Nico Has Never Learned Anything -- A Solangelo Story

Chapter 2- Nico's P.O.V.

-Monday-

We decided to go to Percy Jackson's mom's house before dinner, since apparently eating beforehand seemed like it would be too overwhelming for me, or something. That's what Will said to me when we talked about it.

I don't agree. I already can't focus, so the threat of dinner and the fact that I have to figure out what we need to get is weighing down on me. I haven't complained though.

To avoid me being exhausted and confused, we chose to use Jules-Albert to transport us. Will hates shadow-travel and what it does to me enough that he chose to deal with the zombie. It's impressive for him. He was so scared the whole time, he was holding my hand and being obnoxiously quiet. It was hilarious.

It worked out too, now that we're here, I'm super ready to take on this new challenge; learning to read. Probably learning other things, too. Just in general doing school in the ways I've never truly been able to do.

"...I'm terrified." I say, going up to the door with Will. Annnabeth gave him this address and he has been my guide.

"You don't need to be terrified. This is going to be really nice in the long run." Will tells me, squeezing my hand. It's a reassuring move every time; I'm calmer and he's done barely anything, nothing really, to help.

"Why is it so daunting?" I ask, looking at the front door.

"Probably because they're, like, strangers?" He guesses. They really shouldn't be though. "Should I knock now?" He asks me.

"Maybe tell me everything is going to be okay first?" I suggest, still needing more help.

He looks down at me. "It will be okay. I know they're really nice, and if they're not nice to you I'll beat them up."

"You? Ha ha."

He holds up a fist like he's going to punch someone. "I am so menacing!"

"You are not..." I pull my hand away from him. I go to knock on the door.

I hear a woman's voice approaching us. "Are you two from camp?" She asks.

I turn and look immediately, alarmed. It's Sally. I feel like I shouldn't recognize her so easily, but I do. She is carrying grocery bags and an infant car seat, her hands very full.

Will jumps. "We are... are you Percy's mom?"

"She is." I say.

"...Nico," She processes, remembering me, "Yeah, did you two come for me? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. We actually need to talk to Paul...? Annabeth sent us." Will says, pulling away from me. "Do you want some help?"

"Can you get the door? It should be unlocked, he knew I was coming." She says. I go to open the door Will led me to, and she stops me, "Not that one. Two more doors down, on the left."

I freeze up and look at Will. Did he bring me to the wrong apartment? Did Annabeth misremember?

"..." Will looks down at his note. "I think Annabeth mixed the numbers up then, whoops."

"Did you, or did she?" I doubt she did. She is smart. It's kind of her whole thing.

He squints at the numbers. "I'm not sure. We're both dyslexic..." He looks up at Sally. "Two down on the left?"

"Yes." She chuckles.

I stumble away, going to that door instead. I look back at her and she nods, so I open the door. "I'm sorry, ma'am." I say.