(I don't own PJO and HoO, as I am not Rick Riordan)

Hey guys. Well, I'm back! Yeah. Sorry about not updating in forever. I have four excuses:

1) Procrastination. I hate it and I'm sorry.

2) Finals. Finals in EVERY subject. Even P.E.

3) Smule Sing!. I spend WAY too much time on that app.

And finally...

4) YouTube, specifically Dan and Phil. Yeah. I'm sorry.

But enough about my crappy excuses and probably what gave you a weird sense of security because of the extra words in this AN.

Plus a quick shout out to everyone who has stayed with this story, liked it, reviewed, and etc.

On with the story!

Chapter Five

Oh shoot. He knew. And he was going to tell everyone. I'm okay with my sexuality, but others aren't. I would be marked as a freak before my first day was over. I had basically zoned out during all of English worrying. Then the bell had rung and I had no idea where I needed to go. So that's how I was late to my first day of science. But unlike english, I actually enjoyed science.

We were learning basic forensic science, so I did well because I actually understood it. The teacher had actually asked if i had considered taking forensics as an elective, but I told her I was already taking Greek. I could tell she was disappointed. Maybe school wouldn't be too of course, I just HAD to jinx it.

I had just stepped out of class when I heard a low growl. "Hey punk."

I smiled. Internally, of course. I rarely smiled in public. It shows weakness. "Mark. How very wonderful to see you again," I said sarcastically.

He frowned. "Why?" He looked deep in thought.

I mentally face palmed. Gods, today's youth was getting even more stupid. "Hey Mark."

"Yeah?"

"If you can't understand sarcasm, don't use it." I started walking away. But I stopped soon after he spoke again.

"Hey Angel. You used to live in Vegas. Was your mom a hooker?" I stopped midstep, not turning around yet. "Yeah, I bet she was. And I heard you had a sister. What happened? Did she die?"

Slowly I spoke, surprised at how hollow my voice sounded. "Yeah." I could hear everyone around us gasp. Even Mark faltered. But just for a second. Then he spoke again.

"Yeah, well, did she die when she fell off the pole, or at a bar accident?"

That was it, the final straw. "You can insult me, my dad, and even my mom, but NOBODY insults Bianca and gets away with it." I snarled and lunged, pushing him back against the locker. Everyone gasped and backed away, leaving a wide circle around me and Mark.

I was choking him, my hands around his neck. He had almost passed out from exhaustion when I felt a smooth hand on my shoulder. "Nico. Nico, please stop. Nico. Can you hear me?" The voice sounded calm, but I knew that it was hiding desperation.

"Hazel?" I called out.

"No Nico, it's me. Rose."

I released Mark and he fell to the floor, clutching his throat and gasping for breath. It was then that I realized the magnitude of what I'd done. "I'm sorry. Sorry. Sorry," I breathed, realizing that everyone was staring at me. I looked at my hands, blisters forming from how hard I'd pressed.

"I'm sorry." That one was directed towards Rose. "I'm so, so, sorry."

With that, I backed away, then moved towards the door, breaking into a run, sprinting out into the light with Rose calling my name.

Yeah. I don't know why I'm being so mean to Nico. Sorry readers. But anyhow, I think I'm gonna bring in a friend for Nico. So can you leave ideas in the comments, or on a poll on my profile. The offer expires in a week, and counting.

7 days

6 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds

6 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, 58 seconds

6 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, 57 seconds

Okay, I think you get it. Thanks for reading and faving and following and stuff. So... Yeah.

Bye!

~ThatDamBookGirl

:)