Chapter 10:

Annabeth's P.O.V.

Percy didn't talk to me for one whole week ever since the Drew incident.

It was very awkward because I tried avoiding him too. When we see each other at the music studio, he would quickly turn his attention back to the music instructor. I could tell that Piper was getting really tired of us not talking to each other. I wanted to talk to him but what would I say? I also stopped going to the lake since he liked going there. Drew, fortunately, stopped insulting me and my friends and even apologized to all of us. I heard that someone told our music instructor about the incident and the music instructor forced Drew to apologize to us since she started the fight. Drew had no choice but to put on her signature fake smile and told us she was "very sorry". She also apologized to Percy but I think it's because she has a not-so-secret crush on him.

"Okay, all of you are free to practice." our music instructor said. Today was Friday which means the camp showdown will be tonight. I wasn't really looking forward to it since Katie's the reason why we always beat Drew's group. She's like the glue of our band.

The campers stood up and went with their own group of friends to practice. Since Percy is Piper's cousin, he joined are little group. It wasn't awkward considering Percy and Piper were talking about family stuff.

"My mom insisted that Silena and her husband lives in our house for a year while their own house is being built." Piper told Percy "Which means, I have to spend time with my brother-in-law and my half-sister after summer."

"Oh come on, your sister isn't that bad!" Percy said "She's actually really nice."

"I don't know. " Piper said "I found out about Silena last year and even though we have the same mother, I'm still uncomfortable with her! She's so beautiful and nice and just so perfect and… I'm just me."

"If Jason was here, he'd be talking about how flawless you are, Piper." Hazel interrupted them "Now, can we move on. We still have someone to beat tonight."

I was about to say something when Drew started walking towards us. Her clique was walking right behind her. Percy started backing away like he was afraid Drew would kill him or something.

"What do you want Drew?" I asked her while rolling my eyes.

She smiled at us "I just wanted to tell you that I am really sorry and I hope you can forgive me for my… actions."

Something was up. She's planning something. Drew never apologizes to anyone sincerely. Hazel just nodded and turned away. Judging by her facial expression, she knew something was up too.

"I hope we can be friends." She said before turning to our music instructor who was looking at us curiously. We glared at her as she went away with her friends. She was obviously putting up an act so that the music instructor would believe she was really sorry.

"She's such an actress!" Piper exclaimed "If she's so good at acting why didn't she join the acting department instead."

Percy left us alone and practiced by himself. I felt sorry for the guy. He doesn't have a lot of guy friends here at camp, only Jason, Frank and Leo.

"Hey, let's stop talking about her." I said while I grabbed a chair and sat down "Let's practice. What song should we sing tonight?"

At the middle of the room were Drew and her "friends". They were practicing something but Drew was the only one singing. Her friends were kind of like back-up dancers or something.

"Well, How about 'Give Your Heart a Break' by Demi Lovato since it's the song we all know." Piper suggested "We can ask my cousin to play guitar for us."

We all looked at Percy. I didn't really want to talk to him yet since it's still kind of awkward but I suppose we do need someone to play guitar for us. Piper called Percy to practice with us. He sat down right beside me, holding his guitar.

"So," Percy said "You want me to play guitar for you?"

"Yes." I muttered "Can you?"

"Uh, sure." Percy said while rubbing the back of his neck "What's the song?"

"Give Your Heart a Break." Piper said

He strummed his guitar and Piper began singing the first part. We sang our individual parts until we reached the part of the high note.

"Wait," Hazel said "Who's going to do the high notes? Katie's the only one who does that?"

"I'll do it." I suggested "I'm not as good as Katie but I'll try."

After our practice, our music instructor dismissed all of us. I was about to go out when Percy grabbed my arm.

"Wait!" he said "I just wanted to talk to you."

We went near the lake, our favorite spot. We sat there for a long time, not talking to each other. We had plenty of time before dinner and the showdown. Most of the campers were roaming around the camp. I could hear their faint chatters.

"So," Percy said "Are you mad at me?"

I was surprised by his question but I answered it quickly "No."

"After the whole Drew incident, I thought you were never going to talk to me. I was starting to get worried, I didn't like losing friends." He said, his head was looking directly at the lake in front of us.

"I didn't thank you by the way." I confessed "I was too shocked but really, thank you for saving me last week."

"No problem." Percy said "She was hurting my cousin anyways."

"You and Piper are really close, huh?"

"Well, she's pretty cool. She was the only one who talked to be at school and she was always there to defend me. She's my second best friend; the first one is a tie between Grover and Leo."

"Oh." Annabeth said

"If you don't mind, but, who's your best friend?" he asked me

"Reyna, I guess. She's actually nice once you got to know her better. But before her, I was friends with a guy named Luke. He was older than me and we hung out a lot. He moved a few years ago so I lost contact with him."

"Did you like him?" Percy blurted out. He realized what he had said and quickly muttered "Sorry, I didn't mean to ask."

"It's okay." I said "He was like a brother to me but I never liked him that way."

Percy nodded. We stayed there for a few more minutes until the horn blew, signaling us for dinner. We stood up and went to the dining pavilion together.

"Next up, Natasha!" the host announced as people cheered for Natasha. We were currently at the camp showdown. It's being held at a basketball court. Natasha stood in the middle wearing white shorts and a pink tank top. A lot of guys in front of me cheered louder.

Reyna was beside me, trying so hard not to look at her direction. She was wearing her camp shirt with a pair of jeans. Her hair was braided, as usual.

"Look, Reyna." I told her "If she challenges you, just do your best."

"What if she asks me to sing?" she asked me "I'm not good at singing."

"Oh, trust me, you sing way better than her." Hazel said.

Music started playing. I recognized the tune. It was "Come & Get It" by Selena Gomez. The moment Natasha started to sing, I swear I could hear Reyna mutter something. Natasha flipped her hair during her performance a lot but I think it was because she was trying to cover up the fact that she can't really sing. She also danced but she kept it to a minimum. When she was finished, a lot of people cheered for her. Reyna rolled her eyes.

"Who would you like to challenge, Natasha?" the host asked her. She looked at Reyna and Reyna gripped my hand tightly.

"Annabeth Chase. And I want to challenge her, just her."