Solangelo Rising

Chapter 33 (Nico)

      I was shaking so hard I thought there had been an earthquake. I was beyond nervous to tell Hazel about Will. I knew she was like me, having grown up in a different era and all. Times were different then. Plus Hazel was very straight for Frank. What if she freaks out? I don't want to lose another sister... I took a few shaky breaths and tried to calm myself down. I briefly thought of Will being brave and telling his siblings and I knew I had to do the same. Besides, I was already at the edge of the temporary Roman encampment (there were too many Romans to cram into the Greek cabins and Chiron didn't want spats over who's version was better). I decided to push forward despite my nerves.

     I found the 5th cohort's massive tent and slipped in. I saw my sister and Frank sitting on a bunk awkwardly cuddling and trying to ignore the other 40 or so people in the tent. I try to act normal as I walked over to them, trying to hide my growing fear. Hazel looks up as I get closer "Hey Nico, what's up?"

    I take another deep breath before I say "Hey Hazel... Frank. Uhh Hazel, I have a bit of news, mind if we step out away from everyone? Alone?" I gave a pointed look at Frank so he would know he wasn't invited. Hazel looks confused but agrees and follows me out of the tent and a good way away from all the Roman chaos. "Nico, what is this about, is everything okay?" I can hear the concern in her voice. 

     I reply "Y-yeah. I just wanted to tell you something. I don't know how you'll react so I'm kind of nervous..." I trail off and look up to gauge her reaction. She just looks worried but gives me the 'go on' look so I keep rambling "Hazel, I know me and you grew up in a different time so this may be weird but I, uh, uhhhm, uh...  I'M KIND OF INTO GUYS." I flinch at my own outburst and try to retreat into my baggy hoodie as far as I can go. I do my best impression of a turtle receding into its' shell. 

    When I get enough courage to peek back at her expression, I see just a mask of shock and surprise. She's just staring at me with an open mouth, not saying anything. Oh no, she hates me. She's going to freak out any second, what do I do, what do I say? Am I going to lose my other sis-

    My thoughts are interrupted by the sudden sound of Hazel laughing. Wait... what? She must've seen the befuddled look on my face and still giggling says "Nico, is that it? I- sorry I was just surprised you blurted it out like that. I know I'm from the 'olden days' but being gay is honestly no stranger than me dating a boy that can turn into a DRAGON or being in a camp full of kids with gods as parents." I sigh with relief. She has a point... I reply "Thanks Hazel. It just took me so long to accept it myself and I was worried I was going to lose another sister."

    She laughs again "Thank you for telling me Nico. It was brave of you. For the future, you know you can rely on me. Tell me anything." She pauses for a moment and gives me a knowing look. "So who is it?" I'm taken aback. "W-what do you mean who is it? How did you know!?" Hazel just smiles and replies with "Why would you tell me you were gay out of the blue if you didn't already have a boy that you liked? Hmm? Who is it, is he cute?"

    "Haaaazeelllll. Okay, yes, you're right. I do like someone. I'm not sure if you've met him but it's Will Solace from the Apollo cabin. He's one of the main medics. Typical golden Apollo boy. He's been spending time with me helping me heal and not faze into darkness from all that shadow travel. He's also not the straightest person ever. And yes, I suppose he is cute." I'm blushing now just thinking about Will and admitting my crush to someone for the first time. I hope Will's conversation is going well too. 

    By now Hazel has entered fangirl gossip mode and is jumping up and down excitedly and squealing to herself "I HAVE seen him before, he's totally adorable! I would never have guessed he was into guys... or that he would be your type! So cute!!" Jeez Hazel. I rolled my eyes at her "Hazel shhh, I'm glad you're happy about this but try to keep it quiet... please?" I glance around nervously to see if anyone could hear her squealing. Thankfully there was nobody. "Hazel no one else knows about this yet except Will and his siblings. I don't want to make a big deal about it yet. I don't need the whole camp knowing and staring at me even more than they already are. It was hard enough telling you and we're (sort of) related. Please don't tell anyone else?"

    Hazel nods her agreement when the conch for lunch sounds off in the distance. She whispers an "I promise" and scurries back to her tent to go to lunch. I breathe out a big sigh of relief that she was so accepting. A huge weight has been lifted and I decided it was time to head back to my cabin to meet up with Will again.