The orphanage- solangelo

Adopted

Npov

Percy hadn't heard the phone call. He had been too busy eating his cookie. He was clueless about why I was so upset.

"What is it, Nico? Did you see Octavian?"

"No." I smiled wistfully. "I'm okay. But we need to get back to the orphanage."

Will drove us over and we pulled up by the orphanage.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Will asked.

I shook my head. I wanted to do this alone.

"Okay." He said. "And Nico? I'm sorry."

I nodded.

We walked into the orphanage and Ms. Morning greeted us. "Hello."

"We heard that he um-" my voice cracked.

"Um yes, she had to get home. She said it was a family emergency. She'll be back tomorrow."

I felt relief flood over me.

I had one more day with him.

Percy went up to our room and I ran outside to Will, who was still waiting.

"We have one more day with him." I said.

Will's expression brightened, "Let's make it one of his best."

So we did. He invited Annabeth over (I think Octavian might have been scared of her...) and we played. Annabeth seemed to understand what was going on.

He had a good day.

-

The next day when I woke up, Percy wasn't in our room and I had completely forgotten about him being adopted. I decided he must be eating breakfast or something, so I went downstairs.

I was immidiately tackled by the five year old.

"Nico! Nico! There's someone here that wants to adopt me!"

I felt my heart fall to the ground as I remembered everything.

"That's...great, Percy. Good job."

"No, I want to stay here with you!"

"You don't want to stay with Octavian, would you?"

A woman with brown hair walked in. "Percy? What's wrong?" She saw me. "Oh. Hello. What's your name?"

"Nico Di Angelo."

"I'm Sally Jackson. Nice to meet you."

I shook her hand.

"I don't wanna go! I want to learn more words with you!" Percy cried.

"I'm sure Mrs. Jackson will teach you new words."

"That's true, I will. And I don't live too far from here, so you could visit Nico any time you want."

"Really?" Percy asked hopefully.

"Really." She said, "Now let's go. I have breakfast."

She took Percy's hand and led him out the door. He waved to me before he left.

Percy was adopted. I'm alone here now.

I walked out he door and headed towards the park. I sat at the same bench. Just days before Percy had sat there with me, and I had taught him new words.

I wished I could have that moment back.

I knew I'd be able to see him again, but we wouldn't share a room anymore and I doubted that Sally would just let her child go to the park with me at random times.

Just like every time, Will tapped my shoulder. I didn't bother to turn around, he was about to sit by me.

We didn't speak. We just sat in silence.

That is, until Will couldn't bear it. "I'm sorry, Nico."

"I still can see him every once in a while. Sally lives nearby. But it won't be the same. I used to be with him almost every moment of the day." I sighed. "I knew this was coming. I shouldn't be surprised."

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "So this Sally you speak of...is she nice?"

"Yeah. She seems fine."

"That's good."

We sat on the bench in silence for a while. We sat there until I heard someone say "Nico!"

I turned around and grinned.