Annabeth has a twin sister who's completely spoiled and rotten in every possible way you can possibly imagine. But what happens when she rises to fame and gets even more spoiled and rotten as the days go by? And how come she happens to steal away he very thing that Annabeth likes?

Disclaimer: Rick Riordan's Characters, not mine.

I I I

"So," I look over my breakfast, eyes resting on my dad. "You want me to spy on

Molly."

The two of us were out on the patio, overlooking the large built-in pool and flourished gardens and lawn. It was a beautiful morning, really, and the landscapers were careful not to make too much nose as they mowed the lawn and trimmed the hedges. It was odd, seeing people work while I just sat here and did nothing, but it seemed to be a regular for rich people. And to be honest, I didn't like it one bit.

My dad had invited me to breakfast this morning, discussing the leading events of Molly. I wasn't nervous or anything to talk with him, but the stuff that's happened in the past couple of days left me pissed at him. Dad puts his phone down on the table after enduring moments of texting and calling his co-workers. My questions was simple, and I hoped he wouldn't make a big deal over all of this.

"Yes." He pokes at his scrambled eggs. Mine remain untouched. "If I was unclear about the proposition we made yesterday-."

I waved my hand, cutting him off, "We haven't made anything yesterday. I'd like to know why you want to follow her around all day with her date."

My dad narrowed his eyes. "You know why."

I bit my lip. "Do you even know who this guy is? Like, does he even look threatening?

Can't you just give Molly some pepper spray?"

"That's silly." My dad said a little bit too quickly for my taste. "And I wouldn't think that you would miss an opportunity to receive money. Especially a large sum of money."

I couldn't help but laugh. His bribing technique is the worst. "Your right, I wouldn't. So, what's this guy look like?"

My dad stiffens in his seat. "I don't know. Molly said she met him while hanging out with some friends of hers. She didn't give me any input on what he looked like."

"That's odd." I say, crossing my legs.

"She always talks about her dates. In detail."

"That's why I wanted to talk to you about this. I don't trust any boys with either of you, no offense."

"Oh, how could I be offended by that?" I muttered sarcastically.

My dad took a sip of orange juice. "Never mind with that, I wanted to know if it was a yes or no for you."

To be honest, I wasn't sure if this was a trick or not. What if I give my dad my word in stalking Molly, and he never gives me the money? What if it's all just a scam to see if I would get caught by Molly, creating a bridge of fury between not just us, but dad and me. But, on the other hand I couldn't pass up and opportunity that involved a large sum of money. It would be stupid of me to say no.

"Okay." I sit up straight, trying to look as proper as possible. "I'll do it, even though I said yesterday that I would do it."

My dad claps his hands, loud enough to make me, and even Rolf, jump. "Excellent!"

"Yeah." I rolled my eyes, glaring at my eggs. "Just excellent. What time does her date start anyway?"

"Whenever she leaves." He furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't know why her that won't just pick her up. A little strange, am I right?"

I shrug. Molly was always doing weird stuff. It didn't surprise me that she wanted to walk to her date. I mean, she probably didn't want her date to meet date, I could understand that. Dad was known to stick his nose in other people's business.

Then again Molly wasn't just some person who wouldn't wanted to pick waited on hand in foot. Unless this wasn't a real date.

"So what do you want me to tell you about him?" I ask, picking at my fingernails. "How tall he is?"

My dad pursed his lips. "This isn't a joke

Annabeth, I'm serious. Take pictures, see if he touches her anywhere inappropriate-."

"Dad!" I squeak, appalled by the thought. "That's a little too far, isn't it?"

"It's a part of the plan." My dad leaned back in his lawn chair. "You can guess the rest from there."

I blinked slowly, making sure this was real life. "I dunno... You want me to make sure he doesn't kiss her or something? I can't really prevent it, but I could take a lot of videos."

I grinned at that. Sure, it was awkward talking about this with my dad, but at least I get to get the dirt on Molly. Although, I'm not sure how I could blackmail her threw any of this...

