Hi everybody!

Now I know all of you guy are mad at me for not updating in over a year, but I have a completely reasonable explanation for all of this! I graduated from college and working three jobs including all of the marching band stuff I was doing as a guard instructor. I have not had a break until this June when I graduated and even now I still don't have a break when my school is getting ready for the new field season.

However, I did not abandon this story. The entire year I was getting inspiration and wrote on my free time. Since June, I have been writing but I didn't want to update right away. I wanted to finish the story and double check everything for updating.

So please do not be mad. It's just been a busy and hectic year. But I appreciate all of the support and reviews that I have been receiving! You guys have not been ignored because I have been listening to you all year. And now your prayers have been answered!

Again thank you for the support.

AlyssPotter: How are you enjoying this DCI season? This summer has been crazy but I hope everything is going well for you!

Brittany Jackson: Hi! I hope your first year in marching band went great. Welcome to our team of misfit band geeks. LOL I'd love to hear how your first year went and good luck on this upcoming season!

HeroofFire101: I checked out videos of your school and you guys are awesome. Love the reference of the Blue Devils in the name too! I'm glad that you can relate with all of the struggles of marching band and especially color guard. Love from a fellow guardo!

Guest (Ch. 9 12/22/2015): I'm sorry that your guard and drumline isn't want you expected but coming from experience it takes a lot of strength, motivation, and effort from everybody (members, staff, directors) to build something great. It's taken my schools a while so don't give up!

katstrident4: Thank you for the review! It meant a lot for me. I have considered being an English major but I love fashion and costuming too much. As of right now I only write as a hobby. Thanks again and enjoy!

A Very Mad Jenna: I'm so sorry but here's the chapter for you! I was meaning to update last week but work got in the way and I was satisfied with me writing yet. Enjoy!

OK I think I have stalled long enough. Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do not own.

Annabeth's POV

There were moments in life that were worth waiting for. When your life is consumed with marching band and color guard 24/7, practically 365 days a year, you don't have time to take a step back and soak in the memory. Life can flash by in any second as the marching band season goes by. When it felt like band camp was just last week but in reality, semi finals was coming up and this meant there was only three weeks left of the season to go. Three weeks might seem long but it really doesn't in marching band terms. This only meant a handful of practices to go, a limited hours to fix any errors and individual mistakes, and most importantly two more chances to show the judges that we deserve that first place spot.

For once, I could actually say getting first place for marching band. I never got this chance back in San Francisco. It was surely depressing every year when my old band would place last or second to last..

Now, its different.

Everything has changed.

Everything.

Recently, I received a message from one of my only friends and team member from San Francisco. Apparently, things changed there too. When I left, the instructor there promoted Calypso as captain and thus came a long months of rivalry and chaos. Unfortunately, the older members who have been in it for three to four years hated her as the leader. Many of them even threatened to quit and sadly for the staff there, they suffered through all of it. And when they finally made the decision to demote Calypso, it was too late. The team already lost most of their good members and their season was already spiraling down hill. From the message, it said that it was the worst season yet.

I felt horrible as she explained everything to me. I started tearing up as the band and team that I once devoted my life to was doing horrible. All of this was my fault essentially. Things would be different if I never left.

That wasn't said on the message, but it didn't have to be. I knew it was the truth.

She asked how my life was here in New York, but I didn't have the heart to tell the truth. I mean what could I possibly say? I joined an award winning marching band and became the captain of their horrible color guard team? But we are actually doing well and could possibly become champions? That's borderline bragging.

Instead I told her about the people I met: Thalia, Nico, Grover, Juniper, and last but not least Percy.

Oh she was really excited talking about Percy; asked me everything she could about him. Is he in the band? What does he play? How does he look when he plays? Is he cute? Is he a good kisser? By the time it got to those questions, I couldn't answer her anymore without blushing.

Overall it seemed like the conversation went smoothly, from what I could tell.

The week went by smoothly too, for the most part.

However, the school that I once had the impression was obsessed with its marching band was now becoming a football crazed fanatic. Posters were held up everywhere about their winning football team and their "amazing" star members. Evidently, that meant Luke was at every corner I turned no matter how much I tried to avoid it.

And there was Rachel, who was loving all of the attention she was getting from having a star player for a boyfriend. It was really sad to watch to say the least.

I turned the corner of the building that lead into the library. Practice was in an hour and a half, but I got a free last period and decided to do my homework in the library instead of the band room for a change. Just steps away I caught sight of a familiar silhouette walking into the visual arts building.

"Percy," I breathed out. What could he possibly be doing here?

From the amount of time I have known him, I've never heard him mention anything about any art classes.

I debated, as I stood outside the library, whether or not to follow him. It was difficult decision but I turned the other way and stalked into the building.

