Chapter XXIII HAZEL

When Hazel saw Nico just suddenly randomly appear aboard the deck of the Argo II, she didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or go punch him in the face. But in the end, all she did was stare at him. And at the girl beside him who was puking her guts out over the side of the ship.

"Calypso?" Nico asked gently, putting a hand on her back.

"Are you okay? Shadow-travel can be kind of uncomfortable your first time around."

The girl, apparently called Calypso, waved Nico off and kept on heaving. Nico rubbed her back absent-mindedly and looked at Hazel,

"Happy to see me?" he said with a smirk.

Hazel ran up to him and hit him with a hug so strong it send him staggering backwards.

"Woah! I'll take that as a yes, then!" Nico chuckled.

Hazel looked up and him and gripped his arms tightly.

"Don't you dare get kidnapped ever again, Nico di Angelo." she said fiercely.

Nico nodded and Hazel released him.

"Everyone!" Hazel called below deck.

"Look who's back!"

Once the initial excitement of having Nico back wore off, they settled down so they could hear his story.

"Well, as you know, the dragon kidnapped me." Nico started,

"But as we flew off, Hestia appeared to me."

"Hold up," Jason asked,

"Who is Hestia?"

"The Greek goddess of the hearth and home." Nico informed him.

"She doesn't have a Roman counterpart, so you don't know her. We've been friends for awhile now. Anyway, she showed up, saying she'd bring me somewhere safe. I fell out of the dragon's grasp and went unconscious. Next thing i knew, I was on Calypso's island."

For the first time, Hazel noticed Nico's and Calypso's interlocked hands. She grinned and Nico shot her a pleading look, as in "Please don't tell them. I'll do it eventually." Hazel nodded slightly, letting him know she understood. Nico stood up.

"Calypso, you're starting to look a little green again. I'll show you your cabin."

Calypso nodded wearily and stood up, following Nico out. Hazel watched them, smiling slightly to herself. Eventually, everyone left except for Piper. She sat down across from Hazel and said,

"Good to have him back?"

"Definitely." Hazel replied with relief.

"Now I can keep an eye on him."

Piper smiled mischievously.

"They're a cute couple."

Hazel beamed.

"You saw it too? It wasn't just my imagination?"

"Yes! They're adorable!"

The two girls laughed, and Hazel felt the beginnings of a friendship.

Awhile later, Hazel went to check on Calypso. She knew what it was like to get sea sickness, so she wanted to check if she was okay. Calypso was laying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, a tiny smile on her face. Hazel softly knocked on the door and stepped inside the room. Calypso sat up, a bright smile on her face.

"Hello." she said cheerfully.

"Hi. I'm Hazel." she said, closing the door behind her.

"You're Nico's sister, correct?"

Hazel nodded and Calypso smiled even bigger.

"It's nice to finally meet you. Nico's told me a lot about you."

"All good, I hope!" Hazel joked.

"Of course."

Hazel sat down on the edge of the bed and asked,

"How do you feel?"

"Not great, I'm afraid." Calypso said.

"I'm still nauseous."

"I know how you feel." Hazel said sympathetically.

"Are you hungry at all?"

At the mention of food, Calypso grimaced and held her hands to her mouth.

She shook her head and Hazel patted her shoulder.

"Maybe in a little while then."

Hazel stood up and walked to the door. She turned back around at the last second and then said,

"Calypso, I'm glad you're with my brother. He needs someone like you in his life."

Calypso whitened more, if that was even possible, and then said,

"How did you know?"

"I'm his sister, I can just tell stuff like that."

"Ah. I see."

Hazel left Calypso alone and went to her cabin. She chuckled to herself as she walked. Hazel could see why Nico liked Calypso. She was so sunny, all the time. Nico deserved a ray of sunshine to brighten his life up.

*Three chapters in one day? I'm on a roll! :D Hahaha i have no life whatsoever*