୨⎯ GOOD GRACES ⎯ ୧ ☾P.J☽

35. Yes im mad.

THE TWO GIRLS, Erika— no. Autumn and Clarisse were standing next to each other, Autumn had her arms crossed.

Clarisse had chosen Annabeth, and people clapped.

Percy stood up, taking his chances, "It's an ocean quest," he began, looking at Clarisse, since she was a leader and she had to pick one more to be in her group, "You'll need someone good in the water."

And then Bronte, another Athena kid, stood up, "Annabeth, we make a good team. I should be on this quest." Bronte suggested, looking at the girl.

Clarisse looked at Autumn, as if asking for her approval, since her and Percy were beginning to have a rocky past. Then everyone began chanting to be picked.

"Okay, sit down," Tantalus ordered, looking at the eager demigods, "Sit. Down. All of you." He repeated.

Autumn seemed hesitant, but after looking at Percy, she finally spoke, "Clarisse-" and then she pulled her closer to whisper something in her ear.

Clarisse pulled away and then whispered something in Autumn's ear before she turned to the rest, "I choose.... Chris Rodriguez."

Everyone looked at Chris, as the silent boy slowly stood up and everyone began clapping.

Clarisse grabbed Chris's hand, and Autumn's hand, and Autumn held Annabeth's hand as they lifted their joined hands up.

Percy looked betrayed, looking at Autumn, he was shocked, and also sad, why? Why had Erika, or should I say, Autumn have been lying about her name to people?

Percy turned to walk away, but stopped when Tantalus began to speak, "Until our barrier is restored for it's full strength, no one is allowed to leave camp, except for those chosen to quest," He spoke as he waited for his satyr to give him the rulebook, "Page 24, article seven; 'Border patrol has been authorized to shoot on sight anyone or anything lurking beyond the camp boundaries.' Thats it. Back to celebrating."

The campers clapped again, as Autumn looked away from Percy.

Percy was making his way back to his cabin, "Hey," Tyson greeted, "Did you get your quest?" He asked.

"No," Percy shrugged, "Clarisse did."

"Oh, yeah? She's pretty cool."

"She picked Eri- Autumn and Annabeth to go with her. I thought Clarisse was going to pick me too. Even if we can't stand each other. I've got experience, you know? Did I mention Tantalus just exposed Erika? Apparently her names now Autumn Wheeler, not Erika Lovelace, and that she basically lied this entire time? And then, Autumn whispered something to Clarisse, and... Clarisse didn't choose me."

"You mean, like how Annabeth whispered to Bronte?" Tyson asked, looking down at Percy.

"What do you mean?" Percy asked, looking up at Tyson.

Tyson froze for a moment before he spoke again, "Sally says I shouldn't eavesdrop. But I have good hearing, and it's hard not to."

"Tyson. What did Annabeth say?" Percy took a step forward, like he had been stepping towards Autumn before the chariot race.

Tyson took a deep breath as he began to speak exactly in Annabeth's voice, "Bronte, if the Poseidon chariot takes the lead, you take it out."

And then, in Bronte's voice, "I thought you and Percy were good friends. Remember? Before you two fought, you said that Erika's just overreacting just because she kissed a guy doesn't mean you like him, instead you have been having feelings for Noah instead?"

"Bronte you can't say it out loud like that. And yes I do like Noah, plus me and Percy being good friends is why I'm asking you to do it." Tyson added in Annabeth's voice again.

ANYWAYS, after some time, Percy was packing his bags, "Percy, don't leave."

"I have to." Percy responded tossing clothes in his bag like Ares tossed him around last time he messed with him or his daughter, "As soon as it gets dark and this place clears out."

"I get scared in the dark."

"I know, but... You'll be safe here, okay? I promise." And with that, Percy laid down on his bed.

"Where will you go?" Tyson asked.

Percy paused to think, and then when it got dark, he was actually asleep.

"Percy... Percy!"

It was Grover. Percy's eyes immediately shot open, looking at Grover in front of him, "Grover... how did you-"

"I didn't. You're still asleep and so am I. Look." Grover spoke, pointing towards the Poseidon cabin's front door, the door swing open as it looked like one step ahead and he will fall into the water.

Percy closed the door as he began to speak, "So we're both in a-" and was cut off by Grover's stare.

"Wedding dress?" Percy finished, looking at himself in a dress.

"Yeah, I dug it out of shipwrecked cargo in the cave. Don't ask. I don't know how much time we have." Grover spoke, looking at Percy.

"Grover?"

"Yes?"

"I gotta ask."

"The dress keeps me safe. His eyesight's not so good."

"You mean the monster who took you?"

"Polyphemus." Grover asked, and now he was also wearing the wedding dress and Percy wasn't, "He knows I'm here, but he thinks I'm a lady-- Cyclops!"

"It's okay, That's Tyson. He's my... he's staying here now."

"How does Erika feel about that?"

"I really don't care, oh, also her names Autumn Wheeler now. Apparently she was never called Erika Lovelace to begin with."

Grover looked at Percy, as if surprised, "You're Angry." He pointed out, "You feel she betrayed you. Percy, what's going on?"

"Dude, I wish I knew. Apparently she's a lesbian now, apparently she's been lying to everyone, apparently she's Hecate's granddaughter, apparently her moms remarried to some guy she first loved, I don't know, Last year I chose Autumn knowing she might double-cross me, if that's the quest needed to succeed, but... given multiple chances to, she never did. Until today."

Grover nodded, "Okay, I'm not taking sides. I don't know the details. But did you explore the possibility she might have a good reason?"

"To betray me? To ignore me all year?"

"I did."

"With Dodds? Yeah, because Chiron told you to."

Suddenly, it felt like the world JUST moved, "What was that?" Percy asked.

"The boulder that blocks the cave," Grover spoke, his voice having that frantic, terrified tone now, "He's coming back from work. He's gonna want dinner. I gotta wake up. Help me with that, will ya? I convinced Polyphemus it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding day, which is next week."

Percy took a veil as he placed it on Grover's head, "You said his eyesight's bad. Can't you slip past him?" Percy asked, looking at Grover.

"He can still smell. He thinks I wear goat-scented perfume. Soon he's gonna realise I'm a Satyr and then dinner is me."

Grover sighed, taking the veil as he wore it over his head, "How do I look?"

Percy looked at Grover, "Beautiful." He nodded.

And then Percy jolted awake, getting up, he took his bag, walking out of his cabin, making sure to slip out of this camp.