NO WITTY PRE CHAPTER AUTHOR'S NOTE JUST A DISCLAIMER. I DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON OR THE CHARACTER, OR ANY OF THE MUSIC THAT IS USED. THE ONLY THING THATBIS MINE IS THE CONCEPT AND PLOT!!! ENJOY
HAZEL POV
"Okay." I sighed putting down the pen.
I held the notepad with my revised notes like something that was fragile and in danger of breaking, which is pretty much how I felt about it.
After countless attempts I was certain that this was 'the one' and in the exhausted- slightly manic state that I was currently in, I was convinced that even blinking too long would make it disappear.
I guess it might help if I rewind and explain that I wasn't crazy, just obsessive. It all started about a month ago when this movie producer showed up right in the middle of my Greek mythology class- which for the record Vice principal Chiron who's also the class's teacher did not appreciate.
*Flashback*
"Okay class," Chiron sat behind his desk stroking his brown beard. He'd let it grow out recently so it was considerably long. Dakota and Frank like to joke that if it were white he'd look like some wizard from that Mythomagic game they like to play with Nico. Major nerds.
"Today you will-drum roll Frank since you always seem to have your sticks at the ready-"
The corner of my boyfriend's mouth turned up in a bashful little smile. He's constantly being told to keep his sticks in his bag but the order never seems to hold. Somehow, someway they always end up back in his hands being twirled and passed between fingers. He told me it's such muscle memory now that he does it sometimes without even realizing it.
He mouthed sorry but there was no anger on Chiron's face. Frank played a classic drum roll on the corner of his desk.
"-become Gods." Chiron finished at the end of the beat. Murmurs of confusion started amongst my classmates. There was an amused smile on Chiron's lips as if he liked the confusion he so often caused us.
"Explain." Gwen called out.
"Well just like the God's had an Olympian council we will create our own. Twelve of you will represent a God that sits on the council. The remaining eight of you will take on roles and portray a conflict from Greek history. Each of you will write reports on your position in the conflict, how the actual person fared in it and how you would have done it. Those of you representing Gods will display how you'd actually hold council and address the issue."
Hands flew into the air and as excited requests for which person they'd like to represent were shouted at Chiron. He chuckled and gestured for us to calm down.
"I've already selected who's portraying whom and the conflict we'll address, so don't get too excited. I also felt that it was only fitting to place some of you in the roles of your parents namesake."
'Ahhhhh man' and 'no fair' became the most unified responses. He picked up a paper from his desk and cleared his throat.
"The twelve Gods of the Olympian council will be Frank for Ares."
"Of course." My boyfriend sighed with a roll of his eyes.
"Hazel, you'll be Artemis, seeing as how your father's namesake was technically not a part of the Olympian council." I simply nodded in acknowledgement.
"James, Zeus. Dean, Apollo. Kiran, Hermes. Kaden, Poseidon. Reyna, Athena. Laci, Hera. Drew, Aphrodite."
At hearing who she'd portray Drew flipped her hair over her shoulder.
"Dakota you'll be Dyonisus."
"That's the wine dude, yeah?" My friend asked, causing Chiron to chuckle.
"Yes Dakota. He is the wine dude. Gwen you'll be-"
"Yeah let me stop you right there VP." She held up her hand and cut the man off. "I've done the math and you've got two people left- one female- and I do not want to be the cereal goddess." She argued. The whole class snickered.
"I'll switch with her." Dean offered with a toothy grin to my blonde bestie. It was one that did not go unnoticed by Dakota, whose eyes shifted inquisitively between the two of them. "I like cereal." He shrugged and the class went into full on laughter.
"Fine, fine." Chiron wrote the adjusted names down on his paper. "That just leaves Hephaestus...Bryce?" All eyes turned to the back of the room to where a kid in a hoodie sat. He'd been quietly observing the rest of class just like always since he transferred in.
"Do I have a choice?" He asked. It's probably the most words i've heard him speak in class.
