/WHAT UP?/
Heello. I'm back. In da flesh. Before the six month mark. I know. Incredible. How chu biz? I biz gucci. Yes, this is because I have nothing for my introoo... oh wait.
For those of you lovely people who have read this before, I just realized that I had randomly come up with the name 'New Creation' because I had a song stuck in my head that had those words in it. So I thought I should change the name, and the name is changed in every chapter. New name= Changing Ways. Why? Well, read on and see, my brilliant peples!
SHOUT OOOOUUUUUUTS!:
Hey, so when I first started writing this chapter, I checked my story stats and 100 OF YOU AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE HAD READ MY STORYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY WITHIN 9 HOURSSSSSSSSSSSSS! THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUUUUUUU!
And another special thanks to thesweetscentofbooks and Ouarz for following this story, and thesweetscentofbooks again for adding this to your favorites. I'm so so happy you like the story; THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
DISCLAIMER: Why do I need this again? Why can't I just pretend that it's all mine and nobody else's?
Characters, Camps, Gods, Worlds, Heavens, Nymphs, Satyrs, Magicians, Shabti, Magical Creatures of Any Sort, and Giant-Sized Rick Riordan With His Arms Crossed And A Stern Look: *Tapping foot (technically feet) impatiently, waiting impatiently for ignorant girl to figure out life*
Me: Ooooooh, yeah. Because that's mean and I'll be trampled by the whole world if I claim the characters for myself.
Piper's P.O.V
When I heard my brother's voice, I knew that Reyna would freeze up and just completely break, so I grabbed the phone and hung up on a protesting Markus. No way was I letting Reyna put up with that before a show this important. I put her phone back in her small, black backpack and grabbed her arm, apologizing with my eyes. She looked up at me and smiled, shaking her head and assuring herself as much as assuring us.
"I don't even remember what happened. Did something happen, girls?" We smiled at each other and lifted our chins.
"'Atta way, ladies." Thalia said. "Nothing to bring you down today, nothing to bring you down forever! Don't let it get to you. Now, let's get you glam for your performance." We cheered as we pulled up to the salon. We flipped up our hoods and marched out of the car like girls on a mission, and I guess we were in a way. Thalia flung open the doors to the empty salon and yelled, "ELISE! Changing Ways is here and we only got an hour MAXIMUM! It's 6:00 and we need to leave Silena's by 7:30 which means we want to be there by 7:00 but that's not going to be the case because we're here LATE! ELIIIISE!"
A skinny blonde ran into the room. I assumed it was Elise and gave her a smile. She smiled back but flinched as Thalia said, "Macee? Where is Elise?"
"Sh- she's in the back. She should be out soon though-"
"No need to yell and act crazy, mon cher ami, I'm here." An tall, beautiful French girl with and ombre walked out of the back with a smirk and said, "Let us hurry! We don't have much time!" Thalia rolled her eyes with a groan and shook her head. I laughed and followed Elise to a washing station and sat down. Elise sighed, exasperated, and yelled something in French that I don't really wish to repeat. I cringed and Elise had seen me. She asked, "Do you speak French, my girl?"
"Yes," I responded. I then realized that she had asked me in her native language and I had responded in the same tongue. She smiled and apologized, and continued massaging shampoo in my hair. Suddenly, three girls around Macee's age, probably ten, walked in with four girls around Thalia and Elise's age from the back. Elise gave them directions, and they dispersed, one of the younger girls coming over to me, and an each older and younger girl pairing off dragged of my friends to washing stations.
Macce came to my station and was absolutely adorable. She asked, "What colors would you like your nails, ma'am?" I was internally awing at her because she might be offended and weirded out if I awed out loud. I thought about her question: what color indeed?
"I think a nice pink will do. And could I get an acrylic, please?"
"Definitely!" She said as she ran off to get the color. Elise turned off the sink and rung out my hair, wrapping it in a towel as she led me to a fancy hair station with a foot tub and a massage chair. Nice, I thought as I sank into the chair. Elise unwrapped my hair and the little girl came back with a few different colors, and I chose the kind of peachy shade. I relaxed as my hair and nails were done, totally peaceful. As my nails were drying and the girl moved on to my toes, Elise asked how I wanted my hair and make up. I thought back to the outfit I designed with Rita: a short, white sweater-crop top with high waisted ripped jeans and light pink strappy pumps. We had talked about simple make up and hair, so I decided to do a braided- messy ponytail for hair, and a neutral smokey eye with a baby pink glossy lip for makeup. She called the extra girl over and they got to work.
When it was finished, I couldn't be more happy with the turn out. This was going to look so good with my outfit, and my nails were adorable. Macee had added sort of a Aztec design on my fourth finger that made the look that much better. I thanked them all and joined Reyna at the waiting area while she was finishing drying her toes. Her make up was done in a light eye and a long wing with a bold purple lip, her nails done French style (ironic) with purple tips. Her hair was half up and curled. She looked bomb.
