Found Family (HoO, Mortal AU)

NICO DI ANGELO

Two more years and you'll be out of here.

Nico threw his English book into his locker. He was the only one at the lockers, as he'd been held back after class, by the English teacher, Mr Blofis.
Mr Blofis was great, but Nico hated the subject. When he was a child, he lived in Italy. After his mother's sudden death, he and his sister, Bianca, was taken to America, to live with their father. They both spoke very little English.

Nico was nine then. Now, seven years later, Nico was practically fluent in English. He'd still forget words and his grammar wasn't always perfect, but it was a big improvement. And Bianca? She died only months after they moved to the states. Nico tried not to think about it.

That being said, Nico was often held back after English, Mr Blofis explaining what they went through during class in more detail. It was kind of the teacher, sure, but Nico still couldn't get his head around the work they did in middle school. He couldn't tell the difference between 'there, their and they're'. He didn't know what a metaphor or simile was. 'Of' or 'off'. It was too confusing.

He took his art book out of his locker. He was terrible at art, he'd never taken an art class before, but he decided to start this year, to be in more classes with Hazel.
Hazel was Nico's half-sister. He didn't know she even existed until the end of his sophomore year. He could remember his father coming into his room, telling him he had another sister that would be moving in with them.

Hazel's mother died in May, on Nico's last day of school. Just two days later, Hazel moved in from Alaska. It was terrible at first. Neither of them spoke to each other. Not even a 'hello' or introduction. Hazel would hide in her bedroom all day, which was right next to Nico's. He would hear her sobbing whenever he was in his bedroom. He knew it wasn't easy, losing your mother and moving into your father's house, especially if he's the father who left you as a child. Nico understood exactly how she felt. The same happened to him, but he had Bianca.

Had.
Nico ignored the thought.

Two weeks after Hazel moved in, Nico decided it was time to do something. As much as he hated talking to people, he'd knocked on the door. It was horribly awkward. Hazel's face was tear-stained. Her room still wasn't decorated. She didn't say anything until Nico spoke. He introduced himself and quickly left. However, after that, Hazel would leave her room more often. After a few more weeks, they'd become friends. For once, the summer was fun. Nico had someone to talk to who wasn't the butler or driver. He had someone his age to spend time with.

Of course, at first, Nico didn't trust Hazel. Well, he didn't trust himself to trust her. He didn't want Hazel to replace Bianca, but he soon realised Hazel wasn't a replacement. Hazel was just Hazel, his half-sister.

He hurriedly put the art book in his bag. It was Hazel's first day at this school, so she probably didn't know where the art room was. He needed to find her and show her the way. He was about to hurry off when he heard the last voice he wanted to.
"Hey, freak," Octavian said. "Hoped you wouldn't be back this year."
"That makes two of us," Nico muttered under his breath. He tried to walk away again.
"You in a hurry? Aww, is ickle Neeks scared?"

Nico wanted to punch him. He turned around.
"Don't you have something better to be doing? Like going to class?" Nico asked.
"Nah, I'm a hall monitor. And I'll be head of the student council soon enough."
Nico shuddered at the thought. In a few days, a new senior candidate would be chosen to be head of the student council. Last year's had been Silena Beauregard, but now the spot was open. Nico didn't reply to Octavian, who didn't know when to give up.
"Thought you'd join your big sister and mom this year."
"Shut up." Nico didn't care what Octavian said about him, but bringing up Bianca was the one thing Octavian couldn't get away with.