A/N So I got distracted by ANOTHER story idea! Seems to happen to me a lot… :D Anyway…who was I to say no? Especially since it's about one of my most FAVE CHARS EVER! Nico, Nico, Nico! I hope you guys like it! I had a really fun time starting and working on this story.

(8/25/14 – UPDATE): I have a Beta for this story! WOOHOO! Give it up for feather-pencil! She's been awesome in helping me make this story better for everyone

I'm not Rick Riordan.

Alison Dakota Nichols woke up to the knowledge that she would be starting school at a new school. Again. She was a bit excited but at the same time, she was nervous too. She wanted to get to know new people and experience a new school, but she didn't really want to be "the new girl" again. Dakota knew she wouldn't be the only new kid; the school was too big for that. She already knew her way around the school, having gone to the orientation, and knew where all her classes were. She had met a few kids that would be in her music class and they had already promised to sit together.

In fact, compared to some other first days, this one didn't seem so daunting.

The only problem was that this would be her seventh school in ten years.

She pushed herself up to a sitting position, gathering the comforter around her. Dakota blankly stared at the floor to ceiling wall of glass that looked out onto a New York street twenty-three stories below. There were some perks to having the penthouse apartment, like how every room had a stunning view of the city. Her fingers mindlessly traced along the brown flowers on top of the comforter, her mind drifting to her previous schools.

First and second grade in Los Angeles. Third and fourth in Boston. Fifth and half of sixth in Nashville. The second half of sixth and the first half of seventh in Houston. Second half of seventh and eighth in San Francisco. Freshman year in Seattle.

The schools were nothing more than images of faces, events, and school work. She remembered Seattle and San Francisco the best; she had even a few friends who lived in both those cities. She had some good memories of both Houston and Nashville. She remembered bits of the house in Boston. Las Angeles was nothing more to her then a collection of photos on top of the grand piano her mother had shipped to New York from Nashville.

This year she was going to be a sophomore in New York.

Her father had already promised that they would stay through her junior year. Dakota had been relieved; high school was hard enough without changing schools each year. Not to mention that her brother was a freshman at NYU and her best friend, as long as they stayed in New York she would get to see him.

A quick ding made her jump. Glancing over at her nightstand she realized it was just her phone and reached over to pick it up. The iPhone 4 had been a gift for her sixteenth birthday two weeks before and she was still trying to get used to it. The bright screen informed her that her mother had just sent her a text. Dakota smiled and opened the phone to read the text.

You up?

Dakota could easily imagine her mother already up and talking to a client on the phone. Dakota's mother was extremely good at multitasking, talking to someone, writing down what they wanted, and texting her daughter to make sure she was up in time for her first day of school was easy. After all, her interior decorating and event planning company, Day's Designs, didn't run itself. Dakota was always amazed at how practical her mother was for a woman who spent her time decorating homes and planning weddings.

Yep. Dakota texted back. Thanks.

She set the phone back down then climbed out of bed, stumbling to the floor. Her double bed was a good two feet off the floor, giving it a grand look, but almost killing her every time she tried to get in or out. Her light tan wood floor was covered in boxes still waiting to be unpacked and she had to step or jump over them to get to the door of her walk-in closet. Yanking the door open, Dakota tripped on a hanger and barely managed to keep herself upright.

Her closet was sorted by season. Summer to the right, fall to the back right, winter to the back left, and spring to the left. A mirror taller than her five-four frame was directly opposite the door to her room and a door to the left connected the closet to the bathroom. She had unpacked most of her clothes, but there were still some boxes in the corners, hidden behind dresses and skirts she almost never wore.

Shirts, blouses, sweaters, and dresses hung on the upper rung while pants, shirts, and shorts hung on the lower one. Shoes lined the floor underneath all the clothes. Dakota reached out her hand and ran it along the vast material that lined the walls. She had her parents' money to thank for all this, and while some was elaborate designer wear, most was just simple clothing she had picked up from the closest JC Penny's or Macy's. She didn't like to dress like she was rich, even though she was. Dakota preferred simple things that helped her fit in, not things that made her stand out.

Dakota had a thing for loose clothing. Too big t-shirts, baggy sweaters, hoodies, things that flowed. She wore them with jeans and leggings, sometimes shorts if the weather was too hot for anything else. Her mother told her that it her clothing choices made her look like a hippie, but Dakota could care less. She loved clothing that allowed to move, to breathe, to be free. She also liked how it forced people to think of her as who she was, not based on her amazing clothing choices or nice body. Her clothes brought out who she was as a person.

Allowing her hands to wander a bit, she forced herself to pick something to wear for her first day at Goode High. She grabbed a pair of light blue skinny jeans that were soft from wear and had a couple of holes in them. Her chosen top was a white t-shirt that had a silver dragon on it and was at least three sizes too big. Dakota quickly stripped out of her gray sweats and holey gray t-shirt and pulled the clothes on, gathering the extra material from the bottom of the shirt and wrapping a hair tie around it, the top loose and flowing but the bottom tight against her thighs. This kept her from looking too much like a child in her father's shirt.

