Here's the next chapter! Thank you once again for the amazing reviews! And thank you for everybody who is following this story.

1800ilovemydog: thanks and I loved the last chapter too. I played violin since 4th grade then switched to cello 8th grade and have been playing ever since! Yup music is a big part of my life.

Barking Lizards: ouch that sounds painful... and that's a really big bump. I hope you're alright. And your band camp is only four days? Mine is 3 weeks long man! How did you get stuff done?

Vote4EmmaTheFuturePrez: Yup Nico plays the baritone and I'm glad that made your day better.

I retyped the ending a little to clarify some parts.

Enjoy!

Percy's POV

All weekend long, I tried to figure out a reasonable explanation to the events that happened in that uniform room. I mean really why the hell did I offered my jacket to her? I guess it was by instinct or something to give your jacket away to the damsel in distress. But Chase wasn't even nowhere near to a damsel in distress. She was more like the train that would run the damsel over and I'm pretty sure she would be pissed if she was called that. I guess that's what makes her...her. Of course she was still the obnoxious, know it all brat that won't stop talking or that was at least what I thought of her the first time. She still was but after Saturday, I don't know what it was but there was a glow I saw in her. However, despite all of that shit, Chase was still branded as the colorguard captain and I was the drumline captain. No matter what truce or agreement we made about us being "secret friends", we still were on opposite sides of the band room. I just hope that Chase got that cleared in her princess curled head of hers.

Then again after Saturday, it hurts to admit but I softened up to the thought of the whole colorguard thing in general. That not everybody who twirls a flag are insensitive and spoiled, just like Rachel. I sighed once again whenever I think about those memories and like every time I think about them a piercing pain stabs in my heart. And I don't think they'll ever leave.

I thought all about this on my way to school. So it was safe to say that the car ride there was depressing and confusing. I parked at my usual spot in front of the band room. Out of habit I looked around to see if everybody else in band arrived already. I noticed that Chase hasn't arrived yet which was weird because there was only ten minutes left until first period. I frowned, but then again why the hell should I frown about her absence? I stepped out of my car and headed to the band room.

There was a change in atmosphere in the room like they were anticipating for something. I just stood there in front of the doorway confused. The second the band saw me, they rushed bombarding me with questions.

"Percy! Percy! Percy!"

"What did she do man?"

My head was spinning and I was getting claustrophobic. My face was heating up pretty badly.

"Your blushing!" A girl gasped. "I bet you two hooked up." After hearing that, my face was getting hotter.

"Aww man. Dude, Annabeth is hot!" It came from some creepy guy in high brass. Okay by that time I was a tomato and running out of breath.

"You guys did it huh?"

"Oh gross in the uniform room?"

"Okay, okay relax everybody. Give Percy some space," Travis cleared up the crowd which wasn't easy because there was nearly a hundred of them.

"Yes we all know that Annabeth is a looker, but seriously just think about she is a colorguard girl; they are all sluts anyway!" Connor added on. Most of the guys agreed. I felt sick to my stomach after hearing that. I didn't know what to do so I just stared blankly at them.

The band went their separate ways but I could already feel the gossip roaming around. I groaned suspecting that this will kick me in the ass later on.

I followed the drumline to our corner of the room.

"Okay from a scale of one to ten how torturous was Friday night?" Travis asked and smirked. I knew he and the drumline were gonna get a kick out this. But now I was stuck because how the hell am I supposed to answer this? I looked at everyone on my line; their anxious expressions were undeniable as they were waiting for my answer.

I breath in deeply and opened my mouth to answer.

"Uh-"

"Well clearly Perce had an awful time if he didn't want to answer." It was from Katie. Out of everyone I never would've suspected her to save me. She always stood in the back with the rest of the pit section. She eyed me telling me to agree with her before things got out of hand. The rest of the line looked at her as if she was crazy, which I won't lie thought she was too for a second.

"Uh yeah exactly what she said, it was awful," I agreed quickly. I looked down at the ground to avoid eye contact.

Out of nowhere, the bell rang. I sighed in relief that I was safe...for now. I still have to face seven periods of boredom. And then, oh gods, I have to face Chase today and my cousin for more practice. Apparently, my mouth had a mind of its own and smiled a little when I thought of today's practice and seeing Chase during fourth period for the first time since the weekends.

