Dreams (A PERCABETH AU)

Chapter 16- The Girl In The Blue Dress

Annabeth POV

Saturday 23rd April

The nervous butterflies were beginning to appear now and I felt absolutely sick to my stomach. Nothing bad had happened so far, I guess, it was a gorgeous day outside, the guests had arrived, us girls were all upstairs getting ready in my mother's inhumanly large bedroom and I hadn't once fainted.

I could hear everyone downstairs; the sound of a hundred, or more, people waiting to lay their judgemental eyes on me. No big deal. Right?

A deep, shaky breath slipped out of my mouth as I picked up a Chanel fragrance from my mother's vanity table. I spritzed it on my neck and wrists, letting the aroma soothe me a while. It was a sweet, vibrant smell but the tranquillity didn't last long.

I sighed in defeat, placing it back on the tray and clawing my fingers through my hair stressfully. I hadn't even done it up yet or done anything for that matter except put my dress on. My hands were just shaking so much, I could barely pick up the perfume bottle without dropping it.

Glancing behind me, I could see Thalia and Reyna sitting in the bay window as if this whole thing was just another day. Neither of them cared or seemed nervous. Thalia wore a strapless black silk ball gown that flowed dramatically outwards and had a clean neckline that ran straight across her chest. Though she probably didn't want the compliment, she looked absolutely stunning. She wasn't dancing but she looked like someone who would own a dance floor. Reyna sat opposite her in a formal fashion that just came naturally to her. She sat up straight with a certain purpose and importance in her shoulders. She looked like a Roman empress in her lavender V-neck beaded ruched evening dress.

Gods, why did those two have to make beautiful look so easy?

They began talking to Katie, Travis' girlfriend, in a hot pink heart shaped neckline dress that ruffled out at the bottom, and familiarising themselves with Juniper. She wore a pretty pastel yellow halter neck dress with diamantes at the neckline and waist.

Calypso, Rachel and Drew were getting ready as far away from us as possible, Drew's idea I expect but I wasn't complaining. Calypso wore a stunning cream lace dress with long lace sleeves, Rachel wore a tight fitted, sexy green evening dress with a small trail and slit up the thigh and Drew wore a deep blue crystal beaded fishtail dress.

I felt so mediocre compared to them in my dress and I'd never been the person to care for clothes. The fact that they all looked so unbelievably perfect made me feel uneasy.

Did I really belong on that dance floor with them?

"You look a little flustered, honey...what's wrong?" Piper smiled softly as she sat next to me on the stool but facing the opposite direction. She looked absolutely gorgeous in a bohemian style dress. It was a mixture of cream, white and gold with lace. It was tightly fitted and short with a white, slightly see-through outer later that draped to the floor. She wore gold jewellery, nude-pink lips and brown and gold blended eyeshadow.

She looked like a goddess.

"Nervous?" She was using her charmspeaking voice, I could tell and I appreciated her efforts but I still felt nervous.

"I don't think I can do this..." I murmured, looking at her sadly. "It should be Silena out there...not me." I whispered with a sorrowful sigh. It hurt to think she wouldn't be present for a day she'd been planning all year. Not only did it feel like I was stealing her day but it felt like I was stealing her escort too.

Piper sighed. "Annabeth, I understand, believe me, I do, but Silena would want you to be here. If she were standing with us right now what do you think she'd say?" She smiled.