Before you go in, I realised that I made a grave mistake with Percabeth Selection.

I forgot to inform you that it is rated T/T+.

Now, I don't mind, but, if you're uncomfortable, then don't read. (However, I think I know Wattpad crowd enough to know that many are comfortable. 😜😂🤫)

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"A story of two people. Two people who shouldn't have met, and who didn't like each other much when they did, but who found they were the only two people in the world who could possibly have understood each other."

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Percy was debating between forgetting everything, giving in to the feeling and kissing Annabeth's neck versus not being a player. Why was the obvious answer the polar opposite of the option he wanted to side on?

His ears and neck were flushed again.

Stop! She is sleeping...

He chuckled. "You're gonna be so embarrassed tomorrow." He held her shoulder and scooted away so he could see her better. "What are the odds?" He sighed. "Don't hate me tomorrow."

Why am I such a nice guy all of a sudden?

Annabeth's breathing was shallow. She was fast asleep. Percy smiled. "This is the first time we're sleeping alone in the same place, you know?" He caressed her hair gently. "Feels so surreal." He found himself admiring her again.

Why am I so all over the place?

Am I nostalgic now? Sad? Hopeful?

He leaned forward and placed a tiny kiss on her forehead. "You know? Sometimes... you feel like you're already family." He detached himself from her and looked up. "You know that I love mom, Tyson and Estelle. They're everything to me. You're different but... how do I put it? I care about you? I want the best for you? What is it? Makes no sense, right?"

He suddenly flinched away and shook his head. "You're sleeping!" He huffed. "What the- I'm talking to myself. You, woman, seem to be actually driving me insane." He laughed and shook it off.

Then, he heard his life's most irritating sound. Someone was knocking on the freaking door.

Knowing Jason, it was probably him and, knowing Jason; he wasn't gonna stop until Percy came out. He gritted his teeth in frustration and moved from his position slowly to not wake Annabeth up.

He slowly opened the door, and whisper screamed, "What the hell do you want? You're disturbing Ann-" - and abruptly came face to face with a startled Rachel.

Percy frantically closed the door.

"Rac-La-Lady Rachel." He squinted his eyes. "What are you doing here!?"

She only stared at him, still stunned. With mortification, Percy realised that he was wearing only his shorts. The extra skin, untamed hair and the hairy legs probably came out more surprising to Rachel than Annabeth. (Afterall, it was Rachel who had never seen him in anything but designer suits.)

He crossed his arms over his chest. "One minute." He rushed back in and reached for the first t-shirt from the closet.

Well, I guess the hairy legs damage is done.

He glared at Annabeth. "Why on earth is this happening together? Not ANYONE else but THESE two..." He scratched his head then realised that he was making his hair worse. "You-" He pointed at Annabeth. "-you guys didn't plan this, did you? It is not a prank, is it?"

His own idea sounded ridiculous to him. Rachel won't do this. Annabeth... well... she might find it funny.

But, there is no way in any freaking universe (where they both have feelings for him) that Annabeth would do it WITH her.

Annabeth shifted in her sleep and started mumbling.

Percy's eyes widened, and he immediately went closer to her. "Shush... shush... sleep. Shush. It's okay." He caressed her shoulder in a way he hoped was comforting. "We don't want you waking up now."

After making sure Annabeth wasn't actually awake, he stepped out. Rachel was leaning near his door, her eyes looking far away like she was thinking deeply.

Or, say, it could just be the alcohol.

"You took a god awful time for a t-shirt." She pointed out.

Percy dodged her. "Why're you...? How did you..?" He looked back at his door.

Rachel scrutinised him for a second, and his throat felt dry as if he'd just had several shots of tequila. Percy's heart skipped a beat.

Oopsie, sorry, -skipped a beat in fear. (*smirks at all your reactions*)

She didn't - perhaps... happen to - um - notice someone in, did she?

"Let's walk." He recommended.

