Love Me Forever Or Love Me Never
Chapter 5: Monster
Percy walked home from school in silence. Kicking the pavement harshly he sent a chunk of loose concrete scattering over the sidewalk. Shaking his head he mumble under his breath. Normally Percy would have rode home with Grover, but he decided to walk instead- a decision that through Grover for a loop. Walking home from school took at least 15 minutes longer than driving. Percy didn't mind riding with Grover, to tell the truth it was actually one of his favorite parts of the day, especially when Nico had rode with them. He loved to just sit there and talk with his friends discussing different topics: Homework, Schoolwork, Gossip, Sports, Videogames. Anything that popped into their mind really. But today Percy didn't feel like talking. Honestly he didn't feel like doing anything other than going home and resting, hoping to forget everything that had happened that day.
The guilt he felt for yelling at Nico was unbelievable. It gnawed at him constantly, leaving a empty feeling in his heart. For a while it felt as though someone had stolen a piece of his heart. When word got around that Nico had run into the bathroom where he was found crying it tore Percy apart. To know that he had caused Nico so much pain was killing him. It wasn't like he hated Nico. He still felt as though the boy was a little brother to him. The fact that Nico loved him was just to much to handle. Maybe once time passed and the shock started to fade him and Nico could be friends again, but for the time being he would just go on ignoring Nico and avoiding him.
Letting out a faint sigh Percy shook his head once more. Everything would turn out fine or at least he hoped it would. Jogging lightly down the sidewalk Percy trekked forward. When his house came into view he broke into a full run. Bounding up the street, rushing into his front yard, Percy clambered up the porch, happy to be home. Sliding his key in the lock and turning it with a click he pushed the door open. The moment his foot was passed the threshold a call came from the living room.
"Percy! Grover called! Said he wanted to talk to you!" His mother cried down the hall to him.
"Thanks mom!" He shouted back as he threw his backpack down onto the kitchen table. He moved sluggishly towards the refrigerator, dragging his feet. Sliding the door open he reached inside, scanning the shelves for something to drink. He suddenly stopped on the second shelf. His fingers slid around the can as he read the label. It was some kind of cherry lemonade drink that Percy figured would taste awful. He hand never tried any before but he know who had. Nico was addicted to the stuff. Over the many years that Percy, Nico, and Grover had been friends they spent a abundant amount of time at Percy house. They didn't know why, it just was. Percy's mother eventually caught on to what each boy liked and dislike through out the time period. As a result these cans were just for Nico. Scooping the can into his arms Percy packed them across the room, depositing them in the garbage. Percy looked up at the precise moment his mother walked in. Sally stared at him questionably.
"Percy-" She began just as the phone rang.
Letting out a sigh Percy though of how much he loved that phone. Not only was it the only thing that could preoccupy his mother's attention, even when he was in trouble, but it also saved him a lot of explaining. How could he possibly tell his mother about everything that had happened with Nico? How would she react? She treat Nico like he was one of the family. Percy couldn't bring himself to tell her how he pretty much told Nico he was disgusting for what he did.
"Percy! Here's the phone! It's Grover!" His mother called placing her hand over the phone so Grover was unable to hear her screaming. Percy nodded slightly before stepping forward and grabbing the receiver.
"Percy! I've been trying to call your dumb ass forever!" Grover yelled.
"Well them." Percy said blandly.
"Have you checked you texts messages lately!? Have you been online any?!" Grover cried shrilly.
"No! Why does it matter!? What's this about?"
"Just check your text messages! Everyone knows now! I mean everyone! They sent that message to everyone!" Grover mumbled the words harshly.
"What the hell is going on?!" Percy cried once again. Instead of getting an answer he was meet the with a faint click as Grover hung up on the other end. Cursing under his breath Percy slammed the phone receiver down. For a moment he contemplated calling Grover back and telling how idiotic he was being. What could be so important about a text message? Fishing in his pocket Percy slowly pulled out his phone. Holding it up he clicked the button and waited for the phone to spring to life. The screen finally loaded and Percy was taken aback by the alert that lit up his phone. Thirty-seven new messages- who the hell would message him that much?! Suddenly Grover's strange words came back to him. What had happened?
