Week one of school is down and out, and I'm already swamped with catch up work. It's a vicious cycle I fall into year after year of not studying one bit over the summer--despite Annabeth's nagging--and being completely lost by the beginning of the school year. So being the studious teen that I am, here I am: on a Saturday, procrastinating already. After milling about for most of the morning, I figured I might as well clean up my room a bit. Mom always likes when I keep things tidy without her having asked me to do so. Despite being almost a legal adult though, I feel like an absolute failure. Why would that be? The answer lies in my hands, as my mom giggles from the entrance to my room.

"It's not my fault that fitted sheets are just stupidly made." I try to redeem my inability to fold the darned piece of cloth. She comes over to me and works her mom-magic, and I sigh.

"I'm never going to learn if you always do it for me, mom." She just smiles and ruffles my hair, "Good, you'll always have a reason to keep me around then." I smile back at her, "I don't need a reason." 

She pauses her trek to the linen closet, and blows me a kiss, "You always know the right thing to say, my sweet boy." My face flushes at her pet name. At least she knows to never say it around my friends, otherwise I'd never hear the end of it from Leo and Piper.

"I'm heading out, dear. Working the late shift--Darby is sick again so I'm picking up for her." I smile at my mom's never ending kindness.

"Alright, don't work too hard, mom," She chuckles as she leaves the room and I fall onto my freshly made bed, letting my plush blue comforter envelop me. My backpack sits next to my desk. I try for a solid five minutes to make it disappear with my clearly still-developing telekinetic powers. My phone buzzes and I lazily flop over to check it.

Message from Wise Girl: How's studying going, Seaweed Brain? (13:02)

Eh... possibly nonexistent?

Do I need to come over there? (13:04)

I'm on my way (13:04)

I roll over, my eyes matching the action. At least my room is clean for our impromptu study session. Annie and I have been friends since we were little, she knows me better than I know myself sometimes. For a while we thought that our relationship was more than friends, and that ended up being a little more than awkward for a while. It was before I'd realized that I was not the straightest ruler of them all, but I'm glad it didn't change how we think about each other. Annie has been there for me throughout everything, and I know how lucky I am to have someone like her in my corner.

But that being said, I still groan when I hear the front door opening. No amount of love for my friend will magically transfer any feelings towards schoolwork.

"Oh common, Percy, you can't be this burnt out already," I give her a look, to which she only laughs.

"Just put me out of my misery now please." A heavy weight falls on my back, and my breath leaves me for a moment.

"One comment about my weight and you are failing all your classes this year, Seaweed Brain." I let out a low grumble before pushing her off, "Thanks for making yourself comfortable." She pulls my backpack closer to the bed, and I know I'm not getting out of anything today.

"Where are we starting?" She asks, and I let out my hundredth groan of the day.

A few hours pass before I finally give up.

"Calculus can take all of it's problems and go back to whatever hellhole it spawned from." Annabeth chuckles at my comment, but I don't think she realizes I'm being serious.

"I take it we're done for the day then?" I nod my head while laying back in my bed, "We did get quite a bit done, so you should be all prepped for next week now."

"Thank the gods." She lays down next to me and we are silent for a bit. That's another thing I've always liked about Annabeth: we are comfortable in silence together. Of course that quiet time doesn't last forever though.

"So what do you think of Nico?" She randomly asks.

"Uh, why are you asking that?" I shift a little away. Although I know she's okay with my sexuality, it's never really been something I've wanted to talk about.

"I don't know. It's been a while since we've had someone new in the group. He seems a little," she pauses, and I hold my breath unintentionally, "uninterested."

"Uninterested how?" My mind starts reeling, have I really given off that vibe? Has he already figured out that he doesn't like me? God, I don't think I'll ever have a chance with him.

"In making friends, I guess. He just gives off an annoyed aura or whatever, I don't think I trust him."

"Oh," I let out, "You meant in everyone, not in just--" I stop myself.

"Not in just what?" I turn towards her, "Nothing. But, I think he's cool." My face heats up a little bit, but thankfully she doesn't notice--or at least she doesn't comment on it.

"I don't know. Maybe just be careful around him, Perce."

"I will be, don't worry. I think he's just a little lonely, I mean, wouldn't you be if you just moved countries?" She nods, but doesn't say anything else on the matter. We're silent again for a while, before Anna decides to leave. I bid her a half-hearted farewell, and only minutes later I'm rolling over to my buzzing phone.

Message from Pipes: Hey hey! Get together, my place tonight! The pool is ready to celebrate the start of school with us ;) (16:58)

Already this early into the year? (16:59)

You know it, now get your ass over to my house by sunset or else Jackson. My parents left a few hours ago for Venice again, tonight's gonna be lit! (17:01)

Okay, okay. See ya later (17:01)

Good. Gotta go, parties don't prep themselves.(17:02)

Thought it was a "get together?" (17:04)

Yeah yeah, see you later kelp head. (17:04)

Well there goes my plans to lay in bed all evening. Shaking my head I get up and decide to shower. Knowing Piper, tonight is about to get real interesting. Over the course of the few hours I have, I manage to build up my somehow lost energy from the week, and get excited for the supposed "get together."

