The next night, Annabeth got a call from Percy.
"Today the Selection results of who will be participating will be announced." Percy said on the phone. He had just woke up a few minutes ago, and so had Annabeth.
"Seriously? That early?" Annabeth asked.
"Yeah. Turns out a lot of girls joined about two weeks ago. I dont know why my mom told me so late, but that's fine. I also managed to get your name in."
"That's good." She rubbed her eyes, trying to adjust her vision in the dark. "But did you have to call me at three in the morning?"
"Yeah, sorry about that." Percy sounded embarassed on the other side of the call. "Just nervous, I guess."
"Honestly, If i was in your position i would be nervous too. Anyways, I need to get my sleep now. Meet you at the fountain at twelve?" She said.
"Yup. See you then," Percy responded.
As soon as they hung up, Annabeth fell into a deep sleep. And along with that, a dream. Dreams weren't uncommon, actually, they happened quite frequently. But that didn't mean she liked them.
In the dream, she was sitting in a chair with many people around her. She could see the royal family up at the front, wiping their tears of joy.
The setting was in a large cathedral, and it seemed like she was in a... Wedding? Annabeth could see the dark, cloudy sky through one of the tinted windows. The sky was rumbling ominously in the distance.
Everyone was smiling up at the couple, which Annabeth saw as Percy and another woman she couldn't recognise.. The pastor said a few words, as Percy and the mystery woman kissed.
For some reason, that made Annabeth's stomach twist into a tight knot. That made her frown. She should be happy. Percy was getting all he could ever want, a happy life with the right person. So why was she feeling like this?
Then all of a sudden some different images flashed before her. Percy and mystery woman baking together, laughing together, everything that Annabeth and Percy together. Even starting a family together. None of the pictures involved Annabeth. The knot twisted tighter and tighter, until Annabeth couldn't bear it anymore.
She wanted the dream to stop, to be put to a end. Finally, Annabeth felt a falling sensation and jolted upwards.
She was in her bed, the soft glow of the morning sunrise seeping through her window shutters. She looked at the clock on her wall- 9:57
What even was that? Annabeth thought to herself. Sweat beaded on her face, and she could feel tears at the corner of her eyes. Was she crying? She didn't ever want to have that dream again.
Annabeth got up, warily walking to the bathroom. The housed was empty as usual, Annabeth's father was at work again. She went into the shower, letting the cool water run over her face. Annabeth wanted the water to somehow erase her memories of that dream, but of course, it wouldn't work.
She changed into a simple grey shirt and threw on some jean shorts. She tied her blonde curly hair into a ponytail before going downstairs to eat her breakfast. Her breakfast was the usual, some toast with cereal.
10:32.
She still had about 2 hours left, so Annabeth decided to watch the news, just too see what was going on.
On other news, the selection deciding the future queen will begin soon. our reporters are currently gathering information now, live at the Royal Palace. One of the news reporters said.
"Amanda Koller live, here at the palace. Prince Perseus and the Royal family will be announcing the results of the participants soon. Here's them now."
The camera cut to the throne room, where Percy was holding a piece of paper. He looked in the large audience and smiled. Annabeth could see a little anxiousness in his eyes, but he just kept his stance.
He cleared his throat as he read the names of twenty girls.
" Drew Tanka,
Katie Gardener
Beatrice Prior
Lucy Gray Baird
Shinobu Kanao
Juvia Lockster
Clarisse LaRue
Piper McLean
Calypso Atlas
Rachel Dare
Marigold Bay
Kelly Dame
Dana Milbank
Yuri Cin
Wendy Marvel
Dorothy Sherman
Kimberly Jhonson
Hamila Campos
Natalie Hollands..."
Annabeth leaned into the screen. Why hadn't he called her name yet?
"And Annabeth Chase."
And there it was. Confirming that she would indeed be in the Royal Selection. Oh gods, what would she tell her parents? Annabeth's mom was never around, always somewhere working. Her dad would probably freak out. Why hadn't she thought of this?!
