So guys, can you stop hitting milestones when I've planned something bad? I mean at 16K you got Lukabeth so what do you think is going to happen at 22K?

Have you thought about it?

Are you hoping Percabeth?

Sorry to disappoint

Here's some Lukeabeth!

But! There is going to be another 2 ships in here... not Percabeth tho... okay maybe a little

(VVsparrowVV- thanks for the hair! Ps. Love you guys!)

Percy and I drove back home, goofing off and totally forgetting that someone had taken a picture of us.

I woke up the next morning with a pounding headache, a result of the squealing last night when I re-told the day's events to a near faint Hazel, suspicious Alicia and excited Justine.

Hazel jumped on top of me. "Wakey wakey eggs and bakey."

I rubbed my eyes. "Do you actually have bacon?" I mumbled.

Hazel shook her head. "Nope, sorry."

I groaned and flopped back down on my bed but Hazel grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of bed.

Justine had set up a shower for me, so I stepped in and washed the night off of me.

I thought about yesterday and how much fun I had. A ditzy grin formed on my face as Percy came to mind.

He's such a Seaweed Brain.

I stepped out of the shower, drying myself and then I wrapped the fluffy white towel around me. I walked back out into the bedroom but was greeted by silence.

I frowned. Normally chatter would bounce off the walls as the girls got me ready for the day.

"Girls?" I questioned.

Alicia hastily made her way out of the walk-in wardrobe, carrying a pretty blue and white dress with her. "Yes?"

I looked around the room. "Why is it so quiet?"

"No reason," She didn't meet my eyes.

I squinted at her as I took in her body language. She was moving fast, and she was hunched not meeting my eyes. She kept on licking her lips, a habit which I picked up as an indicator that she was lying.

I nodded though and helped to get ready. Hazel came out with shoes, and she too seemed off. Justine didn't even glance at me as she sped off into the bathroom.

After getting dressed we walked into the bathroom where the girls started doing my hair and makeup.

"Okay!" I clapped my hands and turned around to face the three of them. "Someone needs to tell me what's wrong."

They all quickly glanced at each other but said nothing.

"Was it something I did? Or something I said? Do you want me to thank you more? Or-or I don't know. What did I do wrong?"

Justine shook her head. "It isn't about us, miss." She looked over at Hazel who nodded. "It's about you and..."

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. "And...?"

"Percy."

I sighed. "What about us?"

Alicia dashed out of the room and a second later she was in front of me holding a magazine. "It was delivered while you were in the shower..." Her voice trailed off as I made a strangled sound in the back of my throat.

In big bold letters at the top read 'Illèan Weekly'. Under the title of the magazine read 'Annabeth Chase Strikes Again!' And the worst part was under that heading. It was a picture of Percy and me on the bridge, in the same clothes as yesterday, hands wrapped around each other, kissing.

I quickly ripped open the magazine trying to find the article on Percy and I. I found it about ten pages in after a foot care add. The pictures taken a couple of days ago with Lou Ellen were scattered around the two-page document but the biggest was the same one on the front cover.

'My my my! Annabeth Chase cannot get enough of our delicious Prince! The Prince and Lady Annabeth were spotted walking around Angeles yesterday and kissing on Chaos Bridge just after lunch. I find it interesting that they're still going strong, but I still have my suspicions. An anonymous Selected has come forward, answering some questions and the answers you'll find disturbing.

'Annabeth Chase has no heart. She is mean to the other girls, cruel to her maids and has poor Percy wrapped around her devil finger.'

The anonymous person said that she was deeply hurt by words said to her by Lady Annabeth and that the rest of the Selected felt that way. She also expressed her concern for Percy, as he seems to have no idea what is happening behind closed doors. Recently I had a chance to talk to our gorgeous Queen Sally and when questioned about Annabeth she sighed, 'Annabeth is intelligent, beautiful and perfect for the role of queen. She has the countries best interests at heart, cares for Percy and most importantly believes in her self. No one will change my views on Annabeth Chase.'

