Solangelo 3

WILL

I'm shaking as I leave Nico's cabin. I've never fought with him like that. I've never had him not want me with him. I didn't want to leave.
I hear a thud from inside, and do everything I can to resist going back in, knowing it'd just annoy him more.
Instead, I go back to the infirmary. It's not my shift, but I take over from one of my other siblings. She doesn't question it. I work without stopping, fixing problem after problem to stop myself thinking about Nico.
Of course, Nico is still all I think about. It isn't until Kayla taps me on my shoulder and tells me to go and get some food that I realise how long I've been working.
My fingers are sore, and my eyes ache. I just about navigate my way out of the infirmary and to the dining area before dropping myself down on the Apollo table.
'Mind if I join?' Percy asks, sitting down opposite me. There aren't many people here yet, half way between lunch and dinner, but I know Percy has an erratic schedule and eats at odd times.
'Yes.' I say, ' I mean, no. I mean...I don't mind.'
'Long shift?' He asks, laughing.
'You could say that.' I say. Food appears in front of us, and we both get carried away eating. We have vague conversations, nothing serious, nothing heavy.
'Nico, Hey!' Percy says, and I turn to see Nico walking towards us. He has bags under his eyes, and his hair is awol. He looks angry.
'Where's Rachel?' He asks, not looking at me.
'What? Why do you want Rachel?' Percy asks, confused. He can clearly notice that Nico is in one of his worse moods, 'You okay, man?'
'Fine. Where's Rachel?' He asks again.
'I think she should be in her spot. The caves.' He says, 'why?'
'She's not there. Where else?'
'Nico, why do you need Rachel?' Percy asks again.
'Just tell me, Gods.' Nico snaps.
'Maybe by the forest, she likes to paint there. Dude, seriously, what's up?' Percy says.
'Nico, hold on a sec.' I say, standing up, 'can we talk?'
'Just leave me alone.' He says, pulling his hand away, 'I'm fine.'
'Nico, if i did something-' I say, but he shadow travels away. I'm left standing, staring st where he left.
'It's none of my business, I know.' Percy says, carefully, 'but did something go on between you two?'
'I...i...don't...' I stutter out, unable to figure out what's gone on, 'I don't know. I don't know.'
'Nothing?' He asks.
'He...he just, I don't know.' I say, wiping my eyes as I can't stop myself crying, 'I'm sorry. Um, I've got to go. I'm sorry.'
I can't think of anything more embarrassing than crying in front of Percy, but I hardly care at all. All I can think about is Nico, and what I could have done to make him so angry at me.
I storm into my cabin, where Kayla and two of my other sisters are chatting, and hide away in my bed. Kayla notices and comes over.
'You okay?' She asks, a hand on my shoulder. I try to ignore her, but I shake my head and soon enough I'm sobbing into her shoulder.
'I don't know what I did.' I say through sobs, 'I don't know.'
'It's okay, bud.' She says, letting my cry, 'he's a hard one to figure out. He's probably just had a bad day. He was in the infirmary, right? He's probably just still recovering.'
I nod, wipe my eyes as I try to stop myself crying.
'We have music class. You want to come?' She asks, 'might make you feel better?'
'No. No thanks.' I say, 'I'm just...I'm going to sleep for a bit. I was working a long shift. I'm really tired.'
'Okay.' She says, reluctantly, 'you find me if you need me, okay?'
'Yeah.' I say, nodding, 'thanks.'
She and the other two leave, meaning I'm the only one in the cabin. I curl up in my bed, hugging a pillow. I haven't slept here for months. Not since Nico came back from Hades. It doesn't feel right. I can't get comfortable. And try as I might, I can't fall asleep.