Solangelo 3

WILL

'Nico!' I shout as I go to grab him, narrowly missing. He hits his head, falls into the water. I don't hesitate in jumping in after him.
Nico was right, saying I wasn't the strongest swimmer, and I hate myself for thinking this was a good idea. I force my eyes open, finding it hard to see in the murky water.
It takes me a while to find Nico, and when I do I'm desperate for a breathe. I kick with all my strength to carry him out the water, holding him how Percy taught me to keep him above water as I drag us to shore.
I lay him down, coughing the water out and desperately taking in the air. I move over to Nico as I do, preparing to start CPR, only to see him start to cough too.
'Nico? Nico? Can you hear me? Nico?' His eyes flicker open, 'oh thank the gods. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.'
'Will.' He says, between coughs, 'fine. It's fine.' He reaches up and pulls me to his chest, seeing how emotional I am. He stays lying on the floor, focusing on breathing, as he hugs me.
'You alright?' A girl asks, rushing to us, 'I saw it from the dining area. Ran down. Is anyone hurt?'
'I think we're okay.' I say, forcing myself up.
'What happened?' She asks, and I turn to Nico.
'What did happen?' I ask.
'What?'
'You blacked out. Do you not remember?' I ask, and he shakes his head. He looks focused though, as if he's still not fully back, 'Okay.' I say, leaving it for now, 'come on.'
'What're you doing?' He asks as I pull one of his arms around my shoulder.
'Infirmary.' I reply.
'I'm fine, Will.'
'Just a check up.' I say.
'Will.'
'For my sake.' I say, looking to him. He sighs, nods. The girl hovers beside us. I recognise her, new this year.
'Hey, uh...'
'Bonnie.' She supplies for me.
'Bonnie.' I say, 'thank you. Would you-'
'Will, I-' Nico starts, then bends over, throwing up.
'Nico, Hey. Hold on. You're okay.' I say, holding him up, 'Bonnie, could you run ahead tell them we're coming. I think he has concussion.' She nods and sprints over to the infirmary.
'Gods.' Nico says, wiping his mouth.
'Come on. Give me your arm.' I say, taking his left arm and putting it back over my shoulder. We start to walk over to the infirmary, but he can't even walk straight, 'Gods, okay. Here we go.' I take a moment to steady myself, then lift him up in a princess carry.
'It's fine, I can walk.' He says, his eyes shut, head leaning against my shoulder.
'I know you can.' I say, humouring him.
'I hate when you princess carry me.'
'You love it.' I say, smiling despite myself.
'Yeah.' He says, and I settle him down again as I feel him about to throw up. I place one hand on his back as he does, keeping him steady.
'Sorry.' He says.
'No, no it's fine.' I say, 'I've had a lot worse.' I say, picking him up again. We make it to the infirmary this time, and Kayla's waiting for us.
'What happened?' She asks, settling him down on a bed.
'He hit his head. Blacked out of something. I mean, he blacked out before, then he hit his head.' I say, stumbling over my words. She looks at me for a moment.
'Alright, get out.' She says, turning her back on me.
'Hold on, what?' I ask, 'I'm head of the infirmary.'
'And you know the deal.' She says. I turn away for a moment out of frustration.
'Come on, Kayla, this doesn't count. I'm good with concussions. Let me help.' I plead with her.
'Nope. No. You're too close to him. You get all jittery. Any injuries where Nico is passed out-'
'Kayla.' I say, frustrated.
'Any injuries where Nico is passed out,' she continues, forcing me to listen, 'You don't get to help. You can sit outside the infirmary, and we'll let you in when we're done. You agreed to this.'
'I know I agreed, but-'
'You promised Nico you'd let us do it.' She says. I clench my fists, frustrated, but I know the sooner this conversation ends, the sooner Kayla can help Our other siblings help Nico.
'Fine. Fine.' I say, 'just...be careful, okay?'
'Of course, Will. He'll be okay.' She says, holding my shoulder briefly before hurrying off, 'get out, okay?' She falls behind her.
It takes all my will to step out the room. But I know they'll take care of it. And they'll let me know when I can come back in. I just hate waiting.