Percy POV

Friday, April 5th. Day of the party.

"Woah" Percy said, staring up at the house.

"Yeah" Nico replied, standing next to Percy and also staring at the house. "Definitely"

"You act like you've never seen a house before. Come on guys, help us out" Thalia said as she and Jason struggled to get Jason's drums and the microphone up into the house.

"That is not at all a house Thalia." Percy said as he picked up a drum. "That is at least a mansion, if not a palace"

"Whatever. Just help" She said, as Nico grabbed the last drum.

"I think you could have gotten some more money outta him, Thals" Nico said, hoisting the drum over his shoulder. "If he lives here, then he's loaded."

"Well how was I supposed to know he lived in a palace?" Thalia retorted.

"You still could've gotten us more money!"

"Why didn't you try then?"

"I.." Nico started, before Percy cut him off

"Would you two please shut up!" He half shouted at them. They were almost up the stairs now, and he was sick of their arguing. "It's like listening to a bunch of small children fight" he said, only half to himself. The two of them glared at him, but thankfully shut up. "Thank you" Percy said as he leaned forward, trying to balance the drum he was carrying, his guitar case, the amp case Nico refused to carry, and ring the doorbell.

The door swung open just before Percy could reach the bell. Percy sighed, and Beckendorf came out.

"Good. You made it." He said with a slight smile. "Need some help?"

"Yes please" Percy said, handing Beckendorf a drum.

"So, the party starts in half an hour. You guys can set up now, and then hang around until we're ready for you."

"Thanks" Thalia said, following Beckendorf through the house until they reached a large room with four large speakers off to one side.

"You guys can set up here. Unplug whatever you need too" He said with a wave of his hand. "Now, if you'll excuse me I have to go find my fiancé." With that, he disappeared down a hallway and left the band to set up.

A few minutes later, Percy was hunched over his guitar, tuning and strumming it, when Beckendorf returned. He didn't see Beckendorf arrive, but presumed he did, because Nico suddenly stopped working on the amps next to him.

"Guys, I'd like you to meet my fiancé" Beckendorf said. Percy stood and whirled around, coming face to face with a beautiful woman. She had long black hair, pure blue eyes, and a face to put any model to shame. Percy could see why Nico was speechless.

"Percy Jackson. Nice to meet you." He said, extending his hand.

"Silena Beuragard" she said with a smile, shaking his hand. "Who are your friends?"

"I'm Jason and that's Nico" Jason said, while Nico just waved shyly.

"I'm glad you guys could come tonight. I'll admit, I was a little nervous when Charlie told me he had hired a garage band, but I think you'll be worth it"

"Thank you Ma'am" Jason said.

"Please. Call me Silena." She replied. It looked like she was going to continue, but then a look of shock covered her face. "Charlie," she said, almost scoldingly, "Did you finish setting up the kitchen?"

"Er...No" he answered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh my god!" she cried. "People will be here soon! Come on!" With that, she dragged a reluctant Beckendorf down a hallway that probably led to the kitchen.

"Well, looks like Nico's in love" Jason teased.

"Shut up" He said, but Percy could see a slight pink to Nico's cheeks.

"You don't even have a chance." Jason retorted.

"Neither do you" Nico said calmly. Percy tried his best to block out the rising noise and focus on his guitar.

"Well at least I've been on dates"

"Pity dates don't count"

That was it. "Will you two please shut the hell up and help me finish setting up the goddamn stuff?"

"Sorry Perce" Nico said, while Jason turned and sat back at his drums.

Time skip: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Percy sat in front of his microphone, absent-mindedly fiddling with his guitar strap. People swarmed around him, talking, drinking, dancing, socializing. Thalia was somewhere in that swarm, and Jason and Nico were with Beckendorf, while he sat here, waiting to start so that they could go home.

What could he say? Percy didn't like people. In his eighteen years of life, he'd known less than 10 people who turned out to be good ones. And three of them were here with him. But he liked his music, and that was all he cared about.

Tonight, they had chosen to do four of their six songs. Come as You Are, Aneurysm, About a Girl, and a new one, Sifting. He had one other one new song written, but was saving it for next week's concert. He just had a feeling he should.

Suddenly a hand clapped him on the shoulder, jerking Percy out of his thoughts and sending him jumping a foot into the air. It was just Jason.

"You ready for this?" He asked, with a little concern evident in his voice.

"Of course." Percy said, and Jason nodded, before moving behind his drums. Nico was plugging in his bass off to the side, when Silena approached him.

"You guys can start whenever they quiet down. I've already cut the music so you're good to go."

