The Sun Angel (Solangelo Story)

"Lethal Lasagna Dishes"

Nico's P.O.V

Unlike Hazel, I walked down the stairs slowly...She pretty much ran down them, skipping several steps as she zoomed as fast as she could. I'm surprised she didn't trip and fall on her face, ending up with a face full of dark grey carpet. It may be a soft carpet, but I doubt falling down the stairs would be and no amount of softness can stop that.

I never really eat much, especially when Persephone was cooking, that's why I wasn't in a rush to get to the dining table and why I was pretty skinny, but I promise it's not as bad as my weight a few years back. I honestly have no clue why Hazel always gets so excited all the time. Dinner time was the only time we could all talk together without a huge argument, mostly because dad was watching and that meant Persephone couldn't be annoyed with our presence. Father hated arguments in our house, so Persephone had to try and chill around him.

It must be so hard being a slutty kiss up all the time.

As I hopped off the last stairs and walked into the dining room after Hazel, I made sure to gaze around the familiar set up. Grand and showy. A long, dark table stood in the center of the room with flowers arranged on it in pretty little vases. Family pictures covered the walls. There was father, Persephone, Hazel and I. Not a single one with our real mothers, Persephone thought seeing me and Hazel around was enough of a reminder that Hades had loved and adored someone before her. So, these 'forbidden' pictures were in my room, hidden away.

I pulled out a chair for Hazel to sit, then I hesitantly sat beside my father on the other side of the table. Hazel was opposite my dad and as usual, I was placed opposite my darling step-mother.

Speak of the devil...

Out came the she-demon herself in a flowery apron and a pastel yellow dress. She was pretty much the brightest thing in this room. No, this whole household. She brought in all the colour...It was horrid and sickening. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her cheery and obviously fake smile as she brought out a lasagna dish and some silver cutlery. Just one look and I knew I wasn't eating that.

The top of the lasagna was burned and black, she must of tried scraping the black stuff off, but there was still some sitting on top. Some sort of grey sauce with little black and dark green dots seemed to bubble and ooze out the top where the lasagna sheets had either being placed wrong or she accidentally broke them. It honestly looked so depressing and even though dad and Hazel were trying to smile happily, you could tell that they were silently wishing for some take out food. I, obviously, refused to smile at Persephone when she brought out the meal.

"Dig in, everyone! Wait, how do I say that in Italian, Nico, my dear?" She asked, adding a sickening sweetness to her voice. This was one of her poor attempts to make it look like we were bonding, but there is no way in hell, am I letting this woman butcher my native language.

"Scusa, ma non. Ora vaffanculo." I replied in a thick Italian accent, my normal scowl on my face as I looked directly at her sitting in front of me.

"Nico..." The familiar deep and powerful voice of my father warned, he didn't know Italian very well, but he probably could guess what I said.

"It's fine, my love. Everyone just...Enjoy your dinner." Persephone muttered halfheartedly and pat down her dress before grabbing something to serve the lasagna.

My head ducked down in shame, although I didn't feel ashamed, I mainly felt angry, Persephone was the one who should be feeling ashamed. Who does she think she is? I'm not so easily blinded by her kindness like my father. Hazel and I have seen what she's really like. I refuse to stand down.