So I am totally in love with this new update for the app. It's great for writing and I love it. Shoutout to Wattpad people for making the app awesome.

Anyhoodles,

Enjoy!!

- Nico_Solace

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

»»Nico««

"Okay, yeah I know. I was an asshole but-"

"No but's! You were an asshole and you need to accept your asshole-ishness!" Hazel puts her finger against my lips to silence me.

After a moment, she drops her finger and erupts into a fit of giggles. I join her soon after.

"Okay, yeah. I know. But seriously, I- I can't date Will." I say after schooling my laughter.

"Why's that?" Haz wonders, licking another bit of ice cream off her spoon.

Before I answer, I dig a large spoonful of the cookie dough goodness out of the container and place the spoon against my tongue.

"I just can't. He's in a different world than I am. We don't have any mutual friend. Except Jase, I guess."

"You and Jason are still friends?"

"Kind of. But..." I put my head in my hands and groan loudly. "I like him, you know? Like, a lot. Far more than anyone else I've dated. A lot more than I like Caleb."

"Good. I don't like Caleb; I like Will. And sisterly approval is very important to relationships." She points her spoon at me seriously.

I crack another weak smile before toying with the spoon in my hand. I bite my lip; a nervous habit I developed while living with my Father.

"I know. But... If I'm honest, what I feel for that stupid, idiotic, clingy, obsessive, gorgeous Solace boy? It terrifies me."

"What about it scares you, Jay?" Hazel asks, concern evident in her voice. She drops her spoon into the bucket of ice cream and scoots closer to me, picking it back up after grabbing my hand.

"He's just- he's so perfect, yeah? And, like, he's sweet. And considerate. And he cares about what I have to say. And he's an A+ kisser. Like, I would totally kiss him all day if I could. And fucking hot. Did i mention he's fucking hot? But-"

Hazel smacks the back if my head and glares at me. "Stop cursing. It's rude and unnecessary."

"Sorry." I reply, not apologetic in the slightest. "But he bullied me, remember? When we still lived with Father and Seph. I came out and he bullied me. Bad. And then suddenly now he's into guys and coming after me? I don't know what to do with that."

Hazel shrugs. "Well, you can do one of two things. On one hand, you can forgive him and pursue what he's obviously offering. Or, on the other, you can hold a grudge against him, never forgive, and, later in life, regret that you never tried him on. You know that people that are closeted tend to be mean to people that are out. Like, they're just jealous."

"I know, I know. And he's a great guy and an incredible kisser and I just don't know what to do with him. He won't leave me alone."

Hazel shrugs again and eats another spoonful of ice cream.

I sigh dejectedly. "Anyway, enough with my fucked- sorry -love life. How's yours, then?"

I swear, if Hazel could, she would be blushing right now. She ducks her head and hides her face with her hair.

I raise my eyebrow skeptically. "Well, who is he? C'mon, out with it!"

She giggles and starts playing with the ice cream, not making eye contact with me.

"Haz, c'mon, Little Gem. I just outed all my problems to you. You owe me some good gossip." I brush her wild curls from her face.

"Fine, fine! It's- it's Frank." She blurts.

"Finally! A confirmation! I've been waiting for that for weeks." I laugh, poking playfully at her cheek. "What about Mr. Frank Zhang?"

She smiles in a daydream sort of way. "He's kinda become my best friend this year, you know? Like, we have a lot of classes together and he's super sweet and kind and wouldn't hurt a soul. And he's a total geek. He's into comic books and World of Warcraft and Mythomagic and all that. Its super cute when you get him to ramble about it, too, because he just gets so excited..."

"But?"

"But, I wonder if he even likes me as more than just friends. I mean, he hasn't shown any outward interest. And he's never looked at me in any particular way."

"Does he talk about other girls around you?"

"Well, no, but-"

"He's into you."

"What? But-"

"He is very into you."

"But he-"

"Hazel. He's into you, yeah?"

