10: Arcade

Percy POV (in Annabeth's body)

"Wait, hold on, you didn't do swim training yesterday?" I asked in shock.

My (ie Annabeth's) voice elevated from the anger. We had made a deal yesterday, but Annabeth didn't follow through. That felt like a let-down, especially since I had gone through a lot in her body yesterday.

"I, err, I went to practice, but I just didn't swim," she said softly. Hearing my own nervous voice talk to me was very weird.

"Why?"

"Um, your coach was yelling and everyone was looking at me. I don't know, I just couldn't handle it, so I left. Percy, I'm so sorry, but I just couldn't deal with that," she expressed from my body.

I honestly felt bad now. I hadn't warned her about how stressful and pressurizing practice could be. I was used to it, and I had tough skin. However, Annabeth didn't have to deal with that kind of stuff, especially in front of others.

"I'm sorry. I guess that I should've warned you," I said solemnly.

I hated the idea of other people getting hurt because of me. Yet, Annabeth certainly had gotten traumatized by my life.

"It wasn't your fault," she said. She made my sea-green eyes look at me. "It was just life." I nodded in agreement.

Yup, just our weird, problematic teenage lives.

"Well, at least now, we can let each other know everything," I said. With that, our conversation returned to a detailed summary of our lives.

I tried to tell her as much relevant information as possible. However, even as we split off to go to our classes, I felt like I was forgetting something big.

But, I didn't know what it was.

***

"Annabeth, Annie, hold up," Leo shouted as he ran through the cafeteria.

Honestly, it would be embarrassing if it was anyone other than Leo Valdez. I've quickly learned that Leo was a crazy dude. He wasn't afraid to be disruptive.

"Annabeth, you didn't come to record yesterday. Thursdays are our studio day," Leo said emphatically.

I had no idea what he was talking about.

However, he talked about this topic like it was the end of the world.

"Leo, why are you always so overdramatic?" Thalai asked as she sat down at our table. So far, it was just us three at lunch.

Leo simply pouted as he pulled out his lunch: spicy chicken fajitas.

"I had to pick up my brother from school yesterday, so I couldn't meet you guys," I answered Leo very carefully as to not sound clueless or say the wrong thing.

"Well, lucky for you, I managed to pull some string and book the studio for today. It was easy to talk Apollo into it," Thalia explained.

"Wait, what do you mean?" I asked.

"Annie, I thought you were the smart one," Leo commented with a chuckle. "Remember, earlier this week, we decided for you to sing and record 'Castle on the Hill'."

I simply stared at Leo and Thalia.

I had no freaking idea that Annabeth sang. It was something that I wouldn't have even guessed. I couldn't sing for my life, but apparently, Annabeth was a good singer.

Even though this was uncharted territory, I was curious about Annabeth's singing.

But, singing required mental and emotional skills that I wasn't sure I had. However, I was in her body. I had her voice and throat, so maybe I could try singing.

If not, I could make an excuse about being sick or something.

Annabeth's other friends came to the table, and the conversations shifted. I was still lost in thought, which caught Thalia's attention.

"Annabeth, what are you thinking about?" Thalia asked.

"No, nothing. I'm just thinking about the song. I don't really want to do the song that we decided earlier this week," I said cautiously.

The trust was that I didn't know the song enough.

"No worries, Annabeth, we can pick another song," Thalia expressed. Her eyes stayed on me for a while as I started eating lunch.

Everyone else was busy socializing with each other, including me. Thalia, though, was quiet and gazing at me.

"Thalia, you keep staring," I commented after a while.

"She did that to your arm, didn't she?" Thalai asked softly. It was a silent conversation, which emphasized that Thalia was the only one that knew about Annabeth's personal life.

"She came home drunk last night," I said honestly.

I felt like Annabeth and Thalia didn't keep any secrets from each other. While Thalia was like a best friend, she was also like a sister.

"How much longer Annabeth?" she asked softly. "You know that you could always just come and live at my place."

"I know, Thals, but it's fine. My brothers are still at that home."

I wasn't sure what Annabeth would say, but that's what I would say as Percy Jackson. Besides, I had experience with abuse. Until, the family was ready to fight, nothing can be done.