She let it go and walked with him. "Silena told me where your room is." That only confused him more. "I - I - um... realised I...", she scratched her head, "...wanna tell you something." she dragged out and coughed. "But I threw up, but I'm still a little off, and I think I'm having hallucinations--" She grabbed him by the bicep.

"Hallucinations?"

"Yep." She smiled at him. "Like... I thought I saw you sleeping inside, but you were already out so --"

Percy didn't want to correct her.

"Point is." She grabbed both his hands. "I'll forget it tomorrow. I had to tell you."

Percy's mind immediately went into panic mode. This was the first time he had seen Rachel drunk, and she already looked like the blabbering type.

He didn't want a half-hearted drunken confession, or an 'I love you'.

He didn't know how to handle it. "O-uh-okay... listen, why don't you get some sleep and talk when you're better-"

"No." She brought herself closer to him. "Listen. This is important."

This was making him anxious.

"So, you remember the guy who attacked me?"

"Oh. That's what this is about?" He blurted out.

"Umm-hmm... He was there in that particular underground-secret-place thing. Like... he was expecting someone eventually. Out of all those places where he could have been. If he just wanted to kidnap a Selected then why wait there? Doesn't that feel odd?"

"Yeah..." He was more awake now. "What's your point?"

"When he held me captive in that room. God, I was scared. I didn't notice it immediately, but I'm sure there was a phone. It makes sense. That's what he was looking at when I tricked him."

"We tore the room apart for clues. We never found anything worthwhile." He tried.

"Maybe he had it on him when he escaped? Also, how do you attacked by poisoned arrows and still escape? I could barely walk because of the poison."

Percy looked away and ran a hand over his hair. "We're thinking in the same direction as you." She looked surprised. "I didn't wanna scare you. I'm sorry, I didn't tell you before." He looked straight at her.

"So there is an accomplice inside the palace." She concluded their thoughts. "Shit. I thought I was - are you sure?"

"I can't tell you why but there are reasons why we think so too. And, honestly, we could have more than one." He looked at her. "I guess there is no point hiding it from you. We were both attacked, so, clearly, you're not the spy."

"Well, three of us." She sighed. "Annabeth saved me. Rules her out too."

He didn't answer.

"One more thing. Silena was with us today." He frowned, she continued. "Yeah, it didn't look like she is someone who could handle it. She was complaining about her boyfriend, not answering her texts and asking us if he broke up with her."

"Weird. Why would Beck break -? Nonsense." He quickly said.

"Really? Nonsense? Is he that faithful?"

"Yeah. They've been together for over 7 years now."

They fell silent.

"So-" she turned back to walk the way they came from and bumped shoulders with him, now facing him. "What did you think this was about?"

He was embarrassed. "I had... no idea?"

She smirked. "Is that why you panicked?"

He ignored her and headed back to his room.

"Hey! Hey! Okay. Okay. We'll forget it." She smiled, catching up with him. "But... what do you say? This whole investigation is bringing us closer, isn't it?" She bumped shoulders with him again.

Percy smiled lopsidedly. "Is it?"

"So, you like it too." Her smile broadened. "Does that mean I can get a direct card into the Elite?"

"Hey, let's not get too ahead of ourselves here." He didn't look stern. He only smiled teasingly at her.

"Fine. Fine. What about the date you owe me, though?"

"Hey! I'm supposed to surprise you. Where is the fun if not?" He shrugged.

"Not always, your highness. Maybe sometimes you can just tell me when you're free, and I could surprise you." He started denying, but she wanted to get the point across. "I know it's not conventional. The others may not agree, but it can just be something that we do."

Percy looked uncertain.

"I won't tell you." She said. "Like I said, just between us."

They'd reached the stairs by then. He thought for a second, smiled genuinely and brought his hands up - Rachel thought - possibly to hold her neck in a way that he does just before stealing a kiss. She had noticed it in their previous encounters.

But, last minute, he hesitated and ran it over his untamed hair.

She badly wanted to scream at him. Don't hesitate! It is okay!

She closed the gap between them and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll see you later then."

......

