Thanks for the reviews! From now on, the episode is the chapter name. When you see a line, that's when you know the show is filming. Oh, and be warned, this is where the T rating comes in, and it's NOT for fluff. Not yet. Do not read if you can't handle people eating certain things. It's not too bad, but I'd certainly puke if I had to eat that... I don't know how Annabeth did it.
Disclaimer: I don't own NOTHING. 'Nuff said.
Episode Two: Seventeen going on seven.
Sunlight spilled into my room on the second day of filming, making everything light up gorgeously. The warm yellow light stuck to the pale cream colored walls, turning them a rich golden color. I sighed, and burrowed deeper into the puffy white comforter. I was on the brink of falling asleep again, when a shrill ringing woke me up. I sat up instantly, rubbed my eyes, and picked up the phone on my mahogany bedside table, accidently knocking over a glass of water.
"Oh, shit! What? Oh, not you ma'am!" I said, panicking. "Can you hold on just a moment?" I put the phone down, and moved the set onto my bed, then I ran into the bathroom and grabbed a few towels. I dashed back into the bedroom and mopped up the water, and dropped the wet towels on the carpet. Then, I picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Yes..." The women said. "It's your wake up call, for nine AM?"
"I have a wake up call?"
"Yes. Chris came and told you to be at the studio at ten thirty sharp. He says it's going to be a great barbeque."
"Alright. Bye." Barbeque?
"Goodbye." She said, and I was met with a dial tone. I hung up as well and yawned. I glanced at the clock, and sure enough it was 9:00. I tromped to the bathroom, and was in the middle of putting Colgate Toothpaste on my toothbrush when I looked in the mirror. I dropped the toothbrush into the sink. I was a mess. My mascara was all over my eyes, fusing with the eyeshadow to make my eyes a big, black, mess. The lipstick looked like it was put on by a two year old, and the blush was probably all over my pillow. My coverup was partly in my hair, and the only thing that looked the same was my nail polish. I blinked. I took a washcloth and soaked it with soap and water. I scrubbed my face, but accidently opened my eyes and soap poured in. I shrieked, and jumped in the open shower with my dress on. Then, I turned on thewater and shrieked again when hot water scorched my body. I jumped out, stepping on a razor, then slipped and skidded across the tile floor in a black gown probably worth more then my TV at my apartment, before falling and smacking my head against the sink, falling backwards into the bathtub, and hitting the floor with a thud, smacking my head once again on the floor.
"Owowowowowow." I said under my breath, rubbing my head where a bruise was certainly forming. I sighed. "No doubt about it, this is by far the worst morning ever."
I carefully stood up, even using the safety bar for the elderly, and stepped out of the bathtub. I turned both the knobs down and waited for the tub to fill up. I undressed, and when the tub was filled, I checked the temperature with my hand before sliding my body in.
"Ahhh." I sighed happily as the water enveloped me. I scrubbed off the makeup, and shampooed my hair. When that was washed out, I put a dollop of conditioner in and scrubbed that in too. I let it sit before washing it out. I added a bit more hot water and sat for a bit longer before draining the water and getting out. I dried off with a plushy white towel and put on a thick white robe. I sat in front of my closet and pulled out a bunch of outfits. I tried each one on, and each didn't seem to be right. Gods, I thought. It feels like I'm going on my first date with... with Percy. I was jolted out of my thoughts when a buzzer rang. I got up, hugging my posh robe, and went to the door. I opened it to see a short women with a black bob haircut and a very large nose carrying a large bag.
"Yes?" I asked, opening the door.
"Neighbors were complaining of shrieking, random thumps, and cursing. Is everything alright?"
"What? Oh, I just fell. What are you holding?" I said, pointing to a dry cleaners bag.
"This is for you. It was dropped off. Something for you to wear to a barbeque?"
"Oh, yeah. I was wondering what I was supposed to wear. Do I need to sign something?"
"Just tell me your name."
"Annabeth Chase?"
"Okay. Here you go." She said, handing me the bag.
"Thank you."
"Have a nice day!"
"You too!" I said, and shut the door. I locked it, just to be safe, and zipped open the bag. I gasped with what I saw. A V-neck white dress with a floral design playing at the bottom met my eyes. It was honestly the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen. A box fell out of and I opened it and matching shoes (flats this time.) fell out along with a note. It said; From Gigi and the girls. I glanced at the clock and cursed again when I saw it was ten 'o clock. I threw on the dress, put on a bit of silver eyeshadow and red blush, and ran out of the hotel. I caught a cab and in fifteen minutes I was ringing the buzzer and a voice was answering.