"Thanks" He said, and she disappeared into the crowd.

"How are you going to shut them up?" Nico asked.

"You'll see" Percy said, with a rare smile on his face. He leaned down over his amp, and turned the dial up to ten, then plugged it into a speaker. He set the microphone down in front of the speaker, and switched it on. Lastly, he plugged in Riptide. "Cover your ears" He said over his shoulder to Nico and Jason. Then he played.

A guitar chord cut through the air, silencing conversations, stopping dances, and even causing the people around the speakers to cover their ears in pain."

"Sorry about that. I know this is a party and all, but come on, focus on me." Percy said after picking up the microphone and turning down the amp. A few people laughed, but the rest stayed quiet. "Right. Come as You Are."

Time skip 35 Minutes

"Last one!" Nico shouted to the cheering crowd. Man this place is loud Percy thought, before straightening back up to sing. "This one's called Big Long Now"

It's not cold enough
Please put this side up
She is moving through
Can we show our faces now?

Waiting in

I'm not interesting
She's not turning green
Shameful as it seems
Can we show our faces now?

Endless climb
I am blind
Why can't I leave?
Color blind

Speaking a phrase
Instantly grown
I am blind line

It's not cold enough
Please put this side up
She is moving through
Can we show our faces now?

I'm not interesting
She's not turning green
Shameful as it seems
Can we show our faces now?

Endless climb
I am blind
Why can't I leave?
Color blind

Speaking a phrase
Instantly grown
I am blind

Why am I sure?

"Thank You! Goodnight!" Percy shouted, completely out of breath. Then, as an after thought, he added "Buy our albums!" He then followed Jason and Nico out of the room, to the kitchen where Beckendorf, Silena, and Thalia were waiting.

"That was awesome!" Silena said, "Thank you so much for coming!"

"Do you really have albums?" Beckendorf asked.

"We don't even have a name" Percy replied. "So no. And Silena, it was no problem."

"Are you guys going to stay for a while?" Silena asked.

"Uh, we should probably go..." Percy started, but was cut off by three simultaneous reponses of "Yes"

"Well, shit" Percy thought.

Jason POV

12:30 A.M.

Jason was having a great time. He had no idea where anyone else was, if they were still here, and who all they people here were. But he didn't care. It was a party, and Jason had already found some of the spiked punch. Not pure alcohol, but enough to get a buzz from. And he was certainly buzzed.

"Jason?" A voice called out. "What are you doing here?"

He whirled around, turning to face whoever the mystery person was. He found himself face to face with Piper Mclean.

"Oh...Hey Piper" he stuttered out. God, could he look like a bigger idiot to her?

"What are you doing here?" She demanded again.

"Um...I got invited?" He replied, confused.

"Oh" Piper said, sighing with relief. When she saw Jason's confused look she elaborated. "I thought you had crashed the party. Which, since it's an important party for my sister, would piss me off"

"Your sister?" Jason asked, still confused.

"Silena's my half-sister" Piper explained. "Hey, do you want to sit somewhere and keep talking?"

"Sure" Jason said, trying not to blush or act like an idiot. She smiled, and led him off into a living room. People danced and mingled around the room, but there was a couch that sat unoccupied in the middle.

"So" She said as she sat down. "How do you know Beck and Silena?"

"My sister knows Beckendorf" Jason lied, hoping she wouldn't notice.

"You have a sister?" She asked.

"She's 26" Jason replied. "Most people I know don't know her, and she doesn't even look like me"

"No wonder most people don't know her"

The two of them soon lost track of time, talking and just listening to the music. They talked about everything, from school, to plans for the future, to relationships, to music.

Suddenly, in the middle of his sentence, Jason froze. He strained his ears, trying to pick up the latest song over the noise of the party. Slowly, as more and more people recognized the music, the louder it got. A smile spread across Jason's face as he recognized it.

"What is it?" Piper asked, confused by Jason's sudden pause.

"Don't you recognize it?" He asked, gesturing to the air. When she shook her head, he sighed, but explained. "Led Zeppelin. Stairway to Heaven"

"Oh." Piper said, as understanding dawned across her face.

"Well, then" Jason said, standing up, as people all around him began to pair off into couples. He extended his hand to her. "May I have this dance, Miss Mclean?" He asked with a smile.

"You may indeed." She replied, grinning and placing her hand in his.

Percy POV

Unlike Jason, Percy was not at all happy. He had absolutely no idea where Jason, Nico, or Thalia were, and had just wasted two and a half hours looking for them. Needless to say, Percy was pissed. They knew he hated crowds. And most people. But here he was.

