(Annabeth's dress for the second Report👆)
......

Percy was late. Him, Sally and Rachel were supposed to arrive on Thursday morning but only Rachel did – which didn't really make anyone happy.

The Report is in 10 minutes, where are you?

They were in the auditorium again. The rest of the royal family sat on sofas and Selected on chairs in three rows, one above the other, just like last time. Only difference, they had an audience of  around 200 people today.

Annabeth sat in between Piper and Valentina. She had worn a grey dress. Unlike the red dress from the last report, this was more mesmorising and bigger. Grey material ran down in curls giving the dress a 3D feel.

Miss. Willow said, "Today you will be talking with Apollo individually. 10 of you will do it today and the other 10 will do it after two weeks in the next Report. The order is completely random so be prepared to be called anytime. Questions?"

The Report started without Percy.

Paul covered for Sally and Percy and made all their speeches too. After that, Apollo sat down on his sofa. He said, "And... we have the Selection section! Finally! As you've all noticed by now, the Prince hasn't joined us yet today. So, without further ado! I present to you, the Selected!"

The camera shifted to them and focused on their faces randomly.

Apollo: "But before that... I would like to introduce my frenemy Helios who will be the guest for today's Report. Oh wait, that will be me. He is guest of the guest. Sunshine," He mocked, "get up here."

Annabeth wanted to laugh. Everybody knew of the rivalry/friendship between these two. It started with something as simple as them having the same nickname 'sunshine' and went till rivalry between the fans every time one of their movies were released. They were your idea of healthy yet backstabbing competition – always one wanting to be better than the other.

If you want me to put it simply, they were Ichor's version of Loki and Thor (except they weren't Princes.)

Today's Report was going to be interesting.

Helios nodded his head, amused and walked in. "That is the best you got? Really?"

He sat down on the chair kept between two sofas. "Good evening, Ichor! Have you missed me?"

The crowed hailed.

Helios turned to Apollo, "See that?"

King Paul cleared his throat.

Helios nodded. "I think that is my cue." The audience laughed and he sat on his chair.

Apollo spoke. "It is my job to mess with the Selected today so... let us pick one!"

He scanned the girls to anyone who stood out to him. "Ah, who is this lovely young Lady in the first row?" He pointed at Calypso.

"Come on. Don't be shy." Helios said.

Calypso got up and took a seat on the other side of the sofa.

"Can you tell us your lovely name, please?" Helios smiled at her.

"I'm Lady Calypso." She turned to the camera. "Good evening, Ichor."

Apollo gave an exaggerated surprised expression. "Confident! Nice! So, tell us about you."

Helios and Apollo cross talked.

"Hobbies?"

"Talents?"

"Favourite colour?"

"Have you kissed Prince Percy?" Apollo casually put in.

The audience cheered.

Helios smiled at them. "You know, just the regular questions."

They really were quite the entertainers. For someone who used to despise each other, they had great chemistry. Like the Stoll brothers.

"Well, I like gardening. I'm good with animals and plants-"

"Not people?" Helios gave an amused look.

Calypso smiled too. "-and people. Yes, I have kissed the Prince."

What?

When did she even-?

The audience cheered louder. The royals looked surprised. The Selected gasped. Drew's jaw dropped.

Where was the time to-

What?

Why didn't Percy tell me?

Didn't I ask?

Apollo whistled, "Woah, I wasn't expecting to make headlines-"

Helios finished for him. "-with the first Selected we talked to! Well, congratulations to you!"

Apollo took control again. "That officially makes you the second person to get a kiss!"

Helios frowned. "Oh. Not the first?"

Apollo gave him a disappointed look. "Which planet have you been hiding in?" He turned to the Selected. "Who else is hiding here?"

Helios: "Yeah, Get out of your closet!"

Was it just me or did Apollo just look at me?

"Okay then, can you tell us about your date or was it too private?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Calypso laughed and shook her head. "We had a picnic."

Annabeth felt a different pang of jealousy this time. Calypso... she looked ethereal, like an actress – no, even better than that. Annabeth felt like she was nothing compared to her beauty.

Apollo didn't look impressed. "That is what you give us? You had a picnic? Where are the details?"

She smiled and shrugged.

They went on to ask her few more questions but Annabeth was distracted. The coordinator signalled for the cameras to be turned and they switched to the Selected. Few people passed around some papers and checked some mics.

