Reply : Sometimes I don't mean to capitalize the word 'So'. I just happened because I took my finger off the Shift button a little too late. Don't stress over it.

Countdown :

Mark Of Athena : 6 months

Song of the day : One Thing - One Direction

Quote of the day : -


Starstruck In Hollywood

Chapter 28 ~ Plans on Performance

ANNABETH :

I woke up the next morning, tangled up in sheets and sweating. I must have had a bad dream. I grabbed a towel from the rack and took a shower, scrubbing the sweat and imaginary dirt from my body. I stepped out of the shower, squeaky clean. I wadded over to my closet and picked out a pair of jeans and a white blouse with a blue strip on each side. I distinctively remembered that I had a table read today for 'River Waters'. I brushed my hair to the side and wore a scrunchie around my wrist just in case I need to tie my hair. I grabbed my bag, checked everything was there, grabbed the script and went downstairs. I grabbed a quick breakfast and slipped into the limo.

In the limo, I flipped through the pages, despite how the words look like they are all jumbled up. I gave up, closed the script and leaned back into my seat, breathing in deeply. I must have taken a short nap because when the limo stopped, I jolted awake. I rubbed my eyes, making sure there were no marks or traces of my nap and opened the door. I stepped out and walked into the studio. The rest of the crew were already there and we started our table read. I let out a yawn every now and then. What made me so tired ? Was it the nightmare ? I barely even remember what the dream was about ! We finished the table read -a new episode where Taylor keeps getting these weird messages from a stranger- and I had to get back to the Hollywood Games. They said that the scores come out in the noon.

I arrived in no time and dashed inside the elevator to my floor. I walked in to see everyone even Czeto sitting in front of the television. Based on their faces, the score telling must have already started. I set my bag down and sat down next to Ellie. No one was paying attention to me so I guess that this was downright important. The screen was showing a figure 10 and the male and female sign. Under the male sign was a 9 and the female's was a 7. I tapped Ellie on the shoulder and whispered, "What's the highest ?"

" One from 2, with the mark 11 over 12." said Ellie, not taking her eyes off the screen. I waited until the figure 12 surfaced. I clasped my hands together and sucked in a breath. First was the male sign. Then a 10 appeared. I breathed a sigh of relief but it wasn't over. I was terrified of what Katherine would get. Please let it be at least a 10 ! The female sign appeared and then a number... 12 ! I leaped out of my seat and shrieked. The others were relieved too and Katherine's face was red. "Oh my god ! I cannot believe it.." My hands were shaking uncontrollably . We had gotten a 12 from Katherine and a 10 from Peter. This start was good. Only, we had to make sure we were in the lead.

"Okay, this is good. All we need to do is pick up enough sponsors and all. Err... I think I can coax some singers into coming here to do a performance with you as special guests. So, I guess we have it settled." I said, happily. I turned to Ellie. "How much do we have in our account ?"I asked. She held up one finger as she checked her phone.

"450...No, 500. No...800 and counting" she said. My phone beeped and I checked it. It was a voting count. Percy got one too. On mine, it said Katherine and there was a bar chart. On the top right, there was some numerals. So far, this is the beginning vote where they see who is predicted to be the champion. For Katherine, we had at least 30 votes. I was happy on the inside and waited for Mark to give us the next task.

"Now mentors, you all know that the funds from us will be cut. Sponsors are now allowed to transfer their money into your accounts. You should check with your treasurer. The first ever performance will be about 5 days from now. Prepare your apprentices, physically, mentally and vocally. The judges will be revealed in time. Happy Hollywood Games !" and then Mark signed off. My mind turned to strategy. I switched off the television and turned to my team.

"So, what song do you guys want to do ?" I asked. I know it was too soon but I just want to get the songs ready. Then we can worry about the clothes later. Katherine fidgeted and Peter was deep in thought. I waited for about a minute until they decided to speak up.

"What type of song ?" they asked at the same time. Then they look at each other at the same time. And then they turn away and blush at the same time. All at the same time. These two really need to date.

"What about you all wait until tonight. Maybe they'll tell us about the judges and we can plan the song." said Ellie. We took her advice. I wonder if we could do groups ? We dismissed the apprentices so we could get some talk about yesterday. After making sure they couldn't hear me, I started to talk. Everyone was quiet and by the end of the story, they were astounded. Czeto shook his head suddenly but had a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. I can tell that he's amused.

