Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson, Ellen, or Taylor
INTRODUCTION
I firmly latched the door of my dressing room, immediately cutting off the crowd of "The Ellen Show" mid-laugh and flopped into the chair in front of my vanity. I surveyed my reflection; I looked tired. Happy, but tired. Twenty-two isn't all that old to be running about touring the world, writing music, sponsoring this and launching that, but I wouldn't have given it up for anything.
I had arrived at Camp Half-Blood when I was thirteen, escorted by a saytr named Thelma. I was a scrawny country girl with ratty curls, a stolen celestial bronze dagger and an unbeatable determination to find someplace where I belonged. Lucy for me, I was claimed almost instantly and was pleased to find that I fit in quite nicely with Apollo's other children. That night at the camp fire, the head of the Apollo cabin let me play her guitar and the rest is history... I was off, scribbling lyrics in between sword lessons and strumming melodies during mealtime. I was never much of a swordsman, but I had enough skill to fend off any monsters that might pop up. I had traded my life as a demigod for a life as a celebrity though... I had chosen the glitz and glam over the heroics and hellhounds.
Like I said, I was happy. But the late nights and perpetual jet lag took their toll- I was dabbing concealer onto the dark circles under my eyes when the God of the Sun shimmered into existence behind me.
"There she is! My little southern belle, rich and famous!" My father grinned, flashing his pristine teeth as he threw a perfectly tanned arm around my shoulders. There should definitely be a rule against ones father looking younger, healthier, and tanner than said child. It's just a blow to the self esteem.
"Hi Daddy-" I began, but was cut off by my fathers upraised hand. He spoke,
"Taylor is so great, I make excellent children, I deserve a medal," Apollo finished with a flourish, beaming at me. I swear, the haikus are getting more and more crude.
"I am so proud of you, Tay! Another fantastic album- it'll go platinum for sure. It's the talk if Olympus. Even Hades is listening to it!" I seriously doubted the last part. The thought of Lord Hades humming along to any form of country music, especially mine, was more than laughable. But I smiled at my father anyway.
"That's great, Dad."
"I know! Keep up the good work, kid," he said with a wink. He walked over and planted a kiss on my forehead, and evaporated with a flash of light.
I let out a sigh. I really did appreciate the fact that my dad had taken the time to come congratulate me on my latest release, but he was just a painful reminder of the life I had left behind and the family I had let down. I hadn't been to camp since my first album release in 2006, and haden't even tried to help during the Titan War. But I couldn't face the bad memories of camp and my life before signing with my record label.
The only link I had to that world, aside for the occasional visits from my father, were two specific demigods...
Ellen had asked me today, just as so many others have in the past, what my inspiration for my songs were. I smiled and gave the usual false answer. "My own experiences."
My songs come from the heart... two hearts, actually, and neither of them mine. Coming from a family shredded by the complications that come with being a demigod, I hadn't ever witnessed true love before I went to camp.
Before I meet Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase.
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