Hello everybody! Yes this is a new chapter.

I got so excited with the upcoming three chapters that I found time to update. On the bright side, my band camp ended last week (so sad my last band camp), but sadly, school is starting for me next week. It will be hard considering marching season is beginning but I will try my best.

Anyways, thank you for the support and the reviews! It was helpful knowing what my readers felt about the chapter/story.

THEMusicReader: Santa Clara was my favorite too! I have such a special place in my heart for Les Mes. And thanks! My band camp was kinda the same thing, the freshmen caught on quicker than the uppperclassmen.

Casserole176: Yay another guardo in fanfiction!

peanut-butter-mouse: uhh...you will see..

cuddlywarriorofdoom: You're in luck, I started writing this chapter a day after the last chapter. And everything will be explained...

I think I have left you guys on the edge of your seats already so here is the chapter!

Disclaimer: Do not own PJO

Enjoy!

Percy's POV

I've missed the familiar roar of the crowd. At the last note, I could see the glint of pride in Thalia's eyes as she called horns down. Mr. D didn't look so frightened anymore and the staff seemed less worried about us. However, all of that didn't matter to me. Throughout the performance, the only thing on my mind was having Annabeth's hand in mine and my arms around her during our dance. Gods, I really need to get a grip. There's just something about her that makes me want to be a better person, a changed person.

I didn't even care that she was in the color guard. Screw the "forbidden rule" and screw the past. The past three years have been eating me alive and it's about time that I take charge and change. Unfortunately, it took me three years to figure this out, but better late than never, right?

Everything flew by and before I could process things, the band had dispersed to have their half hour break. I was lost and needed to clear my head. But where was Annabeth?

I saw the asshole of the drum major with his band and I dearly wanted to punch him for staring at my partner. But I had to keep my promise of no fights, so I kept on walking away from the crowd when I saw a flash of perfect blonde hair. I smiled, maybe this would be the best time to be alone with her. However, she went into an empty quad of darkened classrooms. I stayed frozen, watching her. What am I doing? I need to walk up to her and tell her everything, but I can't. Why? I don't know why. I mentally gave myself a slap for being such a seaweed brain. Unfortunately, before any actual confidence built up, I was pulled away by someone.

I couldn't see anything in the darkness as the person led me to the handball courts. I tried pulling away, but having my bibbers and jacket on made it difficult to maneuver around well, so I was stuck being dragged by this mysterious person.

In the back of my mind, I wanted to believe it was Annabeth pulling me and that the fates had finally answered my prayers. But it wasn't long and curly blonde hair I glimpsed from behind. Squinting, I realized the person had red hair tied up in a bow. Suddenly, a strange and uncomfortable feeling tugged in my gut.

"Rachel?" The name sounded foreign on my tongue.

As we passed by dimly lit hallway, I saw her turn around and smile at me. "Percy." If it was three years ago, that smile would have melted my heart – but this was not three years ago.

"Why are you dragging me around?"

"What is so wrong with that? I want to talk to you."

"Well, I don't want to." I took a step back, but she pulled me to her again and somehow my hands ended up on her waist.

"Please, Percy. I'm sorry for what I did to you, really." I looked into her eyes, beginning to feel the sense of connection that I had had for her a long time ago. There was something in her eyes.

"Are you really sorry?" my voice cracked.

"Yes, I am. If there was any way I could go back three years to change things, then I would. But I can't, so I hope now that you can give me a second chance and that we can start all over." My hands were still on her waist and I couldn't bring myself to pull away. The way she said it sounded nice, like a dream. "When I saw you on the field with her, it made me furious because it should've been me. Percy, we belong together." Now the real reason came out, ruining the dream.

"Is that what this is all about?" I shook my head, taking a step back. "Sorry, Rachel." I took another step and made to leave, but I was pulled towards her again. The next thing I knew, I felt a pair of lips on mine. I froze. This kiss felt strange, lifeless. I wanted to pull away, but it's been a while since I've had a kiss… even if it felt wrong. I closed my eyes and imagined I was being kissed by a gorgeous girl with curly blonde hair blowing in the wind and enchanting grey eyes – but I remained frozen and the kiss remained one-sided.

