Nico di Angelo, son of Hades
Have you ever had one of those days where everything is going absolutely perfect? You arrive at school on time for once, the teachers don't seem as horrible as usual, you don't get into any fights or anything… then you realize… you forgot your project that's worth 75% of your final grade in science. That's the kind of feeling I had as I searched the camp for Marley.
I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, and it didn't seem like it would be going away any time soon. Where was she?
I barreled through the camp, combing over every inch. Not in the arena, or the amphitheatre, or the stables, or the armory, or arts and crafts, or the volleyball courts (not that I really expected her to be there, with her loyalties to soccer and all).
I was hot and sweaty from running around all afternoon. It's not like she has an invisibility cloak or-GODS! Did I really just make a Harry Potter reference? What has my life come to?
I sat down hard on the ground near the woods. My case was half hopeless. Somebody had probably already asked her.
"Nico?"
I looked up to see a girl that I didn't know. She was petite, with tan skin, beach blonde hair, and baby blue eyes that sparkled. She was obviously wearing makeup, and she wore designer jeans, black Uggs, and a designer jacket. Definitely a daughter of Aphrodite.
"Uh, hi," I said, not really wanting to talk to her.
"What are you doing out here? And why are you in your PJ's?" she asked, sitting next to me.
"Who are you, exactly?" I asked, ignoring her questions.
"Rose Washington," she replied, smiling at him. She had a cute smile. "So why are you out here again?"
"I was looking for someone to ask to that Halloween party, but it just isn't happening." I peeked a sideways glance at her, and mentally cursed myself. Rose was grinning widely at me.
"What a coincidence. So was I," she told me. I gulped. "Would you like to go with me?"
"Um, look, I'm really sorry, but when I said 'someone', I meant I was looking for a specific person, and I can't find her," I told her, hating myself as hurt crossed over her face. "I'm really sorry."
"It's fine," she said, looking utterly confused, like nobody had ever said no to her (and looking at her, that wouldn't surprise me). "Just out of curiosity, who were you going to ask? Maybe I can help set you up with her." Wow, that girl could bounce from one emotion to another.
"Marley Kromer. You know her?"
"Wasn't she that girl who ran after your sister a few weeks ago? Dionysus cabin, right?" I nodded.
"I've been looking for her everywhere and I can't find her. It's like the universe wants me to look retarded," I grumbled. "I gotta go." I stood up and jogged away from Rose.
I finally found Marley. She was at Piper's cabin the whole time. I'm an idiot. Of course she would be with the other Harry Potter fanatics.
"Knock, knock," I said, stepping inside.
"Nico! Is it true? Is it really true? Did it taste like peanut butter fritters?" Piper exclaimed, looking like someone had just given her Albus Dumbledore for Christmas. I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Uh, yeah. Um, can I talk to Marley real quick? Alone?" I asked. Piper grinned, like she could read my very thoughts.
"Are you going to confess your undying love for her?" she asked, an impish smile curling at her lips. I rolled my eyes. "MARLEY! GET OUT HERE!"
"WHY?"
"CAUSE NICO WANTS TO CONFESS HIS UNDYING L-mmmff!" I put my hand over mouth before she could finish her sentence, glaring at her until Marley came to the door.
"Nico, aren't you supposed to be at the Big House, recovering from a coma?"
"Well, yeah, but-"
"But what?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair in obvious frustration with myself. "Erm, wanna go for a walk?" I finally asked, my gaze going to my feet. Only then did I really notice that I'd been running around all afternoon in my skull and cross bones pajamas and a t-shirt, with no shoes and socks on. Wow. "After I go put some clothes on," I added.
"Okay, sure. Meet me by Zeus' Fist in fifteen minutes?" I nodded, smiling shyly. I was NOT shy. What the heck is wrong with me?
"See you then," I said, jumping all three steps down the Persephone cabin's front porch and landing on my feet in the grass. I half ran to the Hades cabin, passing the skeleton warriors that guarded the front door. Changing in record time, I raced to meet Marley in the woods.
When I got to Zeus' Fist, Marley was already there, and she had a huge grin on her face. I was confused.
"Why do you look so happy?" I asked, sitting on a rock next to her. She beamed, grinning wider, if possible.
"You'll never guess what just happened."
"Probably not, so why don't you just tell me?" I joked.
"Someone asked me to that Halloween party thingie tomorrow night," she said. I stared at her, unsmiling. Someone had beat me to it? Who? I'll kill him…
"Who?" I asked, trying to sound upbeat for Marley's sake.
