Annabeth lowered her head, avoiding everyone else.

"Sorry... I don't have a response for that."

Jennifer blinked.

"Hm? Ah, it looks like our time is up!" She laughed uncertainly. "Thank you for your time, Annabeth. And best of luck to you."

Behind Jennifer, Annabeth saw one of the crew member signal her to stand up. As she stood up, people gave funny looks at her but quickly went back to what they were doing.

"Thanks... Thanks for having me." Annabeth gave a wavering smile as she walked out of the cameras and lights. She almost tripped on a wire, as if the whole situation wasn't embarrassing enough.

One of the people there led her back to her room after giving her a cup of water. The way there, she heard some women whispering to themselves.

"You can leave here, thanks." Annabeth said to the person who was escorting her back. He nodded and started to leave. With her back against the wall, she peeked her head over the corner to see what those two were talking about. It's not like Annabeth cared, though. She just thought she heard them say her name.

"Oh dear, that Annabeth Chase. I heard she's not royal blood! Not even an heir to anything, really. So pitiful."

"A commoner? The kingdom is accepting everyone these days I suppose."

Annabeth grit her teeth.

"Tch."

She cleared her throat and walked past them as if she just arrived. And as she did so, she glared at them. Seeing the shocked and horror-struck looks on their faces, Annabeth smirked and dashed back to her room.

Sure, she was a 'Commoner'. And what about it? She wasn't going to let some people let her down. Not ever!

Annabeth laughed to herself triumphantly. Opening the door, expected Dana Julia and Elizabeth. Annabeth then remembered that they took the day off.

Maybe I could make the most of this time, Annabeth thought.

So instead of feeling down all day, Annabeth did the things that comforted her. She called her friends, organized her room, and drew sketches of architecture that was on her mind. She took a bath. And she made her own dinner this time, instead of ordering it from room service.

She sat on the leather couch, watching the t.v as she ate the bowl of ice cream in her hands. The t.v screen showed a horror movie. It was just past sunset, so the room was dim.

How did he trip? What did he trip on, oxygen?

"Oh, come on!" Annabeth muttered. "The killers right behind you!"

As soon as the movie got to its climax, nearly scaring Annabeth out of her socks, she heard a knock on her door. Annabeth grabbed a pillow beside her and slowly turned to the door.

A visitor? Is it the killer? She thought. Breathing heavily, Annabeth shut off the t.v and opened the door, just peeking to see the other side. Annabeth thought it was Dana or Elizabeth after all, but she was wrong. In her doorway, standing there was a girl dressed in cream-coloured silk pajama's was...

Annabeth unlocked the door.

"Piper?" Annabeth asked.

"Can I come in?" Piper quietly asked. She looked drained.

"Of course!" Annabeth let her in. "So, what brings you here?"

Piper sat down the couch, grabbing a pillow and burying her face into it. She sighed, not responding for a couple of seconds.

"Its a long story." Piper simply responded. "I've been feeling really crummy lately."

Annabeth definitely knew that feeling. But what should she say?

"If it makes you feel any better, I made a complete fool of myself during the interviews today," Annabeth said. Her face flushed in embarassment.

Piper looked up, questionably. "What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. I got so nervous that I couldn't answer a question." Piper laughed.

"Its funny really, that almost happened to me." Piper giggled. "I felt I was going to regurgitate!"

[Regurgitate: A fancy word for throw up.]

"Same!" Annabeth exclaimed. "I totally hate being in that position. Especially when almost everyone in the kingdom is watching."

Piper smiled. "You know, i'm feeling a little better now. Thanks."

"No problem."

"Hey, were you watching a horror movie earlier? I heard a scream."

Annabeth's face turned into a light shade of pink. "Yeah. You wanna watch with me? I'll probably have a heart attack if another jump scare comes on."

"Sure."

Oof, sorry for the really short chapter. I have a huge headache right now...

Anyways, if you live in the U.S or elsewhere, you've probably seen the capital right now. Yeah, what a mess.

But thats for another time. Thanks for reading! (i'll try to make next chapter longer)