Evidence I've gathered shows that this is all a desperate plea for attention and that Annabeth Chase is a manipulative person.

For more on the Selection read pages 27-32.

- Kelli the Empousa.'

I breathed out slowly through my mouth, trying to calm the bubbling rage inside of me. Why did everything I do, with good intentions, get weaved and knotted together the wrong way?

"We're sorry," Hazel gently took the magazine out of my hands before I could crush it.

"No, no," I held my head up high and smiled at them. "Just another bump in the road. Just another hurdle to jump over. Just a new challenge."

They continued with my hair as I tried to steer my thoughts away from everything bad that the whole country would be reading as they woke up.

Before I entered the dining hall I looked at the large mirror placed next to it. I looked at myself, taking everything in. My hair was done in a beautiful style, the dress fitted me and made my tan stand out, my grey eyes popped and I tried for a reassuring smile. I felt good, in the way that I was comfortable with who I was but the cloud, the shadow of doubt that followed me everywhere blocked those thoughts. What if I was really just a shallow person? Was I really in this for Percy? Would I be a good queen? Wife? Mother? Would the public like me? Would I make the right decisions? Would I be perfect?

Warm arms wrapped around my neck, hands resting just above my chest. Thalia's head came into view, her chin resting on my shoulder. She smiled at me in the mirror, her electric eyes meeting my own grey ones.

"Don't doubt yourself, Annie. People are jealous that they aren't you. That they aren't stunning, confident or clever. They're jealous that they don't live like you do, have the friends you do. They don't have a Percy or a Piper. They don't have a Sally or Hazel. You are you, don't change that, for there is only one of you and the world would suffer a great loss if you weren't in it. Remember that."

I placed my hands on the tops of hers. "Thanks, Thals."

She squeezed my hands as we heard the click of high heels behind us. We both turned around to find Drew standing there, looking smug and practically having no clothes on from the amount of skin shown. Her 'friends' were standing behind her looking like lost puppies.

"Oh, how sweet" She rolled her eyes. "Making friends are we Annabel? Wouldn't want to be your friend really, I mean not with all those terrible things being said about you." She faked frowned.

I stepped forward, my hands clenching into fists but before I could say something Thalia stepped in front of me, pushing me back lightly on the shoulder.

"You know Drew, I think I finally understand you," Thalia put her hand on her chin and looked up at the roof. "Yes, I do understand you." She stepped closer to Drew. "You're the girl that everyone loves. The one that's good-looking, the one with the body, fame and money. The one that everyone looks up to, even when they shouldn't. You play the innocent bystander when there's someone you want to impress around. But I know the real you. You're not as confident as you seem. You're scared, petrified even and you don't give a dam about anyone else except yourself. You put down perfectly good people like Annie and myself to bring you up. It gives you joy and pleasure to know that your words cut deep. It gives you a sense of satisfaction that you have brought us down and made us feel horrible about our selves. It makes you believe in yourself more and it gives you confidence meanwhile people like me suffer because of you," She poked Drew. "You are actually weak and you make us weak to make you stronger. Well, guess what Drew? I've had enough of you and your remarks. I don't care what you think and I don't care what you say! I know who I am, and I know that that person is good. Annabeth knows that she isn't out for the crown and she knows that she is the best candidate to lead this country. It's time for you to rethink yourself and start again because you need it."

Thalia spun around and marched into the dining room. Drew stood there stunned. I smirked at her and she let out a scream and stalked off, no one followed her. I turned back around to the mirror, smiled at myself and walk into the dining room.

There was a lot of talk about Thalia's speech about Drew and Drew not turning up made her the centre of attention. Bad attention.

Percy and I shared a couple of looks during breakfast, it seemed he hadn't read the article about me yet, which I was thankful for. Piper brought it up once, checked I was okay and left it at that. She distracted me well, as did Reyna which I appreciated.

