Artistic Perception
Chapter 1
(1.1)
Nico's POV
There are a lot things I hate about this world. Number one is the fact people who think they're so unlucky because something bad happened to them. Kids are so ungrateful these days, complaining about how school is so annoying and stuff like that. Well, guess what? I can't even go to school, not allowed to anyway. Then, there's the sibling problem. Most boys want their elder sister dead. At least you still have one. I just want mine alive. I can't even visit her for months.
Next is complaining about how your moms are so overprotective and they don't understand how you feel so you go all the rebel because of them. Like I said, at least you still have one. Another is the relationship situation, moaning and crying about how he or she broke your heart. You're lucky you're even attractive enough to have someone like you.
Me? Well, let's just say that I'm not exactly what girls call attractive.
Finally, the thing that I hate the most is this: people exaggerating about how much how they want to die over a simple, teeny tiny problem.
Thinking of doing suicide? Go ahead. Cut yourself and shoot yourself to death but you won't ever rest in peace. You are never going to have a taste of Heaven. What you all want is to die. What I want and need is to live. Because in a matter of years (or months, even days), I won't be here moaning about how cruel the world is for not giving me what I want the most. I'll be watching time pass by without me in it. And I don't even have to kill myself to do it.
(1.2)
My skin itched as the sunlight couldn't pass through the think woolen curtains. I gulped, eyeing the radiation from the tempting light beaming from the glass windows. Goods gods, I thought helplessly. I just want to feel it, even just a little. I don't care if it burns my arms and my entire body. I know that I'll love it anyway.
I heard a knock from the door. "Come in," I croaked, my lips dry. It was Percy, with Annabeth of course. "Woah," he said, "Nico, don't burn yourself with the heat. Turn on the fan."
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and shook my head. "Don't, Perce. Just . . . just turn it off."
He rolled his sleeves up and wrapped his arm around Annabeth's waist. "Nico, we're going to a movie, wanna come?"
He always invited me outside my house, even though I couldn't go outside even when I wanted to. Percy was my bestfriend and my cousin. I hesitated, "You know I want to bu-"
"Then, come on," he urged. "Go with us. Wear your hat, put your jacket on and you're good to go. You'll be fine, Nico. We'll use my car, anyway."
I sighed and buried my hands inside my pockets. "Fine."
He grinned. "We'll wait for you here."
Annabeth grabbed my arm before I could walk away. "It'll be fun, Nico. Trust me," she smiled, proving to me once again that she's the best girlfriend for Percy. Now, I'm wondering who my girlfriend would be, if I ever find her, if she'll ever understand, if she'll ever know, if she'll ever accept it, if she'll ever truly love me.
(1.3)
"I'll go buy the popcorn," Percy said to the both of us after we bought our tickets to the movie, "Clash of the Titans." Annabeth and I stood there in awkward silence until she broke it. "Nico? Are you okay? You look a little pale. I mean, paler than usual."
I nodded nonchalantly and looked at her mournfully. "Annabeth, what would you do if you were me?"
She looked surprised at the question but she quickly recovered, clearing her throat. I waited for her to answer but she didn't say anything until we were in our seats, watching the introduction. She whispered, "I honestly don't know, Nico. I never thought about me not being . . ."
"Normal," I finished her sentence. She nodded, avoiding my eyes. "Me neither. I never thought of the possibility of me being normal."
"Normal is boring, believe me," she said playfully.
"Normal is all I want to be," I replied, tossing a handful of butter popcorn in my mouth.
(1.4)
When the movie was over, I told Percy to go without me. Now, I'm in some weird Paint shop with people chattering and staring at the Gallery with colorful paintings hanging in a straight pattern. I stared at the painting of the Parthenon in the City of Athens in Greece. A perfect painting replica, I thought. The peach walls were flawless and the structure was exactly as it should be. This is the best painting of the bunch.
"So you like that one, huh?" a girl with pink hair said to me. Her teeth were so white, it almost blinded me. "The artist is at the painting room near the vases. You can go talk to her; she appreciates people admiring her work."
I searched for the so-called painting room and opened the door and suddenly, a girl with dark red hair splashed yellow paint on my face and body. "What the heck?" I shouted, paint stuck on my eyelids.
The girl yelped and brought me inside. I opened my eyes and saw that she was washing a white cloth on the sink and then soaked it on my leather jacket. She blushed when I intently stared at her. She was pretty with a cute, petite figure. Her green eyes held me in place. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to. I swear," she stammered, biting her lip nervously. I stopped her shaking hands and threw away the cloth.
"It's fine. It's just a jacket. No big deal."
"Really?" she breathed, her green eyes shining.
I nodded and she sighed with relief. "Man, I thought you were angry at me. Thank God you weren't. I was just off the phone with my dad-Um, never mind. Sorry."
"No, what is it?"
"It's a long story."
"It's still early."
She didn't reply. I looked around the room and saw dozens of painting materials. There were paintbrushes with paint dripping from its edge, paint with a variety of colors, canvases that are small and large, and pointed pencils. From the corner of my eye, I saw a sketch of the same painting of the Parthenon outside.
I pointed at it and asked her. "Is that yours?"
She nodded with a proud smile. "Yup. That's mine."
"Cool," I said grinning. "I like your painting."
"Thanks," she paused. "We haven't introduced each other yet. I'm Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Nice to meet you."
"Nico Di Angelo. Same to you . . . RED."
She laughed and grabbed my hand, pulling me towards her canvas. I swear, when she touched my hand the second time, I felt like sparks went through my body.