Little technical error from last chapter. I meant to say N, not C. D A and N is what Percy will have now. I do know how to count, but I don't know how to spell. Thank you for pointing that out though. That could've been bad.

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Nico's POV

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"Can I trust you with this?" I asked Jason. I held up the bag containing the next letter, and the chocolate, at the end of my fingers, letting it swing gently back and forth. Jason rolled his eyes, but I had to make sure this got to Percy. I was set and determined to ask Percy out in a spectacular way, even though prom was two months away. And yes, I planned on asking him to that too. But that was in a subtle, cutesy way. This was the first Valentine's dance in New Haven history. Of course I had to make it memorable.

"You can trust me Neeks," Jason said. "I won't let anything happen to it." Still, I was reluctant. I knew this was my idea, but I didn't want to let this present out of my sight. I clutched the bag for one more moment, before finally handing it over. Jason patted the bag. I knew he'd take good care of it, deep down. But my stomach still turned as he walked away with it.

"I'm surprised." I whirled around to find Malcolm once again standing behind me, this time leaning against the wall. Fuck, how did he manage to be so quiet? "I know Jason is one of your good friends, but it still shocks me that you enlisted him for this task. I'm also kind of hurt you didn't ask me." I blushed.

"It would've been obvious if you'd done it," I said, falling in step with him as he headed to homeroom. "Percy knows you're my best friend." Malcolm glanced over at me. "Besides," I added. "Jason is friends with him too. It seems less weird if he does it." Finally, Malcolm sighed.

"You've really thought this thing through, haven't you?" he asked. I bit my lip and said nothing. Truth was, I hadn't, not really. I knew what I wanted to do on the final day, though. It was going to be a huge surprise, one I hoped I could pull off. It was going to be difficult, especially with the small time frame I'd allotted myself for it. "Well, as long as you're happy Nico," Malcolm continued. "I know things have been difficult since Ally left."

"Leave Alabaster out of this," I mumbled, but the usual pang of sadness I felt every time someone mentioned his name still struck. I sighed again. I hated thinking of Ally at a time like this. He left me last year, end of story. We weren't even all that serious. So why did it leave me feeling so hollow? Probably because he was the first person I'd ever dated. "Mal, I could gladly strangle you right now," I joked as we approached his room. He smirked at me and ducked into his homeroom. I shook my head and slipped into the room next door, Mr. Woods.

Everyone was abuzz with Valentine's news. More couples were established for the dance. Will was busy whispering something to Katie, who giggled and playfully shoved him away. He smiled softly at her. Jason was sitting backwards in a chair talking with Percy, and Leo was sitting on the desk behind him, toying with his hair. This was significant because, as far as I knew, no one was allowed to touch Jason's hair. Leo must've been something special. I took my usual seat in the back, mostly so I could spy. Jason briefly glanced my way, but then snapped his gaze back to Percy, who was busy animating a story and proudly showing off… I gasped. It was the bear I'd gotten him! I strained to hear.

"Pretty neat," Jason said, apparently agreeing with whatever Percy was talking about. I noticed he kept glancing at Jason's feet, where his present was sitting. I gripped the table top to prevent myself from bolting upright and handing it to him myself. The whole point of this was to remain anonymous until Friday. That was how the plan was going to work.

"Come on Jay, give it to him," I hissed quietly to myself. Mr. Woods wasn't even paying attention to us. He knew he wouldn't get our attention until next week, so this week, we got to do whatever. "Jason, I swear to god…" I mumbled.

"Oh!" Jason said suddenly, like he just remembered something. "I have something for you Percy." He reached down and brought up the present. Percy set his bear aside and studied the bag for a moment. Then he reached aside.

"Chocolate!" he exclaimed. Then he opened the box. "Blue chocolate! How?" I couldn't see his face exactly, but I'm sure he was looking questioningly at Jason. But Jay just shrugged.

"You'll see," he said simply.

…

Percy's POV

…

I was dumbfounded.

Alright, let me rewind. I'd had every intention of asking Nico to the dance today, but then Jason and Leo came over to talk. And when I saw him…well, all of a sudden I felt shy. I couldn't do it. Jason and Leo were really sweet though. They tried cheering me up. Then Leo happened to notice I'd brought Nico with me (yes, I named the bear Nico). I proudly showed him off. Then, Jason gave me a present. It was a box of blue chocolate and the letter N.

"D, A, and N," I mused to myself. "Could it be 'dance?'" I pulled out the other two letters and arranged them in front of me. Dance seemed likely. But who could it be? I doubted it was Octavian, although I still wouldn't put it past him to try something like this. I plucked a chocolate out of the box and chomped down. It was delicious! Whoever was sending these gifts had really outdone themselves.

"Do you know who did this?" I asked Jason, nudging him with the box of chocolates. Jason glanced back down at me. I'd been unaware he'd turned up to face Leo, who was still toying with his hair. Now, I felt embarrassed with all the attention on me. "Do you know?" I asked again, holding out the box.

