Chapter 5: I can't do it!

Percy struggled to hold back the tears that were threatning to overcome him. Of course he knew Gabe was awful and when he was 12 he realized that he had hit her. But to know that it had been his fault and wondering how many other black eyes and bruises she got made him want to go to the Underworld and kill him again.

"I'm sorry Percy," Annabeth said as she squeezed his hand. Percy smiled at her grateful to have her by his side.

Others in the audience also gave him sympathetic looks.

The 23rd approached faster than Percy expected. His mother was straightening the hood on his golden robe that everyone in the choir had to wear.

"You look great sweetie," his mother said with a big smile on her face, "I know you're going to do great, and I can't wait to hear your solo."

Percy smiled back at his mother's smile, taking in the warmth that it always brought him.

Percy was nervous as the two of them, Gabe didn't want to go, drove to Carnegie Hall. It was around 6:30 PM and the show started at 7:00 PM. They were running late after Gabe demanded more food after he had already finished dinner.

By 6:50 PM they arrived. A frantic and angry Sir O, who was also wearing a golden robe to the amusement of Percy, met them outside and quickly dragged Percy in to where the others were. Everyone was wearing their golden robes and had their hair combed and were all dressed very nice.

"You are so dead Perseus Jackson. I swear to Zeus that sometimes you kids just make me want to compose an Opera about how the modern child lacks the capability to ever behave like a civilized child. Why would you come so late? The show starts in eight minutes now and you haven't even warmed up your voice, have you?" Sir O screamed at Percy, his intense blue eyes seemed to contain a blue fire in them as he glared.

"No, um Sir O. But we can practice now, or continue to argue." Percy stated quickly.

Sir O glared at him but rounded everyone up into their normal positions and had everyone do familiar warm-ups. As there were going through Doe a Deer, a man in a black t-shirt and black pants informed them that they had to start lining up on stage.

Percy would be the last one to exit right after Sir O because he would be singing lead in the song "The Fountain." When Sir O motioned for him to come on stage his mind blanked. He had no thoughts, only recognition that the entire audience was clapping for him and what felt like a billion eyes were all gleaming directly on him.

Sir O gave a little speech on how through his remarkable skills he was able to transform delinquent and troubled boys into civilized creatures that were now performing in Carnegie hall. Something that would win him the Nobel Peace prize one day he claimed. Then Sir O stood on the conducter's podium and motioned for everyone to straighten up and smile. Then everyone began to sing.

Percy's solo didn't come until after the full choir began a sort of chant. When it was Percy's time to shine, he took in a deep breath and began:

The water sighs for me.

Through tear drops now I see,

The streaming water knows,

The Fountain overflows,

To cry for all,

To wash all sorrow in waves of peace and love

Free my thirsty soul again,

O' living Fountain.

After the song was over the crowd erupted into roars of applause. Percy wished he could see his mom within all the people but couldn't. He wanted to see her smile the most.

Sir O nodded approvingly at him and gave him a quick smile. Percy knew he did great with the first song, but with "Deep Peace" he had to harmonize with Aaron and Will. He wasn't the main singer of this song, Castor got that honor. Aaron, Will, and Castor joined Percy at the front of the stage. Castor and Will gave Percy a quick thumbs up. Aaron looked like he was about to poop bricks, so Percy nudged his shoulder and whispered good luck.

Sir O then motioned his fingers and the accompanying Orchestra began to play. Castor sang first:

Deep peace of the running wave to you,

Deep peace of the flowing air to you,

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,

Deep peace of the shining stars to you

Deep peace of the gentle night to you

Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.

Percy's harmonization with Will and Aaron repeated the same lines as what Castor sung:

Deep peace of the running wave to you,

Deep peace of the flowing air to you,

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,

Deep peace of the shining stars to you

Deep peace of the gentle night to you

Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.

After they finished the song they were met with another roaring round of applause and a few shouts of praise from the audience. Sir O then bowed to the audience and motioned for the soloist to do so also. Then the choir exited the stage.

Percy was in the trance of an adrenaline rush. His heart was pumping, his palms were sweaty, but he felt like a million bucks. After a few hugs from the other choristers and a pat on the head from Sir O he met his mother outside, running up to her as fast as he could as she enveloped him into her arms.