So if you are here. Thank you. That means a lot to me really. :) I'm glad you seem to be enjoying the story. Please, review what you think or how I could improve it or anything at all. I love feedback.

I also have a little quest for those reading ;) . Review/comment a song/band (or a few) that you think Nico would like. I'll use them in the chapters. :D

^_^ Hope you continue to enjoy the story.

I would like to give a warning. To those of you who are sensitive, later in the chapter things become a bit intense. I did say that the genres were hurt/comfort and angsty. I will give a warning for those of you who wish to skip over that part.

"Are you okay," Hazel whispers to me as we work on our first assignment, locating things on our map and labeling them.

I simply nod. She does not need to worry about me, she's already had a stressful enough day. I do not want to make it worse for her.

"How'd your drawing and painting class go?"

I mark Italy on my map in a black dot.

"Fine." Conversation closed.

I feel Hazel's look of concern on me but she goes back to her map.

Ms. Surle calls the class to attention and gives us the next sheet to put into our binders and work on.

The sheets are simple. The class is quiet with only small chatter going on as we work.

Throughout the class Hazel tries to talk to me but I either don't respond or give one-word responses.

I do not want to talk, I just want to get through the day and go back to the shit place we call home. World history goes by slowly and boringly. I just sit quietly, my head down, and do my work. I feel people keep glancing at me. I ignore them.

"Well... um... I met some people in crafts. They are nice. They are seem a bit out there but I think they'll be my friends. Did you meet any-..."

I glare up at Hazel. Did I meet any friends? No. The answer is obvious. The question stupid. I never meet any friends.

She looks down at her work sheets and text book, keeping silent for the rest of the class. I didn't want to talk anyways.

The bell rings, letting us all know the end of class. Ms. Surle lets us know that next class we will be starting on WW1. I gather up my things and leave the classroom together with Hazel.

We head up to the third floor where our lockers are so we can put our stuff in them. Why bother to carry the binders home when there is no reason for them. She finds her locker and I locate mine a bit away. I begin to put my stuff in my locker. The hallway is loud and crowded.

I don't see Hazel but I know she is only about 15 feet away from me.

"Nico!"

My head snaps up. That's Hazel's voice. I don't see her. I slam my locker shut and try to rush through the crowd of students.

"Hey!"

"Watch it!"

"What's wrong with you"

"Fucken Freak!"

Freak.

I'm called that again.

I stand frozen in spot. How dare they call me a freak? What did I do this time!? I'm only trying to get to Hazel!

Hazel.

I don't have time for this. I keep squeezing through the crowd. I feel her panic inside me. I get to her locker. Shes not there.

"Hazel?"

My voice comes out as a mumble.

"Hazel," I say again but at regular voice level now.

The only responses I get are people shoving me and trashing me out.

It takes all my focus on getting to Hazel to block out their voices. Their words.

I work my way down the hall and turn, looking for her. I can't find her anywhere.

I can't find her. I can't find her! I CAN'T FIND HER!

The light above me pops. Walking stops. Some girls scream and duck, covering their heads.

"Nico!"

I hear her voice. It is distant, as if in a classroom being muffled. I rush to where I heard it, leaving the people curious and worried about the busted light.

I rush into a dark classroom. I feel her panic strong inside.

I try the light, it does not turn on.

I hear a grumble of struggle and I rush to the desk.

Hazel is laying on the ground, on top of her holding her mouth is Luke.

"GET OFF HER!"

I grab Luke by the throat and SLAM him into the white board at incredible speed.

I raise him up into the air, his feet dangle three inches off the ground even though he is naturally taller than me.

"Nico! No!"

I ignore Hazel's pull on my arm and her words.

"Just leave him alone. It's okay. I'm alright."

I look up into this scum's eyes. He has fear yet... excitement?

"Looks like you caught me," he struggles out.

I tighten my grip on his throat. The shadows in the room begin to dance. The plant on the desk decays instantly. My hand becomes a skeleton's hand, holding tightly to the flesh of Luke.

His eyes go wide and he begins to struggle.

"Nico please... It's just our first day here!"

