When Fredrick Chase heard he was to expect a daughter, he was overjoyed. His own little girl-sweet as teacakes, happy as a songbird, delicate as a butterfly's wing, beautiful as a desert rose. He was ready for the challenge of boys and makeup and crop tops/short shorts. He was ready to raise his perfect little girl.
Sorry to disappoint.
Because I'm not silly enough to think you're actually interested in my backstory, I'll try to keep it short.
My name is Annabeth Chase and I am 16 years old. I love reading (when I can) but mostly--I love music. I play bass in my band, Olympian, as I have done for about three years now.
I've had one boyfriend, but I won't go into the details... not quite ready for that one. Maybe another day. But quite possibly not.
My parents aren't around much. Too busy working. The phones ringing, keyboards clicking, lawsuits filing, parents yelling, and people suing gets a bit tiresome at times--but I don't mind. More time to practice, I suppose.
I attend Goode High School in New York, but I'm not happy about it (you might say it's not a Goode situation)(you might also say that now is not the time for obvious puns but I wouldn't care). I feel a bit out of place there. Not in the "I'm just a girl who suffers for my music and none of you fools understand my artistry *sounds of anguish*" kind of way but in a "hey some friends that I can relate to would be really cool" kind of way.
Not to say I am friendless--I get by with my best friend Thalia Grace, guitarist extraordinaire. Yeah, I'd put up with her and her antics and her devious smirk forever--she may seem like she couldn't care, but she's got a big heart under all that leather and those tattoos (that her parents definitely authorized).
In terms of looks, I try not to worry myself about it too much. My clothes aren't exciting but not librarianish--have to admit, not a lot of color in there.
My blonde/brown hair had a bit of wave to it, but I always have it out of my face in some hairstyle.
While I may be a bit obsessive, my life has turned out pretty okay. I must be doing something right.
Right?
"Wrong. Second verse, ninth measure. With the pickup" I called to my bandmates, squinting at my sheet music as my friends groaned in the background.
"Annabeeeeth," Luke complained, slumped over his snare drum. "It sounded fine. I even did the thing that you wanted with the" insert a cappella drum solo (that sounded way better than what he actually played).
Luke was an interesting kid. Pretty good drummer, football player (have to admit he was good there), and most annoying kid to grace the face of planet earth. But he organized the band, so we couldn't necessarily kick him out. And honestly, I couldn't tell if he wanted to leave. At school I practically had to make excuses to get away from him, but in band he was always angry with me. As I said, interesting.
"Great, but do you want to sound fine or do you want to sound good?" I said to him, scowling. I loved our band, and I didn't want them to think I didn't appreciate their effort. But I found it hard to relax when I didn't have one song up to my desired level currently. Besides, we wouldn't be able to play at Olympus at this rate. "Thalia, even triplets and turn down the gain. Leo, nice job, but more dynamics. Piper, more confident towards the end of the chorus. And before you guys get started on me, I am aware that I played in the wrong key for the beginning of the bridge. Yes?" I caught my breath, then turned to Luke. "Your tempo is everywhere. Less sixteenth notes, pushes the swing. Fix that, add some fills between sections, and switch up your cymbals between chorus and verse. Okay?" I explained, trying to be as nice as I could. But from the look on his face, it wasn't working well. His blue eyes were cold and guarded; you'd think I insulted his mother. After about three seconds, he spoke again.
"Please quit it with the 'I'm the Queen of the Band' crap. Honestly, it's obnoxious." Luke spat. "If we are so terrible and you are just so fantastic, why do we even bother trying to please her majesty?" His voice rose in volume and anger with every word. I sighed, absentmindedly adjusting my bass strap. I shouldn't have angered the guy with the pointy sticks.
"Luke, lose the drama queen act, alright? I just want it to be good-"
"If I'm not good enough, then fine." He stood up and shouldered his bag, glaring as he went. I was almost happy, but of course:
"Don't go! Annabeth didn't mean it, she's just on edge. You sounded really good," Piper lied, trying to convince her crush not to leave. She played with the braid on the side of her head and pouted, leaning on Leo's piano as he rolled his eyes (Leo wasn't big on the Castellean ship, or as he referred to it; Puke).
I love Piper, I hated Piper in love. She got all... bleh. She changed herself for guys more than she should--she believed her strong independent woman personality condemned her chances at love. Quite frankly, her personality change was just another upside to Luke leaving.
Piper was about to fake cry as Luke just looked confused and left my garage, slamming the door.
"Ughhhhhhh," Now Leo's complaining. God, we've complained more than played today. "Annie, hate to break it to you, but we need a drummer. Unless one of us could multitask singing so Piper could play piano so I could play drums, or Piper could learn drums, or there's this hobo I know-"
"No. We need a drummer." I said, thinking about a replacement. "Let's call it a day, ok? But let's have some fun with this," I added, watching them in confusion. "By next practice, which is three days from now, might I add--we all must have a drumming candidate. We vote for a drummer. Whoever's drummer is picked gets bragging rights."
