Disclaimer: Nico di Angelo y todos cosas Percy Jackson es la property de Rick Riordan. Si Nico di Angelo at lahat na bagay na Percy Jackson ay mga bagay ni Rick Riordan. Nico di Angelo and all things Percy Jackson are Rick Riordan's.

"I hate you, Gallagher," I hissed as I lay on the ground, breathing heavily. My vision swam, making the sky look all sorts of weird colors.

"I think that you're the idiot in this situation," Adam replied from a little ways over. "You didn't remember that you saw a pot of his lovely moonlace in his apartment? Which is clearly no where near here?!"

"Adam, the last time I was there, we were asking his mom whether or not we could dip him into the River Styx," I ground out.

"Guys, shut up," Fiona ordered. As an afterthought, she added, "Please."

We shut up, but Adam threw a kick at my leg. I kicked him right back.

"I believe that keeping quiet would be the best way to go in this situation."

All six of our eyes snapped open that instance to find Chiron standing over us, not looking pleased at all. "To your credit, Nico, you proved me wrong. I thought you weren't as impetuous as either of your cousins." He stopped and looked around before spreading his arms. "Yet here we are."

I closed my eyes again. "Sorry."

"Get yourselves cleaned up. I'll see you at the Big House after dinner to discuss your punishment."

I sat on the steps outside my cabin, leaning against the door. Sure, it was a chilly night, but it was warmer outside than in, and I was too lazy to light a fire for now. Besides, I had two weeks of KP, and it'll be plenty warm down there with the Harpys and their lava.

"Nico?"

Startled out of my emo moment, I looked. Zara Parks herself was standing a few feet away from me. I'd been so absorbed in my own misery that I hadn't noticed her approach.

"It's a chilly night," she said, coming to sit next to me on the steps. I scooted over for her and replied, "That's true."

She looked away then, biting her lip as if she didn't know what to say. Gods, she smelled so nice. Like flowers and soap and soil and everything nice about the world. The silence stretched on, and--

"David," I heard her whisper.

"What was that?" I asked, whipping my head to face her. I scooted over more, suddenly ashamed. Our noses were only a few inches apart.

"I just... I just named the gay baby born in that awkward silence," she muttered, blushing in the moonlight. My heart had been pounding so hard since she sat down, and I hoped she didn't notice the momentary silence when it skipped a beat.

"You do that too?" I laughed a little, trying to ease up the tension.

She smiled at me, and then the most awkward part began. "Look, Nico, I heard about your expedition into the woods and--"

"I'msorryIdidn'tgetyouanymoonlace," I blurted out suddenly. Oh, smooth move, di Angelo.

Zara cocked her head sideways. "It's okay," she said finally. "It's the thought that counts."

Then I felt her warm hand in my cold one, and I nearly gasped. She squeezed it a little and said, "I thought it was really sweet of you to go through all that trouble for me."

"I--"

She pecked me on the cheek. "Nico, thank you. That was very nice of you... But I don't really know you. From what I've heard though, I think you'd make a really cool friend."

Hoping that the moon didn't reveal too much of my mad blushing, I said simply, "Your welcome." To me, it sounded very calm and collected. Again, I hope she didn't notice the sudden silence that comes from my heart not beating, or the sudden sound of it breaking apart into a million little pieces.

Suddenly a hand reached around the corner of my cabin and pinched me on the arm.

"Ow!" I cried, letting go of Zara's hand and rubbing the spot where it hurt me.

"What's wrong?" she asked as I got off the steps and began to maneuver around the house. Out of the blue, an arm stretched out and pointed to a spot a little in front of my cabin.

"I, uh..." Honestly, I didn't know. Following the hand, I turned around to find a lovely little rose growing out of the ground, all by its lonesome. Picking it, I realized that it was completely thornless-- and ready to give to anyone I wished.

From this angle, I could see who was hiding next to around the corner. It was Fiona and Adam. At that moment, both of them gave me the thumbs up.

I sat down next to Zara again as she stared at the rose, bewildered. She chuckled as I handed it to her. "You never know what's gonna happen next with you, Nico di Angelo."

"Stick around," I said, suddenly courageous. "Then you'll know."

Getting up, she smiled. "Maybe I will," she said, walking back towards Persephone's cabin. "Happy Valentine's day, Nico!"

"Happy Valentine's day, Zara." And then she was gone. I checked around my cabin, and figured so were Adam and Fiona.

So that's the Valentine's story. I didn't get a date, but Adam and I got Fiona. And, uh, we all got KP... and a load of crap from the campers... not to mention Percy and Chiron. We sure didn't get any moonlace. Adam got a scar. I got new shoes after that.

But hey, I got a kiss from Zara Parks, too.