"No idea," Jason said. "I was given it by someone, who was also given it by someone, so on and so forth." He waved his hand like it was a closed matter. I growled in frustration. I wanted to thank whomever was giving me these wonderful things. I put the top back on the box and studied it for a moment. It was such a plain looking box, but whoever it was, knew me very well. I loved blue food. It had been a tradition at my house since I was little.

"Who are you, mystery man?" I wondered, not for the first time.

…

When I got home, I dropped my bag near the closet door and hung my coat on the hook. Then I went down the hall to my room. I sat down at my little desk and spread out everything from the Mystery Man in front of me (I was sure it was a boy, since everyone at school knew I was gay). I studied the handwriting. No clues there. I didn't even recognize it. I sighed and shoved myself back. I was about to throw the newest bag away, when another piece of paper fluttered out.

"What's this?" I asked, scooping it up. I went and flopped onto my bed, stretching out on my stomach. I opened the new note, stared at it, then began to read. "Dear Percy, I really hope you like your chocolate. It's imported you know. Swiss chocolate, made by some of the finest…" I paused, once again studying my simple box. Really? That box of chocolate was not only imported, but also Swiss chocolate? Whoever this was, they'd really outdone themselves. "I hope you know how loved you are Percy…" I had to pause at that. I didn't. Who the hell was this? "Well, just in case you didn't get it the first time, I'll say it again. I love you Percy…" I set the note down.

"Percy, who are you talking to?" mom said, making me jump. I wiped away the tears threatening to fall. I couldn't let her see that. She'd say I was too young for love.

"No one mom, just myself," I called back. "Just…thinking of creative writing ideas." I hoped she'd leave me alone. Finally, finally, I heard her footsteps fade down the hall. "I love you Percy…" I said to myself. "Well, whoever you are Mystery Man, I love you too. I just wish I knew who you were…"

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Nico's POV

…

I paced the length of my room, feeling uneasy. I'd added a note at the very last minute, and I hoped it wasn't too over the top. I tended to come out as a little forward if I got excited or nervous. And when I scribbled out the note, I was both.

"Well, aren't you worked up," my sister, Bianca, said. I glanced up at her. She was laying on my loft, reading out of a book. I paced again, stopping and glancing at the mirror as I passed. I'd imagined how he'd react. But I really wished I could see it in person. "What's got you pacing like a caged tiger anyway?" Bianca asked, sitting up.

"God Bianca, I might've screwed things up," I said. I sat down in front of my mirror, studying my reflection. This certainly wasn't my most attractive face. "I sent Percy a very…open letter."

"What, did you propose or something?" she joked. I winced. I might as well have. "Geez Nico, didn't you learn anything from Ally."

"Why does everyone keep bringing him into this?" I muttered. "He liked Briar way better anyway, so I don't see the big deal anymore. That was a year ago."

"But it still hurts," she said simply, and those four words were enough to render me speechless. Of course it still hurt! But…it didn't. With Percy now seeming like a real possibility, it felt like Alabaster was just a dream or a long forgotten memory.

"I didn't love Ally," I said quietly. "But I love Percy." She opened her mouth to say something. "Don't try and convince me otherwise," I interrupted, holding up a hand. "I'm old enough to know what I want, Bia. And I want Percy." That sounded incredibly possessive, but it wasn't. I wanted Percy in all the best ways. All his little quirks and imperfections. All the things he did right, and all the things he did wrong. I didn't care, because to me, he would always be perfect. "Bia, I'm head over heels in love with him, and I hope he knows it by Friday." I looked in the mirror again. I set my jaw.

That note I added wouldn't bother me anymore, because I loved Percy. And I was determined to make this not only a memorable dance, but also the best Valentine's Day he's ever had. Friday was it. If I hadn't successfully wooed him by then, well, I was going to give up on love. Because love was worth nothing if Percy wasn't there.

"Don't overthink too much Nico," Bia said softly, dropping down off my loft. "And," she added, touching my shoulder. I glanced up at her. "I'm happy for you, really. Go get him." She left, most likely to start her own homework. I had homework to do as well, but I decided that I had something more important to do. I got a fresh sheet of notebook paper, spread it out on the desk in front of me, and began to write.

Dear Percy, come to the library after school tomorrow for your surprise. Maybe you'll even get to meet me! Your Secret Admirer.

I folded the new note up nice and neat. Then I stuck it in the pocket of the jeans I was going to wear tomorrow. Now, I just needed to think of a special surprise for tomorrow. One step at a time. First, I needed to do my homework, then get a good night's sleep.

"Alright Percy, I'll see you tomorrow, my sweet Valentine," I whispered, getting my books out. Although I wasn't sure how I was going to concentrate with my love on my brain.

…

This took way longer to type then I would've liked. Half way through, I started bawling. It hit me… It's Valentine's Day, and it's been almost three years since my last boyfriend broke up with me (a long time I know, but we had the best time ever).