No one came out and threw them into the lake or anything. It was just them, on the beach.

They broke apart.

Percy started to talk.

"Nico," he said, "since you admitted a secret, I can admit one of mine to you."

"Okay," Nico said.

"The secret isn't 'I love you,' but that's true too." Nico blushed. Then he realized that the secret probably wasn't good.

"I know that you didn't have a very good childhood," Percy said. Nico nodded. "But I think that you should know that mine wasn't perfect either."

"Why, what happened?" Nico asked.

"My stepfather."

Nico stared at Percy, sure he must've heard him wrong. "Paul?"

"No," Percy said. "My first stepfather, who I called 'Smelly Gabe.'"

"Y-you were abused?" Nico asked, staring at him in shock.

"Yes," Percy whispered. "Started when I was around five."

Nico was suddenly angry. "Oh, when I get my hands on him!"

"You won't have to," Percy said.

"Why not?" Nico asked. "What did you do to him?"

"Well," he said, "let's just say that he turned to stone in fear of what he did. I mean, he can not hit my mother and get away with it!"

At first Nico looked confused. Then he understood. "Oh! Medusa?"

"First summer," Percy replied.

We didn't talk for a while.

"Well, I'm tired. Bye," Percy said. Then he stood up. Nico stood up too.

"I'll be going to. Bye!" Nico said. He gave Percy a quick kiss goodnight, then he ran off. Percy ran off in the other direction, towards his cabin.