful feelings. Feelings I didnt want to feel.

Trying hard to forget the dream, I turned to see Bianca smiling at me.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. Time to wake up."

I shook my head, my head pounding all of a sudden. I don't remember ever falling asleep. I just remembered having that painful, guilt-filled talk with Melissa last night, the call ending, and me crying while Percy held me.

"W-what?" I asked, my voice groggy from sleep. "What happened? How did I end up in bed? Where's Percy?"

Bianca chuckled and waved her hands in a, slow down, motion. "Woah there, calm down. I'm not sure exactly what happened, cause I wasnt here, but all you need to know is that you fell asleep, and Percy tucked you into bed. And Percy's downstairs eating breakfast with the others. He wanted you to have some rest, and then sent me up here to wake you up," she explained.

I raked a hand through my hair, my eyelids still heavy with sleep. "What time is it?"

Bianca shrugged. "About eleven forty-something."

My eyes shot open fully. I looked at Bianca incredulously. "Eleven-forty?"

Bianca nodded and smiled, waving dismissively. "Don't worry about it. The others agreed you needed proper rest, so waking up this late is no big deal. You needed that rest."

I sighed, but a small smile slipped it's way onto my lips. "Well, thanks then."

Bianca grinned and nodded, then got up from the bed and started walking towards the door. Before she could reach it though, Bianca's grin brought a thought and memory into my head.

"Hey, Bianca?" I called hesitantly.

She turned, her warm smile still intact. "Yeah?"

"About today...you don't really want to stay here, do you?"

Bianca's smile wavered, a sad glint in her eyes. She sighed and shook her head, walking back over to the bed to sit down. She remained quiet for a while, looking down at the comforter of the bed.

"No," she said quietly at last. "I don't."

I stared at her, dawning on me that Percy must always ask her to stay at HQ and monitor things from there. "Percy must always ask you to stay here, right?"

She nodded, her dark eyes flickering up to meet mine. She sighed. "Percy always treats me like a little girl. He never lets me go out and help on these type of missions. Says I'll get hurt and something might happen to me. He never takes me seriously. I've tried talking to him about it, but he always gives me the excuse of caring about me too much to let me do actual gang related things. Sometimes...I feel as I'm not even part of it." She paused. "After those men came and attacked us, he was so angry. He blamed me for letting those men follow us to HQ after we came back from the mall. He might not show it, but he's still mad at me."

Her voice was so sad, I felt a wave of sympathy wash over me. I had noticed that Percy would leave Bianca out of dangerous missions and most things. But I also understood that Percy just wanted to keep her safe. To him, she was like the little sister he never had. And big brothers want to protect their sisters.

"How old are you?" I asked hesitantly.

"I'm twenty-one, youngest girl in the group."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "How old is Nico?"

"Twenty. He's the youngest of us, but Percy actually let's him go on these missions," she replied, her voice sounding forlorn. Bianca sighed once again. "Which also means that my Father's field will be passed down to me." Her eyes flickered back down to the bed, her fingers picking at a loose string from the sheet. "Nico and I barely ever see or talk to our Father. He barely acknowledges us. Our Mother died in an explosion caused by an enemy gang, but even before that happened, he almost acted as if we didn't exist. That's why I want to try my best when he passes the company down to me. I want to make my Father proud. I want to actually be part of the gang. I just want Nico and I to be happy."

I kept quiet, not sure of what to say. 'Sorry,' wouldn't make her feel better. That word has no meaning. When people say they're sorry, they don't actually mean it. They have to have gone through the same experience for them to know how you feel. But I understood Bianca in some ways. My Father barely acknowledged me at all as well, but that didn't stop me from loving him. He was my Father. The one who helped raise me, even if he wasn't always there for me.

"Hey," I said softly. Bianca's eyes raised to meet mine. I gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll talk to Percy. Maybe I can persuade him to let you go, either on this mission, or the next one. Don't worry, Bianca, you are part of this gang, whether you know it or not. And what happened that other day wasn't your fault. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Don't blame yourself for it. Girls have to enjoy spending time with each other once in a while. Percy can't stop that. Don't worry, Bianca. You'll be fine."

Bianca smiled at me, a smile full of admiration and gratefulness. She leaned forward and wrapped me in a hug, burying her head in my messy curls. "Thank you, Annabeth. Really."

I smiled, and stroked her long dark hair. I pulled back and gripped her shoulders,my eyes locking with hers. "Your welcome. And Bianca," I gave her shoulders a squeeze. "You will make all of us proud."

The rest of the day was spent training. I think I trained with every single person in The Olympians. I sword-fought with Percy, (that bastard wouldn't stop flirting and making me feel flustered.) I wrestled with Thalia. I practiced shooting a gun with Jason. Leo helped me practice long-range shooting. I did the obstacle course with Piper. Reyna taught me to fight with different types of weapons. Nico helped in different stances of hand-to-hand combat. And Bianca explained to me the monitoring of different targets, and how they kept track of each one. Silena explained to me how they kept up with training new recruits, and keeping in touch with each. They had higher-ranking members lead different groups and were actually committing crimes all over the states, leaving the emblem of The Olympians in their wake. Interesting.

I was exhausted by the time we finished. I took a nice long shower and wanted to pass out on the bed after I came out. But, like Percy said, once you're in a gang, you learn that you get no rest.

It was already six thirty, and we were downstairs in the living room, simply sitting and waiting as Silena prepared everything. Silence hung in the air, and Percy would occasionally lock eyes with me and smile. He seemed like his normal self before he goes on dangerous missions like these; excited, filled with adrenaline, his eyes determined and slightly angry. The anger part I didn't get, but I wasn't planning on questioning him about it.

Also, Percy didn't mention a word to me about my talk with Melissa yesterday. I was glad, because I don't think I'd be able to get through that conversation without breaking down again. I was tired of that. Everytime I had those emotional breakdowns, I felt drained and pathetic. I couldn't afford to feel like that anymore.

Finally, Silena's heels came clacking down the hallway. She grinned at us, her sapphire blue eyes sparkling happily. She glanced from me to Piper. "Alright girls!" She exclaimed. "Time to make you into a whole other person."

HEYY GUYS! I UPDATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND NOT AT SOME UNGODLY HOUR OF THE NIGHT WHERE I HEAR CREEPY SHIT GOING ON :DD

Yeah, staying up at 2 in the morning and coincedentally looking at the time right when it strikes 3:00 can freak you out. But, at least you guys get your chapters ((:

And poor Bianca ): Damn it, Percy. Why do you have to be such an oblivious asshat and not see Bianca wants to do all that dangerous shit? Who wouldn't? But like Annabeth said, she will make all of us proud. You go girl (;

And hey! I added that Percabeth pool scene, so for those of you who wanted it, your welcome! Also, shits gonna go down in the next chapter 0-0

AND OH MY GODS YOU GUYS! WE'RE SO CLOSE TO 200 REVIEWS! YOU GUYS ARE MY EVERYTHING AND SO AMAZING AND I LOVE YOU ALL! ≤333333333

~KAT :DDDDD