How Did I Fall for Nico di Angelo

CHAPTER 7: AMBER

"Aw, HELL no," I heard as I woke up. I opened my eyes to see one VERY angry Percy standing in the doorway. I looked around to see that I was in Nico's bed. "Nico! Get away from my sister!" Nico groaned and sat up. I sat up too and glared at Percy. What was his problem? I looked over to see a tired, angry, and SHIRTLESS Nico. I blushed and looked away quickly.

He had a six pack. For being as scrawny as he was, he looked really hot without a shirt on. Whoa, whoa, whoa. What in the name of Poseidon did I just say? Or think...whatever it was, I confused myself.

"Amber, let's go get ready for breakfast," Percy said while staring daggers at Nico. If looks could kill, Nico would be six feet in the Styx.

"Okay," I said, getting dragged out the door by Percy. "Bye Nico!" As I was dragged to our cabin, I couldn't help but think of Nico without his shirt on.

Damn you teenage hormones!

Before I knew it, we were at the Poseidon cabin. Percy released me from his death grip. I grabbed my outfit for the day and went to the bathroom to take a shower. About fifteen minutes later, I walked out of the bathroom wearing a Panic! at the Disco shirt, a black zip-up hoodie, dark blue skinny jeans, my glasses, and my black Converse All-Stars. Percy gave me the one-over and frowned.

"Why are you wearing so much black?" he questioned with a bit of attitude. I was shocked by his question as I have told him it was my favorite color before.

"If you don't recall me telling you, black is my favorite color," I said, getting a bit angry. He rolled his eyes before staring into mine. He had a dead serious expression on his face. I figured he would start ranting about my fashion statement but I was mistaken.

"I don't want you hanging out with Nico anymore," he said with a straight face. I turned to look at him with anger welling up inside my chest.

"And why is that?" I asked, practically shouting.

"He's a bad influence and I don't his attitude to rub off on you." He kept a blank expression on his face as he looked at me.

"His attitude?!" I was screaming at this point. Thank the gods that the cabins are sound proof. "He has been nothing but kind to me ever since I met him! If you're just saying this because of this morning than I want you to stop."

"What happened this morning was me walking into his cabin looking for you. I found him shirtless, cuddling with my little sister and you expect me not to be angry?!" He was trying not to shout at me but was failing miserably.

"I'm gonna hang out with Nico whether you like it or not!" And on that happy note, I ran out of the cabin with my sword and headed to the arena. Percy tried to stop me but couldn't. I ran inside of the arena and immediately started attacking the dummies. After gutting and beheading three, I could hear footsteps approaching me.

"Nice job, runt," said none other than Clarisse la Rue. "You got skill. At least more than your brother." She handed me a bagel with cream cheese on it.

"Thanks," I said to her and I bit into the bagel. After I finished, she helped me replace the dummies that I destroyed. Clarisse offered to teach me a few new moves, and I gladly obliged. We trained until my watch started beeping.

"And that is my cue to leave," I said out of breath. "Thanks for the training." She nodded and smiled at me before I walked out of the arena to the beach, where Nico would be waiting.

*****

"You're late," Nico said while lying in the sand with the basket of gummy bears and a blanket. His eyes were closed. How did he see me coming? I sat down next to him and stared out at the ocean.