"Exactly." My dad stood. "Thank you, Annabeth."

And then he left me alone there, surprising me with any shred of decency that that man had. I didn't even know where to start, how am I supposed to follow Molly around when I don't even know where she's going?

I stand up, picking up my breakfast plate and taking it inside. I noticed that my dad didn't do the same, he must be becoming too dependent on Melinda. I grimace, wiping my unfinished meal into the garbage.

"Of course you'd clean."

I didn't even need to turn around to know who that was.

"Really Molly?" I put the plate in the sink. "It's way too early to be doing this shit right now."

I turn around, only to see Molly, in a high ponytail and the shortest shorts that I've ever seen, leaning on the breakfast bar smirking. She looked rather delighted this morning.

"I'm just wondering Annabeth," she says slowly. "Why you even bother? Would you like to become a house maid one day? Seeing as how you'll be unemployed in a few years."

Maybe I should've been bothered by that, but knowing later I'd get the scoop on her and her date, I just laughed.

"Well how can anyone get a job in this economy?"

"It's not that hard," Molly twirled her ponytail. "You just have to be pretty and..." She gave a stone-cold laugh. "Whoops, that's the end of it for you."

I balled my hand up in a fist. "Funny, seeing as how the majority of people say that we look alike?"

"Never heard any of them say that," Molly took a step forward. I could smell her expensive, Victoria Secret perfume. "You on the drugs

Annabeth?"

"No." I growl. "But obviously you must be. By the way, happy to see you found someone to date already."

Molly grinned. A wicked one that would've casted the pants off of freakin Lord Voldemort. "He's a real looker. Wish you could meet him, but that was already a possibility."

What? Already a possibility? What's she talking about?

I straighten, not wanting her to see the confusion on my face. "So where are you two going?"

"It's none of your business." Molly snapped. "Gosh Annabeth, why are you always so nosy? If you want to date someone so bad, go to the trailer park."

Don't let her get to you.

"It was just a question Molly. Gosh, have you ever heard of people actually trying to make a conversation?"

Molly puckered her lips. "You think I'm stupid? I know what you're up to, and it won't work."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Face it Annabeth." Molly took a step closer, we were almost a foot away from each other. "We've had these fights long enough. Why don't you give up?"

I shake my head, not understanding what she was saying.

"Give up? You mean go home? I can't very well do that, can I?"

"I mean, you fucking idiot, give up on trying to be better than me." Her eyes never leave mine, and I don't back down. "By the way, what were you doing last night? Have a best friend already? Doubt it."

"Shut up!" I yell, pounding my fist on the counter. "You don't know anything! And it's not like everyone doesn't know that you're having sex and doing drugs every day!"

Suddenly, Molly came forward, grabbing a lock of my hair and yanking it. It wasn't hard, just an act of fury on her part. I pushed her back, laughing at her stupidity in the process.

"Is that all you can do Molly?" I tease. "A little pull of my hair?"

"Fuck you Annabeth." Molly steadied herself. "Fuck you."

I dropped my smile, partially to give Molly a glare. "You've lost your old mojo, haven't you?"

Molly gave me a rude gesture. "Nope, I haven't. But again, let's talk about this. I'm dying to hear what you have to say about me."

Without hesitation, I say, "You're a bitch, what else is there to say? You've poked around everyone's business just so you could 'get famous' and 'be better than everyone else', when in reality, you're not all that."

"Not all that?" Molly asked, surprisingly calm. "I think, if it wasn't for me, out family wouldn't have this lifestyle."

"Lifestyle." I snorted, rolling my eyes. "Yeah, because it's so great to know that dad's been lying to us for years, and mom and dad are probably going to get a divorce."

"What does it matter? That shit's done."

I could feel my anger rising. "That shit's done? You're not kidding. So, you don't care about mom and dad getting a divorce?"

Molly grinned. "No. As long as everything is about me, than it's always going to be okay."

I wouldn't expect anything less from Molly. I wanted to change her, to make her into a better person, but right now, standing right here, my anger fueling, I knew it was too late. She was too far into herself to change, to know what it's like to not be the one that's in the lime light.

