I do not own the characters. Just the plot.

I am back at it again with chapter two, right where we left off! I love Will and Nico and hope you like this version of them!

Anyway, here is Chapter 2 of the Melody of the Heart!

Fulfillment

Nico

I rush out of the auditorium as fast as I can, why do I feel like I am being suffocated? I need to go home! Stepping out into the cool night air fills my lungs. I can't stop until I am locking the door of my apartment.

What was that!

I am feeling so drained walking in to work this morning, yesterday I listened to William Solace play. My review of last night's performance is due today. I can usually just write something about how melody did not blend, "not recommended".

Not this time! I spent hours last night trying to word the experience.

I get in the elevator and hit the button for the sixtieth floor. The New York News headquarters is one of the biggest newspaper/broadcasting companies in the US currently.

Being the only music critic means I am usually busy attending every music event which includes rock, heavy metal and all the other new kinds of music kids are listening to (gods I am sounding old).

I am in my fifth year of working here, though I am quite young in the industry, at 21-year-old. I was able to start so young because of my cousin Jason Grace. Yes, my cousin is my boss, but he doesn't really seem like a cousin, more like an overbearing older brother (even though I am older than him).

Speaking of overbearing here comes Percy Jackson, we are not related, and he is a pain in my ass!

Percy stops in front of me like every morning to say 'hello'. He starts opening his mouth, but stops, instead he is just looking at me. He furrows his eyebrows appearing worried. 'What is his deal?'

"Nico what happened to you?!"

"What are you talking about?"

I snap at him, so what is I spent all night trying to write the review, I didn't need the sleep anyway. I instantly decided that I do not have time for Percy's questioning this early in the morning. I brush by him, hopefully, I can make it to my desk before he starts asking more questions.

"You look dead!"

Percy blurts. Great, I am too slow!

"Not that it is any of your business Percy, but I just didn't get a lot of sleep because I was working on my review last night"

"Wait! I thought it didn't take much time for you to write your reviews, you usually just bash them and call it a day."

"Well, what if I enjoyed it?" I growl, getting annoyed 'leave me alone'.

At my words, Percy looks stunned.

It might be true that I do not like most of the musicians, but I do not want to talk about it with Percy Jackson of all people this early in the morning.

"Let me get this straight. Nico di Angelo, the critic notorious for destroying music careers before they have even had a chance! Actually enjoyed the show. Even taking time out of his sleeping schedule to write a review on it?!"

"Screw off Jackson!"

I am trying to rein in my temper, but my lack of sleep has made that impossible. I take a breath and speak in a completely unamused voice

"At least I am not writing and being a testa de cinghiale*!"

"Huh? What did you say?"

gods above…

"Nothing, you idiota!"

I stomp towards Jason's office, letting myself in. Once I take a seat, I calm down a little, though I am annoyed.

Jason is just staring at me, his mug in midair like he was about to take a drink. He is looking very worried, then cracks a smile,

"Percy get to you already?"

"Always does."

I huff.

"Nico, you are looking pretty tired today, had a hot date last night?"

"Very funny Grace. I was doing my job and trying to write my review of William Solace,"

"What couldn't come up with any new backhanded compliments?"

"Just read what I have so far and tell me if it is trash."

I slap my report on his desk and walk out of his office, towards my little cubical. I set my bag under my desk and pull out my laptop. I look over my schedule of all the musicians that are playing this week and start making notifications on my phone.

I look up from my phone and out the closest window at the city below, with the rising sun finally hitting the horizon. I keep gazing at the sun, then it stops being the sun for a second, instead, I see William Solace's smiling face. I instantly flush, quickly glancing down trying to get the image out of my head. When I look back up the sun is just the way it normally is.

I release a loud sigh. Frank peaks over the thin wall which separates us.

"Hey Nico, is anything wrong?"

I look over at him. Frank is currently dating my younger sister Hazel – though I guess they are not 'official' as far as Hazel has said.

"I'm fine Frank, just a little tired," I say.

Is me being tired and annoyed that outside my usual or is everyone just not minding their business today? I push that thought out of my head and go back to staring out the window.

After some time, I take out my headphones and plug them into my phone. I search up William Solace and start to listen to the first track that pops up.

Lunch rolls around, I head out with Jason and Percy to the café. Leo and Calypso started up Café McShizzle three years ago, Hazel started working there as their first employee.

I drink a red-eye today hoping it will shake off my grogginess. I usually have a plain coffee or a glass of water. Hazel kept lecturing me about how bad red-eyes are for you daily, it was easier to just give in.

I also ordered a sandwich and Calypso's famous golden apple pie. I just sit and listen to Will's piano music play in my headphones, hearing only half of the conversation around me.

I look up at the sound of the doorbell ringing, it seems as if the world has frozen, and stood there is William Solace!

*testa de cinghiale = boar head

Oh boy, this is how it starts!

I hope you enjoyed feel free to favorite it or leave a review with your opinion!

With love,

HerosHeart