So much for low profile.
After Piper left, Annabeth sat for a while, sitting under the summer sun. She wished for a cool breeze to come by. Nothing came.
"I need to find something to do before I get bored out of my mind..." Annabeth thought to herself. She brushed off her dress and started walking to the palace. If she wanted something to do, why not check out the palace? She felt the need to smack Percy anyways.
Annabeth held her hands behind her back, sauntering over to the palace. She took her sweet time, wanting time to stop, wanting the interviews to never come of time. Eventually she got there after almost tripping over her own two feet when a flock of pigeons fluttered towards her.
"Stupid birds," She muttered.
Annabeth was soon standing in front of Percy's bedroom door.
"Knock knock," She said. "Its me, Annabeth." She waited, but no one came to answer. Silence.
That was odd. Annabeth usually found him there playing some video game or on his phone. Annabeth then thought to check the pool. He was probably swimming some laps.
"Annabeth? Is that you?"
Annabeth swished around, to see Sally there. Her face brightened, not expecting this surprise.
"Hello!" Annabeth did a little bow. "Sorry Sally, I was just looking for Percy."
"Oh, he's getting his suit tailored right now," Sally said. "If you have some time, could I talk to you for a moment?"
"Of course!" Annabeth said. She trailed after Sally, a little lost on why she wanted to talk to her. Of course she didn't mind, but... was she in trouble? Was Sally mad at her?
Sally continued walking to a loft in the palace. She sat down on a lounge chair and patted the place next to her, urging her to sit down. Annabeth followed suit.
"Annabeth," Sally started. "How are you? I know that these few days have been stressful."
"Well, you're right about that." Annabeth said. She was glad that Sally was so understanding. "But i'm doing well so far. Iv'e made a few friends, considering that the selection just started."
Sally smiled. "That's great. Percy hasn't been giving anyone too much trouble, has he?"
"Percy has been such a cocky b-" Annabeth stopped herself before she could say anything worse. "I-I mean he's been fine. Yeah, fine."
I'm such a idiot! Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Sally looked at Annabeth in a questioning way. "I know that you made a little deal with Percy, you know. You don't have to try and hide it."
That really startled Annabeth.
Wait a second, she knows?
"You know?" She wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead. "You're going to eliminate me, aren't you." Annabeth said in a dejected way.
Why am I feeling sad? I should be feeling relived of all things, really.
"Of course not! I wouldn't do that. In fact, I approve. Its such a shame that you two haven't realized yet." Sally laughed.
"Sorry, realized what?"
Sally just looked at the fireplace in front of them, the glow brightening her blue eyes. "I'm afraid you'll have to find out for herself."
Annabeth was really confused, but she didn't ask anymore questions.
"Also, im sorry for calling Percy cocky." Annabeth said ashamed.
Sally laughed. She got up and looked back at Annabeth. " Appology accepted. I have to take my leave now, but I wish that your interview goes well. I hope we bump into each other again, alright?"
Annabeth felt a little sad that she had to leave, but Sally was right right. The interviews were in an hour or so, and she still had to get prepared. The little talk with Sally was refreshing. Annabeth thought that Sally felt more of a mom figure than her own mother did sometimes.
Annabeth walked back to her room, fully prepared for the interview. She had everything planned out in her head. The interviews seemed like a minor inconvenience now.
At her room, there were a few tailors and makeup artists. Apparently Elizabeth, Julia and Dana were taking a break for the rest of they day. That was a little dissapointing, but Annabeth thought they certainly deserved it.
The tailors didn't change Annabeth's dress, but they did add some acsessories. Annabeth now wore earrings with a rose gold jewel embroided in a swirl of gold. She wore a matching necklace with a gold chain and a pink rose in the middle.
Her hair was up in two low buns with strands of hair framing her face. For Annabeth's makeup, the makeup artists applied some pink blush with black sharp eyeliner and mascara.
Annabeth lightly touched her face with her fingertips. She looked amazing, but Annabeth didn't have time to ogle at the mirror. She thanked all of them and headed on down to the designated meeting room.
Inside the meeting room were a few tables and seats. Annabeth spotted Calypso talking to someone. Calypso was talking to Piper, another one of her new friends.
"Hello, Annabeth!" Calypso nodded acknowledging and Piper waved over two her.
"Hey, Annabeth."
"Hi guys," Annabeth said. "Do you two happened to know each other?"
"Oh, I met Piper when I was on a buisness trip with my father. Piper's dad and mine have met on multiple occasions." Calypso informed.
"What she said." Piper said.
"Thats cool, actually." Annabeth said.
"Alright everyone, take a seat please!" Ms. Usoro said, standing in the door frame. "It seems like everyone's here. Before we get started, I wanted to inform you that the interview will be in alphabetical order. So if your surname starts with an 'A', please get ready. First is Calypso Atlas."
Calypso sucked in a breath. "Wish me luck, guys," She whispered nervously.
"Good luck!" Annabeth whispered back.
After Calypso left it was a blur of nervousness.
All the A's, then B's... and finally the C's. It was nearing Annabeth's turn. Thankfully she counted at least five minutes between each interview, so her turn wasn't going to be so long.
"Annabeth Chase?" Ms. Usoro called. "Its your turn, dear."
I got this! Five minutes is nothing. It'll be a piece of cake.
Piper clapped Annabeth on the back, a reassuring smile on her face. "You'll be fine," She said. "So go get em'!"
"Y-yeah. Thanks." Annabeth said back. She stood up and walked out the door, heading on over to yet another lounge room. The first thing she noticed when she entered were the huge cameras and lights along the walls. Not to mention the hard-working crew opperating them.
Gods, that made Annabeth even more nervous. Nearly half the kingdom- possibly her friends, parents, and many other were watching. Before that thought could get to her, Ananbeth heard the voice of the interviewer.
"Next up, we have Annabeth Chase! Here she is!" The voice of a overly excited woman said.
"Hello, miss Chase," She said.
"H-hello." Annabeth stuttered clumsily.
"Wow, you look amazing! Pink is really your color." She said. Annabeth read her name tag. It read: Jennifer.
"Thank you," Annabeth replied. "You look pretty good yourself too."
"Oh, stop it. You're so flattering!" Jennifer said. "Well Ananbeth, how do you like the selection so far? Have you met the prince yet?"
"The selection is going so good so far, but theres still a lot of time left. And I haven't met the prince yet, but I hope that I get a chance." Annabeth lied. She bit her tounge but managed a fake smile on her face.
"Interesting. So where are you from? You seem like a nice young lady."
"I'm from here, actually. This kingdom is really great."
"That's nice! We only have a few minutes left, so I only have one more question for you." Jennifer said.
Oh, finally this is going to be over. I'm so exhausted already.
"What does this whole selection mean to you? And I don't want any boring answers! I've asked a few girls earlier. What does this selection mean to you?" She asked.
What does this selection mean to me..? I'm just here to help Percy after all. I can't just say 'The prince is so great!'. That would be a boring answer.
"Ah, you see..." Annabeth fumbled her fingers.
"Hm?" Jennifer waited for a response.
Come on, think! Whats a average yet non-boring response?
"Annabeth?" Jennifer asked.
Ananbeth lowered her head, her eyes avoiding anyone else. "Sorry...I don't have a response for that."
adjshjajskjdjdshkjw sorry for the late chapter! i meant to post this on monday but i was too busy with school. again. but heres chapter 8! (i didn't edit this time, so you should probably expect some typos.)
also, i hope you guys had a happy holiday, wherever you are.
thanks for reading!