Empty Closets

Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Call (Nico's POV)

I'm going to be the most hated person at camp.

But in a way, I can't help what I did. I hate Travis even more because of what he said before. Even though I didn't really visit my sister, he had no right to call her "a past relative." And now, thanks to my anger, everyone is in jeopardy of suspension from camp until next summer.

How do I face Percy? He must hate me too. We try to have a nice first date, and of course, we have people scratching our backs to try to get information!

Lately, my life has been like a tee shirt: It's nice to have in the beginning, but after a while, it doesn't feel worth keeping. No, I don't want to kill myself, but at the same time, I'm starting to hate my life more and more every day. True, I love dating Percy (I've wanted to for a long time), but we can't be open about our relationship because most of the camp isn't okay with people of the same gender having feelings for each other. Gods, if kindness came in the form of a chocolate chip cookie, I'd try to force every human to order at least 8 boxes, or at least as many as they can without having a huge stomach ache.

Currently lying on my bed, I think over how I can try to make up for what I caused at the bonfire. My thoughts become interrupted by a ringing sound, which I see is coming from my phone. I waddle over to it and pick it up, seeing that Percy is trying to talk to me. My heart races in a marathon of hurdles as I press "Answer" and pick up. Our conversation goes like this:

N: Hi.

P: Hi! I didn't think you were going to pick up.

N: Yeah, well I didn't think you were going to call.

P: Of course I would! I wanna make sure you're okay after everything that happened.

N: I've been better, to be honest. Everyone hates me, I'm sure.

P: Actually, when you left, a lot of people said they thought Travis acted like a huge jerk.

N: But wasn't he still there?

P: By the time you left, he and Katie were going to the infirmary.

N: Oh, right. Are you going to the infirmary to see him?

P: Why would I see him after everything?

N: I just thought you would. You're always by someone's side when they're vulnerable.

There's a long pause until Percy responds:

P: Yeah, well Travis doesn't deserve a visit from me anyway. He disrespected you.

N: If you say so. So where did everyone go?

P: Everyone left, but I'm leaving the bonfire now. Leo's with me, and we are heading back to his cabin real quick. I have to get a shirt that he borrowed.

N: Okay. Do you think I could talk to him for a sec?

P: Yeah, hold on.

There are shuffling noises on the other side of the phone.

L: Hey!

N: Leo! Hey! So, I just wanted to know if anything happened when I was gone.

L: Involving...?

N: Yeah.

L: Not really, dude. When Travis left, Dio gave us a "kindergarten warning," and everyone left.

N: Oh. Well, if you hate me, I get it.

L: Dude, why would I hate you? Especially after I promised I would-

I hear a knock on the other side of the call.

L: I should go. Calypso's here.

N: Oh. That was quick. Where's Percy?

L: Oh, he went to the bathroom, but he's coming back now. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

N: K bye.

Shuffling noises can be heard again.

P: Hey Neek? I have to go. I'm heading back to my cabin now, and it's getting kind of late.

N: Okay. Bye!

P: Bye.

I hang up. Then there's a knock on my door. I go to open it and Hazel is on the other side of the door.

"Hey!" I exclaim. "What are you doing here?"

"I live here too, Nico," Hazel says. "Just because I'm not a Greek descendent, it doesn't mean I don't live under the same roof." As she says this, she walks to her bed and sits on it like a pretzel.

"Oh, right. I'm not thinking right recently."

"But actually," Hazel resumes after a moment of silence, "I actually wanted to talk to you about something."

"Go ahead, half-sis."

"I won't tell anyone, just to give you a heads-up."

"Oh, kay...?"

"I know your secret."

Fear runs laps inside of me, but instead I say, "What secret?"

Hazel smiles. "I know you and Percy are dating."