Will
One day I think I will actually die of embarrassment.
I just hope Nico didn't notice the look I gave him when he took his shirt off. I always had a little crush on him but now it seemed impossible to actually spend three whole days with him in the infirmary. Really what was I thinking when I said that? And I can answer myself again: nothing. That is my fatal flaw, probably, I don't think straight. No pun intended. And now I'm sitting here, starring at the stars and I'm thinking about Nico Di Angelo.
I sighed, then I jumped.
»Is everything ok? «, Lou Ellen, was standing half hidden in the shadow of the building and I could have sworn that she hadn't stood there a minute ago, which was probably true, she was a daughter of Hecate, after all.
»I'm fine. « I said, a little too quickly, for Lou Ellen looked at me quite suspicious and set down next to me.
»You're a horrible liar Will. «
»Really, it's nothing to worry about. And surely nothing you could help me with. «
»It's that Hades boy isn't it? «, she looked at me. I must have made a very shocked expression because she started laughing really hard.
»It's not like it's a big secret that you're interested in guys. «. She said and winked.
»Well, « I said. »I guess there's no need pretending then anymore, is there? «
»Nope. «
»How long have you known? «
»We were all guessing since years but we were sure when you turned down that Aphrodite girl last year. «
»Oh. That girl. «
I remembered. Her name was Kathy. She was pretty and nice and all but I just couldn't bring myself to going out with her, since I had always known that I was gay.
»Must have been a real shock for her. «
»Probably, yes. «
They sat in silence until Lou Ellen seemed to remember why she had sat down next to him in the first place.
»So. That Hades boy, Nico, isn't it? You like him? «
»Lou, please. I really don't wanna talk about that now. «
»Fine. But if you wanna talk about it, or anything else, you know where to find me. «
»Yes. Thank you. «
»You're welcome. «
And with that she got up and walked back to her cabin.
Shit. What do I do? Apparently, everyone knew that I was gay. But then again, according to Lou Ellen they all had known since last year now and no one ever said a word. I just took that as a good sigh and hoped that it would stay that way. But if really everyone knew, did that mean that Nico, too – I pushed that thought as far away as possible and went back inside to check on my patience one last time before I, too, went to bed. Everything was quite and they all slept deep.
My heart beat hard in my chest as I opened the door to Nico's room. A small stripe of light fell on the boys face and suddenly I felt very sad. Sad and angry at once because it was just not fair. He was just a child but he had seen more evil already then most grown ups in their entire life. He was so full of sorrow and pain and all I wanted to do was to wrap my arms around him and tell him that it all would become good one day. I stepped closer and before I knew what I was doing I sat down on the edge of Nico's bed and watched his face. It was nice to see him so peaceful for once. All the bad things that had happened to him were gone and all I could see was a 14 – year – old boy, hopefully dreaming of something nice. A single strand of his pitch black hair had fallen before his eyes and without much thinking I raised my hand and brushed it back and then found myself caressing his cheek. A little smile went over Nico's face and he mumbled some words which I could not understand, then he turned his back on me. I forced myself to stand up and with one last glance on Nico I left the room and went out of the infirmary.
Deep in thoughts I returned to my cabin and was soon fast asleep.