Shit where was he now? I looked into all of the empty classrooms I walked by nearly knocking over some paint brushes that were put outside to dry. Some still held classes but the further in I walked, I heard a distinct sound which I could differentiate from anywhere.

My drummer boy.

I stood outside the door near the wall and overheard his voice. But he wasn't alone. Another voice popped up and enveloped with Percy's voice.

"Do you mind passing me the paint?" the person asked Percy.

"Sure," he replied.

"What do you think?" The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't make out who it was.

This was frustrating. What business could Percy have being in an art class? I thought about even deeper and what business do I have spying on him either?

We aren't together. Are we?

No we are not.

So, I sucked in a deep breath and made a courageous move. I turned around and went out the way I went in.

A million of possible reasons ran through my head, and none of them made sense.

When I opened the door to leave, it bumped into someone.

"Umph," the person said.

"Oh I'm so sorry," I apologized the second I got out. "Rachel?"

She fixed her scarlet hair and her blouse before looking up. She looked annoyed and pissed off.

"What is wrong with you?" she exclaimed. Ugh I so don't need this right now.

"Sorry." I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever," she scoffed, rolling her eyes, and opened the door into the art building, not saying another word.

I left quickly after; too bothered and frustrated to stay. Seeing her again and then seeing Percy just shorty before brought back unhappy thoughts. What could Rachel be doing in this building? The same building that Percy happened to be in today. My mind spiraled in millions of possible reasons. The more I thought of it, the more it bugged me and itched me to find out what's going on. However, I had to look away. More importantly, I had to trust Percy; I have no choice but to do so. Rachel hated the band, and Percy is obsessed with his drum line. That's the only thing that makes sense to me.

But…

I cant help it but remember back to the moment when I saw those two together, kissing. I shook my head quickly to erase that memory.

Ugh…I should've stayed in the band room.

I spent so much time overthinking my thoughts that I didn't have any time to finish my homework. Practice began shortly after, but luckily I already prepared my equipment on the field. I had extra time to relax, so I sat on the benches, hoping to catch Percy before practice. As I sat there, everyone else walked towards the field.

I caught Juniper walking with Grover. She was carrying his trumpet and he was carrying her flags.

How cute.

"Annabeth. Hey, shouldn't you be on the field already?" she wondered.

"Oh, I'm just resting before practice," I simply replied. She only stared at me with a mischief look on her face.

"Okay, see you there." She grabbed Grover's hand and they both waved bye to me.

The longer I sat there, the more people asked me why I was sitting there. All of this was for Percy but there was no way I could explain that to them. There was only five minutes left and he has not shown up yet. This worried me though. Where was he? There's no way that he would miss practice, not when we were this late into the season.

But I left anyway, not willing to suffer from any consequences because of him; no matter how cute he was. Thalia was already on the scaffold with her assistant drum majors talking about the plan for today when I arrived. She talked about semi finals coming up and also the possible last football game tomorrow night. It was possible because the team needed to win tomorrow in order to move on to the state's finals. That's if they win however and from what I could tell, it look like they will win tomorrow.

Gee, can't wait to go to more football games.

My eyes roamed around hoping to catch a familiar mop of hair. It took a while, but I spotted him chuckling with Nico and Grover all the way near the front of the group. How the hell did I miss him when I was waiting for him? From what I know, there's only one way to the field from the band room. Unless he didn't come from the band room and instead came from the art building. But why wouldn't he? And why was he there in the first place?

Crap. I'm getting obsessed and have to stop.

It's not my business to know why he was in there, or who he was with.

I only needed to trust him. I practically repeated that to myself over and over for the next few minutes.

Thalia then called us to warm up and then go to the first set of the last movement, breaking me out of my train of thought.

I lead my team through the series of warm ups and basics. Watching them for this short period of time almost teared me up. They were really shaping up into an amazing team. Its hard to believe that this was the team that I first got handed over two months ago.

Things really are changing.

After, we all went to the beginning of the last song.

"Hey Wise Girl." It was obvious who called me because there was only one person who would call me that.

My heart swelled up when I turned around and saw him.

"Hi Percy," I smiled.

"How are you doing?"

I snorted. "How am I doing? You are such a Seaweed Brain. Well we are both at practice so how do you think I am doing."

He laughed too, finally understanding his mistake. "Right sorry, I guess we are both feeling the same way." His green eyes slowly landed on mine.

"Yeah," I sighed as I steadily melted away. I wanted to ask where he was before practice but, suddenly a loud shrill clouded my hearing.

"Hey love birds! First set!" Thalia yelled at us from her scaffold. She didn't look happy, but knowing her she was smirking on the inside.

Everyone around us oohed. A guy in the back even howled a whistle at us. Out of nowhere a drum stick flew by between us too. These jerks. That shit almost took my eye out.

