Broken--A Reynico Fanfic

Chapter 2--Little White Lies

Reyna's POV

The cool and crisp sea breeze fluttered my hair, as I stopped at a lookout stand on the coast—my favourite place to be when I had any problems or worries. 

Gazing out at the cobalt sea and the endless azure sky, I sighed. You have to let go of the past, and look to the future.

A sudden tingle went up my spine. I'm being watched. I gradually turn around, wind whipping my hair, to see the person I least wanted to see now, at this time. Well, not literally...

"W-what are you doing here?" I stammered, drawing my cloak back. 

A thousand butterflies flitted around in my stomach.

I just gaped at him with my mouth wide open. Great job, Reyna—gaping at boys is a good way to make them like you. Typical of me...

Nico was standing right in front of me, his dark eyes boring into my deep black ones. He took a step closer, making me wince in part embarrassment, part anxiousness. He looked away, embarrassed, and cleared his throat loudly.

Staring at me for a moment, he stuttered quickly, "Um, hi, yeah, so uh I can't explain this and I've not seen you for, like, two years but uh, can you just come with me? I, er, have something to tell you, like, right now, and—so yeah. Yeah." 

He bit his lip and blushed—his speech came out all garbled.

 Gods, he's so cute when he blushes, I thought. Then it was my turn to blush at my irrational thoughts.

Am I really falling in love with Nico di Angelo of all people?

 "I kind of have some things to finish back at camp, do you mind if I schedule a meeting with you later on? I'm quite busy now, as you can see," I gestured to the bustling camp behind me.

 "Look, it's okay that we haven't met for a long time, everything's just the same. You're always welcome to speak to me, anytime."

 A flash of some unknown emotion surfaced in Nico's features. I could've sworn that his eyes got softer and he slumped his shoulders slightly. He sighed, staring out at the rolling sea; I tilted my head, indicating he could continue speaking.

 "O-okay, I'll meet up with you later, Reyna. See you back at camp then." I thought I detected an undercurrent of guilt and disappointment in his words, but I couldn't be sure. Then he turned slowly and ran back, disappearing into the woods.

I watched his disappearing form until he completely vanished from sight. I smiled ruefully. 

However in the world am I going to get rid of this crush if he acts so cute all the time? And he's here to stay at Camp Jupiter? 

Then, ashamed of my own thoughts—I am a daughter of Bellona, after all—I started back up the wooden bridge to camp.

Nico's POV

Shadow-traveling back to my hammock, I sat cross-legged on the ground, panting with fear and exhaustion, while my heart continued thumping really fast. 

Did she see through my actions?  I couldn't tell. She was always so aloof, so distant. I couldn't even tell what she was feeling, though I'm supposed to have that power as a son of Hades.

Without warning, my focus changes. I sighed softly and remembered her chocolate-brown eyes, her gleaming purple praetor's robe swishing in the wind, the way she blushed at my words, the way she said, "You're always welcome to speak to me, anytime."...

At that moment, a realisation occurred to me. I just couldn't betray Reyna, but I wanted Bianca back. A terrible tug of war between the two sides started in my heart. I just couldn't decide what to do. With a huff, I swung myself up onto the hammock and continued the tug of war in my mind.

She's your sister. She deserves a chance, and so do you.

Reyna's my friend, she helped me so much, and...

Remember the old times when Bianca was here? At least you were happy. With Reyna here, all she ever did was tolerate you! Until...

Another horrible but possibly true realisation dawned on me.

Reyna...Reyna had a crush on me.

I could sense her turmoil over the whole matter clearly now. She had probably arrived at camp then. Her emotions threatened to spill over the edge and burst out into the open, but she was holding back, fighting them. 

She probably didn't know about Will and our dating, I mean ex-dating, and our breakup, otherwise she wouldn't be feeling like this. She would probably think I was insane.

 A third horrible—no, diabolical realisation struck me.

I could use this to my advantage.

Lure her into the Underworld by tricking her, fooling her that I loved her. Make use of that crush by dragging her into deep trouble. Part of me wondered if it was Hades' voice speaking into my mind, giving me terrible ideas.

One last thought struck me.

 If I do this to Reyna, she would never forgive me. Ever. Her heart and soul would be broken, torn, cast into a million pieces, never to heal again. First Jason, then Percy, and now me—what would possibly happen if even I betrayed her too?

 But isn't that better? I could then pursue Will in peace and stop having these uncontrollable feelings she kickstarts in me.

 Wait, what? When did I say I have feelings for her?