Hazel woke me up on that sunny Friday morning.

"Guess what?" She asked as I sat up, pulling off the blanket and slowly making my way to the bathroom.

"You're mad and I'm not?"

She pushed me lightly in the back. "It's Friday! The Report is tonight!"

I froze as my bare feet hit the cold bathroom tiles. "Tonight?"

She nodded at me. "And Apollo is going to ask you questions and everything! You can talk about how sweet Percy is and how he's such a lovely kisser. You can talk about the food and how much you love it here and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Maybe you could even mention us and your dresses!-" Hazel rambled on and on about what I could talk about as I wandered off into my own mind.

I was aware that I was getting undressed and I was aware that I was now in a warm bath, Alicia and Hazel squealing next to me. I had a feeling in the bottom of my stomach. Was it nerves? Dread? I've talked on the Report before, briefly, but I've never had to talk much about my personal life. And my relationship with Percy? I liked that what we did and what we say to each other is a secret, a secret just for us. Apollo will ask if we've been on dates, kissed etc. Do I want the whole world knowing that we kissed? Will I panic? Stutter? Faint? Will I look like a fish on national TV or just a complete idiot?

I interrupted Alicia. "What will I say?"

She turned her head to the side. "Do you want people to know everything about the relationship?"

I shrugged. "Not everything."

"Oh!" Hazel exclaimed. "We'll do some practice questions."

I nodded eagerly as Alicia asked the first question. "How have you been enjoying your stay as a Selected Lady Annabeth?"

I leaned back. "I've been enjoying it very much Apollo. My maids are just superb and my rooms fantastic."

Hazel grinned. "And what's been your favourite thing so far?"

I bit my lip thinking. Should I say Percy or the books?

"Meeting new people has been fun, and I've made some great friends. Plus the library."

"And Percy?"

"Oh, Percy! I nearly forgot about him!" I smiled and Alicia laughed. "He's been absolutely wonderful. Surprise dates, great chats."

Alicia raised an eyebrow "Have you kissed?"

I blushed as memories flashed through my mind. "Yes. Yes, we have."

"Alright!" Justine clapped as she walked into the bathroom. "That's enough questions for this morning. Time to get dressed." She beamed.

I was in a beautiful floral dress that sort of puffed out at my waist. There was heaps of fabric underneath and I had cute pastel purple shoes on. My makeup was done lightly, a little extra lip gloss to make my lips shine, and my hair was in a messy bun at the back of my head.(THEYWERE12NOT16, thanks for the hair!!!)

There was oodles of buzz (I love that sentence) at the breakfast table. Some girls were acting casual but defiantly panicking on the inside, me, others were visually showing their panic, Piper, a small group just ate, Thalia, and the rest were acting like they could do this in there sleep. Can anyone guess who? Yep, Drew.

She was smirking at the girls who didn't touch their food, smirking at the girls who were visually panicking and just smirking in general. I made a mental note to talk to Percy about her later.

"What question do you think he'll ask?" Piper gushed as soon as I sat down.

I shrugged. "I'm not sure. Most likely stuff about how you're enjoying your stay, stuff about Percy."

"What about Percy?"

I grabbed an apple and started to cut it up. "What you think of him, dates and if you've kissed."

Pipers eyes widened. "Gods, no! No one has."

I turned my face closer to the apple to hide the blush that was coming up on my face and shrugged. "Yeah," I cleared my throat. "He hasn't kissed anyone."

There was a moment or two of silence.

Then a scream.

And not just a squeal scream, but a scream scream.

That came from Piper.

She dropped the piece of food she was holding, stood up, mouth open producing a gods awful noise.

Everyone stopped talking and looked over, some even covered their ears. Percy's face was quite shocked and he quickly stood up asking if Piper was okay. Guards started to make their way over for assistance but I hastily stood up "No! No, she's quite alright. If we could be excused." I looked at Percy pleadingly and he nodded.

I silently thanked him and grabbed Piper's wrist. I, not so gently, pulled her out of the room. The doors closed behind us and I put a hand over her mouth to try and muffle the sound.