After walking around the third floor of the house, again, Percy gave up. Screw it. He thought bitterly. I'm getting out of here.

Just as he turned around to leave, the little voice in the back of his mind decided to interrupt.

They abandoned you. It whispered sinisterly.

Shut up Percy thought back. As usual, the voice made no direct reply.

They forgot you. Like everyone always does.

SHUT UP! Percy mentally screamed

Everyone hates you. That's why you're here, and they're not. They all left you, because they know what you are. It said, voice laced with malice.

"Shut up!" Percy said, out loud now. Still, no reply.

You're weak. Useless. Stupid. That's why they hate you.

"That's a lie!" He said, not caring who heard. "Shut the hell up!"

They all hate you. None of them cared about you. Not Nico, Jason or Thalia. Not your mother, your father, or your step father. Not even yo...

"Shut the fuck up!" Percy screamed, enraged and desperate. He knew what it was about to say. He really didn't need to hear those names again. But, surprisingly, the voice stopped. But it didn't disappear. He could still feel its presence, like a weight in his mind, dragging him down.

He turned and starting walking again, but this time without a purpose. Aimlessly, Percy wandered around the house, not even noticing the people around him.

"Hey, Buddy. You alright?" Someone asked off to Percy's right. He didn't even look up, but just nodded, as more of a way to shut the man up than as an actual answer. "You don't look it." The man continued.

"I'm Fine" Percy replied flatly.

"I'm sure you are. But here, try this." The person said, pressing something glass and round into Percy's hands. "It'll pick you right up, I promise." And with that, the stranger disappeared back into the crowd.

Confused, Percy looked down to see what the stranger had put into his hands. He held a large bottle, half filled up with some liquid. When he tried to read the label, all his dyslexia gave him was an "S", a "W" and an "H" He stood there for a moment, just staring at the bottle, contemplating drinking it. As he stood, he began to feel the weight in his head grow heavier and heavier.

Oh,what the hell He thought. It couldn't be that bad. He reasoned, before unscrewing the top and taking a long sip.

It tasted terrible. Almost like something rotten. And it burned, like liquid fire flowing down his throat. He doubled over, coughing and spluttering, but forced himself to swallow the foul-tasting liquid. "Oh god. That's disgusting. Jackass." He muttered to himself, screwing the top of the bottle.

As Percy started walking again, things started to get...fuzzy. He staggered forwards, before slumping against the wall. Woah. Okay. Don't need any more of that. Whatever the hell it was. He thought as he sat on the floor of the house. Then suddenly, he noticed the weight in his head had lifted. The voice was gone! Okay. Maybe it's not so bad. He reasoned with himself. A little more won't hurt.

Doing his best not to taste any, Percy took another sip. And another. Slowly, the metaphorical weight in his mind began to disappear. Shakily, Percy began to stand up. His whole world was a blur of lights and sound and noise. Cautiously, he took a step forward. Then he stepped forward again. When he didn't fall, he began to walk forwards again.

Percy wasn't exactly sure how he got outside. He found himself sitting against a tree, staring up at the stars. They were especially bright tonight. Out there, it was calm and quiet, the exact opposite of what it was like inside. Percy liked it.

Taking another sip of the mystery drink, he began to think about his life. Percy hoped that the drink would keep his...attacks... away, like it had done with the voice, but he was still worried it would happen again.

He would never admit this to anyone, but the attacks scared him. Once they started, there was only one thing he could do about it, and the idea of having to do it again scared him almost as much as the idea of another attack.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone coming crashing through the trees and swearing.

"Fucking bastard" Percy heard a girl's voice say, as the person kept walking. The sounds of footsteps and breaking branches was slowly growing louder and louder, as the person got closer to where he was sitting.

Great. Percy thought. I come out here to avoid people, and look what happens. Now, just keep walking He mentally commanded. Unfortunately, at that exact moment, the girl he had heard burst into his clearing, looked around for a second, and then sat down against a tree. Of course. Percy thought, looking away and taking another drink.

But the bottle slipped out of his hand, clattered to the ground, hit a root, and rolled down towards the girl. "Dammit" Percy groaned, not realizing that girl had seen the bottle, and was now looking in his direction.

"Who's there?" She said, looking around warily. Percy didn't respond, he just sat in the shadows, hoping she'd give up.

"I'm not leaving. I heard you out there, whoever you are. Now come out!" She called again.

"Fuck it" Percy said to himself. "Fine! I'm coming out!" He called, before pushing himself off the ground and walking into the moonlit clearing.

"Good" The girl said, as he approached. "Now why were you following me?" She demanded.

