The fairgrounds were crowded when we got there. There were monsters and people and things that looked like they were straight out of a fairytale and they were all decked out in Western clothing. Even I had on a pair of Daisy Dukes with a checkered long sleeve tee. The party was already in full swing with everyone dancing wildly to Blake Shelton’s Boys Round Here. Usually I blasted this song whenever I heard it but I couldn’t even enjoy it at the moment because I was so tense.
I looked over at my friends who didn’t seem to be enjoying the hoedown much either. Grover looked annoyed which was to be expected because he really did hate country music. Percy seemed wary, like he was expecting an attack at any moment. Annabeth seemed curious and Tyson was just excited. Nico shot me a friendly smile when I glanced over at him which made me feel loads better.
“You made it!” Nyx shouted excitedly over the music. Her gorgeous gown had been replaced by some dark jeans and her blouse that was tied to reveal her midriff was made of starlight. Her pitch black hair was pulled in two low ponytails. “Have you decided what you’re going to do?”
“Uh, yeah,” I answered feeling suddenly very nervous. I’d done this thing a million times but it was different when there was something at stake. “Nico and I are going to square dance. Is that okay?”
She smiled and my nerves eased up a bit. “That sounds wonderful. And just know, child, that if you can do a real square dance you’ll be the bell of the ball. No one actually knows what they’re doing anymore.”
I grinned now. I definitely knew how to dance to country.
The music changed after a while and Nyx winked at me which I took as our cue. I grabbed Nico’s hand and led him to the center where three other couples, all nymphs or something by the looks of it, were already assembled. The caller, who was a satyr, stood at the microphone as the dance started. I mostly led Nico through the steps for the do sa do, promenade, and turn but then we had to switch partners, I smiled encouragingly as the music picked up and it got harder to keep rhythm. When I was back at Nico’s side I leaned in close. “I think I found the Muses,” I murmured in his ear on a spin. “They don’t look impressed.”
“So what do we do?”
I bit my bottom lip. I had an idea but it was crazy and involved me making a complete fool of myself which I was not particularly fond of. “Something crazy,” I finally answered. “Come on.”
I grabbed Nico and pulled him from the others doing the square dance. Stealing up all my courage I made my way to the stage and took the mike from the caller. The band stopped playing in confusion and everyone just stared at me. Even Percy and Grover and Annabeth looked like they thought I had lost it. My face got hot but I wasn’t going to let my nerves get the best of me. “I think it’s time to liven up this shindig,” I said. “I love country probably more than the next person but let’s add a little more fun to it. I think I have just the song.”
Now, normally I don’t like Hannah Montana/ Miley Cyrus but desperate times. I’d seen the movie and I hoped that her little improv song would work for me now. I started up her Hoedown Throwdown. At first nothing was happening but at least I seemed to have the Muses’ attentions. Then the room started to fill with sound and movement. They were dancing to my song. I smiled in relief before I started getting more into it. I felt like a diva up on that stage and before I knew it, the song was over and there was cheering and clapping for me. With a grin I stepped down the stairs and rushed to my friends.
“If I ever try to do something like that again, just punch me in the face please.”
“No problem,” Grover promised.
Nico smiled at me. “That was pretty bad ass, Naida. And look, I think it worked.”
I looked over my shoulder and saw nine women in beautiful Armani business suits start toward our group. The muses looked like music agents or something and I really hoped that they had good news for me. The tallest of the group, a supermodel thin woman with her long blond hair done up in a French twist, stepped forward and handed me a card with a flute looking thing on it. “I am Euterpe, muse of music. It is not often that a child of Poseidon is so talented. I was impressed, as were we all.”
“I got it from my Mama. She grew up on this stuff and that’s how she raised me.”
“Ah. Well, how would you feel about opening for us? We’ve been looking for a good country act for a while. If only Miranda hadn’t gotten married to that Voice guy.”
“Actually, Ma’am, we heard that you were going to Seattle. That’s where we were headed and I was kind of hoping that maybe you’d be able to take us.”
One of her sisters sighed. “Of course, all the good ones are on a quest. Well, you did do an amazing job. I’m sure we have room in the bus for you.”
I felt like an invisible force had been squeezing my insides trying to obliterate them but now it had released me. “Oh, thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means.”
“Mm-hmm. Well, let’s run along. You were just in time to catch our bus.”
I smiled at the music muse. At least something was going right.

Notes

first of all, thank you my lovely readers, especially Evil espresso drinks and Thalia grace
second. i'm thinking of starting up another story on here. i have a general idea of what i want it to be but was wondering if anyone would maybe want to help? anyway, i look forward to hearing from you all :)