The orphanage- solangelo

The carnival

Nico's point of view

Percy was holding Sally's hand and practically dragging her towards us.

I laughed. "Percy?! Already?!" My heart fluttered. Maybe I'd get to see him more often after all.

"Nico! Will!" Percy tackled me in a hug.

"Nice to see you too!"

"I knew you would be here. Mommy asked where I wanted to go for our first day together so I told her, 'I wanna go to the park!' And here we are!" Percy babbled.

"Yeah? That's sounds fun. Has she taught you new words?"

"Yes! She taught me..." he thought for a moment. "Marine. She taught me marine."

"That's a good one. Now Sal- I mean your new mom probably wants to play with you."

He nodded and skipped to where Sally was waiting.

After a moment of silence, Will said, "It looks like you'll get to see him more often than you thought."

"I guess so."

"So what do you want to do?" Will asked. There seemed to be something on his mind, though.

"Hmm..." I thought for a moment, then grinned, "You know those rainbow sweaters we bought?"

"Yeah..."

"I think we should wear them in front of Octavian and make him mad."

Will grinned, "That's a great idea."

We jogged to the orphanage and changed into the rainbow sweaters.

"Octavian!" I called.

"What do you want?!" He yelled from a couple rooms over.

"We need to show you something."

"Fine."

I heard shuffling and a moment later he stepped in the doorway.

"What is it-" he saw our sweaters and his jaw dropped. I wish I would have had a camera to take a picture of his face.

"Are you-"

"Showing off our gay pride?" Will said. "Yes. Yes we are."

Octavian snarled. I was sure he was going to come over and punch me or something when he stormed out.

I heard him shriek from another room, "I would never ever stay in the same room as a gay couple!"

Will and I burst out laughing.

"His..." Will said between laughs, "...face...priceless..."

I nodded my agreement because I was laughing too hard to breathe.

After years of being tormented by Octavian, it felt amazing to see that look on his face because of a colorful sweater.

Will then took my hand and led me out of the orphanage.

-

Turns out, there was a carnival in town. Will drove us there and I bought the tickets. Will said he'd pay for the food.

"What ride should we go on first?" I asked.

"Anything but that one." He pointed at the Ferris wheel.

"You're....scared of the Ferris wheel?"

He shuddered, "I've never liked them. So high up...and hey keep stopping..."

"When was the last time you went on one?"

"I was in kindergarten, I believe."

I face palmed. "Will, you're in high school now. Dont you think things might have changed?"

"Maybe we can do that one last." He said.

"Okay."

First, we went to a booth where you use a bow and arrow to pop a balloon. If you popped it, you got a prize.

Will picked up the bow and arrow and shot at the balloon, hitting it almost in the center. The balloon popped loudly.

I clapped for him.

The girl working the stand handed him a jumbo panda bear as a prize.

He grinned and made his way over to me. His eyes sparkled.

"Here you go." He handed me the panda bear.

"Why do I get a present?"

"Should a guy have to have a reason to give his boyfriend a present?" He pouted.

I smiled, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." (For some reason this reminded me of Moana)

"Let's go ride something."

-

After going on all the other rides, I convinced Will to go on the ferris wheel.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"What if it falls?"

"It won't."

"Maybe we shouldn't-"

"Will, it'll be okay. And you get a great view of the town."

"Fine..."

I took his hand and headed towards the ferries wheel. When it was our turn to get on, we pushed down the bar that works as a seat belt and I felt him take my hand.

I smiled at him while he glanced nervously at the ground that was becoming farther and farther away.

This would be fun.