A/N: Okay. I know that in the previous chapter, the Percabeth is hardly noticeable. But now, I think it's pretty pronounced. Enjoy ^^

"We're practicing with The Half-Bloods?" Piper asked and that question was followed by a squeal. It seems like the three girls, all except Annabeth, are super excited at the prospect of working closely with the band.

"Why are you so happy?" Annabeth scowled. At some point, maybe before she said she would forget Percy already, she would have been excited too.

"Why wouldn't we be?" Katie asked. "Oh, you're so pretty. I feel like something great is going to happen." She gushed.

Annabeth let out a laugh and asked, "Hey, what's with the makeup?"

"You want some?" Piper asked handing her a lip gloss.

"No, I'm okay." Annabeth replied, grimacing at the sight of the makeup.

"With this opportunity, I hope that you and Percy can hit it off." Piper told Annabeth.

"What?" Annabeth asked, shocked. "Why should I?"

"You always talk about him, don't you?" Juniper said. "Isn't it because you like him?"

"I thought so too" Katie added slyly.

"I don't!" Annabeth defended herself but her blush betrayed her. "He means nothing to me. Why should I like him, anyway? He's so self-conceited. Anyway, let's get going. I'm sure they're waiting."

The practice between The Half-Bloods and The Windflower turned out well. It's a nice fusion of electric guitars, violins and pianos. At one point, Annabeth carefully looked at Percy. She seemed enchanted by him when he's playing the guitar. He's holding too much appeal. She noticed how his hair covers his forehead in a cute way. She noticed how his sea green eyes were calming when he plays. But Percy caught her looking and instead of looking away and embarrassing herself, she gave him a small smile and continued on concentrating on the violin. But Percy . . . can't help but look at her every so often.

After practice, Annabeth hasn't had the time to catch up with them because her mom called and told her that she was in her school. She quickly ran outside.

"Mom!" she exclaimed when she saw Athena standing by the gates.

"Ah, my daughter!"

"Why are you here? Is it because of school matters?" Annabeth asked while she hugged her mom.

"Yeah, there was supposed to be a meeting here in New York so I'm going to have to stay for a while. Isn't that nice? I hope your dad is okay with it." Athena said.

Annabeth squealed like a little girl, "Mom, have you eaten? Or, do you want a tour of the school?"

"Tour of the school? That would be great." Her eyes twinkled. "Where shall we start?"

"Over here." Annabeth steered her in the other direction and they started catching up with each other.

"Mom, the day after tomorrow, there's going to be a public audition for lead actress for the centennial performance" Annabeth told her mom.

"Public audition for lead actress?"

"Yeah."

"Wow, my Annabeth is incredible." Athena smiled. "Well, Luke has a good eye for talent, I can give him that much."

"Well, I am kind of good" Annabeth laughed with her mom.

"Then have you decided to do it?" her mom asked.

"Honestly, I haven't. I'm still considering it."

"I was kind of hoping you'd do it." Athena said. "Since you're performing anyway. I'd like to see my daughter in the lead role."

"Do you hope that I'll be the lead actress?"

"Of course!" Athena said proudly. "If my daughter could debut on stage as the lead actress . . . Wow, I would be so proud."

"I think I'll give it a try then, for your sake." Annabeth smiled at her mom.

"Oh honey, don't do it just for me, do it because you want to. And no matter what you decide, I'll always be here to support you." Athena said softly.

"Very well then," Annabeth said firmly. "Let's give it a try."

"So, did everyone practice well on their own?" Luke asked the class.

"Yeah" they chorused.

"During this time, I'm sure that many have been curious as to who the leads are?" Luke asked them. "Well, tomorrow we will have the auditions for lead actress. Now, those who want to audition?"

"ME!" Rachel's hands shot up in the air.

"Yes, I thought so." Luke told her. "Anyone else?" he asked but he was looking at Annabeth who was having an internal struggle. He gave her an encouraging nod that only Annabeth will understand.

Annabeth heaved a decisive sigh and raised her hand, "Me too."

Rachel shot her a look but Luke said, "Very well, Annabeth" he gave her a smile. "Is there anyone else?"

No one raised their hands.

