Monday morning, Nico found himself wondering how many people in Percy's school knew him. If it was more than one…there was a reason he didn't want to go.
He put on his usual attire (black skinny jeans and a Green Day shirt) before walking into the kitchen. The others were already eating, Percy eating pancakes by the handful.
Nico poured himself some coffee, leaning against the counter. "Do I have to go?"
Sally nodded, getting the thermometer out like she did every morning, convinced Nico was sick. She put it in his mouth before he could drink the coffee, putting a hand to his forehead. "How do you feel?"
Nico shrugged, raising his hand before shaking it in a "so, so" manner.
Sally sighed, pulling her hand back. "Are you hungry?"
Nico shook his head as the thermometer went off, Sally taking it from his mouth, frowning.
"A little fever." she told him. "After school I'll take you to the doctor."
"No!" Nico said too quickly before calming down. "I mean, it's probably just a bug. I'll fight it."
Sally sighed, setting the thermometer down. "Okay, Nico. You guys should get going."
Nico nodded, draining the coffee before picking up his book bag, following Percy as they made their way out the door.
They both walked to school, Percy hugging his jacket tight around him against the cold. Nico, used to being cold, walked beside him with only his long sleeved shirt.
"Percy…" Nico stopped when he saw the school building.
"What is it?" Percy turned around to face him.
"I-I…I can't." Nico backed up a little, shaking his head.
Percy looked at him in confusion. "Neeks, what's wrong?"
Nico blushed in embarrassment. "Don't call me that!"
Percy smiled. "What's wrong?"
Nico looked serious again. "I'm…I'm scared."
Percy looked at him for a second before replying. "Of what?"
"B-bullies! Kids are cruel, Percy." Nico used his hands to speak, looking agitated.
Percy held up his hands in defense. "Dude, relax. I can't understand you."
Nico flushed again. "They'll make fun of me, Percy!"
Percy frowned immediately. "They won't make fun of you. What would they even tease you about?"
Nico bit his lip. "My accent. My clothes. Being 'emo'. My fatness. My-"
Percy held up his hand, cutting him off. "You're fatness?"
Nico nodded.
Percy looked at him in disbelief, laughing slightly. "Nico, you're anything but fat. You're skin and bones."
Nico scowled. "Shut the hell up, Jackson!"
Percy stepped back in surprise, not expecting that. "Nico-…"
"No!" Nico cut him off, his brain going into overdrive. Percy was lying. Percy hated him. He was making fun of him secretly, wasn't he?
Percy opened and closed his mouth before swallowing thickly. "I-I'm sorry, Nico."
Nico glared at him for another minute or two before giving in, starting to walk. "We're going to be late."
Percy nodded, running up to catch up with him. They soon made it to the school, getting to their lockers. Percy handed Nico his schedule before running off, leaving him to find his way to his classroom. Before he could, however, the bell rang.
"Great." Nico muttered, continuing to walk amongst the empty hallways. He finally found the classroom, walking in while the teacher was talking.
"Ah, our new student!" the teacher welcomed, catching Nico off guard. "I already talked to the principle. Will has the same schedule, so he can show you around."
Nico looked at the teacher for a second. "Who's Will?"
"Right here!" a boy about his age raised his hand from the back row, a rainbow sticker plastered to his tan face. Looking at him, Nico couldn't help but wonder how somebody's hair could be that blonde.
Nico walked up to the boy hesitantly, sitting beside him. "Hey, Will."
Will beamed at him. "Hi, Nico. Can I call you Nick? What about Neeks-"
"None of those." Nico snapped.
Will faked hurt. "Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"
"More like born at the wrong time." Nico replied before turning to the teacher, listening to his instructions.
Will pouted, throwing a note on Nico's desk.
You're on Youtube, aren't you?
Nico scowled at the note before crumbling it up, throwing it to the side. He then turned to Will, ripping the sticker off his face.
"Don't spread that around." he snapped, ripping the sticker up before setting it in the blonde's lap.
Will looked at it for a second before looking back up at Nico. "You're a grumpy person, aren't you?"
Nico groaned heavily, laying his head on his desk. "Shut it, Will."
Will smiled. "So I was right
