I'm so sorry guys! My life got really busy, and I didn't have much time to write... I wrote this chapter a few moths ago, and since then my writing has greatly improved. I might start over with a different fic after I finish this one, but like I said, my life is pretty insane right now.

Chapter 14

Nico's POV

As he expected, Will was late. Knowing him, he was probably rushing to throw himself together just about now. No, scratch that. He was probably ready, but he was just trying to get his hair to calm down. Either that, or he was trying to find a red tie. Nico gave up on the whole matching idea hours ago, when he realized just how cheesy it was. Instead, he had settled for a blue tie; no pocket square. Jason had practically spent the whole evening trying to help him get ready. It didn't help, not that Jason usually helped or anything; he was still nervous.

"Hey," Jason greeted as he walked out of the restroom. "I'm going out to get Pipes, if that's okay? Call me if Will isn't here in five minutes."

"Expect a call," Nico grumbled. "He's probably obsessing over his hair or something. He might be even more of a dork than you!"

Jason snorted, pushing his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. "Doubt it! See you at the dance!" Jason slammed the door behind him.

Breathe, di Angelo. He's only a boy. This is only a date. It wasn't like they would be alone or anything; nothing bad could happen. Nothing bad. Or maybe just nothing at all. If Will didn't show up, he wouldn't have to be nervous. He'd rather stay in his room alone than risk screwing up. Did that make him pathetic? Probably. Maybe that's why Will wanted to go with him, he pitied him. He wouldn't be the first, or last, to feel obligated to be friends with him. People just thought he was a lost cause, incapable of taking care of himself.

Three minutes and thirty-seven seconds had gone by before he heard a knock at the door. His mind was screaming 'Hide! Don't let him see you!', but his body had already carried him to the doorway. Be cool, don't get flustered. He opened the door, trying to keep himself from shaking. He didn't even have a chance to speak before Will cut him off.

"OhmygodNicoI'msosorrypleasedon'thateme!" The blonde blurted out. "I-I mean, hey Nico! Sorry I'm late... I was just trying to fix my hair, which still looks terrible. I swear, Percy kills his hair with chlorine, but it still manages to look fine. Me on the other hand- Well, as you can see, my hair doesn't like me very much. The feeling is mutual."

"It looks cute," Nico retorted. He should really think before he speaks. "Uhh, good. Yeah, it looks good. Your hair... It's nice."

Will laughed so hard, Nico was afraid he was having a cardiac arrest. "We-" Will finally gasped. "We are so awkward! I should've gone with plan B, you know. Go as friends, then at the last moment possible, tell you it was a date. I'd have to disappear for a few weeks after so you wouldn't kill me, but it would be worth it."

"Or, we could have gone with plan C," Nico continued. "I pretend to be sick, stay in my room, and you go and have a better time than you would with me."

"Yeah, how about no. Come on, we wouldn't want to be late." Will added. The blonde opened the door for him, and Nico slipped through. Even though he got a head start, Will managed to surpass him. Nico practically had to jog to keep up with Will's long strides. As the taller boy walked, his blonde curls stayed completely still. He probably borrowed Percy's hairspray; that stuff could freeze time.

"God, di Angelo. At least try to keep up! If you walk any slower, I'll have to carry you!" Will chuckled. They were only one corridor away from the social hall, and Nico didn't want to make an entrance in Will's arms.

"Yeah, no thanks." Nico muttered. He put his shivering hand on the door handle, taking a moment to collect himself.

"Do you need help with the door? It's pretty heavy and I don't want you to-"

"I got it, calm down," Nico crossed. He rolled his eyes, pulling open the door. It was dark in the room, with multicolored lights dotting the walls. Everyone seemed to turn towards the door, which was exactly what Nico didn't want to happen. He took a quick interest in his shoes, hoping that his peers would look away.

"Hey guys!" Will beamed. Nico's face flushed, and he refused to look up at his date. "How's it going?" A few students murmured the word good, before turning back to their activities. Nico wasn't deaf, he could still hear the students whispering about him. Will pretended not to notice, but Nico could see his smile bend into a frown every time he heard his name.

"I'll just, uhh..." Nico started. "I'll get punch. Stay here, okay?"

"Got it," Will confirmed.

He walked over to the punch bowl, trying to avoid any human contact. He almost tripped over someone's shoe, quickly muttering an apology. Finally, he made his way over to the punch, lifting his eyes to grab the ladle. The reflection of a boy in the red, sugary mixture looked back at him, his emotions unreadable. Before he could feel anymore, he plunged the ladle into the bowl, fracturing his reflection. As he finished filling the first cup, he felt something warm on his shoulder. He wheeled around, only to see Hazel, his half sister.

"I'm sorry if I startled you," She began. "I just noticed that you weren't having much fun... Where's your date?"

"Standing near the entrance, just where I left him. Hazel, I don't think I should stay here. I think that I'm embarrassing myself, and possibly Will. Did you see the look people gave me?"

"They just didn't know you were-"

"A lot of people don't!" Nico snapped. "And they definitely didn't think Will was! Didn't you see them whispering? They all hate me, and you know it!"

Hazel's calm expression faltered, looking slightly hurt. She shook her head, putting her hand on Nico's cheek. "They don't hate you, brother. They just don't know you... It is impossible to hate someone you don't know." Frank appeared a few feet behind Hazel, waving to Nico. He was a nice guy, unlike most of the other people at the party. Hazel gave him a quick peck on the cheek, muttered something about having fun, and then skipped away with her boyfriend.

He was almost at the place where he left Will, when he saw the back of someone's head. It wasn't until he saw the mousy brown hair and oversized glasses that he realized who it was. Mitchell. Nico didn't really know much about him, but for some reason, his presence unnerved him. He was what people called a Pretty Boy; totally obsessed with his looks, and obviously not heterosexual. He wasn't necessarily mean, but he just irked Nico a little bit.

As he got closer, he could see Will talking awkwardly with his hands, pretending to listen to whatever Mitchell was saying.

"You know," He heard Will say. "I think that my date is coming back... I'll catch up with you later, Mitch."

Mitchell grabbed the blondes hand, yanking him back. "Don't you want a kiss, pretty boy?" He mused. Nico watched in terror, waiting for Will's reaction.

"I think you should get out of here," Nico's date started, but he was quickly silenced by the intruders lips. It didn't last for long, but the damage had already been done. Will pushed Mitchell away, but Nico had seen enough. He ran out of the crowded hall, not daring to look back.

Okay! That's all I have for now. A big thanks to everyone for waiting so long :)