Percy's POV

We arrived back at the dorms and put on the clothes that we had bought. The girls had just arrived as we were getting ready.

"Guys, hurry up. Mr. McKenzie said that he'll be here any minute now and that we have to be ready," Andrew informed us. We understood and I quickly put on my clothes.

Mr. McKenzie arrived a few minutes later and everyone was already dressed up. I spotted Annabeth in her dress and I gasped. She is beautiful.

Her dress was flowing down to her knees, her hair up in a ponytail, but curly strands were cascading down the side of her face. She had on owl earrings and the double star necklace. She was wearing a pale bracelet and heels that made her look taller.

My eyes widened when I saw her, but I noticed that she didn't look all that cheery. I wanted to question her, but the others rushed us out the door to the van.

"Hurry, hurry, we don't have much time." We all stacked into the van and the driver drove right away. The van was silent, but Jeremy began to talk and everyone joined in, however, I was still staring worriedly at Annabeth, who was just sitting there and looking at her hands. My eyebrows furrowed and I was afraid that something bad had happened. Maybe something with Rachel. I'll have to ask later.

The rest of the way was with the others cheering and nervous, while I kept looking at Annabeth.

When we had arrived at the ballroom, it was already dark and there was a big line of people and the press was there, scooping up everything that came out of everyone's mouth. We decided to use the back door, just for Annabeth's sake, and walk through there so no one would recognize us.

We walked through the tons of people who crowded the ballroom. They were all in their best clothes, consisting of evening gowns and tuxedos. Everyone blended in very well.

There were Doric pillars aligned the wall with red draperies hanging from the windows. There was a giant chandelier that hung above everyone's heads. I looked up and noticed the cupids that were painted on the dome shaped ceiling.

Mr. McKenzie led us over to a part of the room, where President Allen was talking to a woman in her late forties. They were having a glass of wine and talking to each other in a mannerly way.

"Who's that?" Jeremy asked Sam. Sam shook his head.

"I have no idea." Andrew seemed nervous as well and Rachel and Silena wandered off somewhere. Only the four of us and Annabeth were there and we walked over to the President. When he spotted us, he smiled.

"Boys!" We walked over and he introduced us to the woman who was in a red evening gown. Her hair was pin up with intricate braids and she was wearing black heels. "This is A.J. The leader, Percy Jackson," I nodded. "There's Sam, the lead guitarist." Sam smiled and shook the woman's hand. "Jeremy, the drummer." Jeremy nodded cheerfully and vigorously shook the woman's hand. "And Andrew, keyboardist and main vocals along with Percy." The woman shook his hand and Andrew gave a smile. The President didn't seem to forget about Annabeth.

"Oh, and this is Annabeth Chase, the twin sister of Andrew Chase." Annabeth gave a small nod, but didn't smile, earning a concern look from me. Although, it went unnoticed.

The woman in the red introduced herself.

"Thank you all for coming today. I'm Delaney Smith, the manager for the band, JAS." My eyes widen in surprise and so did all the other members.

"Y-you're the m-manager of JAS?" Jeremy asked, stuttering. She nodded and chuckled.

"That is correct, Jeremy." There was a generous hint in her voice. "I'd like to thank you for coming and welcome you to the JAS family. Although there might be rivalry against the two bands, I'd like us to stay friends and get along well." President Allen and Mr. McKenzie agreed with her and shook their heads.

"Now, if you come this way, you will meet the members of JAS."

To tell you the truth, I was skeptical about meeting JAS. I saw a picture of them and they were all handsome men, around our age. I thought that we'd have tough competition and I think that I'm correct.

They led us over to a group of people who were crowding the three boys. When the President called for them, they excused themselves from the group and walked over to us.

They stood in front of us and smiled.

"JAS, I'd like for you to meet A.J." They nodded. "And A.J, I'd like you to meet JAS."

We nodded back and exchanged handshakes. They started to introduce themselves.

"I'm Jase, the leader." Jase was the tallest of them all, standing barely higher than me, with sandy blonde hair, electric blue eyes, and a wild grin. Next, was probably Aiden.

"Hello. I'm Aiden." He smiled. Aiden had curly brown hair, reminding me of a boy I knew, with forest green eyes, and a gentle smile. The last one was Shane.

"Hellooooo, I'm Shane!" Shane obviously was the vigorous one, with the red hair, freckles spilled across his face, and deep brown eyes.

All three of them had something I didn't like about them, but I couldn't say otherwise. We began to introduce ourselves.

"I'm Percy Jackson. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Sam Kozak."

"I'm JEREMY!"

"And I'm Andrew Chase." Then, they had their attention on Annabeth. I could've sworn that they gave her a weird look, and I furrowed my eyebrows. Were they thinking of something?

"And who's this?" Jase asked. Annabeth looked up and saw that they were talking about her.

"Oh, sorry. I'm Annabeth Chase, twin sister of Andrew Chase." JAS nodded, giving another weird look. I would have to remember about that.

"You're Sam's girlfriend, right?" Annabeth's head shot up and Sam was surprised. She shook her head.

