It's Not Summer Without You
Chapter 4: Better off Friends

A/N: Hey everyone! So glad to have a new chapter posted. Yah for summer! I finally have enough time to write. I'm kind of bummed though because I just got out of school on the sixth and everywhere else got out in like May. I feel like our Summer is less than everyone else's. UGH! Stupid Kentucky whether and snow days! Anyways, I hope you all have are having a great summer vacation so far and I also hope you enjoy this new chapter. Thank you all so, so, so much for checking out this new chapter. I always appreciate comments and favorites from ya'll. Once again thank you all for reading and commenting. I hope you have a super, great, fabulous day and I will see you guys soon! :D

I felt empowered, no longer chained by the troubling persecution that had been consuming me for the last few days. Standing before this group of people, sword in hand and arms outstretched, I knew it would be so much easier to pull the trigger, to give in to the disheartening thought of terminating the person before. Despite this some part of me wanted to draw back, wanted to just halt and think it over. That part of me wasn't strong enough to unsettle my decision.

"Nico, come on. Stop." Annabeth's voice was low and hushed as she lowered the dagger in her hand. I regarded back between her and Clarissa, both staring at me with some form of trepidation. Those looks sent a string of revulsion through me veins, burning me like a shot of liquid fire into my heart. I hadn't comprehended it instantaneously, but my body had moved closer, nearing Clarissa with wicked sense of discrimination. I hated her. Gods, how I hated her.

Lowering my own sword with resignation I glanced at the girl beside me, taking a deep raspy breath as the tightening in my chest continued to restrict. Looking at her I couldn't help, but understand Percy's attraction towards Annabeth. She was something special, I would give her that. The sun was caught in her blond hair, seeping through the long trestles and cascading across her shoulder like liquid gold. Her gray eyes flickered wildly with concentration, thoughts being shown as they flew through her mind at a mile a minute. Her jaw was set tight, grinding her teeth with intensification.

"F-fine….If she ever tries anything like this again, I swear….," I bite firmly on the side of my mouth, the words being absent in a heated jumble of inexpressible emotions. Running my hands through my hair with austerity I listened to the steady breathing of Annabeth, her face tensing and scrunching as she impended on the following result of my threat.

"Nico, just leave it as a hollow threat," Annabeth comment passively as she glanced over at Clarissa. The daughter of Ares stood erect, face desensitization with anger. A flash of exploding color spray over her cheeks as embarrassment spread through her. In a flare of spawning fury she threw up her hands, chest heaving as a tremble surged through her body. With frumpy, uncaring footsteps Clarissa tromped away from me and Annabeth, not bothering to command her group as they stumbled around blindly. The others finally managed to glide their way away from us, each one fumbling in a different direction as they headed to the same location.

My lunges felt like they were filled with ice, restricting my breath and causing me to convulse softly. I know I shouldn't dwell on Clarissa's actions to much. After all there are a lot of kids that are tortured by the beast and have it worse off than me, but I have to wonder if anyone else will react the same way: cold, detestable, and discriminating. I'm not asking for anyone's sympathy, but I definitely don't want the victimized. It's not even that big of a deal- having a crush on Percy. The whole camp is just acting like sixth grade girls, gossiping and chattering about crushes and rumors.

Annabeth huffed out a breath beside me, slumping to the ground in a cloud of dust and loose grass. Her face was pale and strands of lose hair plastered against her forehead. I could see the confusion in her eyes. She didn't understand why this all matter so much to me. She didn't understand how it felt to be an outsider.

"I'm glad you didn't hurt her." Annabeth admitted to me as she cupped her hands under her chin. Forcing her face back upwards she met my eyes with curiosity, her own stormy ashen orbs boarding into ebony, "Sit with me."

I watched as she padded the tender earth beside her, clouds of dark dust puffing up like fumes. . Dirt and clips of dead grass sunk below her fingernails, piercing her skin and showing through the clear coat. Her face was stern although eyes beseeched. Finally, watching persistently, I broke and collapsed to the ground next to her. Our bodies were so close, our skin touching and breath mingling. Each movement between us was felt by the other and instantly discomfort flooded my form. Another convulsion ran through me, shaking me to the core, and I knew Annabeth felt it. She even shifted along with me, just not as violently. I don't know if it was my nerves or just being near the girl, but I felt like I was about to throw up.