"So, both of you, at 5pm tomorrow, need to be here." He instructed. "There isn't a specific song you have to perform. Just choose a song that you are most confident with and that will be good enough. The theme is . . . love"

After practice, Luke was walking out of the auditorium when Clarisse, Drew and Reyna followed him.

"Luke, what's our role?" Drew asked a baffled Luke.

Luke racked his brain for something, "You all know what they call 'scene stealers' in movies, right?"

"Yeah" Clarisse said. "Those that appear once, but it feels like they were in the movie the whole time?"

"Exactly that" Luke said, proud of his cover. "You're going to be the 'scene stealers'"

"Really?" they said in awe. "I knew it. Thanks, Luke"

"Oh. Work hard then, go on."

The three backed away and Luke sighed, "Ugh, it's making me crazy!"

"The theme is love, huh?" Athena asked.

Annabeth was sitting in the library when she called her mom. She was waiting for her practice with Percy.

"Yeah. I listened to all the music you gave me, but none of them gave me the right feeling." Annabeth sighed. "Isn't there something with a more love-like feel?"

"Isn't love the reason why people have these strange feelings?" Athena asked her daughter. "Sadness is love, hate is love, and pain is also love."

"Why is it all that?" Annabeth asked, confused.

"Because of love, you feel sadness. Because of love, you get hurt and you feel hatred." Her mom explained. "Isn't it all that, honey? But regardless, I'm always warmly supporting you. But be careful not to be discovered by your dad, so he won't find out."

"Don't worry. I'll hide it carefully. I'll call you again tomorrow. Love you, mom."

After the Half-Blood's training under The Windflower (and a lot of glances from Percy, might I add) Nico said, "Ugh, we've been practicing so hard. I'm hungry." He grumbled while tossing the drum sticks. "Percy, should we all go and eat together?"

"Good!" Piper said. "Since Annabeth was sick and all she should eat good food and have fun."

Annabeth smiled and said, "I'm all right. Besides I have to go take care of my dad and all that jazz."

After Annabeth said that Percy chimed in, "You guys go eat. I'll go on ahead." He looked on Annabeth before he took off.

"He's like this all the time." Nico said. "Shall we go?"

"Let's go, Annabeth" Katie pleaded.

"Please,"

Annabeth sighed. "Okay, let's go."

Nico, Jason and Travis, together with Annabeth and her friends, are walking out of the school grounds when they passed by Percy, who was unlocking his bike.

Percy pouted when he saw Annabeth with them, talking about eating barbecue. She gave Percy a small smile as they passed.

"Ugh, didn't you say you were going home?" Percy muttered under his breath. He only refused to go because Annabeth isn't going, too. Or so he thought. He sighed and gave up on unlocking the bike. He tagged along with them.

"So . . ." Percy said, interrupting their conversation. "Where are we going to eat?"

Annabeth gave him a quizzical look but Nico said, "Percy, you're coming too? Oh, that's so awesome!"

"Okay, everyone raise your glass . . . to The Half-Bloods and Windflower!" Nico exclaimed. "Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

They decided to eat at a grill house before heading to the bar afterwards. And Percy's still acting grumpy because he thought Annabeth isn't going.

"Here, Annabeth eat this." Nico said, handing her a wrap. Percy flashed him a look because of that.

"Me?" Annabeth asked.

"Nico what's wrong?" Jason asked. "You're actually giving other people food?" he asked, almost choking.

"Weren't you just sick?" Nico asked Annabeth. "Then eat this. It'll give you strength."

"Oh, thank you." Annabeth told him sweetly.

Percy made a face.

Annabeth grabbed her spoon and fork and began eating heartily. Eating whatever she can find in front of her. Percy chuckled but tried to wear a serious face when he said, "Is somebody trying to steal your food? Eat slowly."

"I was sick." Annabeth pouted. "I should eat." With that, she made a grab for the burger in front of her but Percy stopped her.

"You'll end up puking." Percy told her, concern now evident in his eyes.

Annabeth smiled confidently at him, "Don't worry. My stomach's strong. I won't puke."

She made a grab again for the burger but this time, instead of just stopping her, Percy grabbed the burger from her and took a huge bite from it.

"It's delicious" Percy told her, mouth full of burger.

