Chapter 1 - Return of Percy Jackson
Thalia
It's a New Year. I'm rockin' out with everyone else. My brother's coming from the Camp Jupiter with the rest of his roman buddies. I am at Camp Half-Blood and it's almost the best New Year's party ever. I look over to where Poseidon is standing and feel a pang of sadness. Seaweed Brain is still missing. It's been a year. He left a few days after Percabeth ended. Annabeth tries to act like she doesn't care but she's not much of an actress. I am beginning to doubt Percy is ever coming back. I didn't even get to give him a piece of my mind for hurting Annabeth! I spin around trying to keep up with the dance when I see him. Seaweed Brain. Standing just inside the Camp Half-Blood Boarder and he's not alone…
Annabeth
He's back! Percy is back! Everyone keeps saying as they move towards him. I follow. I am nervous. I don't know why but I can't get over him. I should've listened to Athena but no. I had to go and fall in love with the favourite son of Poseidon. Oh, who am I kidding? I can't even fool myself. I must be looking pretty smashed to everyone else. Well, I am not going to stand around and sulk. I squeeze through the crowd and stand next to Thalia. She has lightning bolts flashing in her eyes, which can't be a good sign.
"Hey, you guys miss me?" Percy says flashing us his signature lopsided-grin. Everyone looks towards me and expects me to go off at him but I don't.
"PERCY JACKSON!" Everyone jumps. We turn to see Aphrodite storming down an isle in the crowd. She looks like she is going to murder him when Poseidon enters the scene.
"Calm down, Aphrodite." The Sea God says calmly, as if he had read her mind. He turns to Percy. "Percy. Why don't you join the party?"
"Uh, sure." Percy says. He edges around the literally steaming Aphrodite and backs up until he bumps into someone. That someone is me.
"Um, sorry… Annabeth." There is an awkward silence.
"On with the party?" Bianca suggests. [She gets rebirth, read Hero's of Olympus: Son of Neptune] People begin walking back to the party as if nothing had happened.
"Percy, why did you end the greatest love in almost two thousand years?" Aphrodite whispers. She looks like she is going to cry and if she does Ares is going to kill Percy, literally.
"Um, okay. Percy, I'll see you around." A pretty female voice said from behind him. The living being that still remain are Thalia, Nico, Bianca, Rachel, Grover, Luke [I don't know if he gets rebirth in the Rick Riordan books. I am just making it that he does], Piper, Leo, Poseidon, Athena and Aphrodite all turn to look at who the voice belongs to. It is a girl of about eighteen years of age. And she is gorgeous, the drop-dead kind.
"Hi, I'm an old friend of Percy's…" She trails off. She has an amazing tan that will probably lead to skin cancer. She has rose-red lips and eyes that were the colour of the midnight sky. I swear I can see little sliver specks in them. But the thing that stood out most was her hair. It was short, about chin length and wavy… and it was pure white. No amount of bleaching or dying could have made it this colour. It almost made me think it was natural. She wore a pair of dark denim jeans and a white short-sleeved V-neck top.
"Ohhhhhh, you didn't tell me there was another girl!" Aphrodite squeals.
"Oh no, you don't understand. It's not what you think…" Percy stutters, turning bright red.
"Well, for once I approve. This one is actually attractive!" Poseidon remarks.
"HEY!" Rachel and I say in unison.
"How dare you!" Athena growls.
"No, no! You really don't get it!" Percy protests, even though he is turning a deeper shade of red every second.
"What's not to get? It looks like you really like her. I mean, if you didn't, then how do you explain the incredible shade of red you're turning?" Piper teased.
"No. Percy and I are not together. We are just friends." The girl says.
"Oh, sorry." Piper mumbles, turning slightly pink herself. I look away and so does everyone else. Percy turns to the girl.
"Hey, Em. Why don't you stay a while?" He asks nervously.
"Are you sure you want that, Percy?" She said with an eyebrow raised.
"Sure, let me introduce you to the people of Camp Half-Blood." Percy says, smiling. He walks toward the party and, reluctantly, she follows.
So, her name is Emily. Hmm…
Chapter 2 - the girl with white hair.
Percy
"Sorry, people never understand things like guy-girl friendships." I explain as we walk along the beach.
"Don't worry. My current parents are the same." Em replies, grinning. "Though my dad wasn't as eager to have some stranger of the opposite gender and the same age sleep in my room."
"Yeah, well I think he's trying to hook us up or something."
Em laughs.