"This guy from Hermes cabin… His name is Ethan Steele and he is absolutely gorgeous…"
I just nodded stiffly. I was angry at myself. Why did I have to go and get myself hurt? I could've asked her days ago, and she might have said yes to me, instead of stupid Ethan…
"… and I told him I'd have to think about it, because I hadn't really planned on going anyway. I was going to watch the Harry Potter weekend marathon on ABC Family up at the Big House instead. What do you think I should do?"
She hadn't said yes. I still had a chance. "Um, I think you should watch Harry Potter. In fact, I'll watch it with you if you want," I offered.
"Well, Ethan got me thinking about it. He said the party was a lot of fun, usually, and that I should come. I'm kind of curious," she said, getting this dreamy look in her eyes.
I could feel myself trembling in anger. What was so great about stupid Ethan? How come he was so stinking amazing?
"I think I might say yes to him."
"Why?" I asked, my voice much louder and more violent sounding than necessary.
"Why what?" Marley asked, confused at my outburst.
"Why would you say yes to some stupid guy you don't even know?" I asked, still being louder than necessary.
"Maybe because he asked me, and I might want to get to know him!" Marley shouted irritably. "Is there a problem with that?"
"Yes!"
"Then please, feel free to enlighten me; what is so bad about accepting a date?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Forget it," I muttered. I walked off.
"Grow up, Nico!"
An hour later, I was still wandering around the woods. I wasn't lost or anything, but I really didn't feel like running into anybody I knew. They'd ask what was wrong, or why I was depressed and all that jazz. I just didn't want to put up with it.
"Fancy meeting you here," said a voice from above. I looked up into the tree branches above my head.
"Rose?" I said, catching sight of blonde hair. I found the tree she was in and began climbing up. "What are you doing up here?"
"Nothing, really," she replied as I sat on the wide branch beside her.
"Same here," I said, sighing heavily.
"Still no luck with Marley?" she asked, guessing at my conflict.
"Sort of."
"Want to talk about it?"
"I just don't get why the universe is out to get me!" I groaned. "I mean, I was going to ask her on Tuesday, but I got injured, so I couldn't. I spent all day looking for her, and I finally get her where I want her, only for her to tell me someone else asked her already, and she was thinking about saying yes to stupid Ethan!"
"Ethan Steele?" Rose inquired, her interest suddenly sparked. "Oh, he's a hottie…"
I glared at her. "Yes," I said scornfully. "Ethan Steele, who is so 'absolutely gorgeous,'" I said, using finger quotes.
"Jealous much?" Rose asked. "Look, did you ask her or not?"
"No, I didn't get the chance because she was too busy talking about stupid Ethan."
"Well, at least I'm not the only one without a date," she sighed.
"You didn't find a date?" I asked, genuinely surprised. Rose was really pretty. A guy would have to be insane to say no to her.
"Nope. Everyone I asked already had a date, except you, because you were going to ask Marley. I should have listened to Alison. She warned me that I couldn't wait until the last minute. She's had her date since last month."
"Well, to make it easier on both of us, would you like to go with me?" I asked, then as an afterthought, "As friends?"
Rose smiled gratefully. "I'd love to go as friends. What are you going to go as?" she asked.
"Well, I haven't really given any thought to it, you know, being comatose and all." I sighed. "Any suggestions?"
"You could go as Edward," she supplied.
"No offense or anything, but I don't really favor sparkly vampires. That's just stupid," I told her.
She rolled her eyes. "Contrary to popular belief, Nico, not all Aphrodite children are obsessed with Twilight. I happen to agree with you. Edward Cullen is a creeper, and I wasn't talking about him, anyway." I raised an eyebrow at this. "I was actually talking about Edward Scissorhands."
"Who is Edward Scissorhands?"
"OMG, Nico! How do you not know who he is? Gods, I need to show you the movie and everything! Plus I need to put together your costume, and I still need to figure out what I'm going as… C'mon. We have work to do."
She jumped from her perch in the tree and landed gracefully on the ground. I, on the other hand, tumbled clumsily into the dirt below. "Where are we going?" I asked, trying to keep up with her. Gods, she could walk fast. Maybe there is something to that saying, "Shop till you drop."
"You'll see."
Okay, this is obviously way too short, but I'm having trouble introducing the next part in this chapter and time is ticking, so I'm going to update now.
Rose… Well, I'm not sure what I'll be doing with her. Should she be competition for Marley because she wants Nico for herself? Or should she just be the typical Aphrodite girl who only wants to meddle with Nico and Marley's relationship? You guys choose. But she will be some sort of stepping stone towards Marley and Nico as a couple.
And to any people who are fans of AVPM, AVPS is now on YouTube, and their soundtrack is on their site, if you didn't already know. I know I'm going to be listening to it for the next century or two… =)
OH! And Harry Potter turned twenty nine on Saturday. Just saying.
Wish Harry a happy late birthday right…
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HERE!
