Hey guys! I'm back from my trip… But I see not many comments … Only two?! Seriously? I'm gonna stop writing soon if this keeps going on… I'm really cross with you… Not even Percabeth? *sigh* Anyways, this chapter is right before the climax… The singing contest! Enjoy with all the songs…

(A/N) If you wanna skip the lyrics of the song, do so. It would be better to read the song through, especially if you don't know it. It'll help with understanding the story. I've chosen the songs carefully.

Music blared from the speakers they were standing nervously ahead of. Jason, Percy, Calypso and Piper, having chosen to enter the singing contest stood in line, each with their numbers. Jason was third, Piper seventh, Calypso twelfth, and Percy fourteenth. Piper had changed her plans and had decided to enter on her own, much to Hazel and Annabeth's relief, because they hadn't practiced a bit.

The contest had just started and the second participant was performing on the makeshift stage the authorities had made in the large hall. The audience was cheering, sitting on the seats right in front of the stage. The walls of the hall were decorated with large banners of the name of the contest, 'Stars in Wings'.

The rest of the friends were sitting in a line of chairs, a few rows behind the very first. Reyna and Nico were sitting next to each other, holding hands. Everyone in their group knew about their dating each other by now. It was the same with Frank and Hazel sitting beside them. Annabeth was sitting next with Leo. They had saved four seats for their friends who were performing. Rachel was sitting beside the empty seats waiting for Percy to come and meanwhile, waving to him with sickly sweet smiles whenever he cared to look around. Percy didn't give her a second glance. He didn't even look over to her.

After a lot of convincing the last night, Annabeth had coaxed Percy into not telling Rachel about them. Sure, he could break-up with her if he liked, but pretend that nothing had happened between Annabeth and himself. Percy had reluctantly agreed as Annabeth persuaded him that she would change things soon.

Annabeth knew. This was the night, the night on which she was going to change things. She wasn't going to tolerate the tortures Luke was raining upon her. She was going to stand up to him tonight.

As the second performer finished, the host announced Jason's name along with a few compliments to the former. Looking over to Piper, who flashed him a smile and winked, he thought of their plan. Both of them were going to sing a song dedicated to each other. As he walked on the stage, Nico, Frank, Annabeth and Hazel cheered him. The host asked him to say a few words about his song.

Jason took the mike, "I just wanna say that this song is for a person who means a real lot to me. I hope my friends know who it is." He flashed a smile at the confused four sitting in the crowd. The host withdrew from the stage and Jason tuned his guitar. The music started sounding from the speakers.

I wanna see you run
Anywhere you want
Never let the darkness hold you back
No fear of getting lost

I wanna see you fly
Way beyond the sun
Anything you're ever gonna dream
I pray that it will come

But if you ever fall down straight to the bottom
And you can't get back where you started
Any place any time
You gotta know for you I'll fight
(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)

Where you wanna go
I'd love to take you there
Wish that I could make the road easy
I wish that life was fair
Don't wanna see you cry
Even when it rains
And I hope you don't forget this
You were born for better things

But if you ever fall down straight to the bottom
And you can't get back where you started
With no strength to stand
Gonna reach for your hand
When the going gets rough
Right when it's hurting I will be there
To help any burden
Any place any time
You gotta know for you I'll fight
(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
Any place any time you
Gotta know for you I'll fight

Anywhere you go
Your gonna find me
No matter what you need
If you ever fall down and you can't get back
If you lose your strength to stand

If you ever fall down straight to the bottom
And you can't get back where you started
With no strength to stand I'm gonna reach for your hand
When the going gets rough right when it's hurting
I will be there to help any burden
Any place any time
You gotta know for you I'll fight
(Ooh ooh, ooh ooh)
Any place any time
You gotta know for you I'll fight

He finished the song and the audience burst into applause. Jason thanked them and got off stage. He looked towards Piper, who mouthed, "That was awesome!" He mouthed his thanks in return to her and went to sit with his friends in the crowd.

Nico looked at him saying, "So, who is it that you fight for?"

Jason said, a smile rising in on his face, "Guess for yourself. Or wait for the other performances. You'll get to know who it is. She's singing a song for me, too."

The others were really curious, but they got the sign that he wasn't going to reveal anything. So, they watched the other performances, trying to listen carefully for hints in vain. Soon, the seventh performance awaited them. Piper, cheered on by her friends, walked on stage. Taking the mike she said, "This is for the person I really, really like. Please keep loving me like you do. Friends, take the hint." She winked at the five sitting in front and started the song.

You're the light, you're the night
You're the color of my blood
You're the cure, you're the pain
You're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much

You're the fear, I don't care
Cause I've never been so high
Follow me to the dark
Let me take you past our satellites
You can see the world you brought to life, to life

So love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?

Fading in, fading out
On the edge of paradise
Every inch of your skin is a holy grail I've got to find
Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire
Yeah, I'll let you set the pace
Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head spinning around I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?

Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?

Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?

I'll let you set the pace
Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head spinning around I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?

Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?

Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Love me like you do, la-la-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, ta-ta-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?

