A/N: Shorter chapter than Hazel's, but it was either shorter and published chapter or longer and unpublished for who knows how long, so... I guess you like published better. Still, over 5k words. See, a-fangirl-fantasy, I told you you inspired to write (actually, finish it, because half of it was ready)

TUESDAY

After lunch, his father called him to his office so they could talk in private. Áïdos sat in an armchair, gesturing Nico to sit in front of him.

"So, how did you find Hannah?"

Nico got comfortable, avoiding his father's eyes.

"I thought you asked this on the first day."

"I did, and I'm still waiting for an answer."

Nico met his father's eyes defiantly.

"I gave you one."

Áïdos intertwined his fingers, leaning against the chair.

"If I know you, you gave me a short version of the truth twisted with a lie to make it believable."

"If you know me, you also know that is the only thing you'll get from me."

His father narrowed his eyes, not pleased with the answer. Nico squared his shoulders, in a challenge.

"She was left alone in a strange city after spending months in coma, with a promise to meet her family and maybe have a better life since her mother died. The lawyer never showed up, so she stayed alone. Instead of asking me how did I find her, you should be thankful I did and maybe go after that lawyer that never came. Unless, of course, you gave instructions that she shouldn't be introduced to me or the rest of the family."

His father took a deep breath, clearly offended by the implications.

"I didn't give such instructions."

"Then just be thankful I found her and change subject."

Nico could see the tiniest raise of one of corner from his mouth.

"You're a little different. More... challenging."

"Is it a problem?"

"No. I find it amusing. And it's good to know you're standing up for yourself and your sister. Just know what lines not to cross, especially with me."

Áïdos gave him a cold half-glare, making clear he wasn't someone to be pushed too much. Nico gave a short nod, relaxing his posture, making himself a little less challenging. His father relaxed too, before changing subject.

"About your life, any news?"

What do you usually tell?

Nothing. Just say there is nothing new, just school.

"School, nothing new there."

Áïdos gave a short laugh.

"Not even a girlfriend? Lucy, isn't she?"

Nico's mouth fell.

WHAT?

How does he know about her!?

And why does he think she's my girlfriend!?

"How... what... how do you even know about her?"

The man in front of him raised his eyebrows in surprise by the admission of knowing her.

"So she is your girlfriend?"

"NO!"

His father raised just one eyebrow in questioning. Nico sighed.

"No, she ISN'T my girlfriend, what made you think that? Wait. Do you have someone following me!?"

"No. Internet told me."

"Internet?"

"More like... what was the name again? Instagram?"

And what the hell is that?

It's a social media.

Do you have one?

What do I look, stupid? I already had real life bullying, I didn't need cyber too.

"You're kidding, right? I don't even have an account."

"But she does, and she's quite active."

I'm afraid to even imagine how active she is.

I REALLY hope she doesn't talk about us in it...

"WHAT did she put in there? Wait, how did you even know to check her account?"

"Since you don't like to share your own life, I have someone occasionally checking the profiles of some students from your school in hopes to catch a glimpse of you."

His father carelessly lifted a shoulder, like it's nothing.

... This is a whole new level of stalker.

"So you HAVE someone following me, just virtually."

Áïdos blinked once, not showing any emotion.

"Do you want to see it?"

Bastard.

He's trying to make us glad he's a stalker, right?

Yes.

Well, it's working.

"Yes."

His father stood up and moved to behind the large mahogany table, turning on his computer. Nico followed and sat on the chair Áïdos motioned him to, before skirting through the pics in the folder that was open.

There were three in that damned Halloween party she had dragged him to. One was while they were walking to the party, him with an unfriendly expression. 'I walk side by side with Death 👻'

Death? Really?

When did she take this pic?

One of the pics was of him laughing so hard he had to hold his stomach. 'Death has a sense of humor 😱'

... Exactly how many pics did she take of us without us noticing it?

