These characters belong to the wonderful Mr. Rick Riordan.

chapter one:

Nico's pov:

Nico woke up to snow falling outside his window. He was kind of chilly, and felt a bit grumpy and out of sorts, but the snow looked very nice outside. The crisp flakes swirled around in the cold air, bouncing off the glass and landing on the window pane. The house wasn't to cold, at least, and Nico was warm under the covers. Knowing there was no point to waiting before getting up, he quickly threw off the covers and pulled on a hoody and sweatpants.

Just as the toaster popped, Nico received a text from his sister, Hazel.

HazelLevesque: it's snowing!

NicoD: no shit it's like a blizzard out there

HazelLevesque: u should go for a walk or something today

NicoD: r u kidding? It's freezing out there

HazelLevesque: it's not that cold

HazelLevesque: maybe u could walk 2 that new cafe down by the park

NicoD: fine. But just because I burnt my toast

HazelLevesque: ha ha. Now WALK. I gotta go, frank and I are going skating today

NicoD: cool see you soon

Nico pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans, a black skull t-shirt, boots and his aviator jacket. After some thought, he also put on a grey toque, so his ears wouldn't freeze . Nico stumbled out of his apartment and fumbled with his keys for a minute until he found the right one. It's to cold for this, Nico thought.

The December air hit Nico like a wall as he swung out the apartment door. The snow on the sidewalk crunched under Nico's feet as he walked, and his breath formed miniature snow clouds around him. Around him a few couples were talking and laughing and holding hands, making Nico feel even more alone than he really was. Though he would never admit it, Nico missed his friends back at camp. Percy and Annabeth were attending university back in New York, Jason and Piper were taking a year off to relax and be together in New Rome, Frank and Reyna were in New Rome too, Hazel was visiting Frank for a few weeks and Leo was with Calypso in California.

Nico wasn't exactly upset about being alone; it had given him lots of time to think and a comfortable amount of space; but he was shy about making new friends, and with his old ones away life was getting a bit dull.

Nico arrived at the park and almost gasped in delight: the clean, white, early morning snow had covered the trees, bushes, ground and park benches. Icicles were hanging from branches, and the small lake in the middle of the park was covered in a thin veil of ice. Walking across the snow was like being in a winter wonderland, and he couldn't help but feel the warmth of happiness spread throughout his body. Nico loved winter.

The snow had stopped falling completely by the time Nico got to Cafe Rosalyn. A few people were sitting inside and eating or drinking coffee at tables, either on their computer or reading, but he payed them no attention.

His eyes were on the menu, which sat above the coffee roaster. He read through the options, then looked down at the food displayed below the counter. There were sandwiches, cookies, muffins and other pastries, but Nico wasn't hungry. He rang the little bell on the counter, then waited while someone clattered dishes behind a swinging door. After a couple of seconds, the barista came out.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, how can I help-… Nico?" Nico looked up at the guy standing behind the counter, noticing his shaggy blond hair, blue eyes and tanned skin.

"Will?"

"Wow, Nico, what a coincidence! Do you live around here? It's so nice to see you!" Will's words spilled out like a fountain, while Nico just stood and stared. After his three days in the infirmary, Nico hadn't seen much of Will last summer. Will had different friends, and spent most of his time healing other people, and because Nico didn't think their small friendship was enough to really hang out much, they never really got to know each other that well. Maybe Will forgot, because he was talking to Nico like an old friend.

"H-hi Will. Yeah I live a few blocks away." Nico stuttered.

"Weird. What did you want to drink? My break started a couple minutes ago, so I can sit with you and we can catch up." Will was talking quite loudly, and his smile looked way to big for his face. A couple people looked over at Will, then carried on with their working.

"One grande dark roast, with room for milk." Nico ordered.

"Sorry I'm so excited," Will exclaimed as he made the coffee. "I just haven't seen anyone from camp for so long."

"Me neither, I'm almost glad to see you." Nico joked. Will laughed, and the coffee roaster made a noise like fhssst. Will handed him the drink.

"Back in one sec." Will called, as he took of his apron and went into the room behind the counter. Nico poured some milk into his drink, then sat down in a big chair by the window, taking the steaming hot coffee in his hands. The town outside looked so perfect and pristine that you almost couldn't believe it was real. Like a postcard, or a professionally taken photo online. It had started snowing a bit again, but just small flakes that made the view even more beautiful. Nico sighed and sipped his drink happily.

"One of the best things about working here," Will said, sitting down across from Nico, "is the view. The little stores all along the block, and the park in the middle, it looks like a village from a fairytale."

"No kidding." replied Nico, smiling a bit at Will. "So why are you working here?"

"I'm saving up for university. I got into the one I wanted, but I didn't have enough to do it. Kayla and Austin aren't in town this year, so I've been working a lot of small jobs by myself." They carried on the conversation like this for a while until Will smiled and looked down at Nico saying "Oh yeah, I almost forgot! We're hiring right now, so if you wanted… if you weren't to busy…"

"That sounds cool. I need a job, actually." Nico looked up at Will, "As long as you're not my boss."

"No worries there." Will chuckled, "I haven't got all that far at this job."

"I'm not surprised."

"Hey!" Will laughed and leaned across the table, shoving Nico playfully. "If you really are interested, though, I can get you the job. It's a new cafe, so hardly anyone has even considered trying to work here."

"Sweet." Nico said. Will asked for and received Nico's phone number and promised to text him all the information about the upcoming work days, then Nico said he had to go, and Will replied that he needed to get back to work.

"You'll have to put up with a lot of me," Will joked, "do you think you can handle it?"

"I guess I'll have to find a way to manage." Nico chuckled. They exchanged final goodbyes and Nico retreated out into the cold air. Snow fell around him, and landed all over his jacket and hat. Nico didn't know why, but he felt a surge of warmth and happiness spread throughout his body. Maybe this year wouldn't be to bad.