"Don't be sad. I'm sure your dad will find you a girl." She says sarcastically. I punch her shoulder. She flashes me a grin. "Come on Bubble Boy. Lets join the party." We race each other to the dance floor. She beats me by a long shot.
Thalia
She can dance better than anyone at camp, I'll give her that. She is really flexible and quick. I can't help thinking she would make an amazing fighter. But it's a party, not a battlefield. I begin to dance. Lets see who's the best of us shall we…
Rachel
The girl with the white hair is very interesting. Annabeth has some serious competition here. But I don't think she's a demi-god. I walk out of the party area. I need to get some air and some info…
Nico
If she's a demi-god, which I doubt, she is one from the Big Three. Power seems to radiate from her. As a son of Hades I can tell when people are going to die. She doesn't have a use-by date….
Chapter 3 - The romans have arrived
Annabeth
I get up. It's already noon. That makes sense seeing as the New Years party carried on till the sun rose. I sigh. Poseidon really wants Percy and Emily to be together. He pushed so hard that now she is staying in Percy's cabin. I quickly change into my camp shirt and jeans. I walk outside and see that only my friends were up. Oh and Emily.
"Hey Annabeth." Luke shouts.
"It's 'bout time you woke up." Thalia says. "Camp Jupiter arrived and we were the only ones awake to say hey"
"Yeah. You should've seen their faces." Emily says.
"What were they like, Emily?" I reply, drowsily.
"Uh, my name isn't Emily."
"Then what is it?"
"Ember."
"Oh, sorry."
Awkward silence
"Why were they so surprised?"
"One, because they have to be out of bed at like six and two because I know Jason and he thought that I was dead." Ember shrugged.
"Why did he think you were dead?"
"Long story."
End of Conversation.
"Hey Annabeth." Jason greeted me with a hug. I hugged him back. It had been too long.
"So, what have you been up to, Jason?" I ask.
"The usual." Awkward silence.
"Come on love birds, we're waiting." Thalia jokes. I blush anyway, so does Jason.
Ember
"Have you ever noticed that people are very obvious to read when they blush?" I ask Percy. "What's the point in it anyway, I mean, you're just showing the world that you're embarrassed."
"Wait a sec, you've never blushed before?" He seems shocked.
"Well, is there a need too?"
"No."
"Then why should I?"
"Touché" He mummers as his friends walk towards us.
"What now?" Annabeth asks.
"Well, what can't you normally do because people are watching?" I say.
"Play truth or dare." Thalia says with a grin.
"My cabin." Percy offers.
"Um, Percy?"" Bianca says
"Yeah?"
"There's no one awake." She reminds him. He blushes and looks like a tomato.
"Let's go out onto the beach. In case someone does wake up." I suggest, immediately banishing the blood from Percy's cheeks.
"Good idea." Jason comments. Annabeth scowls. I look at her. She doesn't even realise that she is scowling. How do I know? Well, that's not important at the moment. We make our way to the beach. Annabeth walks up next to me and asks me about myself. She keeps asking personal things I'd rather not get into and it creates awkward silences.
"Where do you come from? What are your parents like? Do you have any siblings?..."
"Has anyone ever told you that you are fantastic at creating awkward silences?"
I DID NOT JUST SAY THAT!
"Uh, no." She mutterers obviously deflated.
"Sorry. You are asking some personal questions and we only met yesterday."
I read her mind. "Drat, almost had something there" As usual there is someone trying to get into my personal life. We sit down on the sand in a circle with everyone else.
"Hey, Ember. This is Hazel and Frank." Percy introduces me to his other roman friends.
"Daughter of Pluto and Son of Mars." I say before I can stop myself. Everyone stares and yet again there is an awkward silence.
"You guessed right." Percy continues after a while, trying to make me seem like them. HA!
"So why don't we start playing?" Luke says slowly. I grin. I am so going to be the last one standing…
Hazel
"So what are we playing by?" Thalia asks.
"How about last man standing?" Jason suggests.
"How about all rules and secret option?" Ember suggests.
"Huh?" I have never heard of these before.
"Last man standing is when we play until only one person left. You drop out by refusing to answer a question or don't do the dare." Frank explains.
"All rules is when you play by everything including last man standing and have loads more options." Ember explains.
"Truth, dare, double-dare, kiss a man or torture." Percy says with a grin.
"What's secret option?" Annabeth asks. I am relieved that I don't have to. I am behind in this stuff.