I stare at her, the silence between us thickening as Molly waits for me to answer. What do I say to her? I couldn't agree with her, no I'd just look stupid.

"Wow." I say, trying to sound speechless. "I wonder if it's never going to be about you."

"Fuck you Annabeth." Molly spat.

"You know, you've already said that."

Molly opened her mouth, no doubt ready to hawk a nasty comment, but my dad walked in, all bright and cheery for the morning. Must have been from our talk. I wondered if he's been listening to our argument, ear on the door and everything. I found myself gazing at nothing while he grilled Molly about her date. So much for a low profile.

"Is he still in school?" He asked, a concerned look on his face.

Molly smiled. Oh god, the fakeness is back. "Chill, Daddy, we just met."

"I know but I'm just worried." My dad said impatiently. "I mean... We know nothing about him. From what I gather, it seems like he asked you out last minute."

"Maybe it was an accident." I offered.

"It wasn't." Molly growled, glaring daggers at me. "It was formal, and it was perfect. Really, Daddy, one day you'll meet him."

Dad nervously tapped his fingers on the counter. "I know. I just don't liked to get worked up over this type of stuff. And if this boy is getting involved with my baby girl..." He took a deep

Breath, looking very intense. "I just want you to be safe, sweetness."

I wanted to barf. Again with the sweetness? It was bad enough that Molly was still calling dad 'daddy' like she was a three year old, but now my dad won't give up the 'sweetness' shit?

I could have saved myself, leaving this unbearable conversation, but I really wanted to know, more curious actually, about Molly's date. If I was going to spy on her later I'd have to get the details out now, right?

"Where did you meet him?" I blurted out.

"At the café." Molly gave me a taut look. "What does it matter? I met him, we got along, and he asked me out. Just like that."

"Yeah, right." I snorted. Like Molly ever got along with someone. Something isn't right about this...

"I want to meet him." My dad said, rather abruptly. "If that's okay with you Molly."

"Maybe some other time." Molly put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Things might not even work out. Don't want to rush things."

My dad nodded, although he didn't look very reassured. Molly took that as a cue to leave, and as she exited the kitchen I took a step toward my dad, taking in the awkward setting.

"You think this guy is bad?" I ask him.

"No." He shakes his head. "I'm asking you to do me one favor Annabeth-." He lowers his voice. "I don't think she has a date."

I stared. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I think she's leaving the house to do other things."

"Other things..."

"Yes!" My dad said tightly. "Sneaking out to go do who-knows-what with not just boys!

With men."

"Men." I say, unsure of what I've heard.

"Yes! All sorts of things!"

"Men." I repeat, having mental images of shit that should have a rated x classification.

"Dad." I say seriously. "You're overreacting. I swear, Molly wouldn't be doing stuff like that."

"I don't know." He said indefinitely. "Molly... Well... She... I know teenagers do stuff that is uncontrollable?"

"Uncontrollable? I'm pretty sure she could handle herself."

As I said it I realized I was defending Molly. And if that wasn't crazy, I didn't know what was.

"I'm just saying..." I say, correcting myself. "That even though Molly is just going on a date to see some guy, the outcome might not be that bad."

Dad's eyes darkened. "Not that bad?"

"I mean what I say." I huff. "But it's not like I have anything to do today other than spy on Molly. For what it's worth, the guy should probably watch his back more than her."

That sounded about right. Molly was an evil snake who needed to set her priorities straight. Whoever her date was, probably had no idea what the hell he was getting himself into. In fact, he must have only asked her out for her looks. Of course.

"I have to go." I say, walking passed my dad. "I'm going over Thalia's today?"

"Today?" My dad questioned. I turned around to see a shocked look on his face. "You've been hanging out with that girl a lot lately-."

"It's only been like, three days."

"-but still." My dad shook his head. "Alright, but I'll tell you when I she's leaving. I was going to drive you there-."

"Don't worry about it." I gave him a reassuring smile. "I've got it all under control."

