Hey guys! Just a disclaimer, I don't own any PJO Characters (all credit to Rick Riordan). All of the bands in this story actually exist, and I really encourage you to look up the songs that are written into the story! Please leave a review and let me know what you think!
CHAPTER 3
-PERCY-
Luke wasn't all that bad. When I first took a look at him I was very apprehensive; I mean here I was, literally dragged through the mud, faced of with an old acquaintance, had a fake girlfriend for a hot second, got invited to hang out with said fake girlfriend, and then approached by her not-boyfriend who was wearing only a pair of burnt orange swim trunks and a fanny pack. Needless to say, I was the tiniest bit overwhelmed.
Once Annabeth had stormed off, I was stuck with him. We walked a few steps in silence before I attempted to fill the empty air, "So how do you two know each other?" He focused on her retreating figure, making sure not to lose sight of her in the crowd. "We grew up together, she's like family." He answered absent mindedly, still concentrating on Annabeth. When she ran up to a girl with black hair, the two hugged and Luke seemed to relax.
"Have you seen any bands yet today?" he asked me casually. I nodded, "I got here late so I've only gotten to say Plague Vendor. You see anyone yet?" As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and began scrolling, "Yeah we saw uh….. The Coathangers and Built to Spill." He turned off his phone and slipped it back into his pocket. "Sounds cool." He nodded, "Yeah Annie actually made a schedule of the bands we're supposed to go see and what stages they're playing at." I whistled, "thats smart."
We neared the spot where we had last seen Annabeth, and I scanned the crowd, trying to find her so she and Luke could start chatting and I wouldn't be forced to make small talk. I was never any good at it anyway. He found her before I did and waved me over. I awkwardly trailed behind him, quietly cursing when I noticed the small clump that they had joined and were now talking to. I debated just walking off, but, although introductions were awkward, having a group (even a shitty one) was better than trying to brave the festival alone. Gods I wish one of the Stolls was here.
Hesitantly I stepped forward, lining myself up with Luke and Annabeth. In all honesty, the introductions weren't that bad. Thalia seemed pretty chill and Nico was kinda shy. I had fun listening to their banter. The playful jabs came in a steady stream and no one seemed to be letting up. Behind us, Annabeth noticed a small clump forming near the stage.
"Let's get near the stage before a huge crowd shows up" she suggested. Nico cringed, and Thalia took in a sharp breath. "Actually, Nico and I were thinking about heading to see Children of Pop…" she half asked half stated. Annabeth narrowed her eyes for a moment and then sighed. "Go ahead" her shoulders dropped slightly. Thalia hugged her "Thank you Annie you're the best!"
Annabeth turned toward me and Luke "ok then, I guess its just the three of us". A long "uhhhhhhh" escaped him. "I was kinda hoping to see Children of Pop too, and since you made a friend…..." She rolled her eyes at him "Just go."
He smiled and dashed off calling out "You're the best!" over his shoulder, and left me alone with a somewhat ticked off Annabeth. I glanced at her wondering what to do with the situation. I hadn't noticed that much about her earlier since I had been so wrapped up in everything around me. She had blonde curly hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was tan and pretty fit. I refocused on the one thing I had noticed about her- her eyes. They were startlingly grey and very sharp, almost like a rolling storm.
"Percy?" her voice snapped me out of my little space out. "Sorry, I completely zoned out" I mumbled. She laughed. "I was just going to say that you've had mud on your forehead for the past thirty minutes and its starting to drive me crazy." Reaching out a hand to my temple she rubbed whatever bit of dirt that had been there off. This girl keeps catching me at my worst moments.
-ANNABETH-
I couldn't tell you why, but for some reason, I was really comfortable around Percy. After he stopped being so shy we had a nice time chatting about music. I learned that he plays guitar and sings and that he likes rock, which we have in common.
By the time White Denim came onstage, I was almost sad to end the conversation. Almost. I was pretty damn excited for the show, so I got over it.
The first song they played was Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah). I screamed and clapped as the first chords rang out and bobbed my head in time with the music, sing-yelling the words along with the rest of the band. The lights streaked through the onstage haze, and the bass rattled through my skin. I looked at Percy and laughed. He was flailing about, his arms swinging up and down by his sides while he bounced back and forth. His green eyes were shining. When he noticed my laughter he grabbed my wrists and tugged them side to side. My laughter rang out louder as I started to dance next to him.
The lead vocalist started singing:
From the moment we met, you could see that I was filled with desire
Only one thing in common baby, but our love is pure fire
As sure as the birds ought to sing
I wouldn't ask you to change one thing
So be yourself
Try to have a good time
Be yourself
Try to have a
Ha ha ha ha yeah
I turned to percy and shook my ponytail in time with the ha's
Ha ha ha ha yeah yeah
Ha ha ha ha yeah
He started poking me on all the ha's, and I giggled.
Ha ha ha ha yeah yeah
At this point we were a spaztic snickering mess. The rest of the concert wasn't much different. By the end my cheeks and throat hurt from smiling too much and singing at the top of my lungs.
I decided that Percy was a fantastic concert buddy, and we ended up hanging out for most of the day.
He blended in well with my friends and his hilarious dancing kept me smiling through the oppressive heat and exhaustion. At around seven, we split to see different concert, but first we exchanged numbers and I made him promise to call me when he got there the next day.
-PERCY-
I jogged to the tree where Travis, Connor, and I had agreed to meet. The two seemed vaguely annoyed. Travis cleared his throat "You know when we invited you, we kinda invited you to hang out with us for at least a little bit." I stuttered, "I'm really sorry guys, but remember that girl I texted you about?" They nodded "Well she ended up going to all the shows I wanted to go to, and she was really fun to hang out with and I guess I just lost track of time." Connor sighed, "And who is this mystery girl?" he asked me. "Her name is Annabeth"
Travis's eyebrows raised slightly. "Do you know her?" Connor glanced at Travis. "Does she go to Goode?" I pressed, confused by their reaction. "Nope" Connor shook his head, "I don't think I've ever heard of her."
My spirit fell just the slightest bit. I had really hoped she would be at school with me in a few weeks. It would be nice to have another friend besides the trouble twins.
"We should all hang out tomorrow!" I suggested. "You guys would really like her."
Travis smirked, "You go ahead and hang out with her tomorrow, I promised Connor I'd see some dubstep with him so I guess it works out." I tried to read his face, "You sure?" They both nodded. I was confused by the sudden change of heart, but I let it go. I was just happy I'd be able to hang out with my concert buddy again tomorrow.