Oh. My. God.

! It's been up a few hours and I got TWENTY reviews!

ILY GUYS!

(Not in that way, sickos!)

Anyway. I promised you a chapter, so here it is! I hope it's good! I'm trying to get better with my writing, I hope this pleases you. Oh, and for those of you who don't know, A buzzer is like a doorbell in New York. I know because I live close to there, and I used to live there.

I glanced down at the business card, and up at the brick building. I checked my watch, 2:59. I took a deep breath, and rang the buzzer. A voice spoke through the speaker, and I jumped.

"Who is it?"

"Erm... Annabeth Chase...?"

"Oh yes yes. We've been expecting you. You're so early!"

"It's 2:59!"

"I know, you're so early. Now come in, come in, you early bird."

"Um... okay."

I heard a click, and I opened the door. I stepped into a beautiful room with white velvet curtains and marble floors. There were beige velvet couches and chairs. Lace doilies were on the arms of the chairs, and there were huge, sparkly chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Marble columns throughout the room. A tall women wearing a low V-neck dress and a large and flashy diamond necklace was doing paperwork at a marble desk.

In other words, fancy.

"Annabeth, honey!" Chris called, and his voice echoed throughout the room as his shoes clicked against the ground.. The women didn't even glance up. "Come come. Would you like to meet the men? I have a feeling you're going to be very surprised."

"In a good way?"

"Definitely."

"Okay..."

Chris then seemed to actually see me for the first time. "Oh no no no! This won't do. It was supposed to be a formal event! Didn't you read the card?"

I looked down at my sweater and jeans. "Sorry. Just the address."

He clucked his tongue. "Shame. Well, no problem. Just come with me and our stylists will get you changed in no time."

"Alright..." I said, and Chris took my hand. He led me to an elevator, and clicked the up button. We entered a room with red carpeting and wood paneling for walls. Beethoven played softly from a well hidden speaker, and Chris clicked the floor number seventeen. We waited in silence until the doors opened, and we stepped out into more red carpet. I heard a low murmuring in one direction, and loud squeals and chatter from the other. Chris pulled me toward the loud squealing. He opened a door, and into a room thick with blush and glitter. I coughed.

"Gigi! Mimi! Scarlett! Get to work on her now. She needs to be formal. She's meeting the guys." Then, he turned to me. "When you're done, the girls will take you to the door. Knock, and I'll answer, alright?"

"Sure."

"Great. Girls!"

"Ooh!" One of the most heavily made-up women I've ever seen (Including several children of Aphrodite) came through the thick cloud of blush. "This is gonna be sa-weet! Gigi! Scar! Commere!"

Two other women appeared and gasped.

"Omg!" One with puffy red hair coated with powder screeched. The other, just stood openmouthed.

"Can I trust you to have her at the room in exactly fifteen minutes?"

"Yep. Now leave. We have work to do." Mimi said. Her orange hair looked hard and fake. She looked me over, and then sat me down in a chair. Gigi gave me a dress to put on. It was bright red with a low neck and a ruffly bottom. Scarlett put too-high high heels on my feet and painted my nails the same color of my dress. Then, they slathered on the mascara, lip stain, pale reddish brown blush, pale silver eyeshadow, and a tiny bit of cover up. In what felt like no time, they were dragging me down the hall in the direction of the murmurings. Each one gave me a kiss on my cheek, checked it didn't leave a mark, and ran down the hall, giggling like a bunch of schoolgirls. I took a deep breath, and knocked gently on the door. Chris opened it, and stepped out making sure I couldn't see anything inside. The murmurings ceased. Chris stepped out into the hallway.

"You look great. The men are anxious to meet you."

"They are?"

"Of course. Now, come in with me."

"Oh. Okay." I said. I followed Chris into the room, not looking at the guys. I was afraid to, actually.

"Look up." Chris prompted. I did. I took a long glance at each of the guys. I counted twenty five, but I didn't look at their faces. When I did, I looked at each one, in order, but my vision was blurred by a bit of mascara stuck in my eye, so I didn't get details. I did notice three had glasses, two had a mole, three were bald and had huge bug eyes, one looked like he could be a murder, and about six I just instantly knew weren't my type. About ten had potential.