Abruptly, she pulled away and I opened my eyes to my worst nightmare. She understood, looking at me with sad eyes.

"No, Rachel," I said dropping my arms.

"It's her, isn't it?" she hissed. Her expression twisted into something harsh, vindictive. I stopped breathing. Was it her? I looked away and didn't respond. My thoughts felt heavy and sluggish, nothing made sense.

"Fine then, but remember this: I was here first!"

I didn't even bother processing what she meant. I left shortly to go back to my drum line. The stadium looked far from where I was standing. However, I wasn't going to give up so easily. The only person I wanted to see right now was Annabeth. Rachel was right, it was her and I wanted more than anything to tell her that.

Walking to the stadium, I suddenly felt queasy and my uniform jacket felt oddly stifling. I took it off, leaving me with only my under shirt and bibbers.

I knew call time passed and that I was late by a few minutes, but I could care less.

The first thing I saw walking up to the stadium was Annabeth's expression. She had on an indescribable look. A wave of guilt crashed over me, thinking that maybe it was my fault because most of the bad things that had happened to her were usually my fault.

For the next hour, I didn't bother to pay attention. However, apparently everyone was happy: the band was happy with a good performance, the football team was happy for another win, the crowd was happy for both groups, and even the dorky drum major (not the arrogant one) from River Valley managed to get a number from one of the girls in pit.

Throughout the entire game, I ignored Rachel's looks and glares, hoping to demonstrate to her that we were through and have been through for three years now. I didn't want to remember that kiss, but the revelation that came with that kiss stuck with me.

It's the same thing after each game. We put away equipment, changed out of uniform and cleaned up the room. Like always, the leaders stayed back, waiting for everyone else to leave.

There was something odd with Annabeth. The whole night, she looked distant and upset. Of course, her being a wise girl she is always over-analyze things, but this time is different.

I wanted to go see what the problem was, if she was okay or not, and if there was anything I could do to make it up to her. Right now my love for my drum line didn't matter – I never thought that I would ever be able to even think that.

At the moment, I was in the uniform room. Doing what? I don't know. I just stood there with random thoughts running around my head. Being in this room took me back to freshman year, and getting fitted for my first marching uniform ever. Thalia, Nico, and Grover were there, too, to get fitted and were equally excited. Those were good times. Then my thoughts went to being in here locked up with Annabeth, the first time that I let my guard down after three years.

I sighed; standing in this room for too long wasn't healthy. I turned around to leave when I felt a bump on my shoulder.

"Sorry," I apologized before I noticed who I had bumped into. There she was, looking innocently at me.

"It's fine," she mumbled. I couldn't stand to look at her with all of the guilt I had boiling up, but I didn't want to look away, either. I had to say something, something to not make this encounter anymore awkward or that I would regret later.

"Putting your costume in?" I mentally slapped myself. She was holding her costume in her hand so of course she was putting her costume in.

Thankfully, she looked past my stupidity. "Yeah. Thanks for not dropping me today."

I smiled. Never would I ever dare to drop her again.

I stepped aside to let her go through to the room. She smelled nice as she past. Err, I mean … does that sound too weird? I sighed. I have to say it now. The difficult part is I don't know what to say to her. Should I apologize? Tell her the truth that I wanted to kiss her when we shook hands for our truce? Admit that Rachel kissed me but that all I thought about was Annabeth?

"Are you okay?" the most delicate voice asked me.

Say something. "Yeah." That deserved another slap. "Actually, no, I'm not." I was now acting on impulse – which is rarely a good idea, but I didn't care. I grabbed her hand, preventing her from leaving me. Her hand was small compared to mine and I subconsciously rubbed her knuckles with my thumb in small circles.

"What is it?" that is the universal question. I didn't know what to tell her or ask her. I just knew that I had to just tell her.

Come on Percy, just say it.

"Do you want to have dinner with me tomorrow night?"

Well I could have said something worse.

Either way, it is official: I'm an idiot.

I watched her every move like a hawk, lavishing attention to every detail. Her stormy grey eyes widened at my question and she looked down, deep in concentration. I would do anything just to know what she was thinking right now.