"Just before you leave," Sally stood up from her table. "A reminder that in half an hour you all must be back here for your final dance lessons for the ball tomorrow."

A chorus of groans came from around the room. "Oh, don't be silly!" Sally waved the groans away. "It will be fun.."

I smiled at her as she sat down, and she smiled back.

Half an hour later, all the girls were lined up in the dining room.

Cliché as it sounds, we all had heavy books on top of our heads and Sarah was waking in front of us, moving our chins high or fixing our shoulders.

Drew had turned up late and had gotten a glare from Sarah but nothing more. Sarah walked past me like I was invisible and moved to Piper next to me to fix her stance.

"A proper queen can dance with a crown on her head, even if there is not one there. Soon the guards will be arriving and without the books, you will dance."

Thalia sighed. "Is this necessary?"

Sarah raised her eyebrows at Thalia and stepped in front of her. "Oh, I think it is necessary Lady Thalia. Would you like to go home?"

Thalia set her jaw. "No," She mumbled.

Sarah nodded her head and just then the doors opened and a group of guards walked in.

"Thank you, gentlemen, for joining us. Ladies, go find a partner."

The girls set off to find a partner. I watched as Piper made a beeline for Jason. I smiled as they started to dance as the music started up, glad that they were friends (😏) I meanwhile made a beeline for Luke. (*laughs in your face*) He wasn't with Thalia, which was a bit surprising, and he agreed to be my partner.

"How are you?" He asked as he put his hand on my waist.

I sighed placing an arm on his shoulder and connecting our free hands together as we stepped to the beat. "I'm currently okay. This morning I wasn't."

He frowned. "What's up?"

I suddenly became really uncomfortable. Did he not know about the magazine? Did he not know what had happened? And worst I had to tell him about Percy and I kissing? Why was I uncomfortable?

"Just a, uh, not so nice article about me was published this morning."

His hand tightened around my waist. "I wish I could do something about it. Why doesn't Percy? He should be firing or killing everyone that hurts you."

I gave him a weird smile. "Yeah, well, he's already offered. I declined."

He rolled his eyes but didn't say anything more on the matter, which I was thankful for.

We continued to dance, silently counting one, two, three, one, two, three in our heads as we stepped around each other, the music from the small live band bouncing off the walls whilst we practised the traditional Illèan dance.

There was a scream from further down the line. We all turned our heads and let out huge gasps of terror as we watched what was unfolding.

Leo had somehow managed to catch Calypso's dress on fire.

A guard near the door rushed over with a fire extinguisher and quickly stopped the rest of poor Calypso's dress catching on fire. Sarah rushed over frantically and the rest of us bunched together as Leo slowly backed away.

As Calypso ran out of the ballroom Leo called, "Sorry, Sunshine!"

Before she left the room she turned around and glared at Leo, "Do NOT call me Sunshine."

After she left I couldn't hold it in any longer.

I burst out laughing. I laughed so much that I rested my head on Luke's chest and he had to tighten his grip on me so I wouldn't fall over.

Leo stalked over and put his hands on his lips. "What are you laughing at, missy?"

I pointed at him. "You set her dress on fire." Still laughing my head off.

Drew scoffed. "At least have some concern for her!"

I sobered up and turned towards her, "Oh, I am extremely concerned about Calypso, I've been set on fire by Leo too. How about you show some concern for your fellow Selected and not spread rumours about them, especially to the press?"

She gasped, "How dare-"

"Alright." Luke stepped in between us. "No need to talk like that about each other."

"Yes," Sarah stepped forward and swept her eyes over us. "You can go. Remember my tips for the Summer Ball tomorrow and you." She glared at Leo. "I think we need to have a chat with the Prince about you."

Leo held his arms up in an exasperated manner. "And what's Perce going to do? Ban me from entering the palace," He smirked at me. "Everyone would miss my charm."

