Chapter 7: Annabeth

2 months later

I was nervous. No-beyond nervous. Way beyond "butterflies in my stomach" stage. I was in "big angry bird flying around in my stomach" stage. I thought I was going to throw up. I actually spent a few minutes above the toilet, hoping and praying something would come up so I didn't have to go to my mother's stupid banquet.

It was her 20th anniversary of her company and instead of quietly celebrating with her employees, she had decided to throw a huge party. It was going to be at the biggest party center she could find, with the finest kitchen staff, and the most expensive party decorators. She had said it was simply a business party, a way to get more clients, but I knew the truth. It was all a big scam so she could show off to all the other big-time company owners how successful her business was.

Then, a week ago she had the brilliant idea to have me give a speech. She was going to do it herself, but realised it was look much better for her reputation to have her daughter do it. If I was put-together, beautiful, and seemed to be likeable, people would think she was an amazing mother and company owner. In the beginning I had resisted, but after the promise of a new fancy computer I gave in; consequently, had spent the rest of my week going over my speech thousands of times. I even took up some of Percy and I's tutoring so I make him drill me on my speech. I could say it forwards and backwards now.

I was currently looking in the mirror, trying desperately to find a way to make me look better. I felt fat, ugly, and extremely unfit to give a speech to 1,000 rich and judgemental adults. I was wearing a short navy blue dress and white heels. I was freezing, but had learned from a young age that beauty is pain. My hair, which was already wavy, was curled even more so I had little bouncy rolls in my hair. I looked like I was trying way too hard, especially with my face caked with makeup. I had recently flared up with acne, and although my mother assured me it was impossible to tell, I felt hideous.

My mom walked in my room, wearing a classic black business woman outfit. She smiled and grabbed my shoulders. "You look beautiful Annabeth."

"No," I said shrugged her hands off and tugged on my dress. "I look ugly and I am going to die of embarrassment on that stage."

"Well you better not," My mom huffed in disapproval. "There are going to be hugely important executives at this party, and you have to appear your best."

I groaned. "How can I forget! Dad would never make me do this."

"Your father isn't buying you that new computer," My mom applied a new layer of lipstick. "And remind me, but aren't you talking to me, not him?"

I glared at her, but it was true. With all of the faults my mother had, it was easier living with her than my dad. We hadn't talked since the fight before school started. Neither of us had reached out, and I'm not sure if either of us ever will.

"Whatever," I grumbled. "I'm going to get Piper."

"Isn't that Aphrodite's daughter? Horrible woman. Always talking about herself." "Well, I like her daughter. And your party is literally so you can talk about yourself," I quickly sped-walked out of the room before she could yell at me.

Angrily rehearsing my speech on the way to my car, I kicked a rock and stubbed my toe. I let out a loud curse word partly at the rock and partly towards my mother and her party. I slammed the door to my car and drove as quickly as I could to Piper's house. Both her and her mom were outside.

Piper's mom was super young, because she had Piper when she was 17. She was gorgeous, and describing her wouldn't do any justice. Piper often complained about people asking if they were sisters. When I pulled up, Piper gave me a relieved look.

"Annabeth sweetie," Aphrodite and Piper walked up to my car. They both looked beautiful, Piper in a dark green romper and Aphrodite in a long pink dress. "Thanks so much for taking Piper. I just always take so long getting ready. I'll just have to be fashionably late!"

I smiled politely. "No worries. You look very pretty."

"Darling," She drew out all of her words in a high sweet voice. "You are too sweet. I know your mother, you don't want to be late. You better leave now."

"Yeah, bye Mom," Piper said annoyed and rolled up her window in her mom's face. Then intimating her mother's voice said, "Annabeth, honey, I want to leave quickly. Drive quickly so I don't have to see my mother dearest."

I drove way above the speed limit on the way there. If I was late, my mother might have a seizure. Piper and I both didn't want to go at all, but since almost all the parents at my highschool were invited so were most of the friends.

"Is Hazel going?" Piper asked. When I nodded she let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God, I'll have more friends. Percy?"