The last pic was him in the back, leaning against a wall, clearly unhappy. Close to the camera, only half of Lucy's face, rolling her eyes. 'Death is now bipolar...'

I am afraid to even imagine...

There were two from the same day, just minutes apart. A selfie with her and Hazel smiling from behind Lucy's shoulder 'New bff! ❤'

Hazel? Does she participate in this?

One of him sleeping in class '💤 should I wake him up?'.

Can she do that? Post pics of us without asking? Isn't it illegal?

You're not considering sue her for real?

... The idea crossed my mind.

One probably taken before she joined them in their fantasy, where it was possible to see him and Niel fighting with their swords over her shoulder. 'About to win an epic battle by defeating two enemies at once 😈'.

Does she only post pics of us?

There were two different pics with the hashtag 'MarathonNight'. She and Hazel in the car, both with sleep clear in their eyes. The other was of him sleeping in her lap with the caption 'Not everyone can endure it 😄'.

... we slept in her lap?

WHAT were we thinking?

There was one taken from over her shoulder, probably while she was at her locker, where it was possible to see he and Niel talking about something "Is it possible to have two karmas in one lifetime? ¬¬' because I do".

Well, SHE is MY karma, not the other way around.

A pic of her wrist next to his, both wearing her damned friendship bracelet and another of his and Niel's, both with the pirate bracelet 'Copycat...'.

How does she take these pics without us noticing!?

He turned to his father, who was waiting nearby.

"Are those all?"

He nodded.

"Those are all I have. Mr. Sokzy sent them to me."

"So you didn't take them from her Instagram?"

Áïdos looked slightly offended.

"I don't have time to keep searching a teenage girl account. Mr. Sokzy does it for me and send me the relevant ones."

Ok, relevant ones mean the pics with either me or Hazel...

But you want to know how frequent those are.

"Can you call him and ask him to send us her..."

What is the name of it?

"Profile?"

"Yes."

Áïdos nodded, calling Nico with his fingers while moving back to the chairs they were previously sitting.

"Sure, I'll ask him. While we wait, why don't you explain to me who is she?"

Ok, now how do we explain?

Keep it simple?

"She is... a classmate."

"Classmate? Not even a friend? She has pictures inside your house. With you on her lap."

Damn her for it...

"I suppose... that in a very weird, twisted and unconventional way... we can be called friends."

"And she's friends with your sister too?"

He should be asking this to her.

Do you think Hannah would easily share it?

Good question.

"Yeah, they get along better than I do with her."

"And the other guy?"

"Niel? He's... a friend too."

"You're sounding almost popular from your previous self."

Great, my father saying I was a loner. And no, it doesn't matter if it was true.

Still, it was quite random how we suddenly got two friends that won't leave us alone.

Which brings back the question, why?

"Hum, well, they suddenly got attached to me for no apparent reason, so it wasn't me."

"Something tells me you're wrong."

Nico narrowed his eyes.

"What was that supposed to mean?"

His father shrugged not meeting his eyes and changed subject.

"Nothing. So, having troubles with the house? Or is everything working?"

"No, everything good."

"No one tried to break in while you were alone or something?"

"N... actually, they did."

What? No one did!

Trust me.

Áïdos was suddenly alert, his body moving forward to face Nico.

"What!? When!? Why didn't I hear of this!?"

How are you planning to calm him down now!?

"Hum... they weren't successful. Just tried. And I think it was just a bunch of teen trying to break in for the thrill. But this got me thinking about getting a dog. You know, big, mean, enough to scare away people like this. Do you know where I could find one? I was thinking of a rottweiler, pitbull..."

You want to prevent Niel and Lucy to get in our house.

I doubt Niel can be kept away, but Lucy? It was way too tempting to not go for this opportunity.

"I know a breeder 40 minutes from here. If you want, we can go there now."

Nico couldn't help but grin.

"I would like that very much."

