Royally Screwed

Chapter 4

                                                                                               ~Annabeth~

"Annabeth?"

"Piper? Hazel? No way!" I rushed forward, pulling both of the girls into a hug. I could feel them both laughing as they hugged me back.

Piper pulled away, and glanced at me. "Oh my gosh, I feel like it's been forever!"

I grinned as Hazel pulled away, and the three of us started walking back towards the palace.

You see, I was just in the garden, enjoying some peaceful time to myself, away from Luke and my mother. Ever since yesterday, she had been pestering me about getting to know him more. I think I got to know him pretty well, in my opinion. His personality is not that hard to figure out, especially when he'd backed me up against a wall and tried to kiss me.

I shoved the sickening thought away, and focused on my friends- more like my sisters.

Piper McLean is a princess in the next country over, and obviously, our kingdoms have a long lasting friendship. Otherwise, she wouldn't be allowed to visit.

She's absolutely gorgeous, but tries to tone it down. Her dresses don't really help, seeing as us princesses only have the finest dresses to choose from. She never wears makeup, not that she needs it. I noticed that her hair is a bit shorter and choppier, like she had cut it with safety scissors.

We had pretty much been best friends since birth, because our parents had a strong alliance going even then. Every time our parents had to visit each other's kingdoms, whether the reason was a war meeting or simply a vacation, Piper and I always tried our best to tag along, so we could see each other.

Piper had introduced me to Hazel when we were seven. Hazel is not a princess, but rather the daughter of Lady Marie Levesque, a rich noblewoman. We had become instant friends, despite her only being four when we met. She was like a little sister to Piper and I, and still is.

She is really quite gorgeous as well. She has creamy chocolate skin and dark curly hair, which compliments her golden eyes nicely. The three of us had become known as the inseparable.

I led them up to my chambers, where we usually sat and gossiped. Yes, gossiped.

"So, Pipes. Get a new haircut?" I teased. Piper blew her bangs out of her face angrily. "Yeah. My mother ticks me off sometimes, you know? She wants me to try my best to look nice for the new suitor that's coming, so I cut my hair with safety scissors to piss her off." My suspicions about safety scissors have been confirmed.

I laughed and smacked her shoulder. "Sounds like something you would do."

She scowled playfully. "Enough about me, what about you? Anything new?"

I sighed. "Yes, actually. My mom has been bringing in possible suitors for months."

Piper looked at me with sympathy. "Oh, girl. I feel ya." She said as I nodded. "Were they all complete pervs, or asses?" She asked dryly.

"Both." I replied.

"Damn."

"Yeah."

Hazel smiled smugly. "I don't have to look for suitors yet. I'm only fourteen."

"Lucky ducky." Piper's kaleidoscopic eyes held a sparkle of amusement.

I laughed at them both. "Look, I'd love to continue this gossip session, but we've got lessons with Chiron in the library."