"Secret option is when we all write down an option we make up ourselves and put them in a hat. When someone says secret option then they draw one of them from the hat." Jason explains.
"Lets do all rules and secret option. Make it interesting." Luke says. Everyone nods in agreement.
"Ok. I'll go first." Piper says as she and Leo join the circle. She hands out small pieces of paper and tiny little pens. Everyone writes their secret option and puts it in Jason's cap, which Piper stole. "Thalia. Truth, dare, double-dare, kiss a man or torture."
"I'm no puss. Torture." Thalia grins but that turns into a scream of horror as soon as Piper whispers her torture into her ear. "NO WAY! I can't do that, you know it!"
"I guess that you drop out first turn." Piper smirks. Thalia gives her the 'I am going to kill you one of these days' look and turns. She kisses Luke full on the lips.
"One. Two. Three. Four. Five." Piper counts. Thalia pulls away and starts spitting on the sand.
"Ugh. Ok. My turn. Percy. Chose a thing."
"Uh, I'll go with double-dare." Percy replies. Thalia curses in Greek.
"We're going to go and do something embarrassing. The person with the most embarrassing thing gets 5 drachma's from the other person." Thalia challenges.
They walk off. 5 minutes pass. They both come back. Percy is covered is tomatoes.
"Darers first." Percy says.
"I had Apollo follow me around declaring his love for me. You?"
"I let the Ares cabin ditch tomatoes at me."
Thalia curses once again and pays Percy. "Ok, Leo. Your preferred option."
"I'll go with truth." Leo says.
"Who is the love of your life?"
Leo turns bright red.
"I drop out."
"Ok. Ember. You know what to do." Percy says.
"I pick secret option." She replies. She picks one out of the cap and reads it.
"All dare. Everyone is included in a dare. Each person must complete the dare or they will be considered out."
"I dare everyone to admit two secrets no one here knows and prove that they are true." Percy says. "Ok. Um. I met Ember because she saved my life when I was two from a basilisk and I once dressed up as Hera for Halloween."
Some of us are astonished but Leo, Jason, Annabeth and Ember are nodding in agreement.
"That makes sense." Leo muttered.
"Mine are my favourite food is frying pans and in Rome I kind of ate a very old piece of amour." Grover sounds guilty.
"I am an absolute Gleek and I am not over Percy." Annabeth half-whispers.
"Well duh." Thalia blurts. "Wait, that was out loud, wasn't it?"
"Yep." I say. "Looks like it's my turn. I died once and I really like Frank." I blush.
"I want to ask Hazel out but I am kind of shy and I can shape shift." Frank admits.
"I have a huge fear of heights and zap people to wake them up." Thalia says.
"I killed myself to save the world and I seriously wish Thalia didn't join the Hunters." Luke is very casual about this.
"I am in a love triangle and I tried to eat a stapler when I was two." Jason looks very conflicted as he says this.
"I can charm-speak and my dad is a movie star." Piper mumbles.
"I hold a grudge for a long time and can tell when people are going to die." Nico says.
"I drop out." Bianca says.
"My dad saw me give a prophecy and Apollo installed a video arcade in my cave." Rachel says.
"I am telepathic and my eyes change colour at random intervals." Ember says…
Chapter 4 - Ember the Mind Reader/I get abused by Zeus
Ember
"Excuse me?" Piper squeaks. Yes, she squeaked.
"Did you forget your hearing aids? I am telepathic and my eyes change colour at random intervals." I repeat. There are some laughs but that doesn't seem to ease the tension.
"Ok. That's just a bit too freaky for me. Besides, you can't prove it." Thalia insisted.
"Oh really?" I say. I read the minds of everyone around me. I should've seen that coming Jason. I knew she wasn't normal but this… Rachel. Immortal and telepathic anything else? Nico. This will make Percy hate her, for sure. Annabeth. Wow. Percy.
I can't wait to post this on Facebook. WTF! I turn and see some Aphrodite girl standing there with her mouth open.
"You are NOT posting this on Facebook, you b***h." I growl. Everyone stares. There are two possible reasons for that. One, people knew I read her mind 'cause she didn't say it out loud. Two, they didn't think I had it in me to call someone a female dog. The girl turns and runs. Probably off to tell her other socialites the news and ruin my social life permanently.
"OMZ! You can read minds!" Annabeth shouts.
"Yep, I told you that already." I reply. "Don't keep it to yourself." Sarcasm dripped all over that last part.
