Here's the next chapter everybody! I don't know how many times I can say thank you for the reviews but thank you! And thank you for those who are reading this story as well.

School is starting soon or already starting for some schools which means band camp is ending as well. I still got another week of camp but how did everybody's band camp went? Luckily I'm gonna be a junior this year so I got one more band camp to go to...so bring on the tan lines!

Barking Lizards: I hope your last band camp went really well and you got a concussion? Ouch. How did you get it?

Disclaimer: I do not own PJO.

Enjoy!

Annabeth's POV

We drove into another round of silence and thanks to after our little confession earlier before,the tension in the air was like a wall separating us right in the middle of the room that neither of us dared to run into it.

I sat there after finishing setting up my sleeping bag. I thought about how my old guard would react if they saw me not just stuck in this room but stuck in this band. They wouldn't be able to understand how I even agreed into this mess and I guess all I can really respond back is it's colorguard. That's all it takes is one word and yet that one word can explain everything because it's the passion I have for it.

Then they would freak out at the fact that I was stuck in a room with a really hot guy and not to mention a drummer too. Yes, hate to admit it but Jackson is extremely attractive and some guardos would agree that he is hot. It would take a sightless person from not seeing that.

The fact that he is also a drummer and not just any drummer but he is the captain of drumline himself. And not just any drumline too, the drumline that happened to get second place last year during their DCI championships, the drumline that has a bone to pick on with the guard, and the drumline that is full of the cockiest people in the whole school. So, not only are they bitter and full of revenge for getting second place- just tenths of a point behind the Romans- but they have a bitchy attitude that is out to get the guard as well.

My thoughts soon went from revengeful drumlines to the moment Jackson held my hand. I was still confused to why he did it . I mean Mr. D expected us to become friends, acquaintances, not star crossed lovers which I think we would be if we ever got together because he is a drummer and I am a colorguard for gods sake. But, still I can't stop feeling how I felt the second his hands enveloped mine. All I've ever touch in a long time were my guard gloves and my flag poles so being in that situation felt foreign, but it was a feeling that I couldn't get enough of. It was still in the same time unacceptable. I must keep my mind focused on guard, winning, and college. I can't let any cute drummer interfere of that but...that doesn't mean it stops the drummer from interfering.

It's been nearly two hours since Mr. D caught us and I was starving. He told us he would bring food so where he hell was he with it? My stomach was so closed to growling although I tried my best for the last half an hour in hold it in, but I could tell I was close any second. My back was facing the wall opposite to the door and I was clutching my arms around my knees that were bent. I was getting light headed thanks to the lack of nourishment. All I had today was a bagel because I was nervous of the practice and from Jackson making a fool of me.

In front of me, Jackson had his hood on but I could tell he was moments away from fainting too. His back was to the boxes under the uniforms on the side, his legs were spread straight out and he was holding onto his sticks like it as his whole life. The sight was something new. For the first time he looked vulnerable and weak, not like the confident drumline captain that I was under the impression of. Somehow I felt closer to him for some reason. That sounded crazy or maybe it was just the emptiness of food speaking.

My stomach churned. Oh no. It was seconds away from growling and this time I couldn't fight it. I could feel it almost...growl. But it wasn't from me and the only person left in this room was...Jackson? As if on cure he popped his head up like he just woke up and turned to face me probably hoping I didn't hear him. I gave him a smirk telling him that I did and he was caught. His face turned red from embarrassment and he wrapped his arms around his stomach tighter. I laughed and then out of nowhere my stomach growled. Crap... where the hell did that come from? It was Jackson smirking now and it was my turn to blush. While I was heating up, he gave me his lop-sided grin. The grin that I disgracefully love so much.

"Wipe that smirk off your face, Jackson," I commanded him, but I couldn't help but smile too.

"Or what, Chase?" he threatened me. Damn it, he got me there because there was nothing I couldn't do.

I sighed, "Whatever."

"Look, let's just face it we are both starving and there's nothing we could do about it."

"You're right but I feel so damn weak that my life is hanging by the thread by some pudgy old man," I whined.

"Yeah tell me about it."

There it was, we just agreed about something again.

"Mr. D better hurry his little ass over here with food or I'll tie him up and threaten him to give me the keys, ' he mumbled. That idea sounded very tempting and for the second time tonight Jackson amazes me again.

"I'll hold him from behind and you grab the ropes," I laughed. Again, we agreed with each other.

"Deal," he laughed as well. It was a laugh that I could feel I could get used to. We were looking at each other until the laughing died down to another awkward silence.

From out of nowhere I began getting goosebumps on my arms from coldness. And now that I think about it, it was a little too cold in here. I hugged myself tighter for warmth and mentally cursed my dad for not packing me a jacket.

"Are you cold?" Jackson asked me.

Was it that obvious? I hate looking weak especially to him.

"Uh yeah, a little," I shivered.