"No, w-we broke up. It'd be better if we just stayed friends." They gave Sam and Annabeth a questioningly look, but I broke the silence.

"Alright, look, Mr. McKenzie and the President." It was a lame excuse to stop the conversation.

You see, Annabeth and Sam had 'broken up' two years ago, before she left to go to Europe. I thought that everyone knew about that.

We all greeted each other and after that, Mr. McKenzie and the President interrupted us.

"Alright, boys, let's get the party started!" There was music that boomed from speakers and I noticed that everyone began to dance. I could tell that this was not a regular ballroom dance. It was like a club, with loud music and everyone dancing. The evening gown people were sitting down, talking to one another, while the others, who were in party wear, were dancing the night away. Hey, if there are two famous bands in the same room, you wouldn't be surprised if a party broke out.

Jeremy, Sam, and Andrew went out to dance. I stayed behind and watched the vibrant colors blast. Annabeth was sitting down, looking even more depressed than usual. That's when I couldn't take it anymore.

I grabbed her by the wrist and walked out of the ballroom. There was an empty hallway and I made sure that no one was there.

When I was certain, I pushed my hand past her and she leaned against the wall. I was standing right in front of her and I stared right into her eyes. Suddenly, my eyes widen.

Annabeth's eyes were filled with fear. They were filled with insecurity and sadness. It was like when I was waiting for her to come back.

There was a small water droplet by her eyes and I furrowed my eyebrows, eyes filled with concern.

"What's going on, Annabeth?" I asked, softly. She shook her head.

"Nothing."

"Than why are there tears in your eyes?" Her eyes widen, unaware that she was tearing up.

"I-I...no...There's nothing wrong." I could hear her voice shake and asked her once more, hurting as well to see her like this.

"Please Annabeth. Tell me what's wrong?" Her once beautiful features were stained with tears and I waited for an answer.

"There were people," she choked out. I looked at her confused.

"People?" She nodded.

"Yeah. People. When Rachel and I were out shopping, I overheard something that I didn't want to hear. And then, when JAS said something, I remembered it again and it hurt. A lot." Her voice was strained with emotion and I stare at her scared.

She was uncertain.

"What was it that the people said?"

She started off slow, but gradually said the sentences.

Annabeth's POV

I didn't like to cry, especially when I got back. It was one of those things that just happen and I have no control over it. And I hate it.

I began to tell Percy about what had happened.

Flashback

When Rachel went to get other things, she left me alone by the dressing room. I decided to go back in and sit for a while.

When I did, I leaned over and smiled at what was happening. I was back. And Percy's with me.

Suddenly, I heard voices. I recognized them. They were the voices of the store clerks that I had talked to before. But what I overheard was hard to bear.

"Why is she here? Annabeth, I mean." I stiffened. They were talking about me.

"I know right. No wonder Sam broke up with her. She's not good enough for him. I wonder why she's still around anyways."

"I heard that her brother sent her off to Europe, but she ended up coming back here."

"What a stalker."

"I know right. I don't know what we'll do with her. The other members of the band seemed mutual about Annabeth. That means that there's nothing going on, right?Also, remember that concert two years ago? Percy was hugging some random fan, then saying 'I love you,' to her. Most have been a publicity act. I hear that no one really knows who she is. This means that all the best fans have a chance. "

"Yup." And their voices faded away.

I sat there, unsure of what I had heard.

Was I that useless? Did I not have a purpose in this world? Is that what people really think?

The questions raced through my head.

When Rachel finally returned, I stayed sullen for the rest of the way.

Percy's POV

When Annabeth had explained everything to me, my eyes were open wide and I was already angry with the two store clerks that had said all that.

"Th-that's why...when JAS brought up Sam and I...I was wondering why someone like you would like someone like me. A big star like you, liking a nobody like me...isn't that just different?" Her words had echoed in my head, but smiled.

I took my hands and rubbed the tears away from her eyes.

"Annabeth, don't listen to them." I blushed. "I...love you." My face had darkened a shade and I was trying not to meet Annabeth's eyes. Then, I heard chuckling.

I look up, confused. Annabeth was chuckling.

"What's so funny?" She continued to chuckle.

"Nothing. It's just that...you looked embarrassed to say things like that." I pouted.

"That's not it, idiot." She continued to chuckled and I joined her.

For the first time, I truly felt like Annabeth was with me. She was laughing with me, standing with me, and smiling with me.

Then, I gently leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. I pulled away and saw her face darken in color.

Suddenly, I heard noises from down the hall. I turned around and what I saw horrified me.

There was the press. And they've been taking pictures.

I noticed one person out of the many that were standing outside. It was the idiotic, Reporter Jim.

He smirked and I could see an evil glint in his eyes.

"This will make an amazing head story, don't you think? 'A.J's Percy Jackson With Band mate Sam's Ex-Girlfriend.' How does that sound?"

Sorry for the horrible chapter, and I'm also soooooo sorry for not updating. The Mark of Athena has come out and I can't WAIT till my copy arrives. Thank you for reading!