Percy wanted to hit himself. He'd been so involved in Rachel's theory that he'd completely forgot that there were three other guards on the same floor.

They ganged-up on him.

"Why do I see you smiling after the wrong girl -", Travis demanded.

Percy smiled awkwardly at them. He placed his hands in front of him, protectively. "Guys, come on. It's not like I feel too advantageous -"

Connor backed him up. "and walking the wrong girl down the hallway?"

"-she-she had important information! Look, you might-"

Jason was in it too. "I was sure it was someone else just 15 minutes back. Am I wrong?"

"She just wanted to talk about her kidnapper!" He defended.

"Oh, and she had to do it today."

"In the middle of the night."

Jason grit his teeth. "When another girl is in your room."

This was starting to get a little out of hand. Just when Percy decided it was best to bolt to his room and lock the door, the Stolls looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Happened sooner than I expected." Jason chucked and clapped Percy on his shoulder.

Their sudden change in attitude gave Percy whiplash. "Weren't you gonna-"

"What?" Travis questioned. "Stop you from getting some?"

"Nah," Connor answered. "We all admitted long ago that you get more than the three of us combined. Or well, used to, at least." He looked around for confirmation.

"Ugh, no, it's not like-"

"Save it. So, you wanna tell us what happened?" Jason asked.

"Annabeth's fast asleep." He peeked in and closed the door properly.

The Stolls shared a look. "Anything which you might wanna tell... uh... happened?"

"No!" He blushed. Gods, today was the day he spent blushing the most from just conversations. "She just fell asleep."

Even Jason didn't look convinced. "Ah... what about the- 'help me' issue?"

"I told her she'd be cold. We talked a little. She just fell asleep after that. I'm serious!" He blushed more because of his lies.

Not lies.

Partial truths.

"What about this one, then?" Jason gestured at the staircase.

"Well, Rachel is onto us. She thinks the spy is inside the castle too."

"Clever one, that girl," Connor noted. "You seem to have a thing for clever ones."

Percy blushed a little more. His face must look like a tomato if it wasn't so dark outside.

"Talking about the girls... don't you think they should get some security? I've been thinking that since Lady Rachel's attack." Travis looked a little eager on the topic.

"Yeah, I thought so too. I think it will be easier of we make him standby on the third floor, near to Willow's desk." Percy said.

"Working with Miss. Willow? No, thank you. Working for Percy's girls? No, thank you. Looking at Percy smile, talk, and kiss these many girls regularly?" Connor gaged. "No, thank you."

Travis ignored him. "But, who? It is the transfer season, and the rest are training for the posts. We only have so many people we trust."

Connor smirked. "I can think of one person who isn't training or transferring right now."

The group collectively narrowed its eyes on Jason.

Jason whined. "Everything else is fine but not Miss. Willow guys! Please! I'm not in! That lady wants to turn everyone she meets into her perfect version of a brainless statue!-"

"Jason!" Percy interrupted him. "You're on probation; you're hurt, you're... this is perfect! Someone I trust with the girls all the time!"

He looked conflicted.

It's not like Jason can protest against Percy either. Percy made sure the things he said didn't come off like orders anymore, but sometimes, Jason had to accept his decision to avoid the power dynamics problem within their friendship.

This looked like one of those times.

"Well, if you don't want to then can I-" Travis started.

Connor nudged him. "Oh, you'd be so willing to 'protect' these girls, won't you, brother?" Percy frowned. Connor whispered, "What was her name again? I think he's got a little crush- Ouch."

Travis stepped on Connor's foot.

"You guys have no respect for The Selection, the idea of treason... nothing." Percy clicked his tongue in disappointment. "Do you even realize who you're telling this to?!" He demanded, faking anger.

He glared at Travis and Jason and took two steps closer.

Their roles were now reversed.

"Um... maybe we-we, uh, can, um, call this even?" Jason defended.

"Yeah- tit for tat, eh?" Travis smiled awkwardly. "We keep this quiet from Annabeth, and you can keep this quiet from, uh, the kingdom?"

