The Morning Show: Percabeth edition

Chapter 1: Annabeth's POV

It was a beautiful spring morning in New York City as I took a jog around Central Park. The sun had not yet come up as it was still early, while cherry blossom pedals were landing on my path. Birds fluttered above me aimlessly while I struggled to review the past 24 hours.

I checked the time: 4:36 a.m. In less then an hour I would have to appear in front of viewers and provide an apology for a secret going on inside the network that I didn't even know about until yesterday.

Luke Castellan, my partner for 8 years, was accused by at least ten women of sexual misconduct. Yesterday, the New York Times had published a newspaper regarding the details of the allegations, and only then I learned the truth about what was going on inside the network.

The public would wonder how I would react to the news about Luke, and honestly I wasn't sure if I could deliver a speech about Luke on live today. He was one of my closest friends and the first person I really got to know at The Morning Show, but after all he has done, I wasn't sure if I could trust him ever again.

I realized that I was sprinting now, no doubt wanting to run away from all my worries. I sat down on a bench to catch my breath. It was now 4:57 a.m. and I would be going live in about an hour. I sighed and jogged back to my car.

I arrived at the Morning Show studio in less than ten minutes. As I entered, I noticed the posters of Luke and I representing the Morning Show were taken away. The many faces that used to greet me with a smile were replaced by serious, expressionless faces instead. I sighed as I entered my suite. Things just wouldn't be the same without Luke.

I didn't want to think about Luke anymore so I called my prep team in. They did the usual, this time styling my hair into a high ponytail with a touch of blush, making my pink dress pop. Outside I looked ready, but inside was another story.

Grover, my mentor and the executive producer of the show, then came in my room with the usual goofy grin, no doubt wanting to cheer me up.

"How have you been?"

"Mhm, not the best. Pretty darn stressed. I don't think I'd do good on live today."

"You really want to send Nico on for you? Nico and Will together on live, well, I don't think our audience wants to see them tripping up their lines and blushing at each other like hell."

I had to smile at that because it was true. Will was the weather man and he was going on with me today, and Nico was my backup. They have this really cute relationship which they call a bromance but I'm pretty sure the whole studio would rather ship them.

Deep down, I knew I would have to go on today. The audience would be expecting me, and if I didn't go on today, it would be a bad look for me and the show.

"Ok," I replied to Grover, "you're right. Just know if I blow the speech up, you should've put Nico and Will on instead."

"Ok, and don't think about blowing up the speech. Remember how we both agreed I can predict the future pretty well? Not to set high expectations, but I predict you'll do splendid."

"Thanks goat boy, appreciate it," I said as I exited my room.

"Don't you start with that now."

I chuckled. Goat boy was my nickname for Grover ever since I discovered his love for goats. Literally, the man is obsessed with goats. His house's wallpaper is dotted with baby goats (which, I had to admit was really cute), and he has these adorable goat slippers he always wears. Now I have a certain fondness for goats too, but not nearly as much as his.

"You're on in ten," someone said as they walked by me.

"Ok thanks," I responded.

This was it.