I I I

I'm in an uncomfortable position, laid back in the passenger's seat of the car, the hot sticky summer sweat dripping down my face and back. I've always wondered why cars got so hot in the summer when I was younger, the seatbelt clip stinging me as I got ready for a car ride with my parents. I was glad for once I picked out an appropriate outfit to go spy in. Black shorts and a black t-shirt. Although I'm not sure how I would blend in with the towns people.

Thalia had stopped the car. We were sitting in front of my dad's house, waiting to see whoever is going to pick Molly up. She said she was walking, but I didn't believe her. Something fishy was going on, and even though I didn't care much for Molly and what she did with her life, I just had to know.

"I really wish you hadn't turned off the car." I mutter to

Thalia, craning my head to look up at her. "As you can see, death is near for me."

Thalia was busy fixing her make-up in the mirror sun visor. "It wastes on gas," she pauses. "And your window is down. Quite crying like a little bitch."

"I am not crying like a little bitch."

Thalia dabbed her lipstick on a tissue. "For what it's worth, I can't wait to see your sister. Is she really as bad as you make her out to be?"

I think about it, which is weird. What's there to think about? Molly is as bad as a great white shark.

"Yes." I decide. "Awful human being."

"Awful human being with a date." Thalia mocked. "I'm not usually the one to judge-."

"Yeah right."

"I wasn't finished. She may be mean, nasty, cruel, and a snake-." Thalia frowned. "Huh, I forgot where I was going with that."

"You weren't going anywhere nice." I grumbled. "Trust me."

Thalia was silent for a while. I watched her as she pulled back the sun visor and shoved her make-up in a bag. Her eyes were as icy and blue as ever. She gave me a look of pity.

"Jason told me you were friends with him in school." Thalia said softly. "I didn't believe it, with the way you two talked to each other. He's been acting strange lately too. Any idea what that's about?"

I turn to look out the front window of the car. It was an unusual shade of blue, the sky. It was clear, like any other day, no clouds to be scene, but the color was as menacing as Thalia's eyes.

"Annabeth." Thalia jarred me from my thoughts.

"Right." My lips suddenly felt chapped. "I wasn't really friend-friends with him. More like... Hung out with the same people the he did."

It was practically the truth, I suppose, although not the full. Thalia body became hitched, and I realized she was worried about her brother. She was worried about the stuff he had done while she was not with him. I wonder if I ever felt that with Bobby and Matthew.

The worried lines in Thalia's face deepened, she opened her mouth to respond, but I got there first.

"Look, Jason's a great guy. He can take care of himself." I stare at my thighs. "You don't need to worry."

Thalia's jaw clenched. "I wonder if that's what he would say."

For a moment I stare at her, warped with some decency to maybe comfort her, but at that moment all I could think about was Percy. Percy. I knew not to make a fuss over him since we've talked, but everything always went back to him. What is my obsession with this guy?

"Sorry," Thalia took a deep breath. "Now I'm whining like a little bitch. We should focus on stalking your sister."

I managed a smile. "That's looking on the bright side of things."

"I've been appointed a new friend. One who is blond and tall." Thalia spoke clearly. "I shall be thankful."

"We're you rehearsing those lines?" I asked, partially astonished.

"Nah, do you wanna listen to some music while we wait for your sister?"

"I don't know," I said. "I'm sort of in the mood to just be in silence. I've got a lot on my mind."

"Got a lot on your mind?" Thalia inquired. "What about that money your dad promised you? Is that on your mind?"

I thought about it. "Actually, no." I scratched my head. "I think when I first got here I wanted to hate it. But than-."

"You met me?" Thalia's eyes were sparkling.

I laughed. "You've got a big head Thalia, you know that?"

Thalia shrugged. "So what? Anyway, go on."

I took a deep breath. "It's just that my dad and Molly are awful people, you know? And I already had stuff planned for the summer, so coming here pretty much ruined that all for me. But I dunno..."

Suddenly Percy came to mind. Huh, this might not be so bad after all.

