Edit: Okay so I've updated this story and actually started writing chapters for it again to kind of help me balance out my own personal angst and the angst from Saudade.

Technically it's supposed to be a mix of That's 70s' Show and Glee and it IS but I've decided not to make it all about music as it seems less cheesy that way. There will still be plenty of cheese as there will still be singing but hopefully it's not too bad.

This story is probably going to be more HumorXFriendship and slowly work to Romance but I promise there is still romance between our characters however slow building it might be.

Disclaimer: I do not own the song or anything you recognize.

Song used: Tarzan's "You'll Be In My Heart" "Slow" version

Annabeth took a deep breath as she walked down the hall. Her books were firmly pressed into her chest and her smile was wide. She could hear the snickers of her peers as she passed them but she paid them no mind. Today was just too good of a day to be bothered with such trivial matters. She could see Nico and Piper waiting for her at her locker. With a small bounce in her step she approached them and grinned wider when they noticed her.

Her friends differed greatly in personality. Piper was strong and determined and her clothes were about as ordinary as could be. On a dangerous day she might wear a floral pattern. She didn't need fancy clothes to look beautiful; she did no matter what she was wearing. Annabeth had met her ten years ago when they were both seven. Their father's had worked together for a few short months and Piper had remembered her face when they met again on the playground. Piper had played kickball with Annabeth when the other kids wouldn't; she wasn't even that mad when Annabeth accidently kicked the ball at her temple.

Nico on the other hand, had always had a scary approach to him. Piper and Annabeth had met him five years ago when they were all twelve; he had been at the summer camp they were all attending. Annabeth dove after him when some kids pushed him into the lake and Piper had snuck out with him after hours to get pie from the kitchen. They've all been inseparable since. He was easily pushed around and mocked but his dark clothes and his dark eyes and ever present bored outlook kept most bullies at bay. He was almost terrifying when he glared but wonderfully handsome when he smiled.

"Someone's in a good mood!" Piper cheered sweetly. "What's going on?"

"I finally finished the final verse." Annabeth informed them both happily. "It's taken me forever but I've finally finished my song. Just in time for the talent show too!"

"Hey that's great!" Nico applauded lightly before pulling her into a hug. Piper followed after him and Annabeth bit her lip to control her smile. You could never look to happy at Goode High or you get a smoothie to the face. It was almost like the students here hated happiness. Annabeth pulled out her journal from her book bag and presented it to them both. As her two closest friends read over her work, Annabeth busied herself with her locker. She needed her math notebook today.

A few loud cheers down the hall made Annabeth look up. She bit her lip again when she noticed Percy Jackson and his friends walking down the hall. Percy was the star quarterback and head captain for the swim team. Annabeth had him in a few of her classes but she had never actually had a conversation with him because he was constantly surrounded by their peers. He was king around this school and she doubted he even knew it. Annabeth swooned when she saw his smile.

Percy was easy on the eyes; his sea green eyes were always wide and sparkled with excitement. His black hair would occasionally fall into his eyes and Annabeth knew she wasn't the only girl around who wanted to brush it away for him. His smile was always wide and infectious; she remembered when she first saw it. She walked straight into the lockers because it was so blinding.

As he grew closer she began to adjust her shirt. She bit her lip as she glanced down at her anchor sweater and ripped leggings. She rolled her eyes when she saw the pizza sauce stain on her left shoe; she wasn't the most presentable. Should she try to say something?

"Uh oh." Nico tssked teasingly. "Seems like someone found Percy."

Piper sighed and glanced down the hall to see the popular boys approaching. She leaned back against Annabeth's now closed locker door and crossed her arms irritably.

"I don't see the big deal." She grumbled to deaf ears. "So they can throw and catch a ball. Its not like they're curing world hunger every Friday."

"It's not the game I'm attracted to." Nico chirped. Annabeth rolled her eyes good naturedly and tried to find the nerve to say something to him today. He was getting closer.

"They aren't even that attractive and yet the women around this school treat them like gods." Piper said with her own eye roll. Jason Grace stopped as he passed her and took a few steps back to stand in front of her. Annabeth felt all the air leave her body. Percy Jackson was standing right next to her and she was almost positive her head strong friend was about to be smoothied.

"Want to repeat that McLean?" Jason taunted with an easy smirk. "I must be going deaf cause I swore I just heard you say we weren't attractive?"

"No, your hearing is just fine." Piper snapped. "I most certainly said you lunkhead football players were unattractive. Not only are you crude and mean but you're all stereotypical bullies. You pick on those smaller then you so you can feel like the big man on campus. You're pathetic."

