R&R!

Nico POV

Ember sang along to every song at the campfire. She had a great voice. Sometimes I wish I wasn't the way I was.

After the campfire, I went back to my cabin, knowing I'd have nightmares.

I couldn't have been more right. You see, Tartarus, it messes with your mind. It knows who you care about, and uses that against you.

Tonight I saw Percy, Hazel, Annabeth, and Ember.

Percy was sobbing, holding Annabeth's limp body. He screamed for her to wake up, that he needed her. I couldn't stand to see him in pain. Hazel was screaming my name as monsters dragged her away. I couldn't save her. Ember collapsed in pain as an empousai dragged its claws down her chest. "Stop it!" I screamed. "Stop! Now! Leave them alone!"

I woke to someone shaking me. I opened my eyes. "Ember?"

"Nico?" Her eyes were filled with concern. "Are you ok?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Just a nightmare."

"You can tell me anything. You know that, don't you? I'm here if you need me."

I looked away from her. "Ember. I have to tell you something."

"Yeah?"

"I-I didn't want to tell anyone. Jason's the only one who knows, but, I'm gay."

She looked down. "Oh."

"I understand if you don't want to talk to me anymore, or something like that, but-"

"Nico. Did you think that would make me hate you? I'm your friend. That won't change."

I managed a smile.

"I should go back to my cabin. You sure you're ok?"

I nodded. "Thanks for coming in here."

She smiled, then disappeared in colors.

Ember POV

I'm now sitting on my bed staring out the window trying to piece together what just happened.

Flashback

I woke up to screaming. I pulled up an iris message to see what happened. I saw Nico curled up in a ball sobbing. I ran to the Hades cabin as fast as I could. Dang it. The door is locked. It's only then that I even think about traveling in colors. Once I'm inside I run to the only bed in there. I shook Nico until he woke up with tears in his eyes.

Present

He's gay. That was just about all I could process of what just happened. I fall to the floor in tears. I don't know how i can even begin to pick up the tiny shards that were once my heart. I decide these things.

1. I'll say I'm sick tomorrow so I don't have to see Nico

2. I'll have Connor Stoll sneak me outside food

3. Piper will come over with ice cream so I can tell her

4. I'm not little sweet ember anymore i can feel it. I'm darker, fiercer, less care free and more pain filled. That much I know.

Tomorrow sounds like a plan. I'll have to make myself a new image. Now all i have to do is figure out how to survive the night.