The Demigod Selection

Chapter 22

Rachel's POV

I finish reading the newspaper. The nerve of the person who wrote this. And took the pictures. There's one of me riding Guido, me before the Selection at one of my dad's receptions, Annabeth sitting alone at a fancy table, salad dressing in her hair, and the last picture has Prince Percy and her kissing underwater. Disgusted, I throw the paper across the room. It misses the trash can completely.

I stand up to put it in the trash can. Before I can throw it away, there's a knock on the door. With a groan, I walk over to open the door.

Prince Percy is standing there with a sheepish grin on his face. He's playing with the cuffs of his sleeves. My heart skips a beat when I look into his sea green eyes.

"Hi," he says.

"Hi."

"So, about yesterday..."

"You mean you're date with Annabeth?" I ask, suddenly annoyed with him for coming to my room.

"What do you mean?" His face is confused and his eyes, panicked.

Without saying a word, I walk over to the trash can and pick up the newspaper.

"It's in here," I say, handing the paper to him.

He starts to read it, his face crinkled with concentration. It takes the prince much longer to read it than I would have thought.

The last picture, the one of him and Annabeth kissing underwater, is facing towards me. I cringe at seeing both of them passionately kissing the other.

Percy finally finished reading it. He looks at me, his eyes full of sorrow.

"I'm so sorry that you had to find out this way. I came here to tell you, actually. I thought it would be the honorable thing to do. I'm sorry."

I'm about to tell him off for cheating on me when I realize that we were never officially dating. It is all part of this twisted game called the Selection. I never knew it would hurt this much.

"I understand," I say as distinguished as I can manage. "The Selection must not be an easy game to play."

I'm about to close the door when Percy sticks his foot in between the wall and the door. I can't close it, so I reopen it.

"It isn't a game. Not to me. I'm learning this along the way. I wanted to go on a date with the both of you to see where everyone stands. I'm planning on another date tonight, if you wanted to know."

"So where do I stand in this game?" I ask, needing to know whether or not to leave.

Percy walks into my room and takes me into his arms. I release a little gasp at the sudden closeness. He whispers into my ear.

"You are my first date. You are full of light and love, and that's one of the many things that I love about you. You love to paint, you love riding horses, and whenever you smile, your eyes light up. You make me feel happy."

I don't know what to say. I wasn't prepared for a sentimental speech. Now I have no clue what to say.

"I'm not saying that it's fair to you that I'm going out with others at the same time," Percy continues. "In fact, it's despicable for me to do this to you. But I hope that you understand in not choosing anyone over you."

I nod, too astounded to say anything. I'm almost glad when he steps back. It gives me a chance to breathe something other than the scent of salt water.

"Miss. Dare, I hope to go on another date with you as soon as I can," he says.

"Your royal highness, I return that feeling and will be counting down the minutes and the seconds until it can happen," I say, only half-joking.

"So will I."

He bends down and raises my hands to his lips. Percy kisses my hand before disappearing down the hallway. I stand on the threshold, at a loss for words.

I see a pretty girl with curly blonde hair wearing a pale orange dress standing across the hallway, staring at the spot where Prince Percy kissed me. Annabeth. I give her a smug smile before turning around and closing my door.

Before it fully shuts, I see another girl who also had blonde hair, but hers is longer and straighter. She's wearing a yellow dress with pink flowers speckled across the skirt.

Her green eyes catch mine and she gives me a small wry smile. Before I can stop myself, I find myself giving the girl a wink. I catch the name on her silver name tag right before I close my door.

I remember when she got Selected. I was watching it on my bedroom, alone for the night. They announced all of the Three's and she stood out most of all. Maybe I've found a friend in this unknown girl.

Yes, that was the Unknown POV girl that Rachel is talking about. So far, you know it's one of the remaining Selected and she's a Three. So far, only a few have guessed her, but along with other guesses. Good luck!