"Um okay Piper!" Nico shouted as he rushed to grab the angry girl. His attempts to pull her away were useless. Her eyes were still angrily locked onto Jason's. Annabeth flinched as she watched Jason's jaw tense.

"Seriously Piper." Annabeth said gently. She kept her eyes on her friend as she felt the stares of everyone in the hall. "Let's not do this okay? Don't pick a fight with this guy. He isn't worth it."

"You should listen to your loser friend McLean." Jason snapped. "You don't want to mess with me."

"Or what? You gonna throw another smoothie in my face?"

Jason glanced behind him and laughed. He licked his lips and shook his head.

"I won't." He assured them easily. He pointed behind him and Annabeth didn't even have a second to realize what was happening. Quick as a flash, Jason side stepped out of the way and snickered as Leo Valdez threw a giant smoothie into their faces. Piper got the worst of it from her position and Annabeth shut her eyes tightly as her skin burned from the ice cold drink.

"He will." Jason snickered. Annabeth popped open one eye to stare at Percy pleadingly, hoping for once he might actually do something to help. He barely met her eye before lowering his gaze to the floor. Annabeth quickly wiped her eyes dry of both oncoming tears and blue liquid. She could feel Nico drying off her shoulders. Jason and Leo shared a quick high five before letting their team mates tackle them with cheers. Annabeth continued to stare at Percy.

"You're just going to let them do this to us time after time?" Annabeth asked disbelievingly. She never thought her first words to Percy Jackson would be negative but she was tired of him not standing up to them; she was paying the price time and time again. When Percy glanced back at his friends and shrugged, Annabeth felt her shoulders slump in defeat.

"If it helps… I'm really sorry Annabel." Percy mumbled softly before dashing ahead to catch up with his friends. She never thought Percy's first words to her would sting so badly.

"My name's Annabeth." She whispered sadly to his retreating figure. She knew he couldn't hear her. Annabeth turned to Nico and sighed. He smiled at her comfortingly before offering her a small towel from his locker. They chose to ignore Piper's quiet fuming behind them and quickly dried off. Annabeth bit her lip as she took of her anchor sweater.

"I really liked this sweater." She moaned as she hung it up in her locker. Nico smiled uneasily and quickly wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Sorry babe." He sneered as he glanced down at her top. "I know what just happened really sucked but that sweater deserved to be smoothied."

0~0~0~0~0

Jason moaned into her mouth as he gently pressed her up against the locked door. As he began to place light pepper kisses on her neck, she sighed. As much as she loved doing this with him, being with him, Piper couldn't take much more. Her resolve was wearing thin and she felt it was about time she told him. She gently pushed Jason's shoulder and rolled her eyes when he ignored her. She pushed him a little harder and placed her hand on his chest so she could see his face.

"What's wrong?" Jason asked sweetly, his hands reaching up to cup her cheeks. Piper rolled her lips and wondered how he could be so two faced. When it was just the two of them, Jason was the sweetest boy she had ever met but as soon as they were out in the open he was king of the assholes.

"I don't know how much longer I can do this." She mumbled lowly. Jason pulled her closer and kissed her lips quickly.

"Babe we have twenty minutes until free period ends. We have time."

Piper groaned in annoyance and once again pushed him away. Jason stared at her confused and she quickly took pity on him and reached down to intertwine their fingers.

"I meant you and me." She specified carefully. "I don't know if I should be with you anymore."

Jason pushed away from her to stare at her. Confusion and hurt swam through his perfect blue eyes and Piper wished she hadn't have said anything. She was in physical pain having him stare at her like that. He gently squeezed their fingers together and continued to stare at her; it was almost like he didn't really believe she had actually said what she did. Piper sighed.

"Jason…" She started regretfully but Jason quickly cut her off with a swift hug. He pushed his body as close to hers as he could get and squeezed hard enough she swore she could feel his rapid beating heart.

"Please…Please." Jason begged in her ear. "Please don't do this. I couldn't be without you. I love you."

Piper let herself enjoy the embrace for a few seconds before slowly pushing him away. She shook her head slowly and reached up to cup his cheek.

"I know you do." She mumbled. "I love you too but this is becoming too hard Jason. I have to watch you cozy up to other girls every day and listen to you insult me. You let Leo throw a smoothie in my face today."

Piper hadn't realized a tear had escaped her eye until Jason slowly wiped it away. She quickly pushed back all her tears and took a breath. She wouldn't cry in front of him; she couldn't if she was actually going to do this.

"You know why we have to hide." Jason reminded her gently. Piper bit her lip and shook her head again. She took a step backwards; she was now closer to the door. She felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Yeah I know." She snapped. "You don't want your rep ruined because of the nerd."

