NPOV

Will was waiting outside my last period. When he saw me in the crowd pouring out of the classroom, he smiled and called me over. "Hey," he greeted when I joined him against the wall, out of the other students' way, "You ready?"

"Ready for what exactly?" I asked, shouldering my bag. We never decided on what we were going to do, and I was honestly a little uncertain.

I liked him. I mean, I liked liked him. I had a crush on Will Solace and I absolutely hated myself for it. It's bad enough I'm attached, now I'm spending more time than I have to with him? It'd be smarter to drive him away, to stop talking to him altogether until he got the hint. Sure, Octavian is out partying all night at Bryce's place, but it's not me getting caught that I'm worried about. I'm scared I'm doing something stupid and someone will get hurt. If the wrong people saw Will and I, it could be a disaster.

I'm incredibly selfish. Why does Will even take time the time to notice me? I know I don't deserve it.

Will's cheerful voice brought me back to reality. "Don't worry, I got a few things planned."

He steered me out of the school, using the backdoor in the hall to avoid the crowds of students who excitedly raced through the halls and into the embrace of the weekend. When we were alone outside I noticed there was a small dirt path that went through the woods, which I knew forked about halfway in. One side led to the park, and the other was a back way to get to the more suburban areas of town. I only knew because I'd occasionally use this way to get to school in the mornings.

I looked down at Will, who stopped to tie his shoe, "Are we going through the woods?"

"That was the plan. You don't mind, right?" He asked me, standing back up.

"As long as you don't murder me."

For some reason Will found this hysterical. He threw back his head and laughed, the same laugh that always made me laugh, too. I don't know if the fact that I started laughing made him laugh harder or what, but pretty soon we were both doubled over, wheezing. It got to the point of us cackling like idiots every time we so much as looked at each other. And I didn't mind the fact that my cheeks hurt from smiling. In fact, it felt great.

"You're hilarious, Neeks." Will said, fighting to bring his voice back under control.

"Neeks?" I tried to sound offended, but I knew the grin that was still plastered on my face gave it away.

"It's my new nickname for you."

"I hate it."

"Nah, you like it. You just don't wanna admit it."

"Whatever makes you feel better." I said as we started walking down the path together. "Where are we even going?"

"Well, I talked to Percy last period, and he told me that you liked McDonald's. I figured I'd buy us some food and we could head over to the park....?" A light blush was starting to dust his cheeks.

I smiled at him, "That actually sounds great."

~

About an hour later we were sitting by the park's lake, joking around and having a good time. We'd gotten some strange looks earlier, the both of us being sixteen years old and ordering Happy Meals. What can I say, we preferred to stick to the classics.

Will was sitting next to me, trying and failing to throw a fry in the air and catch it between his teeth. I teased him every time he missed. "What type of doctor-to-be can't even catch a french fry? Pull yourself together, Will."

Finally, after what must've been dozens of attempts, he caught one.

His eyes danced and he fist pumped in victory, "I did it!"

"You're hopeless." I stated, allowing the corners of my mouth to quirk up as I tossed a rock into the water, breaking the stillness with ripples.

"I probably am," Will said, laying down and stretching on the grass "but you are, too."

I laid next to him with a huff. "I know."

A warm breeze drifted through, bringing with it the smell of strawberries (which were grown by local farmers) and rustling Will's wavy, golden hair. I suddenly wanted to run my hands through it, but I pushed those thoughts aside, not wanting to dwell on something that wouldn't happen, something that shouldn't happen. Don't do anything you might regret.

Will was staring at me, though. He hesitated for a second, but then he shifted closer and used long, callused fingers to brush my hair out of my face. Our eyes locked, brown and an ever-changing kaleidoscope of blues. His were so beautiful, every color bright and full of life.

I didn't even realize that we were closing the distance between us until I could feel his breath on my face.

Our lips collided.

I could feel his smiling against my own as we kissed. I know I was sloppy and inexperienced, but Will didn't seem to mind. He was soft and sure and reassuring, like a breath of fresh air. I let my eyes drift closed as our lips moved together, and it felt so perfect.

Will eventually pulled away and put his forehead against mine, beaming at me. I couldn't help but give him a shy smile back, even though I was scared of all the 'what ifs' that crowded my mind and my brain was screaming for me to stop.

But I didn't want to stop. I can only bring Will pain and disappointment, and I obviously hated to think of him getting hurt and it being all my fault, but that didn't change the fact that I wanted to stay with him like this forever. It crossed my mind that I was being selfish again, but this time I didn't care. I just wanted to stare into Will's eyes and get lost there.

I guess that makes me a pretty horrible person, doesn't it?

We were still grinning at each other when Will spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. "I like you, Neeks. A lot."

I felt warmth spill through my chest at those words, filling me with utter happiness. "I had a crush on you...."

Will's smile, which I thought couldn't get bigger, stretched. "Really?"

"Really."

"Does this make us.... together?"

"I'd like that, if you want." I told him truthfully. I ignored my better judgement, which was murmuring warnings about Octavian and the fallout of him finding out.

"I do, but I don't want to tell anyone yet.... Is that okay?"

"Of course it is." I reassured him, "Don't worry about that, I'd rather keep it a secret anyway."

Will sighed in relief, "I'm so glad you understand."

I brought my hand up and let it rest on his cheek, allowing my thumb to move in gentle circles. After a minute of doing this and us just looking a each other, I broke the silence. "I can't believe we're doing this."

