VALENTINE'S
Thalia sat and watched all the couples at the Valentine's Dance. Annabeth had convinced her to come and Chiron had thought it would be a good experience for her. Instead, she was dateless, sitting in the corner, watching all the other couples in the school gym.
Percy and Annabeth were dancing near the stage. Clarisse and Chris were by the punch bowl. Travis and Katie had already stolen off somewhere to make out. Piper was laughing as Jason spun on the dance floor. All the other mortal couples were dancing and milling around, laughing and having a good time.
Thalia wished Grover was there. Then she wouldn't have been so lonely at least. She wished Nico was there. Maybe he would have asked her to dance. She smiled at the thought. Instead, she kept sitting and watching all the couples dejectedly.
After a few minutes, she decided it was time to leave. Nobody was going to miss her anyway. As she moved to get up, two things happened at once. A slow song started playing and a person walked up and blocked her exit.
She looked up, ready to snap at the offender. The words froze in her throat as her eyes fell upon Nico. He was dressed in a plain black t shirt and jeans. He smiled and stretched out his hand.
"May I have this dance, mia donna di luce?" Nico asked, the Italian falling off his tongue like he had spoken it all his life. Thalia's heart skipped and her stomach flipped.
"Yes," she squeaked slightly, reaching up for his outstretched hand.
He led her onto the dance floor and pulled her close as they started to sway to the music. They danced in silence for a bit.
"So," Nico said quietly. "A Valentine's Dance."
"Annabeth's idea," Thalia hurriedly explained.
"Ah," Nico said, nodding.
They continued to dance in silence. Thalia's heart sped up as he pulled her tighter to him. He leaned over slightly and whispered in her ear.
"Still. Will you be my Valentine?"
Thalia mutely nodded. Nico pulled back and smiled. She closed her eyes as he leaned down and kissed her.