"Annabeth? If you would step behind this curtain, I'll send each man to talk with you for five minutes. You're conversation will be recorded. Is that okay?" Chris said softly. I nodded.

"That's great Chris. Wonderful."

"Good. Lets start with Marvin." He said, gesturing to one of the men with glasses. We walked behind a curtain, where the man with the camera was sitting in a corner, his eye to the eyepiece.

"Hi. You're Marvin, right?" I said, once we were seated.

"Yeah. You Annabeth?"

"Yes. So... What's your job?"

"I'm an accountant. What are you?"

"I'm an architect. An accountant. Cool job."

"Not really. What's your favorite food?"

"I adore camp BBQ."

"Me too! That's ironic."

"What camp did you use to go to?" I asked.

"Use to? No. I still go! It's called Schwartz's Camp for the Specially Educated."

"Oh." Awkward silence. No chance this guy is getting a rose tonight. "Well... um..." Thankfully, the camera man motioned for me to wrap it up, and so I did. "It was nice meeting you! I think we have a lot in common."

"Yeah. I think we do."

Another awkward pause. Smile. Chris came in. "Did you two enjoy your five minutes?"

No. "Of course! I think Marvin really has a chance." I lied, smiling at Marvin. Chris smiled at me, and led Marvin out. The camera man checked a clipboard.

"The next man is named Justin. He's twenty eight."

I nodded. "Thanks."

Chris came in then, a tall man with dark brown hair and matching eyes, following. "Annabeth. This is Justin."

"Hi, Justin." Hello cutie. "Nice to meet you."

Justin smiled. "You too."

"I'll leave you too alone." Chris said, smiling, and disappeared to the other side of the curtain.

"Isn't it crazy being on this show?" I said. "I mean, I've been in this building a half hour and already I'm prettier then ever."

"I know. It's crazy. I mean, I watched this show and used to laugh at how stupid it was. I thought, 'It's all fake. It's all planned. The couple in the ned is already married.' Now that I'm actually on, I know better. I actually think this could work."

I laughed. "It's nice to meet someone who's actually human. All the people here are so... are so... Vegas. Or Hollywood."

"I know." Justin said, laughing too.

"I thought this was filmed in Hollywood, anyway."

"I think is, but the first episode or something is filmed in the main contestant's current home state. Either way, the place they chose is so Hollywood anyway."

"I don't know if New York can get Hollywood. Everything it has has it's own touch."

"True. It's like Hollywood, but with snow in the winter."

"Yeah!" I said, laughing even harder. We actually talked for the next few minutes, and I was disappointed when the cameraman motioned time was running out.

"It was great meeting you!" I said truthfully.

"You too." Justin said. Chris came in, right on time.

"Time's up." He said. "How did you two get along?"

"Great." We said in harmony, then laugh. Chris laughs.

"I thought you would." He said. I thought I could detect an almost crazed look in his eyes, and the nagging feeling returns.

-o-

Twenty-three men later, I finally knew who didn't stand a chance, and who might. Chris came in, and gave me a few (recorded) words before giving me the last two men.

"Alright, Annabeth, there are two men left. I think you'll like them. Especially one of them. These two men have been randomly selected off the street, but don't object, they are fine. They're not serial killers, or axe murderers, alright? I promise."

I laughed nervously. "Um. Okay?"

"Well, I'd like you to meet the first. I'll be right back."

"What's his name?" I whispered to the cameraman, who's name I've learned is Joseph. He just smiles.

"You'll figure it out."

I don't like where this is going, but before I can object, the curtain is pulled aside, and Chris walks in with a gorgeous man lagging a bit behind him. The man's tuxedo was a bit tight, and unlike the other men, has no flower or handkerchief sticking out. The tuxedo is the darkest of black, and I notice his pale skin is the exact opposite of the color of his tux, and when I finally look up at his face, I gasp.

"Nico?"

