CHAPTER 18:

Percy POV

After I broke the news to Annabeth, she was upset to say the least.

"Seaweed Brain! I'm not getting made over by Aphrodite of all people!" I tried arguing with her, saying it wasn't even my decision, but she was too stubborn.

I had to bring out the big guns.

I did my puppy-dog face. "Please Wise Girl? I really want this to be a special night." I tell her hopefully.

I could practically see her willpower crumbling.

"Fine Seaweed Brain. But for you-not for Aphrodite, not for Piper not for anyone else. For you."

I smile widely and pull her into me, hugging her tightly.

I was surprised that the rest of the car ride went quietly, until I noticed that Annabeth had fallen asleep on the passenger's seat.

I didn't have the heart to wake her up once we got to the house, so I just parked the car and picked her up.

"Huh? Seaweed Brain, whazzgoinon?" She murmured sleepily.

I smiled softly. "Nothing, go back to sleep Wise Girl." She nodded, tired, and did as I asked.

I managed to open the door and walked into our room. I set Annabeth on the bed and kissed her forehead lightly.

"I love you, Wise Girl."

She mumbled something incomprehensible in response.

I left her on the bed, not wanting to accidentally awaken her, and then went to talk to Piper about my date with Wise Girl tonight.

Annabeth POV

I woke up on a soft, comfortable bed and noticed that Seaweed Brain had brought me up to our room. He's too sweet for his own good.

I get off the bed and make my way over to the door, but before I open it, it is opened from the other side.

Shocked, I stumble back a few steps. In front of me there was something absolutely terrifying.

Aphrodite.

She had at least a thousand dresses on a cart behind her and a hovering vanity that had every inch covered by make up.

Make up.

Oh mother please save me.

Nothing.

She was probably laughing up on Mt. Olympus. Thanks for your help mother. I think sarcastically.

"Annabeth dear! I was just about to wake you!" She squeals.

"Oh. Um… What are you doing here, exactly?" I ask, my eyes not leaving the terrible vanity trailing dutifully behind her.

"For your date with Percy tonight! What else?" She said, like the answer must be obvious, and I suppose it was, but I wasn't exactly thinking straight.

WHY ME? I MUST BE THE ONLY GIRL IN THE WORLD (BESIDES THALIA) THAT DOESN'T WANT TO BE MADE OVER BY APHRODITE.

"Sweetheart, we have to hurry! You're date starts in 3 hours!"

3 hours? Um… I have enough time, right? I thought to myself.

Aphrodite shook her head. "With the shower, make up, shoe and jewelry picking, dress choosing and hair styling you'll barely be on time!" Did she read my mind? Oh yeah-goddess.

Great.

"So, Annabeth dear hop in the shower and be as quick as you can-I'll get everything started!"

NOOOOOOOOO

I do as she asked because she's a goddess-you don't really disobey them unless you're Percy.

I reappear after a quick shower clad in my thick, fluffy robe.

Aphrodite sees me and smiles brightly

I smile weakly in response.

"So, choosing a dress is the first step. I say we go with one of these." She said, holding up two dresses.

Both were admittedly pretty, but they were just NOT my style.

One was white and would be fitted up to my waist and then poof out to my knees after that, and the bottom section was covered in black lace. Yes-it's beautiful-but no.

The other one was black and had only one sleeve. It was extremely tight looking-I could barely breathe just looking at it. It would go to my feet and I could just see myself tripping all over on our date. And worst of all, at the very top of the sleeve, there was a gigantic PINK rose.

I shake my head desperately. "No. Neither of them are my style." I say to Aphrodite, who looked disappointed.

"Alright. Why don't you choose one, and then I'll see if I approve." I nod, that was better than letting Aphrodite choose for me.

I walk around the giant cart that had accompanied the goddess. I was beginning to lose hope as I neared the end of the rack, but then I saw the perfect one.

It was silver with tiny blue-greenish sequins dotting the neckline. It was sleeveless and the straps were thick. It was had a belt around the waist section that was white with a pretty blue-green design and a big silver buckle. It went up to I would guess my knees and the very bottom matched the neckline. I think it was perfect.

I take it off the rack and hold it up against my body and look in the mirror. I was… pretty? No. That couldn't be me.

I was interrupted when I heard Aphrodite's voice. "Did you choose one darling?" I find her in the room and her eyes widen when she sees the dress.

"YES that's the one. It'll look beautiful on you." She said, making me blush. "Put it on, and then we'll do make up, hair, jewelry picking and shoe choosing." I nod and shimmy into the dress. It feels like Elysium-the silky smooth feeling of the fabric was cool to the touch and spilled over me like water.

Aphrodite led me to the makeup chair and was about to lather on foundation, when there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" She asked, pausing in her work.

"It's me, mom. I have a request from Percy that Annabeth not get any make up-he says that it will take away from her natural beauty." Piper called.

I blush deeply. Seaweed Brain may be a stuttering mess sometimes and may not know how to use his words correctly all the time, but sometimes he got it just right.

Aphrodite humphed. "Alright honey. I won't put make up on her." I internally whoop. Thank you SO much Seaweed Brain, I think.

"Let's do your hair then." Aphrodite suggests. She comes behind me and pulls some of the front sections of my hair into a braid, which she lets fall behind me. It's like a tiara made out of braided hair. She puts a white carnation behind my ear, and I smile. I feel like a princess.

I know, I know. That's not like me at all. But, seriously. This… I just hope that Seaweed Brain will like it.

"JEWELRY TIME!" Aphrodite squeals. She brings out a velvet box. There are these beautiful silver and blue-green earrings which I put on. But when she gives me the necklace I stubbornly shake my head.

"No. I'm wearing the necklace that Seaweed Brain gave me." I say, pulling my locket out from under the front of my dress. She smiles when she sees it.

"It's beautiful. Can I see the pictures?" She asks.

"Um… Yeah, I guess." I say, opening the locket. She beams when she sees the two pictures.

"Aww! Percy can be really romantic when he wants to be, can't he?" I nod, happily. I love him so much.

"Final touches for your make over-shoes and a purse." Aphrodite said, getting a pair of silver buckling shoes with a little heel that wasn't way out of my comfort zone, and best, it'd make me closer to Percy's giant-like height. The purse she gives me is a clutch.

"Just put your phone and dagger in here." She explained. "Really, that's it."

I furrow my brow. "What about my wallet? For paying for dinner?"

To my surprise Aphrodite laughs. "Aw, sweetheart-Percy will take care of all of that. Don't worry."

"But-" She interrupts.

"Annabeth-he wants to. Just let him." I sigh, but nod. "Now, let's go wow your boyfriend."

Percy POV

I was waiting awkwardly at the door, my car ready to drive us to our destination, Le Amor, or something like that.

My tie felt too tight, but Piper insisted that I wear one. She also said that I had to wear sea-green and gray, because I had to match both mine and Annabeth's eye colors.

My ADHD was acting up and I was tapping my fingers on the car door waiting for Annabeth.

I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat.

I just knew it was Annabeth.

I turned to the sound, and when I laid eyes on her, my jaw dropped .