"You just called Drew a female dog." Piper seemed amused. Everyone else is obviously trying to cover up the dirt they have but in the process they end up thinking about it.
"Don't worry, your thoughts are safe with me. Who's there to tell?" I say. Piper laughs. She knows what I mean.
"I suggest we stop playing now." Hazel says. Everyone nods. Not only is everyone awake now but the sun had set. We all got up and made our way back to camp. We entered the dining pavilion and everyone stared. That Drew chick is going to get the trashing of her life. I would have sent this to her head but she would probably post it on Facebook. ALL of the god and goddesses are here too. Well, I'm screwed but am I gonna show it? NO! I smile and walk away. I tell Percy telepathically that I'll be at the beach. I send Piper kick Drew's ass for me. I sit down. The sea looks black thanks to the moon-less sky. Great. I can look at the lights of doom. I hate stars. They mock me. I swear if I could I would silence them all. Looks don't get you everything. I sigh. What now? Should I leave on another death-defying adventure? Or stay and prove the world that I don't run away so easy? I sigh again and lie down in the sand. I close my eyes. I try to remember my real parents. I've been trying for months now. Ever since… well I don't want to think about that right now. I have other problems…
"Who are you?" A male voice asks. I open one eye and see Zeus looking down on me.
"What's it to ya?" I reply, closing my eye. He picks me up, by my hair. I open my eyes. "I don't appreciate being picked up by my hair you know."
"And I don't appreciate not being answered."
"Whatever." I say. He looks like he is going to electrocute me. He is drawing a crowd too. Lovely. He drops me. Maybe he came to his senses? That thought gets trashed as he takes out his master bolt and points it under my chin like a sword. I want to laugh at this but then I would look like I am actually mad.
"Who are you? You are no daughter of any of us." Zeus growls.
"That's getting into my private life." I say. He zaps me.
"Ow! Hey!" I shout. Zeus looks amazed. What did he expect? My body to turn to dust? Probably. I can feel everyone else staring, though I don't look.
"What? Never had anyone complain when they get electrocuted?" I roll my eyes. Who wouldn't? My hair is still buzzing with electricity and sticking out like an Alice-do [twilight Alice].
"Well, she's alive." Jason says. "And that's not the worst she's survived through. I remember when…"
"Jason?" I cut him off.
"Yeah?"
"Shut up." I blink. Crap. I feel my eyes change colour. Green, I think. My eyes always have terrible timing and this time there's a big difference. Everyone either gasps or screams. I guess the friends of Percy and Jason didn't believe me.
I look away, the full moon reflects on the water. Wait a sec. Full moon! I am supposed to be breaking the void tonight! Crap. Everyone will be waiting.
"Ciao." I say. They're all dyslexic so they probably don't know what that means. [Even the romans 'cause they speak Latin.]
I somersault and teleport in mid-air. I am going to the scariest place in existence.
The void.
Chapter 5 - Life goes on
Annabeth
She just vanished, in mid-air. It was cool but still. She's a freak. Anyone here will tell you so. Drew looks happy. Zeus is still horrified at the fact that someone is actually immune to his rath. Poor Percy. A person he thought he knew turned out to be completely different. I sigh and walk to the Athena cabin. It's been a long day and I just want to sleep…
Percy
It's autumn. A new school year. I am driving, in the direction I think school is in. I get distracted for like five seconds. Apparently so does another guy, at the same time. It all happens so quickly. I am now on the road. People are screaming and cars are honking.
Some woman is yelling: "Someone call 911!"
Another is saying: "Does anyone know these guys?"
And then it all goes black…
Ember
I think I just witnessed the car crash of the century. Both are demi-gods. One is Percy. The other is some kid of Hermes. I sigh. I turn. I am going to go and get Sally. She may want to know her son is in a coma…
Thalia
I know Percy's brain is made of seaweed and all but really? I didn't think he of all people would end up in some car crash. Well, not just some car crash. The cars kind of exploded on impact. So now, like, they are both in comas. I'm taking the rest to visit. He in some demi-god hospital, thank Zeus. Otherwise, he would have ended up as a science guinea pig!
Ember
Will visit Percy tonight. I'm going to tell him the truth and it'll be a lot better seeing as he probably won't hear me. Listening to my iPod touch. The Real World, by Owl City. Pretty much sums up how I feel about Earth. He makes such cute songs. 'Reality is a lovely place, but I wouldn't want to live there.'
For now, I am going to stick to trying to rescue my sister and remember what my real name is…
Chapter 6 - How to wake a demi-god in a coma.
