Annabeth Pov

Gotta Go On

Album: The Story of Me

I gotta go on, be strong

Later on, the sun will start to rise

From the dark, and leave a mark

All the ugly scars, the beautiful stars

Everything will turn out how it's meant to be

"Annabeth, I can't believe you," Sarah fumed as we entered her hotel room. "You've been sneaking out every night, haven't you?"

"No," I said truthfully. I hadn't been sneaking out every night.

"How are you going to continue your career if you are focusing on your friends and…boys?" Sarah asked, wrinkling her nose. I tried my best not to think about Percy's face when she'd pulled me away.

"I –"

"Annabeth, maybe you should just stop and listen. We can't afford this, especially with the record company. You have no time for all this. Stop acting so immature. Do you realize we could go bankrupt? Do you realize that your job is the only thing that is holding us now?" She stopped to take a breath. I was going to say something, but she interrupted me again. "You need to show me you are responsible, and you can handle yourself."

"I know, Sarah. I'm not going to see them anymore, don't worry," I said softly.

She seemed surprised with my answer, but pleased. "That's good. You are still grounded, though. No excuses…" she said, responding to my face. "Now, are you ready for your tour?"

I stared at my suitcase. "Yeah."

"Perfect. Your tour was going to last for 6 months, but, because of the record company, we can only manage three."

"So, I'm not going to be able to go to Japan?"

"I'm afraid we can only afford to go to America."

"Oh." I hoped I didn't sound too disappointed. I loved the architecture there. The beautiful details, the perfect measurements, the gorgeous colors splattered here and there.

I took my suitcase by the handle. "Well, let's get out this hotel, and onto the tour bus."

"Wait. Annabeth –" Sarah stopped my suitcase with her foot. "There's something important I need to tell you."

I waited. "Yes?"

"Well…" Sarah shifted from foot to foot. "I'm not sure how you'll react to this, but…I'm pregnant."

I caught my breath, and glanced towards her stomach. It did look like she ate too many hamburgers. I was going to have a little sibling? "That's wonderful, Sarah. When will it be due? Boy or girl?"

"It'll be due in about 4 to 5 months, maybe even 3. I wanted to tell you earlier, but…I needed time."

I nodded. So that's why one of the nights in California she'd randomly started puking.

"We're not sure if it's a boy or a girl yet, because we want it to be a surprise. Your dad and I wanted to tell you together, but he had to leave early. Anyways, I just want to tell you that you're going to be responsible for your own matters. You're going to have to handle a lot on your own, now."

"I'll be responsible," I said, feeling tenacious. "You take care of yourself."

a~a~a~a

Everyone was already crowding around the tour bus, writing little messages on it in eyeliner, lipstick, or whatever they could find in their purse.

"Everyone, out of the way," Tom yelled, as the crowds parted.

When I finally got on the tour bus, I took a deep breath. To a whole 3 months of touring, I thought heavily.

"You can relax now, Annabeth, because it might be the only time you have," Sarah told me.

"Okay," I pulled out my iPod and headphones.

First week. New York City.

All the city lights blazed to life, exciting and exquisite. Everywhere you went, people honked their horns and sirens wailed. It was crowded, pushy, and loud. But I loved it. It reminded me surprisingly of…Percy…

Don't you dare think about him, my mind warned. Focus on your tour.

"I love you New York City!" I yelled before racing offstage. Intermission.

And there was Isabell, the costume manager, to hurry me out of my costume and into my new one.

"Annabeth, you're on in 5," Cassie told me, as I headed into the wings.

"Okay," I said, straightening the straps of my dress. "Where's Sarah?"

"She's not feeling too well, so she went to go lay down," she indicated towards her stomach.

I nodded, showing I understood her.

"When you go onstage, walk straight up to the microphone in the middle –past Tony and Mike," Cassie pointed. "The others are for the backround singers, so they're not as loud."

"That one?"

"Yes, that one." She peeked out at the audience. "You're on. Good luck! I'll be backstage helping the crew."

I walked onstage, being cautious in my 5 inch heels. "Hey everyone! Ready for the best night of your life?" I basically jinxed it.

Everyone screamed, waving their glow sticks.

"Okay, so…" I fidgeted with the microphone. Why wouldn't it come off? Finally, with a strong tug, it came off. "This is a song I wrote for this guy –wait –why isn't this thing working?" I tapped on the microphone. Not now, I thought helplessly. I looked out in the wings. Sarah wasn't there. Cassie was helping the crew…I gave Tony a help me out? look. He gestured out backstage to the janitor, who got the message, and went to go call the others.

"Sorry!" I tried to yell over the noise. "Technical problems!"

Cassie quickly came, replacing the microphone with another. I made the mistake of helping her, and my heel turned, as I staggered. Thankfully, I caught myself. She gave me an apologetic look, then hurried offstage.

"Sorry about that," I spoke into the mic that was now working. "Anyways…this is a song I wrote for this guy who I met…"

The audience waited, thinking there was more, wanting to hear the story behind the song.

"Here it is," I carried on, not wanting to say anything about Percy.

