Chapter 20: Nobody

Date Updated: June 1, 2020

AN: Hey guys! Are you still with me? I know I've said that I will be updating next week, but I think you all deserve this chapter and this needs to be posted right away!

Heads up! This is the longest chapter that I have written so far! Happy reading!

Disclaimer: Rick Riordan does own the characters.

"You didn't tell me that you have feelings for Thalia!" Percy said as he chuckled.

"What?!" He yelled at Percy that made the girls look at them.

"Shush!" Percy hushed.

"What?!" He whispered.

"You didn't tell me . . . " He was cut off in mid sentence by Nico's shrieking voice.

"Okay, okay, okay! I know what it means. Just don't repeat it again," he paused and blushed. "What?!" He, again, yelled at Percy that made the girls looked at them. He looked at them and apologized.

Percy just laughed while he blushed tomato red.

"No! I don't have feelings for Thalia!" He said with an angry expression.

"Yes, you have! Aphrodite told us," Percy stated with an I'm-telling-the -truth look.

"Okay! So what if I have feelings for Thalia? I'm not hoping that she will like me back because she is a huntress," he confessed.

"Don't give up, Nico! Let's just wait for her to give up her oath being a huntress."

When Percy said these words, thunder boomed above the sky.

Nico woke with a start, slowly recovering from a dream, the thunder still ringing through his ears. Engulfing deep breaths, he glanced on his bedside table, looking over his clock. 1:52 am, it read. Running his hand through his unruly hair and rested it against his nape, he heaved a deep sigh. I need to clear off my mind, he thought as he swung his legs off of his bed bunk. Slipping on his trainers, he reached for the door and head out stealthily.

Nico glanced at his watch and it showed five to four in the morning.

He swallowed his breathing, so much so that anyone who saw him, he would have looked like a dummy leaning against the wall in the dark, the storage room in the corner of the practice arena. In this way, no one would even glance at him twice or thrice.

His already pale skin looked paler in the moonlight, almost translucent, as though he had been locked away from the sun most of his life, and his hair definitely looked a deeper shade of black, if that was even possible.

He peeked through a crack in the wall, a shadow slinked past swiftly, followed soon by one or two others, he cannot decipher, whispers emitting from between them as they searched.

For him.

Nico turned away and sighed quietly to himself, his fingers curling into a fist in anger, digging into the wall behind him in a silent punch of frustration.

Four weeks.

It had been four weeks since he had been hiding here and there, hiding from his friends. He should have been out and about with his other friends, well more like Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia, yet here he was, hiding behind a storage room, in high hopes that people passing by would presume that he was an inanimate object.

He still hasn't opened up to anyone because he just chose not to. Growing up with only his sister, he somehow can't figure out how to interact with other people and prefers to be alone most of the time, for the last three years.

Well, obviously, the universe had something against him. Probably the gods have something against him to be in this situation.

Nico glanced at his watch and grounded his teeth in frustration, peeking through the crack in the wall where Percy and Annabeth where searching for him carefully.

He had no idea how they had caught his trail so fast, managing to ignore the false leads he'd thrown their way to follow him back to his cabin, but right now, it just made him mad.

Why did Annabeth has to be that smart and wise when all he wanted was to have some time alone? It was four in the morning; gods forbid them for going out of curfew hours. He had been hiding in this storage room for over two hours now, his legs were getting stiff and his lips were turning blue. His fingers were prickly from the after effects of pins and needles, and the cold seemed to want to eat away at his flesh, but he couldn't move too much. Even the slightest noise could get him caught, given the fact that Percy has heightened senses, god knows why, and that would be the end of Nico di Angelo.

"No trace of him. Are you sure he really went here? This could have been another false lead he set up for the nth time," a tired and frustrated voice whispered that definitely belonged to Percy. He leaned his ear against the door and listened keenly; desperate to hear as much as how they followed him this close.

"No, I am sure I saw him leave his cabin two hours ago and went in this direction," Annabeth whispered in an annoyed manner. "If only you have moved faster in changing your pants, we could have caught him by now!"

"I'm sorry," his whisper came out hoarsely. "Look, it's already four in the morning, might as well catch some sleep. We'll get to talk to him later, okay?"

