Nico's POV

I stared up at the sun, wincing as the light hit my eyes. I blinked and watched as a cloud drifted lazily across the hot summer sun.

Despite the heat, I was wearing torn grey jeans with a worn black sweatshirt. I had earbuds in my ears and was listening along to some of my favorite artists.

I sighed, leaned my head against the fence and looked again at the clouds. I wondered how everyone else was doing.

Jason and Piper had gone to London, England and wouldn't be back until a couple of weeks. Leo was probably at the Stoll twins' house playing video games or who knows what. Hazel was out for the day with Frank.

And Percy and Annabeth had gone with his mom, Sally and step-dad, Paul to a beach house for the weekend.

And me, well I was home the whole summer. Nothing interesting here. I sighed, bored.

Having enough of my thoughts, I got up. The grass tickled my bare feet as I walked over to our blueberry plant and picked off some of the biggest ones, putting them in my hands and walking back inside. I put some berries in my mouth and started to head to my room, when a voice yelled,"Nico, is that you?"

I closed my eyes and internally groaned, but walked into the kitchen, where my dad was standing by the stove. "What?" I grumbled, taking out my earbuds and leaning against the doorway.

Dad turned around. "I'm going to be finished making dinner soon. Why don't you go wash up?"

"Okay" I replied and shoved the remaining berries in my mouth as I bound up the stairs. I grabbed a pair of black shorts and my skull shirt. And, NO, I am NOT emo. I just prefer black.

When I got into the bathroom, I danced out of my jeans and almost fell over as they got caught at my ankles. Pfft. Stupid jeans. Anyways, I got into the shower without anymore little accidents.

I closed my eyes, relishing the feeling of the warm water hitting my bare torso.

I finished washing and quickly got changed.

Just as I stepped out of the bathroom, I heard the doorbell ring. It's probably Hazel.

I yawned, feeling tired even though it's barely eight o'clock. I pulled my unruly long hair into a ponytail but some hair was too short so they just hung around my face. When I got downstairs I saw Frank staring at Hazel fondly as she thanked him and pretended not to notice him staring at her.

"Hey Hazel, Frank," I said. Frank gave a small wave and Hazel gave me a side hug. I could tell Frank was a little uncomfortable, maybe even intimidated, around me even though he's so much bigger and stronger.

"Nico! Hazel! Come eat din-" He stopped when he saw Frank who offered to shake his hand and mumbled, "Hi, Mr. Di Angelo." Dad took his hand, but instead of shaking it he dragged him to the table, saying "Frank! Why don't you stay for dinner, I've made spaghetti." Dad ignored his refusals and practically dragged him in. Hazel took my arm, giggling, and went in after them.

Let's just say that the dinner was alright, consisting of Frank trying to make conversation with me and Dad asking Frank and Hazel about their day, and so on.

I finished eating before everyone else and left the table saying goodnight and plodded upstairs. As soon as I got into my bed and got comfortable, I fell asleep.

(6 years ago) 3rd Person

"Can we go to McDonald's, please?!" The dark haired boy asked excitedly.

In the driver's seat, their mother answered. "No, Nico. You're father is making lunch today."

Nico pouted. His sister, Bianca, smiled and ruffled his hair, saying "After lunch, how about we play that game you play.....hmm, what's it called?" She pretended to think, making a funny face.

Giggling, Nico whispered in her ear, "It's called Mythomagic," his eyes lighting up. Bianca smiled in response.

Nico was sitting in the middle seat with Bianca on his left. She quietly took something out of her pocket and hid it from Nico. "I got you something. Guess what it is."

The boy jumped up and down in his seat, " What! What is it?" he said, his dark eyes filled with joy. "Close your eyes and hold out your hands," said Bianca. Nico obliged. Bianca took the little figurine and put it in his smaller hands. "You can open your eyes now."

Nico opened his eyes and stared at the little Hades figurine in awe. "Wow! This is the last of the Big Three! Thank you!!"

Bianca chuckled lightly, "You're welcome, my little soldier."

Their mother made eye contact with Bianca through the rear-view mirror and smiled at her.

*****

In another car a man in his mid-twenties was driving home from a party, where he had a little too much to drink. He had one hand on the steering wheel and the other out the window. His head was lolling back and forth.

A car honked at him as he drove slightly into their lane. He flipped the bird at them.

He coughed loudly and squinted at the road ahead. His eyes suddenly widened and rolled into his head, which fell forward onto the steering wheel.

*****

"There has been an accident on the highway. A drunk driver went unconscious as he was driving and hit a car with a family of three. The driver of the victim's car died at the scene, due to a broken neck and suffocation. The two children, an 11 year old girl and a nine year old boy, were taken to the hospital, the girl is in a critical condition but we know for sure that the little boy will make it.

"The impaired driver is also at the hospital-"

The static crackled as the TV was turned off. The bartender sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, sending out a silent prayer that no more of the youth should be lost like that.