The song ended and the crowd cheered on for a few seconds before stopping. The four people, previously confused, were now smiling at each other and Jason.

"Are you two together?" Hazel asked him, narrowing her eyes.

"What do you think?" He smirked at her.

"Yes," Annabeth said, beside him, smiling. "You've been letting out signs of it. I know it. I've been watching you guys. Why this surprise?"

"You're right. We've been together for two days now. We just wanted you to guess about us." Jason smiled as the other shook their heads in disbelief.

"It was really clear, you know," Frank said. "There wasn't any doubt. You could have just said it."

"Okay, I'm not apologizing," Jason said, as Piper came and sat beside him.

"Apologizing?" Piper said, frowning. "No, it was just a surprise. What's there to apologize?"

"For holding out on us. That's not fair, Piper," Hazel said, pouting. "You didn't even tell your best friends."

Piper laughed. "Everything's fair in love and war, Hazel. And this is love." She pulled Jason close and kissed him.

The performances continued and the awaited twelfth performance was due. Leo got up from his chair and made his way to Calypso, who was waiting to be announced. "Hey, Sunshine!"

Calypso turned and her face broke into a smile. "Hey, Leo! What're you doing here?"

"Just for talking to you, darling," Leo grinned as Calypso shook her head. "All the best, Sunset."

"See! Two minutes ago, it was Sunshine and now it's Sunset."

"Well, I can't decide which is more beautiful." Calypso blushed a little as she smiled. "You aren't nervous, are you?"

"A little," Calypso sighed to show her anxiety.

Leo touched her shoulders. "You'll be great. Awesome, as usual. We all know how good you can sing. Don't be nervous. Okay?" Calypso nodded, smiling a little as she was encouraged. "Good. Anyways, what about that surprise you were gonna give me?"

Calypso grinned cheekily. "You'll see." The host announced her name. "I have to go now. Oh, by the way. I want your attention on the song." With that, she was off on the stage leaving Leo a bit confused. He did as he was told and went to his seat.

Calypso held the mike in her hands. "I want to dedicate this song to someone for which every word of this song remains true."

The others sitting in the crowd each thought, 'Were all the performances here going to be dedicated to someone?'

Leo smiled a little hanging on to each word as the song started in Calypso beautiful voice.

My heart is telling me that you are gonna change, but no
My heart is lying right to my face, yeah

My heart is making up excuses for your ways, but I wish that
My heart knew when I should walk away

It lets me down, it helps me as I get back up off the ground
You're telling me that this is love but I found, it wasn't really on my side
Now I think it's time

I tell my heart to just butt out, keep its opinion to itself
I should just listen to my head, 'cause it's the one who knows what's best
It tells me not to love you, but my heart says just forgive you
Oh but it's not thinking clearly, I wish that I could leave my heart out of this
Leave my heart out of this

I'm done feeling like a stranger to myself, so I know
I've got to put all my feelings on a shelf, yeah

It lets me down, loves me as I get back up off the ground
You're telling me that this is love but I found, it wasn't really on my side
Now I think it's time

I tell my heart to just butt out, keep its opinion to itself
I should just listen to my head, 'cause it's the one who knows what's best
It tells me not to love you, but my heart says just forgive you
Oh but it's not thinking clearly, I wish that I could leave my heart out of this
Leave my heart out of this

Sometimes I wish you'd just shut up and let me think
I've had enough, I need to just make up my mind
So that's why

I should just listen to my head, 'cause it's the one who knows what's best

It tells me not to love you, but my heart says just forgive you
Oh but it's not thinking clearly, I wish that I could leave my
Leave my heart out of this
Leave my heart out of this

Le le le leave my heart
Le le le leave my heart

The song ended and the crowd cheered with her name on their tongues. Leo was grinning from ear to ear and as Calypso came down to sit next to him, he tried to say something, but Calypso shushed him. "Nothing right now. Later."

The thirteenth act was done and the fourteenth was due. Percy came on stage and Rachel shrieked out cheers. Trying his best to hide his irritation, he said on the mike given to him, "This is a song I'm singing for the one to who I should have apologized long before. I dedicate this song to the special person who has changed my whole life." Percy glanced toward Annabeth, who sat up straight, as he said this.

Rachel got so excited she kept poking everyone, saying, "It's me, it's me!"

Annabeth remained silent, listening to the words of his song.

I figured it out
I figured it out from black and white
Seconds and hours
Maybe they had to take some time

I know how it goes
I know how it goes from wrong and right
Silence and sound
Did they ever hold each other tight
Like us? Did they ever fight
Like us?

You and I
We don't wanna be like them
We can make it 'til the end
Nothing can come between
You and I
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us
No, nothing can come between
You and I

Oh, you and I

I figured it out
Saw the mistakes of up and down
Meet in the middle
There's always room for common ground

I see what it's like
I see what it's like for day and night
Never together
'Cause they see things in a different light
Like us, but they never tried
Like us

You and I
We don't wanna be like them
We can make it 'til the end
Nothing can come between
You and I
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us

'Cause you and I

We don't wanna be like them
We can make it 'til the end
Nothing can come between
You and I
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us
No, nothing can come between
You and I, you and I
Oh, you and I
Oh, you and I
We can make it if we try
You and I
Oh, you and I

The song finished and the audience burst into applause that continued even after Percy had sat down. Annabeth wiped a tear from her eye, smiling. Their eyes met and they exchanged a smile. Rachel was all over Percy when he came back.

