Internet Friends (Percico)

Chapter 25

-Nico-

The weather was rightfully dark and gloomy as I sat in the passenger seat of Dad's car, neither of us having spoke a word since we set off. My right hand held a bunch of red roses, and the left white lilies.

The light drizzle of rain danced across the windshield as we pulled into the graveyard parking lot. As I got out of the car, I gave my dad the roses and tugged my hood up.

"Nico," My dad said softly as we began walking, "you can wait in the car, you know-"

"No, it's fine." I shook my head. "I'm okay, Dad."

Dad gave me a gentle smile and squeezed my shoulder. We carried on walking, my hand growing frigid around the bouquet of flowers.

We finally came to a stop once we reached the grave. I knelt down and began unwrapping the lillies, smiling sadly as I brushed my thumb across the picture on the tragically beautiful headstone.

"Hi Mama, Sorellona," I whispered as Dad knelt beside me.

"Hello, my loves," My dad kissed his hand and pressed it to the photo.

I tipped out the old water in the yellow flower pot intended for Bianca and refilled it with the bottled water we brought from home. I emptied the plant food in before adding the lillies and putting the pot back down gently. I stood up and brushed off my hands.

Dad did the same as I took in the sight of the grave, feeling numb. My sister and my mother were six foot beneath me, pale and cold and lifeless. All because of a drunk driver that didn't even get more than twelve years.

We stood in silence for a good ten minutes. There was nothing left to say.

"Nico," My dad said softly, breaking the quiet. "you're crying."

I reached up and felt my face tentatively, and sure enough my cheeks were wet. I wiped away the tears slowly.

"I miss them." My voice broke.

Dad pulled me into a hug as I started to sob. I held onto him tightly.

"I know, bambino," He kissed the top of my head. "me too."

-

By the time I got home, my eyes were sore and puffy, and I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and fall asleep. Not forever, I couldn't leave everybody behind like that. But just long enough for everything to have settled down. Maybe I'd even be lucky enough to wake up with Percy by my bedside.

My heart felt heavy thinking of him. I felt like there would literally be nothing better than having him in my arms, being able to feel his pulse racing underneath my fingertips if I ever wanted to reassure myself that he's alive, breathing. I wanted the boy behind the screen to be here more than anything, especially today.

Dad had agreed to make my favourite type of pizza for dinner tonight, and I'd made sure to have key lime pie for dessert, as that was his favourite. I was getting ready for that by taking a nice, steaming shower to make myself feel even more tired than I already am.

The water cascading down my body as I made a point of shampooing my hair to the max felt incredible, like tiny little butterfly kisses across every inch of my skin. My head felt foggy yet clear at the same time, like everything was a transparent haze.

Okay, I realise that could also be an accurate description of the effects of marijuana. Nevermind.

It was almost like hell when I stepped out of the shower and into the freezing abyss that was my bathroom. I immediately grabbed my towel and wrapped it around my waist, hurrying out of the door and relaxing at the slightly warmer conditions of the rest of the house.