A/N: Here is the revised version! I've also seen other authors replying to their reviews from their previous chapters so that is what I will do for the rest of the story. Thanks to all who reviewed!
buzzlessbee: I felt really bad for Annabeth, too. And here's your update!
no-percabeth-is-no-life: It is very sad. I'm glad that I have some committed readers, and I'm saying that because you were sobbing. Lol. And I love your penname, by the way!
Olympian Hero: Thank you so much! You don't know how much that means to me. I'm pretty sure that you will be very entertained by what Percy does because I have a lot of more drama coming.
P.S. I hate long descriptions too, but I find myself to be very descriptive :)
diffrentisawesome: Yes, what has Percy done? Well, if I say that, then I'm basically saying that to myself because I'm Percy right now. Weird…
Lizzy Awkward Turtle: Well I'm sorry if you know how Annabeth feels. I haven't felt what she has felt yet, seeing as I'm only 13, but I know how to describe feelings of rejection. Thanks and here's your update!
PurpleDreamer99: Thanks! Here's your update and thanks for the happy birthday :)
Amazing-Anna'beth'1: Yes, I guess I am evil. Haha. I'm glad you like my story (of course I am) and here's your update!
ButterflyFlyToMe: As soon as I read what you said, I was shocked. The shock quickly went away though. I mean, what teenager or pre-teen doesn't hate their mom at least once in their life? I'm glad that you love my story and that you're hooked! That means a lot :)
3.1415926535897932384626433: Wow, very long and complicated penname. Why are you confused? And I reposted 13 because I deleted some author's notes.
klydo: You may object, but Calypso did not ruin it. She's actually helping with some things I have planned in the future. All of my readers will find out soon. I'm glad that you love my story and here's your update!
LMPERCYLOVER46: Here's your update and I'm glad that you find my story addicting :)
bookADDICT6: Yeah, I was originally planning to make Calypso Percy's snobby ex-girlfriend, but then I realized that it would be too hard because Calypso was always so sweet in the series. Rachel, for me, was easier to make snobby and self-absorbed. I don't know why, it just was. I felt bad for Annabeth too because, like many other fans, I'm 100% Percabeth . And yes, this little setback will make the story more interesting. At least, that's what I'm hoping you, along with my other readers, will think later on.
WiseGirl87: LOLZ! He is a Seaweed Brain! But I wouldn't necessarily say that he's stupid, just making some wrong decisions. I find it funny that you need Percabeth. In a good way, of course. Here's your update! And you will find out later whether or not Percy will marry Annabeth. I can't tell you, now can I? :)
Well, that took a while!
Disclaimer: I don't own PJO
Chapter 12: The Beauty
I walk in and I'm too nervous to notice how beautiful the ballroom was decorated. I walk down the stairs and notice the tired guests perk up at my entrance. My eyes wander to Percy at the end of the stairs and I force myself to not blush because his jaw is fully open and his eyes are wide. As I approach the end of the stairs, he quickly closes his mouth and bows with a smile. I curtsy as elegantly as I could and return the smile. I walk over to our groups table and sit down. Percy then walks over to a pretty Asian girl and asks her to dance. Throughout the dance, Percy looks horrified. He eventually asks many other girls and occasionally comes to our table to ask one of the girls to dance.
After a couple of hours, Percy takes a break at the royal family's table and I see Connor Stoll and Nico's older sister, Bianca approaches him. They chat for a few minutes and Percy walks up to a sweet girl I was talking with earlier, Calypso Paige. They start dancing to a song that I remember hearing a long time ago. I can tell that Percy already likes her because he has a wide grin on his face. Both of them don't realize that they danced through two songs until the end of the second song. I watch him kiss her cheek and my heart drops, but I don't know why. They say their goodbyes and when she arrives back at her table, her cheeks are slightly pink and girls swarm her asking questions. After the girls finish talking with Calypso, she turns and faces me.
"Annabeth, do you personally know Prince Percy?" she asks and I'm surprised.
"Why do you ask?" I answer.
"Every once in a while he would casually bring you into the conversation. It was like he could do nothing but think about you. But he didn't even realize it," she says.
