Disclaimer: Rick Riordan owns the characters. I don't own the song.
Chapter 10 - Jealous Boy
She stretched the bow farther as a bead of sweat slid down her cheek from her forehead. Her tongue was poking out a smidge bit and all her concentration was aimed at that target straight in the middle; the bullseye. She squinted as she tried to measure how much pull she'd need for a distance of 60 yards. She calculated the math in her head and pulled the bow back further. She then let herself be free of any other thought as she let go of the string.
The arrow soared through the air, pushing past and making a light 'whizzing' sound. Then a hard sound came after. She panted and wiped her brow before looking back up, trying to spot where her arrow had landed. She smirked triumphantly.
Bullseye.
A slow, single applause broke her mental euphoria over the hit. She spun around to see Leo, edging ever closer to her, his hands clapping all the way. She couldn't help but feel a twinge – okay, more than a twinge – flattered when he came up to her and looked at where the arrow landed before raising his hand up for a high five, which she gladly returned.
"Awesome hit." He remarked, his tone in awe. She smiled lightly at his amazed demeanor. What she had done wasn't really much to celebrate for anyone but her, but still, Leo seemed truly impressed by what she accomplished. "Never in my lifetime would I be able to hit something like that."
"Well," she began, roughly placing her hand on his shoulder. He winced. "You'd be better off with your tools than a bow and arrow. I think it's pretty cool how you can make things just like," she snapped her fingers. "Like that."
"You really think so?" Leo asked quietly, his tone disbelieving. She couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for him. It seemed as if his fatal flaw was his inferiority, and it was showing just as they spoke. She moved so that they were face to face. He looked so… defenseless. She tightened her grip on his shoulder and smiled warmly at him.
"I know so Leo." She stated considerately. He couldn't help but quirk a smile at her try to be sympathetic. He then realized that he would have no better chance than at that time, place and overall scenario he had been dying to ask ever since they met.
..O..
He was going to talk to her. After what had felt like forever, he had finally summoned up the courage to talk to her. As friends of course. There's nothing going on between them anymore, and he knew that she'd already accepted the fact.
So why was it that when he saw her with Leo, the two of them clearly flirting, that he felt the need to punch his ugly little face in? Then why did he even feel the intent to murder when he heard Leo stutter the words nervously.
"So… do you… maybe… want to go… out with… umm…me?"
It took him all the self-control not to run up and sock him in the jaw. He clenched his fist and gritted his teeth, seething with jealousy. He then tried to compose himself, staying in the shadows to try and understand what she would say.
Though if she said yes, then all the self-control would dissipate and he'd march right over there and beat the living hell of that guy.
..O..
She had to have a minute to register the words he had just spoken to her.
Had he just… asked her out?
He stood there, eagerly and anxiously waiting for some type of response as he watched her actions. Her jaw slacked the tiniest bit and her eyes widened like saucers. She lifted up her free hand to place it on her forehead, letting go of the hand holding his shoulder.
He couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed that the scenario he had imagined in his head wasn't what had happened. Then again, he wouldn't have really believed it himself it Thalia just jumped up and down excitedly, screaming yes every single millisecond. If Thalia had actually done that, he'd be off running for his life.
So then he waited patiently as she tried to contemplate her answer. She was over Nico, right? She didn't have any lingering feelings for the guy anymore; therefore she was free to go out with whomever she wanted. Leo was a nice guy overall, and he seemed to really like her.
So she chose.
"Sure. I'll go out with you."
..O..
He had to resist the urge to scream out furiously as he heard her reply. He clenched his tightened fists further, bringing himself pain. He had to stop the murderous intent that was threatening to be released from him. He took a deep breath, thinking of what he should do next; beat the crap out of the guy or walk away.
His head was telling him to beat the crap out of the guy, because nothing would beat the sweet taste of revenge. His heart was telling him otherwise, saying that he should just walk away; make Thalia happy being with a guy that would treat her better than he would ever have.
So then he walked away, ruing his decision every step of the way. His brain was screaming at him right now, as if wondering why he hadn't gone there and beat the guy to pieces. He couldn't help but feel that he had made the right decision, for Thalia of course. She deserved happiness.
Still, he couldn't help but feel regret at what he had done only two days ago. The girl had really liked him, and he blew whatever they had had by saying that he had no feelings for her. But then, if he really did have no feelings for her, then why would he feel jealousy, or regret.
Gods, his thoughts were confusing.
He walked back to his cabin and laid down on his bed, trying to sort out his jumbled mess of thoughts. He glanced around cautiously before sliding something out from beneath his bed and holding it in his arms. It was an acoustic guitar.
