Annabeth's POV

The last time I saw Percy, he told me to leave. Leave the palace, leave the Selection, leave him. And I was about to.

But they refused to let me go. Someone in the Selection was a psycho and they needed to find her. If it was me, they wouldn't want to let me just leave. Smart, sort of.

And now a masquerade ball. I have to make the dress myself with no outside help. I'm not too confident about my sewing abilities.

I haven't talked to Percy since our fight. Should I apologize? Should I wait for him to apologize? Or should I just wait for the ball? Why do I even care?

These days, Percy hasn't made much of an effort to the Selected. I haven't seen him at all. And there's been no newspaper for a bit with the gossip of the Selection, so there's nothing going on.

"Miss Chase?" A voice breaks me away from my thoughts. I look up and see the instructor looking at me with a cold expression on her face. "I assume you were listening to the question I just asked you?"

Crap. I wasn't listening. I usually always pay attention in class, but I'm too preoccupied today.

I try to remember what we were talking about earlier. The Second Great Depression is written on the board.

"Um, the Second Great Depression occurred in 2023 when the United States debt to China was too much. They taxed the citizens so much that all their money was taken away. This resulted in major job loss across the country, much more than the First Great Depression. America fell behind and lost most of their economic power," I say, hoping that was the answer she was looking for.

Her eyes narrow at me. "Correct, Miss Chase. And what major historical event happened shortly after?"

"The start of a war between America and China, called the Campaign War because each side hacked onto the other side and promoted campaign commercials. They spent more on campaigning than weapons."

The teacher gives me a surprised look before interrogating another girl. Our lessons started yesterday and the teacher, Mrs. Campbell, was relentless.

"Excuse me," a voice at the door says. I turn around and see Percy standing there with another girl behind him. She has curly black hair and blue eyes. My heart both sinks and leaps up at the sight of Percy.

"Mrs. Campbell, thank you for teaching these lovely ladies," one girl giggled immaturely at that. "I'm sure you were wonderful, but the full time teacher has arrived."

Mrs. Campbell gives a deep curtsy before leaving. I'm glad to see her go. Percy walks in with the young lady.

"Everyone, this is Miss Sasha Tipton, your new teacher. She will be in charge of teaching you all that a princess should know."

I catch a quick wink from him, but it isn't directed to me. It's directed to Rachel.

"I have to leave now, but I'm sure you'll be in good hands with Miss Tipton."

Percy leaves the classroom. Our new teacher looks around the room, smiling.

"Okay, ladies. First off, address me just as you would any one else. My name is Sasha. To start off our time together, I'm assigning a project."

Multiple groans fill the classroom. I'm the only one who looks excited. Call me a nerd, but I love projects.

"The project is a simple one, something to let me get to know you. I want all of you to plan a part of the masquerade ball together. You'll work in groups that I've already assigned. When I call your name, go to a table with the others in your group."

People start exchanging looks, ignoring the part about her already making our groups.

"First group is Silena, Clarisse, Gwen and Juniper. You four will be working on the music."

They silently get up and walk towards a table in the front. Silena smiles brightly at everyone in her group. Clarisse scowls and starts writing on the table with her pencil. Juniper smiles back and Gwen just sits there.

"The second group is Hylla, Thalia, Bianca, and Zoë. You all will be in charge of the food."

They do they same as the first group. Bianca clings to Zoë a bit.

"The third group is Savannah, Willow, Drew, and Summer. You will be in charge of the decorations."

None of them look mad about this arrangement. Oddly enough, so far all of the groups have been mostly cliques.

"The fourth group is Lou Ellen, Ella, Katie, and Lacy."

Ella looks nervous. I see Lacy put her hand on the girl's arm as they walk to an empty table.

"The fifth group is Claire, Hazel, and Calypso.

The girl, Hazel, goes a bit pale while she stands up. The other follow her suit quickly.

"And the final group is Piper, Reyna, Rachel, and Annabeth. You four will be in charge of the costumes."

I'm fine with Reyna. More than fine with Piper, considering she's one of my good friends here. But Rachel? I can't stand her.

"Um, M'am," I say.

"Call me Sasha, please."

"Okay, well some girls have already started to make their dresses for the dance and it may be a little too late for them to change."

"You are most certainly correct, Miss Chase. If anyone in here has a dress already made, or mostly made, please contact any of these four ladies about altercating the designs. I will give you the rest of our time today to meet with your groups."

Piper gives me a small smile. I'm surprised at how quickly she has recovered from what happened a week ago. I smile back at her before taking the seat beside her.

Rachel and Reyna sit down as well. We sit in silence as the rest of the Selected talk.

"So I'm thinking that we go around the room and ask those who have already made a dress to meet with us outside of class," I say.

"That sounds great," Piper says supportively. Reyna gives a curt nod and Rachel says nothing.

"I'll go to the second group, I guess. Piper, go to the first. Reyna, meet with the fourth and Rachel, go to the fifth."

"There's one more group, genius," Rachel points out.

I grit my teeth. "I know that, Rachel. I was going to say that I will also meet with them."

I stand up and walk to the second group. They don't look as if they're working. Thalia sees me and gives me a weak smile. She's been acting strangely for the past week.

"Have any of you starting making your dresses?" I ask with no preamble.

"No," Zoë says. "I have not yet begun. Neither has Bianca."

"I have my fabric picked out, but that's it," Hylla says.

"Mines already finished," Thalia says bluntly.

"Okay. Thalia, meet me in my room tonight at seven so we can discuss altering the image of your costume."

"Since when did you become in charge?" Thalia asks me, her blue eyes narrowing.

"Since I have to work on designing everyone's outfit," I tell her before turning around before I can start to cry. We've changed so much since the start of the Selection, it almost feels as if we never knew each other.

I go over to the other group and my heart sinks when I realize the group has Drew and Willow.

"Has anyone had their dress already made?" I ask them.

"Duh," Drew says. "Honey, all of us have finished our dresses and nothing you say can change it."

"Oh really?" I say coolly. "Tell me, Drew, what does your dress look like?"

"Better than everyone else's," she boasts. Willow shoots her a look. "Besides Willow's, I mean."

"Let me take a guess. It's a long ball gown that's really revealing. Your mask is flashy and complicated. Am I correct?"

Based on the look of shock on Drew's face, I am. I smile smugly.

"Then tell us what you want our outfits to look like?" Willow asks smoothly.

"It all depends on what your dresses already look like. Meet me in my room after class and bring your dresses and masks."

"Fine," Willow says.

I walk back to where my group is sitting.

"How many already have their dresses?" I ask.

"Tons," Reyna says. "Including me. I don't know how we'll make them all follow a theme."

"Like this. We'll change the masquerade ball into a masquerade costume ball. Reyna, what color is your dress?"

"Black," she says slowly.

"I have an idea," I say with a smile forming on my face.

Rachel leans forward. "Spill."