THE ROAD - CHAPTER ONE
Annabeth
Annabeth Chase has always loved music. From a young age, it's what she wanted to do for her entire life. As soon as she sang, danced, or picked up an instrument, she knew. Even when she was a little girl, she just knew. She was incredibly lucky too - it all managed to work out for her.
When the young blonde turned 21, her dream started becoming a reality. With the help of her two best friends, Luke Castellan and Thalia Grace, they played music. There was no real incentive in it for the couple, but for Annabeth, whenever she stepped up to the stage of the small bars and clubs they gigged in, she felt like she had the world to impress. And so she did.
The first few shows were insignificant to others. They just did them for fun. Their little group wasn't even earning any money off of this either, doing it fully out of their love for music.
Their 'band' got noticed and signed on to play a few more shows. People started taking notes. Videos of their performances surfaced online, scouts started showing up and the press asked questions. And being the front of the group, Annabeth got all the praise - her grace, her work ethic, her passion, even her looks. It filled her stomach with butterflies whenever she heard her name mentioned or if someone recognized her on the street and asked for an autograph and a picture. It was a shift. She was no longer a normal teenager. She was something now. She had a future, as uncertain as it may be in the music industry, she had the option. A small window opened.
Then one night, a year later, life changed.
"Annabeth" the blonde heard her name called from behind her. Her long time vocal coach and mentor, Mr. Brunner, rolled closer on his wheelchair.
"Hey, Mr. Brunner" she replied with a smile and sighed.
"Butterflies?" he asked.
"Yeah" Annabeth nodded in confirmation.
"Listen, there's-"
"Come on, Annabeth!" Luke's voice disrupted the conversation. "Sorry to interrupt, but we're going on, like, right now" he said after he noticed Mr. Brunner.
"Just a second" she called over her shoulder and looked to her teacher, "What were you saying?"
"It's okay, unimportant for now. Go up there and give it your best." He said and offered a smile.
"I will. Thanks" Annabeth thanked and smiled, the excitement swelling in full force. She walked out and gave it her best effort, just like she was asked. At the end of the night she was out of air, sweating and tired, but it was all worth the rush she got for that hour on stage - a magical hour where her mind completely blanked out and allowed her to focus on doing what she loves most.
"You were great" Luke said and offered a smile, putting his guitar off to the side and embraced Annabeth.
"Thanks. You were great too" she said.
"You killed it!" Thalia exclaimed and tackled her best friend in a bear hug, "That was amazing"
"Thanks, Thals" Annabeth gave a smile, but it grew into a grin when she noticed the familiar wheelchair. Next to it stood a tall man. A grey business suit and pants, black shoes, a blue vest and tie. Both heads were scanning around, Mr. Brunner finding Annabeth's first. He called over to the mystery man and they both made their way to the blonde singer.
"You were phenomenal, dear" Mr. Brunner said.
"Thank you. It means a lot to me" she replied and caught a glance of the suited man watching her conversation. There was a small, uncomfortable pause. Mr. Brunner broke it with a small cough.
"Annabeth, I want you to meet Mr. Johnson. He's the one I wanted to mention to you earlier"
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Chase" Mr. Johnson said and extended a hand. Annabeth shook it firmly with a polite smile.
"It's nice to meet you too" she replied as he sorted through the papers in his hands, looking for a specific one. He pulled out multiple files stapled together as Mr. Brunner smiled. Annabeth wasn't quite sure of what was going on.
"I came to give you an offer" he started and Annabeth wanted to pass out. Her heart started racing and she was at a loss of words. "I'm representing a record company in New York and we think you have an incredibly bright future as an artist. We'd be honored if you would sign with us". Annabeth's lips moved like a fish. She couldn't speak. No words could describe how happy she was or how long she's waited. This is what she's worked her entire life to achieve, and it was actually happening.
"I-I'm-I can't" she stuttered as the two older men smiled at her confusion. "Thank you so much" she said with a happy tear in her eyes.
"I'll leave this with Mr. Brunner, and here's my business card. Give me a call within the next few days regarding your decision" Mr. Johnson said with a wave and walked away.
"Let's go inside, I'll explain" Mr. Brunner said to his student, who was still stunned. They sat down as Mr. Brunner explained the terms of the contract. Since Annabeth was a new artist, she would be signed to a two year deal. "It's their way of gauging how successful you'll be" Mr. Brunner explained.
"Wait, what about Thalia and Luke?" she asked, slightly fearful. They haven't been mentioned by either man.
"I'm sorry Annabeth" Mr. Brunner, "But I'm afraid they aren't apart of their plan"
"What?" she started, "No…I can't. I need them, Mr. Brunner"
Mr. Brunner is the only one that understood. He's been helping the three teens on their journey to be musicians. He was a father figure to the group and a true mentor. He helped them write and learn and book gigs. To Annabeth, he was everything – a role model – a representation of who she wanted to be not just as a musician, but as a person.
