Disclaimer:: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus or its characters. They are the property of Rick Riorden, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.
Nico D'Angelo stepped off the bus and adjusted his bag. He took a deep breath and looked up at the large brick building in front of him. It was the fifth school in three years, and yet he felt like he'd been here a hundred times. It was always the same story, ending with his expulsion and the disappointment on his Mother's face.
He remembered her pleading look when he left this morning,
"Just try and fit in this time Nikki. Promise me, you're going to try. No fights."
"It's not my fault..."
"I know, it's never your fault. Just try Nico, we're running out of options."
"Okay Mama, I'll try."
"That's all I ask Bambino."
So here he was, his first day at Olympus High, half way through the first semester of his sophomore year and he was surrounded by Abercrombie and Fitch rich boys and Britney Spears wannabes. With a sigh he headed inside to find the office. It was going to be a long year, if he managed to last that long.
Principal Chiron Brunner was nice enough when he told Nico he would be keeping an eye on him. But with Nico's record he didn't blame the old man for warning him. Half an hour later he was crouched in front of his locker trying to spin the combination when two bright white sneakers stepped into his view.
"Hi." Nico glanced up; his prepared scowl froze when his eyes met the most beautiful sea green eyes he had ever seen. The locker swung open and Nico dumped some books inside. The boy brushed his messy black hair out of his face and flashed a winning smile down at Nico. "I'm Percy Jackson. You're the new kid right?" Casually wiping his sweaty palms onto his black skinny jeans, Nico stood up with a nod. Percy had his hand out waiting and Nico tried to stop his from shaking as he reached out to grasp it, hoping his own were dry.
"I'm Nico."
"Are you a senior, Nico?"
"Sophomore."
"Shame, we won't have any classes together. Unless you have phys ed third period?"
"Umm.." Nico glanced down at the schedule in his hand and blinked, he suddenly forgot how to read. Percy smiled and took the paper from him, Nico's stomach flipped as their fingers brushed together. He mentally slapped himself, and stepped back kicking the locker closed.
"Cool, we'll have gym together." Percy's smile looked genuine when he handed Nico back his schedule. "They had to combine both third period classes together when the second teacher quit." Nico nodded silently. It didn't matter that Percy was the most breath taking boy he had ever seen, or that his eyes were drawn to the gentle ripple of lean muscles under his fitted American Eagle T-shirt. Nico knew better then to trust the easy smile Percy was tossing around, once the older boy found out the truth about him it would all be over, just like before. He knew better then to get attached.
"Yo, you coming Perce?" Nico snapped back to reality and followed Percy's eyes as he glanced back to where his friends were waiting.
"I better go, but you should come find me at lunch." Percy tapped him on the arm with an open hand, Nico thought he felt a slight squeeze on his bicep, "See you later Nico." He said with a smirk as he brushed his finger tips along Nico's arm sending a tingle down his spine.
Nico swallowed as he watched Percy walk away, a tall blonde boy slung his arm across his shoulders with a laugh, he was wearing a navy blue and yellow letterman jacket. Of course Percy was a jock. Nico picked up his bag as the bell rang. He took one last look at the green eyed god he had been chatting with. To his surprise Percy looked back too, sending Nico a wink over his shoulder.
Yea, it was going to be a long year.