"Wow, Pipes," she said. "You look hot!"
Thanks! You, too, Rey!"
We waited a bit while the other girls finished their pampering session whiled our toes dried. I checked my phone- 6:50; hopefully they were almost ready. I looked up and saw Annabeth skipping towards us. Her hair was curled in soft waves, and her natural blonde faded into a light platinum. Her make-up was a subtle eye with a blue lip, and she had blue acrylics with small diamonds studs on the 1st, 3rd and 5th nails to match.
"Beautiful!" I exclaimed as she twirled in her sweats. She laughed and settled herself into the seat between me and Reyna. Finally, at 6:57, Hazel was finished, to my utmost relief. She finished with her hair down with a few braids scattered around. Her shadows were super natural and she had a glittery gold lip that paired with the nails she had that started as gold glitter and faded into white. We all looked great. But I had the same thoughts as Thalia as she got up to thank Elise and her helpers.
"Merci, ami, but we really have to go. See you ladies soon."
"Au revoir! Bonne chance! Et ne pensez pas à mettre vos capots!"
"Oui oui! Merci!" I said back as we started to walk out.
"What did she say, Pipes?" Annabeth asked as Reyna leaned in.
"Good bye, good luck, and don't think about putting on your hoods!"
"Why does that sound like something a French woman would say to me?" Reyna asked.
"Because it is." Annabeth replied before opening the door to the car and sliding in. Reyna shook her head and sighed, but got in after her. I slide in and shut the door behind me, taking my phone out of my white backpack and going on Snapchat. I looked at the girls and raised my eyebrows.
"A little teaser, eh?" Hazel smirked and hopped into the seat next to me, Annabeth and Reyna following her example.
"Here, I can take it." Thalia volunteered, then took the phone from my hands and held it up. "Ugh," she said, and switched apps. "Rule number one: always take first on camera, then put on social media. Okay- spread out. Now, outside girls, put your outside leg up on the seat and your outside arm resting on your leg, then your chin rested on your relaxed hand... there you go. Annabeth, Piper, hands resting on faces, elbows on knees... great! Don't smile, but hold your faces... perfect!" We slowed for a red light, then came to a stop. "Okay, ready? One... two... three!" I was kind of surprised how she instructed the photo; I thought originally that she'd be a little bit of a stickler when it came to simple things like a picture, but she seemed totally fine with it. Once she was done, she gave me the photos to look at, and I chose one to post on my social media pages. I tagged them all with, 'Tune in to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon at 10:50 for a surprise...', with all the natural hashtags and, obviously, my girls accounts.
Once I sent it out, I put up my phone and stared out to the busy street, going into thoughtless daydreaming mode. My brain faded off into the thought of how famous we would be by the end of tonight, and how Changing Ways would be the stars of something other than our own dreams. What would my parents think? Would they finally notice me? What would they school think? What would... what would Jason think? Would he still be my friend, or would he think of me as a spoiled brat? Would he hate me? Does he hate me now, since all I left him with last night was a-
"Piper! Get out; we have to hurry!" (haha you thought) I shook my head with wide eyes and opened the door, scurrying to get to the doors. I pulled open the doors and rushed to the stairs, the other girls right behind me. I ran to Rita and she gave me a huge smile.
"Piper, darling, you're going to look gorgeous! I absolutely love the design, but I thought that maybe we could add a gold or silver chain around the stomach." She showed me what it would look like on the sketch and I quickly agreed. Then she brought out the outfit, and it was even cuter than I imagined. I squealed as she gave me the outfit, shoes, and the light gold chain. I rushed to the changing room and threw on the outfit and slipped on my shoes. I checked the mirror and couldn't be more happy with the turn out. The pink-almost-white crop that was striped with white ended higher up so the gold chain was noticeable, and the long sleeves were still light enough to wear a jacket over and not completely melt. The ripped light wash jeans also looked fantastic and hugged me in the right ways, and the shoes were to-die-for pink, the same color as the pink on my shirt with a four inch heel and a small platform. I walked out and spun for Rita, who bounced while clapping.
"Oh, Piper, you look brilliant!"
"Well, you're the one who made it. Thank you so, so much!" I gave her a hug and turned to see Annabeth walk out in a dark grey mini dress with four blue stripes on it with a blue belt, and blue platform pumps that made her only a tiny bit taller than me.
"Whoa! You look gorgeous!"
"I know." She shrugged. "You look amazing, Pipes!"
"I know." I said with a smirk.
"What, am I just invisible, then?" Hazel asked, feigning hurt as she pranced towards us in gold romper striped with black with a black business jacket covering it. She wielded thigh high black boots that had a gold zipper on the back with a platform so she was level with me, and a cute, black hipster hat balancing on her head.
"Wow! You look bomb!" Annabeth said.
