Disclaimer:: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus or its characters. They are the property of Rick Riorden, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.
Nico stood in the hall staring at the poster Katie and Reyna had just posted on the bulletin board.
"Thinking about who you're going to ask Nico?" Reyna said, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"God no. That's not really my thing. I was just thinking about how cliché it was."
"Cliché? It took us weeks to come up with that!" Katie looked deflated.
"Halloween Homecoming? Masquerade Ball? It's like something out of one of those cheesy teenage romance movies my sister Bianca used to watch. But hey that's just my opinion, like I said, not really my thing. I'm sure the romantics in the school will love it."
Katie smiled, "Thanks Nico." Nico nodded as he watched the girls away. He remembered the first homecoming dance he went to, sophomore year. It ended with a black eye, fat lip and his head in the toilet. Yea, there was no way he'd be caught dead at that dance.
"So Perce, how's project Ghost King going?" Leo said slapping him on the back.
"Ghost King?" Percy asked.
"Yea, well we needed a code name. And lover boy's kind of like a ghost. Floating around trying to be invisible." Leo shrugged.
Percy frowned, "Your right. He kind of does act like he wants to disappear. Hey guys, I'll see you at lunch. I got to do something." Percy left his confused friends and raced off to the library.
Scanning the tables he spotted the blond with stormy gray eyes and slid in next to her.
"Hey, Annabeth."
"Percy Jackson. To what do I owe the honor?"
"I know we haven't really kept in touch, haven't talked much. But I was hoping you could help me out."
"There's a signup sheet for tutors at the front."
"No, umm not with school. Actually I need your advice...about a boy."
"Really?" Annabeth put aside the book she had been reading and turned to face him, "You're coming to me for relationship advice?"
"Well you're the smartest person I know. And I'm sort of at a loss with this one."
"Who is this very special boy that has Percy Jackson all flustered?"
"Nico di Angelo."
"The new boy. Yea, he's kind of cute I guess." Annabeth said with a shrug. "If you go for that type."
Percy scowled. "He's gorgeous."
"Calm down Perce. So what's so different about him that's leaving you stumped?"
"Well, I really don't have a good track record with guys. Remember what happened with Luke? "
"I do."
"Well I'm trying to avoid that. But so far he's not responding well to anything. He's kind of shy, not really a people person. He keeps brushing me off."
"Hmmm... Yea I understand how that would be difficult for you."
"So wise girl, will you help me?"
"I suppose. Everyone knows you have sea weed for brains. Is he even gay?"
"Undetermined. But there are suspicions."
"Okay well you need to invite him to hang out. Not one on one it will freak him out. But not a large group either, if he's shy he will just close up and hide in the fringe. And definitely not you two and a couple, too much pressure. Too awkward."
"This is good. What else?"
"You have to figure out what he's into. Hobbies and such. But something you're interested in too. He'll be able to tell if you're bored and it will just piss him off."
"So how do I figure out an Interest we share?"
"By talking to him." Annabeth rolled her eyes, " Come on, even you aren't that thick."
"He's not really one for small talk."
"Okay, well then I guess you can ask his friends."
"He's been hanging out with Luks's crowd."
"Well don't ask Luke obviously."
Percy took her hand in his, "Thanks Annabeth. Really, this means a lot to me."
"Just make sure you invite me to the wedding."
Percy laughed and left the library, waving over his shoulder. He had a plan and a bounce in his step as he headed off to his first class. He slid into his seat next to Jason just as the bell was ringing.
"Where you been man?"
"Had a little recon to do. Think you can get Piper to meet me by my locker at lunch?"
"Yea for sure."
"Awesome." Percy smiled and spent the rest of class day dreaming about Nico di Angelo.
"So, Jay said you wanted to talk to me. What's up?"
Percy was leaning against his locker when Piper approached him.
"Not here." He took her arm and led her into the empty stairwell. "I need your help. With Nico."
"Percy..." Piper started.
"Look, I really like him and he barley gives me the time of day." Percy pleaded, "I just need a conversation starter. Something, anything to get him to talk to me for more than 30 seconds."
Piper sighed, "Alright, he may have shown slight interest in that sword club of yours. When I was at his place he had a small collection in a case in his room. And he's sort of a history buff."
"History?" Percy frowned. That wasn't something he could fake interest in.
"Like ancient history. Specifically Greek mythology."
"Swords and Greek Mythology. I can work with that. Thanks Pipes." Percy gave her a quick hug.
"Well I couldn't very well say no with you pouting like that."
"I got it!" Reyna put her try down and climbed onto the bench next to Percy.
"Got what?"
"You're in with Nico." She handed Percy an advertisement for a convention called History of Combat and Self Defense. The same gym that was hosting the sword skills competition Percy and the sword club were competing in this weekend was hosting it. Competitors got in free and admission was only $20. They would have exhibits, displays and demonstrations on ancient and modern combat styles on weaponry. Nico would love it.
"This is perfect!"
"I thought so too. I'll be there as a single person to relieve pressure. And since Frank is competing Hazel will be there and Clarisse made it through to this competition, so he will have someone from his group. We can get a second room at the hotel you guys are staying at for only $45, and you can tell Nico you got some extra tickets because you're competing. And if things go well, homecoming is in two weeks."
"Reyna you are the best! This is perfect!" Percy through him arms around Reyna and squeezed.
"Okay, great, but I need to breath."
"So it will be Frank, Hazel, Clarisse, You, me and Nico? That's a pretty big group." Percy frowned. "Annabeth said to avoid large groups, it will make him nervous."
"You talked to Annabeth Chase for dating advice?" Jay looked surprised.
"Do you know anyone smarter? And none of us exactly know how to deal with someone who's shy."
"Okay, good point." Jason leaned back satisfied.
"Well Frank and Hazel usually keep to themselves anyways, they can wonder off without it looking suspicious. Clarisse can't stand you so she'll probably take off on her own, for a while at least." Reyna continued.
"Okay, yea, good. This is good. I'll go to talk to about using it as a recruiting scam to generate interest in the club or something. Awesome."
Percy ran off trying to decide how he was going to convince Nico to come with him.