32: The Song

Annabeth POV

Of course, Percy's flight got canceled. Just my luck.

I hadn't seen Percy in over two months. My schedule was so busy with rehearsals and moving to New York City. Percy was also busy with Kane Records and his new album.

Over the past 6 months, he managed to fly out to visit me. However, our schedules weren't lining up recently. This weekend was a break for both of us, but now, he couldn't come.

"Hi, Annabeth, are you okay?" Hestia asked.

I looked over at my aunt. She came into the living room of our apartment with a mug of hot chocolate in her hand. I was living with my Aunt Hestia, who was a physical therapist. She was super sweet and comforting

"Yeah, I'm fine, Aunt Hestia. I'm just a little angry because Percy's flight got canceled due to bad weather," I said.

"Aww, I'm sorry dear. Here's some hot chocolate," she expressed warmly.

I took the warm drink from her. I really liked living in New York City with my aunt. Although I missed my dad and brothers, Hestia was much better than Helen. Even though I was busy, I still felt like I was being supervised and safeguarded.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Hestia asked.

I sighed because I didn't know. I was excited about spending time with my boyfriend, but that was gone now. I was feeling so sad.

"I'll probably just practice my lines and songs for the Great Gatsby," I answered.

"No, Annabeth, you've been doing so much work, and you deserve to take a break. Besides, you are well prepared for the show," Hestia said.

"Yeah, but opening day is in a few weeks," I responded.

The Great Gatsby was coming along fantastically. The show was going to be a real success. I loved my castmates. Some of them were very accomplished, and I admired their works. And, I was grateful that I could learn from them.

Hestia sighed before checking the time. "Oh, I have to get to work Annabeth. Will you be all right tonight?" she asked.

I smiled at my aunt. "Yes, Hestia, I'll be fine."

As soon as Hestia left, I walked towards my room. I was upset, so I was going to distract myself with work. I had already memorized and perfected my lines and music. However, I didn't have any more work to do independently.

Fortunately, a phone call saved me from a lousy few hours.

"Hey, guys," I exclaimed as I answered facetime.

"Annie, I'm so sorry that Percy's flight got canceled," Thalia said. "I feel so bad. I know that you were looking forward to seeing him."

"Yeah, Annabeth, so sorry," Piper said.

However, she was smiling brightly, which made no sense.

"Pipes, you look so happy about it. Like, what the hell?" I said while laughing.

"Nothing, uh, I'm just watching a youtube video," Piper stammered. However, I wasn't convinced. She was hiding something.

"Piper, is everything all right?" I asked seriously.

"Everything's fine, Annie," Thalia stated. "Oh, did you hear that Percy wrote a new song? It's amazing."

"It's not a surprise for Percy to write a song," I said. I laid back on my bed. My hand was holding my phone up. I really enjoyed talking to my friends.

"Yeah, but this song is fantastic. You'll be pleased," Piper said.

"Why do I feel like you guys are hiding something?" I asked. I analyzed my friends' facial expressions, but they both covered their faces.

We spent almost two hours on facetime.

BUZZ. BUZZ. BUZZ.

The doorbell t wouldn't stop. Whoever was at the door was relentless.

"Oh, you probably want to get that, Annabeth," Piper stated excitedly. "Yeah, we'll call you tomorrow, Annie," Thalia continued.

Then, they hung up.

I groaned before running to the apartment. The doorbell was becoming louder and more frequent.

"SHUT UP, I'M COMING," I shouted.

I swung the door open and froze. My mouth opened, and my eyes widened.

Percy was standing in all his glory with one hand leaning against his luggage. He was in casual clothing, wearing a huge smile on his face.

"Seaweed Brain," I whispered in shock.

"Surprise, Wise Girl," Percy expressed.

"Oh my god," I shouted as I jumped into his arms. I nearly knocked him over, but he quickly wrapped his arms around me. His lips found mine in an instant.

"Percy, this is the best surprise ever," I whispered.

Percy laughed as he swung me around. It felt so good to be in his arms.