I took a laptop out of my bag (Yeah, I carry one around these days) and opened the website for the Hollywood Games. I opened my account and the folder of competitors. What surprises me is that I ca only see 12 of the actual 24. I mean like, when we were paired up, there were suppose to be 24 because there are 12 teams. So, I've only seen 6 teams. Where are the other 6 ? I didn't realize it sooner because at the interview, I wasn't paying attention. And at the first meeting, I wasn't paying that much. Then at the score time, I didn't get to see the others. And when I logged in and entered info about Katherine, I could only see that much. So, what happened to the other 6 ?

"Hey guys.." I said, calling them over. The obliged and moved behind me. "Why are there only six teams here? What happened to the other 6 ?" I showed them the folder and laid down my suspicions. Ellie piped up.

"Oh , I know about this ! The ones you see on screen are the elite ones. The ones people voted as most popular and predicted winners. They told me about it when we had a briefing. The person said it was confidential and I should not be..." she trailed off. She bit one of her nails. "I shouldn't have said that huh ?"We all nodded. "But it's okay. I want to see the other teams too. But why won't it let me ? What happened to them anyway ?" I asked as I typed in District 6 until 11. The others teams were District 1 until 5 but I don't get why we aren't District 6. Why do we have to be separated so far.

"Let me check ..." said Percy opening the handbook. He flipped s few pages and read it. "Aha ! They said that in the private session, you must get a minimum of 8 . At the score thing, we saw that from District 6 to 11, they got mostly 7 and 6. That is so close !"

"Wait, both of each team got 6 or 7 ?" I asked, grasping the information.

Percy shook his head. "No. One got a 9. But its said here that if one gets lower than the targeted point, both will be disqualified."

I gasp. "Oh, that's such a waste..." Poor people. They must have worked really hard. Anyway, there are only us then. Us and the other 5 teams. We spent the other hours hanging out in the room and checking the HG website every now and then. Katherine and Peter didn't come out of their rooms. I bet they are hard at work. At exactly 7, a new post came up and I opened it. It was about the judges. The permanent judges were One Direction. There would be a surprise judge. I got a notification. It said that we could use the real stage on Friday, one day before the competition. Lucky us. When I told the others about this, Ellie squealed.

"Yay ! One Direction." okay, fan girl moment. So, she was awfully cheery until she left which was a few minutes later. Probably to print a t shirt. After she left, our two apprentices came out. They must have heard of the commotion. And I bet they have already come up with a song each. Suddenly, the elevator dinged and in walked a man with a suit. He said nothing but put a book on the desk. Then he left. Creepy. I snatched the book before Percy (earning an adorable pout) and opened it. I read it through. It was a rule book about the performances. As I opened a new page, I read a new rule.

"It said here that the first performance is very important. If you perform as a group on the first performance, you will be stuck with the group until you are eliminated unless the Gamemakers say so. If you do a duet, then you will be stuck with the partner. Groups can only have 3 people... " I read out loud. I turned to the apprentices. "What are you two going to do ? "

They both answered individual. Okay then. I had an idea. "Since the judges are One Direction, why don't we spin on their songs. Or what they sang when they were in the X Factor ?" I suggested. Katherine nodded slowly.

"That works. I remember them singing Only Girl in The World. I would like to do that." said Katherine, smiling a bit. I was about to ask Peter when our elevator dinged again. In walked the same man that came here before. Only, this time, in his hand was a note. He set it down on the desk. As he was left, me and Percy fought over it. But, Peter took it out of our hands. He read it briefly.

"What's it say ?" asked Percy.

"It says that the boys from District one, two and three want me in their group." But didn't Peter want to be an individual in that ?

"So, you want it or not ?" asked Percy. Peter pondered for a moment and slowly nodded.

"They were extremely nice to me during classes..." If only I could say the same about their mentors. Ugh, flirts...

"Okay then, go and confirm it." I told him and he walked over to the phone. As he was busy chatting, I shut down my computer and stuffed it in my bag. Peter came back and sat down.

"If you want to join them, then you must plan your performance with them. You guys have to decide on a day to use the stage." I uttered.

We discussed about clothes next.

"Again, Peter , you need to discuss with them..." I turned to my apprentice. "What do you want to wear ?"

"I want to wear a short dress. Like Ariana Grande wears. Besides, I want to do her version of the song." she said, playing with her fingers.

"So, I'm guessing we need to make it soft colours... I need to buy materials. I'll ask Ellie for the money..." said Czeto. It was getting late and i was getting tired. I excused myself and told them to inform me if something changes, the next morning. I never thought being a mentor could be THAT tiring.