The E-Mail
Bianca's POV
The rest of the day all I did was lie around and make Nico food. After I cooked up a quick pot of soup, both Nico and I sat down at our splintery dining room table. "So," I started, trying to begin a conversation, "How's school so far, is everything alright?" He froze with his spoon of hot broth halfway to his mouth. I sensed something bad happened. "Do you want to talk about it?" He shivered as the bad memory crept up on him. Nico nodded and placed his spoon back in the ceramic bowl.
"You see," he began, "School has never been easy for me. It's not just the work, which is bad enough already, but it's the people that get me. I try my best to blend in or hide in everyone's shadows, but they always seem to find me. When they do, they're never nice. They pick on me and call me names like; emo, Goth, freak, death dude. It's really annoying. That's just the beginning. So, these kids all think I'm a weirdo, right? Anyway, prom is coming up and there was this really hot, uh I mean pretty girl. I wanted to show the school that I could be tough and cool and ask her out. Little did I know that she was the leader of the popular clan, a sophomore, and had a boyfriend. So her boyfriend pushed me against the wall and the group walked away laughing."
As bad as his story was, I was proud that he tried to ask someone out, at lease he was interested in people. I couldn't help but hug him and kiss him on the cheek. "I'm so proud of you Nico!" I smothered, "You finally asked a girl out!" He made a retching noise and choked out, "Bianca, you're worse than mom, get off." I knew that he secretly liked it. "So," he blurted, "Now what?" I smiled. "Now," I stated, "We are going to get you a date!" He blushed a deep red. "No, Bianca." he pleaded, "You really do not need to do that." I grinned even bigger and tilted my head, "Don't worry." I told him, "I'll fix it." And with that, I strutted into my room.
When I got in, I was in for a big surprise. My laptop on my chipping desk flashed. "New E-Mail! New E-Mail!" It blinked. I slid into the hard woven chair and clicked on the open button. There was indeed a new e-mail. It was titled To Do, like a day list for forgetful grandmas. It was from anonymous. At first I was thrilled. I thought it would be from Annabeth, Thalia, or maybe even my old boyfriend. Of course, I was wrong. I was terribly, truly, a thousand times more wrong then I had ever been in my entire life. When it opened, the same to do title stared at me along with numbered tasks. To my fear, it was from Miranda. I was sure from the writing style, and, as stupid as she was, she wrote, "Luv, Miranda" at the bottom.
I read the e-mail. The things she wanted me to do were awful.
Tell Annabeth that Percy cheated on her (make it happen)
Flash Mr. Poland, the young science teacher (not with a camera!)
Pull the fire alarm at 2:12, (I have a math test I need to get out of)
Go in the boy's bathroom and threaten to rape someone while you're there
Embarrass your little brother in front of the whole school
Wear a see-through top to school and pretend that you don't know what's going on
And if you don't do all of the following before the day after prom, I guess I'll just have to kill you. Plus, if I miss and event, you'll just have to do it again. I hope you fail.
My whole body shook. I needed to tell someone, anyone. Not Nico, he had enough issues. Definitely not my parents. Oh, I had Annabeth's e-mail in my bag! I shuffled through my backpack until I found the scrap of paper. I typed the address into the sending bar and forwarded it to her with a message telling her that it was from me. I flopped down on my bed and angled my head towards my alarm clock. It was already eight o'clock. I had done nothing all day. I was so worn out from the crazy events that happened the past couple of days; I passed out with my clothes on.
I opened my crusty eyes. My head spun and an aggravating bleeping noise came from my computer. I had another new e-mail. I sat up and my head spun. I put my cold hands on my face and yawned. T.G.I.S., thank god it's Saturday. I don't think I would've been able to take on a day of school, anyway. I stumbled over to my computer that had finally stopped beeping. I plopped into the chair and stared at the screen. Looking at a computer at six in the morning probably isn't good for anyone. Luckily, the mail was from Annabeth. It said:
Uh-oh, that's bad news. But don't worry because I have a plan. Meet me at Starbucks around 1:00. I'll explain more there. Until then, see you soon!
xo, Annabeth
I figured that she needed some thanks so I sent her one back:
Thanks, Annabeth. You're a lifesaver.
~Bianca
Something suddenly clicked in my brain. What was Annabeth doing up at six a.m.? I didn't want to get in on her life but it was the morning and my body was on auto-pilot. I added in a two new sentences.
Thanks, Annabeth. You're a lifesaver. I don't mean to be nosy, but what are you doing up at six? You said last night that you liked to sleep in?
~Bianca
I hit enter and the e-mail sent. I was planning on sitting at the computer, waiting for the response, but Nico burst into my room. "Hey, Biancs." he said, giving me a new nickname, "Are you planning on breakfast anytime soon?" I looked at him. "Nico," I began, "It's six o'clock." He gave me a "duh" expression, "Yeah," he continued, "But you're up, too, and I'm hungry." I sighed and followed him into the kitchen. "You're a great sister." he announced. I grinned, "I know." I replied while taking out the blue Styrofoam carton of eggs.
A/N: I'm so so so so so so so so sorry! I have been super busy with school. Ever since 'The Mark of Athena' came out I've been reading in my free time instead of writing and I apologize, dearly. I am also working on two series at a time, so this is difficult for me. You know what to do! Until next chapter, goodbye! :D