"Oh come on this will be good for you. You're on the set crew for the school's musical right?" Bryce nodded hesitantly. "Well the god of forges it is."
Chiron then went on to list the remaining roles and it became clear the project we'd be doing is over the Trojan war. Fun.
"Okay, now that you all have your roles I want you to do some re-" our favorite teacher was once again cut off, this time by the classroom door being thrown open. A young handsome Hispanic man in a suit strode in like he owned the place. We al watched in silent surprise and curiosity as he scanned over the class. When his gaze landed on me a grin appeared on his face and he yanked the shades off.
"Hazel Levesque? Or is it Jackson now?" He asked. His voice had a latin accent so I was correct about my Hispanic assumptions. When he said my name though it sounded like Hai-zel.
"It's still Levesque." I answered. I studied the man trying to see if I recognized him but I didn't. "You are?"
" Alejandro Pryme." Reaching into his jacket pocket, he approached my desk and both Dakota and Frank stood up so fast their chairs made scratching sounds against the floor.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. They're still very over protective. I might as well still have the ex marines. I guess I can't blame them though because having a friend kidnapped and held hostage for a couple weeks makes you protective.
"Whoa there guys!" Alejandro held up his hands and took a step back from my self appointed teenage bodyguards. "I was just trying to introduce myself." That cocky grin never left his face.
"Yeah, I have some questions about that myself." Chiron wheeled out from behind his desk and to Mr. Pryme. "Starting with how you got into the school and how you found out which class Ms. Levesque was in."
"Thats an excellent question Chiron." Frank said. His face looked calm but I knew my boyfriend. He was as tense as a coiled snake-waiting for this mysterious man to make a wrong move.
"Oh, that." He waved it off. "I bribbed your student aid working at the front desk." He skidded past the explanation like it was a minor detail. "I have some important business to discuss with the young CEO here." I understood the moment he called me 'CEO' that he was here for Elysium purposes.
He reached back into his jacket pocket and pulled out a business card. He eyed my boyfriend while slowly passing the card to me.
Alejandro PrymeKinema studios ( 789-1956)
"You're a producer?"
"That I am." I passed the card off to Frank who looked at it then passed it to Dakota and Gwen.
This relaxed the guys though Frank stayed standing.
"Still doesn't explain what you're doing here." He pointed out.
"To talk business of course."
"Is this how you do business?" Chiron asked. "You trespass on school property, interrupt my class, use informal and borderline inappropriate means rather than use the proper channels of communication?"
"Uhmmm..." For a second Mr. Pryme was at a loss for words but then he gave an awkward chuckle and put forth his most charming smile-which admittedly was that. "Well it got their attention didn't it."
"That it did." Gwen said then turned to me. "Annabeth's already gonna read him the riot act just for doing this so I want to see if it was at least worth it."
"Uh...wait. She'll do what exactly?" The cocky demeanor he walked in with waivered a bit.
"Yeah I've seen an upset Annabeth." Dakota shivered. "This has to be something good."
When I looked at Frank he just shrugged. I spared a glance at Chiron to see where he stood on it.
"Seriously?" He asked.
"Five minutes. Por favor." Alejandro pleaded.
Chiron never said yes. He just grumbled under his breath and wheeled back to his desk. The rest of the class was a mix of silence and hushed whispers.
"Hey Siri." Gwen said out loud and her phone beeped in recognition. "Set a timer for five minutes."
"Okay," her english accented Siri replied. "setting a timer for five minutes."
"Clock starts now." Dakota noted.
"I need a song, well three songs really."
"Is that it?" Gwen asked. Her face showed that she was disappointed by his request. "You risked Annabeth's rath for that?"
"I risk a lot for good business."
Reyna spoke next, surprising him because he'd only been dealing with our group.
"You've never met Annabeth have you?" She asked, eyeing him with a genuine smile of amusement.
"Well...in person no but i've heard all wonderful things. She's really-"
"-Can I be there when she kills him?" Reyna cut him off and asked me.
