Annabeth jerked her head back in pain. Her mother rolled her eyes and continued battling the untamable mess that was Annabeth's hair.
"Ow! Not so tight!" Said Annabeth rubbing her scalp. "You know, to actually participate I think I'm going to need blood to be able to reach my head."
"I'm sorry dear, but beauty is pain." Said her mother jabbing bobby pins into Annabeth's hair. "Besides, don't you want to be the prettiest debutant there?"
"I honestly don't care. The only reason I'm here is becasue you asked me to and Muffy from 3rd-period science said she didn't think I could do it."
"Annabeth, today is a special day. You get to come out into society. After today you will be an official lady."
"Yes, so special. I get to parade around in front of guys so they can see that I am eligible for marriage." Said Annabeth practically throwing up at the idea.
"It's not like that anymore. Now it's for young ladies to officially be out in society. Besides I'm sure your escort is a nice young man."
"I can't believe they chose an escort for me." She grumbled crossing her arms.
"That's because you refused to pick someone yourself."
"Whatever."
Annabeth glanced at herself in the mirror, her hair was put into a large curly bun with various gemstones scattered throughout her hair.
Her dress was white (obviously) but not too poofy. Annabeth refused to look like a cotton ball.
She caught a glance at Muffy from across the room, her long red hair was braided into some kind of hairstyle. Her dress was so big, Annabeth doubted it would be able to fit down the staircase.
She laughed at the thought of Muffy stuck on the staircase with nowhere to go.
A painful yank pulled Annabeth from her fantasies.
"Stop moving!" Exclaimed Athena, holding Annabeth's head while finishing the last hair clip. "Perfect! You are the prettiest debutante here!" That earned various icy glares from parents and other girls all around the room.
"Now time for your makeup!" Annabeth's mother got up excitedly and swiftly dodged all the scattered moms and poofy dresses. Before Annabeth could say anything Athena shoved a giant powder poof in her face
***
Annabeth shifted around in her dress and blew strands of hair out of her face. She leaned forward to talk to the girl in front of her.
"Are you nervous?" The girl shook her head up and down rapidly.
"It's my first debutante ball." Replied the girl.
"You mean people do this for than once?" inquired Annabeth.
"Of course. I mean it's going to take more than once to find your perfect guy. The girl right in front of us, this is her 4th ball this summer."
"Wow, she must have it down. What about you, are you ready to head down those stairs?"
"Absolutely not!" cried the girl. "I'm so scared, I could faint at any moment."
"Well make sure not to faint on your way down the stairs." laughed Annabeth. Unfortunately, the girl didn't think it was so funny. Her face had fear written all over it.