She felt around the bottom of the closet until she found a pair of white ankle socks and her pair of silver converse. She had practically every color of the rainbow in converse; they were her favorite kind of shoe by far. Pulling those on, she stumbled into her own personal bathroom, which she adored. In some of the other places her family had lived, Dakota and her brother had been forced to share a bathroom at times. Dakota was convinced that there was nothing worse than sharing a bathroom with her slob of an older brother. She had thanked her parents immensely when they had found an apartment in New York with a bathroom just for her.

With four bathrooms in the apartment, she never had to worry about her brother using hers.

While her bedroom was brown with blue accents, her bathroom was blue with brown accents. The light blue wallpaper had tiny brown flowers that matched her comforter and the light brown title floor made her think of a sandy beach. Like her bedroom, one wall was floor to ceiling glass which could have been awkward if the glass wasn't one way. Dakota rather liked how all the walls facing out in their apartment were one-way windows, they provided a ton of natural light and it was a stunning view.

Dakota brushed her teeth, put on her deodorant, sweet pea scent, her favorite, and brushed her straight light brown hair. Staring at herself in the mirror, she tried to decide what to do with her hair. She loved doing her hair in a different style every day and had a thousand hair accessories to make it interesting, but she wanted to go simple for her first day at school. She settled on a messy bun, tiny tendrils escaping to brush against her face and neck, giving her a casual yet still sophisticated look.

She added a touch of mascara and a hint of lip-gloss before turning to her earrings, an accessory category that she ranked way higher than makeup. She had several boxes full of nothing but earrings even though she could only wear one pair at a time. Dakota knew it was kind of strange, but she had to have a set of earrings for every outfit. That was the OCD from her mother coming out in her. She rummaged around for her pair of silver dragon studs, a pair that had taken her a long time to hunt down, sliding them into her ears, pleased with her outfit.

It all matched. One of her biggest pet peeves was outfits that didn't match at all, it drove her nuts.

Leaving her bathroom, she walked to her desk that faced her wall of glass. She grabbed the carefully packed white backpack covered with doodles in rainbow sharpies, and threw it across her shoulder. She moved over to her nightstand to grab her phone, stuffing it in her pocket before leaving her room, closing the door behind her.

Directly opposite Dakota's room was her brother's room and to her right was the space her parents used to work from home. Normally they were either at their offices in the city or in another city checking up on their spread out businesses, but the office was so they could work in the morning and at night without leaving the house. Dakota turned to the left, walking into the open "family room". The three walls of glass let in an enormous amount of sunlight, blinding Dakota for a brief second.

Her eyes started to adjust until she could see normally again. The room was done in dark browns and greens, contrasting nicely with the bright light of the windows. Bookshelves stood against one wall, a flat screen TV hung from another, surrounded by three comfy leather couches. Against the third wall was Dakota's music and painting station, her music stand and easel waiting cheerful for her to use them. She grabbed her violin case before descending by the white wrought iron spiral staircase in the middle of the room to the room below.

To the right was the door to her parent's bedroom but the rest of the room was the enormous living room/kitchen/dining room combination. Like with the room above, this one had three walls made from glass, letting in streams of golden sunlight. The room was decorated with bright blue and sunshine yellow, making the room seem even brighter and airier. The only dark object in the room was Dakota's grand piano which stood just to the right of the designated living room.

Her family was sitting at the dining room table which could easily sit twenty. Breakfast had already been served and Dakota hastened over to sit next to her brother, who was sitting on her father's left. Her mother sat on her father's right and smiled at Dakota as she sat down.

Day Nichols was a gorgeous middle aged woman with honey blond hair and light blue eyes that matched Dakota's. She was wearing a white button down blouse and a black pencil skirt. Her hair was tied up in an elegant bun, making her look every inch the wealthy and accomplished business woman she was. Her perfectly manicured nails taped against the table as she waited for her husband to put away his newspaper.

"Took you long enough, Kota," Dakota's brother, Drew Alexander, teased.

Andy had their mother's blond hair and light blue eyes but their father's handsome face. He looked like a normal college boy, dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans. Dakota even thought he smelled like a typical boy and he sure did eat like one. Dakota had never seen someone pack away as much food as him, it was like he had a bottomless pit for a stomach.

Dakota elbowed him playfully in the ribs just as her father folded his paper. Adam Nichols was dressed the part of the mega millionaire he was, his gray pinstriped suit made from the finest silk. But a person would just have to look at his face to know he was really a kind man. His light brown hair was rather wild and untamable, barely touched by gray. His brown eyes were kind and crinkled in the corners. His face was ruggedly handsome, his goatee making him look almost devilish. To other business men, he was a devil, snapping up prime real-estate, developing it, and then selling it for thousands faster than they could blink.