"Oh, well, yes. I do know Percy very well. I met him on our first day and we've hung out ever since," I say.
"That explains it. But you do realize that he will most likely choose you, right?" she asks.
"No, we're just friends. Nothing more," I say firmly, but I can't help feeling wrong about saying this.
"Whatever you say…" she says. The girls all come over from dancing with their boyfriends and we talk about their dances with Percy.
"He was really nice and a complete gentleman," Cass says.
"I agree, but I can tell he was thinking about something else the whole time. Most likely Annabeth," Katie says and I blush.
"I'm telling you, we're just friends," I say and they all look up behind me and smile. I turn around to see Percy himself walking up to me.
"Hi. Would you like to-," he starts, but is cut off by an extremely cute little girl tugging on his pants.
"Now will you dance with me Pewcy?" the little girl says with an angelic pout.
"Now who's this little cutie?" I ask and bend over to her level.
"I'm Kailey Wose Andewson. You'we pwetty. Who awe you?" she says and leaps into my lap. I realize that Kailey is even cuter than I pictured her.
"Thank you Kailey. But I can't compete with your adorable dress. My name is Annabeth," I say and she giggles.
"Percy's told me a lot about you," I say.
"What did he say?" she asks, her emerald green eyes wide.
"Well, he says that you love to laugh, you are sweet to everyone you meet, you are very pretty, which you are, and that he loves you very much," I say.
"Tanks, Annabeth," she says and turns to Percy.
"I like her. Is she the girl you will mawy?" she asks and I immediately blush.
"I-I, um," he stutters, but then Kailey's mom walks up.
"There you are, Kailey! I have been looking everywhere for you," Brianna says.
"Hi mommy. I was hewe with Pewcy and his pwetty fwiend Annabeth," she says and jumps off my lap into Brianna's arms
"It's time to go back with daddy and me. It's past your bedtime," Brianna says.
"But mommy, Pewcy needs to dance with me," Kailey says.
"Alright, Kailey," she says.
"Yay!" Kailey squeals.
"Is it okay if I go dance with Kailey first?" Percy asks me.
"Of course. I don't mind," I answer with a smile.
"Thanks. Come on Kailey. A song is coming on," he says and Kailey takes Percy's hand after Brianna puts her down. As the song starts, Kailey steps on Percy's feet and they dance. Many other dancers look at them and I can hear them say, 'Aww,' When the song ends, Kailey yawns, so Percy picks her up and she lays her head on his shoulder. He starts to talk softly to her and he smiles at whatever she says. After he leaves Kailey with her parents, he asks the remaining nine girls to dance and then walks up to me.
"Annabeth, may I have this dance?" he asks and extends his hand.
"No," I answer, trying to hide my smile. He looks around, shocked at my answer.
"I'm kidding. I would love to dance with you," I say with a laugh and take his hand. We walk out onto the dance floor and we start to dance. I quickly get lost in his gorgeous sea green eyes and I feel a connection. When he spins or lifts me up into the air, I smile with joy. There is a new feeling in the pit of my stomach that I've never felt before, and I love it. Percy makes me feel like a happier and different person. Who knew that one person could change me in such a small amount of time? When the dance ends, he gives me a lingering kiss on the cheek, like he did with Calypso, but I'm too lost in content to notice.
"It is now time for Prince Percy to make his decision," Percy's step-dad says and he flashes me a smile before he walks away. Percy walks to the top of the stairs where I entered not too long and he speaks.
"This decision was very difficult to make," he says and seems to be debating with himself about his choice. "I choose…" he says and I oddly find myself hoping for him to say my name. I have a small feeling that he will say my name, after that dance we shared; he seemed to be entranced like I was.
"Calypso Paige," he says and my smile disappears. Calypso's friends shriek with excitement and I let my head drop, trying to hide the disappointment. Calypso looks shocked and then happy, but she surprises all of us by walking straight over to me.
"Annabeth, I saw the way he looked at you when you danced. He looked at me in a special way too, but that's nothing compared to the way he looked at you. He may have chosen me, but know that you were the one meant to be with Percy," she whispers and hugs me as she's swept away with the crowd and congratulations. The next few minutes of the ball pass by in a blur, as I'm too astonished by Percy's decision and what Calypso said. The girls come to comfort me, but I wave them off, saying that there's nothing to be comforted about.
