22: The Showcase

Annabeth POV

"Annie, stop fidgeting," Piper shrieked. "I cannot do your hair and makeup if you keep moving."

She grabbed my shoulders for the third time and straightened my posture. The hair curler was still in my hair as I fixed my white, silk dress.

"Piper, be careful," I hissed.

"I am being careful, you're the one fidgeting," she shot back. Hazel, Piper, and I were getting ready in Piper's room. Hazel was wearing a whole gown since she was singing a ballroom song while I was in a simple dress.

I was singing a pop acoustic, so this was the best outfit.

"Annabeth, are you nervous or something?" Hazel asked.

I sighed as I turned to my friends. I grabbed the curling iron out of my hair and set it down. To be honest, I was nervous. I get nervous before every performance, but this one, in particular, would be a large venue and my dad is coming.

"Yeah, a little. There's gonna be a lot more people in the showcase today because of Percy. Plus, my dad will be watching," I said earnestly.

Piper smiled as she gently gripped my shoulders.

"Annabeth, you're going to kill it. You have an amazing voice. You too, Hazel," Piper said reassuringly.

Hazel and I smiled at our friend before continuing to get ready. I could always rely on my friends to raise my confidence and make me feel better. Piper was the most chill in the group because she wasn't performing tonight.

Piper had aspirations to go into the business side of modeling and cosmetics (just like her sister, Silena). As such, there wasn't much that she could do at the showcase.

It took another half-hour to get ready before we left Piper's house.

We were driving ourselves because Jason and Thalia had to be at the venue early. Jason and Thalia were hosting the showcase this year, which required a lot of preparation. However, this was a great experience for them on the business side of productions.

"Girls, I'm so excited," Piper said firmly.

I nodded. Hazel still looked nervous. Of course, I was better at masking my emotions. Also, I was feeling emotionally better since Percy and I reconnected. We didn't cross the romantic line, but we did have a mutual understanding now.

"Bro, are you serious?" Hazel asked, interrupting my thoughts.

I followed her gaze outside. The whole street was blocked with traffic, and we were still three blocks away from our school. It felt like the whole city was coming to the venue.

Goode Academy held the semesterly showcases outside. They always build a stage on the football field, and they set up chairs through the field. Plus, the bleachers also were a source of seating.

"Wow, it's going to be a full house," I said in exacerbation.

It was a good thing that we left early because this traffic would take forever to get through. The crowd spoke volumes about Percy's popularity and pull as a singer and performer.

"We're going to have massive coverage as well. The showcase is gonna be live on TV and YouTube. I guess that we Percy to thank," Hazel expressed.

"You know, sometimes, I forget that Percy is a huge star. I don't know, he acts so normally and ordinary with us despite being a self-made multimillionaire and famous celebrity," Piper said.

I nodded with a smile. Percy didn't care about fame or wealth. He loved to sing, make music, and perform so that's what he did. I admired that quality a lot.

Percy didn't change as a result of being a celebrity.

Piper honked her horn in frustration. Piper hated driving in traffic, and so did I. It took almost one hour to get to the school and park.

The city closed off several streets near the school to facilitate parking.

Fortunately, the school parking lot was reserved for performing students and VIP personal, so we didn't have to walk that much.

We quickly navigated through the school hallways and walked towards the back of the school. The noise hit me straight in the face first. There were so many people sitting and standing on the football field.

The students were sitting near the stage on the field while the audience was littered throughout the field and bleachers. Gods, there would be no way to find my dad in all of that.

Just then, I received a call from my dad.

"Hey, dad, I was just thinking about you. Where are you sitting?" I asked.

Piper, Hazel, and I continued walking towards the students' section, which was a few rows behind the VIP seats (near the stage). Jason and Thalia were on-stage already, talking to our principal and program coordinators. The tech guys were testing all of the speakers and music systems.

"Honey, I'm in the bleachers. Wow, there are so many people and a lot of media here, which is so exciting. I can't wait to hear you sing," my dad exclaimed.

"Thanks, dad. I'm excited too," I said loudly.

"Good luck, honey, not that you need it," my dad said. I could barely hear him because of all the noise.

"Yeah, thanks, Dad," I said before hanging up.

"Annabeth, your seat is over here," Piper exclaimed. Hazel was performing near the beginning of the show, so her seat was closer to the front.

Piper and I sat a few rows behind Hazel.

"Annabeth, doesn't Jason look so hot up there?" Piper whispered. Her eyes were sparkling as she watched her boyfriend.

"Um, yeah, I guess," I said awkwardly.

I stood up and looked around the crowd for Percy. It was easy to spot him since a lot of the press coverage was near him. Percy was talking to interviewers near the stage. Percy was going to perform at the end of the show. While still answering questions, his gaze fell on mine.

It was like he could sense me looking at him. His smile managed to make me smile. He managed to pull away from the press reporters after a few minutes.

However, before he could walk towards me, Rachel blocked his path.

