All rights go to Rick Riordan :)

Annabeth Pov

Be yourself

Album: The Story of Me

Don't let anyone force you to be someone you aren't

Just be yourself, oh

When the spotlight shines down on you

I hope you are yourself, oh

You don't need to pretend, no

Just be yourself

"Annabeth! Come on! You're going to be late for your photo shoot!" my stepmom, Sarah, called out from downstairs.

I groaned. Being a famous actress and singer in London is very challenging. I have about forty interviews a week, plus photo shoots and others. Fame comes with a price –and it's very expensive to pay.

I know, I live in a mansion and have lunch with people like Ellie Goulding and Adele. Everyone treats me like I'm royalty. But my mom died when I was little, and my dad hardly has any time for me. Not that he cares. He only wants my money. I have ADHD and dyslexia, which comes with a package of no friends. No one really to talk to.

"Coming!" I grabbed my purse and rushed downstairs, my footsteps like an elephant's.

"Honey, you can't go out like that!" Sarah quickly dabbed some concealer on the pimple on the side of my nose. She put eyeliner and mascara on me, including lipstick, lip liner, foundation, blush, eye shadow, practically everything you can name. All that gunk would probably give me wrinkles by the age of 25 and I'm only 16.

Sure, I thought as I headed out the door. I can't go out looking like my normal self. The chauffeur and bodyguard, Tom, opened the door to the limo for me. "How are you today, Ms. Chase?"

"I'm fine, thank you," I nodded politely as I stepped in, then bit back a curse. I can act pretty well. In fact, since most of my movies have me with an American Accent, my British one went down the drain. Sadly, most of my life is fake. I pretend I'm the sweet little girl that is really only the outer crust of me. "Is there any water?"

"Would you like the one with a twist of lemon, or –"

"Just spring water, please." You don't know how many times I have to say that. Tom didn't look surprised with my answer as he poured a glass with a little pink umbrella sticking out. I've told him a thousand times that it wasn't necessary, but he insisted every single time.

"Here you go."

I took the glass and drank it, as I stared at the streets of London. Regular people going shopping. Regular people going to school. Regular people going to a café without all the cameras and the people crowding around you. Moving aside my sunglasses, I picked up my World Glories book and flipped to page 102. My absolute favorite of all: the Parthenon. When I was little, I always wanted to become an architect. Annabeth, Sarah would tell me sternly when she saw me drawing little sketches in the car. Your chances of becoming an architect are very low. You'll be sorry later. Well, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to becoming an architect anytime now.

a~a~a~a

After my photo shoot, I went back home to take a little rest. First, I ran up to the bathroom to wash everything off my face. Grabbing the makeup remover off the marble granite bathroom counter, I hummed my new hit song Be yourself. I pulled my long blond hair into a ponytail and switched into some comfortable clothes. My favorite orange T-shirt and jeans. To my surprise, Sarah came up to my room (which she hardly ever does) and poked her head inside.

"Annabeth, do you have a moment?"

No, I wanted to say. This is my free time. But instead, I sighed. "Sure, why not."

Sarah sat down next to me on my bed. "I know how you feel, with all the pressure and the…" she made a crazy gesture, waving her hands. I raised my eyebrow. She blushed, then continued, "Your father and I have decided to let you stay in America. 2 months. It's not exactly vacation since you're going to be going to school and staying in the house we rented, but you need a break."

I was speechless for a moment. "Really?"

"Well, sure." Sarah pursed her lips, then looked around my room. "You can start packing, now."

"When are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Oh my goodness, thank you so much!" I leapt up to my feet and gave my startled stepmom a hug.

She smiled and sauntered out of the room into the hallway, holding her phone up to her ear. "Hey, Tom, how are you. Is the private jet ready? Oh that's great, perfect. We'll be ready at 8:00…" her voice faded away as she closed the door of her room.

I took out my suitcase. Zipping it open, I started to get everything ready.

So how was it? I hope you guys enjoyed it all…this is my second story. My other one is the House of Hades –who else can't wait for it to come out?! Please review! It would mean so much. Sorry if I didn't please you. Love you all! –Sophia