I waived her off with a shake of my head and turned back to Alejandro.
"Three songs? That's what you barged into our class for? You could have called."
"Yes, but as I said I wanted to get your attention. I think we can help each other."
"How?" Frank asked.
"For now Elysium's only claim to fame is the Demigod name. Original not the reboot."
"Huh, three minutes." Gwen scoffed.
"I didn't mean to offend. I only mean to state facts and the fact is most of Elysium's credit rests on the reputations of your predecessors. That benefit you did went a long way in establishing your new generation and you're gaining traction by having two artists opening on a national tour. Most people only tune in for the Percy, Nico, and Thalia of it all but they stay because of what you've done. You grow more popular everyday and I want in on that. I'm working on a new project, a book to movie project and the soundtrack is still missing that one song, you know?"
"No, I don't know." I said.
"Have you ever noticed how the best movies have theme songs? The song that plays over most trailers. The song that's meant to become synonymous with the movie itself. When people hear the song they'll think of the movie, and then when people think of the movie they remember the song-thus the artists."
I looked back at my bandmates who all wore effective neutral faces to mask the budding excitement I knew they felt.
"And you want us to write it?" I asked.
"Yes. I want a song from all three groups actually. It was not an accident that I came to this class specifically." He looked at The Unholy Trinity and Insomnia-who admittedly looked bored at first but were now tuned in.
"You want us to write songs for the movie too?" Dean asked. His excitement radiated off him in waves. "Bitchin'!"
"Dean." Chiron scolded.
"Sorry." He wasn't.
"Yes, I do want songs from The Unholy Trinity and Insomnia as well but we already have specifics on which songs we'd like you to submit. It's all in here."
He reached into his pocket again and fished out a thumbdrive. He placed it on my desk.
"This would be Elysium's first big project under new management. Kill this and it will show that you've got the skills to back up that family name."
"And you get to use our ever growing popularity to promote your movie." Alejandro's smile widened like he was amused that I would figure that out. I wasn't just some stupid rich kid though. Wow it's still weird to think that I can say I'm a rich kid.
"Our general overall fan base ranges mostly from preteens to college age and having us write this movie 'anthem' gets a lot of exposure and press for your movie."
"So you see, it's a win-win situation." Just then the timer went off on Gwen's phone.
"Think about it." He tapped the thumb drive once more. "My number's on the card."
He started making his way out the door then paused.
"You will tell your-umm...your Annabeth," He said fumbling to grasp the right word. That happens often. People unsure of how to address the relationship between Annabeth and me or Percy and me. They're afraid of getting the title wrong or offending one of us.
"to take it easy on me, yeah? Can't do business if i'm dead."
"Good luck!" Was the collective response from all of my friends and even Chiron.
"Ay dios mio!" He said more so to himself as he finally left.
When he was gone the class erupted with excited chatter. Our classmates asking us questions and speculating what movie it could be.
"We're doing this right?" James asked me. Thats when I realized half the class was looking at me.
"Uh..." I didn't want to give a definite answer yet. I swore i'd make big decisions like this only after speaking with Annabeth first. She's worried about us getting into bed with the wrong people. She's already not going to like the way this transaction transpired but i'd be stupid to let this project pass us up.
"I'll tell Annabeth its something we're looking into doing and that we really want to." That was the best answer I could give them and they knew it so they took the win.
"Alright. Enough, enough!" Chiron clapped. "Can we get back to Greek Mythology please." He went on to explain the rest of our project but I didn't hear a word. I sat in my desk turning the thumb drive over in my hand and contemplating the opportunity that was literally dropped on the table before me.
*FLASHBACK END*
It didn't take much to get Annabeth to agree once she got over her anger and his audacity. She did barge into his office during a conference call and went off though. I wasn't there for it but in the few times that they've crossed paths since, Alejandro gets all jittery and finds some excuse to leave.
