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THE ROAD – CHAPTER 25

Annabeth

The next month after touring was more hectic for us then we had thought. We all agreed we needed some free time for each other. Nico and Percy went back to New York, one to be with his sister and one to be with his parents and brother. I decided to stay in San Francisco, not taking the flight back with the guys, so I could spend time with Thalia and Luke before things got busy for us again. Leo and Frank planned an impromptu vacation to Brazil. They went back to the city, packed their things, and two days later they were already on the plane. They came back just before we start our scheduled press tour. After two weeks in San Francisco, I took a flight back to New York, to spend the remaining time I had left with Piper and Percy. We hung out together, sang, played music and video games, occasionally Percy and I would go out. We chose small stuff, movies, restaurants, maybe an occasional sporting event, and did our best to stay under the radar and not get noticed.

"What are you thinking about?" Piper zapped me out of my thoughts. I was sitting on the couch in the longue, reading through our planned media schedule for the next month. Before the tour was even done, we all agreed that we wanted to make a second album. I passed the news on to Mr. Brunner, which lead to it quickly going out to the world. That meant there were a lot of requests to interview us from all over New York. Piper sat down on the couch in front of me, scrolling through her cell phone screen before throwing it down next to her.

"I really, really don't want to do all this media stuff" I admitted to her.

"And why's that?" she asked me with a goofy smile on her face.

"Because I'm lazy" I dragged the last word out and lied down on the couch, letting the sleep take me over.

"And what are the guys going to think about that? Annie, your boyfriend's lazier then you" She laughed while speaking. She did have a point.

"Don't call me that" I tried barking at her, but instead I only yawned.

"Just trying to see if you were still listening." She admitted, and I could hear as she stood up and grabbed the sheet of paper I was looking at before. "That's actually a lot" I could hear the amusement in her.

"Don't make it harder on me" I complained, nuzzling my head deeper into the pillow and turning myself away from her. She got up yet again, grabbing me with both her hands and using her body weight to pull me up.

"No sleeping now Annie" she squeezed out as she struggled to lift my dead weight.

"Don't call me that" I complained again, trying not to sound like a little girl as I finally sat up somewhat normally.

"This thing starts tomorrow. We gotta make sure you have what to wear" Piper reminded me, lifting me off the couch and dragging me towards the door. Picking clothes was never fun for me, but with Piper around it became much easier. She did half of the work for me. The amount of clothes I had to try on was so minimal because her eye for fashion was unlike anything I had ever seen. Once she deemed my wardrobe acceptable I got my much needed sleep, not at all ready for what was coming tomorrow.

The first interview any of the members had was for Percy and I, since Frank and Leo were still jetlagged from their trip to South America. Mr. Brunner was kind and thoughtful enough to book them much later. I agreed to meet Percy at the radio station, which was halfway between our houses. He was already there, waiting for me. I had to admit I had some trouble finding the place. I assumed it would be smaller than it was, but the entire station was set up inside a very large apartment building. Moments later I found myself on the correct floor, Percy waiting for me just outside the elevators. He smiled and pulled me to him for a hug and a quick kiss.

"That's all you have to say hello?" I questioned him, trying to put on my best disappointed face. Percy raised his eyebrows at me, still smiling.

"I'm kidding" I admitted and pulled his head down, lengthening our kiss. "Just remember, no coupley stuff in there".

"Don't worry" he reassured me and smiled. We turned to the correct apartment number and knocked on the door. We could already hear the sound of heels hitting against the floor. A tall lady in a suit answered the door, her brunette hair up in a very neat bun on top of her head.

"Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase?" she asked, more like reconfirmed with herself as she looked through her clipboard of notes, "You're late" she pointed out to us.

"Got lost on the way here" Percy explained before I could say anything. The tall lady looked through clipboard again as two more large men in black suits appeared from what seemed like nowhere. She spoke to one of them in a language neither of us could understand as she finally put the clipboard away. We've already heard of this radio show and listened to it many times while we were still in the city since it was one of the biggest in town. But we didn't know they were so strict with their times.

"Please come in and follow me" she instructed us as the guards took a step aside, almost like an opening gate. This house definitely belonged to someone very rich. The parquet floor underneath us was so bright and clean it seemed to shine, making me want to squint. The entire living room area had windows around it with a beautiful view of nearly the entire city. Everything, from the living room to the lights on the ceiling and the curtains on the windows were organized in very specific fashion. The woman kept leading us down a large hall, rooms and closed doors all around us. At the end of our walk we faced a big glass door, the inside of the radio studio visible to us. The lady buzzed the door, saying something into the microphone in the same language she spoke to the guards.