***

On the way to the breeder, Mr. Sokzy had sent him Lucy's profile at Áïdos' request. Nico kept passing over her pictures. He was just a little bit relieved to see that she had a habit of posting more than about him. There were some with Hazel, Will and the other girls from her squad. She had a dozen of pics with a hamster named Hamtaro, which sounded stupid to Nico, though Nanni said it was a reference to some cartoon. She had posted a picture wearing that half costume she did when she joined their pirate fantasy 'On my way to rock their boat'. Other three pictures with the hashtag 'MarathonNight', one of the three DVD's cases 'Always a classic' and one of Niel alone, laying in a very weird angle 'I'm afraid I might need to perform an exorcism...', the last one being of her already in bed 'I SURVIVED'. She had some pics in her cheerleader outfit, pulling her leg one way or another, in a way that had to hurt 'Flexibility ❤'. On the most recent pics, he could see some of their impromptus car trip. One of the last was a video inside the car, that he was afraid to open, until he saw she was riding shotgun.

She made this video after we took off? So, only Niel?

He clicked the video and could see Lucy holding her phone high so it was possible to see Niel driving.

"Alright, Barnacle, ready?"

"Always, Wench."

She rolled her eyes, raising the volume of the song playing, before singing in the worst voice she could probably muster while trying to sound like a guy.

*Don't go breaking my heart*

Niel took over, singing in a high-pitched voice.

*You take the weight off me*

She cringed to the camera, before singing her line.

*Honey when you knock on my door*

She adjusted the camera to Niel.

*I gave you my key*

Both started screaming the chorus.

*Oh whoo

Nobody knows it
When I was down
I was your clown*

And in a non-verbal agreement, both started to sing for real the remaining chorus.

*Oh whoo

Nobody knows it

Nobody knows it
Right from the start
I gave you my heart
I gave you my heart*

Surprisingly, both had great singing voices, that mixed well together. After the last line, she tuned the music down a little, before turning back to the camera.

"Oh whoo! Carpool for the win!"

And the video ended.

Did Niel know she was recording it?

I'm not sure, he didn't look to the camera, so maybe he didn't see it?

I'm warning him.

Nico pulled his phone. He had to admit it, it made easy to communicate with others.

N: Did you know that Lucy has an Instagram?

It took almost ten minutes for Niel to answer.

ND: Yes, she's addicted to that damned thing. Why?

N: Did you know she posted a video of you?

ND: Wait a minute.

- Niel Drake added Lucy -

ND: Wench.

L: Careful with what you're gonna say. I haven't eaten my lunch.

ND: Sticks is saying you posted a video of me in your Instagram.

L: You mean the carpool one? What about it? Awesome, right?

N: Did you know about this?

L: Duh, it's my ig.

N: Not you, Niel.

L: Of course he did, we had to record it three times.

ND: Because someone sucks at using her own phone.

L: Hey, I'm used to my front camera, but since it cracked last week, I had to use the main one.

N: And you posted pics of me!?

L: So what?

N: WHY?

L: Why not?

N: I never gave you permission.

L: ... Really? So why did you complain when I took the pics?

N: Because I didn't see you doing it!

ND: How could you not see it? She was quite obvious.

L: Exactly.

N: Well, I didn't!

L: In what world do you live?

ND: I just checked to watch the video.

ND: It ended up better than I expected.

L: I know!

L: AAAAHHH JULIE TEXTED ME!!! WE'RE MEETING TOMORROW!!!

ND: Just be careful. You know what they say about pets and owners...

L: Shut up!

N: What?

ND: She's getting a new rat.

L: Hamster!

ND: That's what they told you. I don't believe it.

L: Well, they told you you're a boy, and I don't believe that either.

ND: Really, Wench?

L: What proof do I have?

ND: If you wanted to see me in my birthday suit you only had to ask...

L: NO!

ND: Do you want pic or live? I can work with both...

L: NONE!