"I think so," I tried to sound nonchalant. Things between Percy and I were great. No-more than great. We hung out all the time. I knew for a fact he was going. I triple-checked.

"Ah, stop trying to be cool Annabeth! I know you like him," I felt my face getting hot as Piper raised her eyebrows and made a kissy face.

"Shut up!" I laughed cooly, as if nothing was bugging me. "We're just friends."

"Sure," Piper rolled her eyes. "But it's good you're just friends. If you started dating, you would be his rebound. People would talk about it behind your back. That's what happened with me after Jason broke up with Reyna. I got dirty looks all the time. Everyone liked them together so much."

I hadn't ever thought of that. Everyone liked Rachel and Percy together. When they had broken up, I had seen girls actually crying and saying that love can't be real. Even though we'd probably never get together, I couldn't stand anymore drama. I don't want to walk down the hallway and see people staring at me. My strange need to seem popular overcame any wish I had to be with Percy.

I kept quiet the rest of the ride, thinking and pretending to listen to Piper rant about Jason's latest idoitic boyfriend moment. When we got to the party, people were already there. It was a really nice venue. It was at a barn house, with a huge backyard. There were big willow trees all around the property and a gazebo in one part of the property. Fairy lights hung over all the tables, hanging from the trees. There was a big stage in front of all the tables with a podium. The place where I would make my dreaded speech.

We walked up to Jason, Hazel, Leo, and Frank. Leo and Frank were having a heated debate over something. When I walked up Leo was saying, "No way! Kangaroos are way too big!"

Not wanting to get involved in that I smiled at Hazel. She was wearing a purple dress with flowers. "You look beautiful, Hazel."

"You look like a goddess, Annabeth!" She exclaimed. "You are going to do so good on your speech!"

"Both of the things you just said are totally false." Hazel just rolled her eyes.

Just then Percy walked into the group. Wow. He looked stunning. He wore a navy blue suit and even though his hair wasn't brushed (like normal) he looked like a model. I had to tell myself to stop, that I couldn't be his rebound, but he still looked so gorgeous.

"You nervous, Wise Girl?" He grinned.

I gave him a look like, "what do you think". He laughed then turned his attention to Jason. We all made small talk until everyone had seated. We all sat at one table, avoiding talking to any adults. I didn't remember anything that happened up to my speech. I was so nervous. At one point my mother got up and spoke, then introduced me.

I got up, and with shaking legs walked up to the stage. I looked out at the crowd and gulped. There were so many famous CEOs and company owners. I took a deep breath and started my speech. "Hello, and thank you all for coming! If you don't know me, my name is Annabeth Chase. My mother, Athena Chase, started her company exactly 20 years ago. Since then, it has taken off and accomplished many amazing things. From building housing developments to company buildings, her company had done so many things for our city. We are so grateful to each and every one of you for helping my mother and her amazing team of workers make this city look amazing. We could not have done it without you.

"I remember going to mom's office when I was 6 years old. My mother was in the middle of a board meeting. She was going over plans to make a new building in the center of the city. I remember looking at the blueprints and being amazed. There was so much detail and thought put into every little aspect of the building. It was so different seeing my normally laid back mother in businesswoman attitude. She was making sure that everything was perfect. From such a young age I could tell that she and all of her workers cared a crazy amount that each of her customers were satisfied with what they made for them." That whole story was a lie. I had never gone to her office. I wasn't allowed. And she certainly wasn't a laid back parent.

I looked over at Percy. He gave me a thumbs up. I smiled and continued. "Now with her 20th year working hard at her company, my mother and the rest of the company wishes to express so much gratitude to each of you. Each of you helped her execute her visions and do her dream job-designing buildings for other people. Each of you helped make this city a better place, because you helped her. Each of you are wonderful, kind, loyal clients and there is no way that we can express our gratitude. Hopefully, some free food from our company will help." This got a chuckle. Thank God. "Please enjoy our all-you-can-eat bar. I'll wrap this up because I know you are all starving.

"If you leave this party knowing anything, it's that Athena Co. is grateful for each of you and hopes to continue doing business with all of you. Thank you so much for coming and have an amazing weekend."