"I'm Kelli, by the way. Glad to help if you need anything." She said to us as she finished, in a very unenthusiastic and angry tone. "He'll be with you shortly" she added, turning on her heel and left us standing in front of the glass door.

"Glad to help" Percy mimicked saying in her voice, with snobby facial expressions and all, which I had to admit was funnier then it should've been. I nudged the side of his body with my elbow as we laughed. "Whatever"

We could hear the very faint of music playing from within the studio as a figure rushed to the door, swinging it open for us. The man in front of us had a bright shade of blue eyes, brighter then Percy's sea-green ones. He was wearing a button up blue shirt, his sleeves rolled up above his elbows, with a black tie and matching color jeans. His phone was to his ear, blabbering to someone about who knows what. His eyes came up to meet both of us, sending a soft smile and motioning for us to come inside.

"Look, I can't talk right now, I'll catch you later" he said and put his phone back in his pocket. He smiled at us warmly and shrugged. "Work issues" he explained and reached his hand out for both of us to shake.

"I'm Apollo, nice to meet you guys."

"Apollo as in after the god?" I asked as Percy shook his hand.

"Absolutely. Come in, we're going back on the air soon" he explained and opened another door into what I already knew was a sound proof studio. Inside was a big wooden table with foam squares like we had in our studio all across the walls. Apollo took a seat at his stand, surrounded by computer screens and cables all around him, and a sound board to his left. We took our seats in front of him, two big black office chairs easing us in.

"We get on in about a minute. Just put these headsets on, and feel free to adjust the microphones how you like and get comfortable." He explained to us again, showing a genuine smile before turning to his computers, clicking around the screens.

"Feeling nervous, Wise Girl?" Percy taunted as he put his headset on, settling back in his chair like some professional businessman.

"Unlike you, Seaweed Brain, I don't get nervous, you should know that by now." I pressed back at him with a smirk and shoved him lightly so his chair turned toward Apollo as I did the same. He adjusted his microphone and flashed us a thumbs up as music started playing in our headset, the intro to his radio show.

"Hope you're all having a great morning, ladies and gentleman, I know I am, because as promised I'm joined in studio by Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase" he finished his introduction full of enthusiasm, "How are you two doing?"

"We're doing great, I think" Percy answered first making Apollo laugh. The rest of the interview was as way more fun then I could've ever imagined. Apollo made it fun for us, easing us in like it was our home. The short half an hour we spent there passed like a breeze. He asked us about our tour, and the challenges of going out on the road for so long. He even had a guitar for Percy, asking him endless questions about how he manages to play so fast as Percy demonstrated a few practice techniques. I wouldn't lie if I said I used the chance to learn from him as well. As our time came to a close Apollo sent the show off the air, picking another song to put on between his segments. He gave us a wide grin at the front door and fist bumped us before we departed.

Percy and I caught a cab back uptown, to spend the rest of our afternoon back at the studio.

"He was super fun" Percy said first as we dashed back uptown. Later that night he had another appearance on his own on a late night talk show. I already made plans to stay up with the Piper and make fun of him, just don't tell him I said that. We lounged around the studio for a few hours before Percy reluctantly got up from his seat and went home to get dressed.

"I'll miss you" I made a pouty face at him at the door. He opened his arms to me and gave me a quick hug and a kiss.

"I'll be back after I'm done Wise Girl, promise" he said to me as he went through the door and disappeared. I did my best to not be bored out of my mind while he was gone. Piper wasn't around to hang out because she decided to go on a date somewhere with Jason, although she did promise she'd join me later. I got up from my slump on the couch and went into one of the guitar rooms, figuring it'd pass my time by the fastest. I picked up an acoustic guitar off the wall, the same one I used when I jammed with Percy for the first time, and practiced a few of the techniques he showed me during our tour. I still wasn't great at any of them but there was nothing better to do. Impossibly a few hours managed to pass by, thanks to sleep, and I awoke when Piper opened the large door to the studio, followed by Jason.

"Did we miss it?" Piper asked as she rushed into the lounge. I was lucky she got in when she did because I didn't notice what the time was.

"Shit" I swore to myself and fetched the TV remote as fast as I could. Percy was on in five minutes. I clicked through the channels, hoping I landed on the right one during a commercial break.

"I had to come see this" Jason told me with a smile while the commercials passed by, "It's comedy gold". A few uninteresting ads later and the host came back on, her eyes brimming with excitement. She was pretty young, not much older than us, with bleach blonde hair and a huge, fake TV host smile. She wore very bright and flashy clothes which threw me off immediately.