N: Come on, don't be shy now.

L: You're disgustingly perverted.

ND: I know you like it...

L: I'm outta here!

"We're here."

Nico raised his head at his father's voice and put his phone in his pocket, before stepping out of the car.

***

The breeder, Mr. Onexa, kept showing Nico his best guard dogs, though none of them felt right to the teenager.

What are we looking for, exactly?

I'm not sure...

Nico turned his head to the left, with little interest, until he saw it. It a Rottweiler, but slightly bigger than the others he had seen.

Now I know what I want.

He stopped walking and pointed to the side.

"I like this one."

The breeder turned to see to which dog Nico was referring to and he seemed a little taken aback.

"Are you sure? He can be pretty aggressive. If you are just trying to scare away some teens, maybe a dog a little bit friendlier might be a good idea."

"No, I want this one. He will obey me, right?"

Mr. Onexa looked to Áïdos for confirmation before answering.

"Of course yes, I'd be sending him with one of my students. He'd teach all you need to become his alpha."

Nico grinned satisfied.

"Then I'm good."

"Are you sure? Like I said, he can..."

"I heard you the first time, I want him."

Tell me, what do you think of the name Cerberus?

Really?

You don't like it?

... No, I do.

Then it's set.

WEDNESDAY

I'm still unsure about leaving them.

They're not in danger, right? Not demigod kind of danger, at least.

I guess not. Are you not worried about Hannah?

Of course I am, but I'm not sure she would think this is good. After all, we aren't really close, despite being siblings.

His phone buzzed with a text.

H: Have a safe trip!

N: Thanks.

Before he could put his phone away, another text came. Nico scowled when he saw Lucy had sent a pic of a white hamster.

L: BIJOU IS HERE!!!

Seriously, why hamsters? They have no use.

I don't think it's about being useful.

ND: Congratulations for your rat.

L: It's NOT a RAT!

ND: Sticks, you're coming home today, right? Need a ride from the airport?

N: No, my father arranged it.

L: Too bad, road trip was fun, even with you, Mr. Gloomy.

... She just called us Mr. Gloomy?

N: Mania...

L: What are you guys doing for New Year's Eve?

ND: I'm dragging Sticks to a party.

N: You're what?

L: Family or friends?

ND: My mom's friends. She insists I go with her.

L: And you said yes?

ND: She asked, so why not.

L: I want to meet your mom, she sounds remarkable.

ND: No.

L: Something tells me she would like me.

ND: No.

Do you think she would like Lucy?

Honestly? Yes.

Me too.

"Sir, can you please turn off any electronics devices?"

Nico mumbled an apology before doing just that.

***

Nico had planned to sleep during the flight so his mind wouldn't fill with all kind of possible accidents, but a newborn baby in his plane decided to cry throughout the whole flight, ruining his plans and his mood. Waiting for his luggage wasn't any better. A pair of kids no older than seven kept playing catch around the other passengers, and after being bumped four times, he felt no remorse in sticking his foot to make the first kid trip, to which the second kid finished, tumbling upon each other. So, when he was finally comfortable in the car his father had arranged, putting music to play on his phone and hearing a girly song didn't improve his mood.

*You were walking on the moon

Now you're feeling low low low*

N: LUCY! You added girly songs to my phone!

L: That was for Hannah, she enjoys those songs, but apparently had trouble to download it.

L: I was hoping you would travel back together.

ND: What kind of girly songs?

L: Motivational ones. Nanni would do some good by listening to it. Which one is?

N: Gold.

L: Excellent lyrics.

N: Annoying song.

L: Shut it.

L: "So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine".

L: "From inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold".

N: I don't care, her voice is annoying.

L: "So don't let anybody tell you that you're not loved".

L: "And don't let anybody tell you that you're not enough".

L: I like to hear it after cheer practice.

ND: Why, because of what Vanessa says to you?

Lucy didn't answer for almost a minute.

