If you guess this song... I will love you forever!!! ... And maybe give you a dedication? ;)
Hint: This artist plays for the same team, as do Percico.
*evil snicker*

ENJOY!!! MWAHAHAH!!!

Chapter #11: Colder...

NICO POV

~Oh, nowhere left to go
Are we getting closer? Closer?
No, all we know is "No"
Nights are getting colder, colder
Hey, tears all fall the same
We all feel the rain
We can't change...
Everywhere we go we're looking for the sun
Nowhere to grow old, we're always on the run
They say we'll rot in Hell, but I don't think we will
They've branded us enough Outlaws of Love.
Scars make us who we are
Hearts and homes are broken, broken
Far, we could go so far
With our minds wide open, open
Hey, tears all fall the same
We all feel the rain
We can't change...
Everywhere we go we're looking for the sun
Nowhere to grow old, we're always on the run
They say we'll rot in Hell, but I don't think we will
They've branded us enough Outlaws of Love.~

"Cosa diavolo stai facendo?!" I began yelling in my native tongue (Italian, if you were being that clueless) as a couple of sparkly girls grabbed at my arms, pulling me away from the Training Arena.
(Translation: What the hell are you doing?!)

I was still in utter shock and panic from the situation that happened just moments before, I really didn't need this either! I was absolutely furious, for one, because... well, because... How could Chase speak to Percy like that?! I couldn't believe I had to stand there, caught in the awkward crossfire, of the two of them fighting about their relationship... I could practically feel Percy's hurt dripping from his voice and the look in his eyes was just... Ugh, another thing that had infuriated me? You guessed it! The whole telekinetic thing on Aphrodite's island that Annabeth claimed to have looked into. What I processed from the information she gave us?

I'm screwed.

I was anxious enough when Jason literally dropped me on my head back at the Camp's central. I knew I had to face Percy yet again, but a guy needs a break! But almost immediately I find Jason running over to the one and only son of the sea god. And you know what? He looked even better than I last saw him. And that's saying a lot. His looks aren't helping me with my problems and yeah, I just admitted that I find him beyond attractive. Do you have problem with that? I think I'm going hysterical... Oh, gods... And then the sword match? Kill me now. Percy's a god. Well, actually he's a demigod, but you know what I mean.

"You only had that connection with the person you loved."

... Man, when those words left Annabeth's mouth, I completely lost it. I just can't believe this. All this time I've been trying so hard to hide myself, to stay away, to try and cover up what I really am, to mask the truth... And it's out within a phrase from a furious smarty pants' mouth. I nearly had a heart attack. This couldn't be happening. I mean, come on. Percy must know it's me! He must know that the whole mind reading thing was because of me and my... erm... liking for him. I mean, it definitely wasn't his fault because he can't have feelings for me, so there it is. I'm the only logical thing to blame. He must think I'm a freak... He must hate me now... The look in his eyes, he was so surprised. He was so confused. He just froze. His reaction nearly killed me, so yeah, I had to get away.

But before I could make my great escape, a couple Aphrodite sisters were squealing in my ears, making me deaf, and began pulling me away to their cabin, screaming something about 'Oh my gods! We like totally need to give him a new fashion worthy look!' and 'I call picking out the shoes! Shoes are like my specialty!', also there was 'Ugh, he reeks of icky death stuff... And he looks like death... But he has a pretty strong bad boy feel to him... Huh.', 'Gasp! Glitter and rhinestones, he has such soft hair!' (That last one I found... Disturbing. Absolutely disturbing. I almost chewed off the girl's hand that was touching my head). The last thing I heard that caught my attention almost made me pee my pants. Out of anger, not out of fear.

"MAKEOVER!!!"

I flinched at the loud squeals. Are you serious? You've got to be joking. But as they were half way to the Aphrodite cabin with me in their grips, I knew they were being serious. That's when I began to really struggle.

"Mettere le mani sporche fuori di me, io non andrò in là!" I screamed at them as we neared the polished pink pearl double doors of the Barbie House styled cabin.
(Translation: Get your filthy hands off of me, I will not go in there!)

The girls (an a couple of guys) just giggled in response to my anger. I fumed as they dragged me- literally dragged me -inside the scariest house I have ever been in. I'm serious. I groaned as they pushed me into a chair as they shuffled around and pulled things out of drawers, dressers, makeup kits, walk-in closets and chests at the foot of their beds. I attempted to make an escape, but almost immediately after I stood, I got my toe caught under the thick plush (and quite fluffy) blossom coloured carpet. I groaned as two sets of hands gripped my armpits and hoisted me back up on the twisty chair in front of a makeup desk and mirror.

I couldn't even think about trying to run for my life again because things were already being pushed in my face as loud voices and giggles and laughter filled the air. I don't get why every one of these living dolls are so interested in me. Then the two girls who have witnessed everything that happened before I was rudely kidnapped my a bunch of maniacs, began to gossip. I felt my eyes bug out. This cannot be happening! My heartbeat picked up as they kept rambling on about me... and Percy?

