The Morning Show: Percabeth edition

Chapter 3: Annabeth's POV

"Good morning. I'm bringing you sad and upsetting news about my partner Luke Castellan whom I have worked with for eight years. After several sexual misconduct allegations, he was fired yesterday from the Morning Show. We want you all to know that this type of behavior is no tolerated under any circumstances and that we deeply apologize to all victims..."

I was watching my speech from earlier this morning on my laptop now when my phone started ringing. It was from Leo, president of the news division here at The Morning Show. I sighed. Leo could be quite inconsiderate sometimes, especially now since it was midnight and he was calling but luckily for him I was awake.

"Hey Annabeth, are you awake?"

"How else would I be answering this call," I grumbled.

"Good, you still got that sass!" I rolled my eyes but I had to smile a little. Leo could be really provoking sometimes but he always had a fun personality.

"Anyways," he continued, "I thought you might want to see this video on YouTube. Search up Percy Jackson and you'll get an instant result."

I went to YouTube and did we he told me to do. Sure enough, a viral video popped up. I clicked on it and started listening.

"Hey, hey, excuse me? I'm Percy Jackson, channel six..."

I listened to the whole video. Basically it was a field reporter standing up for an elderly woman during a black movement protest.

"What do you think about him?" Leo asked.

I thought about that for a moment.

"Well, for one," I responded, "field reporters are supposed to deliver news not to get into arguments at events...and I think he's a bit upright."

"Wow, Annabeth, I didn't know you would have such a strong opinion on that video."

"Well, I understand what his cause is, but as a field reporter you have to stay neutral in these types of situations."

"What would you say if I told you that you have an live interview with him on Tuesday?"

I was silent for a moment.

"There is an interview, isn't there?"

"Yep!" he responded. I could practically see him smiling on the other end of the phone.

...
Tuesday

Indeed Percy Jackson came in on Tuesday morning. All the ladies were drooling over him, but I was too furious at the show for making me do an interview with some viral YouTube guy to even notice him.

When he came by me and waved hello, all I told him was, "you have a tad bit of drool on your cheek. Right there." I pointed to the spot and he looked at me confused. Boys.

Grover walked by then and apparently thought we were bonding so he said, "aw look at you two bonding!"

I'm not sure who blushed harder: him or me. I was just furious at the show for making me their lap dog so I walked fast to my room and slammed the door.

"Hey it's Grover," someone said from outside, "I'm sorry for saying that Annabeth I really shouldn't have. Look, it's just one interview Beth. "

"All right fine," I said, "I'll be out in a minute."

I reluctantly dragged myself to the filming studio and I saw Percy Jackson again. Jesus. His sea-green eyes had been staring at me since the moment I walked in.

"Alright guys we're on in two!"

I saw Octavian just watching us from the shadows with a smile on. Immediately I felt rage rise in me.

No doubt it was another one of his ideas. He was the president of this whole network and he got to do whatever he wanted. Well I was going to throw something right back at him.

I walked over to him.

"Hey," I casually said.

"You're on in two Beth. Better get on the set."

"I want co-host approval. Or else I'm not going on today with the interview."

All around me people gasped. I couldn't blame them. Here I was ordering the president of the entire network to grant me co-host approval when I was supposed to go live with Percy in less then two minutes.

"Listen," I continued, "I'm the person who keeps this show running so we're doing this my way. I want that co-host approval now, Octavian."

"Annabeth, you're not being reasonable. We can continue this conversation later.. "

"No." There was one minute left until I had to do the interview, but I was standing my ground.

"Do you care more about the show ratings or..."

"I frankly don't give a shit about the ratings," I exclaimed, "I am an important member of this show and I should have approval for who I'm going to work with!"

There was thirty seconds left. Fine. So be it.

"Get on the set right now." His tone meant end of discussion but I didn't listen.

"Nope. Promise me I will have co-host approval then I'll get on the set."

He paled. "No. That's the final answer, " he finally said.

"Twenty seconds!"

I thought for a moment about Percy. He didn't deserve this. Neither did Grover and Leo. If I didn't get on, Octavian was right, the show ratings would plummet.

I sighed. I walked on to the set.