"Morning Allie." He nodded at his daughter.

Dakota smiled at him as the family dove into their delicious breakfast of waffles and sausage.

"Are you kids excited for your first day of school?" Dakota's mother asked, lifting her glass of orange juice to her lips.

"Mom, I'm not a kid anymore." Andy rolled his eyes. "I'm eighteen. I'm an adult."

Dakota's father looked up from his plate.

"You'll always be a baby to her," he teased.

Andy snorted as Day winked at him.

"I'm excited," Dakota said, swallowing a bite of waffle. "And really nervous too."

"High school, man." Andy mock shivered. "It's where teenagers go to die."

"Thanks Andy." Dakota playfully shoved his shoulder. "That definitely makes me feel better."

Andy snorted.

"You're a sophomore, you'll live."

"Drew." Day shook her head at her son. "It's Alison's first day at a new school. It's ok if she's nervous." Day turned her head to look Dakota in the eyes. "You'll do great, I know you will."

"You'll have a ton of friends before you know it," Adam agreed, sipping his coffee.

Dakota smiled at them, overwhelmed by their love and support. So many other rich kids she'd met never got a kind or loving word from their parents. Her parents were extremely busy, but they loved their kids and each other, they always made time for family. Dakota was extremely grateful this was the family she'd been born into.

"Thanks," she said. "That really does make me feel better."

"Who knows?" Andy shrugged. "Maybe you'll find yourself a boyfriend."

Dakota laughed lightly. Her brother had been teasing her about finding a boyfriend since she was thirteen. She was welcome to the idea, but it had to be the right kind of guy. He had to be sweet, kind, romantic, funny, good with kids, and interested in either music or art. She just wasn't sure she could find a guy like that in high school.

"I'll find a boyfriend when you find yourself a girlfriend," Dakota teased, knowing her brother loved to date many girls and wasn't too keen on settling on one, at least not at the moment.

Andy grinned at her and reached over to pat her head.

"Keep dreaming, sis," he laughed.

"Settling down certainly couldn't hurt, Drew," Day said, looking hard at her son. "You know I don't approve of the way you play around."

"That makes two of us," Adam agreed. "To make it in the business world you have to keep your head clear, son. You're a bit too impulsive."

"Come on Dad," Andy laughed. "I know you were the same way."

Adam chuckled and stood.

"I was," he admitted. "But then I found your mother here."

He leaned down and gave his wife a kiss before picking up the briefcase that sat next to his chair.

"Good luck at college, Drew! Good luck at high school, Allie!" He waved cheerfully before heading out the door.

Day glanced down at her silver watch.

"You should get going, Alison. You don't want to be late."

"Yes, Ma'am." Dakota stood up, slinging her backpack back across her shoulder and picking up her violin case. She walked around the table and bent down to kiss her mother on the cheek.

"You have your class schedule?" Day asked.

"Yes," Dakota responded. "I packed my backpack last night. I made sure I have everything I need."

Day nodded. "Good. I'll see tonight. Good luck."

"Thanks, Mother." Dakota waved good-bye to Andy who grinned at her and waved back.

She turned and walked out the door and into the entryway. She walked over to the elevator and pushed the button, watching as the glowing number at the top change until it reached twenty-three. The door slid open with a light ding, revealing the inside to be covered in mirrors. Three Dakota's stared back at her as she stepped in and turned around, pressing the button for the lobby. The door slid shut, revealing two more mirrors.

Soft music played as the elevator descended. When the doors opened again, Dakota stepped out into the large, golden lobby of her apartment. She walked to the golden revolving doors, smiling hello to the door man. Pushing her way out the doors she was met by the valet her mother had requested to bring Dakota her car. The man smiled then dropped a pair of keys into Dakota's hand and she thanked him.

Her brand new light blue Volkswagen Beetle set at the curb. Dakota felt a smile curve her lips upwards. She loved her car. It, like her phone, had been a sixteenth birthday present. She hadn't gotten to drive it much but now she'd be able to drive it to school. The day had officially gotten better. She opened the door and slid in, loving the cool feeling of the tan leather seats. She started the car, the motor purring to life at the twist of her key. She could have gotten any car, but this was the one she wanted. It was simple, small, and adorable. Dakota thought it fit her better than any fancy sports car ever could.

She turned on the radio and Michael Buble's "Feeling Good" blared through her car. Dakota's smile turned into a grin.

How appropriate.

Directing her car into the street, Dakota took a deep breath. The day was going to be good, she told herself over and over, she was going to love her new school and make lots of friends. She just had to get used to being the new girl once again.

Did you like it? Did you, did you, did you?! Sorry, I'm a bit excited :D Review and tell me what you think! Please!

~Sunshine