Hazel's Flashback

THURSDAY

Hazel tugged Nico's hand to get his attention while they were walking to their next class.

"Nico, are you okay?"

"Sure, why do you ask?"

"I don't know, you seem a little off and the slightest bit tense. Is it something you want to talk ab..."

Her sentence was cut short by a loud screech.

By God, what kind of creature does that sound?

I think it was human...

"Nico, did you hear..."

"We're late for class."

He grabbed her hand and started pulling her in a fastened peace. Hazel kept glancing over her shoulder, when a series of other sounds followed the screech.

Was that... an explosion?

When she almost tripped over her own feet, Nico's hand being the only thing that prevented her from falling, she focused on walking.

"Nico, do you know what that was?"

"Nothing that has to do with you."

"But it has to do with you?"

He kept silent. She sighed but didn't say anything. They were in their classroom in no time, but Hazel could see the teacher outside, trying very hard to convince the curious students to get inside class. She poked Nico's shoulder.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing you can prove."

Hazel furrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.

"Niel taught you this one, didn't he?"

He made a non-commitment sound and Hazel gave up.

Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to ask Niel to befriend your brother.

Maybe it wasn't.

Flashback over, back to present

FRIDAY

"Psst, Nanni."

She's trying really hard to annoy him, isn't she?

I would say she is.

Lucy threw another paper ball at Nico's head.

"Pssst, Nanni!"

Nico turned to her angrily.

"What!?"

"Mr. Di Martire, is there a problem?"

"Uhh..."

Lucy raised her hand and smiled sheepish.

"I'm sorry, sir. My fault. I poked him to call his attention. I was just trying to give him back the pen he dropped. It wasn't my intention to disturb your class."

The teacher nodded and ignored them. Lucy threw another paper ball at Nico, hitting his nose.

Oh-ho, that made him angry.

No, that made him furious.

Nico was careful to keep his voice low this time.

"What!?"

"You know what we could do tomorrow? Marathon."

Hazel looked at Lucy with surprise.

"Marathon? I had no idea you liked to run."

Lucy blinked, a little lost.

"What are you... oh! No, I'm talking about a MOVIE marathon. Lord of the Rings. You both need to watch it, don't think I forgot my promise of making this happen."

***

They left when class was over, going to Hazel's locker, since she was the only who had to get a textbook for her next class. Niel came around, nodding his head in acknowledgment to each other.

"Poppet. Sticks. Wench."

Out of habit, Lucy corrected him before focusing back on Nico.

"Stop calling me Wench. So, Nanni, you haven't answered me yet, my place or yours?"

Niel whistled.

"Wow, Wench, already at that? You move quickly."

She glared at him.

"Shut it, Barnacle. Answer, Nanni."

Nico sighed tiredly.

"How about both? You stay in your place and I stay in mine?"

Lucy clicked her tongue.

"Not good enough for me. I made a promise and I intend to keep it."

"Just forget about it."

Nico started to walk away, but Lucy blocked his way, with extended arms.

"No, I won't forget about it. I can't let you keep living without having watched the Lord of the Rings."

This got Niel's attention, and he held Nico's shoulder, pulling him to look at his eyes.

"You NEVER watched it?"

Is it that much of a big deal?

Well, it IS a classic.

Oh, like Gone With the Wind or Modern Times?

Yeah... but not that old.

Casablanca?

Really?

I died in the same year as Casablanca. I heard about it in Alaska, but only watched after I was alive again. Frank rented the movie for us; it was very sweet of him.

I think I never watched it.

What!? You NEED to watch it.

Now you get the Lord of the Rings feelings.

Nico scowled, annoyed.

"Who invited you to the conversation?"

Niel pointed to Lucy.

"I'm with the Wench in this one..."

"Stop calling me Wench."

"... you ARE watching it."

Ignoring Nico's resentment, Niel turned to Lucy and Hazel.

"His place, Saturday, 3pm."

Lucy crossed her arms and tapped her chin with a finger.

"Does he have a TV in his place? I don't remember seeing one in the living room."

"He does. Down the hallway, second right. TV, home theater, couches. I should probably go there earlier to check if everything is in order. So 3pm is set?"

"If we're making a marathon, wouldn't be better to schedule it early? I can't get home late."

"What time then?"

She started ticking her fingers, listing.

"If we start at 9am, three hours of movie ends around noon. We have lunch until 1pm, then start the Two Towers and finish it by 4pm. Maybe a break of one hour, then we get to the last movie from 5pm to 8pm. Then we order pizza."

"Fine, 9am."

Nico snorted, furious.

"What? You're setting something up at MY place while ignoring me?"

Lucy blinked once, before turning to Hazel like Nico hadn't said anything.

"So, Hannah, want me to ask my mom to pick you up and we go together?"

Hazel refrained herself from laughing at Nico's expression and answered Lucy.

"Sounds good."

He's getting angry with you too.

I'm not worried about it.

"Are you bringing your boyfri... Oh! Sorry! I totally forgot I shouldn't say anything about it! Forget I said anything!"

Niel avoided one of Lucy's waving hands and raised an eyebrow at Hazel.

"Boyfriend? So you and your date Felix got official? Congratulations."

Hazel shifted uncomfortable.

Do you mind if I confirm?

Well, they already saw us in a date, so... why not?

"Hum, yes, we did..."

Niel threw an arm over Nico, smiling at her.

"You can bring him along; I'm sure Sticks won't mind."

Nico would probably never speak to her again if she ever said it out loud, but he was pouting.

"I'm right here."

Lucy nodded agreeing with Niel, still ignoring Nico.

"The more the merrier."

"Poppet, does your boyfriend have a car or not? I can pick him up, if he's tagging along."

"Again, I'm RIGHT HERE!"

Lucy faked surprised at seeing him there.

"Nanni! When did you get here?"

Nico gaped and Hazel covered her smile with a hand. Niel and Lucy had better poker faces than her.

"I... I was here the ENTIRE. TIME."

"Really!? I didn't notice you there. Did you, Barnacle?"

"Hum. Now that you ask, Wench, I think I did see something..."

"Well, that's not important. So, Nanni, since I'm not sure how much of the conversation did you hear..."

"I heard ALL OF IT."

"... we're having a marathon at your place. And don't even bother to try and lock us out. I have the key and if you change the locks, Barnacle is going to break into your place."

She turned to Niel.

"You do know how to pick a lock, right?"

He smirked at here, tipping an invisible hat.

"Ay, Wench. Pirate."

Lucy grinned and clasped once.

"Well, I guess it's all set then. Hannah, I'll text you so we can set the details for my mom giving us a ride. I'm bringing lasagna for lunch. Easy to heat up. Barnacle, get Hannah's boyfriend and the movies. Nanni, come with me, we're late for class."

She took a hold of Nico's hand and pulled him down the hallway. She was stronger than she looked in her petite frame, because Nico tried to get rid of her and wasn't able to.

I really like that she touches Nico without thinking much of it.

Why?

He has this idea that people don't like touching him, or even being around him because he's the son of Hades.

But so are you.

Pluto, actually. But yes, there is no need for him to think it like that.

"Poppet?"

Hazel jumped at Niel's voice.

"Yes."

"You need to give me your boyfriend's number."

"Oh, right."

A/N: Am I the only one who loves all characters with the same amount? Except Leo, I like him, but writing his chapters is making me hate him because I'm terrible at this and never know what to write. Any suggestions are welcome.