"Hey real mature you guys." Percy beat me first at yelling at his guys. I would've done more than just yell at them though.

Connor looked away innocently, but it was obvious that he was missing a stick.

"I'll handle him later," Percy promised and then we both walked to our spot.

Sweat beads rolled down the side of my face as I was walking back to the band room from the field. Every step I took, there was a sharp pain in my right calf. Crap this hurts. I wouldn't be feeling this way if it wasn't for Percy too. He dropped me twice in the last two runs of the show at the end of practice, so the pain is still raw.

Gods, this sucks .

Probably, the only best part was seeing Juniper's reaction at Percy every time I fell to the ground. In fact, it looked like the color guard team was planning a revenge plan on him. I appreciate their support, but I can't have them do anything drastic. It's too dangerous for them when Percy had his drum line spawns idolizing him every step he took.

Speaking of the devil, he was waiting for me by the gate.

"I'm so sorry Annabeth. I didn't mean to drop you," he apologized to me the second I walked near him. He looked so innocent and sincere that it made me impossible to stay mad at him for long.

"You dropped me twice."

"OK I'm sorry that I dropped you twice." He sent me a grin. Ugh, why was it so hard staying mad at him.

"It's okay." I gave in.

I grimaced with the pain when I took another step.

"You don't look okay."

"No, don't worry. I'm fine." This was probably the longest walk ever.

"You are not okay Annabeth." He grabbed my hand, halting me.

I sighed. He was looking straight through me. "Fine, I'm not ok," I mumbled.

He smiled. Jerk.

"Alright then, hop on." He turned around so that his back was facing me and crouched down.

"What?"

"I'm giving you a piggy back ride. So hop on."

I was still flabbergasted.

"Wait where is your snare?"

"I gave it to Connor to put it away," he simply answered.

"Oh."

There was no way I was getting out of this, so I gave in. I wrapped my arms around his neck and placed my knee at his hips.

" Are you happy now?" I asked. My head rested beside his and I could feel him smiling.

"Yeah, I am."

He walked at a steady pace. I was surprised that he didn't sound tired at all.

"Am I not heavy?" I wondered.

"Are you kidding me? You are so light."

"Okay if you say so," I chuckled.

I snuggled closer to his neck and rested there while he did all of the work.

"So did you have butter fingers today or something?" I asked. I was curious to why he dropped me.

"Yeah I guess. I was too nervous I think."

"What? You were nervous?"

"Yeah," he admitted. He didn't seem nervous when he was cozy in that art classroom.

"How could you be nervous when we've done this show so many times already?"

"I honestly have no clue." This was hilarious to witness. "What's so funny?"

"You," I smiled.

"Okay, okay. I'm assuming that I'm forgiven?"

I nodded yes.

We ended up laughing along the way to the band room.

"Percy, there you ar-" A voice appeared out of nowhere.

It was Travis and he did not look happy. "What's going on here?"

Percy slowly lowered me down. I landed gently on my uninjured foot. "Chill Travis, I was just carrying her because of her bad foot,"

"Really? It looks a lot more than that. If I were you, I would've let her walk and suffer," he mumbled and kicked the ground.

I felt Percy fume up beside me.

"That's fucked up Travis." He stepped in front of me to face Travis. He backed up but he stared intently at Percy and I. His eyes went back and forth a few times before his exposure fell and he sighed. "Okay, sorry Perce." He walked past us to his car until he turned around. "Sorry Annabeth."

I gasped and my eyes widened. Travis Stoll just apologized to me. Never in my life I thought that would ever happen.

"Wow that just happened." Percy was clearly as shocked as I was.

"Yeah," I sighed. I turned to look up at Percy. I never noticed how much I love his profile. The way his hair flows through the breeze and the way he is standing right now with his broad shoulders just makes him twice as attractive. He knew I was staring from the smirk that was growing on his face. I wanted to ask him again about his whereabouts before practice. How could I have missed him when I was sitting out in the benches waiting for him? I needed to know, but suddenly he grabs my hand.

"I'm sorry about your foot again."

"It's ok," I said.

"How about I take you out to dinner? It'll be my treat."

I thought about it for a while. I could ask him now or ask him later. I just didn't want to ruin this moment I had with him. So I chose the latter, however one way or another I will figure out the truth to everything. Percy's smile lowered the longer I thought.

"Ok, but only if you carry me to your car."

And he did.

There you go guys! End of chapter 30.

P.S. this chapter has not been revised to my desire yet so please be patient with that! Thank you again and thank you for waiting all of this time.

For my fellow band geeks! How was your marching band season last year and winter season? I want to hear all about it. And best of luck with band camp coming up. I will be suffering with you guys as well with my school. So no worries, we will suffer together! LOL

Review please!