The Morning Show: Percabeth edition

Chapter 4: Percy's POV

"Twenty seconds!" I heard the director cry out with anxiety.

I was shook. This was MY opportunity of a lifetime and Annabeth Chase had almost thrown it away. Annabeth Chase was someone I looked up to. We were the same age but she was far more successful than me, attaining one of the highest paying jobs in the reporting industry at the youngest age in history. Why? She was a serious person who cared more about her job than anything. And here she was causing drama seconds before my interview.

Finally, I saw her stomp up to the stage, whirling her dress in an unladylike manner. The director signaled we were going live in three once Annabeth sat down.

"What got you into reporting?" she asked once the director queued her in.

You know what? If she just wanted to pretend something disastrous never happened moments ago, I wasn't going to play along with that. I wasn't going to let that slide. It was time to insert my sassiness.

I responded, "well, OF COURSE you were an IDOL. I have absolutely ADORED you FOR THE LONGEST TIME," I said as I gave her my fakest smile.

She sat there for a moment, processing my words. "Right, of course!" she said in a singsong manner, fluttering her eyes.

I narrowed my eyes. Let the competition begin.

"Can you tell me why you think your video went viral?" she said in a mocking tone.

"Because I'm trustable," I replied, "people want to know that the person delivering their news can be trusted. Like YOU," I continued in a jeering tone.

"CUT," someone shouted from the studio said into my earpiece.

"GODDAMN IT," the head of the network shouted, "YOU TWO," he raged as he pointed his finger at us, "BLEW IT."

Annabeth and I met eye contact for a second. I immediately turned away. This could have easily been avoided if she had just found a better time to talk to Octavian about her stupid co-host approval request.

I wandered out of the filming studio, lost in my train of thought. No doubt the critics would see this interview as an epic fail. They were probably already typing a paper. I could see the title, 'Persassy Jackson's failed interview' in huge letters across every newspaper in New York City and probably even in my hometown, Philadelphia.

I strolled over to a nearby bench and plopped down. The interview wasn't entirely Annabeth's fault. I was the first one to make the sarcastic remark, so the critics would probably after me.

How could I be so stupid? I had a perfectly suitable job and friends back home and I just threw it all away because I couldn't rein in my anger for one lousy interview.

I didn't want to think about the interview anymore so I quickly exited the building and started my car.

I started driving to the airport. I didn't even want to check my phone in fear someone had already published an article about me, when my phone started ringing.

It was from an unknown number. I groaned and pulled over to a nearby Papa John's parking lot to answer it.

"Hey, it's Leo," I heard, "remember me? I thought you were really impressive today and I would like to invite you to the awards ceremony honoring Annabeth tomorrow at 8. I think you could support Annabeth there since she's been through so much recently, it'll be a white tie event-"

"I blew my interview," I interrupted, "critics are going to ruin your ratings because of me, and you want me to be at an awards ceremony for Annabeth, who I don't even know, at a white tie event-"

"You already sound excited! Don't worry about the attire, all you need to do is go to the Four Seasons Hotel closest to our studio, you have a suite booked under your name and there's several tuxedos for you to choose in the closet."

"So you're telling me that I should be at this awards ceremony for Annabeth, but you haven't told me why I need to support her."

"It's up to you." He hung up the phone.

I sat there for a moment, frozen from so many emotions happening at once. I didn't know what I would do.