I woke up the next day and quickly took a shower. My arms were still healing, and I had to rewrap them afterward. They stung, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. I quickly threw on my black hoodie, black jeans, and a black t-shirt. As I was pulling on my black and white converse, I got a text. Pulling my phone out of my hoodie pocket, I quickly read it.

Rachel: Dude! Where the fuck are you?

Rachel: Oh wait. Sorry nevermind, I'm fifteen minutes early

I sighed as I quickly texted her that I was up and on my way. Seeing my mom already up, I walked into the dining room to the smell of pancakes. Now that is something new from what I had been enduring these past few years. I hadn't had mom's pancakes in forever.

"Morning, Blue! I hope you're ready for today" mom excitedly placed a stack of blue pancakes in front of me. I quickly doused them in syrup and ate quickly. After downing my fourth pancake, I kissed my mom on her cheek and waved as I left for school.

I walked with a spring in my step, I was extremely nervous, but honestly, I was also more excited and happy than I had been in a while. I got to school and walked in the doors, rushing a bit to get to the library.

Seeing my two closest friends made my heart warm. Rachel waved dramatically while Annabeth sent me a small smile. Grinning, we set off for Annabeth's class.

"So, are you ready for today?" Rachel asked, poking me in the ribs.

"I mean, I'm terrified, but I guess so," I rubbed my neck as I danced away from her finger.

"Don't worry, you'll be amazing, I know it. That is if you don't miss your cue. You did sleep last night, right?" hearing Annabeth worry and praise me made my stomach fill with butterflies. I had to bite my cheek so I wouldn't break out into a stupid grin.

"Yeah, I slept last night," she looked at me as if checking to see if I was lying.

"So, what are you doing today in Architecture?" I drew the attention away from me strategically. I melted when I saw Annabeth's eyes sparkle as she started rambling about this new building structure and how it was created. I enjoyed watching her talk about her passion; she always got so much happier and carefree. I smiled softly at her as she explained new concepts and how she would add them to her existing designs. Sadly, we made it to her classroom, and she waved as she went to class.

"Wait, Rachel, don't you have a zero period too?" I asked, unsure.

"Yep, but it's math, so I don't give a fuck" she said matter of factly and started walking towards the schoolyard. I followed behind her, unsure of where we were going. Honestly, the nervousness was hitting me like a truck. What does a heart-to-heart even mean?

She led me to a table, and she sat across from me.

"Alright, since you're an oblivious idiot, I'm going to tell you exactly what's going on," she cut right to the chase, and I nodded sheepishly at her. I don't know what I'm oblivious about, but I guess that comes with being oblivious to something.

"You like Annabeth," she said those three words, and I felt my face redden. I didn't really know what I felt for Annabeth. I mean, whenever she was near, I was always warm and tingly. When she hugged me or held my hand, I literally melted. Not to mention the flipping of my stomach when she smiles at me. Oh. Oh, I see.

"You didn't even realize, did you? Holy shit" Rachel banged her head on the table and mumbled a few things under her breath. I wasn't sure what to do so I just sat there and looked everywhere but at her.

Then she abruptly sat up and took a deep breath. "Ok, here's the deal. You're obviously pining. I'm not sure if Annabeth sees it because she has her oblivious moments. Most of the time, she's pretty quick on the uptake but basing all the shit that she did at the hospital, I'm going to guess that this is one of her few moments where she's blind. I'm not sure if that is good or bad for you, to be honest. I mean, being the person in the center is hard shit. You have no idea. Anyways. Let me cut to the chase,

When are you going to tell her?" my head snapped to look at her. She was looking amused by my expression, which I'm positive was of bewilderment.

"Um, never?" I said it like a question. I've never had to deal with this kind of thing before. I would push friends that got to close away before they could actually impact me. Annabeth and Rachel are the closest friends I've had since Grover.

Rachel slammed her hands, palm down on the table, standing up. She leaned forward a bit and growled," That's not the right answer," I was shocked and a bit fearful. What was I supposed to say? Yep, I'm going to tell her today? Fuck no.

"How about I give you a timeframe? Sometime from today and Sunday, you tell her," Rachel sat back down and crossed her arms.