"Aw, you're too kind!" We chatted for a bit until Reyna came out, looking a little self-conscious. She was wearing a white long sleeved shirt with a single skinny purple stripe, the rest skinny and black, and a purple button down skirt pulled up to her waist. On her feet were velvet, purple platform booties so she was a little taller than me, almost as tall as Annabeth. She also had a beautiful necklace on, one of the pieces she got today. It was a long, slim chain that held a purple stone with silver tassels that barely brushed the top of her skirt. But back to the most surprising thing I saw on her. A few years ago I could've sworn that she promised herself that she would never wear a skirt or a dress in her life, but there she was... in a freaking skirt.
"Wha- wha-" I gaped.
"I know, I know," she snapped, "but does it look okay?"
"Are you kidding me?" Annabeth asked.
"Rey, you look hot!" Hazel said, completely flabbergasted. She then smiled and let out a breath of relief. Thalia walked up to us and clapped her hands once.
"You ladies look amazing. Anything we need to touch up before we leave? We still have a few more minutes; we got this done in great time." We looked at each other and shrugged. I looked over to our designers and raised my eyebrows, silently asking. Ruby and Amber put their hands on their chins and gave us a once over. Rita moved over to me and pulled down the sleeve on my shoulder, exposing my shoulder and bra strap. She 'ah-ha'ed and pulled me over to a table after searching through a box of clothes already pieced together. She pulled out a white tank top with slightly thick straps and held it up to my shirt, cutting of the bottom part so it was only a little shorter than the crop.
"There," she said. "Go put it on." I went back to the changing room and slipped it on and walked back out. She nodded her approval and said, "My work is done."
The other designers nodded as well, and I gave Rita one last huge and thank you before we were given coats and and ushered to the car. I buckled my tan trench coat and slipped into the car from the air that was starting to freeze up. We tried to get to the show as fast as we could, but got stuck in New York traffic, and you know how that goes. Once we made it to the studio, we were right on time- 9:00 sharp.
"Thank you, Jamie- you're life saving," Thalia said to the driver, then we all hopped out of the car and jogged into the studio passing some awaiting paparazzi. Once I passed them with a few smiles and waves, I followed Annabeth and Thalia into the Rockefeller Plaza and up to the stage and filming area, where everyone was hustling to set up for the show that started in an hour and a half. I was extremely impressed about how all these people moved and worked together to set up the show. No one bumped into each other with heavy objects or ran into each other trying to deliver news. I hadn't been on set for a T.V show since I was a little girl and my dad took me to work, so I forgot how incredible the process was. Someone rushed up to Thalia and asked her if we we're Changing Ways. She nodded and he motioned us towards the sound check on stage, where none other than Jimmy Fallon himself was talking to someone. We walked up to them and Thalia introduced us. Mr. Fallon smiled and stuck out his hand.
"Hey, girls. Nice to meet you." I shook his hand with a smile and said, "Piper McLean." He looked a little surprised, but kept his smile as he moved to Annabeth, Reyna, and Hazel. With every name he heard, the more surprised he became. "Wait," he paused. "Aren't you... one of Tristan and Aphrodite McLean's daughters?" I nodded, a small frown forming. "And Athena Chase, Bellona Ramirez- Arellano, Pluto Levesque..."
"Yeah," they all said.
"Whoa. Daughters of power houses with power house voices. This is fantastic!" We all smiled and thanked him. Thalia cleared her throat and we looked at her. She tapped the watch on her wrist and looked at Jimmy.
"Fine, fine. You girls have about... 30 minutes to practice. Have fun!"
"Thank you!" Reyna said, then we walked over to sound check for mics. We were each handed a mic and asked to say 'sound check.' I felt so professional, I had to make ridiculous. My sound check came off as something like an alien mixed with a talking cow. Annabeth's sounded like a scratchy-mouse thing. Hazel's sounded like a weird Indian voice, maybe? And Reyna said hers in Spanish with something else added on that made her and Annie crack up. Thalia shook her head, so done with us, but smiling.
"Go warm up!" We grinned and walked up on the stage. I spun around and bowed and gave my best Elvis, "Thank you, thank you very much!"
"Okay, seriously." Annabeth said. "On 'ah'?" I nodded we warmed up with different pitches and tones, on melody and harmony and everything in between. Thalia called fifteen minutes, and we started working on our song. We discussed different moves for different parts and came up with something in time to run through the song once with moves and stage effects. We stepped off the staged and received various complements and praise as the crowd started to file in. Jimmy gave us a thumbs up, and we went backstage for our introduction at 10:48. The cameras were being set up and the camera man asked,"Ready, Jimmy?"
He nodded and everything got silent. The camera man mouthed "Three, two, one" and pointed to Jimmy. The crowd started in applause as Jimmy introduced the show and himself, going through the natural procedures. I looked at the girls and asked, "You ready?" Hazel nodded once and forced a calm smile on her face. Annabeth and Reyna both shook there heads.
