Nico

»So, since we're going to be spending at least a year seeing each other at camp, I think I should clear the air. «

»What do you mean? «, Percy looked confused, I couldn't blame him, I would've been confused too.

»For a long time, «, I answered, »I had a crush on you. I just wanted you to know. «. It was out. Percy looked at me and blinked. He looked at Annabeth, then back back to me, »You - «

»Yeah, «, I said, »You're a great person. But I'm over that. I'm hapy for you guys. «

»You…so you mean - «

»Right. «

Annabeth smiled at me and I didn't really know what to make of that.

»Wait, « Percy said. »So you mean - «

»Right, « I said again. »But it's cool. We're cool. I mean, I see now…you're cute, but you're not my type. «

»I'm not your…Wait. So - «

»See you around. «, I said, as I tried to get away as quickly as possible. I gave Annabeth a high five and went back to Will Solace, leaving an utterly confused Percy behind.

»What was that all about? Percy looks gawky. « Will asked as I approached. I gave him a smile,

»Doesn't he always. « I said and Will laughed,

»True. But now…You. Me. Infirmary. Three Days. «, he said and turned to go back to the building,

»But - «, I tried to say, but Will just grabbed my wrist and dragged me with him,

» You promised. «, he said and I couldn't deny that. I did promise and now I wondered if that really was such a good idea.

In the infirmary Will showed me a small room in the back, »You can sleep here, since you're staying for a couple of days. «. I nodded and sat down on the bed. »Right. Stay where you are, I'll be right back. «, and then Will was gone. I looked around and saw nothing. That room was really just white walls with a white bed with white blankets and a white wardrobe. I sighed. What the Hades have I gotten myself into ? The door opened again and I half expected to see Will but instead it was Jason who grinned at me in that typically Jason-way, »You told him. «, he said and I had no idea what he was talking about. Or at least I hoped that I had no idea. »What are you talking about? «, I asked and his big grin got even bigger and told me that I did know what he was talking about, »Percy. You told him about your crush. I just saw him with Annabeth and he looked really gawky. I mean even more than usual and Annabeth was literally lying on the ground, laughing. «. I blushed,

»So? « I asked. »Maybe I did tell him. So? «. Jason shook his head,

»You're such a dork. You told Percy and here you are, still alive and still with your friends. I told you nothing would happen. I - «

but in that moment Piper came in and I was really grateful to see her because that meant, that Jason would stop talking.

»Hey you. « she said. »How are you? «

»Fine. «

»I heard Will Solace made you stay in the infirmary for three days? «

»I suppose. «

»You don't seem really happy about that, 'though. «

»Well I'd rather be outside, wouldn't I. It's gonna be boring, besides, I really wanted to redecorate my cabin since I'm staying at camp. «

»Oh, I could do that. «

»You? «

»Yeah. Don't you trust me? I will take care of your cabin and when Will lets you out of here you can just enjoy your new home. «

I thought a second about that. It was very nice of Piper to offer such a thing and I had the suspicion that Jason wasn't quite innocent in this but I accepted, »It's dead nice of you to offer that. Thanks. «, I said and in that moment Will came back and shooed Jason and Piper out of the room.

»So. « he said, looking at me. »Let's start, shall we? First, take your shirt off. «, I opened my mouth to complain, »Doctor's orders. « he added and I shut my mouth again, taking my shirt off. The wounds by Lycaon still looked nasty and it took all my will power to disguise the pain they caused. Will went pail while he looked at them.

»Gods, Nico. Why the Hades didn't you say something? «, he looked really shocked.

»It's nothing. Just scratches. «

»Scratches? Scratches Nico? That bloody werewolf nearly ripped your arm off! «

And by the look on Wills face that seemed true. A part of me felt badly for giving him such a shock, the other part, however, wondered when I had started caring about other people. I'm Nico Di Angelo, for Gods' sake. I do not have friends and I do not have to care for anyone. But somehow I knew that things have changed. As Will had said, »You have friends – or at least, people who would like to be your friend. «.

Sheer pain went through my body while Will opened Reynas stitches, »Oh dammit, I'm sorry. « he apologized and I tried to signalise that it was okay, although it really wasn't.

»It's fine - «

»No Nico, it's not fine. You're in pain. «

Somehow it hurt even more to see Will in such a state. I could tell that he was really concerned and that he cared. What was that? Why would he care? He of all people? A new wave of pain overwhelmed me and I stopped thinking about those things.

It felt like an eternity until Will was finally finished. But eventually he told me to sleep and I couldn't have been any happier obey.