"Shhh!" I tried shaking her with one hand. "Piper!"

She stopped screaming and said something that I couldn't understand. She sighed and removed my hand. "You kissed him!"

I turned my back towards her. "No," I shook my head. "I didn't. I haven't."

"Oh please!" She spun me around. "Your blush says otherwise! How long ago?"

"Last weekend," I grumbled.

Her eye grew wide. "And you didn't tell me!?"

I bit my lip and suddenly became very interested in the floor. "I kept it a secret."

"How many times?" She asked

"A couple that night. Once the next morning. We kissed another time too."

She slapped me on the shoulder. "Was it any good?"

I looked up at her bashfully. "Perfect."

She started to do a happy dance in her teal, thin strap dress when the doors opened and Percy came rushing in.

He stopped short when he saw us standing there "Is everything okay? Piper," He stepped closer to her and checked for any injuries. "Are you okay? What happened?"

She pushed him lightly away, back towards me. "You two is what happened!"

Percy looked at me weirdly. "I thought we already established that we were, like dating or whatever."

I sighed. "We did but she just found out that we, um. That we-" I blushed.

"Kissed." Percy finished for me, to which I nodded at his correct guess. He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

We both looked over at Piper, who was beaming at us.

"You do know that we're competing against each other, Piper? Percy and I kissing should be bad for you."

Piper rushed over and enveloped us both in a hug. "Not when it's you two!"

Piper wanted me to spill the details when we got back to the table but I told her to wait. I didn't want the whole Selection to find out that we've kissed, and hopefully it wouldn't come up tonight, which I knew was wishful thinking.

After enduring glances from the whole table, thanks to Piper's outburst, she pulled me into my bedroom.

The girls were dusting like always and didn't bother us whilst I told the story of Percy and I's kiss. At the end there was silence.

Alicia and Hazel squealed from separate parts of the room and Piper was waving her wand about like a crazy person. (basically fangirling summed up in a sentence)

"Oh, my gods. That was amazing!"

I bit my lip in embarrassment. "Yeah, it was."

There was a swift knock on the door. Puzzled I walked over to open it. Standing there in full uniform of an army general, minus the white cast on his arm, stood my dad, Fredrick.

"Kiddo," He smiled and stepped into the room, giving me a small kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, Dad." I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion.

Piper stood up and made her way over to us from my bed. "Hello, sir. I'm Piper." She stuck out her hand.

My Dad shook it. "Nice to meet you. I'm General Chase."

"What's up?" I asked concerned. Even though my whole family lives in the one building we don't see each other much because A, it's very big and B, my family and I don't spend much time together. Normally meal times were a given, but now with the Selection and all the injuries, they didn't eat with us. Bobby and Matthew had school during the day, Dad worked and Helen whatever Helen does. I guess my family didn't have time for me.

"Can a father not check on his little girl?"

"Of course he can but-" But I was interrupted when Justine walked in.

"Who's here...? Oh, sir." She curtsied to my dad. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here."

Dad chuckled. "That's quite alright. And who are you?"

I stepped up to stand next to Dad. "That's Justine, Dad. My head maid." Hazel and Alicia walked in. "Oh, and that's Alicia. You know Hazel."

Dad smiled at them as they curtsied.

"How's Bobby and-" I was interrupted yet again as another knock came at the door.

Exasperated I turned around to find Luke standing there in guard uniform.

"Annie-" He stopped talking noticing my company.

I sighed. So many introductions today. "Luke, this is my father General Fredrick Chase. Dad, this is Luke."

Luke straighten up at the sight of one of his many bosses. "Pleasure to meet you, sir." They shook hands.

"Who's that?" Piper whispered in my ear.

"Piper, Luke. Luke, Piper. Luke and I are old friends."

Luke smiled at Piper from the doorway "Where did you two meet?"

I bit my lip and gave a quick glance to my dad. "When Percy and I-When we ran away."

There was an awkward silence that filled the room. Luke glanced nervously at my father but he just clapped Luke on the shoulder. "Thanks for looking after my girl."

