Losing Games

5.

5.

Concerts Gone Wrong

~*~

Percy POV

I clutched the ice pack on my chest tightly as I closed my eyes.

"You should really go to the hospital, bro," Grover said nervously.

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

"You really don't look fine," Jason pointed out. 

"Just drop it," I said exasperatedly. 

I was tired and in pain. I felt like someone dropped a bunch of beer bottles on my chest, but it was much worse. 

It was worse than how Gabe had treated me... no, it was probably the same. 

After the catastrophe at filming a few weeks ago, I had been even more stressed. My newest single came out a few days ago and my team had been filming nonstop. I also had a concert tomorrow. Chiron and Grover had announced that to me just last night.

Like what?

You don't just tell someone they have something two nights before. 

It was mostly like a concert and interview. 

Annabeth and Calypso were also going to be singing there.

Ugh.

Just the thought of her voice made me want to throw up.

"It's probably something I ate," I argued. "Food poisoning or whatever."

No one looked convinced. 

"I'll just go to sleep and then everything will be fine."

I was more convincing myself than anyone else. 

Grover bit his lips. "Okay."

But the next day wasn't any better. I woke up in excruciating pain but I still refused to go to the hospital. 

I hated hospitals. I always ended up in one at least twice a month when Gabe was with us. 

Is there something called hospital phobia? Because I would have that. 

"Honey, how are you doing?" my mom asked as I walked downstairs. 

"When did you get here?" I asked.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay," my mom said. 

"I'm great," I lied. "Feeling great."

My mom raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you leaning against the wall and clutching your chest?"

"It's nothing," I declined. "Besides, I have another interview today. Then I have filming. I'm perfectly fine. Concert's today too."

"You really don't look fine," Jason pointed out.

I sent him a scathing look. "You're supposed to be on my side."