Tidal Queen

Chapter Five

Grey clouds hung over the graveyard, adding to the gloomy feeling swallowing my mind. A black coffin lay on the grass, beside a pile of dirt. A small photo stood of a young boy, no older than 15, his brown hair gelled back, brown eyes shining from his dimpled smile.

I sighed, tendrils of misty white smoke coming out of my mouth. I couldn't face it. The pain of his mother's sobs, how his sisters stood there, pale as ghosts. His younger sister fell to the ground, one scream ripped from her body.

I looked away. This wasn't a place for me. I pulled my cardigan over my shoulders, my hair falling in front of my face. I ran away. My eyes stung. No. I couldn't cry. I have to be strong.

I gasped, Nico. The small boy stood there, his long black hair covering his darker eyes. His clothes hung on his thin frame, his hands stuffed into his aviator jacket.

"Nico," I stood back, wiping the tears from my face. "What in the world are you doing here?"

Nico shifted, his gaze cemented on the floor. "I...I didn't mean to intrude." His arms gestured towards the funeral ceremony happening across the graveyard.

I faltered, closing my eyes. It stung. "It's fine," I muttered, my voice betrayed me, why did it sound so weak?

"We should talk," Nico said, he looked up, it was the first time I had seen him in months. I tried to keep in a gasp. He looked so tired, dark bags hanging under his eyes. His skin was even paler, his face was gaunt, haunted almost.

"Gods, Nico. Have you been eating?" I grabbed his arm, I could feel his bones through his jacket. A high squeak came from him, "Where are you taking me?" He demanded.

I chuckled, "Mcdonalds."

I watched Nico finish off the last of his burger. He smiled up at me, his lips tilting upwards. "Thanks for the food. I'll pay-"

I shook my head, "You are doing no such thing! I have more money than I need." I shook my head, my wallet heavy in my pocket. So much money, yet I didn't know that Nico was starving, I didn't feed him. I sighed, leaning my head against my palms.

"So, who was he?" Nico asked, his voice quiet, his eyes cast down at the table.

I smiled, memories of Josh coming to me. "His name is Josh. He is-was.."It hurt so much to admit it, he's gone. "he was my boyfriend."

I could feel Nico's confused gaze, but he didn't ask. That was fine, I would tell him anyway, "I met Josh around eight months ago at a party. I think, honestly, I blacked out from the drinks after we left the party together."

Nico nodded, but the confusion was still very present in his eyes.

"What?" I asked, I took a bite of one of his fries, after drowning it in ketchup, of course.

"I just...I guess I didn't know you the way I thought I did." Nico said. He shrunk into his jacket as if scared of what I'd do.

I laughed, it was void of any mirth. "No one at camp really knows me. I prefer it that way." It was true. Life was never normal being the daughter of one of the state's richest and most powerful men. So, strangely enough, camp was the most normal part of my life.

I couldn't bear to see Annabeth and Chiron's disappointed gazes if they found out I'd skip school to get drunk at parties. The same way my mother has looked at me since I came home after the Queen's Gambit had sunk. As if she wished I had drowned instead of them.

Nico cleared his throat and took a sip of the fizzling brown soda.

"I'm sorry for your loss." He muttered, he looked up at me, and we nodded. We both knew the pain of losing someone close to you. Maybe even the only person close to you.