"Fine," she gave in but let out a frustrated sigh. "If we don't get to speak with him later, I'll definitely—," her voice trailed off and footsteps were heard afterwards, leaving the practice arena.

He let out a heavy sigh of relief before slumping against the wall, trying to rid his fingers and toes of the tingling of stiffness so that he could get going again to his next hideout.

They were getting closer and closer to getting him these past few days and he didn't like it. He rolled his shoulders and stood up, wincing as his legs groaned at the sudden movement and his spine cracked. His bones couldn't take much more of the hiding stiffly behind walls and running throughout the whole camp like a common thief. Sooner or later, he was going to trip over something and gets caught.

Nico stretch quickly, tilting his head to the left and right and did more stretching before leaving the storage room. Suddenly, he heard the distinct sound of someone's footsteps creeping up behind him and reacted without thinking.

He made a sprint toward the exit but was startled when someone emerged right there and then that halted him and made him turn around, forgetting that someone crept up behind him. Sweat began to trickle down his forehead and some also appeared in his nape.

"Gotcha!" He became paler three times that before, more than translucent, if that's even possible.

"How did you—why are— "

"You know, Nico, Annabeth woke me up-"

"I thought you left— "

"At around two in the morning— "

"I heard your footsteps leaving— "

"Because he saw you leave your cabin— "

"I—I did not— "

"Oh yes, you did."

"But, I was only— "

"Trying to bend the rules now?"

"I didn't mean to— "

"Sneak past the curfew hours?"

"Yes, wait, no. Not like that. I— "

"Then why are you here?"

"I was just roaming— "

"At four in the morning?"

"Yes, wait, no!"

"I think you're getting a little rusty now, I guess— "

"Guess what?"

"That you're not that training enough— "

"I am training— "

"Enough!" Said the other person present in the arena. Nico can definitely feel his shirt dampen because he definitely is profusely sweating for he got caught. He focused his eyes anywhere but the couple.

"Thank you, Percy," Annabeth sighed. "I'll take it from here. Go back to your cabin now."

"We'll talk again soon, okay, buddy?" Percy said and left the arena.

Silence filled the arena. Annabeth placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Nico, I know you've been avoiding us for four weeks now," she started talking and he can't seem to comprehend her words. I need to escape, he thought. "You're not supposed to keep all your problems all to yourself."

Those made him stop, flinch, and release the breath that he didn't realize he was holding in. Slowly, he turned to look at Annabeth, worry evident in her face. It has been four weeks since he saw her, face-to-face.

"Why don't we walk outside and head to the beach? Maybe clear that head of yours, alright?" Worry definitely is evident in her voice too for she saw different emotions shuffling behind his obsidian black eyes. Sighing defeatedly, he let her lead him towards the beach.

Sitting on the sand, they stared out on the beach, sharing a comfortable silence but Nico decided to talk. "Why did Percy leave you with me?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, furrowing her brows together, stopping her hands from playing with the sand.

"I mean, you're practically glued to Percy. Why are you talking to me?" He said and slowly turned to face her. She contemplated at first and tears were now forming in her eyes. He was about to look away when she embraced him, catching him off-guard.

"Oh, Nico. Is that how you feel about me?" she sniffed, slowly releasing him from their hug. "I'm sorry, we were insensitive to you. I just missed you that's why I hugged you. I know that you're not that touchy."

"No, it's okay. It's alright. I was just—I guess, no, I missed you, too, Annabeth," he whispered, putting down his defenses.

"I know, I can see it in your eyes." She said, smiling. "I decided to talk with you because you need someone who is sensible enough to declutter your thoughts. Now, I just want to ask you, why were you avoiding us? Why were you avoiding Percy, Thalia, and I? What happened between you and Thalia?" He flinched when she mentioned her name and gazed back to the waters. "All I can remember was you and Thalia were having an argument in the stables but then, you both came out, storming off, your powers radiating and trailing behind you. Now, that was some serious argument. I thought you were getting on well after she got back from the hunt?"

Then it all came back to him. All that happened four weeks ago. After trying his best to keep those memories further to the back of his mind, with just those words, all his efforts trying to conceal it was now gone.

