...I'm really sorry, guys. I've been trying to get around to writing but honestly I feel like I've died physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally...etc. Sometimes I wish the days were longer so I could get more sleep and reflect more and write more, but other days I just want the day to end as soon as I wake up, you know? Anyway, y'all have been really supportive and really nice, I'm glad to have wonderful readers like you.

"There's a million things I haven't done. But just you wait. JUST YOU WAIT!" I really need to work on working my life out T-T. Here's to a new chapter! As always, like/review/comment if you enjoyed the newest update! I'm always open to suggestions! (Also, I haven't been able to get Trials of Apollo and I'm literally going to explode if any of you send spoilers of any kind.)

He couldn't sleep. Sure, he was a bit of an insomniac in the past, but he'd just recently been able to sleep peacefully through the nights. This, however, was different.

Nico spent years building up the walls around his heart.

He didn't want anyone to come in. No one was supposed to understand him. For years, he'd perfected the art of hiding, of being ignored, by making his body language, facial expressions, and aura radiate darkness, commanding people around him to give him some goddamn space to think, but all the more pleading for help.

He hated himself. Nico would rather face the most annoying person on the planet than have to face the demons inside him. To face the his obvious socially awkward personality, the stupidity of his dreams, his regrets of caring too much and caring too little, the colorless life he'd led after the death of his family. He was his least favorite person. The more time he was left alone in his desolate world, the more Nico realized what a pain in the ass he must have been. He couldn't even fathom as to why anyone would want to be friends with him, much less love him. As Nico lay awake in his bed for the past couple of weeks, he lost countless hours of sleep on this subject.

Why now?

Even in his childhood he'd never been this happy. In fact, young Nico had developed a theory that he was just a supporting character in a book, that his life essentially meant nothing except to aid a protagonist. As crazy as he seemed, Nico truly believed that he wasn't even the leading role of his own life. At least if he was neither a protagonist nor an antagonist, he wouldn't have to be in the spotlight, but still be able to be a pivotal character in the plot. Up until now, up until he found a Will, he'd never have guessed that he had the potential of being the protagonist.

This particular night, Nico was procrastinating as usual. He spent his time texting his boyfriend and listing off his insecurities about their relationship that invaded his mind.

Was he just infatuated with him? No, Will's a really nice boy with a knack for patience and compassion and kindness and ...etc. It just happened to be a plus that he was an amazing kisser and had a heart warming smile that made Nico's world spin.

Did Will ever find Nico lame? Maybe? Probably?

Did he spend too much time thinking about him? Yes. Definitely way too much.

It's just- he just- he didn't know- how could anyone as affectionate as Will ever like someone like Nico? He literally was waiting for Will to finish driving home from the hospital where he did his volunteer hours while Nico stared hopelessly at a blank screen, begging his laptop to write a scholarly essay about the literary analysis of Dante's Inferno that he was pretty sure Will probably finished the day after their teacher handed them the prompt.

They were so different. If someone were to ask them "What's up?", Will would most likely reply with "Nothing much, you?" or some jokingly sarcastic response like "The sky.", while as Nico would say something like "The body count."

Will was determined into becoming a surgeon or a doctor, someone who could cure diseases and make people's lives better. Nico was pretty sure he'd end up in forensic sciences and probably study dead people, or like, work at a morgue or something.

All these thought raced through his mind like in the minutes he waited for Will to reply to his text.

Nico checked his phone every thirty seconds. Maybe he missed the notification on the screen. Or something glitched and Will responded but his phone received it late or something.

A minute- two minutes passed. He started to get anxious and worry about what he sent.

Three minutes. No worry, Will usually responded within five minutes. Still, he felt really stupid.

Five minutes. Nico started to regret all his life decision starting with that text.

Six minutes. He had to put his phone across the room (the ringer on full volume so that he'd hear it for sure).

Seven- eight- nine- ten-fifteen-thirty. Nothing.

He continued to wait, faithfully, his phone now sitting next to him on his pillow.

After an hour, Nico fell asleep, knocked out in such a deep sleep that he didn't get to see Will's text.

Love you too, Neeks. Sleep tight! 333(Wed, 11:34)

Needless to say, Will was surprised the next morning in the school parking lot when Nico kissed him out of nowhere out of pure relief and affection.

So, yeah, I'm sorry that it's really short. I promise I'll write something way longer than this next time. I wrote this purely on impulse so please forgive me if there are any cases of incorrect grammar throughout the text. This chapter was inspired by my own thoughts and experiences I've had in the past. Thanks for reading! See ya next time!

~Phantomosolace