"I know who-" I ignore the fact my other hand is now only bone too and grab his wrist and squeeze. Luke begins to struggle and thrash, no longer excitement in his eyes. All that can be seen on his face is pure fear as he stares down at me.

I glare right back up at him. My hood falls back and I have clear view of him, my shoulder-length black hair floating slightly from the dark energy coming off me.

"Father. Hades." Is all he manages to choke out before His wrist becomes a large patch of blistering decomposing skin.

"Oh Nico..." Hazel says. She grabs me from behind and hugs me. I let go of Luke completely and he falls to the ground.

Luke gasps for breath as his wrist bleeds all over the floor. The skin is red, blistering, and peeling. Where the pads of my fingers-bones- touched, it goes deeper to see burnt flesh.

I stand there shocked by Hazel. I've never been hugged. It feels strange...

"Your...a...demigod..." Luke gasps out.

Hazel lets me go and stares in horror at Luke and I. Hazel backs up about two feet. I recompose myself and glare down at Luke. He took his shirt off and began to wrap up his wrist. He breathes heavy and is sweating. His neck is red and blistered and seeming charred but not bleeding.

"I knew it... You both... Your children of Hades."

I glance at Hazel as she looks down ashamed. The floor around her is littered with necklaces, bracelets, and various of other jewelry. I kneel down so I am level with Luke. He looks into my eyes, fear yet pride.

"What does it matter."

My voice comes out harsh.

He holds up his good hand in front of himself. As if that will guard him.

"I'm a child of Hermes."

I punch him in the temple quickly and he goes unconscious.

I stand and look at Hazel. Her eyes are red.

I brush my lips on her forehead for just a split second, then pull my hood over my head.

"Come on Hazel...Let's get out of here before things get messy."

She stands there dumbfounded for a moment then nods and follows me out of the classroom. I notice a few guys walking towards the classroom. I do not pay attention to them. I grab Hazel's hand and we run down the hall to an empty classroom and I shadow-travel.

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!"

Father slams his hand on the dining room table.

Hazel sits next to me, her head faced down. I keep my hood up and look at Father through my hair.

"YOU HAD A CHANCE. AND YOU BOTH RUIN IT BY A POINTLESS FIGHT. WITH NOT A MORTAL BUT ANOTHER DEMI-GOD. AND THEN YOU JUST LEAVE WHEN OTHERS ARRIVE TO FIND YOUR MESS. WHAT ELSE DID YOU DO. NICO!? DID YOU BURN THE FUCKEN BUILDING DOWN TOO!"

I stare at him silently. He closes his eyes and sits down in his seat. After about five minutes of silence he opens his eyes again. His voice is dangerously calm.

"Hazel... I expect better from you. Stop being nervous. You WILL be fine. Nico."

Hazel nods and Father looks directly at me. I know what's coming. Another lecture on how I need to control this and how I've ruined our chance and always the same thing.

"Nico. Why can't you be more like your sister."

I freeze. Hazel stays silent and does not pick her head up. We both know he is not talking about her. We both know that Father is talking about... Bianca.

He sighs. "You need to do better. This time it's okay. You will still be able to go back to that school. Luke was kind enough to clean up the mess you created Nico."

I remain emotionless.

"You should be thankful for that. Next time though, I do not believe he will be so forgiving. Simply stay away from Luke. He is not the only demi-god in the school. And as of right now, none of us know who is and who is not."

I keep messing up. I keep messing everything up.

"Be on your guard and do NOT be so rash and make another mess. You both may go."

Hazel and I stand and leaving the dining room alone to Father. We walk up the stairs silently. I keep my head down.

"Nico... I'm-"

"Don't," I snap back. She stands there frozen by my voice.

I ignore her and walk up the next set of stairs. Then the next. Until I finally reach the forth floor. I walk to the back hallway, open the ceiling door, pull the ladder down and climb up. I shut it quietly.

"Meow?"

Mocha stands near me, looking up curiously. I take the ruined jacket off and toss it into the dirty pile.

"There Mocha. More for your bed."

She follows me. I point to the wall where I placed two smalls bowls, one for food and the other for water.

"Eat Mocha."

She stands looking at me.

