Nico's POV

There was something with today. I know it as soon as I wake up, but it takes me a while to remember what it is.

It's Bianca's birthday. Or at least it would have been.

If she hadn't been dead.

So many emotions come crashing into me that at first I feel nothing.

Then, I feel everything, all at once.

Guilt. Anger. Disappointment. Longing.

But most of all: sadness.

I press the palms of my hands into my eyes and try not to cry. It feels like something is constricting my lungs. It's hard to breathe. I feel the first tears start to spill and I take a deep shuddering breath, burrowing deeper under the blankets.

I'm not going to be able to come out of bed today.

I spend the next few hours alternately staring at the ceiling, sobbing into my pillow, or trying to get myself together and failing miserably.

When at some point I'm just lying wrapped burrito-like in my blankets, staring at the wall, the door to my cabin suddenly bursts open. I don't even take the effort to look who it is, until he speaks.

'You didn't think that coming to breakfast was a good idea?' It's Will.

I turn around, trying to hide that I'm actually a wreck, but of course, he sees it anyway.

Will's POV

My heart almost stops when he rolls over to face me. His face is even paler than usual, with deep dark circles beneath the eyes and tear streaks on his cheeks. The sadness almost seems to pour off him.

'Oh, Neeks. Why didn't you tell me?' I whisper.

'I didn't want you to see me like this.' His voice is barely audible.

I have to suppress my own tears when he starts crying again. I walk over to him and sit down next to his bed, brushing the tears from his cheeks.

'I miss her,' he sobs. Of course. Bianca. How could I forget?

'I know.'

I lie down in the bed next to him and wrap my arms around him. He buries his head in the crook of my shoulder.

He sighs deeply and I feel him relax a little.

'Please stay,' he mumbles into my chest.

I kiss the top of his head.

'Of course.'