Hi guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a while! I've been sick recently. Like REALLY sick...

OMG guys! I'm so mad. I just got contacts yesterday and when I was putting them in this morning, I dropped one down the sink! D: NOW I HAVE TO WEAR MY GLASSES UNTIL FRIDAY WHEN MY NEXT APPOINTMENT IS. Not that there's anything wrong with glasses... I just really liked my contacts. THEY MADE MY EYES REALLY PRETTY GREEN.

So, here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Thirty One (Ariella):

Ever since I sang in front of an audience, I've been told I haven't been dancing as well as I did before. To me, it makes no sense. Cassia thinks that it's because I've always secretly wanted to be a singer, despite what my brother thinks, but I'm still kind of confused by it. Why would that even affect my dancing? I would ask her, but I've been trying to avoid her ever since she went on a date with Nico. I guess I'd be fine if they dated, but how she didn't tell me about it or ask to see if it was okay (knowing how much I liked him) is what made me really upset.

Gracefully turning around, I complete my dance. "How'd I do?" I ask my ballet teacher, Mr. Furglestein. What an ugly name for an ugly man.

"At most a C," he says, clearly unimpressed.

"But dude, I spent like, four days working on that thing!" I exclaim.

"First of all, you're moves were sloppy. Second, you seemed out of focus. And third, I'm not a 'dude'." He explains.

"I was trying to make you feel younger than you really are," I snap. "Maybe 67 instead of 70."

"I'm 48!" he growls.

"Oh, well the wrinkles around your eyes are telling me otherwise." I dare. I've never really been good with talking to teachers.

"Now the highest you can get is a D," he smiles smugly at him.

"Whatever," I roll my eyes. "I'm leaving," I grab my light blue backpack that doesn't match my pink tutu at all and head out of the studio, glad that I no longer have to stare at that man's face.

I walk quickly back to my suite and see tons of paparazzi at the door, trying to get in. "WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING?" I shout at them. I try and shove past them, but they refuse to let me in.

"Guys, it's Ariella Levi!" one reporter shouts and all of the camera people turn all around to face me. How do they even know me? Oh… Right. I made a music video and posted it online. It was mostly just for my brother to listen to, and maybe convince him that I'm not as awful at singing as he thinks, but it was also to show Nico and Cassia how I was feeling without actually telling them.

"Ariella!" the reporters call. "What's going on between you and Nico?"

"Nothing!" I say angrily.

"Are you two dating?" one reporter asks.

"No!" I stomp my foot on the ground.

"Why'd you post that song? Was it about Nico?"

I cut them off. "It's my personal life and it isn't any of your business," I cross my arms. "Now can I just get into my room? I have stuff to do!"

"Like kiss Nico?" one reporter shouts.

"I'M NOT DATING NICO!" I shout. "I DON'T EVEN LIKE HIM."

"Yeah right," they mumble.

"Ugh!" I moan as I run through them and quickly use my key to open the door to my room. I push hard to try and close the door behind me but have some difficultly. Someone runs to help me and we successfully shut it. "Thanks," I mutter as I look up to see who it is.

"No problem," Nico answers. "Now, we have to talk."

"I don't want to talk to you," I reply simply.

"Well, can you listen?" he asks.

"I suppose." I say. "You're lucky I've got nothing better to do."

"So, can we go somewhere… private?"

"Why can't we do it here?" I challenge. "Why don't you want the people in our suite to hear?"

"It's not them. The paparazzi are pressing their ears against this door trying to hear what I have to talk to you about," Nico explains. "And I don't want them to hear what I'm going to say."

"Okay, so," he says once I close the door behind us. "What you saw at Olive Garden… It wasn't what it looked like."

"So then what was it?" I raise an eyebrow at him.

"This is going to sound really weird, but it's true," Nico warns me. "Cassia is my long lost sister."

"WHAT?" I gasp.

"Well, step sister." He clarifies.

"How is that even possible?" I question him.

"My dad dated her mom for a while," he answers. "And he came to her in hope that she would sign his record deal. He and my uncles are in a bad place ever since Percy, Thalia, and I left."

"Oh." I nod slowly. "Then I'm sorry for freaking out at you. I thought you were on a date with Cassia."

"Oh, god no." Nico replies. "She's like my sister, I guess. Even though she isn't really my sister, I still consider her one. She's the only family I have left besides Thalia and Percy… But they're usually preoccupied with other stuff. Plus, Cassia's to negative all the time."

"Kind of like you," I joke.

"And the opposite of you," he smiles. "That's probably why you get along with both of us so well." I grin back at him. "Oh, and you don't have to apologize. It honestly wasn't your fault. If I saw you out with Percy I'd probably freak out as well."

"But I feel bad," I frown. "I should've let you explain."

"And I should've made more of an effort to explain," Nico responds. "So, we good?"

"Sure," I smile at him.

"Oh, and you and I are doing a phone interview tomorrow."

"What?" my eyes widen.

"Just to clarify some rumors about us," Nico replies.

I shake my head. "No! I'll get even more attention than!"

"Don't girls love attention?" he cocks his head at me.

"That's sexist."

"I didn't mean it that way…"

"Alright, but only because you're cute," I smile at him.

He blushes a little and looks almost relieved when his phone starts vibrating. Nico picks it up and presses the black IPhone against his ear. "Hello?... Oh hi David… Wait… WHAT? Alright… I'll tell him… Kay. Bye."

"What was that about?" I ask.

"It was my manager. He needs a new single to release tomorrow… Which is kind of hard to do in such a small amount of time. So, I have to go tell Percy because he's locked himself in our room."

"Why did he do that?" I ask.

"He's thinking of a plan to ask Annabeth out."

"What? Really? He likes her?" I gasp.

"Yeah," Nico nods. "I guess so."

"Oh my gosh! They'd be such a cute couple!" I squeal. "Can we set them up?"

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea," he responds. "Thalia and Leo tried to do that with Jason and Piper and it didn't exactly end well."

"Oh…" I say, feeling very disappointed. I love setting people up!

"So, I'll see you later, okay?" he tells me.

"Yeah, sure," I smile at him, feeling even more disappointed now. "Later!" I wave as he leaves the room. I sigh and sit down on my light blue bed. I totally like him again.

Thoughts?

Expect a Thalia chapter next! Then probably Annabeth or Percy! Hint. Hint. ;)