Second chapter went up not too long ago, so this is a pretty good schedule for me.

Also, I'm jamming to 5sos as I write this (if you don't know who they are, shame on you). I'm so excited! This July I'm going to their concert!

…

Percy's POV

…

I was practically shaking with excitement as I clutched the note in my hand. I was going to (hopefully) meet the Mystery Man that was seemingly asking me to the dance. I stood in front of the library's double doors, both closed since it was after school. I took a few deep breaths. I was surprised I was so nervous. The only time I was nervous… No, I wouldn't think of that right now. I shoved open the double doors. But there wasn't anybody there. Well, I couldn't say that.

"Nico?" I asked. He glanced up, and I swear my heart did hot laps around my ribs. At the very least, it was trying to hammer its way out of my chest. "Uh, hi," I mumbled, looking at my shoes. "Is there…is there anyone else in here?"

"Nope," he said. "But I think there's something for you on the librarian's desk." My gaze snapped back up. He pointed, and I turned to look. Sure enough, there was a little red bag on the desk. I approached it slowly, and saw my name on the tag. I picked up the bag. It wasn't very heavy. I took it back to Nico's table without actually knowing why. He glanced back up when I approached. "Whatcha got there?"

"That's actually a good question," I said, sitting opposite him. He closed the magazine he'd been reading, some girly teen magazine at that (though I will admit to reading them as well). Let's take a minute to really appreciate what just happened here. I just talked to Nico fucking di Angelo without losing my cool. I didn't get tongue tied. I didn't run away. I had a conversation with him, then I sat at his table. "Hey, while I have your attention," I said, pulling back the tissue paper. Inside was not quite what I expected. "Oh," I breathed, pulling the vase out. In the vase was a single blue rose. "Whoever is doing this certainly knows me," I commented.

"What?" Nico asked. "Nice flower, but what?" I wasn't listening to him. I pulled out the next letter; C. So they were asking me to the dance, and in a long and complicated way. "Percy," Nico said, snapping his fingers under my nose. I blinked. "What is all this?"

"I have a secret admirer," I explained, running my fingers over the rose's petals. They felt vaguely soft. "And he's asking me to the dance. This is awfully sweet of him," I added. "He keeps giving me gifts and letters." I sighed. "I just really wish I knew who it was." I glanced up at him. "How's Alabaster?" He flinched.

"Not so good, I think," Nico said. "I don't really know. He broke up with me."

Oh.

"I'm sorry," I said, bowing my head. I was an idiot. I should've known. Nico and Ally went everywhere together. I hadn't seen them together in quite some time. He waved a hand.

"I'm a firm believer in if it wasn't meant to be, it wasn't meant to be," he replied. He grew quiet and thoughtful, as we all sorta saw him as. He was always that person that sat in the back of the room and observed everyone. "I don't think we clicked anymore anyway," he said quietly. I looked at him. "It wasn't like we were bored of each other. I just think we wanted different things."

"Like what?" I asked. I was actually curious about this. Not many knew what happened to Nico in his personal life, so to open up like this was something to take advantage of… Not that I was taking advantage of him! I was just answering some questions we'd all had.

"Ally wanted something that was quick and easy," he said. "Something that wouldn't last beyond high school. I don't want that." I began to nod along with him. I felt along similar lines. If I was going to date you, I wanted it to be for a long time, not just till the end of high school and then we never see each other again. I would think about forever, as crazy as it sounded. "So, we parted ways," Nico finished. "I guess I'm ready to move on?" He shrugged. "As ready as I feel anyway."

"Take all the time you need," I said to him. "I bet it hurt when he broke up with you, huh? Wasn't that your first relationship?" He nodded. "I've never had one," I said. "I guess I'm lucky. No broken hearts for me."

"That, at least, is a good thing," Nico agreed. He rose and stretched his arms over his head. His shirt rose slightly. I caught myself staring and looked away, turning pink. Dammit, why did I have to do things like that? Nico chuckled. "You are something else, Percy," he said softly. "You'll make some boy very happy one of these days." I glanced at my hands, which were resting on the table. It took everything in me not to grip the edge. I didn't want to hear that, not from him. Why couldn't he say that about himself? "Are you okay?" Nico asked, sounding concerned. "You're shaking." I glanced down. There was a slight tremble to my arms and hands.

"I'm fine," I said, rising quickly. My chair slid back and crashed into the table behind us. Nico jumped at the sudden noise. I gathered up my things, scooped the vase up, and ran out of the library. I couldn't be there anymore. Meeting my mystery man was not worth feeling like that around Nico di Angelo, the guy who was totally out of my league anyway.

…

Nico's POV

…

Acting like I wasn't the one doing all those sweet things when Percy was talking about it was perhaps one of the hardest things I'd had to do in my high school career. Even worse than having to go through my breakup with Ally. Watching him run out was just as hard. I wasn't sure what I'd said, but I knew it was on m end. He'd been perfectly fine until I'd said… dammit it was that comment about how he'd make someone happy. I bet I knew what he was thinking in that moment.