After three period, it was finally fourth. Walking my way there, I absentmindedly looked around. I didn't know why though because I never usually do that. I always kept my head strong and walked with a purpose to the band room. This time I don't know but I felt lonely and I was tired of being known as the tough captain.

From the crowd, I spotted a speck of curly blonde that was tied up in a hair tie. Without realizing it, I was walking my way towards her. I got closer and noticed she was struggling with her heavy books and flag. I was two feet in front of her and for some reason she still didn't notice me. I chuckled loudly for her to hear.

She looked up annoyed and possible got even more pissed when she noticed it was me who laughed at her.

"What Jackson?" She sighed. Wow she's pissed. It's either she is having a hard time carrying her books and flag or she heard about today's biggest gossip.

"Whoa somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed today with a bad hair day," I joked and gave her my infamous grin. Clearly she didn't found that amusing. She scowled and rolled her eyes and walked past me. My eyes followed her steps and I just stood their probably looking like an idiot. And apparently my face seemed hilarious because she looked behind while she was walking and laughed when she saw my expression. I regained focus immediately when she laughed because absolutely no colorguard girl laughs at me, not even its hot captain.

I ran to catch up to her.

"Hey I thought we were friends," I asked, trying to be as sincere as I possibly could.

"Secret friends," she said not failing on emphasizing the word "secret". She looked hurt for some reason. I grabbed her arm to stop her from walking away.

I tried to look hurt which for some reason was not hard to portray. "Is that how little you think of our friendship?"

"I would barely call this little negotiation we had this weekend a friendship," she specified. That surprisingly stuck a core.

"That hurts you know," I tried looking hurtful again but I felt real hurtful emotions.

"Sorry but it was your idea remember?" she pointed out. Crap it was my idea. Now that I think about it, the whole secrecy thing was a really stupid idea.

"Right you are, so, friends? Uh, I mean secret friends," I told her. For a second I saw disappointment in her hypnotizing stormy grey eyes, but I must have imagined it.

"Yes secret friends," she muttered looking at the ground and all of the sudden left to the band room, leaving me behind.

What the hell just happened? We were doing fine then she drops a bomb on me.I will never understand girls.

I ran my hand through my hair frustratingly and noticed it was quiet unlike the usual busy and loud passing period I was used. I checked my watch and found out that the bell rang five minutes without either Chase or I noticing. Since its band for this period, I don't worry because we set up to go out on the field. Speaking of which some of the bandos were coming out of the building right now. They were still giddy from this morning's excitement and when they saw me they got even giddier, if it was possible. Oh freshmens.

Ultimately, I decided to head to the band room and set up my snare before I get the boot from Mr. D. I was trudging my way there, not rushing or anything.

Grover and Nico appeared from the doors of the room with their instruments and was walking to the field. They were talking and laughing like friends should do. Watching that brought me back to those times that I told myself never to go back to even though I can't help it. However, because of these past few days and what happened this weekend, these buried memories were popping up more frequently. It hurts...a lot.

TAP!

What the hell! I popped my head up to see Travis with a smirked expression. Apparently he made a shot with his quads to grab my attention. I was beyond pissed that he ruined my train of thought.

"Whoa whats wrong Perce?" Travis asked, a little too curious.

"Right now, you," I said pointing at him.

"My bad, calm down." He held his hands up in surrender and walked reverse to the field. I groaned and ran hand hand down my face in frustration. I turned around and continued my way to the band room. Unfortunately, when I turned around, a guard girl with stacks of flags was standing right behind me. She bumped into me and dropped all of her flags.

"Oh, I am so sorry," she apologized. The girl looked pixie like and small with amber hair and green eyes. I never noticed she was in this band before, let alone in guard, but then again I never notice anybody unless they were in drumline.

I just nodded at her in response. She bent down to pick up her flags whereas I only stood there trying to make the situation less awkward as it already was. She finished and stood up carrying about ten flags. It was funny seeing a short girl like her carrying flags almost twice her size. She kept staring at me and after while it seemed she couldn't get enough of the silence.

"Ugh whatever, thanks for the help," the pixie said to me sarcastically. The girl rolled her eyes and pushed me to the side with her flags and made her way to the field like everybody else was.