Then, Percy and Sally came out and took their seats with the royals. Percy, in his blue tux, looked in good shape and nothing like the guy in the magazine photos. He immediately looked at the Selected and winked.

On any other day, Annabeth would have rolled her eyes for his cheek. Today, he looked like he hasn't shaved for the past few days.

It wasn't new but he didn't do that often.

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Annabeth had spent two entire days thinking about him or maybe it was because she was jealous of Calypso (or was it Rachel?) but whatever it was, the subtle change was enough for her to feel transfixed.

Gosh, why does he look so good?

Percy was talking to Paul and Tyson. He didn't notice Annabeth (and probably all other Selected too) looking at him.

Well, at least no one can tell me off for staring here.

If I could just run my hand over that-

Or maybe kiss it-

No, save it for later.

Just stare, for now.

She saw Percy look her way, frowning. Her heart skipped a beat when their eyes met.

Suddenly, Piper tapped her thighs. "Hey! Get up."

"-Lady Annabeth?" Helios said. "Are you alright?"

Everyone stared at her.

Annabeth's face flushed. "Yes. Yes, I am."

"Okay then, you're next." Apollo smirked.

Oh my- they had picked her next and that she had completely zoned them out.

Why? Why does this happen to me?

She walked over and sat on the sofa. In her embarrassment, she didn't notice that she sat next to Apollo instead of on the other side of the sofa (like they were instructed.) Apollo didn't mind though. Why would he? He knew Annabeth just as well as he knew Percy.

"Looks like Lady Annabeth was a little distracted in her own world." Helios smirked.

Annabeth blushed. "No, I-i-i was just..." She looked around at the unconvinced audience. "...thinking."

Apollo was amused. "Then, do you wish to share those thoughts?"

Oh gods.

Did he notice me staring at Percy?

She looked at Percy, only to see him smirking.

Did everyone notice?

Once! I stared at him once!

Why? Why does this happen to me?

Annabeth stuttered. "Uh-i-um.."

From the corner of her eye, she saw Tyson telling Percy to move. He sighed and walked towards Apollo, still having that cocky smile which made Annabeth want to slap him. He stood in front of them for a second, confused but shrugged and sat on the other side, next to Annabeth.

Now, Annabeth felt like hitting herself. She was supposed to sit where he was sitting currently so Apollo could move when Percy came. That way, Apollo would be in between the Prince and the Selected.

Now, Annabeth messed that up and would have to do the entire interview with Percy next to her.

Hey, that is not such a bad thing..., her mind said.

She argued: Yeah? What about Miss. Willow's lecture later then?

Right. Yes but... well, don't you think it is worth it?

Shut up!

"What did I miss?" Percy asked.

"Oh, we should be asking that question! Did you kiss Lady Calypso?" Apollo mocked him.

Sure, ask about her with me in between you two. Why not?

"Yeah. I did." Percy's smile faded ever so slightly and he looked at Annabeth.

Helios put his one hand over his chest and gave a shocked expression. "Now you're gonna shock us and say something like you've kissed Lady Annabeth too!"

Annabeth smiled because she understood his technique. He was just tricking Percy into giving him information.

Percy though, fell straight for it. He scratched his neck. "Ah... About that..."

"Wait." Apollo said. "You seriously did?"

Percy slid his arm around her shoulders but they didn't touch her. He touched the sofa. "Yeah. Yeah we did."

Annabeth dared to look at Percy and her heart skipped a beat when she found him staring at her. The Selected gasped again and the audience roared. She looked at the royal family for their reaction and only Sally smiled.

The rest were too busy giving meme worthy expressions.

Apollo just stopped speaking for a second, as if letting all the information settle in – obviously another one of his entertainment techniques. Helios took over. "You got me there. Well, you know what we're gonna ask now."

Apollo nodded. "When? How?" His eyes widened. "Tell us everything."

Annabeth said. "When we were in the rooftop-"

At the same time Percy was like, "In her room-"

They looked at each other and blushed, "Okay that one."

Percy said, "-well, we made pizzas-"

At the same time Annabeth said, "-after going to the library-"

Helios was flabbergasted. Apollo's jaw dropped and it looked pretty convincing. Annabeth couldn't tell if he was doing it for the show or if he was genuinely this surprised. "You know what? Wait. Backup. In the rooftop? Pizzas? In her room?" He widened his eyes at Percy at the last one and shook his head. "What is going on here?"

