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We can't speak! We asked for 24 reviews and you got back at us with 34! We cannot thank you enough for all the feedback we're getting. It's just amazing.
So, can we do the same for this chapter? Please?
(Enjoy!)
~ThreeOlympianGoddesses
Donatello led the way out the door. Coincidentally, as Percy and Beckendorf were walking out of the Poseidon cabin, the Apollo cabin happened to be blasting "Don'tcha" by the Pussycat Dolls.
"Don'tcha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" the speakers blared. In a movie, this would be the part where a gorgeous trio of popular girls would be coming toward the camera, their runway walk perfected, the wind blowing back their hair, their clothes in the latest style. The boys would all be staring at them with their jaws dropped, eyes following their every move.
But did Camp Half-Blood get this? No. Instead they got Percy and Beckendorf clumsily tripping down the dirt path. Donatello walked a few feet behind them, not wanting to be acquainted with the "girls." Boys did stare at them, but with a confused and disgusted look on their faces. At least their style was okay, right?
"Just keep walking and don't look at anyone," Beckendorf advised Percy. A few hesitant looks came from the other campers, who were probably thinking "What in Hades?" One girl whispered to another and they laughed, their eyes locked on Percy. He tried his hardest not to turn red. The "girls" and Donatello began to swagger toward the campfire. Well, Donatello swaggered. The other two tried to.
There was good news and bad news. Which one do you want first? Oh well, whatever you picked, you're getting the bad news first.
The bad news was that it was a very long walk from one end of camp where the cabins were, to the other, where the party was, so there was a chance that Percy might fall and break a heel, or that Beckendorf's wig could fly away.
The good news? Nobody recognized them, although Katie Gardener did look like she was trying to remember them from somewhere, and nearly stumbled over a rose bush wracking her brain.
At last, they reached the campfire/auditorium where the girls' party was being held. Argus was manning the entrance with a scary-looking velvet rope, a clipboard, and his hundred eyes. It didn't look like he was even using the clipboard, just holding and waving it around for official-looking purposes.
This was the moment of truth. If Argus let them in, they were home free. If he knew they were fakes, then, well, that was it. And Percy would most likely kill Beckendorf for making him spend four hours of shopping, primping, and most of all, turning into a girl all for nothing.
"Good luck!" Donatello said perkily with a little wave. He was about to leave when Percy grabbed his arm.
"You're not coming with us?" Percy asked.
"Do I look like a girl?" Donatello asked, referring to his own flawless features. Percy was about to agree when Donatello held up his hand, knowing what he would say. "Don't answer that. Anyway, I really don't want to be hit by one of my sisters. They may be girls, but they've got an arm!" He rubbed his shoulder for effect.
"Um, okay. We're going in now," Beckendorf said.
"Have fun. Remember, Percy. Eight AM, bright and early tomorrow. Don't forget the suit!" Donatello told him, stalking away. Percy sighed. He really didn't want to be Donatello's butler. Why had Beckendorf dragged him into this?
"Okay. Let's do this, dude!" Beckendorf said happily, trying to sound motivational. They stood in the back of the line of girls waiting to get in. It moved steadily, and they were at the door in no time. Argus eyed them suspiciously, looking the boys turned girls up and down. Percy clutched his purse tighter. Beckendorf's palms turned clammy and he had the urge to wipe them on his sequined jeans.
"Hi," Percy squeaked in a high rendition of his usual voice, removing the awkwardness. He waggled his fingers in a sort of wave. Finally, Argus released the velvet rope and let them in.
The party was in full swing. A makeshift dance floor was set up in the middle of the room, and benches from the dining pavilion were scattered around. A long table stood up against the far wall, filled with food. Loud music was blasting from the speakers, playing a new pop song by some girl named Justin Bieber. Percy looked around in awe as Beckendorf spotted Silena over by the DJ's station.
"Later, dude," he said to Percy, walking towards her in a trance.
"What do you mean 'later'? I thought we were in this together, man."
"Yeah, about that..." Beckendorf began, but Percy had lost him in the sea of people. Being ditched by Beckendorf, Percy decided on finding Annabeth, which was insanely difficult with about 60 teenage girls roaming around. He circled the entire room twice, walking towards every blonde. Finally, as he was finishing his third lap, he spotted another blonde girl talking with a few others. Might as well try, he thought. Percy arranged his skirt to the right length and sauntered, well, tried to saunter over to them. He gingerly tapped the blonde's shoulder and clasped his hands after. The girl Percy thought was Annabeth turned around. But it wasn't her! Instead, it was an old, elderly-looking lady who was wearing a faux wig with her real gray curls sticking out in some places. Although her skin was wrinkled, she was wearing heavy pink blush and bright red lips. Sparkling blue eyeshadow adorned her eyelids, and, worst of all, she was wearing the exact same skirt as Percy. Surprisingly, it looked better on her than it did on him.
"Yes, honey?" she asked with a slight southern accent. The woman had a frail, weak voice, and it reminded Percy of the Oracle. He shivered. "Nice skirt," she said, noticing his outfit, and Percy could see some red lipstick on her teeth when she smiled.
"Uh," Percy said in his normal voice. The lady looked at him oddly, and Percy registered his mistake. "Oh! I mean, Uh," he said, in the tone he and Donatello had rehearsed earlier. "Never mind!" Percy raced away, wondering whose grandma was invited to the party.
Yeah, we know it was short, but everyone needs a filler chappie once in a while, right?
Also, please check out our other stories (especially Midnight Madness) if you haven't already.
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