Annabeth was sure her share of things 'going wrong' had ended. Practice was smooth. Dinner was drama less. She never saw Malcom after the birthday celebrations. She was having fun.
So yes, things got better from here.
Right?
After dinner, Annabeth took the first step towards the staircase when Miss. Willow stopped her.
"Lady Annabeth, do you have a pass?"
"Uh… Percy told us to meet up at 7."
"Do you have a pass?"
"No."
"Then no."
She sighed and reached over to Willow's desk to use the common landline to call Jason. Technically the Selected weren't allowed phones so she obviously couldn't use her own in front of Miss. Willow.
Percy didn't have a phone. All his communications were done through the servers or his guards. It is not that he didn't want to have a phone but the number of spam messages and calls to him was just too much. Annabeth didn't really want the details. He had tried to switch numbers every 6 months once and keep it but eventually got tired of it. Now, he used a laptop strictly coded for work purposes only.
He was the Prince and he couldn't do something as normal as chatting.
If you're wondering whether the Selected aren't given phone permissions because they're Selected and aren't supposed to chat/talk/interact with guys who aren't the Prince then you're not wrong. But, that's not the only reason. Being inside the palace gave them extra access to sensitive information which otherwise isn't released to public, that's why.
That said, they weren't frisked every morning or night or scolded much for having a phone. They just couldn't communicate to the press or other outside sources (unless it's family).
A few rings passed and Jason picked up. "Yeah?" He said.
"I need a pass to go to the 3rd floor."
"Oh." He shuffled around with something for a while. "Tell Willow to check her system."
She turned to Miss. Willow, "Can you check your system?"
Miss Willow took out her iPad and Annabeth heard the notification. The robotic voice said, "Mr. Prince says wise girl has permission for the day." The robotic voice clicked its non-existent tongue disapprovingly. "Note the grammatical error. I think he meant THE wise girl has permission for the day. Chatting has made everyone forget basic English."
Annabeth tried not to laugh at Willow as she climbed up the stairs and came face to face with Luke.
Again.
"This boy is on fire."
Luke and the other guard looked at each other. The other guard said, "The Prince hasn't notified us of any guests."
"Is he inside?" She asked.
"Miss, we can't say th-"
Luke said. "No, he isn't."
"Then I can use biometrics. Alexa, give me the biometrics panel." She shouted the last part.
The panel to her right turned blue and she reached over to put her right hand over it. The door automatically opened and a girl robotic voice said, "What's up Annie?"
The guards didn't stop her. She entered the room. "Stop calling me Annie!"
Percy took his time coming back. Annabeth sat on the sofa after bringing out the games and snacks. She threw it all on the mattress. Then, she heard voices from outside. (Note, room was only one-way sound-proof.) Thinking that it was probably someone else trying to get in but having forgotten the password, she went to the bed and tapped the buttons on its right to open the door.
"You're late guys!"
It was Percy.
With Rachel?
Annabeth felt a sudden pang of jealousy. Rachel returned that feeling and said, "What are you doing here?"
Percy opened his mouth and closed it.
Annabeth put her hands on her hips. "None of your business." She looked at Percy. "Is she invited?"
"I mean…" He saw Annabeth glaring at him. "No, I'll see you later, Lady Rachel."
Rachel huffed and left.
Percy looked at her, entered the room and gave a face like: What the Hades?
"What? Did you forget? We planned to meet here."
"Not that. You didn't have to…"
Annabeth challenged him. "Have to what Percy?"
"Nevermind. Where are the others?"
"Waiting for you to come back possibly. They couldn't enter," She spat.
"Then how did you-"
"Because I am me! What was she doing here?"
Percy glared at her.
"Fine." She sat down on the mattress.
Percy sighed. "She was just helping me find the intruder."
Oh. Yeah. I forgot about that.
"Right. Any luck?"
"Not yet."
She nodded. "I got in through biometrics. Didn't you change it after Selection started?"
"Uh. No. Why would I?"
She shrugged.
She forced her feelings to drop while he changed inside the wardrobe. He wore jeans and a tee when he came back. As he sat down beside her, Annabeth thought about what Luke had told.
"How are you doing?" He asked.
"You don't need to check on me, Percy. I'm stronger than you think."
He smiled. "That is why I'm checking on you."
She rolled her eyes and hid her smile.
"How is practice going?" He asked.
She ignored his question. "I told Luke."
Percy did not like how she said Luke. "Hmm.. So?"
She fake laughed, "He said it was nice that my boyfriend was there for me."
"Your boyfriend?" He raised an eyebrow.
No?
"His words, not mine." She didn't explain further.
He looked puzzled, looked front and turned back to ask in a surprised tone, "Do you want me to be your boyfriend?"
Yeah. Just say it. Y-E-S.
"I know it won't be right." She hesitated. "Can't say I don't like it though."
"Shit, Annabeth." He ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know if I can."
Annabeth felt like someone was squeezing her heart.