Okay, me, myself and I, I'm NOT looking at Percy again. Please, my face is red enough already.

But I want to... just a little, her mind argued.

NO. I said no.

Fine. Party pooper.

"No. No. Wait." Helios said. "This is airing live now but for the free non live repeat version that is airing tomorrow." He pointed at the camera. "This is the perfect time for your... commercial break, of course. Bringing you the Report sponsored to you by-"

Everyone laughed. He went on, mentioning all the sponsors' company names.

Apollo leaned forward towards Percy and Annabeth. "You two should get your facts straight."

"-And, no, DON'T tune out. You'll miss what these two are gonna say."

Apollo: "Free-non-live-repeat version? Really? It is called the Report."

Helios, frowning slightly: "What is this called then?"

Apollo: "The Live Report."

"Oh yeah, that makes sense."

"You've been living here forever! How do you not know this?"

"Hey, that's not fair. You called my sister Selena in front of thousands of people and they thought they were meeting Gomez! My sister! I never-"

Percy looked between the two of them. "Um... guys? This is still going live, you know?"

Annabeth's mind said: Hey, did you notice? His voice sounds so good today.

Shut up.

Seriously, just turn around and-

I SAID SHUT UP!

Apollo cleared his throat. "Welcome back everyone! Let's get on with the gossips then. So, from what I've heard. You went to the library with Lady Annabeth here, ate pizzas in the rooftop and then -" He looked reluctant.

Helios offered. "Walked her to her room?"

Percy's face scrunched up. "You're confusing two different dates. Although, yeah, walking her to her room would've been more practical-"

Apollo: "What? You just went inside her room then?"

Percy and Annabeth looked at each other and laughed.

Okay, this is more comfortable.

Annabeth said, "That also happened!"

Helios sighed. "Don't ask questions. Let them explain."

Percy nodded. "On our first date, we ate lunch in the library. I brought her down to her room." He looked pointedly at Annabeth at that and she felt a weird kind of heat in her chest that made her insides feel like butter. "And we kissed."

The crowd cheered.

Annabeth convinced herself to not look at him or anyone else because she was blushing too much. "The second date. Happened last Friday. We made pizzas in the rooftop and ate them."

Apollo and Helios nodded. Helios said, "Well, when you say you made the pizzas..."

"Crust was already done. We added sauce and ingredients and waited while we danced."

Apollo whistled again and looked at the camera. "Couple goals everyone! Take your girlfriend to your terrace with homemade pizzas and dance. And to all the girls there, make your man do it!"

Helios asked, "When was the first kiss then?"

Annabeth answered instantly. "Few weeks ago."

Apollo looked at the Prince in betrayal. "Few weeks ago??" He pointed at Percy. "Was this before the report or after the report?"

Percy hissed. "Before."

The audience, royals and the Selected were all surprised.

Apollo, mock angry: "Can I know why we didn't get this TWO WEEKS BACK then??"

Percy shrugged. "I didn't ask her if she'd be alright if I told it. Besides, you looked very happy with one name so..."

Annabeth felt uncomfortable.

He was right, of course. Ugh, she hated it when he was this right. She wasn't ready back then for everyone to know.

Then why did it hurt in the back of my mind when he didn't mention me?

"Okay then." Helios said. "I'm not happy this week. Not until we hear all the names."

Percy laughed. "That is everyone. I promise."

"Wait a second." Said Apollo, "If it was before the last report, then who was your first kiss? Annabeth or Rachel?"

Annabeth said, "Lady Rachel."

At the same time Percy told, "Annabeth." He looked at Annabeth, frowned and repeated. "My first kiss was with Annabeth."

Annabeth looked at Percy like: Why are you lying now?

The auditorium suddenly got so silent that they could hear the cameras clicking pictures. In a heartbeat, someone cheered. Then, they all erupted in a series of ooos, awws and aaas.

Okay no, I'm definitely NOT looking at Percy now.

For once, her mind agreed with her.

She didn't look at the Selected but it felt as if she could sense lots of emotions radiating from her right side. Naturally, they were mostly very healthy emotions like jealousy with a spike of anger, betrayal with an undertone of vain vanity, maybe some unshed tears and a few silent curse words. Oh, and Drew's face must be a good meme right about... now.

Yep. She was officially not going to the common room anymore.