L: No. Just a good song.

L: I'm busy now, bye.

ND: Touch a nerve, have I?

Another girly song?

How much did she add?

Do I skip it?

*This is my fight song

Take back my life song

Prove I'm alright song*

Wait.

*And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me*

It doesn't sound too bad.

No, it doesn't.

***

From the electric guitar... Niel?

Most likely. Alestorm again?

*They are the days, I hoped,
I have never stepped from this road,
The spark I once had,
Seems to have died*

Seems more intense than the girly songs.

*Stand Up and Fight,
Stand Up and See the Sky Turn Bright,
Fight for a better day...*

I'm liking this one.

*GET UP
YOU'VE MADE IT THIS FAR
NO LOSER YOU ARE
ONE MORE TIME
ONE MORE TRY*

***

*You gotta keep on keeping on
Even with the feeling
That you're gonna keep losing
You gotta come back strong*

They really set their minds to put all kind of motivational songs in my phone, didn't they?

I think so.

***

*Half the population's just waiting to see me fail
Yeah right, you're better off trying to freeze hell*

But I admit, most of the songs are good.

FRIDAY

It's past noon. Didn't the breeder say he would be here at 11am?

He said he would send his assistant, right?

When the doorbell rang, Nico bolted to open it, finding a girl not much older than twenty waiting beside his dog. She scowled, clearly not approving, and he did the same.

"Are you Nanni?"

"Yes..."

"Oh, must be some mistake then. No way you can become an alpha. I'll just be on my way then. I can arrange to have a Chihuahua delivered. Maybe a Yorkshire?"

Her sarcasm fired up his temper.

"How about you just zip your howling screamer and actually do what you came here too? Or are you that unprofessional?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"Be that disrespectful at me or this handsome guy here, and I'll rip your tongue out to give him as a treat."

Hm, Nico? Maybe we should back off a bit.

Hell no.

Don't forget she knows how to tell Cerberus to bite a piece of us off.

Fine.

He took a deep breath to calm down, before trying to sound less angry.

"Why don't you both get inside? I'm Nanni as you know, so what is your name?"

She kept silent and unmoving for almost a full minute which was actually unnerving him.

"Molly."

She strode past him, her head held high and his dog following her close.

Well, isn't she charming.

***

An hour later, Molly still hated him and made everything as difficult as she could. He was almost giving up, stressed and feeling a migraine coming, so when his phone rang, he picked up without checking the ID, and wasn't pleased to hear Lucy's cheery voice.

"Hi!"

"What do you want?"

"Oh, snappy! You know, this habit of you of being rude to anyone will come out to bite you in the ass someday."

Nico looked over to Molly, who was pointedly ignoring him.

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"... wait, already? Well, ain't karma efficient?"

"What do you want, Lucy?"

"Well, I called to ask you if you were able to get a hang of Hannah, because for some reason, my texts don't reach her."

"Maybe she blocked you."

"Ha ha, very funny. So, what can I help you with?"

"What?"

"Well, karma is a bitch, but I'm not, so go on. Open your hearts, tell me your problems, cry on my shoulder."

"I rather go through Tartarus again."

"Oy, snappy! Do you want more karma?"

Maybe she can help. You know, girl insight.

... I can't really believe I'm going with this.

He moved away from Molly, enough so she wouldn't hear his conversation.

"I might have offended someone who should help me."

"Girl or boy?"

"Girl."

"How old?"

"Twenty?"

"How did you offend her?"

"I don't know, she hated me from the start!"

"Well, do you need her to like you or just tolerate you? We can do the second, but not the first?"

"What was that supposed to mean?"

"That you're not likable, duh. So, which one?"

"... Tolerate."

"Does she look like someone who lives in a diet?"

"... No? How am I supposed to know it?"

"Piece of cake!"

"What?"