"What if I chicken out?" I asked softly

"You don't want to know. Trust me. Ask Jason or Leo if you really want to know, though I'd doubt they would dare to speak of the horrors I put them through. But you don't need to worry. I'm the expert in our friend group. Jason and Leo are happy because I threatened them to confess to their girlfriends. So the only thing you have to worry about is not telling Annabeth, and hey, if she says no, it's not like she'll hate you." Rachel looked smug, and I paled. There was no way out; I was in a corner. As soon as I acknowledged my feelings, Rachel threw me into the lion's den. I looked at her with newfound fear. She laughed at me.

"No worries, I'm not going to kill anyone. I'll just embarrass you so bad you'll wish you died. That or blackmail you into doing something so insane that you'll hate me for the rest of your life" somehow, her explanation didn't really ease my worries.

The bell rang.

"Alright, Percy, you know the drill you have somewhere around 72 hours to confess your undying love for Annabeth or else. Trust me; you'll thank me later. Now I've actually got to get to class. I'll see you after school" with that, she jumped up and sprinted into the school.

I sighed. Shit just keeps getting added to my life. Though a small part of me wonders what it would be like to have Annabeth as a girlfriend. Would she let me hold her hand? I shook my head, no use getting excited over nothing.

I stood and walked back into the school. Annabeth wouldn't like someone like me. Especially since I put her through so much pain. I headed to my locker to get my books ready for math.

My classes passed quickly. No one was really paying attention. The teachers tried their best to keep the classroom's attention, but everyone was too hyped for the competition. Seeing all these kids getting so excited made the butterflies in my stomach multiply.

Music class came around, and Mrs.Fin was a mess. Throughout the class, she was rushing in and out of the classroom, setting things up. On the board, she had written a message to Ky, which basically just told me that I would be last again and the procedure of the competition was the same as the preliminaries. I took Riptide off the back wall and tried playing my song.

I ignored my screaming arms as I held the guitar. Thank gods I didn't decide on the piano. I managed to get through the song, painfully. I cursed my stupidity and worked through the music, warming my fingers up. I felt my muscles telling me to stop, and the burning sensation traveled up my arms. This wasn't good. I couldn't play like this. I wanted to crawl in a hole and cry. I was going to let everyone down with my terrible playing. All because I was selfish and wanted to die. I didn't stop playing. I would push through. I had to. I was going to give it 110%.

Eventually, the bell rang, and Mrs.Fin dismissed us as she ran out of the classroom again. I walked towards PE but thought better of it. I'd rather not open these wounds before the competition. I walked in the opposite direction of the Gym.

I entered the library and saw Annabeth talking to Rachel excitedly. Every so often, Rachel would say something, and Annabeth would freeze a bit, and then pink would dust her cheeks. Rachel would laugh, and Annabeth would scowl and pout.

I walked over to them and sat down, exhausted in the armchair across from them. The two girls stopped talking as I put my head in my hands.

"Hey Perce, what's wrong?" Annabeth said softly, and I felt my heart clench. I had to tell her about how I was going to disappoint her. I took a deep breath.

"I tried playing my song in Music class today, but throughout the whole song, my arms burned. I couldn't concentrate hard enough" I bit my lip, trying not to cry. I heard the chair squeak and felt arms go around me in a hug.

"Don't worry, Percy. I'm going to go get the medicine, ok? That helped last time. Also, I have some painkillers in my first aid kit. I'll be right back, so don't stress out, ok?" Annabeth spoke with a voice barely above a whisper. I felt her arms leave me as she walked away. I lifted my head to see Rachel looking at me with worry.

"Did you open any of your cuts?" she asked quickly. I shrugged. I didn't know, and I didn't really care. I heard her breathe in sharply and walk over to me. Grabbing my left arm softly before pulling up my sleeve. I quickly yanked the sleeve back over my bandages.

"Wait, not here, ok? The restroom, maybe? Let's wait for Annabeth to get back. I don't really want to risk someone seeing my arms," I said quickly, minorly freaking out. Rachel nodded and grabbed Annabeth's stuff as we walked out of the library.

Rachel led me to Annabeth's locker to see her closing it. She turned, saw us, and smiled as she jogged over.

