By a majority, short and somewhat frequently updates seemed to suit the majority. Um, I think, at times, I'll extend the chapters length to 2,000. Since i am that awesome. You're welcome. (;
Hope you guys enjoy, and be mindful that (for me) typing on a touch screen phone is extremely difficult, and auto correct is a bit of a douche. Yeah.
Disclaimer: Rick Ownz All.
Annabeth's P.O.V.
Annabeth coveted for any attainable way to elude herself for the upcoming torture, otherwise know as by normal teenaged kids; an annoying lecture. Her mother's scowl extended as she inscrutably stared back, by now it was apparent that anyone could assume that Annabeth held a certain fear towards her mother. Annabeth began to comply at what she did best when she was unwillingly thrown into such a situation; stutter.
"I- No. Well, could I-? Mom, let me-" Annabeth was cut short as her mother's scowl morphed into a brief smirk, amusement clouding her extensive eyes, "What?" Annabeth demanded, somewhat unsurely.
"I cannot take you seriously when you stutter, Annabeth. Speak with confidence, not with unsureness," her mother, Athena, asserted as Annabeth casually began to straighten her shoulders. Athena's formality always made Annabeth feel out of position. For some undefined reason, Annabeth had a feeling that she was escaping this dilemma quite effortlessly.
"Listen, I once was a reckless teenager just as you are, so I am being more lenient with understanding. Now, would you rather explain to me, at least, or do I have to force it out of you?"
Where's a bottle of lies when you desperately desired it?
"Either way this goes, I'm pretty sure you'll be unsatisfied with each response. So, is there a third option?" Annabeth weakly asked.
"Annabeth," Athena warned, the universal mother stare smothered athwart her face. "Since you don't want to be cooperative, we're doing this my way. Where were you, what happened to your phone, and to be exact, who were you with?"
"Um," Annabeth muttered, mentally shouting at herself for turning towards the alternative of speech disfluency. Something that Athena wasn't too fond of, and could instantaneously pinpoint as a subtle opening to a huge excuse. The disadvantages of having a mother who knows you better than yourself. "I was at a friend's hotel, Silena, Aphrodite's daughter, remember? Well, my phone died and Aphrodite offered for me to stay, though, me, being the responsible child I am, asked her if I could call you and confirm it. She said she had called earlier, and you were completely fine with the whole idea. So, I assumed everything was fine."
Annabeth watched her mother intensely, a smile appeared, which seemed considerably out of place, "You're right. Aphrodite did call me last night."
Oh gosh no, Annabeth thought.
"Though she didn't exactly mention you staying the night, more of terms regarding your photo shoot at twelve today. Get ready, and oh, when we reach back home- you're grounded."
"What?!" Annabeth asked, just to reassure herself that her mother somehow wasn't uttering alien words.
"Yes, I know, unexpected, huh? I expect more from you, Annabeth, I understand that you are a teenager, and you are going to have rebellious moments. . .Just, don't turn towards lying. Especially in my presence. It's noteably something you aren't expert at. Now, take a shower, you reek of the outdoors," her mother ordered, plugging her nose and walking towards the bathroom.
Being grounded was out of the ordinary. Though, Annabeth was truly concerned about her mother's easiness. She didn't push the truth out of her, and she acted completely calm. At that moment, Malcolm obviously decided it was an appropriate time to reappear.
"She's being easy on you because you have a competition, and you don't exactly surf well when something is blocking your attention. Watch, when we get home, girl, you are going to get it. Even if you didn't tell her the truth, she'll find a way to uncover it," Malcolm told her, carelessly shrugging at Annabeth's worried expression.
"I really hate you, right now. More than I do on an average day," Annabeth stated, her eye twitching as Malcolm smiled ruefully.
"I believe this estimated time will be doable for a common sense speech, no?"
Annabeth just glared, no words were needed to express her current mood.
She never felt more violated than she felt at that moment.
Annabeth stared at the mannequin, sporting the tight, clad swimsuit she was expected to wear. It was so revealing, while Annabeth, on the other hand, was more reserved. Her stylist made it within their will to get her to wear anything that distanced out her comfort.
"I don't like it," Annabeth said, subtly shrugging away from the group of people that surrounded her, causing her to feel mildly overwhelmed.
"What do you mean, honey? You've worn similar styles of bikinis in the past," Lacey, one of the make up assistant said, applying a light coat of white nail polish onto Annabeth's nail.
Annabeth was never the type of person to convey her thoughts, but she had to make progress, the competition began at three-thirty, and it was merely twelve. Another reason for her delay was Percy, even if he wasn't near, he caused her to be nervous. Anything that gleamed of similarity instantly evoked her of him. Percy, at the time, only caused pure diffusion.
Annabeth sat in her chair, uncomfortably, as make up artists and stylist raced around her, getting everything prepared for the photo shoot. Annabeth remained silent, up until Aphrodite, and her assistant, Leon, came storming into the scene. Leon was the head make up artist, and anything that didn't scream diva, was not going to be seen.
"Girl, you are over here preaching to me, and talking every five seconds without any input from me; now how do you expect me to try if you're being clingy, and won't even let me talk?!" Leon shouted desperately, adjusting a few modifications to Annabeth's face. Soon on giving her a sour look, and fixing her unusually straight hair.
Aphrodite's coral coated lips were set in her firm line, and Annabeth could just sense a heap of heated retorts ready to roll off of her tongue, "I'm canceling the photo shoot, Annabeth. I was stupid to think you were ready to get pampered and pose, when you literally have a competition in a few hours."
"Um, it's all right, honestly," Annabeth said, her internal composure desperately screaming for joy.
"No, honey-boo, you're just doing this because your mad at me," Leon started, crossing his arms and glaring at the people hurriedly packing up, "This is a routine. We get her ready, shoot some pretty pictures, and get her pumped up for her match! What if she loses because of you?"
Aphrodite chose to ignore Leon, and addressed Annabeth with a smile, "We'll finish this tomorrow, all right sweetie? Get some practice." Aphrodite clasped Annabeth on the shoulder, her prep team following her closely as she left, a dejected Leon staring at their retreating figures.
"This is why I like Percy Jackson's prep team, their so chill and less dramatic," Leon sighed, turning towards Annabeth, "Well, I need to hurry up and head over to Jackson's site. I skipped him for you, and look at what happened!"
Annabeth blushed, "Can I come?"
Leon raised a perfectly delicate eyebrow up, an odd spark igniting in his eyes, "Why?"
"I have nothing else to do," Annabeth lamely supplied.
"What such bull!" Leon said happily, "Come on! I'll introduce you to him, he's such a sweetheart! You'll love him!"
Leon was amusingly lost, there would be no introductions occuring.
Annabeth smiled, and let Leon yapper on about Percy, enjoying that she was granted an excuse to willingly talk about Percy. Even if there was an extremely prominent blush displayed on her face.
This was extremely suckish, but I guarantee the next chapter will be better. I hope. Consider this a filler chapter, eh? It just doesn't feel the same when you aren't typing on a computer, and with a two year-old clung onto you. It took me forever to write this, due to the fact that I spent most of my time dodging a tiny tongue. .-. Gosh, babies are so persistent.
Hope you all have an awesome day/night & leave a review. (;
-That Was Such A Face Palm -.\