Sarah sighed and dragged Leo out of the room by his ear while he screamed. "Ow! Ow! Help! Someone!"

All the girls sighed and started to walk out of the dining room in their respective friendship groups. Thalia was off quickly and Piper and Jason had left (😏) so I was left with Luke.

I sighed and leaned my shoulder on his arm. "She drives me crazy."

He wrapped an arm around me. "I know. She drives me crazy too."

We started to walk out of the hall together complaining about Drew.

"Why hasn't she been sent home already though?"

I shook my head. "That's a whole nother story. Don't get me started."

As quick as someone with elite training, Luke had opened a door to an abandoned closet and had pushed me inside.

His lips were on mine faster than I could say. "Holy Hera."

He had me against a wall, his arms locked beside me keeping me in. I arched my back in surprise and delight, his lips pressing hard on mine. His hand trailed up my arms and all too slowly I realised that this was Luke and that he was actually kissing me.

I put a hand on his chest and pushed him back. He was panting and his face looked wild. His eyes caught mine. They were desperate and terrifying.

They were gold.

I recoiled slightly, making myself flat against the wall to get as far away as I could from him. This wasn't the friendly Luke I knew. "What just happened?" I asked.

The gold intensified in his eyes as they darted down to my lips then back to my eyes. "I kissed you,"

"I know that. But why?" I shook my head shell-shocked. This was all so unexpected.

The gold that I knew was unnatural was scaring me now, "Don't you see, I have feelings for you." He tried to lean in for another kiss but I put one hand on his check and used both hands to push him back.

"And where did this come from Luke?"

He stared at me. "I thought you had a fun time together the other day."

I shrugged. "As friends not like this. This is treason Luke, do you not get that?"

He laughed. It sent chills down my spine, the hairs on my skin sticking up.

"You don't think I already know that? I've committed more crimes than you know, Annabeth."

He left me confused as he walked out.

I stood for a good ten minutes there, staring out blinding into the dark room. My hands brushed my lips, still feeling the feeling of Luke's lips on mine. I had no idea what just happened and my brain was having trouble processing it. Luke had kissed me, here and on the lips.

I rested my head on the wall and slid down, sitting with my arms crossed over my chest trying to calm down.

It was all so confusing. Luke liked me as more than a friend. Why now? Right when things were going well with Percy. Did he think I returned the feelings? Am I lying to myself about my feelings or is he tricking me? What about Percy? Do I tell him, or anyone, or keep it a secret? Will Luke keep it a secret? What about the law? We just broke it and we could be punished by death. The most concerning thought that was in my mind was, what does Luke mean by he's committed more crimes than I know?

I stumbled my way to my bedroom, still in another world filled with confusing thoughts and feelings.

Alicia asked what as wrong when I got to my room but I asked for privacy, so they all quietly left.

I walked out onto my balcony and leaned my arms on the railing looking out at the gardens trying to find peace.

I had no idea what to do. My body and mind were still numb with shock and I swayed from dizziness as I watched fluffy white clouds move overhead.

A hand was around my waist and a soft kiss was planted on my temple.

I jumped out of my skin and turned around quickly ready to punch Luke out cold.

But it wasn't Luke, only Percy.

"Seaweed Brain!" I smacked him on the shoulder and turned back around facing the gardens. "Don't scare me like that."

Percy laughed and stood next to me, lacing his fingers with mine. "I was knocking on the door for quite some time."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Yep."

I snuggled closer to him as we watched the scenery. "Sorry."

He wrapped an arm sound my shoulder. "Don't be. I figured you'd be off in Annabeth land."

His voice and warmth settled my crazy voices in my head, but I still felt slightly numb. Was I lying to him? Why did I feel this way?

"How are you feeling?"

I frowned as I watched the wind ruffle the leaves of rose bushes. "You saw it didn't you?"

He turned his head towards me. "As if I wouldn't. I've been thinking about you all day. What do you want me to do?"