"Rachel wanted to see if I opened them, so we came over to meet up with you. But um, I didn't really want to risk anyone seeing my arms," I explained briefly. Annabeth nodded and led the way. I wasn't sure where we were going, and I didn't really care, as long as no one would see my arms.

I recognized the hallway we were turning into. Annabeth opened the all too familiar door, and I hurried inside. My lunch spot, the janitor's closet across from my French Class.

I felt a bit embarrassed. I mean, who sits in a janitor's closet waiting for lunch to be over? Losers, that's who.

"Alright, let's see them; I want to make sure you're not bleeding out or anything. Plus, Annabeth wants to give you some ointment or whatever shit she has" Rachel brought me back to reality, and I quickly pushed my hoodie sleeves up. I winced as I used my arms but managed to unwind my forearms shakily. I dropped the bandages to the floor as I finished, not really caring.

"Rachel, go get new bandages" Annabeth's voice shook a bit, and I wondered what the problem was. I mean, yeah, I just dirtied the clean bandages, and I would need new ones. But why did her voice shake? I looked at my arms.

Oh, that's why.

A few of my slashes were open and bleeding. Not like profusely, but enough so blood was dripping slowly off my arms as I held them up. I looked at them annoyed, seriously? I play guitar for an hour or so, and I have to redo my bandages? Lame.

Apparently, Annabeth didn't think it was lame. She walked up to me in the already cramped space and grabbed some paper towels from behind me. Her shoulder brushed mine, and I felt a small spark. I blushed a bit at our close proximity and looked away.

Then I felt the dabbing of the paper towel on my arms. Annabeth looked pale as she tried spreading the ointment on my cuts. She worked quietly while biting her lip. I didn't know why she was so worried, but she kept muttering about how Rachel was taking so long.

I sighed a bit, and her head snapped up at me as I looked down at her. If I wasn't trapped in a janitor's closet, I would have run. Her eyes held intense fury. I didn't know what to say or do, so I just looked bewildered as she glared.

"What's wrong?" I asked her. I was genuinely confused as to why she was angry. I personally thought it was a valid question; I guess not because her glare hardened. Then she looked down and finished applying the ointment, though it wasn't doing much since my arms were still bleeding.

"Why are you so calm? You're literally bleeding out! I should take you to the nurse right now, but no, I know you won't let me! Which is stupid, by the way. Seriously, what is taking Rach so long?" she grumbled and yelled a bit. I wanted to step back, but she was gripping my forearms to put pressure on the wounds; I didn't move much.

Just then, Rachel came in, with the entire first aid kit. She pushed it into Annabeth's hands, who opened it quickly. And Rachel took her turn holding my cuts shut while Annabeth rewrapped my arms, pulling tightly. Rachel let go of my right arm and grabbed my left while Annabeth finished. Then she let go entirely as Annabeth wrapped my left.

"Thank you. Now how about those painkillers?" I smiled at them. Annabeth looked at her bloodied hands and scowled.

"If you think I'm letting you play in that competition now that I know what happens, you're dead wrong," she growled out. My face fell. No, no, no, I need this.

"No, please, Annabeth, I'll let you mother hen me as soon as I get off stage, just please let me play," I pleaded. I know what you're thinking, she's your age! She shouldn't be able to tell you what to do! But see, I know that not listening to Annabeth got you an angry Annabeth. And that is the last thing you want. Also, with my arms injured, I doubt I would be able to get past her.

She thought for a moment, and Rachel whispered something in her ear, which made her ears redden. Cute. Then she scowled and looked at me, huffing, "Fine." I almost fist-pumped the air but thought better of it. I cleaned up the bandages on the floor, wiping up any stray blood drops. Then I followed the two girls out.

"Wait, the painkillers!" I reminded them.

"Ok, but only if you actually think about singing on stage," Annabeth said mischievously. I knew there was a catch to her giving in so easily earlier.

"Wait, you sing? Why haven't you been doing it before?" Rachel demanded. I sheepishly rubbed the back of my neck.

"Um, I'm not really that good, and I've only sung with my mom" I felt embarrassed admitting that and looked away.

"Alright, let's go put the first aid kit away. The meds are in my car," Annabeth explained, and we followed her. Rachel whipped out her phone and started texting furiously. I was content watching Annabeth's hair move across her back as she walked. Her curls bounced as she took a step. I felt a buzz in my pocket and groaned internally.

