The Deep End

Chapter 3: Viva la Vida

Nico

Nico woke up with a rush of anxiety. He sprung upwards as he heard his alarm go off. He didn't have a nightmare. This is just how he woke up, thought most night do come with nightmares. His heart pounded and he tried to control his breathing. A bead of sweat rolling down his forehead. He sighed and closed his eyes for 5 minutes before climbing out of his bed. He went into the bathroom looking like death itself and climbing in the shower. The hot water eased his pain filled body. Nico liked really hot showers, the steamy water that would burn most people's skin, but he loved it.
He walked out and let the towel hang around his slightly feminine hips running his hands through his damp hair. He took his bare arm and wiped the fog that covered the glass, he sighed again. He brushed his teeth, and a quick comb through is hair and went out to put his clothes on.

It was midday and Nico wanted to go home. He wanted to go home when he first left his front door, but here he was. As he strolled into his English class he noticed the seniors talking with their friend. Nico lightly rolled his eyes and sat down in his open seat near the window.

"Now students today you'll be partnered to write about kids books," the class erupted in cheers, "you're partners will be picked by me!" She finished and the classed booed and she giggled she started to call off names, Luke and Annabeth, Grover and Tyson, Percy and Nico, Jason and Le— WAIT NICO AND PERCY. Nicos stomach dropped and he gave the look of pure terror to the teacher and the teacher just laughed. He saw Percy a few seats ahead of him trying to figure out who Nico was by looking around. He didn't notice Nico as he hung his head.

The teacher gave a brief description of the project and let the students talk with their partners. Nicos lump in his throat tightened, his stomach dropped, and he could feel my hands start to shake, the first signs of a panic attack. Nico tried to focus on his breathing as he sat up and walked over to Percy. Percy smiled showing brilliantly white teeth, "Hey! I'm Percy!" Nico half smiled, "Ni...Nico," he stuttered. Percy smiled again. They chatted mindlessly, Nico only saying short answers as his hands still shook. "Hey, since it's due Monday do you want to come over to my house on Saturday?" Percy asked. "Sure." Nicos voice almost cracked and he frowned to himself. "Do you have a phone?" Nico nodded pulling out his Samsung from his pocket. His exo case protecting the glass. "You listen to exo?" Percy asked, Nico nodded again. "Favourite song?" "Ummm... Monster?" "Nice choice," Percy said, "mine would be Peter Pan." Nico looked up. "You like kpop?" Percy smiled with his shiny teeth again. "Yeah man, I listen to basically everything besides, country and heavy metal," Nico smiled. "Favourite genre though is kind of like alternative R&B and indie pop," Nico nodded again, "bands like the neighbourhood, oh wonder, owl city," "My favourite genre is Kpop and alternative rock," Percy smiled.