Will took this as an opportunity to brush his lips against mine again, delivering the taste of mint. "Me either, but I'm glad we are." Will said, giving me a lopsided smile.

I gave him a smile back, though mine was laced with a twinge of sadness.

~

We spent hours talking by the lake, Will sneaking kisses whenever he could. But then the sun started to set, and I knew I should start heading back. I did have to beat Octavian there, after all.

"I need to start walking home." I told Will as I stood up.

"Wait!" he called, scrambling to his feet. "Can I walk you there?"

My stomach dropped. There was no way I could take him to the trailer, which was nine miles from here and in the sketchiest area of town. But I couldn't exactly say no.....

"Sure." I shrugged, faking nonchalance.

Will slipped his hand in mine and we started to walk towards the school. From there, I decided to lead him to a friend's house and hope they caught on to my predicament. I tried to make it seem like I knew where I was going as we turned down a subdivision and I scanned house numbers, all the while Will was obliviously chatting about Disney movies.

Eventually we reached a brown house with a dark green roof. It was the house I knew belonged to Juniper and Grover.

They graduated from high school two or three years ago, and later moved in together. Now they were engaged, running a shop in order to pay for Grover's physical therapy. He had some type of muscular disease in his legs.

I met them awhile ago, when Octavian snapped and spent an evening burning my shoulders and back with fire and lighter fluid. I was in a ton of pain, so I passed out on my way to school that morning. The couple saw me on the street and took me to their house, where they helped me with the herbal remedies they made and sold at their shop. I begged them not to tell anyone about it.

Grover and Juniper know I'm in what one could call an "abusive relationship" with someone, but they don't know the whole story. I made them swear they wouldn't contact the police about it, so they try to help me in other ways, like giving me money for the bus so I don't have to walk as much. I don't like it when they do, though. It feels like charity.

I pretended to look in my bag. "I can't find my house key."

"Looks like you'll have to knock, hopefully someone's home."

I hate that I'm such a good liar.

Will and I walked to the doorway. I don't know if he noticed how I trembled when I rose my fist to knock on the wood, or how I held my breath when I heard rustling inside.

The door swung open, revealing Juniper in her green Save the Trees pajamas. She smiled when she saw me, "Hey, Nico!"

"Hi, sis." She looked confused, but I stumbled on, hoping she'd get the hint, "This is my friend, Will."

A look of understanding crossed her face and relief flooded through me. "Oh, nice to meet you! I'm Juniper."

They shook hands, "Nice to meet you, too. I need to start heading home, though." Will turned to me, "I'll see you on Monday?"

I nodded. He gave me a gentle pat on the shoulder as he turned to take his leave. When he was down the front steps, I called out to him, "I had fun today, Solace."

He turned and grinned at me, "I did, too."

Then he plugged in headphones and disappeared down the sidewalk.

I stared after him for awhile. When Juniper touched my arm, I jumped. "Come inside, you have some explaining to do."

~

I told her everything. She only interrupted every few minutes to say how cute she thought Will and I were.

Juniper insisted I that I should call someone to pick me up after I was done, her logic being that it was already eleven, she didn't want me walking this late at night, and Grover was working late. "You do have someone you can call?"

"Yeah, I'll just call Luke."

She let me borrow her cell phone and I dialed the number I had memorized. It rang for a few seconds, but he picked up. "Yeah?"

"Hey, Luke. It's Nico."

"What's up man? Do you need any medical supplies? I don't mind stealing some more if you-"

"No, I'm good." I said, cutting him off. "I was wondering if you could give me a ride back to Octavian's?"

"Sure, I'll bring Ethan along, too. It'll save us a meet up in the alley tomorrow."

Ethan and Luke were actually part of the same gang as Octavian. They worked under Bryce Lawrence, selling drugs. They didn't want to work for him, but Bryce threatened their families (which they haven't been able to see in years). So, I guess they didn't have much choice. We met up about once a week for me to pick up Octavian's heroin, which he pays Bryce for in advance.

I proceeded to tell Luke the address and he let me know that he and Ethan would be here as soon as they could.

Juniper and I sat in the living room, her explaining all the ways pollution could come back to haunt our future generations. I wasn't really paying very much attention to her, since we've had this same conversation at least four times already. Still, I admired how much she genuinely cared about the subject.

It took about twenty minutes until we heard a knock on the door. Out of habit, I checked the window before opening it. A black pick-up truck was parked in the driveway, and I had a moment of panic before I remembered that Luke got it from Octavian a month ago. Why he'd even want that piece of junk remains a mystery to me.

When I answered the door I was met by friendly faces. Luke and Ethan smiled at me.

"Hey asshat, you ready to go?" Ethan said in a joking tone.

"Yeah." I said, "Just lemme get my bag."

I darted to the other room while Juniper invited my friends inside, offering them something to drink. They politely told her that they didn't need anything, but she somehow had them both sitting awkwardly on the couch and listening to her go on and on about pollution by the time I got back.

As she got further into her rant everyone was either too nice to interrupt her or too scared. I stood to the side while Juniper talked, and Ethan and Luke nodded along, I guess trying not to seem rude.

"Anyways, only seven percent of plastic in America is recycled. Can you guys believe that? That's ridiculous. Why can't people just-"

She was suddenly interrupted by loud, frantic knocking at the door.

A/N ~ BAM! ANOTHER CHAPTER!

That's right my friends, I didn't drop of the face of the earth (that'd be convient, lol). I'll try to make updates faster and more regular, since writing this is actually really therapeutic for me.

AnYWayS thanks for reading :)