Ever since the competition from the year before, he had somehow grown to have an attachment to music. Music was his medicine. I was his escape from all the troubles he'd had to face over the year. It was possible for him to be lost in the music for hours on end, not caring what happened to the rest of the world during that time. When he played, it was only him and his guitar.
He brushed his fingers against the strings, a soft sound echoing after each touch. He sighed again, trying to think of what to play, or even sing. He closed his eyes and tried to remember songs he had learned to play, or heard of. He then found one that would match how he felt. He opened his eyes and looked down on his guitar before beginning to play the notes.
Nico: I hate where I'm at
Acting crazy like that
I know that I've been wrong
It's something I've been working on
He was wrong. Getting so angry, just like that. It was as if he had turned into a whole other person, one who had raging but passionate feelings. It couldn't have been him at that time. He was never like that. He wasn't one to show his feelings, especially over something like that.
And I don't know what to do
It's changing me it's killing you
I'd tear out my insides if I could
But I don't know if it'd do me good
I'm sorry friends I'm sorry lovers
To put us all in this mess
I know we still got each other
But I'm in distress
Cause every time that I feel like I've figured it out
I can't seem to figure it in
It's got nothing to do with me
It's not even you, you see
It's part of my chemistry
It's this jealousy
Gods, it was so hard for him to admit that he was actually jealous. He was jealous… of Leo? The mere thought of that was enough to confuse him like Hades. He shouldn't even be jealous! Jealousy would lead to lingering feelings, and he already quite sure that he had no lingering feelings for Thalia, right?
In absolutely no position
To be so needlessly unkind
When I'm the one writing this fiction
Make it real in my mind
It drives me crazy in the morning
Who is this monster in the mirror
I try to get the steam to fog it out
But I just can't get it clear
Oh and I can't stand what I'm feeling
It's just like poison in my veins
I know that I'm speaking
But I don't know what I'm saying
Now he was confusing himself even more. Jealousy was a poison to him. In the end, it's just going to lead him to misery and depression; not that he wasn't led to them already.
Cause every time that I feel like the world just got lighter
It seems like my muscles give out
It's got nothing to do with me
It's not even you, you see
It's part of my chemistry
It's this jealousy
And I'm hearing your voice
That you know it's your choice
Maybe so
And I know it's no use
But it's the only excuse
That I know, no no
Let me go
Let me go
Oh let me go
Oh let me go
Now let's be real I feel just like a child
Someone could be taking all my toys
So call me dumb, call me wild
See that's the thing with little boys
Oh now I can't get it out in the shower
Or drink it off at the bar
This sugar's gone sour
And it's gone way too far
Cause every time that I feel like I'm riding so high,
Feel on top of the world
The b*tch just keeps telling me no
It's got nothing to do with me
It's not even you, you see
It's part of my chemistry
This demon is killing me
And oh Christ it's filling me
It's this jealousy
Oh, and I just can't believe
In this jealousy,
This jealousy for you
Oh this jealousy,
This jealousy for you
He took a deep breath, before screaming out as loud as he can, creating a miniature black barrier so that he soundproofed himself. He let all his frustrations out. All of it was caused by one single girl. He couldn't help but feel… lost. Unlike the other times he sang, he didn't feel a change yet. Something still felt wrong about the whole situation.
Why did it have to be one single girl that made him so messed up?
..O..
Silena watched from the outside as Nico slumped back on his bed, groaning from what she could tell was frustration. She had heard the entire song he had sung from her vantage point, and she couldn't help but feel sympathetic for the confounded boy. She wondered what on Earth her mother was planning with this couple. They weren't over just yet.
But then she just smiled slyly and turned away. It was nearly time for all those girls to hear of her plan. One that would anger every single evil girl and all those guys out there.
Songs Used:
Jealousy – Darren Criss
So, hi! I'm posting this at a late hour here so… yeah.
Anyways, to cut to the chase; I'm moving on the questions. This week's winner, or should I say winners are Skywriter5 and TheSuperHotSexyBookWorm. I found your answers the most interesting out of everyone.
Skywriter5 – I think that you're absolutely LUCKY to have a subject like that. Creative Writing? It would be amazing if I had something like that. But anyways, I hope you enjoy that subject.
The SuperHotSexyBookWorm – I really liked your subjects. I also have respect for you for hitting the High F. I would never manage to do that in my life. Also, singing Silent Night just in front of everyone? I wished I had your courage.
So now with that done, it's time to ask the question. Ok, my extremely crazy friend who I have a feeling is on a sugar rush just told me to ask this question, and since I really have no qualms about it… Do you like pie?
Blame her for the random question. Now I hope you can survive for the next chapter. Love ya!
Teaser:
"So girls," Silena began, her tone sly and playful. They all glanced at each other unsurely, nervous for whatever Silena was planning. "I have a prospect which I find that all of you may like to know about."