We soon walk back to our rooms and Brianna and Aphrodite explain to us that we will leave early tomorrow morning. I silently change into my pajamas and climb into my bed. My head hits the pillow with exhaustion and when the lights go out, the tears start to fall.
I thought he would choose me…
I thought he actually liked me…
I guess not.
I eventually fall asleep, but only because I'm all out of tears.
xXxXxXxXxXx
"Alright girls, just take your suitcases and other belongings with you in the van when it gets here," Brianna says as we wait for the vans to pick up 299 girls. The advisors said that everybody was able to take their clothes home since it would be a waste to throw away the clothes. I find the idea absolutely amazing (Note the sarcasm). Now I get to keep the dress that reminds me of the best and worst night of my life. When the vans arrive, we all pile into one along with Brianna, but before I can climb in, a familiar voice calls out my name.
"Annabeth! Wait!" I turn around to see Percy running down the steps of the castle. Thankfully, most of the other groups had already gotten in their vans so not that many girls were able to witness our conversation.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, trying to keep my face as expressionless as possible.
"I wanted to say goodbye to you of course. What else?" he says with a small laugh.
"Okay then. Goodbye," I say with a strained smile, but he doesn't catch it.
"That's all? Goodbye? No, I'll miss you, I had a great time with you, Call me when you can?" he asks, looking hurt.
"Well, what else is there to say? It's not like you'll be able to keep in touch with me, right? You'll be busy with wedding preparations, Calypso, and other stuff involving a prince," I say, but the words hurt.
"Of course I'll keep in touch with you! You're my best friend. Is that what's bothering you?" he asks with an amused expression.
"Yeah, that's what's bothering me," I mutter and he doesn't catch it.
"I promise I will call or text you whenever I can. I had a great time with you while you were here," he says and steps closer to me. For one hopeful moment, I think he's going to kiss me. But that hope is crushed when he hugs me instead.
"I-I had a great time with you too, Percy," I say and carefully hug him back. "Don't forget me," I whisper so softly that I can barely hear myself.
"I will never forget you. It's not possible," he says.
"Annabeth dear! I'm afraid it's time to go," Brianna says as she rolls down the passenger window.
"I'm coming," I say as I break our hug and climb into the back of the van next to Silena.
"Bye Percy," I say. He gives me a small wave, closes the van door, and steps back onto the sidewalk to avoid the other vans running him over. I watch him through the window on the door until he disappears from sight. The girls look at me, expecting me to say something, but I don't. Vicky eventually starts a conversation about something and I quickly tune out.
Well, how do you feel Annie?
Wait, who are you? And don't call me Annie!
I'm your conscious.
Go away please.
I can't. I'm you, and you can't exactly go away from you.
Just leave me and my thoughts alone.
I also can't do that. I'm supposed to help you. I know you feel rejected, hurt, miserable, unhappy-
I get it.
Just stating the obvious. But listen to me, Calypso was right. You are the one meant to be with Percy. He made a mistake, that seaweed brain.
Seaweed brain?
You made it up. I'm you, remember?
Ugh. And how do you know that Calypso's right? If I'm the one he's meant to be with, then why did he choose Calypso?
He was very pressured and caught in the moment at the time. He was deciding between both of you and he didn't know what to say.
…
Nothing to say, eh? You know I'm right. And you do know that you're basically arguing with yourself, since I'm you?
UGH! Will you stop with the, I'm you, thing? Man, I can be annoying sometimes.
You got that right.
Shut it.
So what am I supposed to do if I'm meant to be with Percy?
…
Conscious? Hello?
…
"Oh sure, now she's quiet," I say quietly and the girls closest to me give me an odd look.
Seaweed Brain. It makes sense… I smile at the thought of Percy's head being full of seaweed.
A/N: Nice little ending, isn't it? I'm going to have a lot writing Annabeth's conscious in the future… Anyway, I'll try to update within a week. Things are starting to get busier around my house since school starts on August 8 for people here in Arizona. Remember to VOTE on my poll for the wedding dresses and REVIEW since they make me very happy :)
~Skywriter5