"I met you

Just on one normal day, oh,

It was a fairytale,

I hope you know

That you are beautiful," I started. Well, at least no bad luck now…

"Get me with your sea green ey –"

"MARRY ME ANNABETH CHASE!" A guy screamed from the back.

I made the mistake of stopping. Annabeth, why did you stop? My mind scolded.

"Eyes, get me with your midnight hair," I tried to keep up with the music. "I love the way you move, I love the way you talk ,how you brush your fingers through your hair, how you can take me anywhere, please know that you are beautiful," I recovered quickly, trying not to focus on the audience. Ugh, that last note came out bad, I thought.

"You captivate me

With your green eyes, oh," my voice cracked the slightest bit. Why was this happening? I was usually comfortable onstage! I tried looking out to the audience. All of them had green eyes, black hair, that infuriating smile…Concentrate, Annabeth!

"It was enchanting

Amazing

I was dreaming

All night long, and I

Hope you know…that you're beautiful, and I –I mean – you…" I wanted to stop and run off stage. Tony and Mike had stopped playing, and it was dead silent. They were waiting. But I couldn't. I had to do this –for me, for my fans, and for the record company. Focus, Annabeth. You can do this.

"Get me with your sea green eyes,

Get me with your midnight hair,

I love the way you move,

I love the way you talk,

How you brush your fingers through your hair,

How you can take me anywhere,

Please, please know that you are beautiful," I sang, Mike and Tony following along.

a~a~a~a

"How was it?" Sarah asked, lying on the couch. I plopped on the cushiony chair next to her.

"Not too well…" I sighed. "It was a nightmare."

But that wasn't what bothered me. I'd had a few bad shows before. But this one…I couldn't even think about Percy. The topic frightened me. I didn't want myself to like him. But…I was rebelling against myself.

"Annabeth, I'm so sorry, we accidentally put the microphone that didn't work onstage," Cassie bolted in.

"You what?" Sarah sat upright.

"Sorry –we'll make sure it gets thrown away," she said, hurrying out the door.

Sarah put her head in her hands. "Annabeth, please don't let anything bad happen. Try not to get distracted, okay? I know you were probably nervous about the record company, so that's why you messed up…"

Not really, I thought, picking at my nails.

"You seem quiet today," she noticed. "Are you okay?"

"Me? I'm fine, fine!" I said a little too enthusiastically, grabbing the cup of coffee next to me and taking a huge sip. Ow. Hot. "I'm fine," I said, biting my tongue to stop the pain.

She looked unsure, but nodded. "Okay. Tomorrow, we're off to Philadelphia."

The next morning, I turned on the radio, listening. Our tour bus was pretty well equipped, I guess.

"Do you think Annabeth Chase is too distracted from her job because of boys?" the person asked dramatically. "Call in to say your opinion! Caller number 15! The number is…"

I sighed, turning the volume up. "Morning," Tom said. "On the road, day number three."

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Well, I'll go take a shower. If you need anything, tell me. Sarah's still sleeping…we don't want to wake her up."

"Okay," I gave him a smile, as he went in the hallway.

"Who's this?" the radio host asked.

"This is Victoria," a muffled voice said.

"Well, you're caller number 15! Now, what do you think?"

"Oh, I definitely think Annabeth Chase is distracted, don't you think so? She's just this bratty little singer who thinks she can get what she wants because she's famous. She hurt Luke Castellan –that hottie! She hurt Harry Styles! Who else is going to be next? Last night's show portrayed it all," Victoria said in one breath.

Bratty singer? I can get what I want because I'm famous? What? I thought angrily.

"Thank you for calling in, Victoria. Now, who will call in next? 20th caller…"

I grabbed my phone and punched in the phone number, which I'd memorized already. Please be caller number 20, please be caller number 20, I prayed.

"Who's this?" A voice asked.

"Annab –Annabell." I said with a southern accent.

"Well, you're lucky number 20! What do you think, Annabell?"

"Oh, well…" I said, though with my fake accent it sounded like 'wail' instead. "I don't think Annabeth is distracted at all. She just had a bad day, the poor dear. She never hurt Luke or Harry at all!" my accent slipped a little at the end.

"Thank you for calling, Annabell. Now –"

"She doesn't get what she wants just because she's famous," I pushed, not caring that I was persistent.

"I'm sure that's true," the radio host said as if I was a little girl. "I'm sorry, but your time is up. Have a good d –"

"Maybe she just wants to have a normal life without the press and the paparazzi trying to spy on her life!"

"Okay, now," the host said, now a little annoyed. "Thank you for saying your opinion –"

"It's not an opinion, it's a fact!"

" –have a good day." He hung up before I could say anything.

"Good morning," Mike said, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Hey –what's with the accent?"

I groaned, and put down my phone. "Stupid people."

He raised his eyebrows. "Well, Ms. Sunshine, I'll be working on that new piece in my bunk –where's Sarah? I need to ask her a question."

"She's still sleeping…what's your question?"

"The stage directions for the song Freedom."

"Oh," I said. "Wait till she wakes up."

I'm so sorry I couldn't update during the weekend –I was really busy. Anyways…how'd you guys like the chapter? I hope you guys enjoyed it! To those of you who are worrying about Percabeth, it'll work out, I promise! Now…stay tuned for the next –Sophia