"Bye Mama, Dad! Hazel, come on we're gonna be late!"

I check my watch, waiting impatiently at the front door. The bus driver honks his horn again and once again I call for Hazel just for her to fly out the door in a gust of wind. Rolling my eyes, I lock the door behind me and run out following her.

It's been three months since I got home. Spring break just ended. I still get nightmares, mama helps make them a lot easier to deal with. Oh, mama is Persephone. Turns out she and dad were dating while I was gone. Apparently, before I went... missing dad had planned to introduce her at Thanksgiving break. Just for the record, I'm still upset I missed that. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Anyway, the nightmares are still here. And I know I should probably go to therapy, and dad and I have talked about it, but I said no. I still say no. I'm not scared or anything, I just have either have no filter at all or I'll end up refusing to tell the therapist anything. And if I'm honest it'll probably end up being the first one. Which is honestly embarrassing so I will not be going.

The bus pulls into the school's driveway and I smile. I will admit: after going missing for several months, school isn't that bad anymore. At least I can see all my friends, and not have to worry if they're still breathing or anything of the sorts.

"Pst, Neeks. This is usually the part when you walk off the bus," that's Will. Have we gotten a lot closer since I fell asleep on him at his place? Yes. Has it been brought up since? ...to be fair I don't see how that's any of your concern.

I blink hard, just to knock myself out of my thoughts because that looks way less crazy than shaking my head at a nonexistent question, and quickly grab my bag, following Will off the bus.

It's the start of fourth quarter. The rest of the year I have very high hopes for. Drama Club is putting on some shakespearean play and someway somehow Mama and Hazel convinced me try out. So that'll be interesting.

Will and I are going to the movies Friday, and I might confess. Probably won't but hey, high hopes for a living am I right? If I do confess, Im fairly sure he'll say yes. Then we'll start dating, go on loads of awesome dates, move the college together, eventually hopefully get married, get a house and foster kids. I know, sounds like an amazing future.

And I know what you're thinking: Nico, you can't start fantasizing about you're future with some guy you're not even dating. And I raise you to shut the fuck up.

Anyways, we're at my locker now and both Piper and Clarisse are there. "di Angelo. I've heard you're trying out for the play?"

Of course she did. Oh, how I wonder who told her. I slowly turn my head to Will, in that dramatic way that honestly tells you everything you need to know about my opinion on the subject. He's already biting his lip nervously. It's cute if I'm honest with myself.

"Okay, I may have told my dad. Who in turn may've tweeted about it. But! I'm sure only like half the neighborhood has seen the tweet."

Well. And just like that, I'm no longer auditioning. "Will. At least half the city, maybe the whole, follows your dad. Or did you conveniently forget he's a hella good down to earth lawyer?"

"And hot."

God bless her. "Piper-"

"What he's hot. That's like half the reason why he's got so many followers. He's hot, funny, and a good dad? Hello, could not build a better man." Piper rolls her eyes as she leans against the lockers. It is at that moment that Clarisse nods her head in agreement.

"She's not wrong."

Good lord help me. "Clari, don't you have a man already? And you too, Piper! You have two, don't you? No, wait that's not my point here. You're distracting me, stop." I huff. Now where was I.

Clarisse rolls her so hard Im very surprised they didn't fall out. I'm sure they will at some point. She rolls them so much they'll have to right. "I have a boyfriend, that doesn't me blind dummy."

"Precisely. Just because I have two boyfriends does not mean I am blind to the fact that Will's father is a total DILF." Pipers not my friend anymore. Maybe I should start hanging out with Percy more.

Wills gave twists in disgust as the first bell rings. No one makes a move. We still have ten minutes and our classes are only upstairs so it's fine to wait a little longer. "I am deeply disturbed by the turn of conversation and will risk Neeks wrath. So, Neeks! Why's it so bad that he tweeted about auditions?"

Oh! That's where I was. Thank goodness for Best Friend Will. "I don't know," I shrug with a smirk. "I just felt like starting something. Did not mean to wound up here though." That is a bold faced lie. The reason is that it's a little embarrassing to know that so many people will know that i'm auditioning and sure, they won't see me auditioning but it's the principal of the matter.

His face falls slightly and I let out a low laugh. "Yeah okay, Nico." The second bell rings. "Well, I have english, wish me luck." He begs while he starts walking away and I genuinely feel sorry for him. English sucks, the teacher anyway, I adore the class itself.

"Loser, I have study hall first. Bye!" With that, I close my locker and start walking to the auditorium.

***missed me? also time skip to after auditions bc he's coward and post certainly still auditions***

"Okay. So, my hands are at ten and two. I can see put the mirrors and I can see behind me. The cars in park. The ignition is started. I'm ready." Nodding slightly, I lick my lips in excitement.

