Nico di Angelo was throwing rocks. There was nothing else to do. He had already played with Mrs. McLeary, sparred with Percy, scaled the climbing wall (He still had the burn marks on his arms), and tried hanging out with Percy and Annabeth.
The problem with hanging out with Percy and Annabeth was that they were all over each other. If they looked at each other with sheep's eyes again, he was going to be sick.
There was another large plunk as a well thrown rock landed in the lake. Nico couldn't skip rocks. Skipping rocks seemed to take a certain skill that Nico didn't have.
The ability to talk to and raise the dead: Yup.
The ability to throw a flat rock so it skipped: Fail.
He was so busy just throwing rocks; he didn't hear the soft crunching on the sand behind him. So when Connor Stoll snuck up behind him and lifted the smaller boy off the ground, he was thrown off guard.
"Put me down," yelled Nico, kicking his legs uselessly. Connor just laughed. He did put Nico down when he got a glimpse of the murderous look on the son of Hades' face.
Connor was amused by the look on Nico's face. He was blushing furiously, his dark eyes full of fire. It wasn't as threatening as it could be though.
"What's up?"
"Go away."
Nico busily started searching for another rock to throw. Connor didn't seem to get it and also bent down next to Nico.
"Are you looking for a good skipping rock?"
"I can't skip rocks."
Connor straightened. "I can," he said. "I can teach you how to do it."
Nico turned to look at the son of Hermes. "Last time I checked, you weren't my friend." Connor shrugged.
"I'm always hanging out with you," said Connor picking up a smooth stone. Nico had to admit that was true, but Connor didn't really count as a friend. He was nice most of the time though. Strangely though, he walked the line between nice and annoying.
Nico stood up. He couldn't find a good one. All the rocks he could find weren't big enough. He glared at the rock Connor was tossing from hand to hand.
"Why don't you just find a flat rock to skip?"
"I told you I can't!"
"Well then," said Connor, tossing the rock he had into the water. "I guess I'll teach you."
The first step, according to Connor, was to find a nice sized flat rock. When Nico found one that was declared the right size, Connor grabbed his wrist gently.
"Hey! What are you-?" Nico started.
"You have to hold it like you're going to throw a Frisbee." Nico shuddered at the close contact of Connor behind him. Connor twisted him around guiding his arm through the motions.
When Connor's hands left him, he tried it. To his surprise, the rock skipped over the lake. One, two, three times.
"Not bad for a beginner." Nico looked at the wide smile on Connor's face. Something made his heart pick up in pace.
"You…you're still not my friend."
"I hear ya, buddy."