"I know, Annabeth. I know how much you value your relationship with those two" he said honestly, "But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for. I know how passionate you are about music, and an opportunity like this may never come again. It's entirely your choice."
"I need some time" Annabeth said in a whisper. Her voice was shaky and her head was throbbing. "To think to myself" Mr. Brunner nodded in understanding and left. She didn't even go to see her friends before going back home. She just needed to be alone.
The first night was horrible. As good as the news were, Annabeth couldn't stop tearing and feeling sad when she looked at the papers. It must've been the 20th time she read them, because they detailed everything, even what wasn't written on them. The 22 year old never considered making music without her friends a viable option because they were always there. They helped her get to this point and she can't leave them behind. She cried that night, multiple times, and barely slept.
The next morning was even harder. She wasn't crying, but she was thinking, the most she ever thought in a while - the words 'An incredibly bright future' and 'once in a lifetime opportunity' rung in her cranium over and over. She got to a point where she was considering doing this, considering taking the offer and going off to a solo career. She would tell her friends tomorrow, she thought to herself. She would talk to them and she would share with them because she always does, and it was wrong keeping something like this away from them.
She was in her house alone for the entire day until she finally decided to text her friends, telling them she's coming over with important news. She took the contract with her and got in her car, leaving for Thalia's place where they usually hung out to make music. She knocked on the door timidly, trying to mask her worried expression.
"Hey Annie" Thalia answered and hugged her friend.
"Hey" she said, "Is Luke here too?"
"I'm here" she heard the blonde teenager call from the steps leading to the basement. He rushed up, gave Annabeth a hug and wrapped his arm around Thalia's waist.
"I have to tell you guys something important" she said, the veil dropping. She was led into the house and seated on the couch.
"What's wrong?"
Annabeth didn't know how to break the news. She never really thought of it, so she acted on instinct. She pulled the paper out of her coat pocket, unfolding it neatly. She swallowed noticeably before looking up to her friends and placing the paper on the table. They gave her a cautious look before unfolding it slowly, almost as if they were scared of what it might read. Annabeth knew she was, at least. Both pairs of blue eyes scanned the paper, until they looked up to Annabeth, who had a sad smile on her face.
"I got a record deal" she said in a voice that definitely was higher pitch than her usual tone. Her friends' eyes filled with surprise and shock, but not in a bad way. There was some happiness for her, that she got an opportunity like this. Thalia went forward first and hugged Annabeth firmly, squealing excitedly while Luke just gave a happy smile.
"Annie, that's amazing!" The older girl said and sat down next to her boyfriend. They both looked at the young singer, who was dazed, even scared.
"What's wrong?" the couple asked at the same time.
"They…" she tried speaking as she held back tears, "They said it's a solo offer and it's in New York. I can't leave you two, you're my family" she explained.
The teens sitting beside her shared a sympathetic look before Luke cleared his throat and spoke. "We love you, Annabeth. I know how hard this is for you, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity" he said. Great, Annabeth thought. Just when she managed to push Mr. Brunner's words out of her head, here they come right back. "This is a chance to go after your dream. You're a prodigy, Annabeth. You have natural talent that not many people are born with." he explained. "Besides, Thalia and I never thought of doing music full time. I mean I love teaching, but I never thought of it as a career. Our lives are all set here" he said and sighed, "And we wanted to tell you this sooner, but…we're planning on getting married in the future" he revealed and put an arm around Thalia's waist, kissing her temple.
Annabeth had the biggest smile on her face when she jumped to and hugged them both. "That's amazing. I'm so happy for you guys" she explained with happy tears in her eyes. "It's just…the guilt was killing me over you no-"
"Annie, its fine" Thalia interrupted, "We're happy for you too, okay? This is the best for you. Just think of how bad you've worked to get here. Plus I have a brother in New York, his name's Jason, I'm sure he'll love to help you out."
"Thanks Thals" she said and stood up, embracing her friends in a big group hug that she swore could've lasted a few hours, "I love you guys, remember that"
"We love you too" the couple answered in unison.
A few days later and Annabeth's is in the airport heading to New York. Mr. Brunner promised he would join her later, and they arranged for her to stay at a hotel until she can find a suitable place to live in. Annabeth never imagined that day would be as hard as it was. Saying a final goodbye to her friends before she heads off to the big city was a lot harder then she expected.
"You'll come visit me, right?" she asked them hopefully, "We'll see each other again?"
"Annabeth, we're family" Luke said.
"Only if you promise to come see us too" Thalia said.
Luke elbowed her side lightly, "What? I was serious" she said.
They shared as a small laugh and a final hug before Annabeth turned to her flight, never looking back.
A/N: Welcome back!
So, this is my second story, The Road, inspired by what i'm passionate about: music. So let me get 2 things out of the way.
The uploads, unlike my other story, won't be as rapid. I really want to put in the time to make this a quality story.
Please do review and tell me if you want to see the rest, otherwise I won't bother writing.
Massive shoutout to AncientTide for being amazing and helping me with this.