"If this doesn't go well, my mother will do everything in her power to make sure I won't sing again." Reyna mumbled.
"We still have to try!" Annabeth insisted. "It's too late to back out now. And we can finally prove our parents wrong about what they think of us." I smiled at them, trying to encourage them. They all smiled back and I whispered, "Let's do this," and put my hand out. They all piled their hands on mine and we whispered, "Changing Ways!" as Jimmy said"... please, welcome, Changing Ways!"
I walked out with the girls behind me and plastered on my best smile as I waved to the crowd and to the camera. I sat down on the couch set out for us on the side closest to Jimmy as the other girls slid in. "Welcome, Changing Ways!"
I turned on my mic and said, "Thanks! Thank you. We're so happy to be here."
"How are you tonight, ladies?"
"We're so good, thank you." Annabeth beamed.
"That, and super nervous." Reyna admitted.
"Really?" He asked. She nodded and he continued, "Why?"
"Because anything could happen. I could trip, I could throw up, or it could go very well and I over exaggerate over nothing. I have no idea what could happen tonight." She explained.
"Ah, but that's the beauty of it, is it not?"
"Very true, very true." She nodded, a smile growing as she looked down.
"Now, we all know you're group name, which is very creative by the way- I love it- we don't all know your names."
"Oh, yeah, sure! My name is Piper McLean..." I pointed to Annabeth, who was sitting next to me.
She smiled and waved. "I'm Annabeth Chase..."
"Hazel Levesque."
"And Reyna Ramirez-Arellano." They both beamed, shaking their hands. The crowd began to whisper, and we knew exactly what about.
"It's exactly what you think." I answered them.
"Well," Jimmy continued, "you're obviously very young with very famous parents and tons of potential. What made you girls want to do what you do?"
"Well," Hazel said, "I've been singing since I was four, when my grandma took me to the laundromat- which yes, still exists-" a chuckle raced through the crowd- "and I just hopped on the laundry machine and started singing. Then a super, super nice lady came by- I remember this so clearly- and gave me ten dollars, and I was like, 'Miss, I'm not working. You can keep your money.' And she said, 'Well, that should help you start! You'd be very famous one day!' And I've been singing ever since."
"Really!" Jimmy said. "That's fantastic! Seems like you were born to sing. Now the question that I, personally, think should be known about all groups: what is the meaning behind your name?"
I thought. "Ooh, I haven't thought about that for a while..." I said.
"Well," Reyna said, "for me- cause we all feel like it's different things- it means that we're changing the ways people think we're supposed to live, or supposed to be, and the way people think that they themselves are supposed to live."
"Yeah," Annabeth said. "I believe that a lot, and the way I think of our name most is we aren't what you'd expect, and we aren't our parents." Her eyes darkened a little bit but she still kept her light tone. "We're not going to live and make their mistakes; we're gonna make our own mistakes and be our own individuals."
"Exactly!" Hazel agreed. "When I think of our name, I think of we're changing the way most people think of... well, let's just say extraordinary parents. Most people think we're gonna be stuck up brats since our lives and needs were practically handed to us from the beginning. We're showing people we are who we are, and we're willing to work for what we want to achieve."
"I think," I said, "that it means that we're changing our lives and other's lives by doing what we love, and we're changing the ways of the world, as we all are. Everyone is constantly changing the world, and we're helping with that by sharing what we have to offer."
"...Wow. That was..." he started to clap slowly and the audience joined in, making us look at each other and laugh.
"Thank you, for sharing that. That- that was beautiful. Now, you obviously know each other very well, and since we don't, I have a game for us to play so we can get to know you better."
"Ooh, fun! I love games." Annabeth said as he pulled out four white boards with different colored dry-erase markers.
"This," he said looking at the camera, "is originally called the Newlywed Game, but tonight we're gonna call it the BFF Game. So we're gonna split you into teams, right down the middle... so we'll do Reyna and Hazel against Annabeth and Piper."
"Oh my gosh, this is perfect! But you might begin a war after this, Jimmy." Reyna looked at the camera with a gleam in her eye. "For those of you who don't know, Changing Ways is extremely competitive. So this will beinteresting."
"Great! I'm gonna be responsible for the War of Changing Ways." I kinda died at that part.
"I promise that it won't be your fault," I said once I caught my breath.
"Oh, good. Okay, so this is how it's going to work. I have some cards here with questions on them for a player one and a player two. So one of you is one, and one is two."
"I'm one," I whispered to Annabeth.
"Fine," she whispered back.
"And I'll ask the question, and one person has to right down the answer, and the person the question was about has to write the correct answer. Ready?"
"Yeah, totally." I answered.
"Okay. We'll start simple. Everyone can answer this for their partners. Nicknames the group calls you?"
I chuckle as I hear Hazel sigh and mumble, "Ooooh boy." We all started writing and I finished right before Annabeth. When we all finished, he told me to turn my boards around and say the nicknames.