I tried to gracefully exist as they clapped for me. My friends were all whooping and my mom shot them a glare. When I got down, Percy squeezed my leg and mouthed, "You did so good!"

We all ate food, which was delicious, and then talked for a while. After a short bit, Piper and Jason left, probably to go make out at his house. Leo ran off to flirt with a bunch of girls, and Hazel and Frank were in deep conversation.

"Hey," Percy stood up. "Let's go walk around. This place is nice."

"Oh sure," I got up and flattened my dress. Percy tucked in my chair. "What a gentlemen."

Percy laughed. "I know. My mom's been teaching me all the gentlemanly things. I can even slow dance now."

"Wow Mr. Jackson!" I teased. We were walking on a walkway, with willow trees all around us. It was beautiful. "That's better than me. I think I would trip."

"I could teach you," He said. I blushed. "And I'm sure you're great. You can be so poised. You didn't stutter or anything on you're speech."

"Well, I have been practicing non-stop," We arrived at a huge willow. The branches were hanging down to the ground.

"Let's go in here!" Percy said, pulling back the branches so I could walk through. As we walked through it the branches messed up my hair.

"God, my hair's all messed up now," I groaned.

Percy pushed my hair out of my face. I felt my face turn beet red. "Stop Annabeth. You look beautiful."

"No I don't! Everyone keeps saying that but my hair is frizzy and my face is flaring up with acne. And this dress sucks-"

He cut me off by kissing me. The world stopped. I could hear my heartbeat and every little sound around me. I closed my eyes and kissed him back. He smelled amazing. This was all I wanted for what seemed like my whole life. I would dream about it at night, how perfect it would be. And it was perfect. Beyond perfect.

But then I remembered what Piper said and I pulled back. I just stared into his beautiful green eyes as they sparkled. I wanted to say something, but words couldn't seem to come into my mouth. Percy smiled, "Annabeth, you are perfect. Don't believe otherwise."

"Percy I-" I stuttered. "I'm not-"

"Oh my God," He suddenly was flustered. "I'm sorry! I thought you felt the same way!" "No, I do!" I said quickly. "I've liked you for a long time. I just- Percy I can't be your rebound!"

"You aren't!" Percy thought about it and said. "I mean it seems like you are. But trust me, you aren't. I've liked you for so long. You know that, don't you?"

"I know, but other people don't. People will whisper and talk bad about me."

Percy shook his head. "What do you care? You know you aren't, so it doesn't matter." I almost started to cry. "But Percy, it does matter. People will talk and say that I'm just your backup and all of these nasty things. I try so hard to fit in, it'll ruin everything!" "Annabeth, why do you care so much about what people think of you?"

"I don't know," I groaned. "I just-I just do. But I do really, really like you Percy."

"So what do you want to do, Annabeth? So can we just not date?" Percy gave a long sigh.

Just then, an idea hit me. "Percy, they don't have to know. We can do it in secret!"

Percy looked skeptical. "That'll be hard. We couldn't do anything during school."

"No-it'll be fine!" I was getting excited. This might work. "We hang out all the time after school anyway. It's only out of school. No one will suspect anything. Besides, it's more fun this way, right?"

"I don't know about more fun. But I guess it could be a little fun. Would we not tell anyone, not even Jason and Piper and all them?" Percy was starting to warm up to the idea, I could tell.

"NO!" I almost shouted. Piper was the one who told me it would be like I was his rebound. I couldn't deal with her judgment. I tried to cover for my heal. "I mean, Leo might tell someone. Or any of them really. Best just be between us."

"It'll be hard when we take that road trip over spring break," The seven of us were going to drive to Florida and back over spring break.

"I know, but we can do it," I kissed him again. It was so natural, like we had been doing it our whole lives. When I pulled away he grinned at me.

"Okay, Wise Girl," He laughed. "As long as you keep kissing me like that."

"You bet," I said. "We should go now. It might be suspicious."

As we walked back I was filled with excitement and uncertainty. What would come next, I didn't know. But I was happier then I had been in a long time. Whatever was going to happen, I was sure it was going to be perfect.