"It's all me." Thalia said, all smug. "No need to thank me."

"Don't need to." I looked away, but I was grinning. Yeah, this doesn't seem so bad.

After that Thalia and I sat in silence. She asked me again if I wanted to listen to some music, to kill the mood I guess, but I declined once again. All I wanted to do was stare up at the car ceiling, waiting till Molly came out of the large gates.

It was two o'clock in the afternoon, the perfect time to go to the beach or, in Molly's case, go on a date. I thought that if I never would have met Thalia, I probably would be in my room right now reading or listening to music. I know that a lot of people don't find that boring or anything, but for some reason it tires me. I makes me think of myself as less of a person, and more as a robot. I shuddered. I should really get out more.

I glanced at Thalia. She was on look-out for me, in case Molly showed up and we needed to start following her. I've only known Thalia for a short period of time, but she already proved to be such a great friend. A great friend with a rotten brother. But that was another story to tell later.

I started to doze off, the stillness boring me, when Thalia suddenly gasped.

"What is it?!" I said urgently. Thalia grabbed her keys from the consul.

"It's your sister!" She grinned. "Stay down. This is going to be fun."

I was itching to sit up, to see what sort of outfit Molly was wearing or whatever else was going on outside. We weren't parked to far from the house, but close enough to see a blonde head bob out of the gates. Thalia waited, I guess till Molly was far enough not to notice the car starting up, and stuck the keys into the ignition.

"Any moment." Thalia breathed.

"What the hell is she doing walking?" I asked to no one in particular.

"Who knows?" Thalia made a face. "She must really like guy."

Yeah, if the guy was rich and hella good looking. Molly's standards were super high, and I couldn't imagine her doing something like walking to her own date for someone. It just seemed very bizarre to me.

"Okay." Thalia started the engine. "Here we go."

Thalia started out slow, checking house numbers like she was visiting a relative of friend or something. It was a clever idea, but she couldn't keep it up for long.

"You're going to blow our cover." I growled. "Nobody searches for house numbers like a dumbass."

"Well, I do. And your sister is walking pretty fast. She hasn't glanced back once."

"I'd really like it if she got picked up a few houses down." I grumbled. "My neck hurts like fuck."

"Again with the whining." Thalia sighed. "Maybe I should honk the horn on your sister. She doesn't know who I am."

"No! That'll make her come over and yell at you."

Thalia arched an eyebrow. "Seems like she wants fight."

I grin. "You could knock her out for me, if you want."

"Nah. She's just all talk probs."

I laugh. Thalia takes it easy on the breaks for a second, suddenly stopping. She puts the car in park, looking right behind her.

"Okay, it doesn't look like anyone's behind me. Could you get the map out of the glove apartment?"

I nodded, pushing myself forward, my knees hitting the floor. I duck my head under the glove compartment to make sure Molly didn't see any part of my head. I saw a peek of her though, hurrying down the sidewalk like she has some crazy stalker on her heels.

I looked up at Thalia. "What do we need a map for?"

"So it looks like I have no idea where I'm going if your sister looks behind me." Thalia said impatiently. "Now hurry it up B."

I opened the glove apartment, searching the contents of it till I found a small fold-out map.

I handed it to Thalia right before I got back into my uncomfortable position.

"Alright." Thalia opened the map, not all the way, but enough to make it look like she was really lost. "This street ends soon, and I'm guessing your sister will turn onto Phillips Street."

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"That's the street that leads into town. Assuming her date is there." Thalia looked behind her again. "There's another entrance out of here, I think."

"What if you're wrong?" I demanded. "What if she's going somewhere else?"

"Then we go on a search for her." Thalia said simply. "I'm one-hundred percent sure. Besides, she's going to know something's up with me continuously stopping to check the map."

Thalia was right. We couldn't possibly follow Molly without her knowing that we are following her. She might even go up to the car and confront Thalia. Although she could just drive away. There was always that.

But she was likely to go into town. And it would be faster if we waited outside the entrance for her to come out and follow where she's going. I took a deep breath. This was going to be a long day.

