Beginning Notes

So here's chapter 2, I know, a bit earlier than expected (I underestimated how boring train rides to school are), but I hope you like it. And all characters are owned by Rick Riordan.

Nico's POV

The planned-but-not-planned party was actually really good to my surprise. Everyone was in a good mood (including me), Percy brought snacks, everyone gave the most beautiful presents, and it was just the best birthday ever.

The trip to New Rome was planned two weeks after my birthday. I was really looking forward to seeing everyone at camp Jupiter. I hadn't seen them in quite a while and I needed to catch up on their stories.

As the two weeks passed, I started to wonder how the road trip would go. Eight demigods in a minivan. For a long trip. Rachel wasn't coming, because she had 'oracle stuff' to do. Whatever that meant. But I would be with Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Leo, Calypso and Will. And that was fine with me. Definitaly because Will was there. I started having a crush on him when I had to stay in the infirmary for three days. But who wouldn't fall for him, with those beautiful eyes watching you all day? Like the endless sky was looking out for you. And his smile, oh when he smiled, the whole world would smile with him. And... oh shoot. I'd be cramped in a minivan with him for a few hours. It would just be so obvious that I have a crush on him, and then he would just look at me weird, and then he would just hook up with a pretty girl and our friendship would be ruined.

I was starting to panic, when a familiar voice said: 'Hey Neeks, are you okay?' I turned around and found myself staring into the endless skies and... stop, focus Nico. It was Will. Just Will Solace, with his pretty eyes and lips that you just want to kiss. No big deal, focus. 'Yeah I'm fine,' I said. 'Oh good. How is New Rome?' Will asked. 'What?' I was staring again. 'How is New Rome?' he repeated. 'Oh, um, it's pretty cool, I guess.' 'I've never been to New Rome.' 'Oh, I think you'll like it, it's a nice place.' I said. 'So, uh, are you excited about the trip?' This conversation was getting so akward, but I didn't care, I was being around Will.

Will's POV

As I was walking to my cabin, I scolded myself for starting such a stupid conversation with Nico. I just wanted to be around him. Sure, I'd be around him when were all squashed in a minivan, but I feared that the trip would just be awkward. It would be obvious that I liked him, and he would not feel the same about me and then our friendship would be ruined. I knew Nico was gay, but he probably wouldn't like a guy like me. And then he would, I don't know, probably hook up with some other hot dude.

'Just be yourself,' Kayla told me the morning before we left for New Rome. She had figured out that I had a crush on Nico and was giving me advice. 'But I'm awkward, and I don't want to be awkward. 'You're not awkward to me,' she said. 'You're an amazing guy, and if Nico doesn't see that well then he just sucks. And you deserve a proper boyfriend.' 'Thanks Kay,' I said. I glanced at the clock and saw that I was almost late. 'Gotta go, see y'all in a week,' I told my siblings and ran off to Halfblood Hill.

When I stopped at the top of the hill, I saw that everyone waiting for me. And being the smooth guy that I am, I tripped on a stick and fell face first onto the grass. Everyone laughed at that. When I removed my face from the ground, a hand was outstretched to help me up. I grabbed it and when I stood up, I noticed it belonged to Nico. 'Thanks,' I said. As I got up, I stared into his dark and mysterious eyes. Then I noticed I was still holding his hand. Even though I didn't want to, I quickly let go. 'Well, let's get going!' Percy said.

Nico's POV

We all got into the minivan, Pecy and Piper sat together in the front on the left side, and Calypso and Annabeth sat on the right side. Leo, Jason, Will and I sat in the back. Jason and Leo claimed the seats on the right side, so Will and I had to sit left. 'Do you want to sit near the window?' Will asked me. 'Nah, if you want to, go ahead.' So Will sat near the window and I sat next to him. It was really cute how he looked out the window, all amazed like he had never seen something like it before.

The trip was kinda boring actually, there wasn't much to do. After about fifteen minutes, all our ADHD kicked in and we needed something to do. 'Let's play tag,' Leo suggested. 'Leo, we're in a moving vehicle, we can't play tag,' Annabeth said. 'Let's get out and play tag.' 'Valdez, you idiot, we're trying to get to camp Jupiter,' said Percy. 'Do you have a better idea?' Leo asked. 'Um, we could play Never Have I Ever? Everyone agreed it was the best plan we had.

Okay, everyone starts with ten points, if you have done it, you count down to nine, eight, seven, etcetera. We can count with our fingers. The last too have any points wins. I'll start,' Piper said. 'Never have I ever... fought in a war against Kronos.' 'Damn, that's good,' Percy said with now only nine fingers up. 'Wait, does healing the wounded count?' Will asked. 'Yeah, I think so,' Piper said. 'Okay, okay, my turn,' Percy said. 'Never have I ever not been a praetor at camp Jupiter.' 'Dammit, Seaweed Brain,' Annabeth mumbled.

'Oh, well if we're allowed to do that, I have a good one!' Calypso said. 'Never have I ever not been immortal.' 'Hey, that's not fair!' Leo yelled. 'That's how the game works,' Calypso said smirking.

Eventually it came down to me and Jason. We both had one point left. It was my turn. Now I didn't have to think about things a lot of people did, but just something stupid Jason did that I didn't. 'Never have I ever...' 'Yeah, go on, say something I didn't do, and then I'll win!' Jason said. I have to admit, this far in the game, it was getting pretty hard to say something that wasn't said before. He saw me thinking and smirked. That's when it hit me: that little scar on his lip. 'Fine, never have I ever tried to eat a stapler.' His smirk faded and I saw it be replaced by defeat. Everyone laughed. It was pretty funny though. Then we heard a bang and everyone stopped laughing. 'What was that?' Annabeth asked. 'Why are you looking at me Wise Girl, you're always the one with the answers!' said Percy. 'Guys, I think we have a flat tire,' Will answered. Another bang. 'You're right, I think we'll be stuck here for a while,' Leo said.

End notes

Well, that was chapter two. Please review so I know what you guys think. I don't know when I'll be posting chapter 3, so just keep a look out for it. :)