Piper's Pov

I was breathing hard, the microphone in my hand which is sweating like crazy. I don't know why I signed up to sing in the camps talent show, I don't even remember signing up. I wished that I had worn my shorts and a singlet because my legs are heating up and my arms are going red with the heat. I whipped the sweat off my forehead and went onto the stage. I was going to sing that I just heard this morning. I made up the lyrics learnt them all day while playing music on my guitar and keybored.

"Next is Piper McLean." Percy said reading his cards. "Give it up for Piper."

Everyone started clapping and I came onto the stage. My heart was pounding. I closed my eyes and reopened them to see everyone waiting. The music started playing and I sang the song.

Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place,
Like somehow you just don't belong
And no one understands you?
Do you ever wanna run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room
With the radio on turned up so loud
That no one hears you're screaming?

No, you don't know what it's like
When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like
To be like me

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No, you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life

Do you wanna be somebody else?
Are you sick of feeling so left out?
Are you desperate to find something more
Before your life is over?
Are you stuck inside a world you hate?
Are you sick of everyone around?
With their big fake smiles and stupid lies
While deep inside you're bleeding

No, you don't know what it's like
When nothing feels all right
You don't know what it's like
To be like me

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life

No one ever lied straight to your face
And no one ever stabbed you in the back
You might think I'm happy but I'm not gonna be okay
Everybody always gave you what you wanted
You never had to work it was always there
You don't know what it's like, what it's like

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No, you don't know what it's like (What it's like)

To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around
To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No, you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life
Welcome to my life
Welcome to my life

I quickly got off the stage. I gave the microphone to Will and ran outside for some air.

I breathed in the cooled air. I had my jacket on. Singing that song took a lot off my chest. I haven't been myself lately. I've been messing up everything these past few months, drove people crazy, got gossip and gone gossipping which I hate to do. Everything is messed up. I'm messed up

I sat down and waited for the contest to be over. This was going to be a long, long night.

Time past…

"Piper," Leo came out. His babyish face brought back memories about our past. I loved his short curly hair and his bright personality. "Judging time. Come on. You were great."

I got up and went inside with Leo.

I stood next to Hamish on the stage. He tried to do stand up comedy, it failed.

"And the winner is…!" Apollo said in the Microphone. He was the judge along with Dionysus and Chiron. "Piper McLean in Aphrodite!"

I stood there, shock running all over my body. Apollo gave me a crown like I had just won a beauty pageant. Everyone clapped and some guys whistled for me. I've never won anything in my life. I wasn't used to it. Apollo gave me the microphone to say a small speech but nothing came out of my mouth.

"Okay. She said nothing!" And everyone clapped even more like it was a great speech. I came back to life and smiled. It felt good to win something in my life. "Well, I've got a surprise for everyone!" Silence. Apollo's surprises were terrible. "I'm going to put a spell on you all to sing! Its fun and it can explain your feelings even better!" And Apollo started chanting. He clapped his hands and I felt a jolt go through me. Even more silence. I clamped my hand over my mouth and everyone started speaking with a tone. Hamish was the only one who hadn't said anything. He was the son of Apollo and a great guy.

"Everybody shut up!" Apollo yelled in and out the microphone. Hamish got the microphone and started signing. I heard the music play in my head like it was playing out loud.

Prepare the masses 'cause this means war
And if it's a fight they want, we'll bring the hell they're looking for
With bullets blazing, the cowards hit the floor
Stand up and fight like men, let God decide who's goin'

Now sit back and watch the story unfold
Of the fair Juliet and her Romeo
Two young lovers with one heartbeat
In their devoted grave is where they'll sleep

They are the passion in a city of hate
Watching two families quarrel, ruining lover's fate
You are the ones who took your children's lives
See your two martyr's dying in love's true light, light

Sing me to sleep tonight, sweet Juliet
Two star-crossed lovers married, looking for regrets
By daybreak I'll be gone and searching for your kiss
Leave me a drop of poison waiting on your lips

In every war there will be casualties

Even family members and best friends bleed
Another tally on the body count
So how many more until we're all bled out?

Let's not forget about this tale of love
Replay the story as it's told to us
Life is precious but worth giving away
For ideals of beauty and better days, days

Sing me to sleep tonight, sweet Juliet
Two star-crossed lovers married, looking for regrets
By daybreak I'll be gone and searching for your kiss
Leave me a drop of poison waiting on your lips

I'm killing cousins, revenge I seek
In fair Verona I will lay him down, down to sleep
In desperation, poison becomes
This story's ending in a tomb of lover's trust, trust

Sing me to sleep tonight, sweet Juliet
Two star-crossed lovers married, looking for regrets
By daybreak I'll be gone and searching for your kiss
Leave me a drop of poison waiting on your lips

We all looked shocked by Hamish's voice. He was a son of Apollo but he never sang. He only did poems and stand up comedies. He told everyone that he won't sing, no matter what. Well Apollo blew it. Hamish dropped the microphone and ran off the stage.

I looked out in the crowd and also ran off the stage, I was about to sing another song, and I didn't want to.