Annabeth
I sit in the hospital. Thalia and I share earphones. We're listening to Titanium by David Guetta featuring Sia. 'I gonna prove, nothing to lose. Fire away, fire away.'
"You can go in now." The nurse says kindly. 'You take your aim. Fire away, fire away.'
"Thanks." Thalia says. 'You shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am titanium. You shoot me down, but I won't fall. I am titanium.' "Come on Beth, this way."
'You cut me down, but it's you who has further to fall.' "Don't scream or anything when you go in ok? I don't want to hear that." 'Raise your voice, sticks and stones may break my bones.' "EARTH TO ANNABETH! COME IN ANNABETH!" Thalia yells, attracting the attention of everyone.
"Right, sorry." I mumble, turning off the iPod. We enter the room. Percy is lying there. His face and arms are covered in cuts, bruises and what look like third degree burns. Someone has brought him flowers. They are violets. I look at the label. 'To Percy. From Guess Who!' I roll my eyes.
"Hello Annabeth." Sally whispers. She looks absolutely devastated. She only just got Percy back and now he's in a coma. "None of the healing is having an effect. It is troubling." She says quietly. I can't do this. I leave, just so that I don't vomit. He needs someone. I shudder at the person that has come to my mind but there doesn't seem too much of a choice. I have to find Ember. She'll be able to make some kind of difference. I hope anyway…
Thalia
I shouldn't have brought Annabeth here. She left five minutes after we went in and looked like she was going to vomit. I don't know where she is now but I hope she knows what she's doing. Whatever that might be…
Ember
I walk straight into Annabeth, literally.
"Sorry." I mumble. She looks angry but then desperate.
"You've got to help Percy. Nothing else is working and Sally is broken. Please."
"Are you actually begging me?" I am astonished. I thought it was beyond Annabeth to beg for anything. Guess I am wrong. She will beg for her ex-boyfriends wellbeing.
"Maybe." She mutters. Too stubborn to admit it. I smirk. "Will you help? If not for me then for Sally."
"I was heading there anyway, have another friend to visit." LIE! "But you have to get Sally home to get some sleep, I need privacy when I do this. Ok?"
"Fine."
"I'll be there tonight." I walk away. This is too perfect. Now I have a reason for sneaking in there at like 10 pm. Now all I need to do is get my sister out of the void and well, today will be the best day of my too-long life…
Annabeth
I'm going to go and get Sally out of the DG hospital. I hope Ember doesn't ditch…
Ember
Another failed attempt. I listen to music as I walk to the hospital. 'Just one more moment, that's all needed. Like wounded soldiers, in need of healing.' I'd come for you, Nickelback. About wanting someone back. I wonder if Sam wants me back. I shake the thought away. He won't. He found a new friend to dance with. 'I can't believe I said I'd lay our love on the ground. But it doesn't matter 'cause I made it up. Forgive me now. Everyday I spend away my souls inside out, gotta be someway that I can make it up to you now, somehow.' Charming. I sometimes wonder if someone would ever sing that to me if they screwed up. Probably not but you know. It's a nice thing to think about.
'By now you know that. I'd come for you. No one but you. Yes I'd come for you but only if you told me to. And I'd fight for you. I'd lie, it's true. Give my life for you. You know I'll always come for you.'
I sigh and turn off the music. I walk in and up the stairs, Room 206. That's apparently where Percy is. I hum the tune of Make it Mine by Jason Mraz. I find the room and go in. Whoa Percy looks like someone chucked him in a frying pan. No joke. His injuries are serious. No wonder he zoned out. No one wants to live that kind of pain. So, how the hell am I going to do this? I hope Annabeth is having better luck with Sally than I am with Percy…
Annabeth
I tried to explain to Sally. I had to lock her in the cupboard. Paul is asleep and thank the Gods that he's a deep sleeper. I sit down a wonder what I should do next. I get a text from Ember. How she got my number is beyond me. I read it.