"Perry, Annabelle, I'm closing the room up so leave!" Mr. D shouted from outside, startling us. I didn't want to leave this spot until I got an answer, but Annabeth didn't answer me. Instead, she left to retrieve her bag. The look I saw on her face left me speechless. It looked as if I broke her heart. The worst part is: I didn't know how.

I grabbed my stuff and left the empty room with an impatient Mr. D waiting.

I was sorely tempted to punch a wall. Just when I finally get the courage to confess my feelings to Annabeth, my words get mixed up and I end up saying such a stupid thing.

This whole situation is ridiculous. I'm the drum captain here, so the girls in band, and sometimes even other girls, always fall to my feet readily. Sadly, not this time. She makes me work for her. Then again, I wouldn't have it any other way. Annabeth's too special to be treated like an object.

I ran to the parking lot with one goal in mind. Annabeth was opening her car door when I finally caught up. Adrenaline rushed through me and the next thing I knew I had shut her car door and was standing only a few inches from her.

"Yes?" she asked, looking dubiously at me.

"So, what about it? Dinner with me tomorrow night?" so I decided screw it: I already messed up the tiny possibility I had with her, might as well go all the way through with it.

"May I go inside my car?"

"Not until you answer me," I smirked.

She crossed her arms across her chest. "Maybe," she said stubbornly. She was unreadable. I didn't know if she was hurt, upset, sad, or happy, though I suspected that she was upset. Hell, I'm not sure how I even feel about her response. It was a maybe, meaning there is a maybe chance she would go out with me, maybe chance she wouldn't go out with me.

All I want right now is to forget about everything I had with Rachel. The kiss. Everything. Currently, right here with her, I felt free and normal. I wasn't the captain who was always supposed to be in control, with a lot of pressure and stress on his shoulders. The girl I am staring at isn't the color guard captain, but a special girl who made herself at home in the heart of the band – and in my heart.

I smiled, "I'll take what I can get."

With that, I stepped out of the way to let her to her car. The parking lot was now empty besides a few cars including mine. And I drove home feeling accomplished.

The practice the following Monday was fit to burst from the abundant energy the band had. We weren't doubting our talent, unlike last time, and Mr. D wasn't threatening us with canceling this season. School today was refreshing.

"Hey, boss," Travis greeted. Most of the battery was already beginning to set up.

"Where were you this morning?" one of my snare players asked suspiciously, everybody's focus turning to me. I smiled unconsciously: this morning consisted of having coffee with Wise Girl. I woke up extra early today to beat Annabeth at school and surprise her with coffee. Needless to say, it was a very nice morning and made me hopeful that maybe I hadn't messed up so badly when I asked her to have dinner with me.

"I was around," I said slyly, hoping no one would question me further.

"Hurry up, people, the last person to the field makes their section throw out the trash for the week!" Thalia teased, and immediately people began to rush. The dumpsters were located to the other side of the school from the band room, so throwing the trash out at night was a scary thought.

I remained motionless as everybody rushed to the field. Today was another dance practice with Aphrodite and Annabeth; I didn't dread going to it like I did before. It's weird, how comfortable I was with this whole thing.

The next thing I heard was a giggle I would recognize anywhere.

"Percy! Be a dear and go help Annabeth with my bags, please," she sweetly ordered. I didn't even pause to answer, for I was out the doors immediately.

There she was, struggling with my cousin's bags again. I went over to grab a bag from her hand and she looked up, startled.

I smiled, "Hi."

However, there was a dangerous and sad glint in her eyes that made me uneasy. Had I messed up sometime between this morning and right now?

DUN! Dun! dun...

I felt so evil sustaining Annabeth's answer until half way through the chapter but on the bright side we got a look into Percy's POV after the game! It also looks like Rachel is not giving up either! Please tell me what you thought about that part? Loved it? Hated it?

So Annabeth's answer was a maybe! Whose happy or sad about that? But can you really blame Annabeth for not saying yes? psst...blame Percy instead.

Please give me your insight! This story is almost to 200 reviews which sounds so amazing. The more constructive criticism I get, the better the story will be.

Review! Review!