Clicking on the alert his screen filed with several texts. Scrolling down he quickly skimmed over what they all said:
OMG! Percy I never new you were like that!
Damn…. Jackson you have some problems don't ya
WOW! I always new Nico was messed up!
Shit Percy! You have to explain every thing to me! TTYL! O.o
Percy stared at the screen for a moment, not comprehending what he just read. What were they all talking about? Finally Percy reached the bottom of the long list of texts. His finger lingered over the screen before he clicked the first message he received. He didn't recognize the number.
Wow! I can't wait for everyone to learn what you and Nico have been doing. Guess you two love to kiss when no one's watching. Or did he kiss you? As far as I can tell he took you by surprise. Then you rejected him. Your so vain! So vile! I hope that stories correct. I won't want to feed everyone false information! I know you wouldn't like that!
Percy read over the text several times before lowering the phone. He looked down at it, mouth slightly gaped. Everyone knew about him and Nico. Everyone has heard about it. But only one had spread the rumor. He had to find out how that person was.
Nico lay on his bed, the lights in his bedroom turn off until the entire room was submerged in darkness. He felt as though someone had kicked him in the teeth. After Bianca exposed his secret his mother had stood before him with tears in her eyes. Nico felt as though someone had put him in front of a one man firing squad, the way his mother looked at him felt like a bullet piercing his heart. Nico rarely saw his mother cry, only when something devastating happened. His mother must have though he was awful for what he did. There would defiantly be a price to pay. He would probably be slammed with counseling for a while, fearing that he would cut his wrist again. Of course that was never going to happen. It hurt to fucking much for Nico to ever do again. He had no tolerance for pain.
Nico had thought his mother's tears had been harsh but now he was awaiting his execution. His father was on his way home from work and it was only a matter of time until Nico was meet with his impending doom. He wondered how his father would react. Yelling maybe? Thinking his son needed mental help? Most defiantly. His family was bound to blow the whole thing out of proportion. It wasn't as though he tried to commit suicide.
Nico was startled by the shrill ringing of the phone. For a moment he clasped his jean pocket, automatically assuming it was his cell phone. He quickly realized this was not the case. Jumping up from his bed Nico opened the door slightly. The phone was still ringing from down stairs, no one bothering to answer it. Nico wondered why the person didn't hang up already. It was evident everyone was to preoccupied to answer a phone call at the moment. Suddenly a streak of fear coursed through out Nico's body. What if the call was important? Perhaps his father had been in a car accident or something? Bounding down the stairs Nico rushed to answer the call. On his way down he noticed his mother slumped against the kitchen table, eyes looking wearily at the phone. Nico stepped into the kitchen marching over to the phone. He placed his hand on it before eyeing his mother, almost as though he was asking permission to answer. She nodded slightly before running her hands over her face. Nico felt his heart break. She looked as though she was in turmoil. Her gaze was locked on Nico wrists which were now completely exposed since he wasn't wearing his jacket. He had discarded the gauze moments ago, figuring his wrist would not bleed any more.
"Hello?" Nico croaked.
"Nico! Have you gotten any strange text messages? Like about the thing that happened between you and Percy!?" The person called on the other end. For a moment Nico was disoriented, unsure as to who the person was on the other end of the phone. Finally he realized who he was talking to.
"Grover?" He said cautiously.
"Yeah! Who else would it be?! Now have you heard anything about that?" Grover asked again, more persistent then before.
"I don't know! Let me check." Nico lay the phone down tenderly on the counter. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and turned it on. Automatically he knew something was wrong. So many people had sent him messages. Scrolling down the long line of texts once caught his eyes.
"Oh no." He said quietly as he heart dropped.
The text read, "Never knew you were gay Nico. Shocker!"
Picking up the phone up from the counter Nico started to say something, but stopped suddenly. Clearing his throat he said, "Who told?"
"You want to know who? You really want to know!? The queen of the bitches that who! Annabeth Chase herself told everyone that you were gay and that you kissed Percy! Want to know why. She did it because she knows eventually Percy will want you. He knows you so much better than he knows her and it scares her!" Grover cried. Nico was surprised by his sudden anger. Since when did he hate Annabeth so much?