My passenger clears their throat before saying, "Absolutely you are, sweetheart. As soon as you put your seatbelt on."

Duh. Come on now, Nico. How's you forget the first step. I quickly let go of the wheel to buckle up and give Mama a small grin.

"Now change gears and press the gas a little."

I do. The car jerks and with the way Mama grabs the over head hanger thing, I can tell this hour is going to be really long.

"Sorry, mama..."

***its friyay*

"Nico?"

We're walking home. The movie was absolutely horrible. People around us were talking the entire time. And not even like whispering. They were full on talking and having conversations. Will and I ended up leaving and just going to get dinner earlier. That didn't work out on account of the restaurant getting shot up right before we got there. They caught the guy so yay I guess.

I sigh. Tonight was a straight nightmare. Nothing went to plan. It takes a genuine effort not to pout as I look at Will. "Yeah, what's up?"

Will lifts his head up like he's about to nod but stop at the up position. "I know the movies didn't go to well, and Im sure you're starving, at least I know I am. But overall, I want you to know. I had a lot of fun today." He finally finishes his nod and he has a slight blush to his cheeks. "This was a nice date."

Nico.exe has stopped working. We're at the cross between my house and his, so I could really take this chance and run. "It was a nice what?"

Will's face falls and it's a little obvious he's embarrassed. Thinking he misinterpreted the day. Which, he did let's be honest. However, who's upset? Not me. "Date? This was a date right? You asked me out."

I blink and laugh a little at sheer coincidence. "I was going to."

"What!?"

"Will." I can't help but grin hugely. This means he likes me right? Like an actual confession just without the words. "I was gonna tell you that I like you at dinner. Then I was going to ask if you wanted to go on a date."

Poor thing looks so confused. "Then why did you look so sad walking home?"

Never mind. He's a dolt. "Because, William. I like you. A lot. And like I said, I planned on confessing tonight so I wanted it all to be flawless."

I pause there. I have more to say but it's cute watching the gears work in his head.

"So you-"

"Yes."

"Oh. Well, that's good." Will blinks a few more times before smiles. He then gives me his really freaking annoying bear hug. It's the most insufferable hug ever because it feels like a big weighted blanket. And feels heavenly. Never feels to make me feel safe, I hate it. "How about, we have a do over date then?" He's talking into my shoulder, gotta admit I really like that.

"And what'll we do in this second first date, Will?"

He quiet for a short moment and I can hear the crickets around us and I can see the fireflies buzzing. Id like to imagine the fireflies are singing Mi Belle Evangeline. "Ooh! Idea," There's my boy. "We could have a paint session." Is he really my boy, though?

"I'm sorry?"

"No, no! Hear me out on this." Will eagerly let's go of our hug, far to eager if you ask me, and back up waving his arms widely like he's presenting something grand. "We can both see color, right? So what if, again hear me out, movie marathon at one of our houses and we have a little snack buffet while we paint the moment when we first saw color."

Confession time: I barely understood a word Will said. Sue me, but I was too busy looking at the gleam in eyes. And- Goodness have I always been this down bad? "That, sounds like a really fun idea actually? When are you free to do it? We can go to my house!"

"I'm free tomorrow."

"Perfect."

We smile briefly before our attentions are drawn to our phones. I got a text from dad telling me watch the lights. I glance up and notice that, yeah street lights are on. At least i'm on the corner. I'll be home in like twenty seconds if I run. And don't look first.

To my digress, Will must have gotten the same text, because he is already running up to his front porch. "Will! You jackass!"

"I'm late! Mom's gonna kick my ass." I laugh and start walking backwards towards my house. Backwards so we can keep talking, or yelling I guess. "I see you tomorrow, kay!"

"Yeah, okay!" With that I finally turn around and run up the stairs to the house. The doors already unlocked. I close the door behind me and slide against it, trying to catch my breath.

"And why the hell are you late?"

I won't stop myself from smiling and look up at dad and mama. "I think I got a boyfriend."

*******The End********
so thanks for reading. this chapter is 1890 words the longest one i believe. sorry i took two years to write the ending. i did my best to keep the tone the same lmk know if you feel a shift lol and if it makes an difference i had the first 200 words written in 2020 but idk what happened. wait that's not true i do know. i discovered ao3 made the switch and honesty never looked back. lol

anyhow shout out to @SidneyTamez bc ur comments reminded me of the fic and i thght yk what i'll give you the ending. so here you go babes

second wattpad book that's actually my first started book completed ✅

while i'm here go give Runaways some love. it's absolutely horrible but if i can persevere thru this you can persevere thru that.

also (sry i talk a lot) stop my ao3?? maybe? my users specific_dreamer and personally my writing style there is so much cleaner

this is long end note bye guys!