Off Key {HoO fanfic}

Chapter 5: All on the inside

[Leo's pov]

"And now, our next singer has been requested by the audience!" Apollo announced. "And the next singer is..."

Huh. The audience had requested this next one. It would probably be someone cool, like Percy. Or maybe someone popular, like Piper...

"Leo Valdez!" He declared.

All eyes turned to face me. I felt a little nervous... I hadn't even picked a song yet!

Calypso was standing next to me. "Leo, go ahead and give it a try!"

"But-"

"Get. Up. There."

I sighed. Did you have to pick me?

I made my way up to the stage, I could feel everyone's eyes burning into my back.

I went up to that DJ guy... RandoEevee, was it? He acknowledged me with a smile, then went back to preparing something. 

"Hey... RandoEevee?"

"You can just call me Izzy," he said, offering his hand. I shook it."Now, what song were you planning on doing?"

I laughed. "I actually don't know"

He thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Just do a song that you think describes you, or maybe an experience you've had."

"Okay... But what if-"

"Just pick something that comes from the heart, from the inside." He said, his eyes softening. 

"Just be yourself"

That would be a little hard...

I laughed. "What fortune cookie did that come from?"

He rolled his eyes. "Very funny."

"Okay, now just tell me the song."

I leaned over (this kid was tall) and told him the song. He smiled, and I made my way to the standing mic in the center of the stage.

To say I was nervous was an understatement. But I hid it well. I was good at hiding my emotions.

I gripped the mic stand. I looked out into the crowd, and I saw my friends. Piper, Jason and Hazel looked ready to clap for me any moment. Frank gave me an encouraging look. Percy and Annabeth looked expectant, yet patient. They smiled when my eyes fell onto them, and Annabeth nodded.

Calypso smiled at me from the crowd. It made me smile too...

Then, the music started playing, and I started singing.

People say I'm the life of the party
Because I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of placeIf you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
I need you, need you
Since you left me if you see me with another girl
Seeming like I'm having fun
Although she may be cute
She's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tearsI need you, need you
Outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown oh yeah
Since you put me down
My smile is my make up
I wear since my break up with you
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears

Some people in the crowd looked surprised. Some looked proud. Others were heartbroken. I simply made my way down to the crowd, feeling a tear slip down my cheek.