"Hey! What's my share?" Connor asked. "I don't gain anything from keeping either of your secrets!"

They all glared at him.

Just then, Percy saw someone else trying to walk criss-cross down the staircase. "You-" He climbed up the stairs and stood in front of her.

"Hello, tall figure!" She exclaimed and squinted her eyes. "Prince Percy!"

"Why are y'all like this?" He demanded.

She slipped on one staircase, and Percy had to grab her arms before she fell. "Fine. Fine. We'll talk after you get down slowly. Slowly!"

At the end of the stairs, she said. "Where's your bo--" Her speech wasn't clear. When he didn't answer, she repeated. "Where is your boyfriend?" The last part wasn't clear.

"WHAT?"

Jason raised his hands. "Hello?"

He came forward to help her down. When Percy looked alarmed, he said, "What? I am still your bodyguard."

Percy mumbling, "That's not what I heard..."

"What's up, Silena?" The Stolls asked together.

Silena turned to Jason. "Where. On. Earth. Is. Charles?" She had her phone in her hand and used it to hit the air. "Why is he not picking up my calls!!??"

"It's probably unreachable. Have you tried texting?" Travis asked.

She lousily opened the chats and shoved it on his face. "I texted 100 times! And he just texts me to wait! This is not normal! THIS IS NOT HIM!" She shouted.

"Shush... you're gonna wake Annabeth up!" Percy exclaimed.

"Annie?" She looked around. "I don't see Annabeth."

"That's 'cause she's sleeping in Percy's room," Connor smirked.

Percy's ears and neck were flushed. Again.

It was like he was swimming in his own sea of embarrassment by now.

Silena took a double-take and looked straight at Percy. She asked something in a serious tone which only increased Percy's redness.

"Did you two finally have se-"

His eyes widened, and he shut her up by pressing one hand to her mouth. The Stolls burst out laughing.

"NO! No! Wh-" His entire face burned. "She's as drunk as you and doesn't know the difference between 3rd floor and 2nd floor!" His voice was strained.

She slapped his hand away. "Ah, whatever, you guys are so boring."

Jason, who was ignoring the whole conversation and reading Silena's phone, turned to her. "I think Tools is compromised."

Their bickering stilled. Silena went pale. She opened her mouth but couldn't speak.

Connor clicked his tongue. "What are you on about, man?"

"Oh." Jason jerked out of his trance. "I mean Tools may be compromised." He waved the phone around. "Not Captain Tools."

"You think Beck's secret phone is compromised?" Travis asked.

"I don't know for sure, but I don't have a good feeling about this." Jason looked around. "We should take it to Leo. Just to confirm things."

Percy and Jason shared a knowing look: If Beck's phone used the same hacking system as Annabeth's, it could be reverse tracked easily since they already know the algorithm. They just might be able to find the location of the people behind Percy's attack.

"Silena we're gonna borrow your phone for a while, alright?" Connor said.

Silena still looked in a trance. She suddenly grabbed the nearest person's wrist - which happened to be Percy. "I-is-is Charlie in trouble?"

"No." He reassured her. "We got information from the team head that they were all okay. There is a chance his phone isn't though." He squeezed her shoulder. "You don't have to worry about him anymore. Go ahead and take rest." He looked at the rest for reassurance, and the Stolls nodded vigorously.

However, Jason looked deeper in thought, as if he was weighing all his moves before stepping into uncertainty.

Although he was sure of what he said, it left Percy worried - which make his expression funny as he was still red from everything that happened before.

.......

Annabeth's splitting headache made her want to time travel back to her past and kill herself. (Ohh, that would be a sudden way to end the story. 'Coz it is getting bigger LOL.)

Anyway, the last thing she remembered was climbing down the staircase in an exaggerated sloppy fashion. How had she managed to tug herself inside her bed before falling asleep? She had zero ideas.

Life made sure to remind her why she woke up this suddenly.

Someone was, quite literally, banging on the door, threatening to break it open.

She barely made it to the door with the headache and disorientation. As soon as she keyed it in, someone slammed it open on the other side.