The meeting we had to sign contract papers was awkward due to the glares she kept giving him but she recognized just like me how perfect this actually was. The only problem is me. Writing a song carrying high expectations is kind of stressful, especially when the chance to really launch the label I so arrogantly started is riding on it.
I may have pitched restarting the label last year but we didn't really get to start working on Elysium business until the beginning of this year. It had taken months to have all the paperwork drawn, signed, and checked by lawyers once Annabeth, Percy, Nico, and Thalia agreed to the idea. Rather than find an entirely new location for the label to use, Percy had the 3rd floor in Olympus tower reconstructed for us so that took time too. We had our own offices, bathrooms, recording studios, and game room. That last part was Dakota's idea.
By the time construction was finished though and we were able to get settled in, there was only a few weeks left in the year before we'd be going back to camp.
Jessie Reyez, one of my first signs aside from my friend's, and Dean's sister Arianna are the artists he mentioned were touring right now. They're not a duo but they really hit it off and collaborated a few times. When one of the hottest female artists out there right now, *cough Kehlani cough* put out the infp amoung the music world that she was in need of two artists to open for her on the 'Femme Fatal' tour, I knew just which two to send.
The girls of The Unholy Trinity did have some words to say about that though, but even if i wanted to change the artists I couldn't. Per Annabeth's request a clause within our 3 band's contracts stated that we couldn't tour during the school year. We could on occasion miss a day or two for a festival or show but no more than a week so long as we're in high school.
But it's cool because both Insomnia and The Unholy Trinity are putting out albums soon. Our own group has even been nominated for the Emerging Music Group of the year award in the Muse's Music Awards. And if the soundtrack does well it could be nominated for an award too which would mean all the artists get to attend the award show and get recognition. Essentially that means more good press
Truly we're doing good as far as fetus businesses go but for every stride forward I make there's another troll on the internet ranting that we're not as talented as our predecessors. They comment about all of us but a lot of the hate is centered around the theory that if it weren't for my family connections I would never make it in the music business, and that my career was basically handed to me.
Ouch, right!
I try not to let it get to me too much though. I just focus on the music and hold on to the fact that none of these people actually know me or what I've done and haven't done to get to this point in my life. I could easily clap back at them, as Reyna keeps insisting, but I'd rather let my music do the talking. I might not ever know if the opportunities laid before me now or in the future are earned by my own volition or from my familia ties, but what I can do is let my music speak legions. I can let my voice and my words prove the success I earned-will earn is by my own merits. I'm determined to make sure they see that I deserve to be a part of this family dynasty. . The first step to that is crushing the label's first major project, thus the obsession with making sure it turns out right.
I practically ran out of the office Gwen and I shared and down the hall to studio A.
It's a pretty simple and typical set up. On one side of the room is a couple of couches and chairs, a mini fridge , a coffee table and a first class soundboard. On the other side of the sound proof glass in the actual booth is a set up of all the essential instruments: guitars, brass, piano keyboards and such. Inside the booth was an entirely separate smaller booth for the drum set. Drums are a pretty strong instrument that can easily drown out others so this way the risk of too much deafining booms is limtted.
This specific system though is special. As a 17th birthday present and by way of apology, Clarisse asked Leo to trick out a set for Frank. Using the same kind of set up and drum pads that a Rock band game would have, Leo created a program that allows the pads to interface with the laptop and sound board. Frank is always complaining that drum pads sour the need for drummers and that it's hard to still get the complete beat that way, so Leo made it possible. The padded drum set is plugged into a laptop that is synced with the sound system and soundboard. Now instead of mixing in certain computer generated beats we're able to select a specific beat effect and assign it to a specific drum in the set, so when Frank strikes we'll hear that effect while maintaining full drum flow.
In the studio I found Gwen and the other engineer working over the board. Frank was sitting on a stool in the booth helping Dakota figure out some riff on his bass.
Gwen saw me approaching and got up to meet met me halfway
"I've got it." We said at the same time. "You go." We said simultaneously again. For a moment we silently stood there with narrowed eyes, waiting for the other to start.