"It was literal. Offer her cake. Sweets. Some treat. Chocolate, if possible; it's after all, the best way to make someone happy. Try to look defeat and sorry, offer something to eat and beg to start over. Say you had a bad night of sleep and that you know that is not excuse to treat people like you did to her, but everyone makes mistakes and you're feeling terrible for it, so if she could, please, find in her heart a way to forgive you and erase all prejudice, you promise to be better, and that if you slip up, she can call you a jerk to put you back in your place. Say that you never intended to offend her in any way, and that you really need her help so please, let's just start over. Please? There, perfect recipe. Tell me how it went later. Bye!"

She ended the call, and Nico was tempted to call her back. But to hear her making fun of him for asking for her advices stopped him.

Well, it can't hurt to try her idea.

Only my pride.

Do it for Cerberus then.

***

I can't believe Lucy's idea actually worked.

Molly can be quite nice. And doesn't hurt that she really understands Cerberus.

That too.

SATURDAY

Nico woke up with his covers being pulled from him; and squinting his eyes, wasn't really surprised to find Niel in his room.

"What now?"

"Since when do you have a dog?"

"Since yesterday."

"Not that I don't approve, but why?"

Nico didn't answer, just stared at Niel.

"Sticks, I asked why."

"How about you tell me why you're here?"

Both looked to the door when a crash from downstairs was heard, followed by a voice Nico knew too well.

"SORRY."

He groaned before turning to scowl at Niel.

"Seriously? You brought Leo with you? Wait. Again, why are you here?"

"The party, remember? You're not spending New Year's Eve sulking in here. Get up and change."

"First, I'm not going. Second, we'd be going NOW? But it's still morning!"

Niel blinked twice before pointing to Nico's alarm beside his bed.

"Sticks, it's three in the afternoon."

"What!?"

Nico checked his alarm and his phone, and both displayed the time.

Damn, we slept way more than I expected.

What time did we go to bed?

No idea.

I guess watching eight episodes of Supernatural wasn't such a good idea.

Niel snapped his fingers in front of Nico's eyes.

"Oy! Sticks! Get dressed and let's go!"

"I said I'm not going."

Niel shrugged and turned to leave.

"Suit yourself."

That was easier than I expected.

That has to be a catch.

Niel opened the door and yelled.

"Leo! Open the front door!"

Why would he need to...

"AAAHHH!"

Niel had stalked back to him, and swooped him over his shoulder in one motion.

"Put me down!"

"You gave me no choice."

Nico tried to punch Niel's back, twist out of his grasp, kick his stomach and throw himself in the ground. Niel was stronger than he showed, and much better at keeping someone in his grasp than Nico expected, so none of it worked.

"Just WHY are you doing this?"

"My mom asked for you."

Wait. Did I hear him right?

His MOTHER asked for us?

"What!?"

"She asked if you could come with us, so here we are."

"I'm not going to a party in pajamas!"

Niel walked out of his house, followed close by Leo, who kept laughing at Nico. While crossing the front yard, Cerberus was nowhere to be seen.

"What did you do with my dog?"

"He'll be okay."

"Niel, I swear..."

His threat was interrupted when Niel threw him in the backseat unceremoniously.

"Not interested or scared of threats. Now let's go. Leo?"

Leo threw himself at shotgun, wearing a mad grin.

"Aye, present!"

Nico crossed his arms and glared.

"I hope you both know you better sleep with an eye open."

***

Forcefully dressed in black trousers and a deep green dress shirt, Nico was sulking in the backseat. He really wished that Niel had left him alone at home, instead of dragging him to a New Year's Eve party. He couldn't even sulk, or murder Niel or Leo, who has hyper at his side, not with Niel's uncle driving and his mom as shot gun, and every once in a while, turning to smile at him or ask him questions, about school, how was his trip to see his father, if he was eating regularly and if he had any girl he was interested on.