"'Kay." I flipped the board and showcased it. "So, we call her Annie a lot- mostly because she hates it- and Wise Girl because it's an inside joke and a long story."
"Wise Girl?" Jimmy asked.
"Yeah. Someone else gave her the name, one of our other really good friends, and it kinda stuck." My heart sinks a little bit talking about Percy and the boys, but I knew I had to be truthful, but not too truthful.
"Okay. Annabeth, for Piper?" She flipped hers over.
"Pipes and Beauty Queen. Pipes because a) shortening of name, and b) can she sing-" there was a few whoops and I felt my face flame a little- "and Beauty Queen because, hello? Have you seen her?" She motioned to me and I stood up and spun around. Giggling as the crowd clapped, I sat back down.
"Okay," Hazel said, turning over her board, "Reyna's names are Rey, Rey-Rey, and occasionally Queen. Queen because her name means 'queen' in Spanish, and she is such a queen!" More clapping and whistling.
"And finally," Reyna sang as Hazel buried her face in her hands as we all began to chuckle. Reyna turned her board over, and written in huge letters was the word 'PEACHES!' We were all laughing at Hazel as she peeked, saw the name, squealed and re-buried her face in her hands. "Eeee! Okay, so this started a few years ago when we were.. how old?"
"I think we were 11." I said.
"Right," she continued. "When Hazel found a gem outside of the school, and a little girl walked up to her and was like, 'Ooh, shiny, shiny!' Then her mom came up, grabbed her daughter by the hand, and gave Hazel one of those apologetic mom looks and said, 'I'm so sorry. Honey, time to go!' Any random person would've kept it and looked away, but not our little Peaches! She gave her the gem and said that she thought it had magic powers, and she really wanted her to have it. The little girl hugged Hazel and the mom said thanks, and all was well. The next week, we were all walking home, and we saw a little German Shepherd that was dirty as a pig sty and looked like it had been abused. Hazel ran to it, picked it up, wrapped it in a towel, and declared that she was going to take it home to clean it up. The pup, who we named Saber, stayed there for two weeks until Hazel decided he would be better in a shelter where he would be taken care of and he could have more attention. We all spent the next three days looking for peaceful non- kill shelters, and when we found one, we took him the next day. Saber had completely fallen in love with with Hazel, so he cried and wouldn't let the people take him, even though they were super nice. So she wound up keeping him and donating her allowance to the shelter to help prevent what happened to Saber happen to any other dog out there. I'm telling you this woman is a saint!"
The crowd cheered and Hazel was laughing and smiling. "Yeah," she said. "I'm pretty nice."
"So," Rey continued, "she is Peaches- or Peach, or Peachy- because she is sweet, warm and fuzzy on the inside."
"That is adorable! Okay, next question for player one. Favorite drink?"
"Omg, this is so easy." Hazel said as I thought about it. I think I know the answer and jot it down.
"M'kay." I said as Annabeth eyed me.
"I hope you know what my favorite drink is..."
"Okay. Annabeth, flip yours over." I had guessed right. 'Root beer' was scribbled on her board and I flipped mine over to match hers. I showed her and smiled.
"Aw, you do know!" She squeezed me and said, "One point for Pipabeth!"
"...What?" Jimmy asked, chuckling.
"Another long story." I said.
"Well, I already know that I got this right."
"That's because it's Reyna and she drinks pretty much nothing else!" I complained.
"Not true!" Reyna said. Hazel flipped over her board to reveal 'hot chocolate.' Reyna nodded and flipped hers over, the answers matching. We played this game for a few more rounds until he ran out of questions and Hazeyna won. Only because Reyna hid nothing from us and they're both boring and classic!
"Well, that's all the time we have with these lovely ladies. When we come back, they'll perform one of their originals and potentially unlock the key to stardom and success. Stay tuned." We smiled at the camera one last time until the lights were dimmed and the camera man gave the okay. I relaxed my face and stood up, stretching my legs and smiling at the girls.
"See? Told you it wouldn't be too bad!"
"Yeah, but now come the time for talent, not personality." Reyna said, her face slackening and going into process mode. I assumed that it was from what she said to her mother, and what her mother promised her if this didn't go well. Annabeth squeezed her hand and comforted her.
"We've practiced this song so many times we've lost count!" She said. "Remember how we don't start writing another song until we memorize and completely get down the harmonies for the song we've been working on? We've got this; you've got this!"
"Trust us, Rey." I said. "We know what we're talking about." Reyna smiled a little and nodded, and we moved off the platform and onto the stage. We warmed up again and ran through some parts of the song until everyone started setting up again. I walked around and shook my hands to try to get the nerves out. Reyna was psyching herself up and talking confidence to herself. Annabeth and Hazel we're singing their harmony parts and going over it with themselves. This is the most nervous I've seen my friends in my whole life- it's the most nervous I've ever been in my life. The camera man called out one minute, and we all huddled together, linking arms.