"I'm Annabeth."
"Okay. You're so early! What are you doing here so early? It's practically the crack of dawn!"
"It's ten fifteen!"
"Exactly."
I sighed. "I figured I'd come up early to see if Gigi and the girls approved of my makeup."
"Good idea. Knowing them, they won't."
"Yeah. Can I come in?"
"Of course, of course." The voice said. "The doors are opened, come in." I did, and the women at the desk smiled at me. "Sit down, Annabeth."
"What's your name?" I asked after I did.
"Jayabella."
"Pretty name."
"Thanks. You too."
"Do you have any idea what I'm going to have to do?"
"Yes. You're going to have to vote off seven more men, after picking with ones at a barbeque."
"It's going to be a looonnng day isn't it?"
"Probably. On the bright side, our chef, Acquistimo, makes phenomenal shish kabobs."
"Jeez, even a barbeque on this show is fancy!"
"It's what we do best." She replied, laughing. She stole a glance at her watch, and cursed. "Shh!" She immediately looked down an pretended to be absorbed in her work, and Chris Harrison came rushing down the stairs.
"Gigi told me that dress would look flattering on you, she was right! Now come, to the limo. The boys are waiting." Chris grabbed my hand, and took me to a stretch Hummer limo. I ducked inside, and sat right between Nico and Percy.
"So guys, does anyone know where we are going?" I asked, wondering if they knew.
"No." A few murmured.
"Guys, seven of you are going home tonight." I said flatly, trying to lively up the conversation. "So flatter me."
"Seven?" Nico asked.
"Yeah. Seven. You know," I said lightly, "the number that comes right after six?"
He scowled at me. "I know what seven is. I went to kindergarten."
I cocked my head. "Really? I thought you were stuck in the Lotus Casino for seventy five years?" I said. Thunder rumbled slightly overhead.
"I was ten." He explained. "I went to kindergarten. Just not, fourth and fifth grade... for seventy five years."
"Talk about ditching classes." Percy mumbled, so only we could hear. I laughed, and even Nico cracked a smile. I felt a pang in my heart as I realized I could only chose one of these men in the end. Thankfully, the limo stopped. The door opened, and I squinted my eyes when the sun poured into the room. I turned away when somebody tapped on my shoulder. Justin was there.
"Do you want my sunglasses?" He asked earnestly, and, went I thought about it, a little seductively.
"Sure." I said, and he put them on, and brushed some hair out of my eyes. I stared at him through the shades, and he stared at me back.
The next thing I knew, we pulling apart, breathless, from an intense kiss. I was blushing furiously, but I regained my composure and follow Chris toward a beautiful stone pit with a stainless steel grill. I promptly took a seat on a stone chair, and looked at the men expectantly.
This time, Nico didn't sit next to me. Justin did.
"That's so funny, Justin!" I laugh, nearly spitting out my margarita. I glance over a Nico, scowling in a chair on the other side of the pit, but his facial expression is just an act, I know. I want to read his eyes, the way I used to do with Percy, but his are just so dark and filled with sorrow and sucking me in and... and... and sorrow...
"Annabeth?" Justin's voice pulls me back into reality. I realize I'm basically leaning over my knees to stare at Nico's eyes. A bunch of the men look stunned, but I just pretend to drop my ring.
"Yeah?" I say, picking it up and making sure they all see that I'm putting it back on my finger.
"Never mind." he says lightly. "Anyway. What's up with that airline food? Yeah. Stupidest, yet cleverest joke ever."
That receives a bunch of cheers in approval. Nico's just staring into his margarita, stirring it around with a straw. For a split second, I think I see a flash of silver light that resembles a young girl, but before I can be sure, it's gone.
"Dinner!" The man bellows from the grill, and the men go out of there way to make sure I get first pick. I do, but when I look into the man's eyes I see they're almost neon red. I look down and thank him instead, and see that his fingernails are flickering between human fingernails and five inch long claws. He smiles at me, and I realize his two front teeth are black and sharper then piranha's. My eyes go wide, but I just turn around and sit next to Percy instead of drawing my knife and killing the sucker before it gets a chance to hurt anyone.
"Percy," I say through clenched teeth. "I hope you remember how to sword fight."