It says It's worse than u think. How did u go with Sally? I text back: Locked her in cupboard, Paul asleep. I get lol back and I start to think that she might be ok…
Ember
"Hey Percy. Feel like waking up?" I ask. Well, what am I supposed to do? Kiss him? I am no daughter of Apollo. What the hell do I do? I know I can do it 'cause my tears stopped someone from dying. Think. Think. Think. I text Annabeth Kno I can do it, jus have 2 figure out how. Suggestions? I wait. •BING• I read did u try kissing him? God. Do I have to? I think I might vomit. Not that he isn't normally attractive or anything it's just he looks like a giant got hungry, drank acid and then spat him out. When I text this to Annabeth she replies toughen up princess, if not then close ur eyes. I think about it. I laugh out loud at the fact that I didn't think of that. I lean over and kiss him. It felt weird. I have kissed loads of different people before but they're conscious and don't have a swelled face. When I open my eyes again, I see a dramatic improvement. Which is supposed to be impossible. His face is completely healed and the rest is healing too. I don't see the harm in getting in a few winks so I text Annabeth gonna get sum sleep! Percy looks great. C u tomorrow. I don't get a reply. I guess that means she dozed off sometime. I fall asleep thinking of my cute Italian ex and my lost little sister…
Chapter 7 - Did anything even happen?
Annabeth
I go to the hospital with Sally as soon as I get up. We enter Percy's room and whoa. He is, like, completely healed. Ember is just waking up. She yawns and then grins at me.
"What did I tell you? Magic or what?" She says.
"Thank you so much!" Sally screams hugging Ember. Percy suddenly wakes up.
"I had the weirdest dream." He mumbles. He looks around. "Why the Hades am I in a hospital?"
"You were in the car crash o the century." Thalia announces as she walks through the door.
"What is she doing here?" Nico growls.
"She's the reason Percy is still alive." The nurse says sticking her head in. "She has some talent!"
"Thanks." Ember says standing up. "Well, my job here is done. See you around Annabeth." I grin. I have a new friend with supernatural powers.
"You let her heal him?" Thalia says, unbelieving.
"Yeah, what wrong with that?" I reply.
"Or what's wrong with me?" Ember asks.
"Hmm. Let me get back to you on that one." Thalia snaps sarcastically. Ember rolls her eyes.
"Hey, without me there would be no Percy. So I await your thank you cards and bid you adieu."
"What is with you and using weird languages?" Thalia says
"You mean languages that aren't English, Greek or Latin?" Ember teased. Thalia turned red.
"Thanks for saving my life and un-dementing my face." Percy says.
"You don't know how much you owe me." Ember says. Percy turns red. I guess in the time that he has known her for he has heard her say that to another guy she had to kiss or something. I smile. So does she. It's funny how people can become friends over something so strange.
"I think I have something I can give you." Percy says, still bright red. If Piper were here she would be all over that. "But I need everyone else to leave." That's weird.
Everyone walks out. Nico storms away and Thalia walks after him. Sally leaves to get Paul and I am left alone in the hall. I decide that someone has to know what goes on in there. So I look inside and listen very carefully.
"Close your eyes." Percy commands.
"Why?"
"Just do it. And don't read my mind or I'll think of the rainbow pony thing really loudly." He warns. Ember submits and closes her eyes. Whatever the 'rainbow pony thing' is, it must be terrible. He isn't looking for anything. He's just sitting there, staring at her. Poor Ember doesn't know what's going on. He is really close to her. Like a breaths distance away. He kisses her. I slide to the floor. I am so stupid. I should've seen that coming. He always liked her, it was clear from the beginning. I am no longer looking but still listen.
"Percy… I need to go do something." I hear Ember say. WHAT? She just turned away from kissing Percy. She comes out of the room and sits next to me.
"You think really loudly." She tells me.
"He really likes you."
"I know."
"You should go for it."
"Why?"
"Because he's a good guy and you, well, you're awesome. He deserves you and you deserve him."
"Thanks Annabeth."
"Go."
"If you say so." She gets up and walks in. I smile. I think I am finally over Percy but if he wants me back, I'll be there…
Thalia
There is a dramatic change from a couple of days ago. Percy is not only looking like nothing ever happened but also he is dating Ember. Annabeth is now bff's with her. The Gods, who have been ignoring our existence for a while, are now suddenly really helpful. It's kinda scary…
Ember
I am just sitting on a bench in Central Park. Doing nothing but think and breathe. It's been a month since Percy's accident and it's seriously like nothing ever happened, except for the other guy who was in the accident. Everyone forgot about him and he died. So, anyway, I am sitting here and I see some familiar faces walk towards me. F***! They found me, again. I get up and walk away. They follow. I try to stay calm but when you have stalkers that try to murder you every time you see them, it's a hard thing to do. I walk straight into Percy. Luck really isn't on my side today.
"Hey Ember. Do you want to come over tonight?" He asks.