"Oh, my Gods," Rachel's eyes shined. "That was so amaze! You were awesome, Perce!"

"Thanks, Rachel," Percy said, not even glancing at her.

Not noticing, Rachel went on ranting. "And to think, you dedicated that to me. How lovely, Perc-"

"Hold on," Percy said, finally looking at her. He had to break it to her. "Rachel, this song wasn't about you. It was about somebody else."

Rachel's smile faded. "Oh."

"Listen, Rachel. I know, you're awesome and cool, but… but I realized that being together with you would be cheating both me and you. I wouldn't give my hundred percent. So, I want you to just forget everything. I'm really sorry about this, but I like someone else."

Rachel scowled. "Someone else? Like who? That nerd, Annabeth? You chose me over her, didn't you? What happened now? Did she put something inside your brain to turn you against me?"

"Shut up, Rachel!" Percy almost shouted at her. Lowering his tone, as the others stared at him, he said, "Don't dare give bad words to her. I won't tolerate it. As for who the girl is, it's none of your business. You and I are over."

Rachel glared at him, breathing heavily and went off in a huff.

Beside him, Annabeth changed places and sat next to him, "Well, that was harsh."

Percy grinned at her. "Don't pretend. You loved it."

Annabeth laughed. "Okay. Yes, I did."

"Couldn't just let her insult you and get away with it, could I?" Percy said grinning at her.

"That's so sweet," Annabeth said, smiling at him. Percy moved closer to kiss her, but she pushed him away. "Percy, no. I told you. We're only friends, nothing else."

Percy complained, but agreed nevertheless. The last performance was finished and the host said, "So, we've finished the last of our performances. Now is the time for votes. Everyone will be given one piece of paper and you can write one name on it. The highest number of one name will win first prize and so on till the third prize. The people who participated cannot vote for themselves. The papers are being distributed to whoever wants to vote. But take only one paper! No cheating!"

Annabeth was sitting, writing Percy's name on the piece of paper she was given, when someone tapped her on her shoulder. She turned around to find Luke grinning at her. Fear welled up in her heart but she forced herself to remain calm.

"Care to meet my friends?" Annabeth opened her mouth to decline but Luke interrupted. "It's not a request."

Annabeth looked a bit uncomfortable and got up to go. Percy's eyes glanced at her as she got up. As he saw Luke, he remained mum but put all his anger behind his eyes directed towards him. If looks could kill, he would have killed Luke by then.

Annabeth tried not to scream out loud when Luke put his hand around her waist, pressing her wounds. "So, Annie. What happened with Percy? Rekindled your friendship?" His tone sound menacing.

Annabeth put on a casual tone. "Nothing much. He came and apologized. I accepted. We're just friends. I hope you haven't revealed anything and brought him closer to his death, have you?"

Annabeth took a deep breath. "No, Luke. I haven't."

"Good. You've been a good girl. If I find that it's not true, well, you know what happens." They neared the table where the same two friends as last night, minus Dylan, were hanging out.

"Oh, hey Annie," said, coming closer to her and putting his mouth closer to her face. She could smell alcohol on his foul breath. "Looking as beautiful as last night. And as smooth." He said, sliding his hand across her arm.

"Stay away, Ethan." Annabeth growled at him, flinging his hands away from herself.

"Oh, Annie's in a daredevil mood tonight," Michael grinned. "What do you say, Luke?"

"I think, we should do something special tonight. What do you say boys?" Luke grinned at the other two. "But before, what about some cake?"

He went over to the food counter where pieces of cake were kept. Taking a piece he walked over to Annabeth and offered it to her. When Annabeth declined, he said, "Come on, Annabeth. You disappoint me. Have some."

Without waiting for an answer he began to stuff the cake down Annabeth's mouth. Annabeth struggled to close her mouth, but in vain as Luke held her mouth open. The cake broke to pieces as he stuffed it in her mouth. Just when she thought she could take it anymore, Luke took his hand away to wipe it on a tissue. Annabeth gulped down the cake slowly and painfully closed her mouth as the other two boys laughed behind her.

Calypso was a little distance away from the scene. She had been accepting her congratulations on her brilliant performance, when she saw this scene unfolding in front of her eyes.

Just as she was about to intervene, Leo took her hand and began to drive her away, saying, "I want to show you something."

Calypso resisted but soon gave up thinking about Annabeth not asking to interrupt. She sighed as Leo led her away, the sad feeling weighing heavily in her chest.

Woohoo! Awesome chapter, eh? IKR! Okay, next chapter is the very beginning of the climax and also Caleo… Comment on my story guys… What has happened to you?