"I think I'm going to puke again." Hazel said, paling by the second. "I don't know if I can do this."
"Yes, we can, Peach!" Reyna insisted. "We just have to believe. I know that we can." She put her hand in the middle, and I didn't know if it was the pride blossoming in me for Reyna, or if it was me about to pee my pants. I stuck my hand on hers and silently but enthusiastically nodded, Annabeth only a second after. Hazel pulled up a smile and put her hand on top and we broke. I pulled them into a group hug; I knew they were nervous, but at the moment, this was more for my benefit.
"I love you, girls," I told them, "no matter what happens. We're sisters- we'll never fall apart." They all nodded and the camera man started counted down. "10... 9... 8..." We scurried to our places, and I closed my eyes and breathed in, out, in, out to calm myself. Once I open my eyes, I set my face and let my instincts take control. 'Tonight,' I thought, 'I'm no one's bitch. I'm going to show them what I can do.'
I hear the introduction jingle and my adrenaline immediately knocked up 30%. "Welcome back, everyone! If you're just joining us, we had the pleasure of meeting a brand new musical discovery: a girl group called Changing Ways. They were found last night at Karaoke St. Marks during a karaoke battle where they had to sing an original song. After exposing the other group for plagiarizing and basically stealing their song- voices and all- they knocked the socks off of the whole crowd. Tonight, please give them a hand as the sing another original- About the Boy. Ladies and gentlemen please give it up for Changing Ways!"
The entire studio blew up with applause as I skeptically glanced at Thalia, who gave me an encouraging nod from behind the curtain. I took another deep breath and felt the camera being turned to face our backs. I turn my head slightly to see Reyna bring the mic up to her lips, and suddenly, I'm invincible.
3rd P.O.V
Our girls were way too worried about tripping or saying the wrong thing on stage, so they didn't think about who would be watching the show. The Levesque's excitedly waited through the commercial break to see them perform; Athena angrily flipped to the channel to see how she could win back her daughter's mind while her ex-husband sat on her couch nervously; Piper's father and mother were cozied in their hotel room and flipping through the channels until they landed on Tristan's old friend Jimmy's tonight show; and, of course, Bellona turned the T.V on at 10:48 to see what her daughter had begged her to watch. Frank, who had invited his closest friends over that night to talk about what happened last night, was sitting in the beautiful living room with his step mother when she flipped on the T.V. When Jimmy's voice was heard, the boys scrambled out of their lazy positions and focused intently on the television. The camera turned to the stage, exposing four silhouettes. The one to the very left of the screen threw up an arm that held a mic, head popping up as well, and came back down to its mouth. This started a chain down the line of girls, each one joining in the first verse.
Reyna: Something about, something about the boy
ReynaHazel: Something about, something about the boy
Reyna,Hazel,Annabeth: Something about, something about the boy
All: Just something about the boy
The girls turn around slowly, and the crowd went wild. The boys were flabbergasted at the girls' looks. And they were actually dancing on a stage, confidently and completely unafraid. One of them- Reyna- stepped forward a bit, and Markus was completely captivated. He couldn't believe what he was seeing; Reyna was in a skirt! And she had looked even more beautiful than he remembered from the lonely hours he'd spent without her.
Reyna: It's the verse in my head, the words that make me stutter
The swag in my step, the change from grey to colour
A guaranteed bet, oh, I found my lucky number
The feeling that you get, can't help but make me wonder
All: No need to try, he's just right
Hazel: He's got that something, I can't let nobody tell me no
All: No, I don't mind, takes me high
Hazel: I won't stop until the boy is mine
They were completely unprepared for the harmonies that they girls sang, even though they've heard them twice before. Frank, who had more than likely swallowed a few flies, was staring at Hazel with his heart in double time, never failing to remind him of the girl who invaded his thoughts when he drifted off to sleep.
All: He got me good, I've got it bad
He got me feeling like a girl gone mad
Got me running around like I'm a love-fool
Taking me down, I can't stop
He got me up, I can't come down
He got me locked and I don't want out
I know he's playing my heart and I ain't got no choice
There's just something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
There's just something about the boy
Annabeth: It's the first time we met,
AnnabethPiper: The lightning to my thunder
Annabeth: The green light on red, the kiss that pulls me under
It's only for me, if you're the test I got the answer
And I'm all that you need, now you finally get the chance to
Percy Jackson was a sensible person, and a guy who wouldn't usually swoon at the pretty girl on the T.V, which made every girl who had a crush on him (which, honestly, was pretty much all of them) try even harder to gain his attention. But tonight completely destroyed that reputation. Once Annabeth started singing, the drool was uncontrollable. First, he could've obviously said that she was the most gorgeous person on Earth when she turned around. When she started dancing, he could've obviously said that she was the hottest person on Earth. But when she started singing- more confidently and proudly than ever before- he could've easily said that she was the most beautiful thing he had ever wanted in his entire life. And last night... she had kissed him.
