Trail Mix- A Solangelo Story

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

-Thursday-

Stepping into the Apollo cabin proved itself to be a bad idea as soon as I did it.

Percy Jackson is laying on their sofa like a cat who'd finally found the sunbeam. In his hands, he has a first aid kit. There's supplies laying all over the table.

He doesn't look over at me when I come in. I debate turning and leaving immediately, before anyone says anything. It's already too late to when I go to do it, though.

"Hey, Nico." Austin says to me.

That is when Percy looks over. I don't blame him for not checking in when the door opened. There's a lot of activity going on in here, like they're preparing for something crazy that's about to happen.

Will rolls out on his stool chair, peeking his head from around the curtain. He's working in the little emergency area, which makes me think that there might be an emergency. He has his stupid doctor coat on and everything. There's no blood and he seems calm, which are good signs in all this mess.

"...Hi." I say finally, now that everyone is looking at me.

"Did you come to help? There's so many kits we're looking over." Percy tells me.
I did come to help, with whatever was going on. I have no idea what he's doing here though, usually he's practicing fighting dummies or he's with Annabeth, or Jason when he's at this camp.

I push my hair back then fidget with my fingers, going to Will slowly, not saying anything. I'm sure I don't need to. My eyes better be screaming why is he here?!

"Come help me, Nico. That works too." Will says, backing up and back to his small desk.

I glance back at Percy. He eats a handful of trail mix, and he's watching us with curiosity shining in his eyes. Ugh. I hate that look.

"What are you doing?" I ask Will. There's no one else back here, there isn't an emergency. The cabin is a lot quieter than it was when I first opened the door, like everyone shut themselves up when I came in.

He glances at me. "It's cleaning day. We're going through and getting rid of paperwork that belongs to... campers who aren't here anymore."

"And him?" I point a thumb at Percy. I'm treating him like an intruder on purpose, because he is one. He's never in here.

"What, Percy? He came in and asked if we needed help with anything, so I found him something to do. I guess Annabeth and Jason kicked him out."

"They did? Why? What are they doing?"

"Shrine business, I guess. So I got him a snack, told him we don't need those losers anyway and here we are." Will shrugs.

"Exactly! Don't need them." Percy huffs from where he is on the couch, clearly listening in on us.

"You shared your trail mix with him?" I question.

"Um...? Yes? Is that a problem?" He asks hesitantly.

Even I know that shouldn't be a big deal, but it bothers me for some reason either way. I like that trail mix, especially the sweet things in it.

"I just didn't know you...would do that," I say, "Looks like you don't need any help here. Unless Percy needs help?"

"He might. It depends on if you're comfortable with that." Will says. "If someone comes and offers help, I'll take it."

"Why wouldn't I be comfortable?" I ask sharply.

"..." Will reaches behind me and closes the curtain, so no one can see us and we can't see any of them. "I was just making sure." He says quietly. "You can stay if you want, you're always welcome."