"And $20," Thalia sleepily added from her beanbag, where she had been asleep for the past 20 minutes. "I know just who to pick."
"Great. See you guys Monday."
"Bye!"
"Adios."
"I'll just... five more minutes..."
Thalia.
~Drummer interviews~
Annabeth
Walking home, I tried to think of who to suggest. So it was 5:20 now, our next practice was 3:30 Monday, plenty of time. I knew only one person who may possibly play, as he seemed to play everything. I pulled out my phone and called him up.
"Hey, sorry to bother you, but I have a proposal." I began.
"Before you continue, I am too young to get married," -cue eye roll- "and who is this?"
"Oh, uhh, Annabeth. See, my band is looking for a new drummer-"
"Thought Luke was your drummer?"
"Don't interrupt. He left. Do you play by chance?" I asked, biting my lip and bouncing on the balls of my feet.
"Yeah, two years. And if you need a sax, rhythm guitarist, accordionist, or pianist-I got you."
"Awesome, you don't need too much experience. As long as you can play, we are good."
"Well then, I hope I can join."
"I'll let you know. Call you back Monday."
After hanging up the very brief phone call, I began to worry. I hadn't asked nearly enough, what was his skill level? Genre of choice? Does he have a kit? Who knows, but he can play... And that's all we need right now. I continued the walk home with a skip in my step but a frown on my face, torn as to how this would turn out.
Thalia
Dude, I have this in the bag. No further explanation required. I should have put more money on it, as I was considering upgrading my pickups. I dialed him, and he picked up on the second ring.
"Wassup, old friend?"
"Thalia, I'm busy."
"Yeah? Well I am too, but I am taking my invaluable time to talk to you, so you could at least return the favor."
I could practically hear him roll his eyes. "Whaddya need?"
"A drummer. Well, a replacement for Luke, but yeah--a drummer. For Olympian. You in?"
"Gonna need a bit more information."
"Fine." I said. "Luke is gone. Band needs drummer. You are drummer. You good drummer. You wouldn't annoy the crap out of Annabeth. We would all thank the gods for a drummer Annie doesn't glare at on a minutely basis. I'd give you $10. Ok? Ok. Thanks for helping, call you back Monday"
"Ah ah ah, I haven't agreed. Why me?"
"You've played in three bands. You have 6 years of experience. You have good taste. And $10. Call you Monday." I finished, and hung up. I am a rather to-the-point person, but this guy is going to be great, I know it. And I also know Annie wouldn't kill him, it's a win win situation. Smiling at my phone screen, I turned it off to get to work on Eruption.
Leo
The others thought they had the upper hand with their fancy players in fancy bands with actual group experience... But I had a secret weapon. A player so epic you would pass out just just watching her. A secret baller no one knew about because she was like a musical fox, slipping behind the trees and in and out of shrubbery, always one step ahead of the game-
-Sissy! :P
Yep, my sissy poo.
-Don't call me that :( now what's up
-want to play drums for our band? You're pretty decent
-thanks. Means a lot
-but seriously, you bring out the best in other players and your kit is SWEEET :D
-Leo I'm this close to punching you when I get home
-uhh fine but pleeeeeaasse I mean you have like three years of practice it's time to join a band
-ok. You owe me.
-yay :D I'll tell you Monday
-Bye
This will be great for her. She needs to break out of her shell, find some friends. I'm sure she'll get it. I'm sure.
Piper
I was actually very excited at the prospect of a new drummer. I've had a crush on this guy for a year, and now I'd finally have a chance to spend some time with him. Besides, my friends owe me after Luke left. Smiling to myself, I reached to my bedside table to retread our conversation.
-Heyy ;)
-Hey
-Would you be up for drumming in our band? It would be great to be able to hang out
-What band?
-Olympian... The one I've been in since I was 12?
-Ooooh. I mean I'm only a casual player, that ok?
-Yeah totally! :D
-Cool, I'd be up for it. When?
-I'll get back to you Monday.
-k
-Goodnight 3
-Night ;)
I've got this in the bag. Besides, my friends owe me. He's smart and kind and I just need a bit of time to get him to like me back...
AN Hello there friends!
I wrote this story under the name SteamingCoffee about a year ago, but I got locked out of my account and I am starting anew. I'm republishing the old chapters, edited and up to date. Hoping to be at least 2 times a week until school starts.
Honestly reviews are my favorite thing on earth so even if you just want to tell me your favorite song, fruit, color, whatever, it's so cool to know that real people read my stuff. Honestly. So cool. Have a lovely day ~
Lizzie