All: No need to try, he's just right
Hazel: He's got that something, I can't let nobody tell me no
All: No, I don't mind, takes me high
Hazel: I won't stop until the boy is mine
All: He got me good, I've got it bad
He got me feeling like a girl gone mad
Got me running around like I'm a love-fool
Taking me down, I can't stop
He got me up, I can't come down
He got me locked and I don't want out
I know he's playing my heart and I ain't got no choice
There's just something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
There's just something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
There's just something about the boy
Piper: I know you like to play it slow, but I'm running out of time
It's like I lost my self control cause you are the one
And you know what you've done
My poor heart's come undone, baby please
At this point, Jason had had about enough. He had listened patiently and in awe to his best friends sing, and he couldn't be more proud of the girls he considered sisters. Then the world slowed as Piper brought the microphone to her lips and provoked him to fall in love with her all over again, as if she were a siren. The moment she looked at the camera, seemingly right at him, he couldn't contain the spinning sensation in his stomach. He managed to slip out of the house with no one noticing. Turning on the live streaming on his phone, he turned on his yellow mustang and floored it. He made it to the Rockefeller Plaza in 10 minutes.
All: He got me good, I've got it bad
He got me feeling like a girl gone mad
Got me running around like I'm a love-fool
Taking me down, I can't stop
He got me up, I can't come down
He got me locked and I don't want out
I know he's playing my heart and I ain't got no choice
There's just something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
There's just something about the boy
All (Hazel on runs): Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
Something about, something about the boy
There's just something about the boy
Piper's P.O.V
As we posed for the last time and the crowd cheered, I knew I couldn't smile any wider as I let my performing face go. We got out of our stances and waved to the camera as it slowly made it's way back over to Jimmy, who gave us the 'great performance' and 'good luck in the future' good-bye kinda thing before focusing on his next guest. We were motioned off the stage and we made our way behind the back curtains. Thalia greeted us with a huge smile and said,'You did awesome, girls! Now, let's get you into some comfortable clothes."
"Sounds great." Hazel nodded. "I'm starting to get really itchy." We laughed and grabbed the sweats and long sleeved T-s Thalia offered and slipped into the backstage dressing rooms. I shrugged on a big, grey jacket on top to make sure I didn't freeze my ass off. I slipped some fuzzy white slides on my sore feet and took out my hair, shaking around my head. I stepped out of the dressing room to meet up with the other girls and threw my arm around Hazel's shoulders as we started back to the limo that was a little more guarded from paparazzi this time.
As we turned a corner, bathrooms appeared and, naturally, everyone had to go. "I'll wait out here." Thalia said, yawning. We nodded as we trudged into the bathroom. I was about to close the door behind me as I entered, but a strong, sturdy hand yanked me away and into the janitor's closet, the other hand coming up to clamp my mouth shut.
The door slammed behind me, and I braced myself to to beat some serious shit out of this guy. I bit down as hard as I could on the hand that covered my mouth and kneed his groin. A muffled yelp came from my captor as he sank to the ground. He turned on the light as I knelt down and winded my had back to punch him. My fist didn't fly, though, as I looked into the most beautiful but pained blue eyes I had seen.
"Jason!" I whisper-yelled, nervousited for a moment as I slid down against the wall to sit on my ankles. (if u don't know what nervousited is, it's nervous-excited) Then I remembered he had pulled my into a broom closet at the perfect timing, which meant he was waiting on me/ spying on me. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I had to see you." He replied, holding his hand. My thoughts immediately imploded. He had to see me again? What did that mean? I looked down at his hand and saw that it was bleeding.
"Holy shit! Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Jason. Are you okay?" He looked up into my concerned eyes. He stared a little longer.
"I am now." My heart when into double time. Now I really had to pee my pants. I am now? What in the hell?
"W-what?" I stuttered. He only kept staring.
"I can't believe you." He said. Okay, so now he's mad at me? I couldn't be any more confused. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and I sharply sucked in a breath. "Why didn't you say anything other than 'I'm leaving and we won't see each other again' last night?"(nowww you knowww)
I flashed back to last night and shook my head, his hand remaining gently on my face. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what was going to happen since we got that record deal; I thought that I was going to be right, and it killed me. I mean- not being able to see my best friends anymore!" Shit, I thought. Nice save, Piper. He forced me to look at him; he looked conflicted. Finally, after what seemed to be an hour, he spoke.
"Is that really all you see me as? A friend?" I felt my eyes widen as I tried to keep my cool, but internally I was screaming ALERT! ALERT! JASON KNOWS! HE FOUND OUT! LIFE = NO MORE! REPEAT-JASON KNOWS!
"W-why?" I wind up asking.