He tried to answer or avoid the questions without saying anything offensive or revealing. He had nothing against the woman, but she pried and worried more than Sally Jackson, and Sally was almost too much to him. The few moments he had to himself between the questions he used wisely, planning different ways to murder either Niel or Leo, whichever opportunity presented itself first.

The party wasn't far, but the traffic was chaotic. After waiting for more than forty minutes in the same place, with Leo almost driving him insane, the traffic cleared and they were moving again, even if slowly. The mood darkened when they passed the point that caused such a fuss, and could see two cars had hit, there was a body covered and someone crying sitting in the sidewalk, while police men tried to control the curious bystanders and the traffic, and another person being put inside an ambulance. Niel's uncle shook his head, sad.

"People don't understand the need to not drive while drunk until they kill someone."

Right.

Nico?

People kill each other for the most stupid reasons.

That much is true.

People ARE stupid.

***

Nico ignored the drunk woman to almost knock him down and reached his hand to tap Niel's shoulder, who turned to him.

"After all, whose party is this? You don't seem to know anyone in here, not more than I do."

Niel shrugged.

"I don't know. As far as I know, he plays squash with my uncle and is my mom's client. I never met the guy."

Nico sighed annoyed.

"Then where is he?"

"Apparently, he had to leave to take a call or something, why?"

Nico lowed his voice.

"Why do I have to stay in a party where I don't know anyone, not even the host, who isn't here!?"

Niel was opened his mouth to answer, but Leo interrupted them.

"Hi! So, Niel, your mother has been looking for you. She wants us to meet the host."

Niel raised an eyebrow smugly, which Nico ignored, but still followed Leo to her Debora was waiting beside a man. She smiled when she saw them approaching.

"So, Niel, this is one of my clients, Mr. Tatcher. This is my son, Niel, and his friends, Nanni and Leoni."

The man extended his hand and Niel shook.

"Nice to know you, sir."

Nico and Leo followed his example.

"You too, boys. So, where do you study?"

Niel answered with a small smile.

"We study in ?????"

Debora smiled slyly.

"Yeah, he is a junior there."

Mr. Tatcher grinned surprised.

"Oh, so you might know my daughter, maybe you even have a class together. Her name is Claire."

Niel's smile froze in his face.

Oh.

Do you think this was planned?

I'm certain of it, just look at his mother.

Debora was grinning so widely she even put Nico on edge, Leo quickly following suit and smirking at Niel.

"Yeah... I think I remember him talking about someone named Claire..."

Niel swallowed with difficulty.

"Maybe it's a different Claire, we can't be certain..."

His mother cut him off.

"Nonsense! Oliver, call your daughter, we can easily find out if she's the same one."

Oliver's face fell.

"Unfortunately that won't be possible. She traveled to Rio with her friend. But she works for the school paper, so you can easily find her there and introduce yourself. Here, let me show a picture of her so you don't be mistaken."

He pulled his phone and sure enough, the girl on the wallpaper was the same Claire Niel kept drawing over and over again.

He must be so pissed at his mother...

Debora was grinning proudly, probably of herself for coming up with a plan to corner her son.

"Niel works with the drama club."

"Really!? You did the Peter Pan play, right?"

Niel nodded, still uncomfortable.

"Claire told me about it. She said some people started a fight, but it didn't diminished the play's perfection. She really liked it, congratulations!"

"Thank you, sir."

"My nephew also complimented the actors. Are you one of them?"

"Hm, no, sir. I work behind the stage. So, were your nephew there too?"

"Yes, Claire took him. Daniel, he's my sister's son. Debora, you remind me of my sister, to be honest."

Before she could say anything, Niel exclaimed.

"Wait, Daniel? Your nephew is called Daniel? Does he study in our school?"

Though Oliver seemed surprised by Niel's sudden interest, he answered all the questions.

"Yes, Daniel, and no, he lives in another city. They came to visit us for Thanksgiving, so Claire went out with him. Why?"

Niel blinked once, before laughing it off.

