Wasted Butterflies

And now, you're burned.

The next day, we ate at the breakfast bar. Nico's appetite seemed to have waned with sobriety and sleep, but he did get a granola bar. We made sure to spray the room down with air freshener and dispose of the joint's ashes properly, and then, we were back on the road. 

I was in the driver's seat this time, since I knew my mom's new address, and Jason didn't. When we showed up and knocked on the door, it was actually Paul that answered. "Hey kids... What happened to your arm?" He asked innocently. 

Nico looked nervous. "Um, I fell into the river." I wanted to tell Paul the truth, but I knew his wishes were more important here. "I just need to stay here for a few days." 

"Oh... Ok." Paul stepped aside to let us in. "Come on in then." He looked to me. "Your mom's picking Estelle up from daycare, so she's not here right now." 

I nodded and went inside, looking back at Nico and Jason follow me in. I led them to the downstairs guest room, a queen sized bed with a plush comforter and lots of pillows. "... Thanks. For, um... For doing this." Nico spoke shyly. "I know it was the middle of the night, and-" 

"Hey, it's ok." Jason interrupted him. "We had to get you out of there." 

Nico smiled a bit and sat on the bed. I sat next to him. "... You seem nervous. Is this your first time?" 

He shook his head. "Fifth." 

"Really?" 

He sighed. "Yeah. The first time I tried to get away... Well, do you remember when I got in a fight with Echidna?" 

"Yeah?" 

"That... That was why I was away from camp. It was the first time he'd... Had one of these episodes. I was so stupid back then... I got so scared over practically nothing. Tried to run away from the one good thing I had. Thank gods he saved me before I got myself seriously hurt."  

"Are you kidding?" He asked. "What's next, you catch him sucking face with someone else and you're still cool with it!?" 

He shot me a hurt and sad look that made me regret my words. 

I sighed. "Oh, Nico... I'm sorry." I chewed the inside of my cheek. "So... Why are you upset?" 

He pressed his lips together. "I... I cheated on my diet last night. And... I'm probably gonna keep cheating. He'll know, just from looking at me. And he'll be so upset I didn't follow his advice." 

"Jeez, is there nothing he can do that you won't forgive?" 

Nico shrugged. "I know it's dangerous, but... I just can't live without him. He's done so much for me! I was in such a dark place when I met him, and he... He pulled me back into the sun." 

Jason put a hand on his shoulder. "And now, you're burned." He looked up at him, leaning into him. "I know you're scared of being alone. But... You're not alone. So don't cling to him like he's the only one you've got." 

The door slammed, and my mom's voice interrupted the somber moment. "Paul, I'm home!" A pause, muffled voices, and then... "Oh. Ok, can you handle Estelle for me?" She asked, the sound of her stride getting closer and closer before she opened the door. "Hi, kids. What's up? Everything ok? I heard one of you was hurt." 

I stood up and threw my arms around her, hugging her tight. "Hey, mom. Nico and Jason are staying for a while, hope that's ok with you." 

"Yeah, sure. How've classes been?" 

I shrugged. "About as well as you can expect. About C level." I grinned. 

She laughed at my little joke. "Ok, ok." She turned to her guests. "Hi Jason, hey Nic... Oh dear. What happened to your arm?"