Rachel: So, what's your plan?

I shot a look at Rachel, but she just kept her eyes trained forward, ignoring me. I sighed.

Me: I don't have one

Rachel: What the fuck man!

Rachel: You've gotta have a plan!

Me: No I don't. I'm just going to wing it

Rachel: Remind me why anyone would fall for you

Me: No one would! That's why I don't want to do this

Rachel: You're an idiot

Me: Glad to be of service

Rachel shook her head and sighed. I groaned internally as we made our way out of the school towards Annabeth's car. She opened the door and reached into the driver's side door. After a few seconds, she had pulled out a white bottle.

"How many?" she asked while unscrewing the cap.

"I don't know, just give me however many you take" I shrugged and held out my hand. Annabeth sighed and handed me two. I took the Advil and popped them in my mouth. Annabeth then thrust a water bottle in my face, and I took it gratefully, drinking the pills down.

"Those should kick in in about 20 minutes. Lucky for you, that's how much time we have left in seventh period," Rachel was texting again. I was sincerely hoping that it was to someone else. I thanked Annabeth, and we made our way to the courtyard.

We all sat in silence.

I tapped my fingers on the table uneasily—no real pattern. Then I remembered something.

"Hey, ready to tell me what Rusticitas means?" I asked. Annabeth looked up at me with an amused expression.

"Nope. I told you, that's for me to know and for you to wonder for eternity or until you look it up" Annabeth grinned at me.

Rachel groaned, long and loud. "It's so boring waiting here! Wait, I have an idea lets do a bet" her eyes lit up, and I stood up quickly.

"Um, no, I'm good Rachel, I'm actually going to go to the restroom real quick, but you guys have fun" I made a quick escape. I didn't need Rachel to have anything else over me. I kind of felt bad leaving Annabeth there to fend for herself, but she is definitely more experienced in the Rachel department than I am. I slowed from a run to a walk as I made my way to the restroom.

Rachel said I needed a plan, but honestly, I was just going to blurt it out when I had the guts. Going through an elaborate plan will only build up my anxiety and make me chicken out. It's better just to say it in the moment and try not to make a huge deal out of it. See, the only problem is when I would be alone with Annabeth long enough to say it to her.

I may be terrified of Annabeth's answer, but I feel even more scared about Rachel's threat. I'm guessing that Jason and Leo didn't believe Rachel when she threatened them. But I will take her words to heart.

I blinked. How long had I been walking? I looked around. I was way past the restroom. Sighing, I started doubling back when the bell rang. Shit. I stopped moving backward and raced for my locker. I quickly pulled out my mask and bandana. Rushing into the nearest restroom, I ran into a stall.

Ok Percy, you can do this, no sweat, just play your song, and you'll be fine.

I calmed myself down and threw the bandana on over my head. Pulling it down over my nose and mouth. Then I tied on my black mask and pulled my hood over my head. I flushed the toilet for appearances and walked out of the restroom.

I broke out into a run. I'm going to be late again! I felt my pocket buzz a few times, and I figured they were probably texting me to tell me they were with my mom. I made it to the auditorium out of breath and signed in.

"Oh, thank goodness, Ky, you were seriously starting to stress me out a bit! You're nearly ten minutes late!" Mrs.Fin exclaimed as she ushered me into the auditorium. There were six other kids, and I sheepishly walked to stand next to the last one.

"Ok, contestants, this is it! I'm sure you're all raring to go, but here are your numbers. Just like last time, put them on your front. Now number one and two get warmed up. The audience is going to start arriving soon." Mrs.Fin handed out papers. Mine had a 7 on it, which I already knew was going to happen. Then she ushered us to the waiting room.

The other six filed in, but once Mrs.Fin turned away to welcome the audience, I turned around and sat outside of the room. I'd prefer staying away from a bunch of competitive teenagers for as long as possible. Also, I wanted to see Annabeth, mom, and Rachel before I was subject to waiting.

They walked in, and I stood up quickly. I jogged over to them and almost fell on my face in the process. Mom walked up to me and hugged me.

"I'm so proud of you, Blue. Good luck," then she pulled away, kissed my forehead, and walked down the aisle. Rachel almost knocked me over with her hug.