Solangelo One Shots

Hello Love, My Invincible Friend(p1)

Hi guys! I've been really excited to put this up and before you start reading, I just want to give a bit of context! It takes place at a Catholic boarding school in the 80s, where being gay was significantly more stigmatized than it is now. Just a quick warning, the series is going to deal with some themes of homophobia, although that's closer towards the end. Also, I have kind of an exciting announcement at the end, so stick around for that!

Will's POV

"Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." Will glances up. Everyone's heads are bowed in prayer, and, as usual, Octavian leads it on the alter, a smug smile on his face as he recites the words that Will has to hear every day. "Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven." Will sneaks a glance behind him. Nico's head is bowed with everyone else's, but he sneaks a glance at his phone as the prayer comes to an end. "Amen." Five hundred bodies stand, a thousand feet scraping against the floor as chatter ensues. "Everyone, remember to thank your teachers today!" Octavian says into the microphone. His voice is grating. Will wishes that he would just lead the prayer, sit down, and act like a normal student, but a day without Octavian trying to kiss ass to the teachers wouldn't really be a day at St. Mary's Catholic School in the first place. 

"Hey," Nico says, slipping into step with Will. "You ready to have religion class with dumb-dumb suck up boy over there?" 

"Octavian's going to hear you one of these days," Will says. "And then he'll report you to one of the teachers, and then you're getting kicked out. You're already on thin ice. Also, I think he's already heard you." Will gestures behind him, where Octavian is staring daggers at Nico's back. 

"Oh, whatever," Nico says. "The only people who like him are the teachers, and I think he's starting to get on even their nerves." 

"You know, I can hear you," Octavian says as they take a turn into a different hallway. The walls are gilded in gold, and a chandelier swings above their heads. "You are on thin ice, you know. The teachers hate you." 

"Oh, boo-hoo," Nico says. "Is that supposed to, like, make me feel bad about myself?" 

"It's supposed to make you think about the consequences of your actions," Octavian says. Nico and Will keep speeding up, but Octavian matches their pace with ease. "Nico, Nico, are you listening to me?" 

"We're listening, Octavian," Will says. He sighs, turning around. "Don't you have, like, your own friends to annoy?" 

"Well, Sister Johnson and I eat lunch together," Octavian says as they slip into their religion classroom. "We have fascinating discussions about theology." 

"Well, maybe you can talk to her about theology instead of talking to us about... stuff," Will says. As they walk to their seats, Will's hand brushes against Nico's. Shivers run up his spine and as his heart starts to throb wildly he jerks his hand away. Warmth starts to creep up his cheeks and he feels Nico's fingers press against the small of his back before they sit down. 

"But I like talking to you guys about stuff," Octavian says, slipping into his seat behind Will's. "It's funny to watch Nico get upset." 

"Shut up, Octavian, nothing you say makes me upset," Nico snaps from next to Will. More students start to file in; Percy in front of Will, Hazel in front of Percy. 

"Like I said," Octavian says, grinning. "It's fun." Nico looks like he's about to go in on Octavian, but with one hand on Nico's arm, Will calms him. 

"Don't even try, Neeks, it's not worth it," he says. Sister Johnson steps into the room, setting her binder and textbook on her text. She surveys the room with cold eyes and her hands on her hips. Her presence always looms over the room and even though Will knows he hasn't (really) done anything, he feels as if he's being judged. As Sister Johnson takes her seat, Will can see Octavian's satisfied grin in his peripheral vision. Nico can gripe all he wants, but at the end of the day, everyone knows that Octavian rules the classroom, and nothing they say can change that.'