Annabeth playfully hit his arms and scowled.

Ground shaking music and incessant chatters filled Annabeth's ears as they entered the bar which was somehow called 'UNO' The smell of all the booze intoxicated her and she almost buckled up. She felt queasy. But she wouldn't give Percy the satisfaction of letting him know he was right about the puking part.

As her friends and the boys headed towards the dance floor, Annabeth sat down and ordered a martini. Her thoughts lingered to Percy. Why is he all of a sudden acting all nice towards her? He's making it hard for her to forget him if he's all like that. Charming her with that green eyes and black hair. Tch! Who needs that?

Before Annabeth's mind go haywire, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Why aren't you dancing?" Percy asked her as he slid beside her.

Because I might puke, Annabeth thought but she didn't dare tell him that out loud.

"I'm tired." She told him simply. Then something in her stomach lurched. She couldn't hold it anymore. She ran for the bathroom and hunched over a toilet.

Annabeth felt weak and green. After a few seconds, she felt a hand pat her back. It was Percy.

"Go away." She shoved him weakly, but Percy was still patting her back.

"It's fine. I'm all right." She told him while sitting on the floor of the stall.

"Just stay still," Percy told her while he sat beside her, not caring if he's in the girls' bathroom. "I said you'd puke, didn't I?"

Annabeth was too weak to retort. She absent-mindedly laid her head on Percy's shoulders and closed her eyes, "So you're saying I deserved it?"

Percy wrapped one arm around her waist and traced patterns on her back to calm her down and to eliminate the queasiness.

After a few minutes Percy spoke up, "You don't have to act like this."

"Act like what?" Annabeth asked.

"You don't have to act like you're doing fine in front of me" Percy told her.

Annabeth gave a weak laugh, "I've been caught."

Percy kissed her head and said, "Wait for me here, I'll get your bag and take you home."

Annabeth nodded, "Okay. And Percy . . . thank you"

After a few minutes of bluffing, Percy escaped his friends' clutches and got back on the stall where Annabeth was waiting. He gently guided her to her feet and together, they exited the bar.

"Is your stomach okay?" Percy asked Annabeth when they were nearly at the bus stop.

"Yeah, I feel better after walking a bit." Annabeth smiled warmly at him.

Percy laughed good naturedly, "I should also thank you, you know, for teaching me."

"It's nothing." Annabeth replied.

"Tomorrow, don't you have an audition?" Percy asked.

"Yeah"

"Well, give it your best shot. I'll root for you." Percy told her. "Rachel won't be an easy opponent."

Annabeth sat down on the bench the moment they reached the stop. She motioned for Percy to sit beside her and so he did.

"It's okay even if I don't get the lead role." She told him honestly.

"Why?" Percy asked, wrapping his arms yet again around her waist. Annabeth absent-mindedly leaned in to his touch.

She sighed before answering his question, "Even before learning English, I learned to play the violin. Besides that, I've never really known anything else." She looked up at Percy to see that he's intently listening to her while playing with her curls. "To be honest, I got a little tired of it. At first, that was my way of thinking, but when we started practicing for the show, my interest for the violin piqued up again. Also, if I don't do it now, I might not get another chance to have this experience"

"That's true." Percy said as he continued to play with her hair. They wallowed in silence again. Enjoying each other's presence until the bus arrived.

"The bus is here." Annabeth said as she slowly stood up, disappointed because she have to leave Percy's warmth. "You're riding your bicycle back, right?"

Percy nodded.

"I'll go ahead then" she said. "Thank you for today, Percy" She smiled at him and gave him a light peck on the cheeks before running towards the bus.

After Annabeth was gone, Percy made a snap decision. Instead of taking his bike, he joined Annabeth on the bus as well.

"Oh?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow at him.

Percy smiled sheepishly, "I just . . . just felt that riding the bus isn't bad for a change." But to be honest? He just wanted to make sure she was safe and . . . well, being away from her kind of hurt.

"O . . . kay?"

Percy just smiled at her.

REVIEW. AND SORRY FOR THE CRAPPY WRITING. HIHI ^^ ALSO READ MY SISTER'S STORY: FATED TO LOVE YOU BY xXxgossipgirlxXx