"Wise Girl, the weekend's only getting started," Percy said excitedly. He kissed me again before pulling me into the apartment.

"Tomorrow's the real surprise. I have a song for us."

"For us?" I asked.

"Yes, for both of us," he expressed with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back. Gods, I missed him so much, and I was ready for a full weekend with just my Percy.

***

"Seaweed Brain, what are we doing here?" I asked.

Percy brought me to a music studio in downtown NYC. I thought that we were going to be exploring the city together, but he brought me to a recording studio instead. The studio was nice and aesthetic with a lot of record labels and instruments on the walls.

The studio was currently empty because Percy's team hadn't arrived yet.

"I told you, Wise Girl, that I have a song to record," Percy said.

"Yeah, but I thought that we were spending time together. I didn't know that you had work to do," I responded sadly.

Percy's grip tightened around my hand.

"Wise Girl, we are spending time together. We are recording this song together. I already got permission from Kane," Percy explained.

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

"He means that he wrote a song that he wants to sing with you as a duet," a familiar voice said from behind us.

"Jason, oh my god, what are you doing in New York," I exclaimed. The rest of Percy's team came into the room. His band went straight into the sound booth and started setting up. A few tech guys came and started wiring the music board.

"Hey, Annabeth," Leo cheered.

I quickly hugged my friends before returning my attention to Percy. I hadn't realized that this was going to be a huge production. I was confused.

Percy was smiling as he pulled out some papers from his backpack.

"Wise Girl, I wrote this song that I want to sing with you. It's called Lucky," he said passionately before giving me the lyrics.

My eyes scanned the lyrics on the page. My smile kept growing as I read through the song. It was a beautiful song, simple and elegant.

"It's beautiful. Um, are you sure that this song isn't about Jason?" I teased.

"Annabeth, I said the same thing," Leo exclaimed before he burst out laughing. A few other members of Percy's team also smiled.

"While I love Jason, this about you, Wise Girl. I've been writing this song for the past several months, and I finally finished it last week," Percy said.

He took my hand again before leading me into the sound booth.

"Well, I love you too," I said firmly.

I kissed my boyfriend passionately before we entered the recording booth. I was excited. I had never recorded an original song before. We hadn't started the official recordings of the music for The Great Gatsby. This would be my first ever original recording.

Percy fixed the lyrics onto the music stand next to the microphones before we took our positions in front of the microphones.

We were both smiling at each other as the music started.

It took a few hours before we perfected the tune and harmonies. It was really soothing to sing with Percy. Our voices meshed together perfectly.

We were an odd pair, practically opposites, but we belonged together. Our voices also belonged together.

Percy took my hand before nodding to Leo and Jason. Jason smiled as Leo gave us a thumbs up. Percy and I both have such incredible friends.

Then, the band started playing their instruments (mostly acoustic guitar).

Percy pulled closer to me. We were now sharing a single microphone. I looked into his eyes as he started singing.

Percy's voice started soft and rhythmic before growing in passion. Then, I started my verses.

"Boy, I hear you in my dream. feel your whisper across the sea. I keep you with me in my heart. You make it easier when life gets hard..."

Our voices melted together for the beautiful chorus.

"I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend. Lucky to have been where I have been, Lucky to be coming home again. Lucky we're in love in every way, Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed, Lucky to be coming home someday..."

"Ooh, ooh, oh..."

I smiled as the song continued. It sounded incredible, and it was a testament to how much Percy and I loved each other.

I was totally in love with him.

And, Percy was in love with me even more.

Our gazes were locked as the song finished. We were both smiling as we finished the tune at the end of the song. The music passed after a few seconds.

Percy turned towards me in anticipation.

"Wise Girl, this is gonna be how I tell the world that we're together. That we're in love, and nothing can get in between us," Percy expressed quietly.

"Sounds like an amazing way to share and spread our love," I affirmed.

He planted a firm kiss on my lips, which I happily accepted.

Percy and I were so lucky to be in love. And, I hope that everyone gets the chance to experience love in some way, shape, or form.

After all, love is power. Love is emotion. Love is magic.

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