Npov

The next day, as I headed into class, Will was following me. We walked in silence, both of us remembering the night before.

But before we walked through the door, I grabbed his wrist.

"Listen, I'm really sorry about what happened yesterday. I shouldn't have freaked out over the storm, and then you wouldn't have come to the orphanage and-"

"Hey, it's okay. It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself, okay?"

His eyes started getting teary, "You've changed so much..." Then he turned and walked into the classroom.

I sighed and followed him. I sat in the back corner, where Will was already waiting.

I stared at my lap as more kids filed in. Luke walked over to us.

"Go away." Will said.

"Yeah right." Luke let out a string of insults that were directed at me.

"Hey!" Will stood up.

The boys glared at eachother. Neither backed down.

The teacher wasn't there to stop it.

Luke punched Will.

I yelped and stood up. "Stop!"

Luke shoved me back in my seat.

Will shouted at Luke. Luke shouted back.

"Stop!" I yelled.

They glared at eachother and finally Luke went up front and sat down.

Will glared at him and I whispered, "I know you hate him, but you'll get in trouble for fighting."

He sighed. "I know. I'm sorry. I just...ugh! He just makes me so angry!"

The class started.

-

By the end of the day, I met Will outside the school.

"Do you want to let Percy come?" He asked.

I nodded. We walked to the orphanage and opened the door. Octavian was waiting for us.

"You brought your friend?" He snarled.

"We just came to get Percy."

"Where are you going to go after that?"

"The park." I lied. Will looked at me curiously, but didn't say anything.

Octavian would never let me go to a friends house. I never had a reason to lie to him, though, until now.

Octavian nodded and said "Be back soon." He grinned evilly.

Ms. Morning walked in and saw Will.

"Who...?"

"This is Will."

"Your...friend?"

"Yeah."

"Oh." She mumbled, "I did put think he had any of those..."

We jogged up the stairs and found Percy sitting on the bed drawing a picture.

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's for Annabeth. She likes buildings so I'm drawing one."

"It's really good."

He beamed at me, "Thanks!"

I smiled at him. "I'm sure Annabeth will love it."

Will gave me a weird look, "Who's Annabeth?"

"His best friend."

"She's pretty." Percy pointed out.

Will smiled, "I bet so."

"She's mine." Percy scowled.

Will and I laughed. "Really? Well that's okay. I don't even like girls."

Will realized what he said and his face turned red. "I-I-"

Percy's face lit up, "You're like Nico?"

"I-er-I-"

I put my hand on his shoulder, "It's okay, Will."

He relaxed. "Thank you."

That's when Percy's eyes widened, "Uh-oh."

I tensed. I knew what was happening. Octavian must be behind us.

I whipped around to face him. I was right.

Octavian was grinning. "He's gay?"

"No." I said.

"Lying now, are we?"

"N-no!"

He shoved me against the wall, but Will pushed him away.

Percy ran up. "Get away." Octavian growled at him.

Percy crossed his arms, "No. You're being a big bully."

Octavian managed to get Will off of him and he came back towards me.

I ran past him, grabbing Percy and Will's hand and darted out the door. I heard Octavian shout at me, and I knew I would pay for it later, but I ran anyway.

When we were far from the orphanage, I stopped running.

We spent a moment catching our breath. Then Percy asked, "Where are we going?"

"We're going to my house." Will said.

"Oh. Okay."

Will led the way to his house. It was medium-sized and was painted white, just like any other house.

He led us inside and his father saw us come in. "Who's this?"

"This is Nico and this is Percy."

"Okay. We're having spaghetti tonight-"

My face lit up.

"-so if they like spaghetti, they can stay."

"Thank you." I said. Will led us upstairs to his bedroom.

We sat down on his bed and he picked out a movie (with the help of Percy and I, of course).

Will turned to me, "Do you remember Lou Ellen and Cecil?"

"Of course."

"They should be coming later. Probably within the hour they'll be here."

"Who's Lou Ellen and Cecil?" Percy asked.

"My old friends."

"Are they as nice as Will?"

I smiled, "Yes, they are as nice as Will."

"That's good."

Will left to go make popcorn.

Percy turned to me. "Do you love Will?"

I blushed, "He wouldn't like me back."

"He likes boys though..."

"That doesn't mean he likes me."

"Oh." Percy said, "But if he did like you..."

I sighed, "Yes. I may have a slight crush on him..."

Percy grinned.

A moment later Will walked through the door.

"I have popcorn!" He said cheerily.