Author's Note: Just a random idea: What if demigods got to do prom? Yeah, it's a pretty straight-forward idea. Mind you, I've only watched proms on TV - I have never actually been to one. The random camper, Kevin, is mine . . . even though I have no clue who he is.

Disclaimer: With the exception of my own plots/OC's, etc.; Rick Riordan owns the rest (quotes, characters, etc.). I do not own Kool-Aid, Diet Coke, the song Gangnam Style - it's the companies and PSY. Jarrod Finch (OC) belongs to foreverastrous. Used with permission.

.: Lately There's A Rumour Going Around :.

(previously published as "Prom")

"Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it's how we behave while we're waiting."
- Joyce Mayer

NICO

IT WAS TUESDAY noon when Nico saw Chiron come out of the Big House, pausing at a few Dionysus and Hypnos kids who were playing volleyball.

The Dionysus campers were ahead by 10-0, according to the sign board an Aphrodite kid held up. She looked bored, though, as she filed her nails.

Nico wasn't exactly sure if this was even a game, though. The Hypnos team were all on the ground, sleeping. Only a few managed to keep their eyes open, but even they looked like they were sleep-walking.

"Score!" one of the Dionysus kids yelled, as the ball bounced off one of the Hypnos kid's head.

"Kevin, that wasn't nice!" Chiron admonished to the hitter. "Apologize to Jarrod right now."

Jarrod, however, wasn't at all bothered: he appeared to have a smile on his face. Maybe counting sheep?

"He can't even feel it," Kevin grumbled.

Chiron shook his head, but didn't press further on. "I will like to say a few announcements."

The Aphrodite kid brightened up by this. "Is it good news?"

"Well..." Chiron seemed pleased to have all of the attention, "just call everyone to The Big House." He made his way back to where he just came out, and jumped when he saw Nico standing beside the stairs. This was a very awkward moment, however, because having horse legs made Chiron look comical.

"Sorry," Nico mumbled. "But I was just wondering -"

"We're all here!" a voice rang out.

Every cabin came, despite that fact that the news was only sent minutes ago. Of course, the Aphrodite kids were great at gossiping, and the girl who previously was filing her nails was now putting nail polish on.

"Are you sure we all can fit in The Big House?" the boy—Connor, maybe?—asked.

His brother, Travis, stuck out his tongue in reply. "It's called The Big House for a reason, doofus! You know—'big'."

"Hey, you're big."

"Are you calling me fat?"

"Maybe!"

"Stolls, listen to Chiron!" Clarisse growled.

The two brothers stopped arguing, and silently, the demigods filed in the room.

Nico was the last to go in, or so he thought. "Nico!" He turned around to see a smiling Will.

"How are you feeling?" the blond asked. "It's a great thing you waited until everyone else could go through. That was pretty chivalrous of you."

Honestly, Nico just didn't want to be crushed in the crowd. Crowds + Nico = Broken Nico. As he and Will walked in, they had to stand on the doorstep, looking at the back of the half-blood's heads.

"Okay," they heard Chiron's voice, "I have very important news to tell. As we all know, the Gaea War—" a few demigods winced "—ended a few months ago. Greeks and Romans alike fought together as one, and once again, we should celebrate together in honour of the respect we've shown each other. Lessons were taught, and each camp can learn from each other."

"What are you saying?" An Ares kid questioned.

"Both camps have prom together."

"Oh, that dreaded thing?" A voice grumbled.

Nico didn't need to look to tell it was Dionysus. The god was in his usual leopard t-shirt ensemble, and holding a can of Diet Coke. He briefly wondered if the god of wine and Dakota could party together - talk about coke and Kool-Aid, but that was pretty hard to imagine. Even though Dakota was the son of Dionysus' Roman counterpart—Bacchus—Dionysus didn't seem like the type to wear a party hat or break out into Gangnam Style dancing.

"Oh, and Dionysus will be one of the chaperones!" Even though the son of Hades couldn't see the centaur, he was pretty sure Chiron was smiling. "Well, that's it! The date, time, and place will be posted tomorrow on the door of The Big House. I have to make a few . . . calls to Camp Jupiter."

Nico quickly shuffled out the door, to prevent from being trampled over. He distinctly heard Dionysus mutter something like, "Great, I get to babysit these brats".

"Wait! Dude, Nico!" Jason appeared out of the crowd, grabbing the Italian's arm. "Where are you going?"

"Away from here."

And that's when both friends fell down on the ground, as the stampede of half-bloods rushed out. Nico felt a foot pressing on his back, and winced.

"Oh, sorry, man. I didn't see you there." A guy stepped off, running to catch after his friend.

"Hey! Everyone, clear out of this area! Just walk carefully," Will ordered, and miraculously, demigods obeyed. The son of Apollo smiled down at Nico. "Need help?"

"No, I got this." Nico stood up awkwardly, and glared over at Jason.

"Sorry, it's my fault," the son of Jupiter admitted. Jason picked up his glasses, wiping them with his t-shirt and putting them on. "Remind me next time to run, or better yet, fly."

The Healer watched with a amused look on his face. "Death Boy, what do you think of prom?"

Nico shrugged, secretly hoping that a certain blond was suggesting something . . . "I don't know yet. At least Hazel, Frank, and Reyna will be there. And don't call me that nickname."

Jason looked interested. "Hey, we're giving di Angelo nicknames? How about "Grumpy-face" or "Emo-kid"?"

"I swear that if another person mentions that I'm emo, I will kill someone!"

Will just laughed. "You're too cute, Death Boy."

Nico stomped his foot, but that nickname was much better than the other two suggestions. After all, who could harm a kid like Will? Sure, there were occasional jokes and teasing, but that . . . that seemed to make him like the blond even more.