"What?" He asks, and he turns to look at me. I see his eyes aren't green. They're brown, and his hair isn't black. It's brown as well. Justin. "Annabeth, are you okay? You've been acting strangely lately."
I try to laugh it off. "You've only known we for a week."
"Still. Do you feel alright?"
"I feel fine." I say firmly. "Now, do you know where Percy is? I need to tell him something."
"You can tell me anything." He says, looking up at me with big brown eyes. And the scary thing is, I almost do. I come so close to telling him about the gods and Camp Half-Blood. All about the cooking monster, and all about my childhood. Thankfully though, it scares me so much that I snap out of it.
"I-I-I," I say softly. "I can't, Justin. I'm not who you think I am." Stupidly, and too late, I realize that a camera is zooming in on us from a bit away.
"Then who are you?"
Trying to turn the situation lighter, I say, "That's classified information."
"Annabeth. You're hiding something from all of us. Someone's bound to find out eventually."
"I know. But not today."
"How-" He is interrupted by thunder booming overhead, and for once I sigh in relief. Justin looks at me funny, but doesn't say a word as he gets up and serves himself another hamburger. I get up too, and sit next to the real Percy.
"Percy?" I ask.
"Yeah?" He says before taking a huge bit of cheeseburger.
"Do you still carry Riptide?"
"What?"
"Your sword, Percy! Your sword!"
"Yeah, but why?"
"'Cause that stupid cook is a goddamn monster!" I whisper furiously. Percy looks confused, then surprised.
"I haven't seen a monster since the war!"
"What war?" One of the boys, Nathan, asks, coming over to sit by us.
"Oh... the Iraqi war." I stall.
"And what's this about monsters?"
"Oh... Halloween. I haven't seen a lot of children dressed up as monsters lately."
"Ah. Your right, I haven't either. Just stupid video games and candy."
"You've seen kids dressed up as candy and video games?"
"Sure. Where have you been the last ten years?"
"Busy." I retort. I stand up. "I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be back." I walk past the monster, cursing myself for being stupid enough not to bring my knife. Some daughter of Athena I am.
The next thing I know, I'm on the ground, claws digging into my shoulders, causing excruciating pain. His red eyes seem to be drawing every secret, every memory and fighting skill I've ever learned out of me, and I realize it's probably one of Mnemosyne's monsters, sent to extract my memory. Instinct is screaming at me to shut my eyes, but the red has me captivated. He's leaning toward me, his jaws cracked open enough to resemble either a bite or a kiss. His jaws barely pierce the skin on my neck, but they do, before the monster is knocked off of me. I groan, and roll onto my stomach where I get up and grab a giant steel butcher's knife that was used just minutes earlier to chop up meat and vegetables. I brush some hair out of my face and see that Percy is battling the monster with as much fierceness he can manage, but he doesn't know that it's eyes are it's main weapon.
"Percy!" I shout. "Remember Aunty Em's!"
I see a spark of understanding light in his eyes and he closes his eyes and battles using only his other senses. I run up to the thing and jump on its back, trying to remember where I can stab it so it won't disintegrate into the soft golden dust. Finally, I stab it in the neck, right on it's bone, and it collapses on top of Percy. Then I see the knife I was using is sticking out of its stomach, right between my legs, and the weapon sticking out of it's neck is a black iron sword with a golden design on the hilt. I frown, but I hop off the monster and take out the butcher's knife before turning around to face the men. Justin looks stunned, Nathan looks as if he might puke, three or four of them look like they definitely want to kiss me right then, and the rest simply look like they had too much to drink. The red light catches my attention, and I realize that although the cameraman had fainted, the camera was standing upright and the red light was still on, signaling that the battle had been caught on tape. I turn around and help Percy up, then use the knife to scoop out the eyeballs and with a wince I pop them into my mouth. When I begin to chew, all my memories flood back into my mind and when I'm certain I have all that was gone, I'm about to spit the eyeballs out when memories I never even remember thinking start to pop up. Half of them are about me, but the other half are feelings. Feelings so strong it's all I can do not to collapse on the ground. Feelings of betrayal, love, pride. Friendship, happiness, sorrow. Then they stop suddenly.
I've just had a look into Percy's head.
I see a flash of black out of the corner of my eye, and turn just in time to see Nico putting the black sword into a sheath hidden underneath his shirt. He catches my gaze and looks up at me. I find myself getting sucked into his eyes once again, before I turn away.
The barbeque is over.