"What if there's not another entrance?"

Thalia put the car in drive. "Then we drive like hell back here."

"We can't lose her." I protested. "I mean, I'd really like that money."

When I said it like that, it felt all wrong. Stalking my sister for money? Wasn't that one of the seven deadly sins? Greed? What kind of sister am I to do that?

But all-in-all those nasty memories of Molly calling me pet-names and harassing me for years came back. Nothing ever beat those. Those types of memories would always be the death of me, the reason to remind me that overall, Molly is a bad person. She's a horrible sister, a horrible daughter, and hell, probably even a rotten friend. I know what I needed to do.

"Alright. Let's go."

I I I

Thalia was right. Molly came out of the entrance for our development with ease, and I watched as she looked back and forth between traffic, crossing the road into town. She couldn't see Thalia or I, since we were hidden well into the side of the road, but something about the way she was dressed was very sketchy.

"Oh my god!" I leaned forward almost dropping my phone. "The bitch is wearing my clothes!"

Thalia started too, her eyes widening. "No way. Why would she do that for?"

"I don't know." I hissed. "She's always going one about how my clothes are hideous."

"She's probably just doing that to piss you off." Thalia sighed. "It's a sibling thing I suppose."

"No." I press the record button on my phone, knowing my dad would want to see this. "She wouldn't be wearing my clothes unless she's got something up her sleeve."

Thalia arched an eyebrow. "You sure?"

I nodded. "Yes."

At that moment I realized that my phone was still on record, and that the audio was on. Showing this to my dad, I would want him to hear my conversation with Thalia.

I deleted the video.

"Just take pictures." Thalia suggested. "It would be a lot easier."

I scowled. "I hate this."

"But the money." Thalia sang.

"But the money." I repeated, than frowned. "Fuck I sound greedy."

"You're not greedy." Thalia reassured me. "Money is money. Trust me, I got a lot of it."

I ignored Thalia's comment. Something about it bugged me, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Later.

"We should follow her into that shopping center."

I point down the road where a Walmart and other large consumer stores were. I've never been there before, but it was worth a shot to follow Molly in there.

"Sounds too easy." Thalia ignited the engine. "You think she would walk in there B?"

I didn't respond at first. Molly was now walking down the sidewalk, head down, like she was embarrassed for people to see her in my clothes. She looked like she was I a rush. But why? It was just a date. Why would she be afraid of being late? It didn't make any sense.

"She can't see me." I announced. "I mean-now she can't see me, obviously, but if I follow her into that shopping center and she goes in there also, she definitely can't see me."

Thalia considered. "We should really wait to see where she's going."

I sighed. "Alright." I grinned. "But now I really wished I had a wig with me."

"How enchanting." Thalia pulled the keys out of the ignition. "So, this is going to be like a Loony Tunes thing. Right?"

I furrow my brow. "Huh?"

"Hiding behind trees and shit. You know. Do you think she would spot you if you were like five miles away?"

"Maybe." I put my knees up to my chest. "I'm kind of considering just confronting her. Do you think that would work?"

"Confronting her?" Thalia gave me an incredulous look. "That's not really what we're here for. Right?"

No, it wasn't. I should just do what my dad had asked me to do. Get a few photos of Molly and her date, and it's as easy as that. I wasn't sure why all this made me jump inside though. Maybe it was Thalia's heavy gaze-.

Just than Molly took a sharp left to the right. She enters the shopping center.

"Told you." I stuck out my tongue at Thalia. "Now start up the car."

"People from San Diego are so demanding." Thalia growled. "You sure you don't have horns under that beautiful head of hair of yours."

I grinned. "Wrong twin"

I I I

Molly sits on a curb, studying the ground bellow her. She pulls out her phone a couple of times, and I assume she's checking her messages. When she puts it away she's biting her lip and looking around the parking like anxiously, like she was afraid she would be caught. Caught doing what? I don't know.

"Nothing's happening." Thalia groans. "Do you think this guy's gonna show?"

