Heroes of Olympus: a Mortal High School Story

Chapter 13: Friday

It was finally Friday. Hazel jumped out of bed after her mother called her downstairs and slipped on ripped skinny jeans and a Pierce the Veil t-shirt. Her hair was pulled up into a bun with two pencils, like yesterday, and she put black studs in her ears.
Jumping down the stairs, she almost ran into Nico, who was in black skinny jeans, a My Chemical Romance tee, and the same black stud earrings as Hazel. "How was last night?" she asked. "Good, Will drove me home after he dropped the others off at their houses. Apparently he likes Panic! at the Disco."
Hazel looked at him as they walked to the kitchen. He was smiling. "Uh-huh." "Mm-hmm."
They ate their breakfast and Hazel grabbed her skateboard from the front of the house before they stepped out the door.
After Frank dropped her off at the house, she had gone to her room and painted it. She really liked it and was excited to show it to Frank.
Nico sat on the porch and motioned for Hazel to sit next to him. She plopped herself down and asked, "Who's driving us today?" "Will." He grinned. "Uh-huh," Hazel said again. "Why do you keep saying that?" Nico asked as a car drove up. "No reason." They stood and got into the car. "Hi, guys!" Will said cheerfully. "How'd you sleep?"
"With my eyes closed," Hazel said, looking at him. Will started at her, then looked at Nico. "This is your sister?" He said, sounding surprised. "Half-sister," Nico said. "Well that would explain it," Will said, turning the key and starting to drive. Hazel and Nico assumed he was talking about how Hazel was black and Nico was white as a bone (heheh), but then Will added, "She made a joke."
"Okay, that's a low blow!" Nico exclaimed. "I can joke!" "Sure you can," Will said sarcastically. Hazel sat back and let them bicker. Eventually, when they pulled into the parking lot, Will said, "Alright, alright, you can be funny. Sometimes." Nico shrugged an replied, "Better than nothing."
Walking into the school, she glanced back to see Will ruffling Nico's hair, and Nico punching Will in the side. They had a different home room, so they were headed to a different building. She smiled and stepped through the door. She walked right into someone.
"Oh, hey!" Frank said. "Hi," Hazel said, her face burning. He smiled, looking her up and down quickly. "What?" She asked, breathless. He looked fine. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a purple tshirt, but he made it look handsome. "Nothing," he said sounding just as breathless as her. He paused and asked, "Did you paint the skateboard?" "Oh! Yeah! Do you like it?" He took it from her and stared at it, mouth agape. "Holy CRAP. That's incredible!" They grinned at eachother, and Hazel realized the hallway was almost empty. He gave the skateboard back and said, "Well, I'll see you later, maybe after school?" "Yeah, maybe." He gave her a cute lopsided smile and quickly, she didn't have time to react, kissed her cheek. He moved out the door and she rushed to get her textbook from her locker.
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"Hey, Nico, are you hanging out with the guys today?" Hazel asked when she saw Nico by his locker. "Yeah, why?"
"Just wondering. Can I come?" She asked. "Yeah, why, do you wanna see Frank Zhang?" He asked pointedly.
"Wha–no!"
Yes, she thought.
"You sure you don't wanna go, just to see him?" Nico asked.
"Yes, I'm sure, I just don't want to go home."
No, I really want to see him.
"Positive?"
"Positive."
Negative.
They walked to Will's car together and found Will texting someone on his phone. "Hey," Nico said, sliding into the front seat. "Hey, Nico, Hazel," Will said, putting his phone away and starting the car. Hazel climbed into the backseat. "'aye," she said, buckling the seat belt.
When they arrived at the mall, their new hangout place, they found all the other guys leaning or sitting one Jason's car. Hazel smiled at the sight of Frank, and felt Nico's eyes on her. She caught his eye in the rear view mirror and he gave her a "you're-too-young-don't-even-think-about-it" look. She replied with a "you-can't-tell-me-what-to-do-you're-not-my-dad-and-either-way-I-don't-even-like-him-like-that" look.
Will parked the car and they all climbed out. The (slightly large) group headed into the mall, Jason,Leo, and Percy still arguing about the dang assignment. Will and Nico were talking quietly, walking at the front of the group. Frank sought Hazel out and muttered to her, "How are they still talking about that?" gesturing to Jason, Leo, and Percy. Hazel giggled and shrugged. Nico heard her giggle and turned around. He and Frank accidentally made eye contact and Nico narrowed his eyes. "I think Frank and Hazel like eachother," he murmured to Will, turning his head back straight. Will glanced behind them, where Frank and Hazel were looking at Hazel's skateboard. Frank pointed at one part, and Hazel blushed and giggled again. "They'd make a cute couple," Will said, elbowing Nico. "Are you kidding? He's like three years older than her!" Nico said, obviously horrified at the idea of his little sister dating one of his friends. "Frank's a good guy. And Hazel really likes him, I can tell. Look at them. They're adorable." Nico glanced back again. He saw Frank looking at the skateboard in awe and Hazel gazing at his face. Her eyes followed his jawline and his cheekbone. She smiled at him. He looked back at her asked her, "what?" She kept gazing at him and said, "Nothing."
"Yeah," Nico sighed. "See?" Will asked as they entered the food court. Right away, Hazel tapped Nico's shoulder and said, "Get me fries." Nico rolled his eyes and nodded. Hazel sat and pulled out her sketch pad from her backpack. The guys went to the same places as last time, Frank sitting down first. Hazel offered him another pencil and he sketched with her. Nico and Will showed up last, there was a long line at McDonalds, and automatically, Nico narrowed his eyes at the pair. Will nudged him, and whispered, "Loosen up, man." Nico looked at him and nodded.
"What do you mean it was due yesterday?!" Percy shouted slamming his hands on the table. "Dude!" Frank exclaimed looking up from the sketch pad. "Just finish the assignment and turn it in!"
"Yeah, man, first grade common sense," Hazel added. Frank looked at her and smiled lopsidedly. She didn't see it, but Nico and Will did. Nico drew in a deep breath and Will made a meditation motion, causing Nico to laugh the air out. Hazel grinned at the sound of Nico laughing.
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"Hazel, is Will driving you home today?" Frank asked as the guys put their trays away. "Um, I think so, why?" "Just...wondering if you wanted to walk with me again."
"Oh, yeah, I'll ask Nico," Hazel said. "Hey Nico." She walked up best to Nico who was talking with Will. "Can I walk with Frank again?" "Hazel, Will can drive us." "I know, but I thought you could use a little...alone time with Will." Nico stared at her, wide-eyed. "So, can I?" Hazel asked. "Yeah, sure," he muttered under his breath. "Thanks!" She kissed his cheek.
The guys started piling into Will's car, and Percy looked at Hazel with a "oooh-Hazie-has-a-boyfriend" look. She glared at him and mouthed "friends."
"Bye, Frank and Hazie," Percy said, pointedly. "Later, Perce, bye, Jason, good riddance, Leo, see you, Nico, bye, Will," Frank said. They all looked at Hazel, expectedly. "Bye."