Well! Last chapter went well. Glad for it, too! Here is the second installment to I Can't Swim.
I am NOT Rick Riordan, thus I own none of his properties (or talent).
I Can't Swim
And I Don't Wanna Learn
~Nico's P.O.V.~
I said nothing as it opened anyway. I knew the only one brave enough to come in Hades' cabin was Hazel, so I stayed still. The bed shifted slightly to the left, and suddenly I was being poked on the side. I grunted.
"Stop it, can't you see I'm dying?" I sighed and turned my head to the right. "I can't believe everyone saw that. You saw it. Percy saw it. How could I have been so careless, Hazel? I feel like an idiot."
"Why would it matter if I saw it?" Said a voice I did not expect to hear.
And Percy Jackson was the only one stupid enough to enter the Hades' cabin.
I shot up and away from him, only to fall off the edge of the bed.
"Oof!" I stood quicky. "What are you-?"
"I was checkin' on you. Take me away, officer." He looked amused and put his hands out as if to be cuffed.
He had his towel wrapped around his waist, and his hair was almost entirely dried, but seeing him on my bed seemed to make me nervous, somehow.
"Get off my bed. Your wet." Was my responce. He stood, but moved over to me. I stood as still as I could, slightly intimitated. "What do you what, Percy?"
He grinned at me. "You." My heart missed few beats. I couldn't even respond, I was in so much shock. "Tomorrow morning, at seven. Meet me at the lake."
"Why?" Was all I could get out.
His grin widened. "Here's a hint." He picked a box up from my bed and handed it to me. I stood gaping at him for a moment, befor I opened the box.
Arm floaties. And a body tube. Deflated, and waiting. I looked up at Percy's stupid cute grinning face and curled my lip.
"Is this some kind of joke?" I growled.
"Nope. I will teach you how to swim. I will, I say!" He raised a finger high in the air, a determined look on his face. I closed the box and shoved it into his stomach.
"No way in Hades, Jackson." I said. His ego seemed to shrink. "Get out of my room."
"Aww, that's no way to act!" He poked my stomach and my heart faltered again. "Please?"
He put on a puppy face, widening his eyes and bowing his head.
My breath stopped altogether at the sensuality of it.
"Fine." I said breathlessly. He didn't seem to notice.
"Yay!" He jumped up and hugged me. And just when I catch my breath, too! Ugh!
"See you tomorrow." He said as he ran out. And I could breath again, however ragged and faltering.
How am I going to get out of this?
The next morning was Sunday, so everyone was sleeping in. Exept me. I snuck out of my cabin with the floats and my towel, wearing my swim shorts and a shirt. Percy was waiting for me, swim trunks and shirt on. He smiled at me as I approached.
"I knew you'd come."
"Shut up."
"Alright, then, wanna get started?"
"Um, I guess."
"Great." He started taking his shirt off. Slowly, and streching every muscle possible as the shirt lifted over his shoulders. I looked away before Percy could catch me staring. I also took off my shirt, hesitatly, then looked back at Percy.
He was staring at me.
My breath stopped as he blushed, looking slightly baffled, and looked away. Then he cleared his throat.
"So, I got permission to use the lake for a while." I didn't respond, letting myself calm down. "Um, so should we start?"
I nodded. He also nodded, and turned awkwardly to the water. He started walking in, and turned around to me once the water was level to his shoulders.
"So, I want you to join me. Don't think of the water, just concentrate on me."
That shouldn't be too hard. I thought with a blush. I took a deep breath, and started foward. I couldn't help it. I felt the water rising, and by the time it was to my knees, my heart was racing.
"Nico, look at me." I looked up and met his eyes, only to look away. "Don't be embarrassed. Look only at my eyes." I'd rather die. But I looked up and met his eyes. Water forgotten, I walked foward, and he smiled at me. A kind, genuine smile. Everything else in the world drowned out - no pun intended - and I tunneled in on his eyes. I took one step, then another. His eyes slowly turned more concentrated, until suddenly I realized the light seemed more dulled in them.
"Don't freak out." He said so softly, I almost missed what he actually said. I looked around, to see I was underwater. My heart started racing, but I stayed calm.
"How-?"
"Son of Poseidon, remember? It's an air bubble." He said proudly. I rolled my eyes, my heart speeding up more and more. If he loses his concentration for a second, the water would close in...
"Okay, I get it, Show Off. Stop now. Get us back." I said in a rush. My breath started stuttering. He shook his head.
"First order of business: get over the fear part." I started hypervenilating.
"Percy, I am not joking, please!" I whined. I moved forward and grabbed his shoulders wildly, with intention to kill.
"It's alright, Nico, I won't let you drown." He wrapped his arms around my slight frame, and instantly I froze. The firm chest I was trying so hard not to stare at was pressed against me. Suddenly, I was bitter. This boy, that took nothing seriously, was so oblivious. I pushed away and glared at him. He frowned slightly, before averting his gaze.
"I'm not scared, Percy. Bring us back." I said darkly. Sure, I was lying, but he didn't notice. Which only made my anger worse. But I guess I was always a good actor; I hid my true self my whole life.
The bubble raised above surface and toward the shallow area, before bursting. I gasped as I fell to my stomach in the water. I glared at Percy again, who still hadn't looked at me. He looked guilty. I softened.
"Percy? I'm sorry for freaking out. I didn't mean to upset you."
"T-that's not it." He looked like a kicked puppy. I licked my lips nervously and looked away.
"Is something bothering you?" I asked as softly as I could.
He looked up and I met his eyes. He looked desperate. "Why do you hate me, Nico?"
I was so thrown off guard, it took me a moment to respond. "What?"
"Is it because I'm dating Annabeth?" My breath stopped. Oh gods...
"What do you mean?" I asked cautiously.
"Please, Nico, everyone knows you like her. Is that why you hate me? Because I'm in the way?" I was so relieved, I almost laughed.
"Percy, I don't hate you. And I totally don't like Annabeth. Why would you think that?"
"Because of the way you look at me. You just glare. And I know we have some trouble in our past, but, you told me you were over that." I flinched slightly. "And you're just angry at me all the time. I swear, if you tell me what bothers you, I'll change it."
"Percy. Stop. You're- You're wrong." I croaked. "I don't hate you. I don't like Annabeth. And there's nothing you could do about changing. You don't need to. You're perfect."
His eyes flicked to mine, half grateful, half startled.
"Um, thanks, Nico. I guess."
Fuck, oh gods, I'm so gonna kill myself..."Yeah." The blush on my cheeks wouldn't fade. I looked for shadows out of the corner of my eye.
"So, um, are you ready to try that again?"
"No." I said, rather harshly. He looked down again. "I mean, no. Um, can we be done for today?"
He nodded. "Okay."
I nodded once and turned with him as we went to our towels. I made sure not to face him, so I could insure I wouldn't cheat myself.
Campers were starting to come out of their cabins, looking at us weirdly. I moved to the nearest shadow, before stopping. I felt eyes on the back of my head.
I sighed. "Percy."
"Yeah?"
"Don't think I hate you. I just... don't get along with others. I'm not so sure how to talk to people like I should. But, Hazel's working with me. So, I'm trying, okay?"
"Okay." I'm not too sure how he sounded, but he sounded happy. With that, I fell into the shadows, thinking, I came way too close to telling him.
Sorry this took so long. I juggle a lot of things. Plus I've recently had a sticky break-up. But reviews help remind me to get over it. So don't be shy! ~TrampledRose