I don't dare take my eyes off Molly. Something tells me she's up to know good, and I'm getting to the bottom of it.

"He's definitely showing."

Thalia sighs. "I was hoping you wouldn't say that. So what's up next? I follow her into the restaurant and take pictures and videos of her like some perv? Is that the plan?"

I hadn't thought much about what we'd do once Molly was in her domain. All I thought about was getting her out of my clothes once I got home. Beyond this, sitting hidden in a parking lot stalking my sister and her date, I wasn't sure.

I needed to come up with a plan. Something that would get me to be able to see Molly and her date. A couple of times I thought about confronting her and saying what a coincidence it was that we were both in the same place-but she would know something was up. She would know dad told me to do this. Don't ask me how, but I got that twin telepathy that tells me it would be a bad idea. For all I knew, Molly could sense that I was here. Which isn't good at all.

And then that hauled me back to my original thoughts on this whole thing-was this just a hoax? My dad clearly preferred Molly over me, so maybe he was just making me do this so I would get caught. Was Molly up to this scheming with him? Was I really going to get all the money that I was promised in the long shot?

My dad seemed genuinely concerned about Molly and the particular boy that she was going to go on a date with, so why would it be a hoax? Why would this whole thing be planned just so it could explode in my face? Why on earth did it have to be me?

I shake my head. Too many questions, and not enough answers.

"It's getting hot." Thalia cranked up the AC. "Hey, how come your dad picked you to do this?"

I grimaced. Did she really have to remind me of this now? "I don't know? Honestly, I've been thinking about this myself, but I don't know."

"I just mean..." Thalia took a deep breath. Since when is she so shaky? Usually she was so stern and hard-witted-but now? I took a look at her, blue eyes wandered with concerning and nervous foot tapping. She must have been thinking that exact same thing as me."

"Anyways," Thalia continued on. She looked away and eyes hardened at the sight of Molly. "You dad could have hired like a secret agent-."

"Secret agent?" For some reason that made me laugh.

Thalia looked at me. Oh shit. She was dead serious. "I'm not kidding B. A private investigator? Anyone but-." She stopped short. "It just doesn't seem likely for you to do all of his biddings. I'm not trying to pin him down as a bad dude but-." She bit her lip. "It's just a little strange to me."

"The feeling is mutual."

Thalia gazed at me sadly-maybe having pity on me for the way I was treated by my own neglectful family-but I knew she understood what I was feeling.

Her dad didn't pay attention to her. One of those workaholic dads who would throw money at their own kids to shut up. All Thalia really had was Jason, but who did I have? My mom was abusive, Molly was verbally abusive, and my dad might as well be becoming psychologically abusive. I thought about my brothers. Would they be on my side?

I doubted it.

I took a deep breath. It wasn't time to sulk around and feel sorry for myself. I needed to do what was needed, and be done with it as quickly as possible.

"Three fourteen." I read on the clock. "He should be here by now."

"Are you sure it's a guy?" Thalia questioned. She leaned forward to get a better view of Molly. "Maybe that's why it's so secret? She doesn't want people to know she's gay?"

Huh, that was something to ponder.

"Nah." I rolled the idea out of my head. "Pretty sure Molly is straight. Besides, we'll see him in a few. Right?"

"Sure. Let's see the princess get stood up."

Thalia laughs harshly at her own little joke. I could only muster a smile.

Just than a car pulled about around Molly's curb, stopping in front of her. I frowned. Something was odd, and it wasn't with Molly anymore. That car looked awfully familiar, a dazed memory that hit me on the head. Maybe it was déjà vu. I couldn't put my finger on it.

Molly stood about and pulled at her-my-clothes to get the wrinkles out of them. I realized that if she looked to her left right at this moment, she could totally see me spying on her. I ducked under the glove compartment.

"Tell me what's going on." I told Thalia. "Is she getting in the car with whoever that is?"

I was squashed between the passenger's seat of the car and the front dashboard, but at least I could see what Thalia was doing.

