Disclaimer: I don't own PJO

Annabeth's POV

I woke up to find my cheek all wet, I got up and saw my face in the mirror. It was hideous, all red and blotchy. I sighed. I went to take a shower and I looked much better. Then I went to the breakfast, ignoring all the stares at my face. I sat down at my table and before I could eat Chiron came to make an announcement.

"Campers, because of all the requests for a dance I have decided that one will be acceptable." Cheers burst out all over the place. I just sunk lower, a month ago I would have been excited, but now it will be torture. I wasn't going to go. "There are a few rules and regulations. First off, everyone is required to come." Ugh. Could this dance sound any worse, of course this was also answered. "The dance will be tomorrow night. The Aphrodite girls will be in charge of setting up the whole dance, now Emily will tell you more about the dance." Emily came up on stage.

"Hey guys, first of all I'm like so excited for this dance and I promise even single people will love it!" I highly doubt it. I zoned out when she was listing all the proper attire and what not to do. I finally noticed people getting up to go back to their cabins; I got up and followed them.

I was in my cabin studying when Emily came into my room.

"Let's go dress shopping tonight." I didn't trust her after the trick she played on me, but I really needed a dress.

"Ok but swear on the River Styx that Percy won't meet us there."

"I swear on the River Styx that Percy will not come in contact with us whatsoever. Happy? So we're going. I'll come to pick you up at 7. We can also have dinner." She seemed so excited. She left the cabin and I kept on studying until 7 came around.

Emily knocked on my door. She was wearing a short pink skirt and a nice frilly blouse. Her blond hair was down in curls. Compared to her I looked like a piece of garbage. We left the camp and went to the first dress store. Emily found her perfect one on the first try. Hers was black strapless dress that went to her knees. There were sequins covering it in cute patterns all around the dress. She bought that one and while I was still looking for a dress she was accessorizing. I looked all the dresses but none of them stuck out to me. Too shiny, too black, too . . . the list just kept going until I reached the very end of the rack where a light dress was hanging.

I took it off the hook, fingering the designs. It was a light green dress with straps and a light blue bow came around the middle. I ran to the dressing room to try it on. I stepped outside.

"Hey Emily. How does this look?" I showed her the dress.

"It's perfect, you have to get it!" She squealed. I laughed; wow I don't even remember the last time I laughed. It felt great. I went and bought the dress and started looking at accessories.

By the end of the evening I had the perfect matching shoes and earrings. I wasn't going to wear any make up. I made that perfectly clear. We went to dinner and back to camp. I sat on my bed, admiring my dress and suddenly I felt a burst of excitement. Maybe this dance wouldn't be so bad.

The next day past by eventless and in a couple of hours the dance was going to start. First I put my dress on and then I did my hair and accessories. I personally don't understand why people do their hair and makeup before they put their clothes on. Changing clothes will mess it up; it's just double the work.

I went to the pavilion where the dance was being held and for about a half hour we had free time. Most of the couples were dancing and then there were the single people who were on the side envying them. I on the other hand was eating, that is basically the only thing you can do to not humiliate yourself.

"May I have your attention?" Emily said, standing on the stage speaking into the microphone. "Ok, now we are going to try something new. I want everyone to take off one shoe. And girls go to the right hand side of the pavilion and boys the left." Everyone started moving around. I went to the girls' side. "Now everyone drop your shoes in one pile. One boy pile and one girl pile." Everyone dropped their shoes. "Now go to opposite side and grab a shoe from the opposite gender." All the girls went and grabbed a male's shoe. We all held them at arm's length away. "Now you have to dance at least two songs with the person that has your shoe. One slow song and one fast song." Wait but what if you get your sibling? I guess it doesn't matter since it's just a dance. I went to go find the person with my shoe.

Finally I saw my shoe in someone's hand; I couldn't see their face because their back was to me.

"My shoe!" The person turned around and gasped. Oh no! This was a disaster. I couldn't dance with him, it would be awkward and weird. Ugh. I'll bet all my drachmas that Aphrodite had something to do with this!