"Panning." Gwen said almost hesitantly as to not interrupt me in case I started talking too. "We pann the beat on playback so it bounces between right and left speakers after that first major beat drop."
"And we invert the beat on the choruses and interlude." This was actually one of the revised notes I'd come up with and was on my way to tell her. "I was thinking the same thing." My blonde haired best friend gleamed then frowned.
"Wait, what interlude?" She questioned and I thrusted the notepad out to her.
"The one I just incorporated along with a beat break down right after it. I also tweaked the lyrics to the chorus...and changed the name of the song."
"To?" She asked. Her voice portrayed calm but her eyes narrowed into thin accusatory slits. She hates it when I make last minute major changes but she also trusts my skills and instincts.
A sly smile was my response. "You'll see. I also need you on board in the foli archives. I'm looking for a different sound on the stomp clap.
"Way ahead of you." She went to type on the laptop synced with the soundboard. "See I was thinking the same thing and while you were in the office I went through it and found these." She played three different sounds. "The stomp is a deep bang that gives me a multiply empty Thor like goblet drinking glasses hitting a wooden table at once kind of vibes.
"Oddly very specific, " I noted which she either ignored or didn't hear. "What were the other two?"
"Basic slapstick and a calabasa shaker."
"Yes. I want it, I want them all."
"Cool, 'cause I was able to fit the effects to the appropriate pads in tangent to the flow he's already been playing. No need to change it up." There was a smug smirk on her face that was reserved specifically for genius moments like this. If there was a mic in her hand I'm almost certain she would have dropped it with a 'boom bitch!'
"And this is why I will name my first born after you." I said.
"Really?" She looked intrigued by the idea of a little mini Gwen. I, on the other hand, was terrified.
"Eh" I shrugged and rethought it immediately. "But I need you here on the soundboard running with the changes and adding whatever you feel is necessary.
"My specialty! Keep up grasshopper." She said to Jay, the guy sitting next to her.
Jay is a fairly good looking twenty-two year old who apparently used to be a counselor at camp. When he graduated Percy hired him at Olympus as an engineer. He's not exclusive to us but we work a lot with him. From project to project each group of course has and is welcome to bring in their own engineer, but with the understanding that they all technically work under him, like a team captain of sorts. This includes Gwen since along with being a recording artist she's also listed as an engineer with the label.
Jay is really laid back though. He gives everyone the creative space and freedom they need with minimal interference to their creative visions. He never tries to pull rank over the other engineers, especially not with Gwen. Not to say that my best friend is scary, but more often than not her...enthusiasm and strong personality can...well lets just say she asserts her dominance.
He doesn't take offense to it though. I can see him marveling at how quick Gwen is able to find the missing piece to a mix. On some level I'm sure the beatmaker in him has a crush on the beatmaker in her.
He held his hands up and scooted aside. "I just want to see some magic," he baited.
I left them to get ready and headed into the booth. Frank noticed me first.
"Hey, you think we should call it for now?" He slid off the stool and met my approach. He took my hand and smiled down at me. "You look wrecked babe."
Yeah, I knew I looked a mess. We'd been here for who knows how many hours. My hair, which had grown considerably and actually needed a cut, was frizzy and poofy so i'm sure I looked like a troll person. My breath probably didn't smell too good either and yet there was no sign of disgust on his face, only concern and a little bit of amusement like he thought the way I let my determination consume me in this project to be adorable.
"Yeah Hazel, your head's starting to look like some wild fuzzy animal." Dakota mused. "I've got a brush in my bag...or a weed wacker in my trunk," he cackled.
"Thanks." I said flatly, giving him a look that made it clear that I didn't find him quite as funny as he did himself. Before he could comment again tugged off the hair tie on my wrist and threw it up in a messy bun.
"We're gonna give it one more go." I paused allowing them the chance to protest but neither boy said a thing. I got them caught up on the changes really quick. Dakota looked passed me to his girlfriend through the glass for confirmation.
