Trauma [Solangelo]

Nervous Habit

Nico POV

"Let's play BS!" Kayla suggested.

I ran up to my room and came back down with red Bicycle cards in my hand.

I then proceeded to deal out the deck into three piles.

Everyone grabbed their cards and began organizing them.

"Who has the Ace of Spades?" Kayla asked. She looked like the girl version of Will--perfect tan skin, soft blonde hair, and beautiful blue eyes.

I searched my hand and saw the black spade with an A in the corner.

I set it in the middle face down. Kayla was on my left, so she was second to place a card down.

"One two," she said with truth.

"Popcorn!" Kayla shouted after Will went. He grunted in annoyance. I was glad to see that I had two fours in my hand.

I placed them down as I said "two fours."

We kept going for a while with none of us picking up the big pile in the middle. Turn by turn, the pile kept getting higher and higher. Sooner or later, we each roughly had about five cards left. It was my turn to go and I panicked when I realized I didn't have a card with a two on it.

"One two," I said while placing a five on the pile. I began fidgeting with the skull ring I had on my finger, twisting it so many times that my finger hurt from the constant rubbing of metal on skin.

"One three!" Kayla announced. She was so close to placing the card on the pile but Will soon shouted, "Wait!"

I could feel the increase in my heart rate, scared I would be caught. "BS!" Will smirked.

I stared at the giant pile in the middle. I gave Will the devil stare. My eyebrows furrowed, my eyes narrowed, and my lips thinned. "HOW DID YOU KNOW!?"

Will picked up the giant pile in the middle and handed it to me with a smirk plastered on his face.

"You're so cute when you're mad."

"I. Am. Not. Cute," I pouted.

"Yes you are and to answer your question, I knew you were lying because you always play with your skull ring and twist it around when you're nervous," Will said.

I reluctantly took the pile from his hand and added it to the cards in mine. "Rude," I scoffed.

The game went on a little while longer with me spectating. To my pleasant surprise, Kayla ended up winning the game. If I didn't win, Will couldn't win either.

"Let's play again!" she shouted.

"Yeah, no thanks," I replied.

Will took his phone out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. "It's 10:00! Kayla, what's your bedtime?"

"Umm, 11:30."

"Yeah mhm. Thanks for having us over Nico, but we have to go."

"But, I don't want to go!" Kayla whined.

"I'm sure Hazel wouldn't mind if you guys stayed," I said hopefully.

"Yes!" Kayla shouted.

Will dialed his mom's phone number and she picked up immediately. "Hey, mom! I was wondering if it would be okay for Kayla and me to stay and Nico's house tonight," Will said.

A few moments passed before Will hung up. "Kayla, mom's gonna pick you up in ten minutes."

"What about you?" she asked.

"I'm staying the night. If that's okay with Nico of course..." He turned towards me.

I think my beaming smile gave away the answer.

--------

After Kayla got picked up, Will and I got ready for bed. I lent him a guest tooth toothbrush and he stayed in the guest room.

I hopped onto my bed and pulled the covers over my tiny body. My legs curled to my chest and I fell fast asleep, wishing for a dreamless slumber. Sadly, my wish hadn't come true.

I am so excited that they started the auditions for Percy. I have faith that the TV show will be amazing. Please vote!!

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Pastitsio (Kind of like Lasagna but it's Greek and 100x better) or Buffalo Wings coated in BBQ

Toodles,
—Kat😽

680 words