Chapter 1

Nico was laying on his bed, propped up with a hundred pillows, drawing his latest imaginary love. This boy was a brunet, with dark eyes that mirrored Nico's own. He was wearing a blue jacket and jeans, glasses in his hands.

"Nico?" Hazel knocked on the door. "Can I come in?"

He looked at the picture for a minute before looking up. "Why?"

"Because." her voice turned pleading. "I have a question for you."

"Fine."

She came in, closing the door behind her. Her curly hair was up in a ponytail, the escaping strands sticking to the makeup on her face. She wore a red strapless leotard, her bare feet scuffing against his carpet. He could tell she was nervous, but didn't comment. He knew she'd do amazing.

"Nico..." she sat by him on the bed. "Please come? Will and I are favored to win and we'd get medals."

"Will?"

"My partner. Please?" Hazel begged, grabbing onto his leg. Of course, he didn't feel a thing, but he saw her actions.

Nico sighed, reaching to sit up more. She immediately pulled him into a better position, sitting him against the wall. "So will you?"

"Hazel...I'm going to embarrass you..." Nico mumbled.

She frowned. "Why?"

He gestured to his legs and then his wheelchair. "Where will I be? Isn't there like rows of chairs?"

"You can be backstage, with me." Hazel answered. "I've already thought this through. And you won't embarrass me."

He looked down, frowning sadly. "Fine. I'll go. But on one condition."

"And what's that?"

"You need to help me get a boyfriend." Nico brushed his hair with his fingers, not uncomfortable with the topic. He had come out years ago, and his family had been fine with it. Whatever made him happy, made them happy. And Nico knew wasting his life away in his room would never get him a real love.

She sighed but smiled. "Okay, I'll try. Let's get you dressed."

"Do you even know anyone that's gay?" Nico asked, pointing to the outfit he wanted to wear. She grabbed it and went to him, helping him change.

"Yeah, I do." she replied, leaving him to change his shirt.

"Prove it." he muffled as he put the shirt on, doing the tie.

"My partner. Will." Hazel winked at him. "Fully gay. I know, after working with him for so many years."

Nico blushed lightly. "H-How old is he?"

"Your age." Hazel put his shoes on. "And he's single."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

Hazel smiled, laughing softly. "So eager."

When they got to the theater, Nico kept his hands in his lap and his eyes downward. He could feel the eyes on him, curiosity boring into his pores. They wanted to know why he was in a wheelchair. Had he broken a leg? (once upon a time). Had he just been too lazy to walk? (no). Had he been paralyzed? (yes).

His father pushed his chair, while his sister walked ahead and talked to those around her. She spoke with other dancers and onlookers, just getting along with everyone in sight. When they saw him, however, they made a hasty excuse and walked off.

Nico wanted to go home more than anything.

"Stop acting so awkward." Hazel whispered to him as they got backstage. "You act like everyone is going to offend you so everyone's scared to talk to you."

"I act from experience, Hazel." Nico mumbled. "Let's just get this over with."

"Well, don't act from experience when you meet Will." Hazel replied. "That'll ruin everything. Just try to trust."

He nodded slightly, glancing around. "Where even is he?"

"He isn't here yet. Calm down." Hazel kissed the top of his head, going to her mirror. While she made sure she looked perfect, Nico got his sketch pad out and started his newest picture. He was going off of how she described Will. It wasn't much, but it was something. And he was already falling in love with the picture.

"Damn, you draw good." a voice behind him announced, making him jump slightly. When Nico turned around, a teenage boy was looking over his shoulder at the sketch pad. He had blond hair, hanging to his ears in straight strands, and so blue of eyes Nico immediately got lost in them. He wore a tight, black shirt, and black dress slacks. Nico could tell her was a dancer after growing up with Hazel, but didn't want to get his hopes up. If this was-

"I'm Will Solace, by the way." the boy spoke, smiling. "Sorry if I kinda got in your space. I just haven't seen a drawing so good in real life before."

Nico blushed lightly, swallowing thickly. What was he supposed to say?

"Will," Hazel's voice saved him from very likely embarrassment. "This is my brother, Nico. I told you about him."

"Yeah, a lot, actually." Will stuck his hand out. "Nice to meet you, Nico."

Nico slowly shook his hand, trying to get over the fact that this boy was perfect in every way possible. He was cute, he was nice, he didn't treat Nico like he was disabled. And his smile was beautiful.

"Why don't you come to shows more often?" Will asked. "I could've seen you a lot more."

"U-Uh,..." Nico brought his hand back, the warmth from Will's melting into his bloodstream. "I guess I don't like going out."

"You don't like going out? What are you, a hermit?" Will joked.

Hazel whispered something in his ear. Nico couldn't help the jealously in his chest, his mind firing off. Get away from him, Hazel. He's mine.

Will nodded slightly at Hazel, his face somber for a moment before it became joyous again. "Anyways, it's nice to meet you, Nico."

"You, too..."

"Does Hazel talk about me?"

"A little bit." Nico mumbled.

"Well, she definitely talks about you." Will rambled. "You like Mythomagic? I've loved that game since I was five. I've got almost all the cards but need figurines. And she said you love pancakes and I make the best pancakes in the world. I put this special syrup on them and-"

"You ramble." Nico noted.

Will blushed lightly. "Sorry. I was just trying to be friendly."

"Don't apologize." Nico mumbled. "You don't need to do that."

Will smiled again. "Okay, then I won't."

Nico found himself smiling softly. "Okay, then."

"Will, tell him why you dance." Hazel broke in, smiling at them. "He's probably wondering."

"Oh," Will pulled up a chair, sitting by Nico. "I love to dance. Like it's my all time favorite thing in the world. It's just so fun and romantic..."

"You're a romantic?" Nico asked.

Will shrugged. "Is that a bad thing?"

"No,"

"Well, I am. And dancing with the love of your life..." Will stared off into space. "It's what I live for, really. I want to get good for that moment, so I practice. I practice until my legs ache and I keep practicing from there. I'll dance until my legs come off, for sure."

Nico frowned slightly, looking away. Again, disappointment filled him. Even if Will fell for him...he couldn't give him what he wanted. He couldn't give him that dance. That dance in the rain, barefoot; that dance in the living room with the old record player playing a love song; that first dance at the wedding reception. Will was expecting that, was dreaming about it. Who was Nico to take that away?

Hazel must have noticed his sadness, because she cleared her throat and kissed his forehead. "Will and I are up soon. You still want to watch?"

He nodded slightly. "Yeah," he smiled at Will. "Show me what's so special about dancing. It seems pointless, to me. Prove me wrong."

Will smirked. "I will. Just wait for it, Sunshine."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Will got up, stretching his arms. His smile was almost blinding.

Nico watched numbly, not able to stop his heart from fluttering in his chest. As this blond god-like teenager took the stage with his sister, he knew. He knew this was the boy. The boy that would take his heart.

Take his heart and tear it in two.