Nico’s POV

It was darker here in New York than it was in L.A but it was a nice change and I rather spend my life here in the shadows than out in the sunshine. Nothing felt the same after mother’s death. Yeah I had been smaller, I had only been four when mom died but I could still wake up screaming for her. I needed her like I needed air but she was gone and no one could make her come back.

   “Neeks?” Bianca called for me, she stood in the new kitchen making sandwiches. She had just turned sixteen and I was afraid that she would leave me now that we are in such a big city. Not that L.A isn’t big but NY is shadier, darker. Think of all the trouble that Bianca could get into, she had been rumored to sleep around and deal drugs but they weren’t true. The only drugs she had was for depression and the only sleeping around she had done was sharing a bed with me (not in a sexual way you nasty).

   “Bianca?”

   “I just wanted to tell you that I’m going to focus as much as I can in school so when I get home I need you to cook food. Father won’t do that; I think he is passed out in the bathroom again. Nice of him to at least wait two days before drinking again.”

   “I-“

   “I know it’s a lot to ask but we live so much smaller now and you are thirteen, you can handle yourself yeah?” Bianca smiled and ruffled my hair. “I knew I could count on you baby brother, mio soldatino, or what was it that mom used to call you?”

   Bianca laughed a little and then went back to our shared room. She moved fast and gracefully, trying not to awaken father that was asleep and probably would have a hangover the moment he opened his eyes.

   Bianca had learned quickly to move silently, to whisper and not laugh to loudly, she understood things better than me. It had taken far to long for me to realize and I still couldn’t move as silently as I wished.

   Here I stood in the kitchen, I was lost and I couldn’t talk to anyone, it was still four more days until school started and I could escape. I didn’t want to escape, I love my sister and father but at the same time I hated them. I was the younger one, shouldn’t they protect me? I slammed my fist on my thigh, stop it Nico you don’t need protection. You can do that yourself.

   Before I made to much sound I went out. I was scared to do something stupid and walks always calmed me down. The sun in New York wasn’t as harsh as the L.A sun but I didn’t mind. Now I could actually wear my favorite black jeans and my favorite skull t-shirt without melting into a sweat puddle.

   The people here fascinated me. I know that they are the same in L.A you got the teenage girls that went around screaming and shopping, the teenage guys that tricked, pushed and harassed each other just for the laughs. You had your lawyers and other suit-people that went around glued to their phones and fancy suitcases. You had families of young mother and their babies, laughing and going for walks. You even had old people that calmly walked with each other, talking about the old days.

   Here in New York you could see more crazy hair colors though and I even saw an eight year old girl walk around in her mothers shirt… it was see-trough. Thank the Gods though because she had a small tank top underneath it. I wondered if the girl came from the same troubled family as I. Shaking my head I gave up on that line of thought and went onto the next.

   For the first time I fitted in, everywhere I could see teenagers and even people over twenty that walked around in black clothes and wore heavy dark make up and studded bracelets and necklaces. I even saw some that were heavily tattooed and it was amazing! When I turn eighteen I wish to have a tattoo too, one with meaning.

   Yes New York was perfect and as I roamed around the streets and took in everything that was new and shiny I somehow got lost and ended up at a Starbucks. New York had thousands of them just like L.A but this one was slightly hidden and it was darker and cozier inside the small café. Starbucks is a café right?

   “Can I take your order?” a guy asked. He had grey eyes and his blond hair reminded me of a porcupine.

   “A-“

   “Hey Nico!” someone screamed happily. I hadn’t been outside since the movers left us. There was no one who could know me but of course here is the only person who knew my name. That stupid kid!

   “Percy go back to your job!” the blond guy laughed. “Sorry about that he is a seaweed brain. Now your order?”

   “A caramel Frappuccino with soymilk and a strawberry smoothie please.” I smiled uneasily. It was disturbing to see that kid here, Percy? It isn’t even a normal name, poor kid having that name.

   “Coming right up.”

   I waited by the counter and eyed the café; it was mostly deserted if you ignored the other two girls that had stalked me. They haven’t stalked me but it felt like that.

  The dark haired one, the one who stood up against my father waved me over and I pushed down a smile. They weren’t going to be my friends; they just wanted to know about my mother, just like everyone else wanted. This year was going to suck due to the new school and all the new people asking me about my family.

   “Here you go.” A warm, husky voice said and my dark eyes met up with those sea green ones. “They won’t bite.”

   He flashed a smile and went back to work. On my Frappuccino cup was one word written and a phone number. The word was babe and hell no was the first thought that went through my mind.

   Reluctantly I sat down by the girls. They smiled and presented themselves as Annabeth and Reyna.

   “So Nico right?” Annabeth asked.

  “Yeah.”

   “Why are you here? This is a long way from home.” Said Reyna, she re-did her braid not that it was lose or anything I just think she likes to do it. Gets the attention from her face- not that she is ugly, just shy.

   “Well sorry Toto I promise that I will just tap my shoes together if it get’s to scary.” I said sarcastically and earned a laugh from her.

   “So do you Like NY?” Annabeth asked with gleaming eyes.

   “Yeah, I like the people I think… but it is a pretty big city.”

  “You are going to adore our school!” Annabeth said changing the topic slightly. “We have this great professor Mr, Brunner and he is so funny. But you won’t go in the same class as us.”

   “I know. I’m younger.”

   “I like you.” Reyna commented and crossed her arms over her chest.

   “I don’t really have an opinion yet.” I retorted and smirked.

   “Just you wait, Reyna is a bitch when you get to know her.” Annabeth said with a laugh but hugged her friend.

    I sipped my drink and smiled, these kids were jerks but they kind of grew on you, like mold or something smelly. 

★★★★★

“Were have you been?” Bianca sneered. “Father woke up and had a big fight just because you hadn’t made dinner.”

   “Sorry I got caught up, I went for a walk.”

   “No excuses, you owe me okay baby brother. I love you but you need to realize that you need to do your share.” Bianca kissed my forehead and hugged me before stepping into our room.

   “Now Nico where were you?” my father stood in the doorway, blocking my way out. His presence was like death and coldness seeped into my bones.

   “I-I went f-for a walk.” I stuttered and wanted to hit myself; of course he knows I’m lying now.

   “And what else did you do?” if Bianca looked like an angel and moved swiftly not disturbing anyone than Hades was the devil. He was dark, angry and full of hatred. His clothes didn’t make it any better; they were so dark that sometimes you thought you saw something move inside of them.

   “I m-met up w-with some friends.”

   “You don’t have friends.” Father looked bored and he even inspected his nails, that was his usual get up for an excuse to start punching you.

   “It was those guys from the other day. The ones that interrupted our moving day remember?” inching backward wasn’t such a smart thing to do but even if you know this you still do. It’s like when a big dog comes running after you, you know that you should stand still and face the animal but something inside you just want to run.

   “The bastards?” Hades still sounded bored but his was now starring me down, battling inside himself if he was going to hurt me. “Don’t hang out with them any more, they are a bad influence on you boy.”

   With that Hades went back to his bedroom and left me alone in the hallway, heart beating like a maniac and my knees shaking.

   I hate this place.