"Alright." He sighed, adjusting the strap of his bass. "Crown, take...what 32?"
"Actually it's River, take 1." He pondered the rename a second then nodded appreciatively.
Frank gave me a kiss on the cheek, pushing his bottle of water into my hand as he did, and winked as he scooped up his sticks and went to the drummers mini booth. Currently the V100, the name Leo gave the set he designed, was the one set up in the drummers booth as it's the one we've been using.
River by Briggs
As I was drinking the water I realized two things. One I was a lot thirstier than I realized or this water was just amazing! And two, I think Frank slipped a peppermint in the water before he gave it to me. A subtle way of confirming my breath theories. It might not actually help the actual situation at the moment but the perminty taste in my mouth will help me feel a little less subconscious about it. Bless that boy!
"Alright, we ready?" Gwen's voice came over the intercom. We each gave our own way of showing we were. Dakota strummed his bass, Frank did a little drum break down, and I just threw a thumbs up after putting the headphones on. I slanted it so that only the left ear was covered.
Dakota kicked it off with a four count strum of his bass that Gwen already had marked to fade in.
The first beat drop came with the new effect change we added to Frank's pads, and that's where I came in.
Like a river, like a river, sh-
Like a river, like a river, sh-
Like a river, like a river
Shut your mouth and run me like a river
How do you fall in love?
So I haven't read the script but Alejandro did give me a general run down of the movie including the purpose of this song. So in the movie the main character is caught in a love triangle with two other characters and the scene in which this song is meant for is the scene where the character finally gives in to her desires for one of the characters and...well the thing that happens after the big kiss and the credit rolls is what goes down in this scene. It's also the like ending scene that leads into the credit roll. Alejandro made it clear on multiple occasions this song was the song for the movie. It's the only one being written specifically for it and so it was the song of the movie.
No pressure right.
Harder than a bullet could hit you
Instinctively I spared a glance at Frank. Is it cliche to say that I drew upon my own romantic feelings to write this song?
How do we fall apart?
Faster than a hairpin trigger
With this being the sign of the long awaited 'climax' of the main character and her love interest of choice, I feel that this song doesn't need to say it's about tension and release but feel like it is. Dakota's bass gives it a smooth sound that's cathartic but Frank's beats really builds in a way that's just begging for the dam to break.
Don't you say, don't you say it
Don't say, don't you say it
A song like this is meant to be about being and feeling closer to that special one along with the budding tension of 'shut up and kiss me'.
One breath, it'll just break it
So shut your mouth and run me like a river
My eyes had been trained on the drummer boy. Watching the way his muscles flexed with each hit. Seeing as he felt the music with his whole body. The careful way he held his sticks.
I shook my head clear of the thoughts and refocused on singing. I'm able to zone out sometimes but this is where I made lyric changes. Knowledge of that forced my brain out of autopilot and into focus.
Shut your mouth, baby, stand and deliver
I couldn't hear it now on live playback but this is where Gwen should have started the inverted effect on the beat.
Holy hands, will they make me a sinner?
Like a river, like a river
Shut your mouth and run me like a river
Choke this love 'til the veins start to shiver
One last breath 'til the tears start to wither
Like a river, like a river
Shut your mouth and run me like a river
I let the beat run for about ten seconds or less before coming back in with verse 2.
Tales of an endless heart
Cursed is the fool who's willing
Can't change the way we are
One kiss away from killing
Okay, i'll admit I Know what it's like to feel all consumed by love. That's what teen love is, isn't it? All I know is when i'm with Frank, near him or thinking of him I kind of feel like this. There are moments, like when we're not doing anything but making out, where I feel as its not enough. We're not touching enough, we're not kissing enough and yet evy touch and kiss is like a billion little bolt of lightning coursing through my body.
Don't you say, don't you say it
Don't say, don't you say it
One breath, it'll just break it
So shut your mouth and run me like a river
My eyes landed on Frank again, only this time his eyes were watching me too. He played with ease, as if the movements were second nature to him. His eyes watched me though and it was clear where his attention was truly at.