I didn't move, only stood there to go over in my head what just happened. I didn't know what happened for sure but I think I just got dissed by a twirler.

Footsteps were coming closer to me.

"Hey!" the person said in a demanding tone. What now? I turned around to find my drum major staring furiously at me.

"Yes sir?" I asked.

"Hurry up and get your snare and be on the field in five minutes or the whole drumline will owe me ten laps for their own captain's tardiness," she commanded. Now if it was somebody else I would've told them off, but this was my drum major and, in truth, my cousin, so I couldn't disobey her even though I would love too.

"Yes sir," I said smirking cockily. If I knew her well, then I should know that she always hated when I was being cocky and I was right. Thalia huffed and rolled her eyes at me before shoving me to the side and walked to the field. It seems like I am pushed a lot today or in fact this period and I was getting tired of it.

I just sighed and ran to the band room to get my snare.

I put my snare on my harness and practically tried to run to the football field. When I got there, Thalia was running the band through their scales, but I could tell, she was pissed and impatient. Mr. D was right beside the podium wearing the same expression Thalia was. Thalia ended their playing and turned her attention to me with an evil glare. Oh crap...

"Oh look, our beloved drum captain finally managed to get here," she said innocently, which Thalia absolutely did not possess. "What happened you couldn't find your sticks?" she smirked. The band snorted and I knew the drumline was trying to hold on to their big laughter. Even Mr. D chuckled a little. I, for one, gave her a look and made my way to my spot in the drumline.

"Okay now that everybody is here, lets run the last two songs where we are now, so we could learn the sets today afterschool. Understood?"

"Yes sir!."

After half an hour under the afternoon heat, the drum major finally dismissed us to go back. I groaned at how hot is was and cursed the sun to just disappear for a couple of seconds. At my sides, the Stolls ran to catch up to me.

"What?" I asked to them. I wasn't in the mood with company at this moment.

"Sheesh Perce, chill out," one of them said. I didn't know which one because I didn't bother caring to find out. They noticed my bad mood and left. I think I was the last one on the field.

"Wow, is somebody having their time of the month?" Or at least I thought I was alone. I knew that voice without even looking up. Fuck, I should know that voice after spending more than 12 hours locked up with it. It was the voice that I hated and loved the most.

"Leave me alone Chase," I mumbled.

"What's your problem? I thought we were friends," she stated.

"Yeah secret friends, meaning nobody can find out about it," I told her. I saw a flash of hurt splash through her for a second then she got serious.

"You know for once the Stolls were right, you do need to calm down," Chase snapped at me. She looked pissed. It reminded me of the first time I looked at her; it's hard to believe that it was just a week ago. I know I'll regret this later but she looks more gorgeous than normal when she is pissed. So I couldn't help but stare.

"Again with the staring, seaweed brain?" Chase smirked and I smirked with her.

"You wish, wise girl," I shoved her playfully and she shoves me back smiling. I smiled at her too.

"Uh see you after school for practice," She said seriously and left to go ahead of me.

"Yeah see you."

Annabeth's POV

Well this practice was something. Fortunately, Jackson and I were able to surpass that enemy, bitter stage to something...friendlier? It seems like a safe word to say even though I doubt Jackson sees me as a friend, but that's okay as long as he, or *ahem* the drumline, isn't mean to my guard anymore. So I hope that makes up for something. It still felt weird, but I guess that's how the beginning should be like.

I'm glad that after a week in this really messed up band, I was able to become part of something besides the default colorguard captain. I was able to get along more with the guard this morning which was a breath of fresh air. We were really becoming a team but I knew we were far from a family. My family was still all the way across the continent. Not like this guard doesn't have any friendly people because there are, just its not home yet.

Up ahead, I saw Juniper struggling to carry about ten flags. I ran up to her to help her like the good captain I was.

"Here let me grab half of them." I told her and grabbed half of what she was carrying.

"Oh thanks," Juniper said, surprised by my friendly gesture.

"How come nobody offered to help?"

"Oh because you assigned me today for the flags remember?" she reminded me. Oh duh, I think getting along with seaweed brain is making me turn into one too.

"But still, they should offer to help," I pointed out.