"Our next guest is an incredible musician who just finished touring for his first album, possibly one of the best guitar players in the world today, Percy Jackson!" she proclaimed in excitement as Percy walked out to a huge crowd of whistling women. The host got up from her chair and hugged him, but what angered me the most was the kiss she planted on his cheeks. I didn't even notice Jason and Piper's glares until much later.

"I'm fine" I tried whispering to myself, but this woman really had no right to lay her hands on Percy.

"Annabeth, do-"

"I'm fine!" snapping in an instant, I wasn't even sure who spoke, my eyes still glued to the TV. Percy sat down in his spot, his usual goofy smile on his face as he took in the crowd. As much as I admire him however, I kept my eyes locked on the pure evil sitting in front of him.

"So, Percy" she started in a disgusting tone that made me want to break the screen, "Tell us a bit of what it's like to tour the country".

I was pretty sure he was giving her a satisfactory answer, but I would be lying to you if I said I remembered anything he said. The host peaked my interest. The way she tried making contact with him as much as she could, the way she stared at him like he was some sort of prize that she was dying to obtain made my blood fume. This undeniable feeling crept up my spine that she was going to do something to him, to hurt him somehow or use him.

"I'm going there" I snapped again, standing up from my seat and fetching my coat and car keys. Jason stood up just as quickly as I did and said something but I was too infuriated to hear anything. The girl's voice bounced back and forth in my head, clouding my thoughts and judgment. Jason back pedaled as I walked to the door, "I will not let that stupid, ungrateful bi-"

"Annabeth! Calm. Down." He gripped both my arms and held me in place.

"Get out of my way, Jason" I tried to wiggle free but he was much bigger and stronger then I was. His gaze was far more serious then I'd seen it, but I had my objective set.

"You need to calm yourself. You aren't even thinking rationally."

"There isn't anything to think about, just look at her-"

"Why does she even worry you?"

"I will not let her hurt him! Now let me go" Jason's grip wouldn't budge and he didn't move from his place like a big brick wall. Soon after I stopped hearing the sound of the TV as Piper ran down toward us, helping Jason bring me over to the lounge. They pleaded with me to calm down, to not act out of rage, but I was too stubborn and too angry to listen to them.

"I need to be alone" I told them both, regrettably sending them away with defeated looks on their faces.

"We ca-"

"We understand" Piper said and forced a sad smile on her face, "Just…please try and…you know, think about this." She said sadly, took Jason's hand and disappeared. I can't remember how long I stayed as an angry mess on the couch, but it didn't seem like very long until I heard the door open again. I immediately jumped to my feet and saw him standing there. He offered a smirk as he took his coat off and put it on the hanger we had at the entrance, advancing slowly toward me. I couldn't stop the raging storm of emotions in my head and I did the only thing that seemed rational – that I would end up regretting for a long time –

"What the hell were you thinking?"

I snapped at him.

"What do you mean?" There was a tone of innocence in his voice but I didn't have any of it. He tried getting closer and grabbing my hand but I took a step back.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about" I challenged him angrily.

He sighed and raised his hands, "I really don't understand. Okay?"

"You aren't stupid so don't play dumb. Can you even explain what happened with that brat?"

"Annabeth, I really don't know what you're talking about" he defended, only making me angrier.

"Are you being serious right now? Because if this is a joke you better end it now" I crossed my arms over my chest and that was when I felt how heavily I was breathing for the first time that night.

"This isn't a joke. I don't know why you're making this so hard for me, gods Annabeth, I don't even know why you're so mad"

"How can I not be mad when a certain someone lets a random girl that he has never seen or met get her hands all over him like he's a trophy? Explain that to me, Percy" I could feel the tears building up in my chest as my voice rose only to crack and become vulnerable again.

"Is that what you're worried about?" he looked at me with a pained expression and I felt like I could read all his thoughts from his eyes. I only dried my eyes, the pain I was feeling building up like a time bomb.

"Do you not trust me?" he asked again, his voice cracking as well as I could feel myself break further.

"I don't know. Can I?" I forced out, somehow, each passing word making everything I was feeling even more unimaginable. He dried his eyes with his shirt and just looked at me and I knew him for too long to know he was barely holding himself together.

"I…forget it. You don't understand"

He spun around as I feel to the floor, unable to keep the sobs in anymore.

And he left.

A/N: Sorry about the lack of updating lately, I got a little carried away writing some other stuff in between this that really got me excited and I can't wait to share. Towards the end of this story I hope to post some sort of preview to see if you even want to see that story, so feedback would be appreciated. Hope you enjoyed!