"She's not lesbian." Thalia confirmed. "The guy just got out of the car. He just went up to her and kissed her on the cheek-ah gross. Are you paying me to do this?"

"Just keep looking-or staring.

Or whatever." I growled.

Thalia nodded. "Okay, he opened the passenger door got her and she just went in and now they're taking off. I told you we shouldn't come in here."

"Then follow them!" I urged. "To wherever their going!"

Thalia sighed. "Get in the back Annabeth."

"Why?"

"So you don't break your neck down there." Thalia started the engine once again. "Let's go stalk your sister. For real."

I I I

We ended up bouncing around to different places. The mall, a weird fast-food restaurant, and a place that was too high-class for either Thalia or me to get into. We sat in the car like sitting ducks, waiting for anything interesting to happen. Nothing ever did.

I hadn't even the pleasure of sneaking a peak at the guy. Thalia assured me that he was good looking, from what she could see in his rearview mirror, which didn't help my mood. I was squashed in the back, with nothing to do but lamely state out the window and make sure Molly didn't catch sight of me. I really needed that money.

"Here we go." Thalia turned the steering wheel. "Back to square one. I gotta give props to your sister. Hauling that guy around all day? What a catch."

I groaned. We were back at the shopping center, and it was so painfully obvious that I just wasted my day away to following Molly and her stupid hooch around all day.

"I'm getting out of the car." I announced, once we parked. "I'm sick of this. Waiting my ass all day for Molly! She can burn in hell!"

Thalia's shocking, abrupt look, skyrocketed through the roof of the car. "If it's any consolation," she says slowly, eyes widened like she just saw me do ten backflips. "I can do your dirty work for you. And you're getting kinda salty, maybe you should go take a nap."

"I don't need a nap." I huff. "I need to strangle the hell out of Molly. You know what I could've today instead of this?"

"Bitching like always?"

I roll my eyes.

"So observing. Anyway, let's bounce."

The two of us piled out of the car, taking the direct route to the nearby restaurant that Molly and her date walked in. I didn't catch the name of the place; I was too wrapped up in my mission.

"When did they even get out of the car?" Thalia asked in wonder. The two of us scaled the restaurant, looking for any sign of the blonde and her beau.

"I didn't even catch sight of him." I muttered. "Just the back of his head."

The hostess came up to us and asked if we wanted a seat. The place wasn't too crowded, but if I was able to spot Molly anywhere in here, maybe I could get a seat the narrowly missed her sight of me.

"We'll take that table." Thalia sat down in one of the chairs closest to the entrance. The hostess blinked.

"Alright." She seemed to hesitate at that, but soon she was gone.

"This is a bad idea." I muttered, scanning the menu. I made sure to duck behind it so Molly wouldn't see me. Wherever she is.

"Lay off the stress pills." Thalia joked. "Are we ordering or what?"

"No." I licked my lips. "We're scoping out the place. Find Molly."

Thalia rolled her eyes at me. I stationed myself to whip my head around and try to find Molly, who must have been in the back of the restaurant.

"I'll be right back." I said getting up. "Going to the bathroom."

Thalia nodded, scanning the menu to look for a nice lunch to eat.

I make my way around tables, narrowly missing waitress's carrying huge jugs of water and assholes who wouldn't give me the time of the day.

I pulled my phone out and kept my head down, making sure Molly couldn't see me. I made sure to keep my camera on, just in case I had to take some pics.

I reminded myself that if Molly caught me, it wouldn't be a big deal. Yeah she would yell at me, but I've been through enough embarrassing moments with her to know that I shouldn't be fazed by it.

The back of the restaurant wasn't too crowded, but I could see Molly's blonde head bobbing around, laughing at her date whose face was unmistakably familiar.

I knew who he was, and my hand slipped on the camera button, heart skipping a beat. Head clouded with a million thoughts that weren't coming up, that were blocked with nothing and gray without anticipation.

Dread came twirling in my stomach, and I backed up as soon as I saw him. I couldn't believe. I didn't want to believe. But it is was right there, right in front of my face.

Sitting right there with my sister, is Percy.