I walk over to my bed and punch it. I hear a small crack and back up.

How could he bring up Bianca. How could he! No one does...

I pull my shirt off and toss it to the pile, it makes it half way. I sit on the edge of my bed, facing the wall to outside.

It's my fault.

I pull open one of the draws in my bedside table.

I let Bianca die.

(skip here)

I pull a knife out.

I'm always fucking up.

The blade is sharp and cold against my shoulder.

I can't control myself.

I dig the blade in deeper and guide it down. Making a cut three inches down my shoulder and upper arm.

It's all my fault.

I do it again. And again. And again. It's the only way I can get it out.

Both my arms drip blood, but not enough to kill me. Never enough to kill me. The small incisions already begin to scab over in some areas.

(To here)

I lay down on my side ignoring the pain. The black comforter absorbs whatever touches it. I squeeze my eyes shut tight, not wanting to see. Not wanting to feel. Not wanting to think. I just want to escape into nothingness.

I feel a went trail come from my eye, slide down the side of my head, over my temple, and blend into my hair and the blanket.

Mocha jumps up onto my bed. She curls up against my back. I don't push her off tonight.

"You can't wear that Di'Angelo."

Jason, the football captain, states to me.

I ignore him and keep my head down. What I'm wearing is fine for gym.

"Hey. Did you hear me? Di'Angelo!"

Jason is our fill-in gym coach. Hes a senior as he told us. He often times will be in charge of our classes because apparently his goal is to be a coach for those training for he Olympics. Or he wants to win one himself. I was not listening.

"Nico!"

I glance up and see he is standing right in front of me now. Everyone else is staring at me.

"Nico," he says in a more calm voice, knowing he has my attention now, "The black shorts are fine. But you can not wear the over-sized sweat-shirt. A T-shirt or a muscle shirt is appropriate for this class."

I look into his eyes. He does not have anger in them. He has curiousness, confusion, concern and...fear... in his eyes.

I look down at his shoes. I try hard not to look at him. I'm already fucked up enough, I don't need to make it worse.

He sighs, "Fine Di'Angelo. But this is ten percent off your grade for today. I can't just let you slip by being unprepared." He walks away and begins to explain to us what we will be doing for the day. He doesn't have to mark me unprepared... I'm wearing a grey muscle shirt under my jacket.

"Okay boys. Jog ten laps around the gym."

Everyone begins to jog. I walk with my head down. I can feel everyone's staring at me. Jason stands in the middle of the gym, watching us, but I know his gaze is following me. I ignore them all.

Most of the guys have done six laps already, I've walked two.

"Di'Angelo, Come here."

Everyone watches as I slowly walk to the center of the gym where Jason is standing. He speaks quietly, as to make sure none of the guys can hear.

"Hey, what's wrong."

He cares?

No, he can't care. No one cares for me.

I look at his shoes, trying not to look at anyone in the gym.

"Nico, I'm asking you to tell me what you have against gym. Most guys love his class."

Yeah? Well most guys are mortal. Most guys can't kill with a glare. And most guys aren't messed up by being-

"I'll sign you up for a different physical education class if you want."

That catches my attention. I look up into his eyes. I feel my stomach bubble.

No! Not this now. It's not okay.

Not okay for even a demi-god. It will never be okay.

His muscles flex as his arm reaches up. He places a hand on my shoulder. I jitter from the touch and sight.

I've got to get out of here. Just ignore it. Don't look. Don't run like a coward. Just ignore it. I've got to leave.

"What class would you like?"

I focus on the space between his eyes. I don't want to look away, he's actually showing me some kindness, but I can't look at him without freaking out like a weirdo.

"Nico. If you don't tell me what class you would prefer, I'll pick for you."

I look down at my shoes. He can't see my face now. I feel the heat rush to my cheeks and thank myself that I put my head down when I did.

I hear him sigh and he removes his hand from my shoulder.

"Fine. You'll have to participate in this class though until I can find an open space in another."

I nod. He tells me to go back to my walking as the last of the boys finish the ten laps.

I've just pushed away the only boy who ever showed me any kindness...The only person in truth...