Piper's happiness and smile was comforting though.

Wait a second, I am forgetting someone.

Ah, yes, Miss Willow. What would Annabeth not give to see her face right now? Okay, yeah, I won't give Percy.

Apollo shook his head. "You never cease to amaze us, your highness."

Percy grinned.

Apollo: "I think we're rewriting headlines to 'The Prince tricks his own kingdom'-"

Helios: "Or 'How the Prince fooled Sunshine Apollo'"

Apollo: "Hey!"

Percy, sighing: "Guys, get a room."

Apollo and Helios, both retching: "Eww.."

Everyone laughed.

Helios: "Okay so, this may sound a little stupid but you two look pretty close. Have you known each other for a while or-"

They nodded. Annabeth said. "We've known each other since we were 12."

Helios: "Oh wow, is it fate then? That you were Selected?"

Apollo jumped in, "Lady Annabeth was the replacement for Lady Mischelle."

As soon as he said it, Percy gave his stop-here-and-edit-it-out face.

Apollo, clearing his throat: "Right then. We have one specific question for you here. Someone has noticed that you and the Prince wear similar necklaces, is this true?"

Percy took out his Camp Half Blood necklace from inside his tux shirt and Annabeth absentmindedly touched hers.

"Yes." Percy said, "It is true. We have one representing each year."

Helios: "So, is this something you two do, or-" He looked at the royal family. "Are others included?"

Tyson and Estelle got up and showed their own beads.

"We have a group of people who do it. Around 30-40 people, maybe? Maybe more but only 10-15 are people we know." Annabeth said.

Helios smiled. "Like a tradition then. Cool."

Apollo: "Well, we basically burned our time with you today. So, next time, everyone."

The audience made a disappointed sound like: aww...

Helios: "I know you have questions so send them to us and we'll ask them the next time we talk to Lady Annabeth here. It has been a pleasure with you and we might just squeeze Percy for more information next time."

When Annabeth got up to leave, Percy did too because he had to sit on the other side of Apollo. The cameras stopped rolling and they took a small break, drinking water and chatting with the audience.

Oh, I almost forgot.

Annabeth really couldn't concentrate on the rest of the Report because when Percy was sure that the cameras had turned off, he had smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead like he was amused.

Sure, after everything, Annabeth was amused too. However, the slight brush of his stubble over her forehead evoked different other, more prominent feelings in her.

....................

After the Report was over and Willow had oh-so-flawlessly pointed out everyone's flaws, Annabeth found Percy waiting for her. Carefully, she waited till everyone else left. He nodded to all the girls who went by his side and at long last, touched his nose and tilted his head ever so slightly as an invitation.

His guards were still on his side but they weren't anyone she recognised so she asked, "Where is Jason?"

Percy stared at her. "Unbelievable," he looked annoyed, "I come home after four days and you ask me where Jason is?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I mean, why isn't he guarding you?"

"Jason is seriously tired after the trip. He took a few days off." Percy explained.

"Oh." Annabeth said. "Why did you lie to Apollo?"

"When did I lie to him?" He looked at the ground.

"Rachel-" She started.

"Wise Girl, what exactly did he ask?"

"You know what he asked, why are-"

"Just, tell me."

"He asked you who you kissed first, Rachel or me."

"No. He asked me who my first kiss was." Percy put emphasis on 'first' and looked straight at her. "And I didn't lie."

Annabeth's cheeks flushed. She realised that he was talking about a totally different question. "That was your first?"

Percy grunted. "Obviously! I was fifteen! That was my first! How badly do you think of me?"

They walked forward awkwardly.

Percy looked away. "Was... was that not your first?"

Annabeth blushed harder. "It was."

He nodded. Was it just Annabeth or did his cheeks look little pink too?

Should I just ask?

"So, are you going to tell me what happened or...?" Annabeth looked at the ground.

Percy stole a glance at her. "What did you hear?"

"Nothing good." She gave him a straight smile.

"Best way to say it is Jason, the Stolls and Leo roofied me."

"WHAT?"

"Yep. You're hearing it right. Four out of eleven trusted royal guards roofied the Prince. I don't know which one it was though. The last thing I remember is getting a cookie from an old lady on Tuesday night and on Wednesday, I wake up with this horrible headache."

"A cookie from a lady? Percy, that sounds shady." (A/N: LOL, that rhymes.)

