We were about 30 minutes early for dinner so Percy dropped me off at my room with a quick kiss on the forehead as a goodbye.

The girls brushed off dirt and other bits and pieces from my dress, fixed up my windswept hair and then I was ready to go.

Dinner was served shortly after I arrived, sitting in the same spots as usual. Dinner was rice and beef.

I was about half way through my dinner when the doors opened and in walked Justine. To say I was surprised was an understatement. Curiosity sparked as she walked up to Sally, curtsied then whispered something in her ear. Sally's eyes landed on me as she whispered something back, smiled at Justine and nodded. Justine then walked away but Sally got my attention back.

"Annabeth, dear? Could you come here for a second?"

I shot a glance at Piper but she was confused as I was. I walked up to Sally anyways.

"Yes, Sally?"

"Justine has just come and told me that your father and Helen have arrived back with the boys. They're in your father's room."

I froze. "Really?" I whispered.

"Really."

I smiled a huge smile. I'll get to see my family!

"What's going on?" Percy asked next to Paul.

"Dad, Helen and the boys are back," I told him."Can I go see them?" I asked Sally.

"Yes, if you wish."

I nodded my head eagerly.

Percy started to get out of his chair. "Do you want me to come?"

I shook my head. "No, it's okay." His face fell disappointed. "But come find me after dinner will you, Seaweed Brain? Bobby and Matthew will want to see you, I just need a minute alone."

He smiled at me and sat back down. "Of course, Wise Girl."

"Thanks."

I quickly dashed out of the room. I could finally see my brothers. Make sure they were okay and make sure that they were happy. I ran as quickly as I could down the hall and up the stairs. I nearly fell but I caught myself again and continued on. The guards didn't stop me on the third floor like they were supposed too, which I was thankful for.

I stood outside my fathers room trying to catch my breath. Once I deemed myself fit I opened the door.

What I saw brought tears to my eye straightaway.

Helen was looking out the window in a pencil skirt and blouse. Her hair was done up in a low pony tail and when she looked at me she actually smiled. She had massive bags under her eyes and she looked emotionally drained. Her ankle was in a big black moon boot and she had some cuts and scratches up her arms and legs.

Bobby was sitting in a wheelchair next to my dads bed. He was wearing a long sleeve shirt and shorts. On his leg was a large plaster cast, going from his toes to about mid thigh. One of his arms was in a sling because of his broken collar bone. He was playing cards with his brother who was sitting on the bed. Matthew had some wires sticking out of him connected to a monitor next to him. Despite what had happened to them, their blonde hair was falling into their happy blue eyes and their rosy cheeks were pulled up into smiles.

My dad was sitting at his desk next to Helen. He was writing something on a piece of paper, the one arm that wasn't broken when he looked up at me. He was in a black suit and his blonde hair was the same as always, neatly done. His blue eyes were tired and his face was paler than usual. His face lit up when he saw me and he rushed, as quickly as he could with a broken rib, over to give me a hug.

"Annabeth."

I smiled and squeezed him gently as not to hurt him. "Hey, dad."

My voice caught the attention of the boys.

"Annabeth!" Bobby wheeled over to me as fast as he could with one arm and pulled me into a hug. I let my tears fall freely down my cheeks, happiness overwhelming me that he was safe and better.

I pulled back from the hug, wiping the tears off of my cheeks. "Hey, BC."

"Hey!" Matthew waved me over. "I want a hug too."

I walked over to him and sat on the edge next to him, giving him a gentle hug and making sure I wasn't getting tangled in his wires.

"I'm so happy your back, MC." I kissed his forehead. "I was so worried."

He smiled up at me. "No need to be worried big sis, I'll be up and be walking in a matter of a week."

I ruffled his hair. "Awesome."

I looked up over at Helen and gave her a tight smile. "I'm glad you're okay too, Helen."

"Yes, me too." She nodded at me.

Bobby had somehow managed to get out of his wheelchair and sit on the other side of Matthew. "You're wearing a dress." He told me.

I laughed. "I am." I put an arm around Matthew and laid down next to him getting comfortable. "Do I look weird? I don't often wear dresses."

Matthew nodded next to me. "You do but you still look pretty."

I squeezed his shoulder. "Thanks Matt."

"Yes, you do you look stunning Annabeth." Dad sat down on the edge of the bed at my feet. "But it was quite the shock"

Helen nodded and sat down next to him. "Why didn't you tell us, sweetie?"

I acted casual at the fact that she called me sweetie. This was not the time to get into a fight with my step-monster. "I thought that if I got selected then great," I shrugged. "And if I didn't, no one else needed to know."

My dad rubbed my ankle. "And is he treating you alright? If not then I'll grab-"

I shook my head. "No need, dad. Percy's been great. Enough about me." I turned to the boys. "Tell me about your trip."

We sat there for another 10 minutes. The boys told me all about their trip with Dad and Helen adding bits in here and there. It sounded like they really had a fantastic trip up until the accident.

Bobby was just telling me the story of how a chipmunk kept stealing his food when there was a knock on the door.

Percy stuck his head threw. "Hello, Chase family."

The boys stopped talking then started to shout at Percy to come over to them.

"Hey, Percy! Come check out this scab I have!"

"Come draw on my cast will you?"

Percy chuckled and after saying hello to my dad and step mum he took my spot on the edge of the bed talking to the boys and checking out their injuries. My dad gently pulled me out of the room to stand in the hallway, closing the door quietly behind us.

"I didn't want to say anything in front of the boys."

"What is it?" I asked.

He sighed and pulled his hand through his hair effectively messing it up. "We weren't hit by accident. It was deliberate."

I put a hand up to my chest to calm down my fast beating heart. "Who? Why?"