I walk my lap and the other boys jog until Jason calls us to a stop. He guides us in a series of stretches. I do them all perfectly. I'm flexible. After the fifteen minutes of jogging and the ten minutes of stretching he explains how we will be doing soccer for the first unit. Today though, he has us practice the moves. I fail miserably and give up. I simply stand in the corner of the gym, the ball near me as the other guys go around the gym fooling around as they do the exercises. I try my hardest to stare at the ball at my feet, hoping no one bothers me. Most of them ignore me, some of them glance over but when that happens Jason calls to them to talk or says a joke. I realize he's distracting them from me.

That is how class goes.

I change in the bathroom stall in the locker room. I put my shorts in my bookbag and slide on my black pants and head as fast as I can out of the locker room without looking at anyone.

I don't see Hazel on my way to Algebra. She should be in Health right now.

I write the formulas in my algebra binder quietly. I vaguely understand it from the teacher's explanation. But the algebra is not what is bothering me.

Mr. Harris organized our seats by last name. I am the second in the row.

I keep my head down and hood up as I write the problems. I feel five people staring at me. I can hear the sound of paper sliding across a desk and whispering, notes being passed.

I don't have to hear the whispers to know the notes are about me. The notes are always about me, they always have been and always will be.

Mr. Harris goes to the front of the room and we begin to do algebraic problems using the formulas given. He walks us through two problems, step by step then tells us to do the three problems by our selves. He writes the problems on the board.

I copy them and do them the best I can.

After ten minutes he goes over the answers. I got them all wrong.

"He's so weird."

"Yeah..I wonder what's wrong with him."

What's wrong with me is the fact you can't whisper quiet enough!

I shout in my head, but the only action I do is my grip on my pen tightens. Also, they whisper only one chair behind me, of coarse I am going to hear them. Idiots.

"Nico!"

My head shoots up to Mr. Harris.

"What is the answer to question four?!"

I glance at my paper and realize I have written nothing down for question four, not even the number. I look up at the board and see the question written.

"Do you not know the answer Nico?"

His tone is impatient. I assume he's already asked me this question twice.

So fucken stupid.

"No sir..." I mumble.

"I did not hear you. You have to speak louder."

I hear a few chuckles. I know he heard me just fine.

"No sir. I do not know the answer," I say louder.

More chuckles.

"And why is that Nico? Why do you not know the answer Nico."

He's taunting me. I can hear it in his voice. He wants to show me as a bad example for the rest of the class. It's happened before.

"Because I was not paying attention," I mumble.

"Nico! You have GOT to speak louder. I am OLD!"

I hear multiple muffled laughs. I bet everyone in the room is laughing. They always laugh at me.

"The freak is going to get it now," I hear the quiet whisper.

I raise my voice and growl at the fucken teacher.

"I was failing to pay attention, Sir."

I know what's happening before he even says anything. I close my binder.

"Go to the ISS Nico Di'Angelo."

ISS?

I don't know what that is... I've only ever been sent to the office... I can't ask what it is, that would only make things worse.

I put my things in my bookbag silently and stand up, head faced down. I walk out the door. I can hear the laughter that is no longer being held in from in the hall. I run to the stairs.

So stupid. Such a coward. Running again. You're always being saved by others or running away. Always. No one will ever like you. You're too much of a fucken FREAK!

I reach the top floor and am at the door from yesterday before I even realize it. I pull on the door but it doesn't open. I jiggle the handle violently but it does not open. It's locked.

"SON OF A BITCH!"

"Hey!"

I turn quickly, taken by surprised. A tall boy with short brown hair wearing a light blue hoodie walks towards me. His pants a regular light blue jeans.

"What are you trying to do."

His voice is amazing. I kick myself mentally and face the ground. I watch his feet.

"Relax. I wont tell anyone. Just tell me why you were trying to get in there."

I realize that each step he takes towards me, I back up a step.

"Hey..." I see him put a hand out as a friendly gesture, "Just calm down. It's okay."

I stop moving but keep my head down. That is two people today who have shown me some kind of kindness. He stands about five feet in front of me. I stare at his shoes. His knees are slightly bent and his arm is still out, inviting me to relax. He's approaching me like I'm a loaded gun.