He laughed. "Yeah. Jason says he saw no lady though. So, maybe I was imagining it. I don't know. I don't even know if I drank when I was high. Whatever it was, I didn't want to do it."

"Wait-" Annabeth said, "- so you don't remember anything?"

"No. Why?" He frowned. "Did I do something?"

"No. Nothing."

Right then. Sure. The guy sends me a 143 and doesn't even remember it.

Yep. That sounds like my life.

Percy looked at her skeptically. "What did I do?"

She shrugged. "You sent me random numbers."

He frowned. "Really? Could you figure anything out? Do you remember it?"

She could. She wasn't going to say it though. "No. They were random."

"Probably nothing important." He shook his head at himself.

Yeah... not important.

It felt like someone was poking her heart continuously with a cold rod.

She thought: Stop feeling bad, will you? You weren't ready to say it back anyway!

She decided to change the topic. "So, this leave that Jason is taking..."

Percy nodded. "Is actually a suspension."

"How long?"

"A week? Maybe two? I don't know exactly but he will be back." He turned to Annabeth and his eyes looked vulnerable. "You believe me, right?"

Annabeth slipped her hand onto his and squeezed it. "Of course, I do, Percy. Okay? No doubt to that."

Percy smiled sadly. "Thanks. Rachel doesn't. I don't blame her though. She saw me with the-"

Ah, yes. The stripper.

Annabeth felt that hot acid kind of feeling in her throat.

She pulled her hands out of his and folded them below her chest. She wasn't sure if it was the mention of Rachel or the golden girl that ticked her off but she suddenly felt angry.

Angry towards Percy.

Percy immediately stopped talking and looked at her but she didn't budge. He looked away.

She grit her teeth. "Did anything happen?"

Percy slipped his hands into his pockets and his expression turned guarded. "Jason says no but honestly speaking, I don't know. It is a complete blank."

Annabeth nodded.

Percy went on. "I'm gonna have to spend the next few weeks with the rest of the girls. Also, I think I've spent enough time with Rachel. She refused to talk to me after that anyway."

Annabeth felt like a bitch because somewhere in the back of her mind, she was happy Rachel wasn't taking to him.

I'm not a bad person. Stop thinking like this.

"We'll still talk, right?" She asked.

"If you want to." He replied.

Annabeth sighed and stopped walking. "Look, I trust you, okay?" She turned to him. "So just... give me some time to process everything. We've already been through this before. It will be okay." She reasoned.

Percy smiled. "Yeah. You're right. Thank you, though. For... everything, really."

"What are friends for, Seaweed Brain? Meanwhile, you tell me if you remember anything else. Only the truth, okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I-i will. Um... I'd kiss you but..." He looked at the guards.

Annabeth nodded.

They weren't alone.

Annabeth noticed someone on the other side of the hallway.

It was Rachel.

Percy looked at her but he didn't do anything to approach her and Rachel, by rules, couldn't approach him when he was with another Selected.

Annabeth felt really uncomfortable, probably jealous and overall, petty.

She has to let Percy do this, though. She deserved an explanation too.

I can't cage him.

When they approached closer, Rachel spoke up. "Percy, please don't-"

Percy said. "What? You wanna talk now?" He scoffed. "I'm busy."

Annabeth hit him on his arms and gave a be nice expression. Percy looked lost. "I'll see you later." She said and turned back.

Rachel didn't look at her and Annabeth felt like punching her for it. I'm doing you a favour. The least you can do is look like you appreciate it.

She was dying to know what he said to her and to judge exactly how close they got over the trip. Of course, seeing was a bad idea but not knowing and being in the dark was pure torture. She was Annabeth and she trusted what she saw more than anything. Also, she could analyse behaviours.

However, whether or not she felt terrible hearing them talk, she forced herself to walk away before her emotions got out of control.

I made the right choice, she reminded herself.

When Annabeth entered her room, maybe it was because her eyes were stinging and she was busy trying to make sure those tears stayed inside or maybe it was because of the rush of emotions she felt today or maybe she was just lazy and tried...

Whatever it was, she missed the fact that mysteriously, her secret phone had moved from one drawer of her nightstand to the other.

...........

Think wild, okay? Jason isn't there. 4 of his guards are suspended. Percy is confused and distracted by the selection. We'll see what happens, yeah?

Thoughts guys!