"Nothing, it's just that I... met a Daniel recently and wanted to know if he was the same guy."

He looks... happy, for some reason.

Really happy, I'm amazed he's not jumping around celebrating.

***

The moment Nico closed the last door of the car, Niel exploded.

"REALLY, MOTHER?"

Debora didn't answer or flinch, just glared at Niel until he deflated. She smiled satisfied.

"Yes, sweetie?"

Niel took a deep breath, probably trying to calm down.

"You had to spend the whole night talking to Claire's father about ME?"

His mother sounded surprised.

"Why are you complaining? I merely put a good word about you."

Niel sighed in defeat.

"Mother, I don't get your help to get a date."

She scoffed.

"I wasn't helping you to get a date, just helping you impress your future father-in-law without the prejudice of being the hungry wolf after his baby girl. Why do you think we came to this party, precisely?"

"Mother..."

"By the way, I like Claire, she's very sweet."

The whole car kept silent while her sentence sank.

"Wait... mom, do you KNOW Claire?"

Debora laughed at Niel's expression.

"Of course, silly! She accompanied her father in more than one appointment. Really sweet girl, we talked a lot. I look forward to have her for lunch."

Nico kept looking at Niel, who looked dumbfounded at his mother, waiting for his answer.

I think he lost the ability to speak.

In his place, I think I would to.

***

"Again, why are we sleeping in your room? And why is Leo here too? We both have our own places not far from here."

"In case you didn't notice, Sticks, my mom pitied your poor souls and to prevent you to lose yourselves in the sea of life, she pretty much adopted you; unofficially, of course."

"I don't need your mother to pity me!"

Niel kept his face blank, crossed his arms and nodded with his head to the door.

"Oh, yeah? Go tell her that then."

Should we go?

Are you crazy?

When Nico didn't move, Niel nodded satisfied.

"That's what I thought."

"Who is this one?"

Nico and Niel turned to look at Leo, who was pointing to a picture by the wall. Nico moved to get a better view and could see a pretty girl under Niel's arm, both smirking like they knew a secret.

She looks familiar...

Your world?

No... I don't think so...

"That's Sierra."

Leo moved his eyebrows suggestively.

"Claire has some competition, huh?"

Niel actually looked disgusted at the idea.

"No! She's more like my sister. She was the first one my mom adopted her. Just look around the house, and you'll see a lot of her pics."

I know who she is!

You do?

"Isn't she Rey-Regina's friend? The one who hit on Lucy?"

Niel looked suspicious at him, and Nico cursed his slip up.

"Yes, she's REGINA's friend, but she was mine first. And Leo, avoid her."

Leo pouted.

"What? Whyyy?"

"Because we both know you suck at dealing with pretty girls..."

"Hey!"

"... and Sierra is dangerous enough when you know how to deal with her."

"Boys? Do you want a way-past-midnight snack, before going to sleep?"

They turned in unison to see his mother by the door. Niel checked with the other two, before nodding.

***

They were almost finishing when Debore came carrying a laptop and sat it in front of Niel.

"Can I?"

He nodded with his mouth still full, and Nico shared a look of confusion with Leo, before both jumped by the scream coming from the screen, probably over a skype call.

"HIIIIIIIII, CAPTAIN! DEBBIE! SOOOOOO GOOD TO SEE YOU!!"

Niel's mother laughed quietly.

"Sierra, darling, are you drunk?"

The girl from the picture?

"Hm... No? Just really happy because it's a NEW YEAR!"

"Where are you?"

"Hilda's apartment. We went to a party with her friends. Seriously, I think I never saw so much girl power in just one room. Very few guys, but those who were there... damn! Now I understand why Kim has a kinky for putting a collar on them!"

Leo's eyebrows almost reached his hairline. Nico's reaction wasn't too far from it.

Who IS this girl?

Niel's friend, so we shouldn't expect less.

Makes sense.