Note: Thank you, Pleonastica (formerly Shinigami89), for editing and beta reading my chapters and all of that. I really appreciate it!

Warning: Homosexuality, language, child abuse, death, bullying, breakups, sexual themes (I'll add more along the way)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. I am definitely not Rick Riordan. Also, I got the "Hades abuses Nico" idea from some fanfic… Though which fanfic I got it from I don't remember. Ciao!

The Violin That Started it Again

Author: Loving Healer

Chapter Sixteen

Percy Jackson

"Percy!"

"Yeah?" I called back to my mom from my bedroom upstairs. I spun my pencil around chronically in my hand as I stared down at my novel for my English class. Why did authors have to include stupid symbols that had to mean certain things? Why couldn't they just write for the plot? People just had to make things more complicated for me, huh? Maybe I should just go ask Paul about my homework since he's an English teacher, too.

My mom soon appeared at my open doorway. She looked so... Tiredfor some odd reason.

I raised an eyebrow at her, waiting for an explanation. The only reaction she had was a light tint of pink that appeared on her cheeks. I almost wanted to laugh—oh wait, I did laugh.

"And you make fun of mefor being so hormonal!" I managed in between laughs, wiping at the tears that formed at the corner of my eyes.

She only sighed exasperatedly. "Percy, can you do me a favor?"

"Favor?" I questioned, taking deep breaths to restore the air that I recently lost from laughing too hard.

"Can you run to the store and buy some ingredients for me? You could also buy some snacks for yourself if you'd like," Sally asked, and of course, I nodded. I would never reject my mom whenever she asked me a favor, especially a favor as stupid as going to the grocery store for her. I mean, at least I get to avoid my homework.

I shrugged, dropping my blue mechanical pencil onto my wooden desk. I spun my cushioned swivel chair around and stood up. "Sure, why not? What do you need?"

My mom instantly grinned. "Thank you so much, Percy. Come downstairs; I'll give you the list."

The automatic doors slid to the side for me, and I stepped inside. It was much warmer than it was outside in the fall weather, and I was glad to be surrounded by warmth and with noises from people's quiet conversations instead of the noise of my chattering teeth. I really should've listened to my mom when she advised me to bring a jacket. Why were moms always right?

I rubbed at my arm as the goose bumps started to fade away. I sighed quietly to myself and shoved my hand into my pocket, digging for the small piece of paper that my mom used to write the ingredients that she desired. I pulled it out and quickly scanned the list before making my way toward the aisles that I assumed would have the necessary items for me.

I walked toward the dairy section while looking here and there around the small supermarket. There was a mother trying to quiet down her two children; one was in the shopping cart and one was hanging off the side while the mom tried to pry the second child off. Well that perfectly described my relationship with my mom when I was little. Actually, it's still pretty accurate right now.

The next group of people that I saw was two boys that were probably around the age of twelve. They were laughing and dropping boxes full of condoms into people's carts when the victim wasn't looking, almost like Grover and me.

The last group that I could see from where I was located was a couple. One was a boy, and one was a girl. Why they were both here I didn't really want to know. Maybe they were here for some of those condom boxes too? Or maybe they just decided to take a lovely walk together and see all the beautiful sights such as the dairy and breakfast section in a nearby grocery store.

Sounds like some stupid thing that I'd do for Nico...

I shook my head and sighed heavily. I thought I got over him, but I guess I didn't. Then again, it's only been a few days. It wouldn't just magically disappear in just a few days. Not for a certain guy named Perseus Jackson.

My heart was twisted into knots now, and I felt like throwing up and dying in a corner. I felt so heavy, and suddenly, I didn't seem so happy anymore.

Nico...

I shook my head again, and I was almost tempted to slap myself in the face. I couldn't think about him. I could worry about him later. As of right now, I had to focus on getting the necessary products for my mom. I also had to finish my homework, but I didn't really care about finishing it. Sure it was due tomorrow, but I had a few more hours. What was with the rush?

I grasped the piece of paper in my hand even tighter than before, and I continued on my way to get the milk, which was the first thing on my mom's list.