"Annabeth?" Nico Di Angelo from Camp Half blood here. I've barely thought of that place for years! Let alone the people in it. I've blocked off that section of my life from my mind, until now. Why am I always the one surprised by the things the men do in my life?

"What are you doing here?" I turned to Chris, who's crazed look finally makes sense. "What is he doing here?"

"Like I said, you were in for a surprise. Now, enjoy your five minutes together." He said, and slipped behind the curtain. The red light is burning into my vision, making me all too aware that we couldn't say anything we really wanted to talk about. So, I looked him over with the look Kathy called, 'My Analyzing'. I saw his pale skin had darkened a bit over the years, but if anything his hair and eyes had darkened. His eyes were death black, pools of sorrow and failure. I found myself being sucked into those eyes, I saw that I was leaning forward slightly, as if I were hypnotized.

"I was pretty much picked off the street. Look, I don't want to be here-"

"No... no... It's... alright." I said slowly, meaning every word. "What have you been doing over the years?"

A pale pink color came to his cheeks, so barely noticeable it probably wasn't even there. "Well, I've been at camp. I teach the new recruits the basics and a bit of sword- erm... fencing."

"Cool. I'm an architect."

"I knew you were going to say that. How's life been for you?"

"Over the years? Cruel. Awesome. Happy. Sad. A bunch of things."

"Like what?"

"Well, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer, which is ironic because it's his second wife who smoked, not him, and she's perfectly healthy, but it went into remission a few years ago, and everything has been alright since. What about you"

"Well, nothing but teaching the kids. You like your job?"

"Yeah, it's awesome. I was part of the crew who designed the new plans for the Ground Zero remembrance walls."

"You were? Ahh, that's great. That's great."

We got so absorbed in talking to each other, I didn't notice Joseph making the sign to wrap it up. So when Chris came in, I was surprised, and I didn't want Nico to leave. Whatever awkwardness he had in the years I had known him had disappeared, and he was a great partner in a conversation.

"How were your five minutes?"

"Great." I saw vaguely. "Wonderful."

Chris smiled knowingly and led Nico out. I was too busy looking at the floor thinking to notice when Chris brought in the last guy.

"Annabeth? I'd like you to meet-" I looked up, and my jaw dropped.

"Percy?" I asked, finishing the sentence for Chris. Percy's eyes bulged.

"Annabeth?" He gasped. "It is you!"

"Of course it is. What are you doing here?"

"You're not happy?" He asked confused. I hadn't noticed it, but Chris had left. The tiny red light was all I could see.

"I... I..." Honestly, I couldn't decide wether I wanted to slug him or hug him, so that's what I told him. He looked a little offended, but not that much. We sat down, but I found I didn't really... click with Percy the way I did with Nico, or even Justin.

"What have you been doing over the years?" I stammered when I regained the ability to speak.

"I'm a marine biologist. It's awesome. I get to go scuba diving and study all the fish and dolphins. It's really sweet. I'm guessing your an architect?"

"You'd be right." I said, smiling.

We sat in silence for a while, but it wasn't an awkward silence, like with Marvin. I knew we were both thinking the same thing, What are the odds of finding him/her?

I didn't know. When Chris came to lead Percy out, I was sad to see him go, but I wasn't as sad as I was with Nico. When Chris came back, he asked me what I thought.

"I don't know. A lot of them have a pretty good chance of being the one. But, I mean, I think Nico and me really clicked, and so did Percy and I. Maybe Justin too."

Chris nodded and smiled at me, not saying anything, even when I was finished. Joseph said, "That's it."

Chris stopped smiling, and got up. "Okay. We need to get you ready for the rose ceremony. You know which guy you're not giving a rose too, right?"

I thought of Marvin. "Yes."

"Good. I'm going to hand you over to Gigi and the girls, and I'll see you at eight."