"Can we talk later Percy? I'm in a rush." I reply.
"Where are you going?"
"Somewhere." I say. Percy looks concerned. I look back. Crap. They're really close.
"Run." I say to him and begin to run myself.
"Who are they?"
"People who don't like me very much."
"Where can we go?"
"There's only one place that they can't get into."
"Where's that?"
"Not far. Come on." We run past fountains. Percy sticks his hand in them for extra strength. I start up the stairs and Percy stops at the bottom.
"Why are we here? This is a really posh school."
"Yeah, it's my school."
"You go here?"
"Yes! Now come on!" I urge. He runs up next to me and we continue.
"There are so many stairs." He puffs.
"I know." We burst inside and have student staring. Monica leads Percy to a chair.
"What now?" Sophie asks, flicking her blonde hair out of her face impatiently.
"The business, again." I say. They are standing at the bottom of the stairs. They turn and walk away. I sigh in relief.
"They won't stop, will they?" Pricilla asks. She's only five. We rescued her from them three months ago. She doesn't get a reply but they don't want her. They want me, dead. No one knows why.
"Come on. We've been waiting for you to come back for ages!" Rochelle says. Percy walks over to me.
"Come on. You wanted to know what my life is like? Well. Now's your chance." I tell him. I follow Rochelle and Percy follows me. We are walking down the main hall.
"This is huge!" Percy exclaims. They ceilings are really high and there is enough room in the hall for about fifty students to walk side-by-side.
"Hey Ember!" Bianca calls, her red hair is blowing around with out any wind.
"You're back!" Nicki says with a smile, she and Monica join our group.
"Hey Em!" Helena calls to me.
"Hey Ember." Lucas walks up next to me, excluding Percy. "There is this number we've been rehearsing. If you can come by later…"
"Sure, Lucas." I say. He runs off. Percy walks next to me.
"You said your life is complex. You didn't tell me everyone wants to be around you." He says
"Hey Ember!" Lucy calls.
"Hi Lucy, how are you?"
"I'm good, it's good to see you!" She runs off. Percy watches her go.
"She is like six." He mumbles.
"This school is for any age. There are about a thousand students and I know everyone of them."
"Ok." He says.
"Only because she is involved in, like, everything." Monica buts in.
"Music, drama, art, welcoming committee. Name an extra curricular activity here, she'll be in it." Rochelle grins. I roll my eyes.
"I'm just making the most of life." I shrug.
"Did you forget to mention she is amazing at everything you can do? 'cause she is!" Nicki says, looking towards me. Lucas comes running up to me again. He grabs my hand and begins pulling me.
"Where to?" I say. No answer he just keeps pulling. I have to run to stop him from tugging me. Everyone follows. He pulls me into the music room.
"Hey everyone! Ember's back!" Lucas yells. Everyone cheers. I smile. I good to know that some people actually want me around. Percy is gazing around. Instruments of every kind are being held. Music stands with complicated tunes written on them are everywhere.
"Everyone, this is Percy. Percy this is the schools performing music group.
"Hey, Percy. You want to hear a song. Everything is done by us." Monica asks.
"Sure." He shrugs.
"Telephone." Rochelle says. We made that an almost duet. Mon and I do it together. Nicki does the Beyoncé bits. I go forward and stand on the music room stage. Mitch starts the track.
Monica: "Hello, hello. Baby, you called? I can't hear a thing. I have got no service in the club you see, see. Wha, wha, what did you say? Oh you breaking up on me. Sorry I cannot hear you, I'm kinda busy."
Me: "k-kinda busy."
Mon: "k-kinda busy"
Me: "Sorry, I cannot hear you, I'm kinda busy."
Mon: "Just a second it's my favourite song they're gonna play."
Me: "And I can't text you with a drink in my hand, eh?"
Mon: "You should've made some plans with me, you knew that I was free."
Me: "And now you won't stop calling me."
Mon: "I'm kinda busy"
Me: "Stop calling"
Mon: "Stop calling"
Me: "I don't wanna think anymore."
Mon: "I left my head and my heart on the dance floor."
Me: "Stop calling"
Mon: "Stop calling"
Me: "I don't wanna talk anymore."
Mon: "I left my head and my heart on the dance floor."
Me: "Eh, eh, eh, eh , eh ,eh, eh, eh, eh ,eh, eh."
Mon: "Stop telephoning me, eh, eh , eh , eh, eh , eh, eh, eh , eh."
Me: "I'm busy, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh , eh, eh."
