The Stories of Our Heroes

This Time of the Year

Reyna's POV

I heard a chorus of my name as I walked over to the little group of demigods. More specifically, the demigods from the Prophecy of Seven.

"Hey guys. I don't want to crash your party, but I wanted to come see you all," I said, a little unsure. I wasn't very good with all the friendly stuff, in case you didn't know.

"No, not all. It's good to see you," Jason said walking over to me. When he was close enough, he enclosed me in a bear hug. I froze and then relaxed into the hug, only slightly. But Jason's hugs were familiar at one time; he always was a big hugger. Annabeth and Piper were behind Jason to hug me, but everyone else settled for a wave or smile. I saw Annabeth around periodically, since she was living here in New Rome for college, but we were both crazy busy. And Piper I hadn't seen in forever. I had missed my two friends from after the war. We had grown really close in the time Camp Jupiter stayed at Camp Halfblood.

"Well, I better get going then. Praetor Zhang, I expect you back to work and working hard as soon as holiday break is over." I gave him a pointed glare and then a wink. He saluted me and I returned a half smile.

I walked back through my city (well, it's not technically my city, but I like to think of it as) to my house. I took in all the Christmas lights and trees and blow up Christmas charaters. I breathed in the excitement and cheer. I always love this time of the year, here in New Rome. It's beautiful.

I was almost back to my house when something told me to to head towards the camper's cabins. Sometimes my gut instincts don't make sense, but they are hardly ever wrong and I always follow them. Somehow I ended up in between cabins, where there was a lot of bare space. I was confused until I saw a figure sitting in the grass.

"Nico?"

The figured looked up. "Oh, hey Reyna." Then he looked back down. I sat beside him. For a while we said nothing. Finally, I decided it would be best to talk to him.

"What's going on?" I asked Nico hesitantly.

He took a deep breath before responding, "I... I just wanted to be alone for a little while. So I came here. Camp Halfblood is madness during this time of the year."

"Greeks partying? Sounds fun." He cracked a small smile at my remark. Then there was more silence. I knew something was bothering him, but I didn't want to push him.

"Bianca," he suddenly said out of the blue.

"Your sister?"

"Yeah. It was... it was about this time of the year when... when I lost her." His voice cracked, but if it hadn't been so quiet and if I hadn't been listening so intently, I would have missed it.

"Nico... I know you miss her, and you have every right to, but... Well, what I'm trying to say is that, being a sister myself, I know she wouldn't want you to sit out here alone and be sad."

He looked up at me and whispered, "I know." More silence.

"Well," he finally said. "Will will be looking for me. I better go."

"Have fun with Will," I teased.

"Yeah, yeah." We both stood up. After a brief, awkward stillness, we both moved in for a hug.

"Merry Christmas, Reyna."

"Merry Christmas, Nico."