"WHERE IS PERCY?" Jason raged.

"Wha-" She spoke in a daze. "How am I- in his room?"

He looked seriously pissed off. "We just get the info that Captain Tools is - and now..." He looked like he was going mad. "WHERE IS PERCY?"

He dragged her out of her room, and guards suddenly swarmed in. Annabeth realised that everyone outside was in a state of panic. Like they were waiting for the worst.

"You and Percy-" Jason spoke. "Look, I don't know the details, but you definitely slept in his room yesterday-"

Few doors opened. She looked around to see a few Selected, still in their nightdress, peak out of the room to see what was going on.

"Tel-tell me slowly. God, my headaches."

The fact that Drew - who was probably the earliest to wake since she had that much work to do to make herself presentable - was still in her nightdress implied that it was way too early for anyone to be awake.

Jason grabbed her by her shoulders and made her face him. "Look at me. Tell me what you remember!"

She didn't understand why he was man-handling her now. She weakly tried to push away and frowned heavily. "Le-let go. I-i don't know what you're talking about."

He didn't let go. "Annabeth, please, help me understand how is it that I never saw you coming out of his room, and no camera recorded you coming down, but, you're here? Where is he?"

"Maybe he's out! How am I supposed to know?"

When Jason frowned further, she couldn't contain her irritation. "Why? WHY ARE WE PANICKING?"

He pushed her away, harshly. Annabeth thought she saw his eyes flickering. "Why you ask?", he scoffed, "BECAUSE BECKENDORF IS DEAD!"

Annabeth's headache barely allowed all that information in.

Dead?

What?

"And PRINCE PERCY IS MISSING!" He turned around to point one finger at Lady Annabeth. "AND YOU WERE THE LAST PERSON TO SEE HIM."

Suddenly, a black hooded figure tacked Jason from behind. The guy punched Jason hard on his face. "How DARE you touch her?"

It was all too fast for her to understand.

The other guards immediately caught the anonymous person and dragged him away from Jason. He flexed his hands and released himself from their hold. The motion dragged his hood down.

It was Percy.

He glared at the guards and then, at Annabeth. He clenched his teeth and handed over a small device to her.

He lunged back at Jason, whose nose was bleeding. "I was in the lake!" He clarified (like that explained anything.) "You touch her one more time-" His eyes were red in rage.

She could barely read the message from the phone: S.O.S

Jason spoke without any fear or care. "Percy, are you-"

Percy flinched away. "I didn't have the phone the ONE TIME I NEEDED IT!"

He was angry. Furiously angry.

He had his hands on his head like he was trying to pull all his hair out. He grabbed the phone from Annabeth, and forcefully threw it down.

It barely scratched.

Annabeth was sure the girls were scared of this side of him.

She herself was.

He must have seen their expressions because he glared at them. "What are you looking at?" His words were slow and cold. The way he spoke reminded Annabeth of their first Selection fight. (After knowing Percy lied about not kissing Rachel.)

"Get ready for the funeral."

He climbed up the stairs without an explanation.

........

Whoooa guys that was hard to write.

The next chapter will come out sooner because I want you to see some sweet moments too.

Please, vote for my hard work. It helps. Keeps me motivated. 😅😅

P.S. I thought of including the funeral scene too, but it is getting long and late.

I promise it won't be sad forever, so don't give up hopes, ever, okay?

Good things are ahead too. That's what life is. Full of bad and good.
...

Summary:

1) Rachel and Percy talked about the intruder.

2) The Stolls, Jason, Percy and Silena found something wrong with Beck's chats with Silena, so Percy and Jason wanted to dig in more.

3) Jason saw no one entered or exited Percy's room but found no one in. Since Annabeth was the last person to stay with him, he interrogated her (plus the whole thing about Annabeth being in the Platinums list didn't help)

4) By then, Jason knows Beck died and is thinking Percy is missing. However, Percy had just gone out for a breather. Percy saw Jason shouting at Annabeth and hit him for it.