Hell no!

Chapter 30 Arguing (Nico)

I woke up because of another nightmare. Bianca. I was gasping for air when I woke up, crying. I quickly went into the bathroom and splashed some water in my face. On my way out I walked past Hazel, and she immediately tried to engage a conversation.

''Please, Nico.''

I ignored her. It wasn't polite, but I'm still mad at her. I wanted to walk past her, back to my room, but she had other ideas. She stopped me and looked me in the eyes.

''You need to talk with me, Nico. We need to talk about what happened on Monday, so please, talk to me? Can we at least have a conversation about it?''

''No, Hazel. I'm still mad at you, so no, I don't want to talk about it!'' I said slightly angry.

''You should talk with someone, Nico!'' She sounded desperate.

''I have people to talk with!'' I yelled in anger. Luckily I'd heard mom and dad leave already, so they won't overhear me yelling. ''People who do understand, who don't push me to tell them or others, who let me tell them stuff at my own pace, who are patient and give me the time and space I need. And you DIDN"T!''

Hazel looked really desperate now, and also sad. She looked as if she'd wanted to say something more, but I just walked away. I'd seen her confusion when I said I'd talked with someone else. She doesn't need to know about Will. She doesn't need to know about his past, he'd told me about that in confidence. And I didn't want to betray his trust. He's nice to me, he's understanding, he's comforting, he's sensitive. And Hazel wasn't. She pushed me, and I don't like being pushed, I think angrily.

I got dressed and grabbed my bag. Then I went downstairs and ate breakfast with Hazel, which was in complete silence. Then we went to the bus, and I sat down in front of her, instead of next to her as always. When Piper and Annabeth entered, they were confused. We always sit together. Piper sat down next to me and Annabeth sat with Hazel.

''Hey Nico, what's up with you and Hazel? Are you two fighting?'' Piper asked gently.

''Sort of. I'm really mad at her. I don't really want to talk about it, Piper.''

''Okay.'' She looked confused.

Then Piper and Annabeth started talking about her supposed 'study date' with Jason yesterday, but her dad had really scared him. After her dad had approved of him, they went to her room and finished the English project. Then they'd talked for a good hour and then Jason had scotched a little closer to her. After some stuttering he'd asked her on a date, and she'd said yes. They were going to a movie this Friday. Then they just giggled for five minutes and then talked about what Piper was going to wear.

At school I got my stuff out of my locker and went to the History classroom. It was a fairly interesting lesson, about how the Romans transported their armies quickly and efficiently. Mr. Brunner can talk about it with a lot of passion, which makes it much more interesting. Then I had a free period, which I spent in the library with Hazel, Piper and Annabeth. It was awkward, very awkward. Me and Hazel didn't talk to each other and Piper and Annabeth tried to conversate around that.

Then at lunch everyone sat with someone, flirting, so Solace, no, Will decided to sit with me, as his two friends were with my friends.

''Hi Solace.'' I said. Stupid, you're on a first name basis, so why the last name?

''Hello Nico. How's your day going?'' he said smiling.

''Well, I had History, which was somewhat interesting. Then a free period in the library.'' I told him, not really wanting to go into the details about it.

''Well, I had basketball, and I loved it.'' he said enthusiastically. ''I'm the captain, so I had to come up with the training. It was an training to work on our weaker points. At the end we had a small competition, which Jason won. I'm wondering why he isn't gloating right now and telling everyone, especially Piper, how he'd won and how he'd beaten me, which he'd normally do.''

I was surprised by that comment, if he'd beaten Will, why not brag about it? Why not try to impress Piper? Well, it might have something to do with Piper's father meeting Jason this afternoon and she's warning him or something? ''Really, well, maybe he's just talking with Piper, she said she's going with him to her place. She was worrying about her father this morning, about what he'd do, what Jason'd do…''

''Her father?'' Will asked, obviously very confused. It made me smile, which I nearly never do. So I tried to stop, which I did after a couple of seconds. He does look rather cute when he's looking confused though… No stop it brain. No thinking like that!

''Her father is very… overprotective… of her. If he even sees a guy with her, he goes on full interrogation on the guy. So she's probably preparing him for it…'' I explain to him. We talked some more, mainly about how funny it would probably be and then the bell rang, so we went to English.

Miss M. said we could do something for ourselves seeing as we were the only pair who'd finished the project already. So we went to the library, and in a far corner where no one would be bothered by us talking, we sat down. We talked mainly about movies. Then he asked if we'd watch movies together again, so sure, why not? But then he asked if I could this Saturday, and in the morning I'm going to go to Bianca's grave. So I felt kind of awkward.

