Maidenhood

Increasing Confussion

After a couple of days of ignoring me, Will finally made his presence known.

I was chatting with Leo, who was telling me about a weird dream with Hades and a creepy palace when Will walked to us. I was so interested in Leo's tale that I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings until Leo stopped his tale to look behind me. It was then when I looked behind me. I wanted to be childish and give him the silent treatment, but I couldn't.

I simply couldn't.

"Hey, Will..." I greeted him. He was smiling tightly at me, which gave away something was wrong. "Is everything alright?"

"Can I- Can I talk to you for a second?" I shared a look with Leo, who nodded, before grabbing Octavian's arm- who I have no idea from where he came -and walking away, giving details about his dream. "I- Can we go somewhere private?"

"Sure, come with me." I took him to my cave and used the way to check on him. He looked slightly pale and had bags under his eyes. His clothes were wrinkled and he looked unfocused. It actually worried me a little. "Now, sit down and explain me what's wrong?" I invited him to sit down, while I sat across him. He played with his hands a little.

"Well, you know that I've been trying to get a date with Nico...?" I nodded and let him continue. "Well, the problem is that I- I kind of freeze when I have to ask him! Not even mind talking about trivial things! He's the one always talking and I can't help to turn into a babbling mess! I have wrecked my brain the last couple of things and all I have come up with is a stuttering!"

I let him rant. He needed that, it was obvious, and why would I deny him that? I'm his friend, I'm not his mom nor his sister, I should be able to give a different perspective. I sighed and thought for a second when I noticed that he was waiting my input.

"Will, there's something here you're forgetting." Will gave me pleading look, as if I held the secrets of the universe. "Will, Nico is a person. Sure, is a person you like very much..." I added before he could interrupt me. "But it's a still person, nonetheless. Try with 'Hello' or simply 'What's up?'."

"Hello?" He repeated, as if I was insane. I sighed again.

"Yes, 'hello'. 'Hi' and 'Hey' are allowed too..." I teased him a little, trying to relax him. I managed that with a scowl, but it worked. "You know what?" I continued, having a spark of inspiration. "You need to practice on someone else- not me, you're used to talking to me. Other boys."

"Rachel, I talk to everyone every day... Everyone likes me, somehow..." He pointed out, frowning.

"Yes, but you're going to practice with someone you don't like." He paled at that, before shaking his head. "You want a date with Nico or not?" He mildly glared me, but nodded at the end. "Great. Besides, you're not asking him marriage or something of the life..." He looked sick at that, so I started to laugh, to relax him. That made him throw me a pillow. "Hey!"

"Go you, you'll have more luck than me..." I shrugged and went to look for our test subject. Thankfully, he had escaped the clutches of Leo or I'd have a very hard explanation to give.

"Hello, Octavian." I waved at him, surprising him. He even looked around, as if he was in the reach of someone else called like him. "Yes, you..." I rolled my eyes, smirking. He gave me a confused look. "Look, I'm after a small favor- not for me, for Will Solace..." I quickly explained to him. He looked at me without interrupting me, and I felt slightly under the microscope. "Can you?"

"Only because you asked." He surprised me with his reply. I smiled at him and nodded, guiding him towards my cave. "So, it's true?"

"What's true?" I asked back, trying to keep the annoyance off my voice. What was he asking me about, anyway?

"Valdez said that you suggest him to burn the blueprint the other night... And then, he got a dream with Pluto..." Oh, that... I shrugged at it, acknowledging it. "I think that was extremely brave of you, considering it's all over this camp you had a date with him..." I snapped my head to him, frowning. "He was telling everyone who would listen to him how you are helping him... Be careful or you'd have Grace and company on you for hurting him..."

"Thanks... I guess..." I was confused. Would they really be mean to me by a friendly hang out? "Why- why are you warning me about that?" I couldn't help to ask. He looked at me, smirking, as if he knew something I didn't.

"There are still some romans who would use you to hurt the responsible for damaging our home..." I stopped on my tracks, glaring at his back, before he realized I wasn't following. "No, I didn't mean me, but I'm not the only one..."

"Why are you so sure you won't hurt him?" I accused him, my arms on my hips like a jar. I could swear he blushed a little while staring at me like that.

"Because that's not the way to get what I want..." He smirked, still blushing a little. "You catch more flies with honey that vinager." He kept on walking, while I stared at his back, unsure of what I had heard just now. I shook my head, trying to think clearly. However, it was being impossible, so I decided to follow him and concentrate into helping Will.

Just what are you planning now, Octavian...?

----

Hello, guys!

Another week, another update! Today's A/N will be short as I don't have news about me this week, except the fact that sometimes the weekend is too far and then, comes too quickly... I have no idea what to do of it...

Anyway! Off to the updates!

Rise of Ouranos (ReWrite) (former collab with LordNitro): 1 chapter.

Maidenhood (adopted from TheColorofBoom): 1 chapter.

Sis/Bro, Your Shadow is Hot!: 1 chapter.

Quest: Matchmade (former collab with ReeReeWithAngst, aka Hugs6): 1 chapter.

Masked Hearts (former collab with ReeReeWithAngst, aka Hugs6): 1 chapter.

I will see you all next weekend!

xoxo, SilverHuntresses