"Me too, but don't worry it's always cold in here for some reason," He reassured.

I just nodded in response. I checked my phone from my bag and it was almost nine o'clock at night and still no food. I felt my eyes drop and before I knew it I was sleeping.

"Chase, hey Chase, wake up," somebody was calling me. It sounded like an angel and I was in heaven. But I opened my eyes to see I was still stuck in the uniform room and the so-called angel was the one and only Percy Jackson. I mentally slapped myself for thinking Jackson was an angel. He was nowhere near to one in a million years.

I woke up to realize I was still in my sitting position against the boxes and the uniforms gave a nice cushioning like a pillow. Jackson was now sitting in the middle of the room with food in McDonald to-go bags. Wait, is that food? I thought while I crawled to the middle to meet Jackson. I was actual, real food. My mouth was watering just from the sight of it. I got to the middle to see Jackson smiling at the sight of it too.

"When did Mr. D came?" I asked.

"He came five minutes ago. He told me to wake you up to eat and start talking to each. Also, he said that this room isn't locked but the whole band room is"

"Wait, what if we need to go?" I was nervous about the answer.

"Oh right, its stupid but this room also has its personal restroom on the other side of this building because Mr. D gets impatient while people are going." I sighed in relief.

"Okay, we should get eating." I moved to the middle where I sat so I wouldn't sit on the cold floor. While I was eating my meal and Jackson was eating his, I felt him glancing on me every couple of seconds. It was silent the whole time but it's wasn't awkward. After finishing, he went outside to throw away the trash. He came back in and we both knew what we had to do in order to go home.

"So, where do we start off first?" he asked once got settled down on his sleeping bag on his side which was across from mine.

I shrugged,"I don't know...how long have you been drumming?" That question was innocent to ask.

"Uh since sixth grade, those were good times" he said dreamily. He looked as if he was reliving those moments and not just telling a story. "Yeah and that was the day I met Grover during our first band class." That caught me off guard.

"You're friends with Grover?" I never knew that but it does make sense considering they are in the same band but I've never seen them talk to one another.

"We were friends," Jackson said the slowly and dropped his voice. He sounded and looked if he did something regretful that he was not telling me.

"Are you okay?"

"Uh yeah I'm fine..." he trailed. I could tell he was hiding something and I anted to know what it was, but considering we hardly knew each other, I won't try too hard to have him tell me whatever he was hiding.

Another silence came. I was trying hard to avoid eye contact with him.

"Uh what made you join colorguard?" he changed the subject. I figured if he won't open up I should make the first move.

"I grew up with everything colorguard influence around me everywhere," I couldn't help but smile. "My mom was captain of her team when she was in high school and she lead them to becoming a three time world champion in WGI. Then she taught colorguard in a high school for several years. That's when she met my dad; he was the band director at a school somewhere near Harvard. So I guess it was love at first band camp huh?" I tried to add humor to it.

"Wow, your life was basically laid out for you," he said.

"Yeah I guess it was," I agreed.

This feels too surreal. I felt another unpredictable breeze coming from nowhere and got cold again. Jackson noticed it too.

"Hey, are you still cold?" he said sounding sincerely.

"Yeah it's a little cold in here. I forgot to grab a jacket this morning."

"And I thought you were supposed to be the wise girl because it's always cold in here. There's a drift that comes from the corners of the room and the vent," he chuckled.

"Shut up seaweed brain," I huffed.

I heard a zipper being unzipped and movement in front of me. Jackson was taking off his jacket then moved closer and putted his jacket around me. I felt my face heat up again. Once his over-sized jacket was around me, he lingered his hands on my sides longer than I thought. I looked up confused only to see Jackson staring intently at me.

This sort of physical contact was becoming less strange and foreign with Jackson. I liked it and made no movement to push his hands away. The butterflies in my stomach were getting more familiar and I couldn't get enough of it. Too bad it had to be a seaweed brain that ruined the moment. He released his hands and cleared his throat.

I cleared my throat,"You didn't have to you know, you'll get cold too."

"I know but that's okay. I don't need it."

"Thanks," I smiled and blushed.

"You're welcome," he smiled too. His eyes were the softest I've ever seen them be.

Usually if he did a flirty move like this before there would be awkward silence trailed after, but there wasn't any this time. The awkward silence was replaced with a nice warmth and friendly feeling. But are we friends? Even after every chaos and drama we went through?

"So..." I trailed. Hopefully he knew what he meant.

"How about acquaintances?" I gave a face. "Secret friends?" I liked the sound of that and smiled again. He gave his lop-sided grin.

"Deal and no more dirty tricks and pranks too, Jackson," I told him.

"But I will get you back for trashing my locker though," I reassured him. He sighed in defeat.

"Are you still cold?" he asked. I nodded. We moved to sit against the boxes and uniforms. He scooted closer to me for some reason. And just like his sudden move on holding my hands, he only gave me a blank look like he did nothing wrong. Our thighs and arms were brushing off from each other. I turned my head the other way so he won't see my face turn pink.