"See you at eight, I guess." I said as he pushed me down the hall and back into the cloudy makeup room. He sat me down in the chair and without a word, just a snap, the girls swarmed around me, taking off all my makeup, and redoing it softer. Then, they gave me a charcoal colored dress with a silver design on it, and made my makeup sophisticated. They added more silver eyeshadow, but in a darker shade, eyeliner, to make my eyes look large and innocent, and a bit of brown blush. They gave me a cup of water, (so much talking wears you out.), and they took off my nail polish, and added a new color, once again the same color of my dress. Another pair of high heels, and some more cover up. When they were done, I checked the time. It was seven forty five, and Gigi demanded Scarlett come with me to show me to the Rose Room. She took me in an elevator to the top floor, and we marched up the hallway in silence, until Scarlett stopped in front of two huge mahogany doors.

"Good luck, hon. It's always harder then you think." She said, then was gone in nothing but a small cloud of powder.

I knocked, and for the second time that day Chris came out. Without a word he led me in and stopped when we came to a small table with twenty four roses on top. Chris smiled encouragingly and stood a few feet next to me. I took a deep breath, and started to speak.

"As you know, not all of you are going to get a rose tonight." I started. This received nervous titters throughout the men. "But. For whoever doesn't receive one of the roses, it doesn't mean your not as good as everybody else. Alright? It was a tough decision. Very tough." Not really. "So. Without further ado, lets begin." I took one rose in my hand.

"Nathan," I said. He walked up to me. "will you accept this rose?"

"Of course." He said, and I placed it in his corsage pouch. He smiled, and regained his place.

-o-

Twenty two men later, there were two roses left. Percy, Nico, and Marvin were left.

"Nico," I said. He smiled slightly in relief. "will you accept this rose?"

"I'd be honored." He said. I placed the rose in his jacket. He smiled, and then joined the other safe men. I smiled at all of them, then turned back to Percy and Marvin. I took the last rose, and took a deep breath.

"Percy," I said. He looked immensely relieved. "Will you accept this rose?"

He just grinned and nodded. I placed the rose in his jacket. "Thank you." He whispered.

"Anytime." I said as he walked toward the safe men. I looked at the last man standing. "I'm sorry Marvin."

He nodded, but I watched the sadness envelop his eyes. Even though I was definitely not marrying him, I still felt pangs of sadness for him. "It's okay." He said. Chris frowned pityingly, and led Marvin out. I turned toward the safe men, and nodded. "Thank you. That will be all." I said, and exited. I was in the elevator, and outside on my way to my (five star) hotel, when I saw a familiar back.

I made up my mind. I ran, despite the high heels, and tackled the man from behind, and hugged his neck.

"Whoa! What?" He said, surprised. He turned his head, and saw me. "Oh. Annabeth."

"Thank you, Percy. Thank you." I said into the crook of his neck. "For everything."

"Um... okay. You're welcome, I guess."

I pulled away. I smiled at him, a real, true, warm smile. "Seaweed Brain."

His eyebrows raised. "You still remember that?"

I nodded. "Of course."

"Wise Girl." He said softly. I smiled to myself.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you too. For everything."

"You're welcome." I said, walking away. "Night, Seaweed Brain."

"Goodnight, Wise Girl." He called back, as he got into a cab. "See you next week."

"See you." I called, as the cab he was in drove away. I walked to my hotel, checked in, collapsed in the bed, and promptly fell asleep.

Yeah, in my dress, high heels, and makeup.

'Cause that's just how I roll.

lol. I just had to include those last two lines. I know it wasn't needed, but I wanted it. I loved that last scene, where she tackles Percy from behind, and hugs him. I don't know whether of not to be proud that it's so long, or feeling bad because I made you guys read so much. I think each chapter will be an 'activity' they do, and then the rose ceremony.

Oh, I know people are reading, because I have like, six hundred hits, and twenty one reviews, but I'm gonna be nice again. Seven reviews and I'll update the fic, alright?

The best review you can leave, in my opinion, is calling someone's work original. It's rare to find something original on here, and when you do, half the time it isn't good.

If you can, pleasepleaseplease tell me the rating of this chapter, your favorite part, and your favorite line. If you have an 'activity' they can do next, feel free to leave that in a review too. I accept anonymous reviews too!

Just saying.

-Blue.