DEMIGODS. (Percico/Pernico)

˚‧º·Chapter Twenty-Two‧º·˚

When I walked into Italian class, Mr. di Angelo cast me the meanest scowl he ever had. I wasn't sure if he was capable of one that exuded more hatred and disgust than that. If someone, anyone, was capable of it, they'd deserve an award of some kind.

I lowered my gaze and sat in my usual seat. I attempted to meet Nico's gaze, but he kept his eyes on his desk. It wasn't a look that held shame or anger. He was being evasive for a reason, and that reason was currently writing this week's vocabulary words on the white board.

He wouldn't meet my gaze the remainder of class. And in the hallways. I was beginning to think he really was angry at me, but after fourth period, he pulled me around the corner and into the bathroom.

"My dad said he didn't want me to be around you," he said once the door shut behind us. "I'm sorry for ignoring you. I'm not angry at you."

My suspicions confirmed, I let out a relieved breath. "It's okay. I'm sorry."

"What for?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"For the whole fight thing and..."

"No, my dad's the one who should apologize to you."

"I think it would be easier to teach an ostrich French."

He laughed at that. I loved that sound. It made my insides tingly and warm.

"Percy, he doesn't want me to play on Saturday."

I paused. I suspected so, but actually hearing the words hurt.

"What? But, we..."

"I know, I know, but I'm trying to talk him into it. We got into a fight that night, and I might not have said the best things. It's mostly my fault."

"It's not your fault, Nico."

"No, it is. I really shouldn't have said those things to him. I just got really angry. But, if I can play, I'll be there as soon as possible, okay?"

I smiled. "Yeah, that sounds good."

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm.

"Percy..." he began, nervousness lining his tone. "Did... Did you really mean what you said to me? In the hot tub that night?"

I gave him a quick smile. "Yeah, of course I did."

He smiled at that--he was practically beaming--and released my arm. I was compelled to kiss him there. His large, brown eyes gazed into my own ever so alluringly, but I resisted. If that was going to be his first kiss, I didn't want it to be in a public bathroom.

My stomach grumbled, demanding food.

"Oh, lunch, right..." he said, a blush appearing on his cheeks. "See you later, Percy."

He seemed to gain a single, quick moment of boldness as he stood on his tiptoes and pressed a brief kiss to my cheek. He swiftly left the room, my hand unconsciously moving to the place his lips had touched.

I stood there, dumbfounded. I was in shock--I didn't know how to react. Then, my stomach grumbled again, and I followed him to the cafeteria to appease my hunger.

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ ♭ ♮ ♯

The week practically flew by, and, before I knew it, I was packing my equipment to go to the Band-Off. It was finally here, and nervousness sat in the pit of my stomach like a heavy stone, unwavered by the comforting words I told myself.

I loaded my microphone and guitar in the backseat of my car and checked my phone, looking to see if Nico texted me back.

Nothing. He hadn't said a word to me since the bathroom incident. I was still in disbelief. He kissed me on the cheek, and he knew what he was doing. I felt heat rise into my cheeks at the thought before relinquishing it. I had other things to worry about. The rest of my life was depending on winning this thing. If Nico wasn't able to make it, we'd do our best to play without him, no matter how much we'd be lacking.