The silence was nice. For the first time since I got to Goode and became a Demigod, I didn't feel like a stranger. I felt like I belonged here and that I have been going here forever. I felt like this was my band. And all I guess I needed was the acceptance from the drumline captain himself.

Before I knew it I was falling asleep.

I woke up to the sound of the marching band recording of our the Phantom of the Opera show. I was comfortable and lying down which was odd because I was sure I was sitting up when I fell asleep. My head was resting on something but I didn't know what. I opened my eyes to see the one and only Percy Jackson. My head was resting on his lap and his jacket was covering my upper body. He was looking down to me with amusement probably from the confused look I was displaying. This felt strangely not weird because this is what a friend would do for another right?

"Mr. D texted me a couple minutes ago that he was on his way to check on us."

"But didn't he said that he was coming in the afternoon?" I asked.

"It is in the after noon," Jackson said as the-matter-of-fact.

"What? Why didn't you wake me up?"

"I didn't want to disturb the peace," he smirked and I smacked him on the arm while I was still on his lap. For some reason I didn't want to move.

"You have dried drool on your cheek," I laughed. Jackson wiped it off as fast as he can, embarrassed.

The song Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again was playing quietly in the background. It added a nice calm atmosphere.

"Hey we should practice the lift thing again," Jackson said cheerfully. I cocked my eyebrows. Did he just said that?

"Yes, now get up. Aphrodite said that we have to trust each other and what perfect way to practice it is right now." He lifted my head and pushed my up.

I didn't know why I was nervous about this lift because it wasn't like this was our first time doing it. But, it was the first time when Jackson and I are actually on good terms and plus there was still restless butterflies in me from last night. And hopefully this time, he doesn't mess it up.

He went to stand behind me and putted his hands on my waist. I breathed deeply in and out to calm my nervous energy. Slowly he raised me until I was above him. I arched my back like I was supposed to. This felt right and the only thing that could mess it up was the turn. He began turning. My heart stopped because I didn't want to get a concussion. Then Jackson stopped and I realized that he went all the way around. I exhaled the breath that I didn't knew I was holding.

"You did it," I smiled.

"Great...now how do I get you down?"

Crap, we didn't get past that part.

"Just slowly lower me...AHH!"

Jackson out of nowhere just dropped his hands, but he magically held them out to carry me bridal style. I was still in shock from my mini heart attack. He on the other hand looked like he was going to explode in laughter.

"Don't ever fricken do that again!" I screamed at him.

"Sorry but that was hilarious," he laughed. I laughed with him too from relief. We were laughing so much that we both didn't realized that the uniform room door opened.

"Well, well, well it looks like you two are enjoying ourselves." It was Mr. D. He held a very happy face.

My face heated from the awkward position Jackson and I were displaying to him.

"So I expect you guys got along?"

"Yeah more than I expected," Jackson said and smiled. I smiled from his response.

"Then you two are free to go," he nodded.

"Just like that?" I asked.

"Yes, and besides I wasn't going to keep you two here for the whole weekend anyway because the janitors needed to clean the room. I just said that so you guys get freaked out and get along faster," Mr. D admitted.

I should have been pissed but I wasn't because I didn't want to ruin the moment that I was finally free. I looked up to Jackson and noticed that he was still carrying me. I cleared my throat for him to notice and he dropped me instantly.

"Great now hurry up and pack-up you things and I'll see you two on Monday," Mr. D said then left.

I looked back up to Jackson and he turned to me.

"So we still have that deal right?" he asked for reassurance.

"Yeah, secret friends," I nodded.

"Cool...uhh...I guess we should pack up," he said. We went to our sides to clean up our space. I was carrying my bag and sleeping bag and walked to meet up with Jackson. He was finished too and we both went out of band room together and walked to our cars. I felt nice finally being in the open air.

"So, I'll see you on Monday secret friend," Jackson smirked.

"Yeah see you and good job on the lift," I smiled.

We waved good bye. I stepped inside my car and turned on the ignition. From my rear view mirror Jackson waved and hocked his car. I laughed and waved back too before he drove off. What a seaweed brain.

I liked this side of him, goofy and childish. Hopefully it will stay that way...

And that's the end of chapter 8!

WGI- Winter Guard International; it is an international competition for winter guard and indoor drumline.

Who here thought the last chapter was really awkward? It was as awkward as watching my gay (still I hope nobody take offence to that because I adore my gay friends especially in guard) cello section leader for Orchestra who is a guy checking out my drum major who was also a guy that had a girlfriend too during our big concert in the end of the year last year. Now believe me that was awkward!

Also, I would like to say happy birthday to my brother, Bill, who turned 12 today. so...Happy Birthday you little twerp!

Anyways...please review and tell me what you thought of this chapter and what you are expecting for the upcoming chapters!

REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!