Four weeks ago

It has been a week since Thalia came back to visit Camp Half-Blood, lying to her friends the real reason she was there. Every time the Hunt was being brought up while conversing with her friends, she just brings up another topic, telling them that Lady Artemis will just IM her if she needs to go back to the Hunt. But her true purpose in leaving the Hunt was granted. She spent her time with her friends, catching up three years she had missed was not a problem since her friends keep talking to her. Well, mostly Percy and Annabeth. Nico was still shy around her. Yes, he had changed a lot but he was still the old Nico to her. That emo kid, now grew taller but still keeps everything to himself. There were times that she felt accomplished when he opens up to her and there were also times that they feel chummy with each other, but being the respectable man he is, he knows his boundaries, thinking that she is still a huntress.

It was a beautiful afternoon when the two of them were having a walk towards the stables. But beautiful was not the right word to describe what will happen to the both of them.

"So, Thalia," Nico started. "I know that you are always ignoring the questions we are asking about the Hunt. Is there something you're not telling us?"

This made her stop in her tracks but not letting it show, she paced a little quickly as they entered the stable. Making a quick scan around, no one else was present besides them. I think I should tell him now instead of waiting for a month, she thought and sighed.

Biting her bottom lip nervously, she slowly started talking. "Why don't we sit over there and I'll tell you something." And they both headed to their destination and sat down.

"Nico," she said slowly and laid her eyes on him. "I had been happy these past few days here. It was really nice catching up with you. And I thought that why bother catching up when I could just stay here?"

"Stay? What do you mean? You quit the Hunt, is that what you're telling me?" he asked, bewildered. Different emotions displayed behind his obsidian black eyes. "Why?"

Obsidian black eyes connected with electric-blue eyes.

"Because I don't want to leave you guys anymore," she said, her voice cracking.

Because I want to be with you even though it sounds absurd, she thought.

"Because I want to spend more time with you, guys. Three years was definitely a long time."

Because I want to spend more time with you, Nico. Three years have passed and it's still you, she thought.

"What about the other huntresses? You don't mind leaving them behind?" he queried in disbelief, confusion heard at the end of his voice.

"I-well, I," she stuttered, still not breaking eye contact. "I've spent almost my entire life with them. This is my choice. I think it's time to do something that I really want."

"So this choice is leaving the Hunt and being with us?" he whispered, different emotions flashed again in his eyes and released a breath he didn't know he was holding in.

"Yes," she replied breathlessly. "I don't want to be apart from you guys anymore. I know being a demigod has a grim future because you might never know what will happen. What more that I am a daughter of Lord Zeus. I can attract monsters easily."

"I know, but wait, let me just take this in," he said and broke the eye contact. He brushed his hand in his unruly hair and rested it on his nape. It's that habit that I missed looking at for the last three years, she thought and replied, "Are you mad?"

"Mad?" He made a hollow chuckle. "I think this is just too much to sink in. But why didn't you tell us first? Are there other more reasons?"

"Well, you might be a part of it."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Why?"

"Because I want to spend more time with you!" She blurted it out before being able to stop herself.

Once again, electric-blue eyes connected with obsidian black eyes. The whining of the horses can only be heard at that moment. She saw different emotions in his eyes and his eyebrows furrowed. A final emotion displayed on his ever pale face; fear.

"You want to spend time with me? Why would you choose me over the huntresses? I am nobody, Thalia!" he whispered but an angry voice can be detected.

"No, you are not, Nico! Don't ever think of that!" She countered and wiped her now sweaty hands on her pants, and also to keep it from shaking.

"I don't understand this. Why did you leave a perfectly good life and choose me over them?" Another emotion showed in his face; anger.

Taken aback, she replied, "I wanted to be normal and feel normal again."

"You will never be normal, Thalia. You're a demigod for the gods sake! A huntress too!" He said in disbelief and stood up.

"Let me get this straight for you, yeah?" She stood up too, not liking the direction of this conversation. "I quit the Hunt because I want to live a normal life but not running away from being a demigod—"

"But you were an excellent huntress!"

