Vanilla, Alcohol Based surgical sanitizer and pinewood.

Yes, that is what Will Solace had smelled like when Nico gave him a hug. The combination was strange, but it helped him calm down, since Will's story had brought over him a tide of emotions which he hadn't felt in a lifetime. 

For some time, they just sat beside each other in complete silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, just like that type, when people pass a silent, mutual understanding that they don't need to talk. Will hadn't removed his hand from around Nico, who could literally feel the heat and the blush on his cheeks.

After 10 minutes (which actually felt like an eternity) they untangled. Will wiped off the remainder of his tears with the heel of his hands and checked his watch. 

" Nico, listen...right now, I am supposed to have music lessons with Austin. Why don't you come along?" He said.

"Music?" Nico asked. Singing was one of Bianca's unsung talents. She had also tried to impart some of her musical knowledge to him, saying that he has a 'good voice, but it needed to be polished'. But at that time, he was too busy worrying about sunken treasure and Zeus' attack points to give a damn about it. Not taking Bianca's music lessons seriously were one of the many regrets Nico had in life.

"No." Nico replied flatly.

"Aww, please."

"Nope." 

"Why?"

"Music's not my cup of tea."

"Aww, please come along! It's gonna be fun!" Will was already making puppy dog faces at him. Nico simply got up and started walking.

He could hear Will behind him, trying to convince him to come along. He also called him a variety of nicknames, ranging from 'shorty' to 'anaemic angel'. God bless his creativity.(Apparently, I have run out of ideas lol)

That's when Nico decided to break into a sprint.

The rational part of  Nico's brain thought his idea was dumb, because Will Solace was literally half a foot taller than him, so he would catch up with him pretty easily. But like many other times, he decided to ignore it.

His prediction came true almost immediately when Will grabbed his wrist and spun him around hard enough to dislocate his shoulder.

"Please Neeks, come along. It's gonna be fun, I promise! Look, I don't wanna force you into this, but it'll be great if you come along." Will turned his palms up in surrender and said, "If you feel bored or uncomfortable, feel free to leave."

"Neeks? Seriously Solace?" Nico said, raising an eyebrow.

"You coming??" Will asked tentatively.

"Well, I guess I am." Nico replied, shrugging.

"Yay!" Will exclaimed, and together, they started walking towards wherever the music class will be held. 

"Where is Austin going to hold your class? In your cabin?" Nico asked.

"Oh, not there. We have a small cabin for that. You'll see." Will answered.

They came near the infirmary, where he saw Josh step out with another girl. Both of them were wearing white coats and seemed to have stuffed goggles, gloves and masks in their pockets. Josh waved towards them and motioned them to come over.

Nico got a closer look at the girl.

She was almost as tall as Josh, with a lithe physique. She would have been Rachel Dare's twin; she had the same copper red hair that shone like a million drachamas in the setting sun which pulled into two slightly messy dutch braids, the same fair skin with a freckles splashed across her face. But she had coal black eyes instead of Rachel's brilliant green ones; and her expression was far away from Rachel's cheery smile, for she was scrutinising Nico in a rather appalling fashion. Beneath her white doctor's apron, she was wearing a CHB t-shirt with black shorts and chunky high-heeled boots. Along with her camp beads, a pendant bearing twin torches hung across her neck, marking her as a daughter of Hecate.

"Well, Nico" Josh said, bringing Nico back to reality, "I guess you haven't met my girlfriend Julia?"

Julia. That Julia with whom Nico literally had a death glare competition with safety goggles and masks on.

"Well, we have met, technically, but we weren't properly introduced." Julia answered. "Well, I'm Julianne Roberts, daughter of Hecate. You can call me Julia" She said, extending her hand towards Nico.

Nico shook her hand apprehensively. It felt unnaturally cold. "I'm Nico di Angelo, son of Hades."

"I have heard a lot of about you. It's a pleasure to meet you at last." Julia said, giving Nico a warm smile.

"The pleasure's all mine, thank you."  Nico replied, returning her gesture of affection.

"Well, I apologise for what happened in the infirmary." Julia said, rather sheepishly.

Before, Nico was thinking of ways by which he could torture Julia. But for some reason, his smile grew wider (thereby increasing the pain in his jaw) and he heard himself say: "I don't think that matters much."

"Josh, are you coming to Austin's class?" Will asked.

"I guess I will."

"Cool, is Julia coming along?"

"That depends on Jules; I guess she will."

"Do you realise that your Jules is standing right here?" Julia said, slightly annoyed.

"Jules?" Nico asked, giggling slightly. What was up with children of Apollo and their lame nicknames. 