Tell the world I'm not power hungry. Scream that I'm a good person and I like you. Fire the awful people that make my life hard. Eliminate Drew.

"Nothing."

He rolled his eyes. "Well, that's not going to happen. You tell me not to do anything but you want me to do something. People are difficult like that, but I can read you and your face is saying that you're not happy."

I buried my face in his shirt, gripping his back tightly as a single tear fell down my cheek. "What did I do to deserve you?"

He kissed me on the forehead and rubbed comforting circles on the small of my back. "I think it's the other way around really,"

We stayed close to each other until I stopped crying and collected myself.

Percy was about to leave when I stopped him. "Percy?"

He stuck his head back into the room. "Wise Girl?"

"Can you do me a favour?"

He crossed the room and held both of my hands. "Anything."

I bit my lips and looked down at the floor slightly nervous. "Could you please get me Luke's criminal records?"

His thumb stopped rubbing circles on the back of my hand. "Luke's criminal records." He repeated slowly.

"Yeah," I looked into his eyes, sea-green surrounding me in a comforting blanket. "Please?"

He nodded. "I'll bring them to dinner and I'll give them to you after. Why?"

I smiled at him. "Just trust me,"

Percy came to dinner with a file in his hands and set it on the table as he ate.

Calypso wasn't at dinner but Rachel said that she had checked up on her and that she was shaken but okay.

"What's up with you and Jason?" I asked Piper as I shovelled food into my mouth.

She pressed her lips together. "Nothing,"

I raised my eyebrows and smirked. "Uh, huh."

She kicked my leg with her foot under the table. "Nothing! Really, just a nice friendship."

I nodded but didn't press, (😏)

I waited until everyone had left until I walked up to Percy.

He slid the files across the table to me. "There you go, Wise Girl. Don't show anyone else."

I walked closer to him. "I won't."

I cupped his cheek, turning his head up towards me and leaned in. Our lips met in the middle, my eyes closing. I kissed my thoughts about Luke and my confusing feelings away. I kissed my worries and concerns away.

I rested my forehead on his forehead. "Thanks."

"No, thank you."

I left smiling and went to my room. I quickly hid Luke's file under my pillow and then the girls undid my hair and cleaned off my make up.

I pretended to be asleep until Hazel left the room. I quietly pulled the blankets off of me and pulled out Luke's folder from under my pillow.

"Let's see what your hiding here Luke," I whispered to myself.

I opened the folder labelled, "Officer Luke Castellan."

Inside was a headshot of Luke and listed below information like name, birthday, gender, caste and province.

I flipped over the page and found the heading, 'CRIMES COMMITTED'.

Underneath was only two crimes, both stealing food. What? I looked at the dates of the crimes, one was probably when Luke was five or six, the other was only a couple of years ago. I figured out that the second crime I had helped him commit.

Why would Luke say that he's committed crimes if I was the one who helped him commit one of them? He hadn't had any jail time I could see and he had only been charged a small fine. No jail? No trail? What crimes could he have possibly committed?

I gave up trying to think of an answer and tried to get some sleep but one thought stayed at the back of my head, keeping me from getting asleep until the early house of the morning.

What if Luke's committed crimes nobody knows about?

*sigh* What a hard chapter to write

In other news:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUR KELP HEAD, WATER BOY, HERO OF OLYMPUS, PROPERTY OF ANNABETH CHASE AND SEAWEED BRAIN

I hope you have had a fantastic day Percy, filled with your family, friends and of course blue cake!

Thank you for your stories and inspiring us all to be loyal and sassy like you!

RIP Luke <3 and all others we lost in the war

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO OUR OTP, PERCABETH. Thank you for getting together, being cute, making us cry and sticking together even when the world (RICK) wanted you dead

Vote and comment your thoughts

<3 Thank you for the ever growing amount of reads and beautiful praise

-Squirrel