I sighed as I sat back down and looked at my hands. I hated seeing Rachel all over Percy. It was irritating to see her with someone that I liked. Percy liked me too, yet he was stuck because of her.

To protect me, she said. Percy was with her to protect me. I didn't know what that meant though. I breathed as I tried to shake away my nerves.

"Wise Girl," Percy acknowledged.

I looked up again to see Percy standing in front of me. He was smiling brightly as he watched me.

"Hey, Percy, I thought that Rachel blocked you," I said.

"She did, but I have my ways to break free," he said slyly. "You know, Wise Girl, I can be sneaky sometimes."

"I don't doubt that one bit. Remember that time that you snuck into Goode's swimming pool and dyed the pool with blue food coloring," I said with a chuckle.

Piper laughed next to me as well.

"It was a dare. I couldn't back down. I'd never hear the end of it," Percy chuckled. "Anyway, Wise Girl, I wanted to tell you that you're gonna be amazing tonight."

I couldn't stop the heat from rising to my cheeks. My palms were sweating though out of nerves. There were a lot of people and a large media presence here.

"Wise Girl, I get nervous too. All the time," Percy expressed.

"You do?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah. You just gotta close your eyes, breathe, and sing your heart out. Eventually, you won't feel the nerves anymore," Percy said.

I nodded as I digested his words. They were helpful. It was enlightening to know that an experienced pop star like him still gets nervous. Plus, it showed that Percy was emotionally just like any other teenager.

"Wait, Percy, why are you standing so far away?" Piper asked.

Percy was standing several feet away from us. There was so much noise, so it didn't make sense why he wasn't coming closer.

"There's a lot of paparazzi here," Percy hesitated. "I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. That's why I'm distancing from Rachel as well."

That was tough. The paparazzi seemed awful because they were always trying to invade Percy's personal life.

"Being with me is a wrong idea?" I asked quietly.

"Being with you is the best idea, but I don't want the paparazzi all over you. They'd terrorize you, Annabeth, and I refuse to let that happen right now," Percy explained.

"Wouldn't it happen eventually if Annabeth and you are to be together?" Piper asked seriously. I looked at Percy in curiosity. That was an excellent question.

Percy sighed before locking his gaze onto mine.

"There is a right and wrong way to handle them. Getting caught with you is definitely the wrong way, Wise Girl. They'd say and do things..." Percy faltered off.

My mind raced as I processed his words. It showed how much negative experience Percy had with the media. He didn't want me to be a victim.

"Anyway, the show is gonna start soon. Don't think about any of this, Wise Girl. Just focus on your performance and kill it," Percy smiled.

He quickly retreated towards the VIP section.

Everyone started taking their seats. The news reporters took their stations, and the staff got in position for the show.

Jason and Thalia took to the stage.

The principal gave a long speech and welcomes everyone to the showcase. There was a long list of gratifications and names that he listed. Then, he announced that a special guest, the Percy Jackson, would be performing the grand finale.

Everyone cheered before Jason and Thalia took over.

Jason and Thalai were both natural leaders. They knew how to communicate effectively and efficiently. Before we knew it, the show was on the road.

A few acts passed by before the Stolls were up.

"Absolutely amazing. Please give another round of applause for Mark Sloan," Jason exclaimed. The crowd erupted to congratulate Mark on his magic.

The showcase really was a dynamic display of talents.

"Next up, let's welcome Goode High's very own troublemakers, Connor and Travis Stoll. They are going to be dancing tonight," Thalia cheered.

The Stolls were very good dancers. They were wild and energetic, which was perfect for roaring up the crowd.

Hazel sang a fantastic rendition of Beauty and the Beast.

Leo helped many of the singers and dancers with music mixing. The soundtracks were phenomenal tonight.

Katie performed live sand art. It was one of the most unique and meaningful shows that I've ever seen. I had to compliment her later because it was fantastic.

The students and the crowd went wild after every performance.

Even the elite members and talent scouts in the VIP section seemed to be enjoying the show. I was so caught up in the performances that I totally forgot that my turn was coming up.

"All right. It's my greatest honor to invite my best friend to the stage. Please welcome Annabeth Chase," Thalia exclaimed.

I took a deep breath and stood up.

The students cheered in support. I was known as one of the best vocalists in the school, which was quite encouraging. I smiled as I walked onto the stage.

Thalia hugged me in reassurance before giving me the stage.

I stood in the center of the stage. The microphone was positioned in front of me. I took a deep breath before placing my hand on the mic to steady myself and the speaker.

My gaze found Percy in the front row.

His eyes sparkled as he smiled at me. I smiled back as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was ready to sing.

My eyes opened as the music started to play.

Silence engulfed the cool atmosphere. I was the center of attention, and I reveled in it.

This was my chance to share my voice with the whole world. To show my strength and power. To express a message.

My gaze wandered the crowd as I started to sing.

"If all of the kings had their queens on the throne, we would pop champagne and raise a toast. To all of the queens who are fighting alone, Baby, you're not dancin' on your own..."