Luke nodded stiffly. "Anytime."

"I can look after myself!" I called to my Dads back as he left the room.

"I know you can, kiddo." He said over his shoulder and left.

I turned back towards Luke. "What were you saying before?"

"Sarah's requested all Selected to the Women's Room."

Luke walked us to the Women's room making polite conversation with Piper.

We quickly arrived and after a goodbye we found ourselves seated on a couch looking at Sarah and Sally with the rest of the girls.

"Now, I'm sure your all nervous for tonight, so both Queen Sally and I will give you some helpful tips." Sarah smiled at us.

"Remember to always smile," She continued on. "Excellent posture, high chins. The population is looking for the future queen." She scanned the crowd.

"I was in the same position as you many years ago," Sally took over from Sarah with her soothing motherly tone. "It's okay to be nervous. It's okay to be scared. All you have to do is be yourself."

"Answer the questions politely. Call Percy by Prince Percy." Her gaze fell on me. "No matter how well you know him."

"The questions won't be too hard." Sally waved the unasked question away. "Just two-four questions and Apollo will be nice. Just be truthful and don't reveal anything you don't want to." Sally's gaze fell on me.

Why are they looking at me?!

"And most importantly-" Sarah started.

"Have fun." Sally finished.

Nearly all the girls relaxed into their chairs, thankful that we had a little pep talk.

Drew rolled her eyes and stalked off to the other side of the room, her 'friends' following her.

Sally quietly walked over to us, sitting down in front of me. "Are you going to talk about...?"

Guessing she was talking about Percy I's night out on the roof I blushed. "I haven't talked to him about it yet."

Pipers hand flew to her open mouth. "Did you-Did you spend the night together?" She whispered yelled.

Sally nodded and rested a hand on my knee. "They did." She leaned in closer. "I have pictures."

Piper laughed loudly. "Can I look?"

"Oh, gods" I muttered, using both hands to cover up my red face. "Can we change the topic?"

"We have to make a video and show it at their twenty-first's!!" Piper gushed holding hands with Sally.

"I have cute baby photos too!"

I quietly shrunk into the couch, covering myself with pillows muttering profanities at Piper and Sally.

After sharing some embarrassing stories from my childhood and Sally finding Percy and I on the roof, Sally left to welcome some general.

"Hey, Sally?" I asked.

"Yes, honey?"

"Do you know where Percy would be now?"

Sally looked up at the clock on the wall. "He was supervising a meeting twenty minutes ago. He should be in his room now."

"Thanks."

I excused myself from Piper after Sally left, making my way to Percy's room.

The guards at the front of the corridor of the third floor stepped forward. "Sorry, miss, no ones allowed up here."

I smiled politely at him. "Oh, I know, sir. I'm here to see Prince Percy." I pointed to his room. "I'm his best friend."

The guards glanced at each other. "We've been given strict orders from-"

"General Chase?" I asked as the guards nodded. "You see, he's my father and-"

I was interrupted by Paul's office door opening, Percy walking out and closing the door behind him.

"Percy!" I yelled.

He looked up at me and smiled. "What's up, Wise Girl?"

The guards stiffened when they heard his voice. "Can I come into your room?" I asked.

"And...?"

I sighed. "I just want to talk to you, Seaweed Brain."

He smiled crookedly at me. "Come on in."

I smirked at the guards as I walked passed them, pass Percy into his room.

He closed the door behind him and I flopped down on his bed. He flopped down next to me.

"Breakfast was entertaining," He said.

I found his hand and looped my fingers through his. "It was so embarrassing."

"Embarrassing that she screamed or that we kissed?"

I turned my head towards him and smiled. "That she screamed."

He turned his head to face me as well. "I got scared that she had been shot or something."

I squeezed his hand. "About tonight..."

He brought his free hand up to my face, brushing his smooth thumb along my cheek making me shiver. "Hmm?"

"What are we going to tell them?"

He sighed and removed his hand from my face, running it through his hair. "What do you want to tell them?"