"Piper you know you'd be eaten alive by cheerleaders if everyone knew. I'm just trying to protect you. We've been together for almost a year. It's never bothered you before now."

"Of course it has!" Piper shouted annoyed; her hands flew into the air as Jason tried to shush her. "It's bothered me from day one! I wanted to be with you so badly I overlooked it and now…Now I just want to stop hiding. I feel pathetic Jason. I can't even tell my best friends about you, I can't even tell my parents! How can you tell me you love me when you're ashamed of what we have?"

Jason stared at her as he tried to think of something to say. He's never been ashamed of her, of them, but he knows how high school works. They could never be together openingly without being tormented and humiliated. She would be miserable and it'd be his fault. Jason was selfish. He knew he could easily mend this crack and assure her of his love by simply walking out of the closet holding her hand but he couldn't ruin their lives that way.

Piper nodded understandingly as she rolled her shoulders in annoyance. Jason could tell she was masking her hurt with anger. She bit her lip from saying anything else and quickly turned to the door. Jason took a step to stop her.

"Piper-"

"No." Piper whispered behind her. "I get it, really I do. You can't ruin you're high school lifestyle because of me."

"I can't lose you." Jason told her honestly as he reached for her hand. Piper tensed in his grasp. "Tell your dad and grandfather about me; I'll even come over for dinner."

"Really?" Piper asked disbelievingly. Jason smiled softly and nodded. The tangled knot in Piper's stomach loosened slightly and she sighed as he hugged her. She still felt used and hurt but for now she'd take what she could get. Piper plastered a relived smile on her face as Jason pulled away. The bell rang loudly in her ears and she barely noticed when Jason kissed her.

"Just text me to let me know when I can come over." Jason told her in a rush as he left the closet. She lowered herself to the floor and stared at the mop bucket. She had to wait another minute before she left. Piper's shoulders slumped as she counted the seconds.

When she slipped out of the closet she didn't even blink when she passed Jason and his two cheerleaders.

0~0~0~0~0

Nico hurriedly rushed down the halls in order to catch Annabeth before she left. School had gotten out ten minutes before and he was in desperate need of a ride. The football players littered the hall and Nico was careful to stay out of their way. He didn't need a repeat of this morning; he didn't have a spare jacket on him today.

He side stepped a few freshman and peaked around the corner to make sure the coast was clear. When he noticed Annabeth wasn't at her locker, he cursed to himself. He figured she rushed home as soon as the final bell rang to record her song. He was proud of her but dammit he needed her here! He shrugged his backpack higher on his shoulder and grumbled to himself when he started to walk again. He would just head to Annabeth's anyway. Her house was a closer walk, her mother loved him and would most certainly feed him and staying away from his house a few more hours wouldn't hurt.

A few years ago, Nico wouldn't even dream of coming home late. His sister would leave for work right after she got out of school so Nico was in charge of rushing home to make sure things were still okay. He would come home and the house would smell of rotten food and booze. The place would be trashed and his old man would most likely be passed out on a chair, a loose bottle about to fall from his fingertips. The only light in that dark place was his sister Bianca; his savior. She took care of him. She was the most beautiful person he had ever met; inside and out.

She had taken care of him and protected him from having to watch their father's plummet into his depression. They had lost their mother when they were young to a house fire and ever since then, their father became worse. He was never violent towards them; he did love them but in his drunken ramblings he would mumble about how they both look like their mom and how hard it was to look at them.

Everything was manageable until Nico hit seventh grade. Everything had been normal. Nico was cleaning up the dark living room as his father slept in the arm chair. Nico remembers feeling off because he noticed Bianca was a few minutes late getting home. She had promised to pick up some pizzas on her way home from work so he assumed that was the hold up. When an hour went by and there was still no sign of her, Nico began to worry. He remembers how clammy his hands felt as he rubbed them together nervously. The sky was growing dark so he couldn't just go out and look for her and his father was too drunk to even stand, let alone drive.

He nervously called friends to see if maybe she had stopped by to visit and forgot to mention it to him but no one had seen her. Nico was seconds away from having a panic attack when someone knocked on the door. He rushed to open it, thinking it was weird that Bianca was knocking when she had a key, but froze when he saw a police officer standing under their porch.

Nico still doesn't remember exactly what the officer had said after the words "fatal accident." He remembers how the hurt came instantly and how he had to drop to his knees because he felt like his heart was exploding in his chest, sending pieces into his lungs. She hadn't been at fault; she was just going to make the final left turn to get home and someone had hit her. She was only sixteen…She was his whole world and she was gone in the blink of an eye.

