THE CLUB (Pipabeth)

Chapter One: New Girl

Annabeth walked carefully, lifting up her dress slightly so that she wouldn't trip on it. A breeze blew through the massive open door down the hall behind her. A large worn Persian rug was under her feet and at least twenty others as they all filed towards the dining room. Her mother walked beside her.

"Fix your bra strap. You look tacky." She said.

Annabeth scoffed, tucking her nude bra strap under the spaghetti straps of her dress. She hated going to events like these at the club. Usually, she made it by with her family friends- the ones she liked and was actually close with, none of which she believed were attending tonight.

They crossed the dining room in the direction of a large, half-full table was. Annabeth spotted her grandfather at the far end with some new woman. She never cared for the woman that her grandfather was with. She had hated her grandmother up until the day that she'd passed. There was no sentiment.

"Hey, grandad." She greeted as he stood up. She kissed him once on each cheek, taking a seat at the far end of the table where the "kids" sat. Annabeth was nearly twenty-one, but as her parents grew older so did their friends children. So they usually consisted of a bunch of random teenagers either getting drunk in the kitchen or sitting in awkward silence- it depended on the year, the event and the kids. This one was usually a drunk event, but Annabeth's usual group of friends wouldn't be here tonight because they had some art show to go to with their families. So, Annabeth was not counting on a good time.

They had a friend group of seven in and out- Annabeth had known them all since childhood. Unfortunately, Annabeth hadn't seen anyone since thanksgiving- they all lived in different cities and went to different colleges- besides her best friend Percy and her. She was here, in Florida, for her three week winter break and would be back in March. Three weeks of stupid events and the beach. Despite her mock dread for the vacations, she loved seeing her friends and hanging out. They were like an unspoken friend group. There was an unnamed group chat that was used little throughout the school year, they mostly texted separately, and they often didn't make plans until the night before.

"Hey, honey. This is Evelynn." He introduced the short, older woman beside him.

She smiled and waved. She sat alone making small talk with her grandfather until the next family came that they would be seated with. She rolled her eyes as a blonde, skinny kid came with his parents. Octavian acted all polite but had really been trying to grope Annabeth since they were kids. She hadn't seen him for a few years. This is gonna suck.

Octavian put a hand on her thigh once he'd sat down and they'd all greeted each other. "Hey, Annie. Looking hot tonight."

She took a sip of champagne, standing up. "I'll be in the bathroom," She announced impolitely. She was underage still, but the club was old fashioned and full of rich, old money type people who'd known Annabeth since birth even though she didn't even know them at all. She walked back down the hall towards the bathroom. Very few people were coming in now but even so she was grateful for the low light of the chandeliers. It made everyone look better- including the occasional hot guy that she passed.

When she made it to the bathroom doors, she reached for the handle, only for it to be swung inward by someone coming out.

Annabeth startled. "Sorry," She said, putting on her best dazzling smile for whatever old rich lady would come out. But when Annabeth looked up it wasn't an old lady but a stunning girl around her age.

"No, no. I'm sorry." The girl said with a smile, tossing some of her choppy brown hair over her shoulder. "I'm Piper." She said, holding out her tanned hand.

Annabeth was a little breathless. She definitely didn't know this girl, she would've remembered. "Annabeth." She choked out. "Annabeth Chase."

Annabeth took note that Piper didn't use a last name- something that would usually help Annabeth place her.