"... about them loving one another, and then I could like literally feel both of them blush, that's how bad their faces were red, and anyways, they both have feelings for each other, even when Percy was dating that Annabeth chick, and even though they're both dudes. They're gay for each other. It's a fact now. They are totally meant to be." The girl who was shoving tweezers in my face was blabbing excitedly. "But first- major makeover, ladies and gents."

"Porca troia." I cussed under my breath as my cheeks inflamed. "If you keep speaking, I swear to gods... Avrò la testa ai box mortali degli Inferi, girly."
(Translation: *cuss* If you keep speaking, I swear to gods... I will have your head in the deadliest pits of the Underworld, girly.)

The girl in front of me shrugged and plucked one of my eyebrow hairs, earning a wince, a swat and a protest by me. "I have no clue what you just said, but I know it was rude. You're gonna have to change that if you want Percy to like you... Just saying."

I growled as she stalked away and another child of Aphrodite swarmed me. So far my eyebrows were plucked, my face was magically cleared of all blemishes and imperfections, my aviator's jacket was stolen, my nails were trimmed, cleaned and shined, and finally my face was shaved (although I was pretty much hairless beforehand) and covered in a revitalising green goop that I desperately wanted to remove.

Why don't I just escape?

Well, the reason behind that is- I can't! I'm in the children of Aphrodite's cabin, don't you think they would have a few tricks up their sleeves? A few charms? A few spells? Well, let's just say my limbs feel like jello and a sudden wave of calming dizziness overwhelmed me. I suddenly didn't feel like jumping out of a window or running for my life. Even as a little girl ran up to me with a pink button up shirt. Within a few minutes, I have become a living Barbie. I had absolutely no privacy at all. Although, I was immensely thankful they could just snap their fingers and a shirt or a pair of pants were on me. Although I still felt violated. Super violated...

A half hour passed and I'm standing up wearing a light pink button up long sleeve shirt, a pair of white skinny jeans, and black dress shoes with a white fedora hat to match. I squeaked in horror. No, no, no... Not pink! And a fedora? I want to keep all the masculinity I have got left, thank you very much! I look like a girl now... Oh god, I looked like a girl before, I admit, but now you can only imagine how girly I seem. And who in the world wears white skinny jeans? I'd like to keep what's left of my pride, thanks.

As if one of the guys in here were reading my mind, he stepped up with his hand on his hip and spoke with a firm voice. "Oh, no, darling. Not pink. The white skinny jeans are a problem, too. Seems like he'll get them filthy in minutes."

"And the white fedora just doesn't suit his bad boy feel, huh?" Another girl added, flicking her long blond hair off her shoulders and smoothing out her jasmine silk dress.

The whole group of Aphrodite girls and guys alike shook their heads in agreement. All of a sudden, a girl gasped beside me, almost giving me a heart attack. Gods, these people are so dramatic! As I was trying to slow my heart rate down, she was grabbing fistfuls of my dark hair. I tried to squirm away, but another wave of dizzying calm hit me, making me relax and still. Are they spritzing a weird tranquillising perfume on me or something? I smell green apple... And coconut... And hallucinations.

"We need to fix that awful hair of yours, first." Someone muttered.

And before I knew it, a pair of scissors were being thrust into my face. I yelped. Bloody hell. Who gave them scissors?! They're absolutely insane... You don't give crazy people scissors! I watched helplessly as pieces of my hair fell to the floor. Didn't I just give myself a haircut? Wasn't that good enough? I don't like it short. Oh, gods. Will the torture never end? Not my hair... Another ten minutes later, and I heard a jumble of multiple squeals. I didn't want to look in the mirror. I wasn't prepared for what I would find.

"Oh my gods! You're actually... Attractive now!" I girl breathed out beside me.

I shifted my gaze from the floor to the person who spoke, and glared at her. Her eyes widened in what I presumed to be fear, and she shuffled away from the group, skipping into one of the many walk-in closets they have in here. When I turned back to the group of stylists and makeup artists with my eyes narrowed, they were already giggling. I frowned and my eyes landed on an empty hanger in one of the Aphrodite girls' hands. Uh-oh. What used to be on that hanger...? I hesitantly looked down at myself.

"... the hell?" I gasped.

I was wearing a dress! A pink frilly dress! I began to fume as the group couldn't hold back their bursts of laughter towards me. You know what? This makeover is... well... over. I growled as a darkness seemed to wash over the cabin. Instantly, everyone became quiet. A black flame sprouted in the little fireplace they had on the other side of the room and a few girls squealed, running away from it. Even though the group around me had taken the stupid tutu dress off of me and were trying to find different clothes that would 'compliment' my look and would 'satisfy my fashion needs', I was still furious.

~

"Demoni sanguinari..." I murmured as I stormed out of the Aphrodite cabin full of screaming girls and shouting boys.
(Translation: Bloody demons...)