''Maybe in the afternoon?'' I asked

''Sure. How late? And at your place this time?'' he said with his usual annoying smile. But it is a beautiful smile… AHRG!

''Okay, sure.'' I answered, happy that he didn't seem to have noticed.

''Nico?'' Will asked gingerly. ''Are you okay? I, I mean after yesterday…''

''Y-yeah, it's just, I'm sorta sad about it.'' I answered, before really telling him about it. ''I mean, I miss her. But she wouldn't want me to be sad. It's just… hard. It's still to… to soon. I'm still very shocked and it's hard to believe she's no longer here for me. She can no longer give me advice, or give me a hug when I'm sad. She can't support me to….'' not feel like an outcast because I'm gay. She can't support me telling someone if I want to tell them. She can't support me if I get rejected or bullied because of it. She'll never be there for me when I want to talk about it with someone… I just couldn't speak anymore. I couldn't, and tears started to form in my eyes.

''Oh, Nico. I understand,'' Will said very gently, placing a hand on my shoulder, ''you miss her and you're still grieving. You need time, friends and patience. I, we, as your friends, can help. You need to remember the good times with her, all the times she's given you advice, all the times she held you when you were scared or sad. All the times you did something fun together, like going to the movies, or playing when you were little.''

He can really put that into words, better than I can right now. Or ever. I'm just not good with emotions. I looked at him, still sad, but glad he was there. I nearly had the tears running over my face and said to him, ''Y-yes, thank you, Will. For reminding me. You give good advice too and you're a good listener.'' Because he is a good listener, a good friend! Friend? Friend!

After a slight hesitation, Will asked very quietly and gently if I wanted a hug. I didn't really know what I wanted, but a hug sounded very nice right about now. So I nodded. He took me in a big, warm, caring hug and I rested my head on his shoulder, getting his shirt wet from my tears. He didn't seem to mind, which I greatly appreciated. He rubbed circles in my back, which I found very calming. After a few minutes I felt better and we broke apart.

''Thanks Will, I needed that.'' I told him, while wiping my tears. I don't want to look like a cry baby in front of the entire school. He tried to distract me by talking about movies and making weird, corny jokes. They didn't really make me laugh, but just a small smile appeared on my lips every so often before the bell rang and the day was over.

I went to my locker and there were Annabeth and Hazel. After a couple of minutes Jason and Piper came walking towards us and then we took the bus. The bus ride was a lot of flirting between Piper and Jason, Hazel and Annabeth talking about something I wasn't really interested in, something girly. So I just stared out of the window. The closer we came to Piper and Annabeth's stop, the more nervous Jason seemed to get. Then they got out and his face was all nervousness. Me and Hazel sat in silence and got out at our stop.

At home we were silent and I got a cupcake with me to my room. In my room I made my history homework and read in a book I'd once gotten from my grandmother. It was in Italian, and it's one of my favourite books. Not because of the book, but because she'd given it to me. Mom had made dinner and we ate in silence. After dinner I got to my room and read in the book for a couple of minutes, but I couldn't really concentrate. Then I took out my phone and texted Will a thanks for today.

Me: Thanks for today, you were great! I really needed someone to talk to, someone who understands. And you were a great friend today!

After about an hour I got a response from Will.

Will: It wasn't a problem, I was glad to help. You needed a listening ear and I was glad to provide. :)

Me: And what we talked about, Saturday, what movies do you want to watch?

Will: How about… a classic… how about the Lion King? Or… Aladdin!

I rolled my eyes. That's what he calls a classic? Well, okay… Lion King is a classic and great, and Aladdin amazing too, but still. Kinda dorky. I don't think anyone else at school knows he's such a dork… well, maybe his friends?

Me: Okay.

Will: Great, see you tomorrow, I'm going to bed!

He's tired already? I'm still going to be awake for at least a couple more hours.

Me: This early?

Will: I'm an early bird, I rise with the sun… :D

He's a total dork! I can totally picture him 'rising with the sun' and being all happy and smiley in the morning… But he's a really cute dork! No stop that! Ahrg!

Me: Well, I'm a night owl, so we're kind of opposites…

Me: But goodnight

Will: Thanks, you too!

AN: Ahw, sweet, sweet Will. He's trying to comfort Nico. And it's working, yes!

Well, as promised, I updated the story this week. Not much to say anymore...

Satan, out!