"I'm afraid your guess is as good as mine," He shrugged, "We think it was the Rebels. Possibly to make a statement against something or-" His voice faltered.

"What is it, Dad?"

His eyes meet mine. "To get to you and Percy."

After the depressing and frightening talk with dad, we went back into his room. Percy was now talking to Helen politely like always. If I didn't like Helen, then he didn't either.

Bobby and Matthew were both checking out Bobby's cast were a few names and drawings had been drawn on. Percy had written his name on it in big letters. "Imagine what people are going to think when they see that the prince has drawn on your cast!"

"Guys," I sat in between them. "You've lived with the prince your whole life. Everyone at your school knows that,"

Bobby and Matthew go to a private school in the city whilst I've been homeschooled with Percy all my life, as did my older brother Malcolm. Percy had to be schooled at the palace and my dad wanted to send me to a school in Angeles but I wouldn't have it. After some persuading and being stubborn I joined Percy's classes with Chiron.

"And it even cooler now that our older sisters dating him!"

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah well-"

"Have you kissed him?" Bobby asked.

I blushed and looked up at Percy who was watching us talk.

"Oh gods," Matthew slumped down on the bed "She has."

I turned to face him. "Is that a bad thing?"

"Percy!" Bobby yelled, "Can you come here for a sec?"

Percy walked over and sat next to Bobby. How four of us could fit on this bed, I had no idea

"What's up?"

Both boys glared at him. "What's up?" Matthew started. "What's up is that you've been kissing my sister."

Percy scratched the back of his neck. "And?" He flickered his gaze up to mine. I shrugged in reply.

"And? And you better treat her right or I swear-" Bobby poked Percy in the chest.

"Okay okay okay," I carefully removed his hand off of Percy's chest. "No need to be protective boys. I'm happy and safe. Percy's been great."

Matthew huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "As long as he understands."

Percy placed a hand on his heart. "I understand. In no way, any harm will come to Annabeth if I can help it."

The rest of the night consisted of the four of us talking. Dad and Helen left and brought back dinner for the boys. Sally, Paul and Tyson stopped by too and said that Zoe would come by tomorrow. When the sky was black Percy said goodnight and left to go to bed. After Percy left I went back to my room to change, and I came back up and spent the night with Matthew. He stayed in our parent's bed and Bobby moved back to his room. We talked for ages but Matt soon fell asleep, and soon I went along with him.

Wednesday went by quietly. I did leave Matthew in the morning for breakfast and afterwards, Bobby wanted me to wheel him around the gardens for fresh air whilst Matthew got some sleep.

"How are you really coping, BC?" I asked as I parked him next to a bench.

He sighed and fidgeted with his t-shirt sleeve. "I don't know I guess." He shrugged. "I'm lucky to alive at the moment and Matt too. I don't ever want to think about it again."

I pulled him closer and rubbed his shoulder. "You are extremely lucky and I am too. I don't think I would be able to loose another family member, one is enough."

Bobby nodded into my shoulder. "When I-When I saw Matt lying there in a coma. It was like the world just fell apart. He was there but wasn't. Do you know what I mean?"

I kissed the top of his head. "Yeah. Yeah, I do."

Late in the afternoon a maid came and told me that Sarah wanted all the girls in the Women's room. After finishing the page of my book and I quickly made my way to the Women's room.

I was the last to arrive, and seeing no free seats I sat next to Riley.

"Thank you for joining me now ladies," Sarah stood in front of us. She was wearing navy suit pants, and a peach blouse underneath her navy blazer. Her hair was up in a high ponytail and she looked right standing in front of the crowd. "Tomorrow each one of you will be having a set of photos taken with the prince."

Noise irrupted at the 'exciting' news. "Girls! Attention back on me, please. As I was saying you'll all have a set of photos taken with Percy. Your maids have been briefed on what you must look like tomorrow but all you need to bring is big smiles." She smiled.

Katie raised her hand. "What will the photos be used for?"

Sarah nodded. "Good question Lady Katie. These photos taken will be used in magazines, posters and advertising. And, before and after shots."

"Before and after?" Silena asked.

"Before you're queen and after." She dismissed us and left the room.

Piper rushed over to me. "What are we going to do?" She asked. "I've had photos taken before but not with the Prince"

I waved her antics away. "You'll be fine Piper. Just smile at the camera."

"Have you done it before?"

I nodded. "Heaps of times. The photographer will be great."

My words didn't seem to comfort her.

I know I know it's short, like 2,100 words short and it's terrible BUT I wanted to post on a very special day

Do you know what I'm talking about?

ITS ANNABETH'S BIRTHDAY. Happy birthday my beautiful and intelligent role model. May you be surrounded by books, family & friends and Percy's romantic birthday gifts

So I've noticed that we've gotten to 8k reads. You know, not a big deal *sarcasm*. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Important question:

If I could write a little scene from Percy and Annabeth's life before the Selection what would it be?

Meeting Paul during Sally's Selection? Running away and meeting Luke? Meeting Jason and Leo for the first time? When Zoe was born? Got any others?

Also a massive thank you and shout out to those who have help me with hair, shoes and dresses. It was great getting your pics and ideas and you've helped so much. All of them shall be used!! I love you guys!

Whilst writing this I felt like I was at Camp-Half Blood. Wanna know how?
Search up ambient mixer. Click the website and they have heaps of different soundtracks for studying/reading etc. I listened to Hufflepuff Common Room and then Camp-Half Blood at night. It was awesome!!!! Try it out

Is there anything else? *checks mental list of things to say* Nope!

Enjoy my readers and thanks so much for the support

(I'll try and update this weekend but school starts again next week so I may be busy!)

Oh! You look positively radiant today! <3

-Squirrel