WPOV

You don't want to hear about my weekend.

I was grounded, after spending the night on the back porch (my mom made good on her word: all the doors and windows were locked by the time I got dropped off). And, when morning came, I was practically interrogated by my parents about why I took so long to get home.

I told them I was hanging out with a few of my friends and just lost track of the time, which I guess is kinda the truth. Minus a few important details.... but it was still the truth. I didn't want to tell them about Nico and I, at least not yet, and I couldn't tell Mom about Luke and his truck without saying why I was at Nico's house so late at night. I'd crack under her questions and end up telling her everything. I didn't want my family to know everything.

Anyways, I spent the entire weekend stuck in my room. I wasn't allowed to do almost anything under the sun, so I played with a rubix cube the whole time. And I still couldn't solve it by the time Monday rolled around.

Needless to say, it sits on my nightstand, practically mocking me.

But, even though being grounded all weekend sucked, it was completely worth it. I got to spend Friday with Nico, after all. That was awesome. I don't think I've ever connected so well with anyone before. It was like we could read each other's minds. I knew his boundaries, he knew mine. I knew when a subject was making him uncomfortable and dropped it immediately, he returned the favor. He has the best smile, and the best laugh. Whenever he shows it off I feel so privileged, because I got to see it happen. Our relationship was only just beginning, but it's like we've been together forever.

How could getting grounded for that not be worth it?

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I was actually excited for Monday to roll around.

~

I spent the morning getting ready for school with a particular bounce to my step I wasn't quite used to. I got dressed as fast as I could, opting for my usual attire of shorts, a t-shirt, and flip flops. I ran my hands through my hair in a haphazard attempt to brush it as I darted downstairs. I found my parents sitting at the table, Mom eating cereal and Dad reading a book.

I couldn't wipe the grin off my face as I made my way to the toaster, putting a slice of bread inside. "Good morning."

I hummed and waited for my toast to finish, when it popped up I spread jam all over it. I grabbed my plate and turned, my intent being to sit in my usual spot at the table.

I ended up stopping in my tracks when I met the questioning gazes of my parents, the hum dying in my throat.

"What?"

"Will, what has gotten into you?" Dad asked me, raising an eyebrow.

"Isn't it obvious," Mom smirked, "Will has a crush."

"What? No. I mean, of course not. I'm just in a good mood." My denial didn't even sound convincing to me.

My parents exchanged looks.

I mumbled something about being late, grabbed my breakfast, and ran back up the stairs to my room. I shut the door, cutting off the echoes of my parent's laughs. I just needed to get out of there, before I said something stupid.

I ate as I packed my bag for school. Notebooks and stray papers were scattered all over the place, courtesy of my late-night study habits. When I was confident that I had everything I needed for class, I zipped my bag closed. Then I had an idea.

I opened the one of the drawers on my dresser, digging through unfolded laundry until I found a chain.

There wasn't a real reason for why I kept it. It had no significant importance to me. The chain was a cheap piece of jewelry that I talked myself into buying at a craft store, convincing myself it would come in handy someday. It didn't even have a pendant on it.

I threw it in my bag.

~

I walked in the library and headed towards our usual table, to wait for Nico. But, about halfway there I noticed him sitting at the computers. I couldn't tell what was on the screen, but it plastered a smile on his face, one that showed off all of his teeth and reminded me how lucky I was.

I rushed over to him and when he saw me his eyes danced, "Hey, Will."

"Hey yourself. What's got you in such a good mood?"

"Look at this." He pointed to the computer screen, "I passed my math test! I can't believe it."

"That's awesome, Neeks." I said to him, beaming.

I have to admit, I was proud. I've only been tutoring him for a few weeks and he's almost passing all his classes. You could definitely say he's been working hard.

"I know." He grinned, logging out of the computer. "Let's grab a seat."

"Sounds like a plan."

We walked over and sat down on opposite sides of the table, just like we've been doing since I started tutoring him. Although this time was different. We held hands under the table. I would let my eyes linger on him for however long I wanted to, and I laughed a little when he'd catch me and blush.

We were going over polynomials when I remembered the chain.

"I got something for you." I told him while I dug through the contents of my bag.

"You really didn't have-"

"Here it is!"

His expression shifted to confusion, "What's that?"

"I'll show you, and I know I didn't have to, I wanted to." I said, reassuring him. "Do you have your ring and the figurine with you?"

He hesitated, "I don't go anywhere without them..... why?"

"Can I see them?"

I could see him hesitate again, but he pulled them out of his pocket and put them on the table between us. I picked them up and strung the ring on the chain and then the figurine, by the gap where the character had his hands on his hips (in I guess what you could call a heroic position).

I stood up and walked around to Nico's side of the table and put it around his neck.

"I knew you were worried about losing them again. I figured keeping them around your neck would be a better idea than keeping them in your pocket.... If you don't want anyone to see you can put it inside your shirt. Or just take it off."

I sat back down in my seat to find Nico looking at me with wide eyes. He looked down at the chain and the trinkets hanging from it. Then he looked back up to me again. It was the longest five seconds I've ever experienced.

"That's one of the nicest things anyone's ever done for me."

I squeezed his hand and said, "I find that hard to believe."

~

I wanted to sit beside Nico at lunch, but we'd decided earlier that it would be suspicious, since I normally sit next to Frank (and I didn't want to get beat up by Reyna for "stealing her seat" again).

"I'm just glad I finally got a job." Jason said to Nico, who honestly seemed bored with the conversation.

"But how do you plan on delivering pizzas if you don't have a car?"

"They provide cars for you. I only had to write out a resume and show them my license."

"Wait," I pulled out a notebook and a pen, "Are they still hiring? I kinda need a job so..."

"Yeah, they still are. It's the one up the road, Hero's Pizza. I'll put in a good word for you."

Let's face it, I needed cash. Bad. My parents weren't going to help pay for my car, even though I got my license last spring, and I was getting tired of having to walk everywhere. Plus I wanted to be able to take Nico places that were a little further away.

I asked Jason a few more details and wrote them down, telling myself that I would turn in my application online when I got home.

A/N ~ Just because I failed my math test doesn't mean Nico had to amiright

Sorry about the slower updates, school's been draining the life out of me (I spent 10 hours on homework,  not even exaggerating.) Just bear with me while I try to come up with a better schedule. I already wrote a few scenes of the next chapter, so that'll be up soon.

Anyways, thank you guys so much for reading and commenting and all that jazz. :)