Mon: "Stop telephoning me, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh."
Me: "Can call all you want but there's no one home and you're not gonna reach my telephone."
Mon: "I'm out in the club and I'm sippin' that bub and you're not gonna reach my telephone."
Me: "Can call all you want but there's no one home and you're not gonna reach my telephone."
Mon: "I'm out in the club and I'm sippin' that bub and you're not gonna reach my telephone."
Nicki: "Gonna make you blowin' up my phone, phone, make me leave no faster, put my coat on faster, leave my girls no faster. I should've left my phone at home 'cause this is a disaster. Calling like a collector. Sorry I cannot answer."
Me: "Not that I don't like you I'm just trying to party."
Mon: "And I am sick and tired of my phone ring-ring-ing.
Nicki: "Sometimes I feel like I live in Grand Central station.
Me: "Station."
Tonight I'm not taking no calls 'cause I'll be dancing."
Me: "Dancing."
Nicki: "I'll be dancing"
Me: "Dancing."
Nicki and Me: "Tonight I'm not taking no calls 'cause I'll be dancing."
Me: "Stop calling."
Mon: "Stop calling."
Me: "I don't wanna think anymore."
Mon: "I left my head and my heart on the dance floor."
Me: "Stop calling."
Mon: "Stop calling."
Mon and Me: "I don't wanna talk anymore."
Mon: "I left my head and my heart on the dance floor."
Me: "Stop calling."
Mon: "Stop calling."
Me: "I don't wanna think anymore."
Mon: "I left my head and my heart on the dance floor."
Me: "Stop calling."
Mon: "Stop calling."
Mon and Me: "I don't wanna talk anymore."
Mon: "I left my head and my heart on the dance floor. Eh, eh, eh , eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh."
Me: Stop telephoning me."
Mon: Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.
Me: "I'm busy, eh, eh ,eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.
Nicki: "Stop telephoning me."
Mon: "Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh."
Me: "Can call all you want but there's no one home and you're not gonna reach my telephone."
Mon and Rochelle: "I'm out in the club and I'm sippin' that bub and you're not gonna reach my telephone."
Me: "Can call all you want but there's no one home and you're not gonna reach my telephone."
Mon and Rochelle: "I'm out in the club and I'm sippin' that bub and you're not gonna reach my telephone."
Lucas: "D-d-don't shout."
Rochelle: "My telephone, my, my, my telephone. 'Cause I'm out in the club and I'm sippin' that bub and you're not gonna reach my telephone. My telephone, my, my, my telephone. 'cause I'm out in the club and I'm sippin' that bub and you're not gonna reach my telephone."
And the pre-recorded voices finish the song.
Female Voice: We're sorry…
Male voice: We're sorry…
Female voice: The number you have called…
Male voice: Is not in service at this time…
Female voice: Please check the number or try your call again.
Percy stares. I'm not sure what the expression is but I'm still too scared to read his mind. If he thinks about the 'rainbow pony thing' then I will scream and the last time I did that someone died.
"Wow." He says and finally blinks. Good thing too. I was afraid we were going to have to call in a doctor or something. It's just not natural to not blink for that long.
"Yeah but no one ever sees us perform." Monica complains.
"At least not recently." Rochelle adds. I glare at Lucas.
"Nothing? For over six months." I knew I should've left Monica in charge. She's no so concerned.
"It was for everyone's safety." He says.
"Safety my ass. Lucas you know the only danger is when I am around." I say.
"Why don't you perform at my school prom? We don't have anyone yet and you guys are really good." Percy suggests. Everyone nods. Lucas is about to disagree when he realises something. I am back and that means he is not in charge anymore.
"So, did you free her this time?" He asks instead. I bite my lip. No. As if I need reminding. I had spent so long researching and well, it didn't work. Instead all of the people who tried to help got hurt. I don't count. No one gives a s**t if I get hurt. Apparently I won't feel anything. WRONG! I guess everyone has read my expression 'cause the subject gets dropped.
"Is there a theme?" I ask Percy.
"It's yet to be revealed." Hmm. Not easy to rehearse when you don't have anything to rehearse.
"Let's call it a day. I'm going to go with Percy and talk to the principal. I'll see you guys tomorrow." They follow me to the main reception and wave as I leave the school grounds. We're walking through New York.
"So, do you want to come over tonight?" He asks, again. I smile.
"Sure." I have nothing planned for a while. Which is a first. I have a lot of thinking to do though, thinking about how to get the truth…