"I should've said me," I mumbled to my ceiling. "Or something." I shook my head and sat up. I glanced in the mirror. My nerves hardened. No. I wouldn't mope for this. Not yet. It was still early. I hadn't actually hurt Percy. I had to remember that. Percy probably felt overwhelmed with emotions. I would've in his shoes as well.

"I see you haven't moved." I didn't even turn around. Malcolm must've let himself in. Or Bianca did. Either way, now he was here. "How did things go this afternoon? I know you were nervous about seeing Percy."

"Yeah, and something came up and he had to leave in a hurry," I said, sitting down at my desk. I got a piece of paper, some glue, some glitter, amongst other things. "He really liked the rose, by the way. Good call. Tomorrow's present really has to shine, because it's the last one before the day of the dance, and my final surprise. "Any more bright ideas?" I asked him. "After all, you thought up the last present."

"Whatcha doing now?" Mal asked, sitting down on my bed. I could tell because I knew what the creak it made sounded like. I folded the piece of paper in half.

"Making a card to go with it," I said, using the glue and glitter to make a silver heart on the front. "Percy likes homemade stuff. His favorite thing is his mom's blue chocolate chip cookies, but he likes anything homemade."

"God Nico, you sound like a stalker," Mal said with a little laugh. I looked back at him. "Why don't you make him something to go along with the homemade card if he likes homemade gifts so much? What all could you do?" I tapped my chin with the marker. It was a good idea. That way, every present was unique. I didn't know though. What all did Percy like. Me. But that was too obvious. What else? "Swimming," Mal said suddenly. "Percy loves swimming."

"Yeah," I said. "What could I do with that?" I smacked my head against the desk, getting glitter all over my hair. "God dammit Mal, I'm not good under pressure."

"I have a picture frame making kit with me," Malcolm said, reaching into his backpack. I glanced back at him, shaking the glitter out of my hair as I did so. "Make him a picture frame. Incorporate swimming into that. I'll take a photo of you guys at the dance that you can put in it later." He handed me the kit. I studied it. This seemed a little…childish. Would he even like it? "Just give it a try," Mal instructed, waving me on. I shrugged. Worth a shot.

…

Percy's POV

…

"I never even got to ask him to the dance," I said, tossing my tennis ball up and catching it again. Jason was trying to study at my desk, but Leo was making it hard for him. I should've known that inviting them both over would be a disaster. "I meant to, but the rose distracted me. Be careful with it, by the way." I'd put it on my desk. Jason and Leo were moving around quite a bit. I snatched the rose up and set it on my nightstand instead. I didn't want them to knock the vase over. "Nice flower though," I added.

"Yes, very nice," Jason agreed, playfully shoving Leo away. "Any ideas who it might be?" I frowned and ran my fingers over the petals again. I honestly had no idea. It could've still been Octavian, trying to be cheeky. I hadn't completely ruled that out yet. Unless it was Nico? No, he wasn't the kind of guy to do things like this. I sighed and laid back down, tossing my tennis ball up. Jason squealed and jumped up from the chair. I bolted upright. "Stop it!" he scolded Leo, laughing and twisting away when the Latino reached out to tickle him again. I rolled my eyes. But I was a little envious of them. I wished I had what they had. "Why the long face?" Jason asked, turning away from Leo. He stopped and peered at me over the blonde's shoulder.

"Nothing," I said, waving the comment aside. "Are you guys excited for Friday? It's the big dance." They glanced at each other and grinned. "Planning anything special?" I asked them.

"Just dinner," Jason replied. "We did rent tuxes together though. That was an experience. One we'll get to do all over again in two months." I sighed. Right. Prom was also right around the corner. "Can't wait." Leo wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him close, kissing him. I turned away.

"Gag," I mumbled. But I was still jealous. I wanted a relationship like they had so badly. And not with just anyone. I wanted it with Nico di Angelo. He said he was ready to move on, but that didn't mean he would date me. Perhaps he had his eye on someone else. But I really, really liked Nico. No, I amended to myself. I don't like him.

I loved him.

…

Nico's POV

…

I had the picture frame done and wrapped in red wrapping paper. It had little life preservers and hearts and the life guard symbol on it. It perhaps wasn't my most glamorous gift, but as I continued to study it, the more it grew on me. I slipped the homemade card into its envelope, along with the letter E. That would spell out dance, but there was one last surprise. I smiled to myself. It was going to be the best one yet.

I sat down at my desk, taking the poster-sized piece of paper I'd bought at the craft shop along with me. I spread it out. It took up the entire table. There wasn't going to be much on it, but I took my black marker and began sketching out a giant question mark. I glanced at the corner, where my bundle of balloons were floating harmlessly near the ceiling. I glanced back down. I was so excited for Friday.

I'd have Percy come down to the library after school again. But it wouldn't be a wrapped present. I would be down there, holding the question mark sign with the balloons. At least, that should've been how it went. I hoped it would go that way. I'd have Jason hiding away so he could capture Percy's reaction when he saw it for the first time. Saw me holding the sign for the first time. I smiled at the thought. I was so happy I was in love with a guy like Percy.

…

Yay, slightly longer! Next chapter will be about Percy and Nico going tux shopping, cause that needs to happen before the dance. And Percy's new present of course.