Anti-Hero || Leo Valdez

24 - I Can See Youuuu 👀

After they got Festus safely stored in Pat's closet, Leo got Catalina caught up on everything that had happened over the last few weeks. Between Via's dyslexia and slow writing speed, it was just more efficient to have Leo as the middle man, so she ditched the pen and paper. The downside of this was that whatever semblance they'd had of an actual conversation between Via and her aunt had been thrown out. It was so strange to Via, not fully being in this conversation.

She sat — well, more like floated in a seated position — next to Leo across the coffee table from her aunt. Vada, who seemed to be able to sense her in ways Nina couldn't, dozed at the foot of her chair. For once, she wasn't in danger of Via accidentally stepping on her while trying to stand up, and Via wasn't in danger of being tripped up by the old dog.

Via was less than enthused when she was asked if she wanted her to call her mom and update her. While she wanted her mom to stay in the loop in case something happened, she didn't want her to worry. Fortunately, though, Leo was quick to reassure Nina that Pat would be stopping in Texas on his return trip and would probably tell their mother everything.

"So, yeah, that's everything," Leo finished. "I know it's a lot to take in."

"I've heard that plenty of times," Nina said, smiling slightly. Then she sighed. "Death is an entirely different case, though. I just... I never thought I'd be sitting across from my niece while she's a ghost and I can't see her. It's not your fault, Livvy," she added quickly, as if she could sense Via's pained expression. "It's just... so different this time. I'm so used to taking these things in stride after so long."

There was a long silence. Nina stared at the coffee table. Leo fidgeted with two washers he'd pulled out of his toolbelt. The only noises were the dishwasher running a cycle and Vada's snoring.

Why did shit like this have to happen? It completely ruined everything. Via wished it could be a normal visit. She wished she could greet Nina at the door with a hug, order hamburgers or some other morbidly unhealthy fast food for dinner, and then crochet or make macrame snowflakes for Nina to sell on her Etsy shop while watching a 10 Things I Hate About You until they passed out on the couch like they always did instead of floating unseen across from her while her latest crush explained how she died and why she's a ghost.

Gods, what a mess.

After a long, uncomfortable silence, Nina suggested starting on dinner. Leo agreed to help her. Via pouted, not wanting to miss out on any of her aunt's delicious food. However, when Leo mentioned that she couldn't eat as a ghost, Nina said they could have shrimp, which made Via smile. She wasn't allergic to shrimp, but she hated it with a passion. Nina knew this and wanted to make it so Via wouldn't feel left out.

So they all talked as Leo and Nina made dinner, Nina asking Leo questions about Houston when he mentioned he was from there and asking him how he liked Camp Half-Blood and the Waystation. Via helped out by grabbing ingredients (except the shrimp, she refused to touch the shrimp) and startled Nina a couple times when she handed them to her — Nina kept forgetting she was there and Via kept forgetting she was invisible.

After dinner, they talked until a little after midnight, when Leo went to bed, claiming that if he didn't sleep now they'd probably end up arriving at Camp Half-Blood a lot later than they wanted to.

Via stood (or rather, floated to a standing position), about to head to her room, when Nina said, "Via? I'm not sure if you have to sleep or not... I'm thinking probably not. But since I'm off work tomorrow — do you want to watch 10 Things I Hate About You?" She smiled. "It is tradition, after all."

Via beamed, ecstatic that Nina remembered. She seized the pen she'd abandoned on the coffee table and wrote yes pls!!!!! :))) Nina laughed and turned on the TV, opening Prime Video where she owned the movie and clicked on it.