Willow's dress in the media. This chapter was so weird for me to write since Piper is talking to the one who tried to kill her...

Piper's POV

I pop a few pills in my mouth just as there's a knock on the door. Annabeth rushes over to open it, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. I chase down the pills with a glass of water. The doctor gave them to me for long lasting pain.

Reyna readjusts the supplies laying on a table we had a few maids bring in. Rachel sits in a corner, adding wings to a dress.

Drew, Willow, and a few other girls walk in behind Annabeth. She gives me a small smile before turning around to meet their eyes.

"Alright, so did everyone bring by their gowns?" Annabeth asks.

In response, they hold up the dresses that they're holding. Some have covers on them.

"Okay. Drew, you go to Reyna. Willow, meet with Piper. Summer, talk with Rachel and Savannah, you can come with me."

The girls disperse across the room. Reyna has her arms crossed and is scowling at Drew. I smile at Willow, who glares at me in return.

"Let's get this over with, shall we?" Willow asks, plopping herself down on the other side of the couch.

"What does your dress look like?" I ask.

Willow takes off the cloth cover, revealing an elaborate ball gown. She smirks as I give a little gasp.

It's green with a silk bodice and ruffles fluff out near the bottom. It's simple, but in an elegant way. But how could I change it into a costume?

"I understand if you can't change it," Willow says. "Some things can't be meddled with."

"I have a perfect idea," I reply, smiling.

Willow looks disappointed, as if she was hoping I would fail. She quickly covers it up with an icy smile.

Annabeth walks over and smiles at me. She glances quickly at Willow. "Are you ready, Piper?"

"Yep."

"Good. Willow, thank you for your time. Your dress will be ready to be picked up after dinner tonight," Annabeth says.

"It better," Willow says, standing up. The other girls have already finished and are now standing by the door. "We'll be back directly after dinner to pick up our improved dresses."

"They'll be ready," Annabeth promises.

With a flick of her long blonde hair, Willow walks out of the door. The other girls follow her suit.

"That was...interesting. So did everyone come up with an idea?" Annabeth asks us.

"How about you, Piper?"

"This is the dress," I hold up Willow's dress. "And I was thinking that we make it a peacock costume. We can add a blue sash to the dress and do the tail feathers."

"Perfect. How about you, Rachel?"

"Summer has a really ugly red and green dress. My idea is that we make it into a parrot costume by adding some blue and green to the dress."

"Creative idea. Reyna?"

"I did," Reyna says. "I had this dress," she holds up a red dress. "And I was thinking we do a vampire costume for Drew."

It's perfect. She's bloodthirsty and cold hearted.

"And that fits Drew perfectly," I add.

"Yeah, but I see a them going on here that Drew sort of goes outside of. Willow and Summer have bird costumes. Let's make them all have a theme together," Reyna says.

"Even better," Annabeth responds.

"What type of bird is red other than a parrot? I ask.

"A cardinal," says Annabeth. "A painted bunting."

"Let's go with a cardinal. Most people know what that is," Reyna says.

"Good idea. Savannah has a white dress," Annabeth waves her hand to a dress with intricate lace designs. "The best bird for that is a dove or a swan. Maybe a seagull. But I was thinking a swan."

"So they're all birds?" Rachel asks.

"They do all flutter around Willow, flocking for attention," I say.

Annabeth groans. "I can sense hundreds of bird puns coming."

I laugh and we get to work.

Apparently sewing is more difficult than one would think. It involves not stabbing yourself in the finger with the needle. It also involves concentration. If you mess up, you have to undo that part. Annabeth is a natural, flying through the alterations for her dress. Rachel isn't too shabby either. Reyna isn't as good, but she's much better than I am.

After who knows how long, Annabeth sits back. I glance over and see the dress is completed. It now has smooth curves, graceful. Wings poke out of the back and it actually reminds you of a swan.

"That looks amazing, Annabeth!" I exclaim.

"Thanks. I'm going to start of the mask now, unless anyone needs help?"

I look down at Willow's dress, a blue sash covering parts of the green. It looks okay, but nowhere as good as Annabeth's.

Annabeth sees me and comes over. Embarrassed, I look at the ground.

"Let's trade. You do the masks, I'll finish the dress, okay?"

"Sure," I mumble.

Annabeth gets to work. I walk over to a craft bin that we asked for. Sequins, glitter glue, thread, lace, feathers, gemstones, scissors, glue. How do I make a swan mask?

Dejected, I pick up a few random supplies. I start decorating the mask with not much of an overall plan.

A maid pokes her head in the door. "Ladies? Dinner is starting in half an hour and I thought that you'd like to freshen up a bit beforehand."

"Thank you, Andrea. We're almost done," Annabeth tells the maid.

I've finished both of my masks. Rachel has both her dress and mask completed, and so does Reyna. Annabeth is adding the last touch to Willow's dress. Everything looks amazing.

Andrea bows her head before leaving. I set down Willow's mask. I added blue paint to it and a few blue feathers. Savannah's mask has a swan's beak on the front and I put lace around the edges.

"I believe we're finished. Let's put the masks with the dresses so when they come up, they'll be together," Annabeth says.

We obey her and soon, every dress has a matching mask.

"We'll invite others to come tonight and pick their dresses up in the morning. Reyna, bring in your dress tonight. Another group is coming tonight as well."

I nod my head. "I'm going to my room to freshen up before dinner," I announce.

"Good idea," Rachel says.

"Come back here directly after dinner," Annabeth tells us.

Reyna, Rachel, and I walk out of Annabeth's room, exhausted. It was still sort of fun, but I'm incredibly tired. My back is killing me again.

"I'll be down in a minute," I say.

Reyna and Rachel nod before continuing to walk down the hallway. I'm about to enter my room when I hear a male's voice coming from the other hall. Curious, I head towards the noise.

I see a guard with blonde hair. He's talking to someone who isn't visible to me. He looks a little bit like Jason. His back is turned. When he speaks, I know exactly who he is.

It's the guard from the hidden room.