"Are you sure? I mean, he's never talked about any other girls but I don't know. I'm just- I don't see why he'd be into me, okay?"

"Maybe because you're just as dorky as him with your books and super hero movies? Maybe because you're absolutely gorgeous with your wild Citrine hair and golden eyes and warm caramel skin? Maybe because you laugh at his jokes and pay attention to him? Maybe because-"

"Okay! Okay. I get it." She exclaims, a shy smile spread across her lips.

I smile back and plant a comforting kiss on her forehead. "I think you should go for it. It's the 21st century and you are a strong, independent woman. Ask him out."

Hazel giggles into her hand. "You're such a dork, Neeks."

"Only to see that beautiful smile of yours, Little Gem."

---

I was walking aimlessly through the hall during class when it happened.

"Hey, trash!" That familiar voice yells to me.

Determined to keep it from bothering me, I keep walking as though I didn't hear. I am wearing headphones, after all.

"Hey, faggot!" I rough hand grabs my shoulder and pulls me to face the body it's attached to. "I'm trying to get your attention."

My hands are balled into fists at my sides. "I wouldn't know, considering I never heard my name."

"Whatever, queer." Percy hisses. "I came to issue a warning."

"Oh, you mean the same one I've already heard?"

"Shut it! I'm telling you now; stay away from Will. He doesn't need your gay rubbing off on him."

"That's not really how it works, but I'll definitely keep that in mind." I reply sarcastically. I pull my shoulder from his grip and push past him as I walk out to the bleachers.

I need a blunt.

---

"Hey, Nico." Solace says, sliding his tray onto the table next to me.

I look at him in confusion.

"What are you doing?" I hiss.

"Eating lunch. Put that cancer stick down." Will demands, snatching the cigarette from between my fingers and stubbing it out on the concrete of the table top.

"Hey!" I protest, trying, and failing, to grab my cigarette back.

"Hey to you, too."

"Why are you at my table? This is my table. I sit here. You sit with the preps."

"Nico-"

"I'm not interested. We aren't supposed to be friends."

"Hey-"

"We aren't supposed to talk to each other."

"Seriously-"

"We most definitely aren't supposed to sit together."

"But-"

"And I'm not supposed to like having you around like I do."

"Hang on a sec- wait, what? You like having me around?" Will asks me smugly.

I feel my face turn an embarrassing shade of crimson and turn away. Clearing my throat, I pull out another cigarette.

"Can't you just leave me alone?" I demand, placing the cigarette between my lips.

"Nope." Will sing-songs, pulling the cigarette from my mouth.

"And why would that be?" I asked incredulously, glaring at him.

"I was taught to go after what I want. And what I want, my dear Nico di Angelo, is you."

My blush rushes back, full force. "Yeah, well, sorry about your luck. It's not happening."

Suddenly, Will is standing over me, hands on either side if my hips against the table. His face is uncomfortably close to mine. His eyes lock on my lips.

"Because you don't want it to, or because you're scared to let it happen?"

"Because- wait, why does it matter?" The point is, it isn't happening! Not now, not later, not ever." I snap, pushing him away as he leans closer; his lips nearly brushing mine. "Get away from me."

"I think you're scared. I don't think you've ever had a crush reciprocate your feelings so you're terrified. Well, news flash, Nico; I like you. A lot. Now get over here."

Will hooks his hand around my neck and pulls my face to his. His lips are as soft as ever, silky and smooth. They taste of the tator tots he had been eating and the underlying flavor of vanilla that is there for every kiss .

I'm entirely embarrassed to admit I utterly moo melt under Will's hands and mouth. Instead of pushing Will away and screaming at him for touching me, I allow it. I kiss him eagerly and move my hands. They end up wrapped around his neck and entangled in his hair.

When he pulls away, we're both breathless.

"Not happening, right?" He smirks. "See you in English, Nico."

And with that, he's gone and I'm left with the taste of vanilla, the scent of cinnamon, and a pair of bruised lips to remind me he was ever here.