Disclaimer: Rick Riordan owns all the characters. I am not Rick Riordan. Rick Riordan has not, in any way approved of this fanfiction. The only characters Rick Riordan does not own are the ones I have made up and added (Lizzie).

3. Secrets

I gasped as the cold rain hit me. I'd been so focused on trying to stop my friends arguing and then getting out of the café that I hadn't realized it had started to rain. In my mind I cursed Zeus for making the weather so dreary. Then I cursed him for giving me such a miserable life. I mean, he's technically my grandfather and has he ever done anything for me? No, not at all. Well, not exactly for me without anyone else's opinions.

I started to sob harder. I ran around the corner to the carpark, splashing water everywhere. I hardly noticed the fact that my clothes were soaking, that my damp hair was slipping down over my face and that there was a flood in my boots. I shuffled around, trying to see in the pouring rain. Then I remembered. I'd decided to walk to the café. I remembered my thoughts earlier that day. Annabeth, it's a lovely day, for the first time in ages, it's sunny and you really need some exercise. A few Summers in Camp Half Blood doesn't fix your need for exercise. Especially after all those movie nights with Lizzie, Rachel and Piper. It's not good to eat that many sweet foods! Ha, and look where those good thoughts had put me. Walking home in the rain. And what's more, it took me half an hour to get there in the first place. Boy, was I in for an awesome time.

I ran towards the bus stop and stood under the little shelter, recovering from the endless wet. I stood hugging myself for comfort for a few minutes before thinking how useless and stupid I was being and shook myself off. I laughed as an image of a dog shaking water off itself floated into my mind.

When I was happy with my partially wet/dry state, I thought about calling someone to pick me up and drop me off at home. The rain hadn't gotten any better yet. I lifted my handbag, unzipped it and gave an exasperated gasp as I realized the contents of the bag were completely soaked. I held my breath and shuffled through my things, but I just couldn't find my phone. I cursed under my breath and suddenly remembered how I'd given Piper my phone to take a picture of Lizzie and I. I waddled slowly over to the little bus seat to think. Unfortunately, it was already occupied. By one person I did not want to see right now.

"Nico" I said, with a firm what-the-hell-are-you-doing-here tone. "Yes, hello Annabeth, nice to see you too" he drawled in a sarcastic voice. I didn't bother saying anything after that. Was a little privacy too much to ask for?! I sat down on the seat next to him, and shoved him across a little. Then I lay back and started thinking about how terrible I probably looked. My clothes, hair and shoes, drenched. My eyes puffy from crying. My emotions probably showing because I'd let my guard down. Gods, how had I not noticed a certain child of Hades sitting behind me for longer than 10 minutes!

"So, Annabeth. How was your early dinner?" Nico asked in a calm tone. No, there was something more to his voice. Something he was hiding… "Nico, you knew about Percy didn't you?" I asked, half yelling, half gently questioning. All Nico's defenses faded away and I saw how scared he was. He looked just like he had when I'd first, really met him. He'd just lost his sister, so he was now a 10 year old with no where to go and no one to trust. And I felt sorry for him. But the other part of me, was furious.

"NICO, HOW COULD YOU!" I shouted. I could see that he was upset and scared, but he also looked a little fierce and angry. He kept silent though. I set off again. "Nico, I – WE thought he was dead! Everyone, thought he was dead! We thought that he'd died in tartarus! And I.. Oh my gods Nico, I thought his death was my fault! I was his girlfriend! I had to get over him! His disappearance almost killed me! Oh-" I stopped abruptly and started bawling my eyes out. Only afterwards did I think about how ridiculously I was acting.

After a while, Nico put a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him, with my sore, red eyes. I still don't know how I felt at that moment. A mixture of hate, disappointment, envy. Or one of happiness, adoration and hopefulness.

"Annabeth- Um.. Do you want a ride home?" Nico asked slowly. I stared into his dark eyes. He looked sorry. Genuinely sorry. I let my damp head fall onto his shoulder and lean on it. He winced and I wondered why. Had some injury befallen him? "Nico.. How did you find him?" I whispered. Nico didn't react. He waited a few seconds before replying "I didn't. Bianca did." I jerked my head up and stood up quickly. "Bianca?" I asked shakily. "Yes" Nico barely whispered. "I found her reborn. But she doesn't know me" Nico choked. I dropped down next to him again and hugged him. "Oh, I'm sorry Nico" I whispered.

Nico shrugged me off. "Don't be. Anyway you still haven't answered my question" he said in a hard tone. I had a feeling that Nico didn't want to discuss Bianca. I had to think back a little, before realizing which question Nico was referring to. "Yes please" I answered. Nico grabbed my hand and I felt the familiar feeling of shadowtravelling.

A few moments later, I was standing in my bathroom, with Nico beside me. I looked at Nico and raised my eyebrows and Nico shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe it's because you're wet and the bathroom is the wettest room in your house?" I nodded. "What are you going to do now?" I asked him. Nico shrugged again. "I have to go back for Percy soon" he said cautiously, looking at me. I took a deep breath. "Yes, you wouldn't want him to get lost. Again" I said. Nico flinched. "Annabeth… I don't know what happened to him. But you have to ask him yourself. I-I… Just can't. Have a nice night Annabeth" Nico said and he disappeared into the shadows.

A.N. [Author's Note]

I'm sorry I took so long guys! I wrote this ages ago but I never uploaded it I'm so sorry! Well, I hope you enjoyed!