Hey guys! I am so so so sorry for such a late update! I'm completely uninspired to write, also I broke two of my fingers so I couldn't really write much. I'm swamped with revision as well because exams start in 3 weeks and I'm revising like crazy. Sorry again, and I hope you like the chapter!

Annabeth's POV

Finally, today is Malcolm's ball! I don't normally look forward to these things, but I could finally see Thalia and Percy again!

I'd been writing to Percy ever since I got back from Province 1, but his letters could never seem to come quickly enough. A few days seemed to go by at a snail's pace, but every time I went downstairs and found a letter with my name on it I practically couldn't contain my excitement.

So today, I was leaping for joy as I walked down to breakfast, where my brothers would be waiting for me. My parents don't usually eat breakfast with us; they say they have too much 'work' to do. I think that they just don't want to spend even more time with us.

Malcolm was eating silently with his head looking down at the table when I walked in. I guess he wasn't looking forward to this evening. It seemed weird that from today, he was legally allowed to get married. He was only sixteen.

I guess that even though we have that law, no one really gets married at that age. It's just when you start to be introduced to possible spouses. I can't imagine Malcolm falling in love, becoming engaged, or having a wedding. He's Malcolm, my older brother.

Meanwhile, Matthew and Bobby were running around the dining room, shouting at the top of their lungs; what about, I don't know. I wasn't surprised; this was the usual behaviour for them.

The manic butterflies in my stomach meant that I didn't have much of an appetite, but I went over and sat next to Malcolm anyway.

"Hey Annabeth" he smiled.

"Hey. You okay?" I asked. He mumbled something inaudible but then nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little nervous for later."

"You'll be fine. Don't worry about it. You can always sneak off and hide in your room if you don't like it."

He laughed. "You're so sneaky. I'm sure I'll be okay though. What about you? Thalia's coming tonight, right?"

"Yes!" I nodded vigorously, "And Percy's coming too!"

"Percy? I've never heard of this Percy before." He gave me a pointed look and I blushed so much I must've gone the colour of a tomato.

"Um…yeah. He's Lord Poseidon's son from Province 3. He's really cool."

"Uh huh? Sure." He winked and I nudged him with my shoulder.

"Hate you."

"Love you too."

Several hours later, and I was almost ready. My maid had done my hair for me, and styled it in a long plait down the middle of my back. I liked it; not too grown-up or flashy, just right. There were a few flower hair pins in different sections of the braid, though I couldn't really see them.

All that was left to put on was my dress. This time, I'd been allowed to pick what I was going to wear, after much begging and pleading with my mother.

I'd chosen a light blue party dress. It wasn't too flashy; it only had a sparkly jewel-covered belt as decoration. It came up high on my chest but then lower on my back, with short sleeves.

I smiled as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I looked older, more mature. Hopefully this will make the grown-ups treat me more like an adult. Okay yes, I am only twelve, but I'm so much more mature and more intelligent than most people my age!

From my room's balcony, I could see the guests arriving in their carriages of all shapes, sizes and decoration. I could tell from the colour and style of the carriages where they'd come from. There was a small, light pink one with tiny heart decorations which must have come from Province 10. Another was medium-sized, and covered in green swirls that looked like branches, presumably from Province 7.

I jumped up in excitement when I saw the grand, silver carriage that I knew came from Province 1. It was huge, easily upstaging all of the others. No surprises there.

I ran down to the stairs, careful not to mess up my hair or crease my dress; my mother would not approve of that. When I got to the grand staircase leading down to the main hall, which would play host to the ball tonight, I slowed down and tried to walk more elegantly, like my governess had told me to.

But when I saw Thalia look up and me from the doors and give me a knowing smirk, I couldn't help but practically sprint down the rest of the staircase and over to where my family stood, greeting guests.

My mother gave me yet another disapproving look (no shocker there), but I was in such a good mood that I ignored her. I nodded to Lord Zeus and caught Thalia's eye, and a silent conversation happened between us. It was always the same thing.

Looking good in that dress Thals.

Shut up Annie. You hate them too.

Yeah but at least I look normal in them. You look like a racoon in drag.

1-0 Annabeth.

I smirked at Thalia, and quietly snuck away from the door so we could catch up. Okay, it had only been two weeks since we'd seen each other, but stuff still happened. I wanted to tell her about Percy and how cool he was and how we'd be writing letters but she beat me to it.

"So how's lover boy?"

"Sorry, who?" I said confused.

"Who do you think? Percy, you dumbo."

I avoided looking her in the eye as my cheeks went rosy. Everyone was making me embarrassed about Percy today! First Malcolm, now Thalia.

