The Demigod Selection

Chapter 16

Rachel's POV

"Hello, Miss, um, Dare," the Prince stammers.

"Not Miss Dare, just Rachel. This isn't my dad's office, so Rachel is just fine,"
I tell him.

"Finally someone who understands that I actually have a name, not a title. And you, please call me Percy."

"Good, I wasn't planning on calling you anything else."

He laughs at this and I return a smile.

"What do you like to do in your free time, Rachel?"

"Paint. I really like to paint and sketch. Anything artistic. Do you like to do art?"

"Um, not really. My drawings look like clumps of spaghetti. I like to surf and swim. Anything in the water, pretty much. Other than that, I'm not an interesting guy."

"Ditto. All I do is draw and splatter paint on my jeans."

"At least you won't have that problem here."

I laugh. "Right, but I'll probably end up doing it to these shmancy dresses. No matter how much money my dad makes, I refuse to put on a dress. I picked the least fancy I could, which a few girls could take a tip from. What did they do, raid the life size Barbie store? Seriously."

Percy laughs again. "Especially that girl Drew. And Savannah was just climbing on top of me. Talk about awkward. Anyways, I gotta talk to some of these other people, but you seem like fun. What do you say to horseback riding today at two? You can even wear pants, I can't imagine at how hard it would be to ride in a ball gown. See you then?"

"Sure. Not like I can refuse a date with the Prince," I tease.

"Well, you could, but that would be very embarrassing for me. Good-bye, Rachel."

"Bye."

I walk back to my table. I notice a girl with blonde curly hair glaring at me. What's her problem?

I sit down and wait for the rest of the Selected girls to finish meeting with Prince Percy. When they do, we start to eat breakfast. It's delicious, tarts, bagels, muffins. I eat as much as I can before sitting back.

Prince Percy stands up.

"Alright, if I call your name, stay in here. If I don't, you are free to go back to your bedroom."

A few girls look nervous. They start to wring their hands and whisper to each other.

"Emma Penny, Angela Cioshika, Alex Hubard, Kate Sudol, Kathryn Godfry, and Leah Herring, please stay. The rest of you are dismissed."

We all curtsy and go out the wide doors. I look back and see him talking quietly to the other girls.

Time Lapse to the date

I change into a pair of paint splattered jeans and a blouse. My maids didn't look thrilled when I unpacked them. Guess they were expecting more out of a Two. Especially a Two who is the daughter of one of the richest men alive.

I put on a pair of riding boots before leaving my room. I wander a bit before I realize that I don't know where I am or where I'm going.

There's no one in sight. I suppose most of the girls are in the Women's Room.

I see an open window overlooking a garden. I grin with relief and climb through it. I'm glad I made it to the first floor.

I climb out and land in the flowers. I brush off some dirt before jogging to a small building that looks like the stables.

I see a figure standing in front holding two horses. Prince Percy is wearing jeans and a T-shirt. It's alien to see him wearing something so casual. He gives a wave and I return it.

"Sorry I'm late. I got lost in the ginormous palace you live in."

"It's not that big. Besides, I was early."

He holds out the reins to a brown stallion. He's keeping the solid black horse.

"What's his name?" I ask Prince Percy as I pet the horse.

"Guido. And my horse is named Blackjack."

Guido whinnies at the sound of his name. He nuzzles my hand with his nose.

"I was just thinking about riding around the castle, if that's fine with you."

"Sounds good. Just as long as you lead the way. I'd probably bring us off a cliff."

He laughs at this and gets on his horse. I get on Guido and we're off.

I've had some experience with horses. There was this one time my dad held a rodeo and I rode a horse. That's a bad memory.

We're riding in an empty field and it's just like a cheesy movie. The sun is shining on the grass, my red hair is flowing behind me, and we're laughing. Plus we're riding horses, which always seems to happen in films.

About 45 minutes later, I see a lake up ahead, surrounded by trees and flowers. It's a shame that I didn't bring my paint. This would be amazing to draw.

Just like Prince Percy read my mind, he points a little to the left of where I'm looking. I see two easels overlooking the lake.

"I set up a little bit before. You mentioned you liked to paint and I thought this would be a fun place."

"It's perfect!"

We stop and demount our horses. I claim an easel and paint. I start with the lake, painting it a silver blue.

When I'm near halfway done, I look over at Prince Percy's. There's a giant blue blob in the center surrounded by stick trees. I accidentally laugh and be turns over to me. He gives me a smile like he doesn't care if I make fun of it.

"I told you that I'm not very good. You were warned."

I return to my picture. About an hour later, I'm finished. I show it to Prince Percy.

"That's amazing! It's so beautiful, and I'm not much of an artsy guy. I actually think I'd rather be looking at your painting that the lake."

I laugh as I look over his. He's added a yellow circle to the sky and a few flowers.

"Not bad..." I say. "For a beginner."

"Please. It's horrible, I'm horrible at this, you're amazing, end of story."

"You could get better if you keep practicing," I insist. "And next time we'll do what you want to."

Prince Percy crosses his arms in a mocking way. "What makes you think they'll be a next time, Miss Dare?"

"A little birdy told me, Your Highness."

He laughs. "This birdy had a good source. I don't know when, but I'll let you know. I have to get back to do some work. Are you ready?"

"Where will we put the paintings while we ride?"

"I'll tell a servant to come pick them up later. Let's go."

Prince Percy helps me get on Guido before he mounts Blackjack. Then we begin riding back to the direction of the stables.

When I get back, I go up to my room. I lay on my bed for a while. Then I hear a knock on my door.

I get up to answer it, but no one is there. All there is are two paintings and a note.

Take mine too so that you'll remember this day. And so that I don't have to look at it.

I laugh and bring both of the canvases inside. I hang them up side by side over an easel.

I know it's silly, but I didn't throw the note away. Instead, I put it under my pillow.