Did You Forget? (A Percabeth fanfiction)

Chapter 9

Disclaimer: It's obviously a horse typing this.
Songs:
• Pass me By
• Back to December
-
Annabeth POV
-
Once again, backstage at a concert. Tonight, Percy and I perform Madison Square Garden.
I brushed stray hairs into place, perfecting my blonde curls. Smoothing out my outfit (an Aerie chiffon back tank in blue, black ripped skinny jeans, and Candie's black combat boots) in the mirror, I decided I was ready.
As I passed through the doorway, my heart stopped. The confidence I had gained completely slipped out of me, and I became nervous all over again. Sorry for the cliché-ness, but it's true. There across the room was my best friend and secret crush, Percy.
Taking slow, steady steps, I made my way over to the other side of the room, maneuvering around people rushing to do their jobs.
"Hey, Seaweed Brain," I greeted him, smiling.
"Hey..."
"What's wrong?"
"It's...nothing."
"Percy, you are the most obvious liar in the history of the world. Plus, I've known you since we were twelve. I know you better than almost anyone."
"Hannah cheated on me."
"Duh."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Percy, I couldn't tell you, but Hannah's cheated on you since you first got together in high school. She... She said if I ever told you, she'd kill me and make it look like an accident. You don't know what she's capable of."
"Are you freaking serious?" Percy's former sadness changed rapidly to anger.
"100%."
"Well, I have to thank Piper. She kicked Hannah out yesterday."
I whipped out my blue iPhone C and texted Piper.
Me: Percy says thx for kicking out that stupid excuse of a fiancé hannah
A few seconds later, I got a reply.
Piper: no prob :) it was my pleasure
I showed Percy the texts, resulting in the two of us cracking up.
"You two're on stage with your duet in 30," The stage director instructed.
As we walked up onto the stage, Percy grabbed my wrist.
"Hey, Annabeth?"
"Yeah?"
Percy said something, but I couldn't comprehend it.
"Sorry, I can't hear you!" I strained my ears to hear over the crowd's noise.
"Never mind, I'll tell you after."
After singing our duet, I exited the stage and allowed Percy to sing.
The first song was one called Pass Me By.
"Remember that trip we took in Mexico?
Yeah, hanging with the boys and all your señoritas
I never spoke up, yeah, I never said hello
But I keep on trying to find a way to meet ya
Yeah

I was chillin', you were with him
Hooked up by the fire
Now he's long gone
I'm like, "So long."
Now I got my chance
Now I, now I got my chance

Like damn
You could be the one that could mess me up
You could be the one that'll break me down
All them other girls said they had enough
You could be the one that'll take me
I was solo, living YOLO
'Til you blew my mind

Like damn
You can be the one that could mess me up
I can't let you
Can't let you pass me by
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
I can't let you pass me by
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
I can't let you pass me by

I was trying to play too cool to get caught up
Like too fun, too young to fall to pieces
I know a girl like you can't ever get enough
So I'm addicted, trippin', trying to get you to see this

The way I need you, like I'm seen through
Dancing out my pants
Got you shooking, caught you looking
Now I got my chance
Now I, now I got my chance

Like damn
You could be the one that could mess me up
You could be the one that'll break me down
All them other girls said they had enough
You could be the one that'll take me
I was solo, living YOLO
'Til you blew my mind

Like damn
You could be the one that can mess me up
I can't let you, can't let you pass me by
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
I can't let you pass me by
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
I can't let you pass me by

It's like
Everywhere I look and everywhere I go
A million other guys be staring and I know that
I can be yours and you can be mine
I just can't let you pass me by - by - by

Everywhere I look and everywhere I go
A million other guys be staring and I know that
I can be yours and you can be mine
I just can't let you pass me by - by - by

Like damn
You could be the one that could mess me up
You could be the one that'll break me down
All them other girls said they had enough
You could be the one that'll take me
I was solo, living YOLO
'Til you blew my mind
('Til you blew my mind)

Like damn
You could be the one that can mess me up
I can't let you, can't let you pass me by
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
I can't let you pass me by
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
I can't let you pass me by
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
(Yeah girl)
I can't let you pass me by
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
(Can't let you go)
Yeah, I can't let you pass me by!"
I seriously wondered if the song was about anybody in particular, but my sense of logic kicked in. If it was about anyone, it would have been Hannah. Percy didn't like me like that. What happened last night was an accident, clearly not intended.
After Percy finished singing, I strode into the stage with as much confidence as possible.
"Hey everyone!" I exclaimed, resulting in applause.
"This one is called Back to December. This is for... A friend. You know who you are if you're at this concert. Sorry for leaving that December... I didn't think you'd miss me all that much, not as much as I'd miss you."
The crowd looked around, confused, but the person I was talking about knew.
*FLASHBACK*
"So, Wise Girl, you gonna take that record deal?" Percy asked.
The two of us were laying next to the lake as the sun set on a cold December evening.
"Maybe. I'm not sure yet. Are you gonna accept?"
"Honestly, I haven't decided. I don't want to leave... But then again, I have to someday, right?"
"That's true. You know, I think I'm going to take it. This is the chance of a lifetime."
I felt guilty, because I didn't want to leave Percy. I couldn't admit it, but I was in love with him, 100%. The reason I made that decision was because he'd never feel the same way, and I was sure of it.
*FLASHBACK OVER*
I regret taking that opportunity. Well, not fully, but I wish Percy could have been there with me the whole time.
As the music started, I glanced over at Percy, whose jaw was almost literally dropped to the floor.
I turned back to the audience and sang.
"I'm so glad you made time to see me.
How's life? Tell me how's your family?
I haven't seen them in a while.
You've been good, busier than ever,
We small talk, work and the weather,
Your guard is up and I know why.
Because the last time you saw me
Is still burned in the back of your mind.
You gave me roses and I left them there to die.

So this is me swallowing my pride,
Standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night,"
And I go back to December all the time.
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you.
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine.
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right.
I go back to December all the time.

These days I haven't been sleeping,
Staying up, playing back myself leavin'.
When your birthday passed and I didn't call.
And I think about summer, all the beautiful times,
I watched you laughing from the passenger side.
Realized that I loved you in the fall.

And then the cold came, the dark days when fear crept into my mind
You gave me all your love and all I gave you was "Goodbye".

So this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night."
And I go back to December all the time.
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you,
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine.
I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind
I go back to December all the time.

I miss your tanned skin, your sweet smile,
So good to me, so right
And how you held me in your arms that September night -
The first time you ever saw me cry.

Maybe this is wishful thinking,
Probably mindless dreaming,
But if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right.

I'd go back in time and change it but I can't.
So if the chain is on your door I understand.

But this is me swallowing my pride
Standing in front of you saying, "I'm sorry for that night."
And I go back to December...
It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missing you,
Wishing I'd realized what I had when you were mine.
I'd go back to December, turn around and make it all right.
I'd go back to December, turn around and change my own mind

I go back to December all the time.
All the time..."
This resulted in the entire audience applauding.
"Thanks, everyone. And yes, this is for my Seaweed Brain, in case you're wondering."
Nobody had a clue what I meant, except for nine people: Thalia, Nico, Piper, Jason, Leo, Calypso, Hazel, Frank, and Seaweed Brain himself. And all of them were watching, and completely understood.
When I exited the stage, I didn't even have a second to think before being completely wrapped in Percy's arms.