"I don't know. I just-It was so perfect and I loved it. Is it bad that I liked that it was just between us two?"

He shook his head. "Not at all, Wise Girl. But you gotta remember that it will come out eventually. Either someone spills what we've told them, people connect the dots or someone sees or overhears us."

The thought of Drew came to mind but I decided to push it away. Drew can come later. "Have you kissed anyone else?"

He sighed and closed his eyes. "Have you?"

I scrunched my face together. "Who would I kiss? And you're avoiding the question."

He opened his eyes. "I almost kissed someone last night."

"Oh," I said in a small voice. I turned my face away from his and faced the ceiling. "Who?"

"Rachel."

I closed my eyes and nodded. The feeling of uneasiness spread out through my body, my eyes burned with tears.

Percy sighed and squeezed my hand. "I want to be honest with you, Annabeth. We didn't kiss, it was close. I don't know her enough yet to kiss her."

I turned my face back towards her. "Yeah?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

We looked at each other in silence. There were slight dark bags underneath his fascinating sea-green eyes, due to the stress and work he's been getting lately. His raven hair was everywhere and his lips were plush and soft.

Percy's eyes flickered down to my lips, and a string connecting me with Percy pulled me towards him, our lips softly meeting in the middle. His hand coming up and cupping my cheek, guiding my face upwards so he could get better access to my lips.

Kissing Percy was something that you could ever get bored or tired of. Like colours of sunsets on the beach or laughing with your friends. The taste of your favourite spice or the feeling of freshly washed sheets. The sea breeze on your face, building sand castles, the smell of a new book. Kissing Percy was like all things good in life.

We slowly pulled away, our foreheads touching lightly, our limbs tangled with each other.

"You can tell whoever you want," He whispered. "As longs as you're comfortable and know the consequences."

I lost myself in his eyes for a moment. The consequences would be rumours, people talking about us, judgement. They'd make hurtful comments towards us or be delighted. The other girls would look at me differently, and they would see me as stronger competition. Our secret kisses would be out.

"I'll tell the world I kissed you, Seaweed Brain,"

"Good," He smiled. "I want the whole wide world to know that I've kissed Annabeth Chase."

Dinner was silent, apart from the royal family. Zoe was chatting away how she learnt how to get up on top of a horse today and how she made a new friend but the Selected didn't talk much.

Drew made some comments here and there but was quickly silenced by everyone's glare. Everyone was nervous about the Report, the one where we would talk in front of all of Illéa.

We all made our way to the filming studio in small clumps, nervously talking to each other.

When we got there, there were people busy checking lights, the set and cameras. People talked into walkie-talkies and the Royal family walked over to their seats.

I was surprised to find my dad sitting in his normal chair, in the section for officials and generals. He winked over at me and I gave him a small smile.

Twenty-four seats were set up for the Selected, each of us took a seat. Piper and I got the second row, Thalia and Reyna just behind us.

Apollo bounced over and clapped to get our attention.

"Wonderful evening isn't it?" He asked, "Well, I am here so of course, it is!" We nervously chuckled.

"There is nothing to be scared off! I'm just asking some questions and dear Sarah has told you everything you need to know. The only thing you have to be scared of is my glory self."

How is this guy related to humble Will?

Apollo excused himself as the ten-second call was made and he rushed over to side stage.

The Illéan national anthem sounded through speakers and I quickly straighten my back more, putting on a convincing smile as Paul and Sally walked over and stood in front of the main camera.

"Good evening Illéa." Sally smiled into the camera.

"Today's news will be shorter than normal, due to the fact of a larger Selection segment. First news is the budget cut to..." Paul started to talk about the budget for another couple of minutes as I zoned off.

"Next we would like to I introduce General Fredrick Chase."

I froze as I watched my dad stand up and walk over to the podium slowly wincing in pain because of his broken rib.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Dad smiled at Sally.