I walked toward the milk, and I found the usual six million brands for milk. Please note the sarcasm; there wasn't literally six million brands for milk. Actually, who even knows anymore? I surely don't.

It was when I was looking at the brands of milk that I immediately regretted ever agreeing to come here in place of my mom.

I heard some laughter somewhere farther down the back aisle I was in. I turned to see who it was, and my eyes almost fell right out of their eye sockets.

It just had to be today. Today just had to be the day my mom was planning to go to the grocery store. Today just had to be the day that my mom and Paul have sex. Today just had to be the day that water polo practice was canceled so I was home on Saturday instead of practicing. It just had to be today.

Standing there a few meters away were none other than Silena, Annabeth, and of course, Nico di Angelo.

I wanted to bolt right out of there. I wanted to just grab some random liter of milk and run as far away as I could for the next item on the list.

But of course, it doesn't work that way. Not for a certain guy named Perseus Jackson.

Annabeth caught my gaze and I immediately froze when my hand was on some random liter of milk. I stared at the liter of milk that was in my hand from the corner of my eyes. It wasn't even the brand that my mom asked me to get.

We had a stare down for what seemed like a century long, but she finally mouthed the words: "Come with me." She also wiggled her index finger up and down to express her words in actions because we both knew that I was pretty bad at reading people's lips. But hey, I was getting better. Don't expect me understand what you're saying if you mouth some gigantic monologue though.

She talked to Silena and Nico, but I couldn't understand what she was telling them. Nico nodded while Silena cheerfully exclaimed, "Okay!"

Annabeth eyed me to signal that she was ready, and she walked toward some aisle that I assumed was secluded. I trailed after her, careful to not let Silena or Nico spot me.

I took one step into the aisle, and Annabeth harshly tugged onto my arm. I stumbled a bit, caching myself before I could actually tumble over.

"What are you doing here? Annabeth hissed at me.

I took a cautious step back, raising my hands in surrender. "I had no idea you guys were here, I swear!"

She sighed. "There would've been no way you would've known we were here unless Silena told someone, who told you. I hardly doubt Nico would tell anyone, and I didn't tell anyone either."

"Look," I began, "no one told me you guys would be here. My mom asked me to go here to buy some stuff for her since she was tired."

My mouth was working faster than my brain was, but at least I was saying stuff that actually made sense. I was pretty much panicking. Was I afraid of Nico finding me?

Annabeth pinched the bridge of her nose. "That actually sounds like a believable story, so I believe you." She placed a hand on her hip, resting her weight onto one leg. "So, now that you're here, do you plan on confronting Nico?"

I shook my head. "I don't think I'm ready..."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why not? When I dragged you with me to talk to him on Tuesday, you seemed fine after a few minutes!"

I frowned. "Well yeah, maybe I did. But, Nico after school on Tuesday..." My head hung low. My gaze was on the ground, but I could clearly see what happened after school on Tuesday after I worked up the guts to break up with Caly. "He kissed me."

Now Annabeth looked completely shocked. "What?!" She cried in a loud whisper so she wouldn't attract Silena's and Nico's attention, much to my relief.

I nodded. "Yeah. After that, I realized that I miss Nico so much more than what I thought." I tore my gaze from the floor and stared up at Annabeth. "Please help me win him back. Please."

Annabeth nodded firmly, and I was glad that there was no hesitation or reluctance. "Of course, Percy. I'd gladly help you. I liked it back when you guys were together. It was as if it were meant to be. I'm not mad at you for our breakup anymore. I'm actually... Glad that we broke up, Percy."

I smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way Annabeth."

Someone cleared their throat behind me, and I whirled around. My eyes instantly widened once more, and my body went ridgid. There wasn't a liter of milk to hold onto this time either.

"You can't lie to the master of all lies, Annabeth." Nico turned to face me, his piercing dark brown eyes coming into contact with my sea green ones. He was staring at me, but his question was directed toward the surprised girl standing right behind me.

Nico tilted his head to the side, staring at me with an emotionless expression. "Hiding something from me?"