"I know my friends very, very well, and I know that they all have crushes on your girls-"I gasped, I was right- "and they all separated with their crushes when you told us what happened. And... and you're the one who told me. Ironically. We were all told by the people we fell in love with." It took me a moment to process what he said, but when I figured it out, it was all I could do to keep from squealing and running around and fainting.
"..." I was absolutely speechless, and gaping like a bass. "What- how... why?"I finally managed. "Why do you like me? I mean... it's me. The girl who's a nobody, who's famous parents doesn't care about her, who doesn't usually give a damn about how she looks and gets bullied because she's not good enough and I'm not good enough to be your crush and-" I hadn't really realized I was crying until my voice broke and Jason pulled me into his strong, comforting arms, shh-ing me and stroking my hair.
"Why?" He quietly chuckled. "I fell in love with a beautiful, strong woman who stands up for her friends and herself no matter what happens. I fell in love with a girl who knows who she is, and doesn't let anyone tell her otherwise- not her bullies, not her parents, not her 'fate'- and is loving, compassionate, beautiful minded. I like the girl who may not be perfect- hell, no one is- but couldn't be any more spectacular." I was so completely shocked I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I looked up at him teary- eyed, and he brushed a dewy bead away from my eye, and again pushed a strand of sweaty hair behind my ear, this time to cup my face.
I had no time to process what was about to happen as he bent down to brush his lips against mine. He pulled back just enough to look into my shocked eyes, then kissed me again. I blinked for a second, then completely melted under his touch, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him close. What started as gentle soon became desperate, needy, hungry. His lips became feverish, pressing against mine with an unknown desire. I pulled him closer than I felt was possible, returning his demands with the same amount of passion. In an even sweatier mess, I was up against the wall, tugging on his shirt and running my hands on his hard muscles. He started tracing kisses along my jawline as I caught my breath, but I knew what I had to do, and I needed more. I pulled his face back to mine as my eyes shed a few more tears. Sensing this, he kissed each one that fell, asking me what was wrong and, not being able to respond, just sat there. He moved back to my mouth, much more gentle, still asking what was wrong. I pushed him away and looked up at him.
"Wow..." He laughed and leaned in again. I put a finger to his lips and shook my head. "This never should've happened."
"What?"
"This never should've happened," I repeated. "I knew this was a terrible idea." More tears fell as Jason sat confused, his hands still on my waist and neck. "Fuck," I said, then got up to leave.
"Wait, wait!" He got up after me and grabbed my arm. "What do you mean?"
"I mean... that this never should've happened. I have to go and find the girls... and Thalia... and leave. We have so much work to do."
"Wait, why? Do you have to go right now? When can I see you again?"
"...never. Probably never. Or whenever we get back to school. I don't know." I put my hand on the door handle and fixed my shirt and jacket, flipping up my hood to hide my tangled hair. Jason put his hand on top of mine.
"Pipes." I looked up at him. "Why don't you want to see me?"
"Please, Jason. That's entirely besides the point-"
"Piper." He said more firmly. "Why? Do you hate me now?"
"God, no! Dear lord, no, Jason. Do you know how hard this is going to be for me?"
"Then why do you have to-"
"Because there are people counting on me, Jason! And this is my dream! I have to chase it. You'd do the same thing."
"Unless my dream is you."
"Shut up! Shut up, you stupid boy!" I exclaimed, now almost pissed.
"Why the hell are you mad at me?" He asked getting angry, but remembering his volume.
"Because you're not making this easy!"
"Well, this is never easy, Piper! How do you expect this to be easy? How is it my fault that this isn't easy?"
"Because now I'm in love with you even more than before!" Escaped from my mouth. His gaze softened as I swallowed the giant knot of emotion that swelled in my throat. "Because. Your pretty words, your will to love me... I can't explain it. I had always loved you for the way you are, and now that I know you feel the same way? Now that you've told me that you want me? Now that you've kissed me? I can't believe how insanely unfortunate I am, having to tell the person I love to back off. I do love you, but I can't love you right now. Nothing is fair in love and war, and this is the war we're going to have to fight if we want to be together. I'm so sorry. I'll tell you when the time is right, then... we can talk about it! But now? ... I'm so sorry. I can't believe I did this!" I ran out of the closet with Jason calling after me. I turn the corner, but can't find Thalia and the girls. I couldn't bare to see Jason at all, so I gave myself a good amount of space between the janitor's closet. I looked around for a minute, calling for Thalia and the girls when I realized what I didn't want to imagine.
I was all alone, holding myself, in the middle of the Rockefeller Plaza.
Okay, so I guess this is the end. Longest chapter so far! Woo-hoo! I may have barfed a little writing the Jasper scene, but it was necessary. Next time, things should get a little more interesting... and by the way, if you have any suggestions about how you think the story should be or what should be added, send me a little review and tell me what 'cha think. What am I doing wrong, what am I doing right? It'll be great! Thank you, thank you very much!
~TheKeeperGeek