Well, that's for another time later. The news reporters interviewed some of the girls. They all has big smiles on their faces, saying that they were soon going to marry the prince.
"I already knew that i was going to get in," One said. "I'm probably one of the best choices to become queen!"
How audacious. Annabeth thought. Oh, i'm not the one to judge. I'm sure they're better in person.
After looking at the latest news, Annabeth scrolled around on her phone. More news about the Selection. Her phone buzzed in her hand. A text?
...
Thalia
WHEN DID U SIGN UP FOR THE SELECTION!?
Annabeth
Uh, yesterday...?
Thalia
Why didn't you tell me earlier? I gotta tell the Hunters. And Grover!
Im calling it now, Annie. You two are gonna get married!
Annabeth
No! We're not. I'm just entering to help Percy a bit, then he'll eliminate me when he finds the right person.
We agreed to that plan, and i'm going to stick to that plan!
Thalia
Thats pretty dull.
Annabeth
Good! I intend it to keep it that way.
Thalia
Uh huh, Sure...
Well, I gtg.
I have some buisness to do. You know the Hunters. Keep me posted!
Right, the hunters of Artemis. They were a group of about 25 girls that had all sworn off men. The were more of a girls club- a club that hunted, trained, and camped together. Their leader, Artemis, had fought together with Percy and Annabeth a few times. The Hunters were cool, even if they were rude to all of the male gender.
She looked back at her phone.
Annabeth
Sure thing. Ill call you later, Thals.
...
Annabeth sighed. Thalia would probably tell everyone she saw. Its not like nobody knows, though. It was nearing twelve, so she got up and out of the house, only carrying her phone.
It was a ten minute walk, but Annabeth felt like running there. The scenery passing in a blur, soon enough, she had arrived. Annabeth saw Percy there, waving. There was nobody around at the park, strangely. It was a little too quiet.
"Whats up, Seaweed brain?" She said breathlessly.
"You might wanna be quiet," Percy said. "Because the paparazzi and reporters are probably listening as we speak."
"That explains why non one's here, then."
"Yup."
Annabeth sat down on her usual spot, the edge of the fountain.
"I wonder what the girls will be like." He muttered. "I'm seriously not prepared."
For a while they sat and talked about the selection. Well, Percy did most of the talking. Annabeth could feel Percy was worried, and for some reason she was too. For a second she wanted to tell him about that dream. But what would he say? No, that was a bad idea.
Meanwhile, Percy was unsure about the selection, as anyone would be. He was already happy, with Annabeth. As a friend, of course... There was one other thing. Today, Percy's mom had told him something earlier. They were talking about the selection this morning.
"By the way, sweetheart," She said. "Was there a reason why you wanted Annabeth to join?"
Percy stopped chewing his blue pancakes. "No...?"
Sally flashed a smile at him. "Oh, I think there's something going on with you two."
"Y-your'e mistaken! She just entered to help me out a bit."
"Help you out with what?"
Percy blushed, covering his face with his hands. "Its nothing."
"Oh, I believe that you'll understand when the time is right." Sally stood up, brushing the non exsistent dust off her simple blue dress. "Now, don't you have a date with Annabeth soon?"
"Its not a date, mom," He said, blushing even harder. "Shes just my fr-"
"Friend?"
"Yes." Percy kissed his mom on the cheek goodbye. "I'll be at the city park if you need me."
"Just don't be home to late! We still have work to do, Percy," Sally said as her son went out the door.
Percy was confused, as he usually was. If one thing was for sure, the selection was going to get a little interesting.
That's chapter three! This chapter was a little rough, though. But bear with me, things will get more interesting later.
Oh, and if any of you have read Maze Runner, is it worth reading? I've heard it was a good book, so I might read it.
Anyways, thanks for reading! I hope you guys liked it!