"Go. Away." I growl.

"No. Listen, it's not normal for a student to be viciously trying to get into a storage closest. Something is bothering you. Let me help."

He stands three feet away from me now and stops walking. I focus on his shoes.

"Where are you suppose to be," he asks me calmly.

"ISS," I mumble in return.

"In school suspension? Why?"

His voice has honest concern and curiosity in it. I don't need his concern. I don't need ANYONE'S concern.

"None of you're business," I spit, staring at his shoes still.

"Look up at me. I'm not going to hurt you."

He says it as if he could hurt me.

I stay focused on his shoes.

I hear him sigh, "I wont send you to ISS. I'll take care of it for you. You need to calm down though."

Why are they being kind to me!?

"I don't need your help."

I hear him chuckle, "You obviously do. It's not hard to see that."

I ignore the comment.

"What's your name," he asks me causally as he stands up straight. Casual, no longer concern.

"What does it matter," I grumble.

I hear a half chuckle, "Okay 'what does it matter'. I'm Percy."

He's mocking me. I know he's mocking me. They only ever mock me.

"My name is Nico," I growl at his feet.

He chuckles fully, "That's a much better name than 'what does it matter' if you ask me."

I debate on replying with a rude remark but instead I say nothing.

"Okay well... you can't stay here. I'll take care of your ISS problem if you come with me."

I don't trust him but what else am I supposed to do. I take a step towards him and feel him smile at me.

"Good choice. Alright, come on."

His 'kind' tone is really taunting. I know it is. It has to be...

I follow him down the flights of stairs to the second floor. We walk down a dead end hall until we reach a metal door. He opens it with a key.

"Come on in."

I walk into a warm room with white and blue tiled walls. The floor is concrete and there are three rows of benches. We are standing on a balcony though, the room is much larger. I look out over the balcony and see an Olympic sized swimming pool. Girls swim laps in the pool.

"Hot aren't they."

The voice comes from Percy who stands next to me. I look up at him and wish I hadn't. My stomach does a series of flips. I quickly look back at the girls swimming. I feel Percy curiously glance at me then back to the girls.

"Doing good ladies!"

The girls look up. Many of them giggle, others blush. They are looking at Percy.

"Get out of here Percy! This is the Girls swim class right now."

Percy teases back to the girl who spoke. She has black hair with a blue streak in it.

"Yeah Thalia! Then why are you in here!?"

I feel his grin and her annoyance. The other girls giggle or gasp.

"Yeah Percy! Why Aren't you in here!"

Percy laughs and opens a wooden door against the wall. It leads to a small office with a desk, wood chair, computer, calendar with dates marked on it, a bulletin board with swim team pictures on it and a trophy case with three trophies in it, a forth spot empty.

"You can sit in here until the bell rings. I'll make sure the person watching over the ISS students marks down that you were there. Then, where are you suppose to go when the bell rings?"

I stare at his knee caps, determined not to look up at him.

"Lunch," I say simply with no emotion.

"Okay. Then go to lunch when the bell rings. I'll leave you alone in here, you seem like you need time." And with that Percy leaves me.

It doesn't make sense. I don't understand. First Mr. Chiron, then Jason, now Percy. They've shown me the most kindness any person -besides Hazel- has ever shown me. It doesn't make sense. No one has ever been nice to me, or seemed to care about me at all. No one has ever done favors for me, looked out for me, or asked me what I wanted. No one has even thought about how I'm feeling or what I'm going through or what I want. I don't understand.

This school bothers me more than anything else. The whole thing.

I hear the distant talking and swimming of the girl's below. They don't seem to know I'm here. Nor does it seem like they care. They are ignoring me. Like everyone else should.

The feeling of being ignored hurts for a split second until I remember, this is how it's supposed to be. I bury the hurt feeling and am grateful for something familiar. Being ignored is what I know. And it should stay like that.

I walk slowly and quietly in the halls. The lunch room is on the first floor so it is not a far walk. Students clutter into the already busy hallway, trying to get to their next class in a rush before our three minutes is up. I walk slowly, head down, hands in pockets. No one says a thing to me, they just rush around and ignoring me. They don't even bump into me.