She nodded and looked away. "When we're alone. When it is just us. We could pretend." She suggested.
He didn't reply.
She looked directly at him. "We don't have to but you do realise it is the only time I can call you my boyfriend, right?"
He sighed. "Believe me... I want to. It is just... I can't treat you like one."
I know, her mind wanted to argue. Can I not call you that though? Just for the sake of it?
She nodded. He adjusted himself so he sat closer to her. After a minute, he guided her chin up. "I'm sorry."
She felt the rejection pierce through her mind.
Just another one in the list.
"Okay."
He bent down like he was going to kiss her and Annabeth pulled back. Thankfully, he didn't have to get awkward because someone knocked on the door real hard. Percy got up to open but the guards bet him to it. The door opened from outside to reveal a seriously angry and irritated Annabeth's brother, Malcolm.
He turned to Annabeth. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
Percy had enough time to think: Uh-oh.
In one swift motion he grabbed Percy by his neck. "IF YOU BRING MY SISTER TO YOUR ROOM ONE MORE TIME WHEN YOU'RE ALONE, I SWEAR ON THE-"
He didn't get to finish his swear because he was immediately tackled by the two guards. They kicked him on his side and made him kneel down forcefully.
"Malcom, what are you-" Said Annabeth.
"YOU'RE MY SISTER? MY ACTUAL SISTER? HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN, ANNABETH?"
She went silent. Percy answered for her. "A day."
Malcom looked back at Percy. "PERCY, I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE THE PRINCE. IF YOU USE MY SISTER I-"
"Whoa. Whoa. Backup there. I'm her friend too."
He struggled to get back up. "LET ME GO YOU R-"
The guards looked up at him and Percy nodded. Malcom got up and punched Percy. Annabeth stopped him from going any further.
Leo, who was outside the door asked, "Okay, what did we miss?"
...
[Note: Now, it is no one's POV, just generally]
After explaining to everyone what they'd found out, the usually cheerful group of friends were unusually awkward. Malcom had dragged Annabeth away from Percy and now they sat in opposite sides of the circle, much to Annabeth's half acceptance, half reluctance. Leo had suggested that they should play card games and everyone had hopped in on the idea, willing to do anything to make the mood less gloomy and more lively. They settled on UNO and distributed the cards around.
Will: "This time anyone who gets a 7 does the imitations and 3 gets makeup."
Connor laughed. They played a variation of the game where each number had different set of rules instead of standard UNO shoutout (when they had only two cards left.)
Percy opened the set to reveal a blue 8 and Malcom stared at Percy.
Travis snorted. "That's too easy for him. Someone else should do it."
Malcom: "We'll change 8 to getting a slap on the face."
Leo clicked his tongue. "No violence boys. And girl." He looked at Annabeth.
Annabeth was the only girl in the gang today. Selena, Beckendorf, Frank, Hazel, Grover and Juniper had cancelled. They didn't want to think too much of it but they were all couples and some of them wondered what they were up to.
Probably nothing innocent - which was purposefully never mentioned but everyone just knew...
Malcom started saying something when someone knocked on the door. It opened to reveal Councilman Hermes holding a set of papers. Percy got up to take it from him and went to the desk to sign it.
Hermes: "We'll be leaving tomorrow morning."
Chris: "Percy is... going somewhere?"
Hermes: "Effla Province."
Malcom asked, "Is this safe?" Sure, he was an overprotective brother but he did care about the kingdom too.
Jason: "No. It's not."
Percy: "It's a public charity and health event. I can't cancel. It will look bad. Mom is going too." He handed the papers back to Hermes.
Jason sighed. "Yes. Which is why..." He brought out something from his left pocket and Annabeth realised it was an actual gun, unlike the fake one for the surprise party.
Will flinched.
Malcom: "You have clearance for... that? And training." He turned to Annabeth. "Do you train with guns too?"
Jason shook his head. "No. The Selected don't do this. Annabeth has trained with us but not with guns. This needs special clearance."
Annabeth nodded. "I got the clearance last year but I haven't trained yet. Archery and targets are supposed to be my weakness. I can't have shooting as strength."
Travis: "Fundamental flaw in having weaknesses in the first place. Blocking one affects the others."
Connor: "Travis can't participate in any tournaments even if he is good at swords."
Travis: "Percy can't stay underwater for long."
Leo: "I got the easiest. Hate fire."
Hermes interrupted them. "Prince, someone else has requested one more person to join the trip. The Queen cleared it."
Percy nodded. "Let's pack up extra security then."
Hermes looked like he wanted to say more but he left.
Leo: "Today's winner gets to wear Percy's crown AND decide the next password, okay?"
Will: "Vote guys."
Everyone except Percy raised their hands.
Percy: "Yeah, yeah, I'm outvoted. Move on."
They played a long, boring, silent game for a while before everyone except Leo, Annabeth and Will had only 2 cards left. Every number that appeared for the ones with 2 cards had a meaning and the next person had to enact that instead of the first person saying UNO.