Yes, Percy's my friend. He's cool and everything, but Lover Boy? Ew.

She nudged my shoulder, a silent declaration that it was now 1-1.

"Hey guys!" I turned around, knowing that the voice was familiar; and practically smiled from ear to ear.

"Percy!" I pretty much jumped onto him whilst I hugged him.

He laughed into my shoulder at my enthusiasm. "Hey Annie!"

"Do not call me Annie." I pulled back and glared at him. "You're turning into Thalia."

You know what they did then? They high fived. I swear those two were out to get me.

"Hey Perce," Thalia said, "S'up?"

For someone who had been brought up in the most ostentatious palace in the whole country, Thalia sure didn't talk like she had been brought up to.

"Not much really. It didn't take long to get here; we're only in the next province." He shrugged. "I've been looking forward to this since we got the invite though!"

"Me too, I couldn't wait to see baby Annie again!"

"Thalia! You're only one year older than me!" I scrunched up my face in annoyance.

"Just kidding Annabeth, calm down." Thalia retorted.

"So..um, what do you guys want to do? Presumably you don't want to stay here to be constantly glared at by all these adults. We can't go up to my room without being caught, but we can go into the garden if you want." I said, unsure of what we could do.

"Garden sounds great" Percy replied, "I think I just saw Travis and Connor go outside with a few others.

Sure enough, the troublesome twins were wreaking havoc on the patio outside, jumping off the steps leading down to the gardens, and generally annoying everyone. But I saw a flash of blonde hair appear behind one of the fountains, and realized it wasn't just one set of twins.

"Matthew! Bobby! Get over here now!" I shouted. I didn't care about Connor and Travis, but if Matthew and Bobby were found to be making a mess of themselves with my friends, I knew I'd get the blame for it.

"But Annabeth!" they whined simultaneously.

"No buts! Come on guys, I don't mind you having fun, but you know I'll get the blame for it if mother finds out."

"Then she won't find out!" yelled Bobby, running off around the fountain again.

"Nope!" laughed Matthew, as he followed his brother. These two were impossible.

"No one will tell her!" they chimed together.

"Well I'd rather not take the risk!"

Percy nudged me, "Aw come on, they're just having a bit of fun. Stop being such a grumpy pants."

"Grumpy pants? Seriously? You're twelve Percy, not five."

"Sorry mom" he rolled his eyes at me.

I stuck my tongue out in response.

"Now who's five Annabeth."

"You're impossible"

"I try my best"

Ugh! He's so annoying! I scowled at him and stormed off into the gardens.

I wasn't sure if I was happy when Percy followed me or not. I could hear his footsteps behind me but I didn't turn around. I was mad at him, and I wanted him to know it. I'm so stubborn; I knew I wouldn't end up talking to him until he apologized. I'm stubborn like that.

I headed straight to my favourite place in the gardens, a small circular clearing which had a small, stone fountain in the middle. In the summer, like now, the trees surrounding the clearing were amazingly green, with flowers of all shapes, sizes and colours. It was incredible.

"Oh come on Annabeth, I was only joking. Learn to have a bit of fun" Percy whined.

"I know how to have fun!" I retorted.

"Okay chill. It was just a joke. There's no need to get so worked up about it!"

"I'm not worked up about it!"

Okay, maybe I was a little. I just hated it when people said that I don't have fun. Or that I take everything too seriously. There's nothing wrong with that!

It was silent for a few minutes after that. I guess I just needed a bit of time to calm down. Yes, it was a stupid argument over nothing, but I was still angry. It wasn't awkward, tension-filled silence though, even in the middle of an argument. We both just kind of sat there, trying to calm ourselves down. Well, that was more me than Percy.

He was so relaxed all the time! He was carefree and reckless, and never thought about the consequences to his actions; the complete opposite to me, which is why I guess I'm so drawn to him.

Wait what? Annabeth, you did not just think that. That's weird.

Stupid conscience telling me what I can and can't think. Leave me alone.

Percy's POV

Finally, I just couldn't take it.

"I'm sorry Annabeth. I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's okay Percy, I know you didn't, it's okay."

Phew, she wasn't still mad at me then. I'd decided that I didn't like it when Annabeth was mad at me. I felt awful when I saw her face after I'd told her to have more fun; she looked weaker, more defeated. Not the strong, independent Annabeth I'm used to.

Okay, I may have only known her for a few weeks, but it felt longer than that. The postal service was really quick, so I got a letter off her every other day. I guess we sort-of knew each other pretty well.

She looked up at me and smiled, and our eyes locked. Green on grey.

Did I mention that Annabeth's eyes are amazing? Intimidating, yes. But amazing.