I'm being ignored.

I wanted to be ignored but after people seemed to care...being ignored hurts again.

I don't understand anything.

I walk into the lunch room and debate on running away. The whole thing is filled with students of every clique. They all sit together, organized by their clique. Everyone is talking loud, eating, playing, and having fun. I can't find anyone who isn't having fun.

I see Percy and Jason both at a table with other jock boys sitting not too far away. I stand in the cafeteria door way and watch them. They seem happy, enjoying themselves. A few of them wink and whistle to the girls sitting a few tables away.

Percy looks over, he smile.

I feel my face heat and turn to run.

"Watch it freak!"

I fall to the ground right on my ass. I look up and see a very muscular guy with black hair and an Asian face.

What the fuck is wrong with you. You run right into another one, and this one seems like pure anger.

I stare up at him, my hood fallen back so only my black hair covers my eyes.

"You going to say anything," the muscular boy demands.

I look down and away, ashamed and afraid.

He walks around me in a huff.

"Fucken loser."

I know I'm the only one who heard the mumble.

The lunch room is silent. I only notice it now. They are silent because they are staring at me.

I mentally kick myself.

"Nico?"

I keep my head down but turn my gaze to someone walking towards me.

"Nico, come on. I got us a place to sit."

Hazel knows better than to express concern in front of the people. She shouldn't be concerned at all but I can feel she is nervous.

Hazel offers out a hand to help me up. I ignore it as I push my self up. My body is rather small, I don't need her to help me.

I don't reach for my hood how I so desperately want to. I know that will just make me look worse with everyone watching. They still stay silent, and I can feel their eyes on me. Like a thousand piranhas, just waiting for the perfect moment when I'm low enough.

I follow Hazel, we go past the jock table, and the cheer leading table. I hear throats being cleared from the jock table, and I hear whispers and giggles from the cheer leading table.

I keep following Hazel. Today she's wearing a nice blouse and a black skirt.

The whispering and giggling becomes louder.

"Fag."

I stop moving.

Hazel turns around, "Nico...come on..."

I freeze in my spot.

"Get out of here freak. You don't belong here."

"Nico," Hazel whispers, "ignore them. You're fine."

'Fine' is a lie. 'Fine' is a word you use to pretend you are okay when really you are covering up everything bad. 'Fine' is not 'okay'. 'Fine' is bad.

Hazel grabs my hand and snaps me out of my daze. She quickly leads me to a table in the back where a bunch of goth/punk/scene girls sit. A few of them guys.

She pushes me down in a seat and then sits next to me, still holding onto my hand. I pretend I have the ability to make myself invisible.

Whispers and laughter and whooping fill the lunch room. Then talking. It slowly goes back to the regular conversations, but I know I am the main topic.

"This is my brother, Nico."

She says it with a tone 'he's here and I dare you to do shit about it'.

The students at the table stare, some nod, others shrug and go back to eating.

"So Lou. This is my brother, you said yesterday you wanted to meet him."

I look to the girl sitting across from Hazel. She has long black hair, shining green eyes, a pale completion, purple highlights and a silver chain necklace with a pentagram charm on it.

"Yeah. You don't seem too bad." She says it with just a hint of fear, but mostly with curiosity.

Hazel smiles at me. I desperately want to put my hood up. I never should have come in here. I wish Hazel would stop trying so hard for me.

I sit looking at the empty table space in front of me.

A home-made brownie is placed on the table in front of me.

"Eat it."

I look up and see Lou staring at me intently.

"You're hungry. You would love some food. My mother taught me the recipe for that. It tastes delicious. Eat it."

I realize how hungry I am. The fact I haven't eaten anything in three days finally comes to mind. The brownie looks so good.

I take a bite.

Lou smiles. Her smile is strange and bothers me. Like she knows something I don't. Like she's expecting something. Like she keeps many secrets.

She's keeping secrets.

I gulp down the bite I took and slowly place the brownie on the table. I look her in the eye, but only joy is to be seen.

"So! Did you like it!? Was it good?! Eat more!"

I am compelled to eat more. My stomach growls at me, demanding why it's been staved.