Nico quickly shook his head and rushed out the main doors. Students were still lingering in the parking lot but he could still clearly see Annabeth and Piper waiting patiently for him in Annabeth's car. Piper was glancing around, probably looking for him and Annabeth was scribbling away in her journal. He smirked and waved when Piper noticed him. After tossing his back pack into the trunk, he got into the back seat. Annabeth started up the car and smiled at him in the rearview mirror.

"You thought I forgot you." She accused lightly. Nico shrugged and cracked his knuckles.

"Maybe." He acknowledged with a shrug. He leaned forward so his face was in between his two best friends. "So….What'd your mom make for dinner?"

0~0~0~0~0

Annabeth curled her feet under her as she sat down next to Piper on the basement couch. Her mother never came down here and after Annabeth's older brother had moved out, she quickly took the place over. It didn't have an overhead light but several lamps were placed around the room, giving it a soft glow at night. During the day, the window on the door leading outside gave it enough light.

Annabeth had wanted to convert the basement into a music room or maybe just a place to record her songs but Nico and Piper had convinced her they needed a hangout space, just for them. So the summer before they all hit high school, the three of them got to work. They moved a spare couch into the middle of the room and Piper's dad gave them his old TV when he bought a new one. Nico brought over his PS3 so they could watch Netflix and Annabeth moved the washer and dryer upstairs and placed a refrigerator in its place. They all painted the walls a soft teal color.

Annabeth did get a small space just for her music though. The small backroom was converted into a music room. It was just a place to store her instruments and record her songs to put on YouTube but it was hers.

Nico had already dozed off in his recliner in the corner of the room, a blanket draped over him. Piper's eyes were slowly drooping as she struggled to focus on the show playing on the TV. Annabeth smiled as contentment flooded through her core. She quietly got off the couch to grab another blanket for Piper. She walked up the basement stairs to inform her mother that her friends were going to spend the night when she heard a soft voice from the kitchen. Annabeth grinned.

"Come stop your crying, it'll be alright." Her mother sang softly as she grabbed another dish. "Just take my hand, hold it tight. I will protect you from all around you. I will be here don't you cry."

When Fredrick Chase had abandoned his family years ago for a younger woman, Athena was a mess. Her two children didn't know what to do to comfort her; Malcolm was nine and Annabeth was only seven years old. One night after Athena had tucked in both the kids, she had crept downstairs to cry on the couch. Annabeth had heard her sobs and slipped out of bed to be with her. Annabeth remembers how broken she felt seeing the strongest woman she ever met sob over her dad. She did the first thing that came to mind; she sang.

Annabeth had watched Tarzan over a million times because it was the only Disney movie her brother would watch with her. She knew all the lyrics. When Athena had heard her, she stopped crying to laugh and kiss her daughter. From that moment on, it became their song and they sang it to each other whenever the other was having a hard time.

Annabeth crept up behind her mom and surprised her when she cut her off to sing.

"For one so small, you seem so strong. My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm." With a small smile Annabeth extended her arms out to her mother and Athena laughed before pulling her into a tight embrace. Annabeth sighed as she inhaled her mother's comforting lemon scent. They sang the rest together softly.

"This bond between us can't be broken. I will be here, don't you cry! Cause you'll be in my heart; yes you'll be in my heart from this day on, now and forever more…You'll be in my heart; no matter what they say. You'll be here in my heart…always."

Athena sighed and kissed Annabeth's hair lightly. Annabeth smiled as they pulled away and her mom tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

"I love hearing you sing." Athena told her lovingly before turning back around to finish the dishes. "I wish your school had a club or group where you could really show off your voice."

Annabeth froze as she let those words sink in. Her eyebrows furrowed in wonder as she slowly formed a plan. She knew the perfect way to do this; she was determined.

"You know Mom…" Annabeth mused with a grin. "It really should."

Headcanons:

~Annabeth and Nico used to teasingly fight about their mutual crush on Percy until Nico decided that while Percy was nice to look at so were plenty of other boys and let Annabeth call unrealistic dibs. (He promised himself he would buy her a new song journal when Percy chose him anyway)

~Annabeth almost caught Piper and Jason in her bedroom about a month after they started their secret relationship. Jason had hidden in the closet in time but Piper had to lie and say she has an imaginary friend when Annabeth said she had heard her talking to someone. Annabeth still hasn't forgotten about it.

~Annabeth realized her friends were there to stay when she was gone for two days and came home to find them both fast asleep in her basement. Neither had left when she did and had simply made themselves at home. Her mother now buys their favorite snacks when they go shopping and keeps the fridge stocked with them in preparation for when Piper and Nico come over.