"Following you?" Percy asked, "I was here way before you"

"Yeah. Sure" She said, obviously suspicious of him. "Now tell me the truth."

"Weren't you listening? I just told you!" Percy retorted, his intoxicated brain turning annoyance into outrage.

"Right, right. Because you expect me to believe that?"

"Yes! Why not?"

"Hmm, let's see. Because it's the middle of the night, and there's a girl, alone in the woods, and then a strange guy who's obviously been drinking shows up. You don't see anything wrong with this situation?" She spat, her words full of venom.

"Oh. Shit. Sorry" Percy said, lamely.

"Yeah" She said harshly.

"Look, I promise I'm not going to do anything remotely like that to you. But I was here first. So I'm not going anywhere." Percy said, stopping to pick up the bottle. "But you can stay here if you want. I don't care." He finished, sitting down against a different tree.

"Fine" She said after thinking for a moment. She then sat down against a tree a short distance away from Percy.

For a while, the two of them sat in silence, neither acknowledging the other, and on Percy's part, taking small drinks from the bottle. Now that he was closer to the girl, he managed to gather a rough idea of what she looked like, despite the fact things were a little blurry. She was tan, and had long black hair, and was wearing some silvery looking clothes.

"What's in the bottle?" She asked out of the blue, looking over and breaking the silence.

"I have no idea. Why, do you want some?"

"Depends. How well does it work?" She asked, moving closer.

"Really fucking well" He said, handing her the bottle. "Careful" He warned, as she took a long drink. "It tastes awful." Unfortunately, he was a few seconds too late, because she gagged, and then spit the liquid all over the ground in front of her.

"Oh god. You weren't kidding." She said, but that didn't stop her from taking another drink. After a few moments, she passed him the bottle.

He took a drink, than asked, "So why are you out here, in the middle of the woods, in the middle of the night?"

"My shitty family." She said, taking the bottle back from him. "I lived with my mother, in New York, and then she suddenly decides that we're going to move back in with my father and sisters, all of whom I hate, and hate me, in the middle of the school year. But she gets to stay there for another 3 months, while I have to come out here now." She said angrily.

"Well. That sucks. But at least you have parents."

"Yeah. An absent one, and a bad one." She agreed. "So why are you here?" The girl asked. Now that they were talking, and slightly intoxicated, she actually seemed friendly.

"Me? I was the hired entertainment." He stated proudly.

"Wait, so that guy with a guitar hitting a bag of cats was you?" She mocked, grinning.

"Hey! I worked hard on those!" He retorted.

"I know" She teased.

"Well, In that case, I'll just take the bottle and go." He said, making to stand up.

"You know I was kidding, right?" She asked.

"Of course. You really think I'm that stupid?"

"Nope. It just looks like your brain is full of, like seaweed, or something."

"W...why would you say that?" He asked nervously, very much aware of the last person who had said something like that.

"Your eyes. They look like the ocean. Ocean...seaweed...stupid." She finished.

"Oh." He said, and the two fell into a comfortable silence. Once again, the stars drew Percy's attention. His eyes began to search the horizon, looking for a specific constellation. With his ADHD combined with the alcohol in is system, it was impossible for him to recognize any of the elaborate patters in the stars. "Damn" he muttered.

"What?" The girl asked.

"I can't find it." He said sadly.

"What can't you find?" She asked, confused.

"My favorite constellation."

"You have a favorite constellation?" The girl said, laughing.

"Hey! Is that a problem?" He asked jokingly.

"So which one is it then, mystery boy?" She asked, her voice still amused.

"Perseus."

"Why?"

"He was the only one of them to get a happy ending. Hercules died. Orion died. Even the Lion died. But Perseus got to live a long and happy life. That, and I'm named after him." He said wistfully.

"Really?"

"Yep. My mother had the same thoughts as I did. But please don't ever call me Perseus. Percy will do fine." Percy said, turning back to look up at the sky, a regretful look crossing his face. "So," He said, shaking his head slightly, as if to clear his thoughts away, "Mystery Girl, which one is your favorite?"

"I, like a normal person, do not have a favorite constellation." She said smugly, yet teasingly.

"Whatever. Just pick one then." He said.

"Fine. Uh...I think it would be the Huntress, then." She said.

"Good choice, Mystery Girl. Not what I expected, but still. Good choice." He said, smiling. He stopped a yawn, and began to feel his eyelids grow heavy.

"You know, I do have a name...Perseus." She said, smiling at the last part.

"Shouldn't have told you that." He said, but still looked at her to continue.

"Zoe" She said, and then yawned herself.

"Zoe. That's a nice name." He said softly, as his world faded to black