I nod.

"Nico, are you okay?"

Hazel is looking at me as if I've grown a second head.

I nod.

"Well, talk!"

Hazel comes to my rescue, "Oh no Lou. He doesn't talk. He's-"

"I can talk just fine Hazel. You don't need to keep rescuing me!"

I realize what I did after it comes out. I don't know what made me say that. I've been thinking that every time she's tried defending me for years now.

A boy who was a moment ago talking to the other students turns to me. He looks at me then at Lou then at me.

"Hey, you okay?"

"No. I am not okay! What makes you think I am EVER okay."

I once again don't realize what I said until it's out. The words just seem to be jumping out of my mouth. The words, my thoughts.

This is bad.

"This is bad."

Hazel, Lou, and the boy hear my mumble.

The boy chuckles and looks at Lou, who shrugs.

"Okay man. You're funny. I'm Rodrick."

I look to him, "I don't care who you are."

FUCK

"Fuck," I hear myself mumble.

"Seems you've got the case of no filter, hm?"

I stare at him.

"What the fuck is that suppose to mean!?"

"Nico!"

Hazel looks at me appalled.

"What! It's like everyone at this table is watching me, with a look in their eye as if they know something about me I don't! I'm sick of being watched!"

The whole table stops eating and stares at me. Some giggle, others give a sly smile, others just look on curious.

"It's alright Nico. It just seems like you're really not holding yourself back anymore."

Not holding yourself back anymore

"I'm not holding myself back Lou," I snap.

They still watch me.

"Nico?"

I clench my fists so tight the nails dig into my skin and I feel a moisture in my palms.

"What Hazel. What is it. What do you want. What are you worried about concerning me this time. What. Let's all fucken hear what is bothering you about me this time."

Hazel looks so hurt. I will never forgive myself.

"I just... I wanted to say... You're face... It's red..."

Blushing

"You wanna know why my face is red Hazel!"

"Yes Nico. We would all like to know," comments Lou.

I glare at Lou, "It's called fucken blush. I am blushing you bitch. I'm embarrassed."

They all stare at me now. Hazel looks at me with such hurt and shock in her eyes. I will never get this face of her caused by me out of my mind.

"Well. You shouldn't be embarrassed. You're just saying you're inner thoughts. Without a filter. That's fine."

"No it is not fucken FINE Rodrick. It is HORRIBLE."

He smiles at me.

"It seems like you don't often express yourself."

"I've got to get out of here."

"Nico. Please... Wait. It's... It's okay..."

I stare at Hazel.

I stare at Rodrick.

I stare at Lou.

I look at every face at this table. Most of them have black hair. Most of them have green eyes of different shades. Only a few look different.

"What are you. All fucken siblings!"

Some of them snicker. Some of them go wide eyed. Some of them glance at the other faces curiously.

"Technically-"

"No," I say to Lou, "No technically. I want the truth. I'm sick of half truths and lies. Just be HONEST with me!"

She smiles that sly knowing smile again.

"WHAT IS YOU'RE FUCKEN SECRET!"

A few tables around us look over, curious.

"Oh great... Just what I need. More reasons for people to fuck with me."

Hazel is watching me. It's like there is too much going on inside her she can't say any words.

I quiet down my voice to a low growl and speak to Rodrick and Lou.

"I know you both know something. And if you don't tell me I will make you tell me."

I give a dangerous glare at them both.

Rodrick looks at Lou. I realize she's the leader. I glare at Lou. She shrugs.

"Most of us are half-siblings. Others of us are just friends."

I realize that most of the table has gone back to eating and talking amongst each other. I don't see anyone looking at us. Yet I feel one person's stare from behind me.

"Why. Who's you're shared parent."

Lou smiles sweetly, "Our mother."

I growl getting impatient.

"Nico!"

I turn to Hazel.

"Why are you being so rude! Stop it NOW."

I've never heard Hazel talk to me that way.

"Hazel. You don't understand. You never understand. NO ONE UNDERSTANDS"

Hazel looks at me with such hurt in her eyes. I don't know why I'm doing this.