"But I want to do things—"

"You can do a lot of things—"

"Not all of it— "

"Oh, really, then tell me what— "

"I can't be with you if I am a huntress!" She shrieked and her chest is heaving now and so does his.

"You want to be with the likes of me?"

"Yes! Because three years ago, I thought there was something possible between us, even now that I had come back."

"But, Thalia, I am nobody! Don't waste your life in spending time with me! I know what happened three years ago. I liked it too but, look! I am a mess!"

"Well, then, let me help you turn out not to be a mess!" His black eyes turned three shades darker if that is possible. I shouldn't have said that! She thought.

"I don't need your help! No one ever chooses me! I am always the last resort and always have been! I have this wall surrounded around me but you—" He stopped himself before he can say more.

"Well, clearly, I am the living proof that someone wants to help you, even Percy and Annabeth!"

"Don't even bring them up! I am always caught up with their flirting!"

"Why are you being like this? I thought we had a chance!"

"Yes, I thought so, too! But never in my life someone chose me! This is too much to digest!"

"Well, don't think about it."

"No! You know what? Nevermind! Go back to the hunt! Get your power or something back, whatever that is! We can't possibly work together! I'm a mess!" He said sulkily.

"Why do you always push people away from your life? Why don't you want to get help?" She growled out in frustration, lightning bolts appearing in her hands.

"Just because I want to, Thalia Grace!" Rocks were now forming behind him.

"Oh, now we're back to mentioning surnames, Nico di Angelo?" She chuckled darkly.

"Just a little advice: save yourself now because you'll never know what will happen if you still choose to be with me!" He stated viciously, more rocks appearing around him.

She growled and thunder rolled from afar but he didn't even flinched.

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

They both left the stables, not minding that Percy and Annabeth looked confused outside as they've walked past them.

Starting that night, Nico avoided everyone. He missed his training and sulked in his cabin. He acted differently. He really wasn't used to those confessions. He was always living in someone else's shadow. No one ever chose him, only his late sister, Bianca, appreciates and cares for him. Or so he thought since he was still having episodes of anxiety and such whenever he's with Percy, Annabeth and Thalia. But with Thalia, he doesn't feel like himself. He feels different and he's afraid and happy at the same time. Percy and Annabeth tried to talk to him but every time they went into his cabin, he was long gone before they even get to knock, hence the hiding in different places in the camp and giving false leads for them to leave him alone. He only gets to glance quickly at them during mealtime but he eats fast and leaves the room as soon as possible.

"Nico, I am really sorry. I didn't know that's how you felt," Annabeth breathed, processing all that had happened.

"No offense, but I really don't need your pity. I am perfectly fine," Nico replied while shaking his head.

"So let me simplify this for you. Your outburst at Thalia was definitely something but that seemed to be your coping mechanism, right?" he nodded. "So, this is all new to you. You were confused three years ago with all Thalia was showing you and how you were reacting. You don't also know how to react to a person who finally chooses you?" he nodded again. "You know, Nico, all I can say is life is like a wheel. Just think of the concept of the wheel. You can be up, you can also be down. You'll never know what might happen right?" he nodded again. "So I think, you should let Thalia in your life and think of nothing else."

Sun rays are now over them. The beauty of the camp unfolded against the sunlight.

"I might do that," he finally said. "Thank you, Annabeth. You really are a daughter of Athena."

"I'm just lacking about love but I always use this big brain of mine," she chuckled and stood up and brushed off her pants. "Nico, don't close your doors, okay? We're still here for you, Percy and I."

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind," he chuckled while standing up and doing the same as Annabeth. "It was an exhausting night—morning now, per say. Might as well catch some sleep?"

"Yes, that would be great."

And together, they left the beach and went to their respective cabins.

As Nico laid in his bed, he thought about his dream earlier. It was from three years ago and the corners of his lips slightly turned upwards. He also thought of his sister and as his head hit the pillow, these were his last thoughts. Bianca, I don't know what to do anymore. If you're here, you'll tell me what to do. But for now, I will trust my heart. I will finally let Thalia in my life. Please continue guiding me. I love you and I miss you.

AN: I told you this chapter's long! What do you think? I hope you enjoyed it!

One chapter left! We're nearing the end now!

Review! Review! Review! - amazinganj