The Deep End

Chapter 9: Part 3

Nico
"Nico!" The boy was startled as nobody ever calls out his name. Pulling out one earbud, he looked at the two boys crossing the hallway to talk with him. "Hey, we were just going to the pool for free period wanna come?" Nico debated going with them. He actually had a class, but when he realized he would see Percy and Jason shirtless he figured skipping was a good idea. He had no interest in Jason, but he was gay after all, and seeing two shirtless very muscled boys splashing around, any straight girl would pay to see.
Nico followed the two boys closely as they were talking about some exoctic creature. As they entered the pool Nico got worried. Nico has never been able to swim. He tried a lot when he was younger and lived on the beaches in Italy, but he could never do it.
As the boys entered the pool Nico felt so out of his comfort zone. The smell of chlorine filled the air, and seeped into Nico's nose. "Hey, Nico I just realized you don't have a swimsuit do you?" The short boy just shook his head, "Maybe we can find Leo and borrow his suit?" Jason suggested, Percy felt tugging at his sleeve, "You okay Nico?" "Uhh, .. II-I I ca--," Nico stuttered, "I can't swim." The taller boys just smiled, they didn't laugh, they didn't complain, or make fun of him,they just sympathetically smiled. "That's fine it's easier now we don't have to look for a suit," Jason laughed, Percy smiled and nodded, "How about we just put a towel on the edge so Nico's ass doesn't get wet, and he can dunk his toes in?" "Yes mate!" Percy bursted and they laughed, "what do you think Nico?'' "I like that idea," Nico beamed. "Then it's settled Jason can go get dressed while I get you a towel," Nico made a puzzled face, "Don't you need to change?" Jason chuckled, and Percy smiled, "Percy, here is basically a living Haruka Nanase," "He's right," Percy shed his pants and he was already wearing a swimsuit. "remember that time I tried swimming in our 8th grade fish tank?" Nico was almost mortified and the boys giggled, "I'm kidding Nico, loosen up," Nico blushed and nodded.
Nico sat down on the edge of the boy, the cold water biting his toe, "It's so cold, HOW THE FUCK DO YOU HANDLE THIS!" the boys laughed as they splashed each other in the freezing cold water, "It stays cold because when we swim we sweat and our body temperature needs to regulate," Jason mentioned. "Remember that time we were at a ski resort and I got a nosebleed in the hot tub!" Percy howled. "And everyone had to leave and it was shut down the next day!" They both started laughing. Nico admired their friendship. He didn't really have anyone to splash around with, giggle over past memories, talk about cute boys with. Will was the closest thing to that, but he was just someone he had met online. Nico took a deep breath in and continued to kick his legs in the water.
As, the next hour went on Nico did some drawing, finished the colouring for their english project and splashed around with his toes Nico felt relaxed, even with his fear of deep water. It was as calm as Nico had been in a long time, not to mention the view was fantastic.
"Okay, it is time for a much needed hot shower," Jason laughed getting out the cold pool, his voice having a slight echo in the big room. Percy nodded, "Agreed." Nico was really impressed with the drawing he did of Percy and Jason, and was really excited to show them. He strolled over to the other end of the pool, the deep end, where the locker rooms where located, but just before he knocked a familiar voice ran through the room.