"What's wrong with that?" Josh asked, indignantly.

"No offence, but doesn't Jules sound silly? I mean, your girlfriend has such a lovely name, call her by that." Nico answered.

"That's the exact thing I have been telling you since the past two months." Julia said.

"Come on Neeks, stop bickering." Will said, to which Nico simply shrugged and decided not to acknowledge Will's lovely nickname for him. 

"Talk about lame nicknames." Josh said audibly under his breathe and everyone present there decided to ignore the comment. Talk about unity.

Will then turned to Josh and Julianne, "So Josh, you coming, right?"

Julianne looped her arm through Josh's and answered: "Don't worry Will, both Joshua and I will come along." She replied. Josh's expression (read: scowl)  was priceless. Will and Nico immediately burst out laughing.

"What about Kayla?" Will asked, regaining his composure.

"I met her when I came to do the rounds. She said she's going with Nick." Julia replied.

"Ooh,which means she isn't returning anytime soon." Will replied. 

Nico tugged at Will's arm. "Shouldn't we get going?" He whispered under his breathe.

On cue, Julianne announced: "Well, I think we should take our leave now. I guess we meet at Austin's class now." She said. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Nico di Angelo. See you guys around." She added.

"The pleasure's all mine, Julianne." Nico replied, smiling.

Julianne flashed him a grin before leaving with Josh. Will and Nico resumed their walk towards the music room. On the way, Nico decided to do a Q & A session with Will.

"Julianne is a daughter of Hecate, then why does she work at the infirmary?" Nico asked.

"Julia is rather skilled at healing, so she often comes to the infirmary to lend a hand. When the workload shoots through the roof, it's nice to get a helping hand." Will replied.

"Aren't there other campers to help you?"

"Not many campers are, um...interested in learning healing as a skill. They'd rather learn something...something useful, you know, like combat or something like that. Your sword can defend you from monsters. Acetaminophen can't. And...well, I can't exactly say that they are wrong." Will replied, shrugging as he said the last sentence. 

Nico wanted to argue with that, but he decided not to. Instead, he changed the topic to Kayla.

"Who's Nick?"

"Huh?"

"Nick? That guy Julianne told Kayla is with?"

"Oh, that Nick? He's Kayla's boyfriend."

"What?"

"Oh yep. He is Julianne's half brother. They started dating after the giant war." Will said rather somberley, as if he didn't really approve of his half-sister's dating choices.

Nico didn't shoot anymore questions. They walked in perfect silence, until they reached a small wooden cabin some distance away from the infirmary and a short walk away from the archery range.

"So here we are," Will said, with his hand on the door handle.

"Welcome to our music class!" Will declared grinning while he pushed the door open.

The cabin was pretty. Its walls were covered with posters of musicians, from Beethoven to a young woman with long green nails and dyed green hair (she was someone called Billie Eilish, Nico believed) along with a bulletin board tacked with several pieces of colourful paper. Musical instruments and other things were neatly arranged in rows on the shelves along the walls. Benches were arranged in a circle in the middle of the room. On one of the benches sat a stereo, near which music sheets were neatly arranged in stacks. There were small plants on the window sill, and the room had a very cheerful feel to it.

Austin was definitely there - he seemed to be going through a clipboard. He was sitting beside the music sheets and a guitar was kept near him. He looked up at Nico and smiled. 

"Ah yes, Will and Nico, nice to see you guys. We are joined by two very special people today." Austin said, smiling.

"Hey people!"

"Nice to see you guys!"

Nico was pleasantly surprised to see the two women he least expected to spot in Austin's music lessons - Piper Mclean and Annabeth Chase.

                                                                             *******

Hey guys!!

I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW NEAR WE ARE TO 1K!! IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU GUYS!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! <3<3<3

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE COMMENTS AND VOTES YOU GUYS GAVE...IT MADE MY DAY...THANK YOU.

This chapter isn't that great. More like a filler chapter really, but I don't want to rush anything. So please let me know about your thoughts on this chapter in the comments section. I apologise if this chapter bored you. I'll try to write a better one next time. Please let me know in the comments section.

Oh, BTW, I have something important to share. I have an idea...a book idea. It's technically original, but it's CRAZY. Seriously CRAZY. I am willing to write it, but I am not sure if anyone would want to read it. Should I write it? Should I yeet it out of the window? Do you want to read it? Will you read it? Please tell me.

Well, so vote and comment, and stay tuned.

Love you guys.

Keep washing your hands.

Stay happy, healthy and safe.

See ya !!!!!:-):):-):):-):):-)