"First, I would like to say thank you to the great citizens of Illéa for the endless amount of support shown to my family during the painful time of the accident. My beautiful wife, Helen, and my young boys, Bobby and Matthew, are making speedy recoveries, as am I. Secondly, this week we have been struck by tragedy as one of the Selected, Lady Georgia's, brother has been killed by Rebels. Lady Georgia has returned home and will no longer be competing in the Selection. I have issued a dozen more guards to be stationed around each of the capitals of the country as protection of the citizens. Hopefully, this doesn't happen again."

Sally and Paul thanked my dad, and he sat down. Paul then introduced Apollo for the Selection part of the Report.

"Hello, Illéa!" He exclaimed, "Are you happy to see me?"

He waved the question away. "Of course you are, what a stupid question."

Cue the applause.

"As we heard from General Chase just moments before, Lady Georgia has gone home to grieve. Lady Georgia and family, if you're watching this, we hope that you will get through this and our thoughts are with you."

He paused for effect then moved his hands gesturing towards us. "But now the moment you all have been waiting for! Tonight you'll get answers and gossip into the lives of each of the Selected! First up we're going to ask Prince Percy some questions first."

Percy smiled, getting up from his chair and sitting across from Apollo in a comfy looking chair.

"How are you going so far, Your Highness?"

Percy looked over at us, a wide smile spread across his face. "It's been an absolute delight so far, Apollo."

"And how many dates?"

Percy looked down at his fingers and started to count them, but he soon gave up at looked back up at Apollo, smiling again. "I've been on at least one date with everyone."

Apollos eyebrows shot up. "What have you been doing with these lovely ladies?"

"Horse riding and walks, picnics, archery, star gazing."

"He's quite the romantic, isn't he?" Apollo asked us.

We all nodded in response earning laughter from everyone in the room.

"The final question," Apollo paused for dramatic effect. "Have you kissed anyone?"

Percy swept his gaze over all the girls, silently resting on me. He asked the silent question, are you sure about this? with his eyes. I gave him a small nod.

Percy turned back to Apollo. "Yes, I have."

Everyone, except Piper, all froze as they took the news in. I tried to hide my smirk at Drew's defeated face.

"Oh, my!" Apollo leaned forward in his chair. "Who?"

"She'll have to tell you," He shrugged.

Apollo slumped back into his chair. "Off with you now no fun prince. We must get these girls so we can find our mysterious kisser."

Percy laughed but made his way back to his chair.

He didn't look at me, but I wasn't offended. The camera was on his face right now and if he looked, they would notice me and I wasn't quite ready for that, just yet.

Nancy Bobofit was the first to be 'interviewed', more like interrogated, by Apollo.

Apollo made his way down the line of the first row, hitting Drew.

"Oh, look who's next everyone! Number one in last weeks polls, Lady Drew Tanaka."

Drew glided over to Apollo, sitting so that the large slit in her dress was facing the camera, all her leg visible.

"Have you kissed Prince Percy?" Apollo asked straight away.

Drew waved him away with a laugh. "No of course not, silly. I've only just met the guy. What kind of sl-person kisses a man she's only known for a week and a bit?"

I bit my lip in frustration. I'll have you know that I've known that guy for seventeen years!

Apollo frowned. "I really hoped it was you. Anyway, what's been your favourite date so far?"

Drew then went on for what seemed ages, but really was minutes, about one of her dates and how sweet and romantic Percy was.

Yuck.

Apollo finished with Drew, then called up the next girl. Soon enough he got to Piper. I squeezed her hand before she stood up and she gave me a nervous smile.

She walked over confidently to Apollo and sat down with her chin up, back straight and a smile on her face. Go, Piper!

"Ah, if it isn't Tristan McLean's own daughter the beautiful Lady Piper. Are you the mystery kisser?"

Excitement splashed across her face at the thought of my kiss. "No, I haven't kissed Prince Percy."

Apollo sighed. "Well then, what's been your favourite part of the Selection?"

Piper smiled bigger than before. "Meeting new people that's for sure. I've made some really great friends in this short process already, and they've been fantastic."

"What do you think of the palace?"

"It's so big!" Piper gushed. "I get lost three times a day. The poor guards, they're practically my tour guides!"

