The Deep End

Epilogue- End of an Era

It had been 2 weeks since Nico's near drowning.
2 weeks since he discovered 2 weeks of his life was just his imagination.
It had been 2 weeks since Nico went to school and faced the truth.
It was 2 weeks until February.

Will held Nico's hand, not romantically, but a friend supporting another friend.
He could tell when Nico's hand started to shake and he could help him through another panic attack.
Will told Nico all about what happened at school. Turns out Percy did have to present the project by himself.
Apparently Percy and Annabeth had broken up, even before his accident.
Nico's heart felt empty and his 2 weeks were filled with nightmares about his family, about his friends, about Percy.

The metal doors to the school snapped open, and the smell of hand sanitizer and sweat filled his lungs.
He hated school without Percy. He hated it even more with Percy. He hated being without Percy.
Will walked with him until he reached his class where they hugged goodbye.
The smell of Will filled Nico's lungs, daisies and cinnamon grounded him making his muscles relax.

"You gonna be okay?"
"I'm gonna try,"

Will gave Nico one more hug and walked to his class.
Nico held his new Bluetooth earbuds to his ears, his hair tucked forward hiding the pieces in his ears.
The day went by as anxious as you good expect. Lunch was the only thing keeping him sane.
His friends acting as if nothing was wrong and he didn't miss 2 two weeks of school making him behind in all his classes.
Everything was fine until the next week where Will stopped walking with him, he bumped his shoulder into a lanky, kid. Perseus Jackson.
Percy did nothing, but apologized and walked off with a smile, but the space where Percy's arm brushed against Nico's arm. He felt a jolt of electricity

And for once in his life. Nico had high hopes for his future.