"That bitch." Nico growled. His mother jerked her head over to him, watching her son intently. She hated it when Nico cursed but at that moment he didn't care what she liked or hated. All he knew was he needed to talk to Annabeth about this. Now.
"Talk to you later Grover." Nico said quickly
"Wait, Nico, what are you-" Grover sputtered before Nico slammed the receiver down. Once again his mother gazed up at him. Shaking his head Nico strutted across the room. Normally his mother left the car keys on the counter but as Nico peered around the room he couldn't find them.
"Mom, what you do with the car keys?" Nico said, his voice completely monotone, lacking any emotion at all. With a loud clatter his mother jumped up from her chair, eyes blazing angrily like burning coals.
"NO! I forbid you from leaving this house! Not until your father gets here! I not giving you the car keys Nico!" She hissed the words at him.
"Fine! I'll walk then." He snapped. Whirling around he raced towards the front door his mother's frantic cries following shortly. Nico grabbed the door knob and pulled the front door open harshly.
"Nico di Angelo! I swear if you walk out that door-" His mother shrieked. Nico didn't hear the rest of her threat. Instead he was already out the door.
For once Nico was glad he had spent a lot of time with Annabeth. Mainly he would only hang out with Annabeth if Percy was there. He was glad he had. Thanks to all the time he spent with her he remember exactly how to get to her house. If he had to walk a couple of miles to get their so be it. He need to talk to her about a few things.
The moment her house came into view Nico felt his stomach twist. Although he felt as though he was about to throw up in her front yard Nico walked down the side walk and up the porch steps. He stopped in front of the white door, a faint glow raining down on his from the porch light. Gathering up his courage Nico slowly tapped on the front door. After a moment, when no answer came, Nico figured this was his one chance to escape before facing this horrible beast. Turning away, already rushing down the steps, the front door slide open with a slight squeak. Nico whirled around once more, shielding his eyes from the blinding radiance that seeped through the front door. Annabeth stood in the threshold gawking down at him.
"Nico?" She said he voice barley above a whisper. He stepped closer allowing her to get a clear view of him. Suddenly Annabeth swung her arm around, smashing it into the door front, slamming it closed. "What the hell are you doing here?!" She spat with venom seeping from her words.
"I want to know the truth. Did you tell everyone about what happened between me and Percy!?" Nico expected her to recoil and deny it. At least show some form of protest. Instead a small smile curved upon her lips, slowly transforming into a cruel smirk.
"Yeah I did. What about it?" She said sternly. Nico looked at her in shock. She was admitting it?!
"Why!?" He cried surging forward. Her stopped inches from her face, traces of disgust etched into his face.
"Percy told me to." She said plainly. Now it was Nico's turn to recoil. He stumbled backwards his eyes wide. Why would Percy want her to do that? Why would Percy want to hurt him so much? How could he?!
"He told me to so everyone would know what kind of problems you have. I mean really Nico you think you can just kiss someone, someone who already has a girlfriend, and they will fall for you. Well, you're a lot stupider then you look! Now get away from my house before I kick your ass! Don't come back around me or Percy!" She cried.
Nico clenched his teeth before wincing. He shook his head wildly, wondering why he had to go through so much pain. Not bothering to look back at Annabeth Nico spun around, dashing off down the side walk, head hung low. Bitter tears dripped down his cheeks. A low growl came from his lips as he stalked away from the girls house. Finally the temptation became to much. Spinning around Nico caught a glimpse of the house just as the porch light flickered off.
"She's monster." Nico whispered quietly to no one.
Walking down the road silently Nico listened to the world around him. Everything seemed so silent, almost as though the world had froze. He wondered why everything was so quiet. Suddenly, the roar of a car engine cut through the serenity. Nico whipped his head upwards glancing up and down the street. Nico watched as the car bustled up the street, coming to a sudden stop beside him. The window slowly rolled down and Nico stared at his sister feeling more helpless then ever.
"Nico." Bianca started. Instead Nico held up a hand to silence her. Slowly he opened the passenger side door, crawling into the sit. Slumping down Nico once again found the tears falling from his eyes.
Neither him nor Bianca said a word.