After showering and changing into more suitable party attire, I scribble a quick note for my mother to find when she gets home from work. I'm thankful I've got such a chill mom to look after me; in addition to her unwavering support, she gives me free reign of my time and doesn't nose into my business either. I put the sticky note next to the key holder in our entryway--as to make sure that she sees it--and grab my own set of keys in the process. Finally I slip a beanie over my messy hair and my worn, navy converse onto my feet.

The walk to Piper's is a long one, but I don't mind it as it gives me ample time to listen to music and think over Annabeth's comments from earlier. I just can't get this Nico kid out of my mind. Call me smitten, but I want to figure him out--maybe that's why I hadn't minded what Anna called his "disinterest." He just gives off that vibe that there's more than meets the eye. Well either that or I have a kink for hard-to-get guys that I was unaware of until this wannabe bad boy showed up. His attire and attitude do scream "stay away," but his actions hint towards a loyal, soft side to the boy. I shake my head as I near Piper's driveway, thankful that I won't spend more time agonizing over this. Overthinking has always been one of my downfalls, and this walk has only proven that aspect of my mind to still be thoroughly present.

Whatever happens this school year will happen. I shouldn't be thinking this hard into something that has only just begun. Besides, there's a high chance Nico isn't even interested in guys to begin with.

Friends. Yes, I'll focus on becoming his friend, and not fixate on all the "what ifs" that keep bouncing from wall to wall within my brain. Friends; that's what I decide on as the door in front of me swings open.

"Hey loser," I laugh and lean into Piper's arm that she threw over my shoulders. There's music blasting from her fancy sound system, and the lights are bright inside. I follow her to the kitchen, despite knowing the way already.

"Drinks on the counter, and in the cooler outside. Help yourself, as always, Perce." My eyes widen in surprise at the large array of alcohol spanning the smooth granite island, "Damn, Pipes. How many people did you invite?"

She shrugs, "Eh, not too many. I know it looks like a lot, I just couldn't help but spend a bit more this time." Her eyes find the floor, and her fingers twitch around the solo cup she's holding. I decide to drop the topic, already knowing why she throws these parties--I'm sorry--get togethers.

"Well, at least no one can complain about not liking their drink with all the options." I shoot a smile at her as I throw together a jack and coke. I'd figured out last year that this cocktail was a safe bet for my body and tasted decent, unlike most liquor. Piper just grins back at me, "You should check out the deck, I put up fairy lights and everything!"

"I'm sure it looks great, I'll meet you out there." She nods and meanders away to greet a few people who walked in.

I take a sip of my drink and head outside. In a few weeks it'll probably be too cold to swim outside, what with the current weather being just tolerable to jump into water at night. Even with the heating system I know the pool has, the chill air will make getting in and out painful. The drinking will surely loosen everyone up, and in a few hours I'm sure no one will think twice about jumping into the pristine pool. If I didn't know Piper personally, I would probably be envious of said girl and her parent's extravagant house and abundance of money. But I knew better, and understood that she acted up like this--frivolously spending their cash on silly stuff like a fake ID and alcohol--just to "stick it to 'em" for always leaving her alone in the giant house.

As I step onto the deck a small gasp leaves my lips. She outdid herself this time. The lights around the yard and furniture flicker and reflect in the bright blue water. The state-of-the-art speakers are playing the same music as inside, creating a bright and full atmosphere despite only having a handful of people milling about. I recognize the faces of my fellow classmates, and make a little small talk for a while before finding a more familiar gaze.

Maybe it's the fact that I'd already finished my drink in such a short period, or maybe it's the glittering light, but either way my knees almost buckle when I make eye contact with him. All I see is the dark chocolate of his big doe eyes.

"Look who I managed to drag out here!" Piper's arm is around Nico as she practically pulls him over to me. I find myself gulping as I regain my thinking. A small blush makes its way to my neck that is definitely the product of the alcohol in my system. Yup purely the alcohol's fault.

"Ah, hey Neeks. Didn't peg you for the party type." I shake my head, clearing it as best I can with the little fog that already settled there, and smile wide. He dips his head a little, looking at the shiny stone.

"I'm not. But she wouldn't stop texting me until I agreed to come." I almost miss the mumbled words "fucking annoying," at the end of his statement. I just laugh in response, "Yeah, Piper's good at pestering people into her plans," I duck out of the way as Piper swipes at my head, which only makes me laugh harder. She's laughing too, and even Nico cracks a smile.

"So you want a drink or anything," I motion to his empty hands. He looks a little hesitant, so I wrap an arm around his shoulders, "Come on, I've gotta get myself a refill." And with that I'm half dragging him back inside.

Friends, I remind myself. I'm just being friendly to the guy. I turn my head towards him as we near the kitchen, and yet again I find myself struggling to form a coherent thought; utterly drowning in his dark eyes.

This might be harder than I thought.