She gave me a weak smile and held her hand out for a handshake.

"Friends again?"

Was she serious? You could tell that she'd been brought up by Lady Athena. She was so formal sometimes.

I gave her a smirk and pulled her into a tight hug. I think Annabeth is my best friend, at least I hope so. I'm not very good at making friends, but she was so easy for me to get along with, even if we are complete opposites.

After a few stunned seconds, she hugged back, and I smiled into her hair. It smelled incredible, like lemons. I almost loved the smell as much as the smell of the sea.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts (again, stupid Percy), that I forgot to answer her question.

"Of course we're friends Wise Girl. We never stopped being friends."

"Wise Girl?" she inquired, "Where did that come from?"

I didn't really know the answer to that, it just kind of came out. It suited her I think.

"I don't know. It just seems to fit. You're a girl"

"Great observational skills there Percy" Jeez, she's so difficult.

"Shut up" I poked my tongue out at her, "So you're a girl, and you're really clever. Also your Province's sacred animal is an owl right? Owls stand for wisdom I think."

"Wow, I'm impressed. I didn't think a Seaweed Brain like you would know that"

"Seaweed Brain"

"Yeah, Seaweed Brain. You always talk about the sea, and sometimes you're so dense I think you're brain must be made of seaweed."

"Okay then."

I guess she was right. My mother tells me I can be extremely clueless at times.

"Well then Wise Girl, shall we go back to the party?"

Annabeth sighed audibly and drooped her shoulders. Her playful smile faded from her face.

"I guess so."

"No Annabeth, we don't have to if you don't want to." I didn't want her to be upset again. She was much more 'Annabeth' when she was happy.

"No really we should-"

I cut her off. "No Annie. We shouldn't. Not if you don't want to. We can have our own party!"

She raised her eyebrows questioningly. "Really Percy? Our own party?"

"Sure" I replied "Why not?"

She rolled her eyes at me and I smirked in response. I do that a lot.

"Come on then!" I grabbed her hand and pulled her into a space.

"What are we doing?"

"Dancing, of course!" I held out my hands for her, but she just looked at me. "What?"

"You have to bow to me first."

"No chance, Wise Girl. You're my friend. I'm not being that formal."

"Well then I won't dance with you."

She really is impossible. I sighed as she looked at me expectantly. I could tell that she knew I'd cave.

"Fine" I grumbled, and took a step back from her so that I wouldn't head butt her in the stomach. That seemed like the sort of thing I'd do. I bowed slowly.

"Lady Annabeth. May I have the honour of having this dance?"

She curtseyed and laughed at me.

"Of course Lord Perseus"

Perseus. My full name. I hated it. I'm not Perseus, I'm Percy. Just Percy.

I shot Annabeth an evil glance but took her hands and we began to dance. I could hear the soothing music from the main ball, since I guess we weren't very far away from the palace.

Neither of us really had much practice at dancing, so we kept tripping over each other's feet and laughing like idiots. This was the Annabeth I loved. She was so carefree and relaxed.

I was smiling from ear to ear and twirling Annabeth around and around, so much so that we had to stop because she was getting dizzy.

We carried on prancing around the fountain, Annabeth laughing like a madman and me chuckling and shaking my head every time she stood on my feet. At least we were both as bad as each other at dancing.

I was so high on adrenaline that I took no notice of the sound of footsteps approaching, even though the back of my mind was shouting that there was someone coming. I guess Annabeth didn't hear them either, because we kept twirling and dancing around until I accidentally put my foot too far forward and trip her up, causing her to fall right on top of me.

This just made Annabeth laugh even harder. Great to know she finds my pain funny.

"Find my pain amusing, do you Wise Girl?" I said as I poked her in the arm.

"Very" she replied.

Suddenly, someone coughed from the other side of the clearing, causing us both to spring up onto our feet and stand about five meters apart from each other, blushing.

Why was I embarrassed? Okay yes, Annabeth had been on top of me, but it was an accident! It's not like we were- No. We're twelve for god's sake!

When I looked up, I was given the most evil glare I think I've ever received in my whole life. Who by? The one person who I think will probably end up hating me more than anyone in the world.

Athena.

Ta da! Again, I'm so so so sorry for such a late update. Hopefully the next chapter will be up by the end of the week. Thank you so much for all your reviews/favourites/follows! I can't thank you enough:') Please remember to review, I appreciate every single one, no matter how long/short!:')

Also if you guys reviewed before but I haven't sent you a PM in reply, thank you so much for reviewing and I'm sorry for not replying!

Thank you guys! And remember to R&R!

-anniebethchase