Nico rode home with Reyna. They sat in comfortable silence as Reyna drove, with the radio at a low volume, giving Nico plenty of time to think. Reyna was like a sister to him, especially having lived with her and her parents for the past 4 years. Reyna's family had lived next door to Nico's for as long as he could remember, and when Nico's parents had died in a car crash along with his older sister Bianca, Reyna's parents took him in.

Hazel was Nico's half-sister, a little more than a year younger than him. Nico's parents had split up when he was a baby, and his dad moved out. His dad briefly dated Hazel's mother, but they broke up before he even knew she was pregnant. Nico only met Hazel 3 years ago, nearly a year after losing Bianca. She showed up on the doorstep of Nico's old house, and the new tenants told her to try next door. She explained she had left home because she didn't like her mother's new boyfriend and she was hoping to find her dad. Reyna's parents allowed Hazel to stay for the night, and they contacted Hazel's mother in the morning. She said they could keep her. So she stayed with them.

But none of that interested Nico at the moment. He couldn't stop thinking about the boy who'd given him his phone number tonight. Will Solace.

Nico remembered the first time he'd ever taken notice of Will Solace. He'd spent his freshman year avoiding people, trying not to remember their names or faces. At that point, it was going well. Except for Jason Grace, who he'd known from his math class the previous year. Nico had skipped a year in math. Jason Grace had been new to the school district that year and insisted on being Nico's friend. Jason was nearly as smart in math as Nico was, they were definitely at the top of the class. Jason was kind and didn't talk too much, so Nico figured that as far as friends went this wasn't a bad one to have.

So, of course, when Nico was a freshman Jason insisted they sit together for lunch. The table was filled with other boys from Jason's grade. They acknowledged him but since Nico had no interest in speaking to them, they let him be. Nico ate his lunch in silence every day, except whenever Jason made a comment that required a response.

Nico had good hearing, though. So when his name was mentioned just a few tables away, Nico got up and walked out of the cafeteria. He didn't want to know what they were saying about him. But he glanced back when he heard a loud whisper. The people talking about him in hushed tones were a girl and a boy about his age. Thankfully neither of them were looking at him. The boy had a mop of blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Nico thought he was rather attractive. Then he turned on his heel and walked out of there faster.

Nico had realized he was gay when he was 10 years old. He remembered when a boy in his class, Malcolm, met up with his sister Annabeth and her friend Percy to walk home. All the other boys in his class had discussed how pretty Annabeth was once they had left. But Nico thought Percy was prettier. Of course, it never developed into anything, not even a crush. But it made Nico realize that he would someday have a boyfriend instead of a girlfriend.

That night, he remembered sitting in Bianca's room as she talked about who her friends had crushes on.

"So, Nico, are there any cute girls at school?" she asked. Nico shrugged noncommittally.

"Or cute boys?" she said suggestively.

Nico froze. What was he supposed to say to that? He looked at his hands, playing with his fingers. "Would that be okay?" he asked nervously.

"Of course Nico!" Bianca enveloped her little brother in a hug. "Boys can love boys, and girls can love girls if they want to. Is there a boy?"

Nico shook his head, then surprised himself by adding, "Not yet."

"Someday, little bird, someday." He could almost hear the hopefulness in Bianca's voice.

He had a lot of good memories of Bianca, but that was one of his favorites.

He thought back to Will giving him his number tonight. Since that day he saw him in the cafeteria freshman year, he'd taken notice of Will Solace. He was both pleased and aggravated when he found out they had a class together this year. He sat at the back of all of his classes, while Will sat at the front. Nico considered moving to sit closer to him but stayed where he was. He just had to make sure he actually paid attention in class rather than daydreaming while staring at the back of Will's head. Though he was really good at history and Mr. C was pretty laid back.

Will's hand flew up to answer nearly every question Mr. C asked, Nico noted. Nico knew the answers to every question asked, but never raised his hand. Will chatted with people up until the bell rang every day. Will laughed often and generally seemed happy. Was Will just outgoing and friendly, the type of person who would give his phone number to a classmate he barely knew? Probably. Did Will even like guys? Probably not. When Will gave Nico his number, it was likely an invitation to study together, nothing more. Would Nico take him up on it? Definitely. He now had an excuse to talk to the boy he'd had a crush on for nearly a year, he wasn't going to pass up that opportunity.

But what should he text him? School had only just begun, there wasn't really anything to study for yet. Could he text Will just to say hi? Nico felt nauseous at the thought. Maybe he would wait until he had an actual reason. He pulled out his phone and the slip of paper anyway, saving Will's number in his contacts.

He got out of the car as Reyna turned off the ignition and went inside to change his clothes. Inside he saw Hazel bubbling with excitement over what happened to her at school today. Nico indicated for her to wait for him to get changed to tell him all about it.

A/N:

This chapter was mostly just Nico's backstory, but don't worry the story will be moving along soon!

Sorry if it's confusing with all the flashbacks, but Nico and Jason met when Nico was in 8th grade and Jason was in 9th. Nico is a year ahead in math so he went to the high school for class. Will and Nico are currently sophomores, and Jason is a junior.

More character introductions to come, the next update should come a bit sooner.