I flushed under gaze, feeling warmer and warmer as if his eyes were giving off heat.
Shut your mouth, baby, stand and deliver
Holy hands, will they make me a sinner?
Like a river, like a river
Shut your mouth and run me like a river
Choke this love 'til the veins start to shiver
One last breath 'til the tears start to wither
Like a river, like a river
Shut your mouth and run me like a river
Here was the bridge I added. Right now I could still here the basic
Boom. Clap. boom, boom clap, clap. Boom. Clap. But Gwen knows it's supposed to be inverted on playback. Im sure she'll do a few things of her own velocity as well.
Like a river, like a river, sh-
Like a river, like a river, sh-
Like a river, like a river
Shut your mouth and run me like a river
I knew at that moment that this was indeed the one. Even with a lot of pressure riding on this one song I never lost track of what mattered first and foremost; the music. And with this song playing such a major part in the image of the movie I needed it to elicit major feels.
I need someone to hear this song and think 'wow this song has multiple personalities.' A song like this is strong and weak. The singer, or in this case the characters in the movie are feeling torn; caught between controlling, submissive. This is something I think will resonate with people in terms of an incense build finally finding release in a climatic encounter.
Hey! Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh!
Hey! Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh! (Like a river)
Hey! Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh!
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! (Like a river)
Like a river
Shut your mouth, baby, stand and deliver (Like a river, like a river)
Holy hands, will they make me a sinner? (Like a river, like a river)
Like a river, like a river
Shut your mouth and run me like a river
Choke this love 'til the veins start to shiver (Like a river, like a river)
One last breath 'til the tears start to wither (Like a river, like a river)
Like a river, like a river
Shut your mouth and run me like a river
The last note faded out and I breathed, like really breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was epic!" Gwen said.
"That was award worthy." Dakota corrected. "We're sooo going to win Soundtrack of the Year."
"You're also sooo in trouble." A new but familiar voice mocked. I wasn't sure when it happened but Annabeth and Percy had joined us.
Gwen jumped when she realized the man and woman were standing behind her.
"Oh god! Seriously?" She grabbed her chest.
"Yeah, now imagine our surprise getting home from our flight and not find you in your bed." Percy said. I winced as he gave me that rarely used stern look.
"I know. I'm sorry I broke curfew and I know its late on a school night but-"
"Late?" Annabeth interrupted. The blonde woman scrutinized us and looked around the dark room. "Do you guys know what time it is?"
I shrugged. "We really wanted to get this finished. It was the last song for the soundtrack and the producer is coming by with the director to hear them tomorrow."
"Today."
"Huh?" Frank asked.
"The producer is coming today." Annabeth said slowly, making sure we understood fully.
Percy held up his phone. The background was a picture of him and Annabeth sitting by the campfire at camp. That wasn't the important part though. What really caught my eye were the 3 illuminated numbers in the middle of the screen.
"It's 7:45 in the morning. You stayed up all night." My cousin/dad said.
The four of us were completely quiet. The windows in the studio had some really thick shades pulled over them so we had no way of gauging the time outside.
"Dude, we're screwed." My boyfriend said stumbling out of the drum booth.
"What's the big deal, so we call in sick one day." Dakota said. He put his instrument down a little more calmly and stretched with a lazy yawn. "I could definitely sleep all day."
"Yeah except todays that big project in Chiron's class that makes up a third of our grade this year." Gwen said.
Crap. She was right. I'd gotten so caught up working on the song I forgot. Crap! Crap! Crap!
"I'll mix this down and save it on the servers." Jay said to Gwen.
"Thanks." She patted him on the shoulder then turned to me. "I'm driving!"
ALRIGHT! SOOOOOO WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK? REVIEW FOLLOW FAVORITE. SORRY IF IT SEEMS LIKE IT ENDED ABRUPTLY I REALLY WANTED TO POST BEFORE GOING TO WORK.