"That's okay, the kids we have this year are at least better than the backstabbers from years back," she muttered the last part, probably hopping I wouldn't be able to hear her, but I did loud and clear.

"What do you mean by that," I asked with a worried expression. She squealed, which I noticed she does that a lot when she is freaking out.

"Juniper calm down," I told her calmly. That's it I need to know what she meant, now.

"Juniper, breath and relax," I tried to calm her until she was. ,"Good.. now tell me who were the backstabbing ex-guardos?"I cocked my eyebrow letting her know that she was free yet. She made an "eep" and practically ran away from me, while carrying flags half her size. That girl has too much energy to run right now.

I sighed miserably knowing that I wouldn't get my question answered. But, I will get them answered, maybe not from her but I'm pretty sure Thalia and rest have been here long enough to know what I mean.

The final bell ran and I was running to get to practice on time with Aphrodite and Jackson. I was mentally freaking out about the whole damn thing: the lift, the dance, Jackson, everything!

When I got there, Aphrodite and Jackson was already in the room. They were laughing like old friends. Jackson was laughing, which I must admit, is still weird. But he looked happy and refreshed.

"Yay, Percabeth is now complete," Aphrodite cheered. Her happy mood was starting to get on my nerves. And whats with the Percabeth thing? Apparently, Jackson understood what Aphrodite was talking about and reddened. Oh great another thing that I need to find out about.

"Okay, today we are heading to the field to practice, so hurry up," she said scooting us out of the room. I froze trying to absorb everything she said that we were not taking an extra hour to practice in here, even though we desperately need it, and we were, instead, heading straight directly out to the field, where it is public. Oh crap.

"Come on, Annabeth," Aphrodite hurried me and I was out the band room door.

Jackson was ahead of Aphrodite and I all the way to the field. I had an urge to go talk to him or something because he looked so depressing. Wow deja vu...

Before we were even past the gates to the field, an argument erupted from there.

"Hey! Get off of our field!" It came from a male voice. It didn't sound too deep but enough to know that it wasn't meant to be messes with. In front of me, I saw Jackson flinched.

"Well excuse me but we were here first!" The voice was familiar. It sounded demanding, the way a voice of a drum major should sound.

"So? Like I care sweet cheeks, this field has our name on it."

By that time, the three of us passed the gates and stopped behind the bleachers so they wouldn't be able to see us but I was able to see the whole picture. Thalia was on her podium while the band was in their arch formation. Across the field past the hash line was a group of football players all wearing their jersey to begin their practice. In front of them was a guy with dirty blond hair and blue eyes. He was tall and lean.

"Not from three to six everyday it isn't. And plus we give this field a better name than you guys have done in years," our proud drum major replied back smirking. The band laughed and oohed at the football guys. The guys, in response looked ashamed. I thought we were finished until the guy in front gave us a mischievous grin. It didn't look trustworthy.

"Yes and from eight to ten, you are all mine," that creep smirked at Thalia. The football guys all laughed like a bunch of apes. I rolled my eyes at the guys obnoxious behavior like the other girls in band did. The guys in band were trying hard not to laugh especially the drumline. Jackson, who was standing in front of me, looked like he was seconds away from punching the guts from this guy. Seeing him like this was new to me, but who would blame him because just looking at that creep sends shivers down my spine too. I moved closer to him from behind for some reason, and Jackson responded by bringing his arm to my waist. I blushed at the sight of this.

Thalia just stood on her podium with a strong expression and with her whistle our her neck, she looked like a drum major.

The drama ended when the football coached called all of the players to him. All of them groaned. The jerk was the last one and he still held his grin of his. Before he left, he sent a wink to Thalia.

Finally, the other half was cleared and Thalia started the practice again. I was still frozen and Jackson still had his arm around my waist. I cleared my throat and Jackson got out of his trance. He looked around then he looked to me. He finally noticed his arms and released awkwardly. We just stood there not knowing how to respond to this. At last, Thalia said for us to hurry up. We stepped out from the bleachers and started the "damn" practice already.

Yes I'm done with this chapter!

Sadly I started school so updates will be slower sorry everybody! But that doesn't mean that I won't try to update.

Lastly, I wanna thank Dessert Maniac for helping me with this chapter and being a great friend!

PLEASE REVIEW! Review! Please! The more, the sooner the update.