-o-
I step into the room, confident that my cover story of a pop quiz from my fencing teacher had covered the monster attack earlier that day, wearing a sleek black evening dress that reaches my knees, and no makeup except a bit of coverup on my scratches. I stand beside the table with the roses, not needing Chris Harrison to lead me there anymore. I take a deep breath, knowing that I hadn't spent enough time with each and every man to know truthfully which ones aren't for me. I pick up the first rose and finger it thoughtfully. "Today was exciting, wasn't it?" I say lightly. Murmurs of approval sound from the crowd. "I apologize once again for my old fencing teacher's pop quiz. I passed, on the bright side!"
"Did he mean to hurt you?" Justin asks quizzically. "That animal was really harsh on you."
"My fencing teacher never takes it easy on us. I was one of the best in the class, so he knew I wouldn't get myself killed. He knows exactly what thing to throw on us to test our skills. I made sure he won't do it again until I'm finished with the show. Anyway, on a brighter note. As you know, this is the last episode that will be filmed in New York. Tomorrow night, all of us will be on a plane to Hollywood. And..." I say, stretching out the word. "We'll all be moving into the Bachelorette Mansion."
Cheers.
"On a darker note, ten of you will not be there. Only seven men and I will. The seven men who receive the roses will get access to the mansion for the next seven weeks. Is that understood?"
Several, yes's, told me my answer. "Good. Now, let us begin." I turned toward Chris, who nodded his approval at my words.
"Percy. Will you accept this rose?" I say, tears threatening to spill flood my eyes. He smiles and comes up to me.
"Of course I will, Annabeth." He says, and takes the rose from me. I smile sadly up at him. After everything we've been through in the fifteen years we've known each other, I still don't know if he's the one. I watch him go as he walks toward the safe zone, and I call up the next man.
"Nico. Will you accept this rose?" I ask him, and he nods as he silently walks up and I hand him the rose. He doesn't say a word as he joins Percy. Next man.
"Justin. Will you accept this rose?"
"Of course I will, Annie." Justin says as he takes the rose from me. Annie? Where did that come from? I don't say anything, just smile as I watch him join Percy and Nico. I take a deep breath, and turn back toward the crowd as I call of the names who seemed the nicest to me in the five minutes. Brandon, Ethan, Austin, and Cody. Each of them accept the rose, and I absorb the dejected look on the men who didn't get chosen. I wonder if the one is in the crowd that hadn't been accepted, and I wonder if I made the right choice. The red light goes off.
Chris meets me outside the Rose Room and gives me my plane ticket and tells me that I have to get to La Guardia immediately, bags will be there waiting for me. My plane leaves at 10:00. Right now, it's eight thirty. He hails a cab for me, shoves me in, and tells me once again not to worry about luggage. When he shuts the door, the cabbie takes off for the airport, leaving Chris standing on the curb. I finger the paper plane ticket, and request the cabbie takes me to my apartment. Reluctantly, he agrees, and within minutes I'm running up the stairs and using the key on a chain around my neck to get inside. I grab my purse, and hesitate, feeling like I'm forgetting something. Then it hits me like a monster what it is. I run into my bedroom, and grab the old and patched up stuffed bear that Percy had given me for my eighteenth birthday. I smile, then run back outside and into the idling cab.
"Okay. Lets go." I say, vaguely wondering if Zeus will let me pass through his domain.
Okay. The ending seems REAAAALLLLYYY rushed, I know. I know. I'm sorry. I'm extremely sorry, and I'm aware this chapter pretty much sucks. Poor Annabeth in the beginning though. I promise, pinky swear, Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye, that future chapters will be better. Now. Onto my contemplating.
Why did that monster attack? A: Probably because you cant have a son of Poseidon and a son of Hades and a daughter of Athena in one place other then camp half-blood without an attack.
Why did Annabeth get hurt so much? A: Because, well, it just wasn't her best morning.
Why did Annabeth eat the eyeballs? A: Because she needed her memories back and that's where the monster was absorbing them from.
What do you think about her getting some of Percy's thoughts? A: That's for YOU to tell ME.
Will you forgive me for this sucky chapter? A: Please?
Okay. This'll be the the last chapter for a while because I'm going to the beach for a week. Okay. well. Thanks for the reviews and the hitsss! You're the best! Can you tell me if you see the lines? Because if you can't, it starts with the sentence, Justin did. And ends with The red light goes off.
Alright. Tell me if you see the lines, tell me what you think, and, as always, review!