Annabeth put down a red seven for Will who put in a blue seven over it. Leo grinned. Percy groaned.
Leo (in the weirdest imitation of Percy's voice): "Hello! My name is Perry Johnson. I like swimming. I love blue food and I love Annabeth Chase. My favourite -"
Love?
Percy froze at that and Jason glared at Leo. Annabeth's throat went dry. Leo looked at him in confusion. "What? You didn't confess yet?"
Percy: "Put the next card."
Leo put down a blue four for Jason and he laughed before taking his shirt off. Percy glared at Leo and mouthed a why.
He couldn't handle the fact that Annabeth, the only girl in the room, could be flustered over Jason instead of himself.
Annabeth on the other hand, didn't care much. Of course, it was a little awkward when it happened for the first time but now she was used to it. But... she had to admit... Jason wasn't Percy's personal guard for no reason.
Jason smirked at Percy. "Should I?"
Travis smirked. "Oh, yes you should."
Connor silently brought out his phone.
Jason put down a yellow four. "We're even."
Why was it always a competition between these two?
Malcom glared at Jason.
Percy smiled smugly before taking off his shirt and blood rushed to Annabeth's face more because everyone was looking at her and lesser because of Percy's smug expression. Connor clicked a picture and Annabeth groaned - "Seriously guys!" - but she was still blushing and trying hard not to uncontrollably smile.
Let us just say: Percy was still definitely hitting the gyms.
Guess what Malcom did? Yeah, he glared.
Percy shamelessly grinned at Annabeth and Leo whistled at her reaction to it.
Holy water, please?
...
Things pretty much went downhill after that.
Percy had horrible timing.
For everything!
Next morning, Annabeth thought about things that happened the previous night as she waited outside her room for Percy to come down. He was leaving in a few minutes and would only be back on Thursday for the next Report.
So, what if Percy wasn't going to be around for a while? No problem.
So, what if it was the time when she wished she spent more time with him so she could ditch the architecture department? Okay... little problem.
So, what if he was dating (and kissing) a few more girls? Yes, that is...
What if they argued over this constantly? Um...
Just when Annabeth thought things couldn't get worse, Percy decided to spend four days away from palace with Rachel.
I know right!
Oh yeah sorry, I forgot to explain that part.
The someone who was going with Percy and Sally to the events was none other than... you guessed it right, Rachel.
And that someone who requested for her presence were Rachel's parents. That, Annabeth understood - their daughter was just assaulted and wounded. Besides, Rachel couldn't attend classes for a while anyway.
Why did the event happen in Effla - in Rachel's home-province? Annabeth had no idea. Ask her fates maybe.
Why did she feel that her own parents would have not given a schist if she were the one who was hurt instead? For that, Annabeth had 23 years of statistical data to back her up.
Great, universe, great.
All she knew for sure right now was that she felt clingy.
And she was Annabeth. She was never clingy.
When Percy came down from the stairs, she didn't even care that it was the middle of the hallway and they had audience (Miss. Willow). She just grabbed him by his shirt collars and kissed him - full on lips.
Percy chuckled. He pulled back after a few seconds and said, "Why, I'll miss you too."
"Shut up. For once." She pulled him back down. She ran her fingers over his stomach and heard him chuckling again. When she reached low enough, a sudden spike of possessiveness engulfed her and she reached under his shirt to run her hand over actual skin. Percy immediately pulled back and stopped her hand with his. He glanced at Miss. Willow (who was probably watching.)
When he looked back at her, Annabeth thought that he thought that she had lost a few nuts and bolts in her system which -she admitted - she probably did. "What's with you today, huh?" He smiled smugly. "Not here, okay?"
Well, at least you didn't say NO.
Annabeth nodded and snaked both hands around his neck. Percy held her by the waist. She asked, "Is this the goodbye you're gonna give to all the girls?"
"Why?"
"Because I kinda like it."
She tried to pull him in again but he resisted and laughed. "Do you, I don't know, maybe want to go inside first?"
She bit her lips before deciding. "Okay."
His smile faded. "You're not serious."
She lost her carefree expression.
"Wise Girl, I need to go."
Was that a no?
She pulled away awkwardly and stared at the ground. "Yeah. Uh... Okay."
Percy gently brought her chin back up. "I'll see you later, yeah?"
"Stay safe, okay?" Her expression was serious.
"We have Jason and at least 10 others. And, that's only counting the people right next to us."
Annabeth nodded and Percy gave her a chaste kiss before walking away. He may have turned back around and given her his loop-sided trouble maker smile, which she absolutely adored, making her smile too.
Just like that, he was off to his four days private date with Rachel.
And Annabeth felt left out with the rest of the Selected, Camp-Half Blood and only one true friend inside the Selection.
Great start to her week, isn't it?
...
YES I JUST MADE PERCY GO OUT WITH RACHEL.
DIDN'T EXPECT THAT, DID YOU?
Tell me your thoughts!