Apollo laughed "Thank you, Lady Piper. Next, we have Lady Annabeth of Angeles."

Butterflies flapped around in my stomach. I looked over worriedly at Percy and his gaze was firm. You can do this, they said, I believe in you.

That's all the reassurance I needed.

I gave Piper as small high five as we passed each other, she gave me a reassuring smile.

I sat down in the chair suddenly aware of the fact that I had a couple of loose strands of hair around my face and that my hands were really sweaty.

"Before I ask if your the mysterious kisser," My breath stopped for a moment. "I wanted to ask you about your family. How are you and the Chase gang?"

Shock rippled through me. I had totally forgotten that this could be a question, and a personal one. But with the way I think it's going to go, this interview is going to get quite personal.

My training kicked in and I smiled at Apollo. "The Chase gang and I are recovering. I admit it was hard for us, especially with the extent of the injuries, but we're a strong family. We are internally grateful that everyone made it out alive."

I gave myself a mental high five. That sounded okay.

"And now the question, are you the one that's kissed the prince?"

I took a deep breath in to calm my nerves. "I am."

Apollo clapped his hands together in excitement. "Finally!"

I didn't look over at the girls, knowing I would get glared and hate-filled looks. I didn't need it right then.

"Tell us everything!" Apollo sat forward in his seat.

"Prince Percy and I had a stargazing date on the roof. It was magical and we eventually got into the food fight," Apollos face scrunched up in confusion but I just shrugged. "You know, as best friends do. He had me cornered and then he kissed me."

Percy cleared his throat behind Apollo. "If I remember correctly, it's you who kissed me." His voice and smile were mocking me.

My mouth flew wide open. "And you're the one who put tomato sauce (*rolls eyes* ketchup, for you who does not understand) on my face Seawee-Prince Percy!"

"What were you about to call him, Lady Annabeth?"

I looked back over at Apollo and blushed. "Just a childhood nickname, that's all."

Apollo spun around. "What does she call you?" He asked.

Percy smirked at. "She calls be Seaweed Brain, Apollo, and I call her Wise Girl".

I blushed even more and bit my lip in embarrassment. Sally raised her hand.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Apollo asked

"Annabeth dear, you haven't told the whole story."

Percy crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah Wise Girl, you haven't told the whole story."

I stared at Percy for a moment then put my focus back on to Apollo and sighed. "We danced, then made a bed, then watched the stars together."

"And...?"

I closed my eyes, a faint smile on my face at the memories. "We fell asleep."

I slowly opened my eyes to see Apollos shocked face "You two-you two fell asleep on the rooftop?!"

I nodded as Paul called out. "It gets better! We found them there in the morning!"

Apollo turned his body around in amazement, looked around at all the shocked faces and then spun back around to face me. "Wow."

I nodded. "Yeah, wow."

"As much as I want to find out more I'm afraid we have spent our time together, Lady Annabeth. Next is Lady Katie from Botina."

As I passed pass Percy, I glared at him but he just poked out his tongue.

Nobody gave me a second glance as I sat down apart from Piper and Thalia. They both smiled at me. Dad winked at me but that's all the emotion he showed.

Feeling the tension between all the girls all I wanted to do was get away from there.

As soon as the Report was done, I raced out of the room before anyone could say "Stop!"

I stayed up really late to get this done, one for the team!

Some big news in my life, next year (Year 10) I'm going to be doing Year 11 History. So that means I want to get to get this story done by February 2018. This doesn't mean more updates right now, maybe in the future but I want to get ahead in my writing. So next year all I have to do is update this book, not write it!

How did you like this one?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

(I have so much work to do tomorrow, and it's really late :( I have to write two short stories by next Friday, 6 days away, but I think that they will be great! I'm excited!)

Just quickly, some of you might be thinking that Percabeth's relationship is moving to fast (I am) but just remember, they've known each other for 17 years. It okay if they kiss after only a week and a bit of dating

Is that all? I think it is!

Thanks! <3

-Squirrel