Something Forbidden

Chapter 28: Nico

NICO

I felt a pain surge through my head, it was unbearable. But as fast as it had started, the pain was gone. It felt like i had just woken up from a nightmare. I blinked, it wasnt a nightmare, it was a living hell.

All eyes were on me. Whats up with them? Then, i noticed someone holding my wrist, i looked over my shoulder and backed away. Lourdes was touching my arm.

"Nico...?" i heard a voice call, a very familiar voice.

"Raili?"

I looked around, and suddenly it became the happiest moment of my life. She looked at me, moving forward. I started to move too, slowly. We were now inches away from each other, and i was tempted. But i stopped, remembering the others who were watching.

"Together?" she asked,

"Together," i said.

It was the happiest moment of my life, but not for long. Everything started getting blurry, black spots everywhere. I backed away, my hand on my head.

"Nico, are you okay?" Raili asked,

"Nico, youre embarrasing me! Stop it, right now!" Lourdes growled.

If it wasnt for the extreme pain i felt, i would have slapped her right then and there. But i couldnt, the pain was all over. I started trembling and fell, landing hard on my knees.

"Nico!" a few shouted, running to help.

Everyone started circling me, except Lourdes, who just watched, how it should have been her getting all the attention. The air started growing thin as everyone hovered over me. And as if on cue, a huge wave of cold water splashed everyone. To my suprise, i was still dry, the running water forming a circle around me.

The whole crowd was soaking wet, they grumbled and got back to their cabins, clearing the area. The only ones left --and dry-- were Raili, Tia, Margaret, Marielle, some guy and of course, Danika (duh).

I saw as the water subsided and suprisingly fit into a sea shell the size of a hand. Danika waited for it to reform, for it had broken, which i guess caused the huge wave.

"Nico, are you okay? Come on, we'll take you to the Infirmary, right away. Justin, help me out here!" Tia said, talking to the guy.

Raili, however, didnt move. Marielle and Margaret trying  to comfort her. She stared at me, more nervous than concerned. I guess she was scared... scared to loose me...again. I screamed, the pain grew more, this time in my chest. My breathing was unsteady, going faster and slower the same time the pain would become greater or lesser.

Justin, Marielle and Tia helped in carrying me to the Infirmary, while Danika and Margaret ran for a head start for help. As they carried me, the aching in my chest grew more, and i felt myself falling into oblivion. Raili walked near me, holding my hand. It would have been amazing, if it werent for half my trunk hanging. I was heavier than they thought.

Unfortunately, help came quick, but so did my fall into darkness. I felt more hands lift me up, carrying me faster into the Infirmary. My eyes drooped, i tried my best to keep myself awake, but it was hard.

Finally, i couldnt fight any longer, my eyes closed shut, and i was filled with a world of darkness. Not knowing if i would ever see the light of the day ever again.

···

I woke up, the pain gone. I didnt know what the time of day it was, but from the window, i saw that the sun was just rising. I look around the unfamiliar room, the Infirmary. I saw a small table next to my bed, a tray of cookies were on a plate.

Suddenly, i heard footsteps, which came from heels. I knew exactly who it was.

"Lourdes..." i said,

"Miss me?" she asked dramatically.

She sat beside my bed, wearing her Camp Half-Blood shirt and shorts, which somehow annoyed me. She never actually wore those stuff, the shirt i mean.

"What are you doing here? Wheres Raili? What day is it? How long was i out?..." i asked all at once.

She smiled, looking at me like i was the cutest and most confused puppy in the whole world.

"Im here to visit you. Its Friday. Just about the whole night. Did i miss anything?"

"Yes," i said, "Wheres Raili?"

She laughed, then pinched my cheek. I waved her off like a little child, she laughed even more. She sighed and saw that i was serious about this, and gave me a look of pure evil, but the sweetness was still there.

"You care too much about her. Do you even think she cares about you ? If she cared so much, why isnt she here right now? Why do you see me, not her? She doesnt care about you, Nico. You need to know the truth."

She was right, Lourdes was right. Raili did nothing to help me get into the Infirmary, proving her false love. I shook my head. What was i saying? Did i just agree with Lourdes?

"She doesnt care about you, Nico. Thats the truth..." she kept going on.

I nodded, she was right. Raili doesnt care about me, she never has.

···

"Katherine, were going." i told my sister in the cabin.

"What? Why?" she asked,

"Fine, dont come with me. Im going back to Dad's, maybe stay there for a few months. I'll be visiting you, though." i said.

"What? Nico, youre not going anywhere. What about Raili?"

I frowned, the mentioning of her name angered me. Besides, Katherine never liked her, she's just using it as an excuse.

"What about her? She isnt my problem, not anymore. Its one of the reasons i wanna get out of here, its to get as far away as possible from her."