Thalia stormed angrily out of the college building, her ratty old bag strap clutched tightly in her hands. When she was just a few blocks away the strap snapped completely. She growled in frustration as she tried to find a way to fix it. Suddenly she heard the sound of a motorcycle engine behind her. She stood up and turned around. She groaned as she saw who it was.
"Go away, Nico." She spat angrily, as she started walking away and he pulled up to the curb.
"Well, little Thalia has some bite to her." Nico said, grinning cockily.
"Just leave me alone!" She shouted, running.
Nico sighed, starting up his motorcycle and chasing after her. When he had an opportunity he pulled up in front of her, stopping her in her tracks.
"Look, I'm sorry." He said, catching her attention. She stopped and looked at him.
"Excuse me?" She said disbelievingly, raising an eyebrow.
"I heard that you and Luke broke up today. He ditched you for that cheerleader Jenny, and we both know why." He looked at her, his black eyes smoldering with hate, that she somehow knew wasn't directed to her.
Thalia felt herself choke up a little, and she bit her lip to keep from crying.
"I'm sorry for being so blunt." Nico apologized. "Here, I'll give you a ride."
Thalia sat there warily for a moment before nodding and simply saying, "Okay."
She climbed up on the bike and put her arms around his waist. Nico smiled and started in the direction she had been going.
"So, where do you live?" He asked.
"I have an apartment a few blocks ahead." She said, showing him the way.
As they pulled up to her apartment Thalia climbed off of the motorcycle, feeling a little sad. She had enjoyed the feel of the rush and the danger.
Nico saw her expression and scowled. "I don't think you should be alone tonight." He said, sounding concerned.
This surprised Thalia. "Sorry, but I'm not that easy." She said coldly, turning her surprise into anger. She turned to walk into her apartment.
"Thalia, wait." Nico said quickly.
"What?" She asked harshly, spinning around, her arms crossed as she stared him down.
"Can I at least tell you something before you decide whether or not to hate me and never speak to me again?" He said, almost pleaded.
"Shoot." Thalia said. "You have one shot."
"Look, I've liked you ever since I first saw you, but you were always with Luke. I would have talked to you sooner, but I didn't want you to hate me. That would kill me inside. Just now, watching your face after Luke just left you like that… I wanted to kill him. You deserve better than that. I don't know if that's me, but I hope that maybe, you'd give me a shot to prove that you don't need guys like Luke." He said, looking at her, his eyes smoldering again every time he mentioned Luke. He paused for a second. "You did say I got one shot." He said quietly, grinning slightly.
Thalia sat there for a second stunned. "Nico…" she said, not able to register what she wanted to say.
Nico's grin vanished, dejectedly he said, "I- I'm sorry, that was stupid. You'd never fall for a guy like m-"But he was cut off when Thalia ran forward and threw her arms around him. He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her.
"You hit right on the mark." She whispered blissfully in his ear.
He outright smiled at this.
"Thalia, I think we're on the edge of something glorious." He said happily, twirling her around.