I may or may not be responsible for the giant hole in the floor of the Aphrodite cabin in which deceased firemen were popping out of. Well, at least the flames would be under control. Heh... Too soon? Okay, I guess I shouldn't have done that. I got a bit carried away, but hey! They deserved it! Their cabin will be fixed in no time, no need to feel at all guilty. I heard another scream and flinched. Okay... Maybe I went a wee bit too far there with the skeletons and all. I picked up my pace, almost running, towards my cabin. I didn't want anyone to see me, even though this makeover took hours and it was now almost twilight.

As soon as I slammed the Hades cabin's door shut, I sighed in relief. What a crappy day. And let me tell you, being a demigod like myself I have had many crappy days. And this one? Emotionally exhausting.

I dragged myself across the room feeling extremely drained. I stripped whatever clothes the crazies put on me and stepped in the shower. Memories of what happened with Percy and Annabeth began creeping into my mind once more. I groaned and banged my head on the tiled wall. I can't believe this. He must know... He must know... I can't believe they broke up, right in front of me. I feel terribly guilty that the smallest bit of excitement sprouted as they broke up, but I honestly do feel awful. It's my fault. Percy was worrying about me, and now his relationship ended because he was distracted by my disappearance. And because I... like... him. Darn Aphrodite.

I stepped out of the shower and sauntered back into my room. Ditching what the crazy children of Aphrodite gave me as clothes, I pulled on some black skinny jeans with multiple rips and shreds, a baggy dark grey t-shirt and a black hoodie. But as I passed by a mirror, that's not what I was wearing at all. Oh, no... I had on a white button up that you would normally see on of the Musketeers, faded black skinny jeans with no holes (that kind of squished my butt a bit too much for my liking), a pair of blackish boots (not the cool combat boots, the normal dressy kind... Ugh) and, gods I say it, a black bow tie.

But the part that really had me stressing out about was my hair. Yes, my hair. They gave me an undercut. My bangs were still long and I had a bit of hair on the sides, but all in all, it was an undercut. My eyes popped out of my head. I began running my fingers through my hair, trying to get it back it's tousled style. But when I looked back up into the mirror, it was perfectly styled again. I tried once more, but it was no use. Frustrated, I ran over to my dresser and snatched out a beanie, pulling the dark hat over my hair. Better, but the clothes are really going to get on my nerves.

I collapsed onto my bed. These clothes and my hair, if I had to guess, weren't going to disappear any time soon. It might be hours, or days, or even weeks! My clothes are perfect, not a wrinkle, not a smudge. Totally clean. And my hair seems to always fix itself, it's always perfectly styled. I bet it still looks perfect under the beanie.

This is embarrassing.

But once again, one things sticks in my mind. Percy... Ugh, I need to speak with someone. This thought scared me almost as much as my makeover did. I stood up lazily and checked the clock. 1:37am. Hm... Okay, so Jason is out of the picture. That leaves one person that I could trust with my secrets and whom I can really speak to. I sighed, pulling my black beanie further over my ears and shuffled on my feet, closing my eyes. A couple seconds later, after a slight tug in my stomach, I reopened my eyes.

Instead of standing on the Hades cabin's black marble flooring, I stood on black rock. I gazed around and most of what I saw was darkness. Little wisps of light would float by every time I blinked, but other than that, it was pretty much deserted of any movement. I small, black river snaked its way between two menacing looking rocks close by. The sky was a rich and dark tinge of red, a spark of blood coloured lightning would crack every minute or so. The air was humid but chilling to the bone at the same time. The scent of death was unbearably strong. I was in none other than the Underworld.

I turned on my heel and began my small walk. As soon as I arrived at my destination- the mouth of a deserted cave -I slowed, then all together walked in. I peeked around myself, searching for the person I needed to speak with, but found nothing. That's odd. But before I could wonder any longer, a quiet voice spoke from the shadows behind me.

"I've got to say... I quite like your new look, mio caro."

I snorted, but smirked as I heard the voice of the person I really wanted to see. I twisted around and beheld their smirking face as they took in my new attire. They laughed as I shuffled on my feet, wrinkling my nose up in discomfort. These pants, though... They're tight.

"Agreed. The trousers are the best part, no?"

I rolled my eyes but chuckled under my breath as I approached the speaker, going in for a hug.

"Bianca."

~~~

End of Chapter

Hm... Odd chapie, eh?

So what do you think Percy is doing or thinking while Nico is on vacation in the Aphrodite cabin???

What would you like Perce to do/say when he sees Neeks in that lovely outfit? ;)

Wonderful questions... That I will include in the story... But you're gonna have to wait for the REAL answers...
(Btw, thanks for the tutu idea!!!! ;D I was thinking dress before, but tutu is perfect, lol. Hope ya like.)

Love you all!!! Let's get this story up to 4K reads, alright? LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

~Curleh

-Barbie Nico