"Annabeth, I can see the turmoil in your eyes," Thalia expressed.

"Helen's not a horrible person, Thalia, she's just-"

"horrible to you," Thalia finished. "She doesn't like that she got you as a daughter, Annabeth, when she married your dad, and that makes her awful to you."

Thalia understood the situation very well. Also, Helen WAS different than Gabe. Gabe was sadistic and abusive because he was a genuinely bad man. Helen was different. She didn't like having a member of the family that she wasn't linked to.

Not to mention, Annabeth's dad was never around to resolve that lack of connection.

"Until things change, Helen will always be the same," I expressed.

"Yeah, but how much longer can you wait for things to change. This isn't right," THalia said angrily, but quietly.

She was right. It took years for things to change with Gabe. Also, that wasn't change. That was literally kicking him out of our lives once my mom and I had enough of him.

That wasn't an option with Helen because there was potential to be better. After all, Helen wasn't awful to her sons at all.

Also, Annabeth couldn't just get rid of Helen.

"Everything's gonna be all right, Thalia. A change will come," I said.

I wanted the conversation to end because it was bringing back too many dark memories. However, a sudden realization crept into my mind.

Maybe, I could make a change come while I was still in Wise Girl's body.

***

Recording a song was very different than I expected. I was also incredibly nervous about singing from Annabeth's body.

She probably had a good voice, but I was Percy. I sucked at singing.

I was heavily praying that even though we swaped bodies, our voices and singing abilities stayed the same. It would be the mental skills that had to stay focused.

That applied to Annabeth, who was in my body, as well. She had to stay focused and intact while she was swimming because it was as much a mental game as it was a physical game.

"All right, Annabeth, get in the booth," Leo exclaimed.

Leo was setting all of the technology outside of the recording booth. I've never had a reason to be in the studio. It was very aesthetically pleasing though.

"Also, very cool song choice," Thalia commented.

I smiled as I walked into the small sound booth. I could see Leo setting stuff up through the large window in front of me.

Thalia was plugging in the aux, which had the music to 'Arcade'.

I didn't know why, but I really liked the song. Somehow, I also connected with it, but I wasn't sure for what reasons.

Or maybe, I didn't want to admit the reasons to myself.

I shook off the nerves as I started to sing the song. I honestly didn't know how I was doing, but I managed to stay with the tune and timing.

See, I had no problem with tunes, lyrics, and timing. I just had a bad singing voice, so it was fitting that Annabeth's singing voice was heavenly.

As Leo replayed the recording, I was beyond impressed.

"What doesn't she ever enter the talent show?" I blurted out.

Leo and Thalia turned to me in surprise. I simply stared at them awkwardly. "Well, we tell you that all the time," Thalia exclaimed.

"Does this mean you'll finally sign up?" Leo asked excitedly.

Honestly, I wanted Annabeth to showcase her voice. However, I knew that this wasn't my decision to make.

"When is the talent show again?" I asked curiously.

"In three weeks on Saturday," Leo answered. He seemed very excited at the prospect of me performing at the talent show. "I can't believe you're actually considering," he squeeled.

I was seriously considering. Annabeth deserved to show herself and her voice. Besides, technically, I was in control of her actions.

Maybe, just maybe, I could convince Annabeth.

After all, I'd be the one doing the work since I was in her body. However, she'd have to deal with the aftermath: good or bad.

I sighed as my attention turned back to the 'Arcade' recording.

The song was nice. I didn't know why I stayed with Rachel. There were many times when I felt like we weren't a proper fit. However, we were the stereotypical fit. I didn't really want to hurt her by breaking up.

While we always had physical chemistry, that spark wasn't there.

At least, I didn't feel any love.

Regardless, I stayed with her for months now. Being with Rachel wasn't a losing game, necessarily, but it wasn't amazing either.

I sighed again before packing up. Leo was waiting for the CD to finish copying, but I had to pick up the boys after their soccer practice today. Speaking of sports, I really hoped that Annabeth (ie my body) was handling swimming better today.

"Thalia, the talent show, maybe," I commented.

Both Leo and Thalia had supportive, yet excited smiles on their faces as I left. I was highly considering making Annabeth show her voice to the world.