"I don't know why I'm doing this," I mumble looking down ashamed.

I've never apologized before. Should I apologize?

"I'm sorry Hazel."

I mentally kick myself so badly I feel myself getting a head ache.

"N-Nico?..."

I look at my lap. I can't face any of these people. I'm so ashamed.

"I'm so ashamed."

Why do I keep saying what comes to my head.

"Why do I keep saying what comes to my head."

My mumbling is interrupted by Lou.

"It's a spell."

I look up at her sweet smiling face.

"What. Did. You. Do. To. Me. Filthy. Sly. Bitch."

Everything around me goes silent. The voices of chatter are distant. The faces are far off. Everything is spinning.

"Nico?"

"He'll wake up shortly. Don't summon anything. I just got my ears pierced and I'd rather them not torn out."

"Hey man. You okay?"

"How soon until he wakes up."

My stomach feels like It's going to blow. My head has the worst pounding migraine I could even imagine.

I creak my eyes open slightly. It's too bright. I feel the lights shining down on me like powerful sun rays. I close my eyes again.

"The lights. They bother him."

"Well I can't turn them off! The nurse will get pissed!"

"Do something! This is your fault!"

The light is covered from my face, shaded. I slowly creak my eyes open and see a blue shirt being held over my head. I turn my head to the side and see Rodrick's chest bare as he holds the blue shirt over me. Next to him is Hazel. And behind them is Lou.

I stare at Lou accusingly. I see her take a step back. The shadows around the room feel darker, more powerful. I've never felt so defenseless and angry directed at one person in my life.

"Nico."

My attention is caught by Hazel.

"They are children of Hecate."

I roll my eyes.

No shit.

I say nothing.

Thank god.

No words.

Lou better run for her fucken life.

Still nothing. I know the spell is gone.

"I took the spell off you."

I look back at Lou.

She is afraid. She stands three feet behind Hazel and Rodrick. I feel her fear like a blanket. I smell it like a delicious food. I want to eat it.

She better be afraid.

"I...I'm sorry. I had no idea the spell would effect you like that."

"It is supposed," Rodrick says with annoyed glance back at Lou then looks back at me, still covering my head above, "to be a 'No Filter' spell. It makes the person say the first most loud thoughts be said right away. The person can not stop it from happening. The thoughts just come out of their mouth."

I look away from him. I'm not stupid. I figured that out by now.

"But it effected you differently than others. You said what your loudest thoughts were, but the thoughts were different. You weren't saying just thoughts. You were saying emotions."

I will never eat food again

"And I am assuming that since you do not normally say your thoughts or emotions, your mind could not take the strain of being forced to."

I glare at Rodrick. I see him shiver but he does not move away.

"Nico... I'm sorry. This was not what I wanted."

I look at her. She's so hurt I can't be mad at her. I only want to scream at myself for making her feel like that.

"Well...At least it wasn't like last time. Last time I did that spell the person talked for an hour a million miles a minute about everything under the sun. Heh heh."

We all glare at Lou. She backs up again.

"Sorry..."

"You'll be alright man. I swear. Just take it easy for a bit I guess."

I look at Rodrick, he begins to put his shirt back on. The light bothers my eyes and bothers my head ache, but not as bad as before.

Hey guys ^_^ Glad you're still here. Hope you are enjoying the FF.

Please review, favorite, follow. I love feedback.

So as you probably noticed, I am keeping Nico gay. Except unlike the books, I will have how he fights with himself over being gay and such in the FF. Although him being gay will not be the central focus.

This story will eventually lead to Percy and Nico hooking up. But I'm not going to rush it or have a whole entire chapter just of Percy and Nico having fun. Na son, we gotta make shit complicated and more realistic :P So if any of you were worried that this was going to turn into a sappy love story, yeah, don't leave cause it wont. Unles you guys would like some sappy love story shit xD but it wont be the main focus of the story.

I would like it to be known it took me five hours yesterday to write this chapter. I am not joking. I put that much work and think of ideas and stuff for the story and it's chapters. Then it took me around half an hour to read over it and fix any mistakes. This is the quality of work I present to you.

Love you guys 3 Seriously, I appreciate the reading.