Nico wanted to roll out of the moving vehicle. He was stuck between Hazel and Bianca so his knees were practically glued to his chest. Bianca was silently fuming and glaring out of her window.
Hades had decided against leaving her with the car for the summer and the resulting argument had given Nico a killer migraine. It was only made worse by his dad and stepmom up front positively gushing about their plans for summer. They're going to Italy or Greece or something while the kids are at a camp in Long Island. Yeah, 'cause that seems fair, Nico thought and rolled his eyes. He looked over and saw Bianca staring at him. Her dark eyes pierced into his and he raised his eyebrow. Was she about to take it out on him now? She probably thought he'd said something to Hades, knowing her. Nico didn't care enough, though, to ruin her 'totally fun summer' of hooliganing around in their dad's car. Bianca pursed her lips and looked like she wanted to say something but thought better of it and turned her head to resume pouting at the window.
He had a strange mix of relief and disappointment. He wanted to talk to her so badly it ached, but not this Bianca. Nico wanted the old Bianca. The one who wore a green cap and genuinely cared about what he had to say. But that Bianca was dead. She'd been killed by the Hunters and this ghost of her was left behind to torment Nico.
According to rumor, the Hunters were formed by a girl who had become smitten with a boy who in the end betrayed her. She was so outraged in her heartbreak that she started an all-girl gang who had to swear off of all romantic interaction with males. High school is nothing if not dramatic. They mainly kept to themselves, but every now and again you'd hear about another girl joining their ranks. Nico never noticed or cared until that fateful day Zoe Nightshade waltzed into his life and ruined everything. To them, Bianca was special, because, while most girls joined out of spite from a bad relationship, she joined to free herself from the burden of responsibility. The burden of him.
The change was visible; her long dark hair came out of its usual ponytail to fall in waves down her back, the green cap she always drew down to hide her face was replaced by a shining circlet that all of the Hunters wore, her olive skin glowed, her actions were now always sure and full of grace, and a bright smile almost always danced across her lips. The only person who didn't accept her transformation with open arms was Nico. They had been more than brother and sister; they were best friends. Their inseparable bond was broken when she joined the Hunters and tossed him aside as easily as that worn out cap. It was a slap to the face, how quickly he'd been replaced, and the betrayal hit him harder than it should have. If she was going to suddenly shut him out then fine, he could play that too. Thus the two now seldom speak to one another and when they do it usually ends in a fight.
A slight nudge from Hazel brought him back and he turned to look at his half sister. She was smiling and he followed her gaze to the window where he could make out figures in the distance. As they pulled up, he saw it was Piper, that weird hyper kid, Baby Grace, and Calypso standing on top of Half-Blood Hill.
So Calypso caved too, Nico thought, hopefully, Kayla and Rachel will be right about this summer going well. All else aside, we're stuck with our decision now.
Nico groaned as the car slowed to a stop. The door opened, marking the point of no return, and Nico scowled as he slid out of the backseat after Bianca.