"So, how are you doing?" Annabeth asked cautiously as she picked a strand of grass from the fabric of my t-shirt, "I know things must be tough for you with all…..this going on."

"It wouldn't have happened if you could have minded your own damn business." I garbled out as my voice tense, the words becoming strained.

"Nico, do you really believe I would have told everyone about this? I would have come and talked to you instead of spreading rumors around. I would never hurt you." The ferociousness came forth in Annabeth strikingly, bubbling up above the surface in a wave of sudden passion.

"Then who did?!" I cried as the anger mused up in me as well, flooding me with the sense to protect myself.

"It was Clarissa! Clarissa is the one who told everyone. Clarissa is the one who spread this rumor around camp. I admit: It started with me. When you left your cabin I did go in. I saw the paper wads on the floor and I was going to pick them up for you. I know that probably sounds unbelievable, but I really thought I was being helpful. I was going to straighten them out and lay them on your bed, but I caught a glimpse of what they said. Yes, I took them. I took them and I read them and I know it was cruel and unfair, but I did it. I wasn't going to tell anyone else about it. I was going to give them back to you and tell you how sorry I was about this. Just forget what happened and go back to the way things were. Then Clarissa took them from me. I didn't realize she was going to take them before she came up behind me and grabbed them out of my hands. After that you know what happened. I didn't mean it. I'm so, so, so sorry for everything," Annabeth begged for my acceptance of her apologize as her eyes meet my own, "I hope you can forgive me. I know this must be so hard for you. Me and you have never been good friends. To be honest I always thought you hated me. So, it must be even worse to have someone you don't even like do this to you and ask for forgiveness. I just have to say again I'm so sorry."

"I don't hate you," I protested, "And I accept your apologize. I couldn't believe you had done it to begin with. I know you and I know that you would never do anything this low down and awful."

The daughter of Athena bowed her head in gratitude as though I had given her some great honor. I could see the shine coasting over her eyes as though she was about to cry. I didn't need it though. I was happy that she didn't do it. Annabeth is a good person. You can see it in her actions, in her eyes. I wouldn't want to know if she did something like that to me.

"So, how long have you been… you know… gay?" Annabeth questioned softly. Just from her voice I could tell that she was being tender with the topic. I appreciated the effort.

"I'm not really gay….," I murmured under my breath uncertainly. Stealing a glance at Annabeth I noted the way her forehead creased in misunderstanding before her face lightened, clarity dawning on her. Perhaps I should have explained more, but I didn't know how much clearer I could be. Maybe she would think I was bisexual and that's pretty close to the truth, but not exact, "I think I'm pansexual to be more exact. You see I have dated a girl before. It was nothing serious, but holding hands and walking together in the hallways of Westover Hall. I think her name was Elizabeth. Or maybe it wasn't. Either way I know for a fact that Bianca disagreed with my decision to start dating so early"

I snorted weakly at the distant thought of my sister, face stern as she lectured me on how I shouldn't have a girlfriend when I'm ten. I admit I was pretty young, but to be honest almost everyone in my class was dating at that point in time. It was just one of those things that kids did to feel more mature even though they didn't take it seriously.

"Pansexual? Meaning you're not really limited based on gender and you just fall in love with whoever you fall in love with." Annabeth's forehead crinkled once again, mind swimming as she fished out the term from her extensive memory bank.

"Exactly," I clarified, at least appreciating that she was trying to understand my feeling, "But I hope you know that I'm not like trying to steal your boyfriend or anything. I know how much Percy means to you. I would never do anything to get between you two."

"Nico, I know that, but to be honest, me and Percy have been…..I don't know. Losing the spark lately." Annabeth admitted, closing her eyes tightly as though it pained her to say so, "I just want you to know that if anything happens between me and Percy- if we break up, if say something happen to me like I die, or I get seriously injured, I just want you to take care of Percy. He trusts you. He knows you. He does care about you."

I stared at the girl with ice in my heart, not completely understanding what she was asking me. If she died? If her and Percy broke up? Was she giving me a free ticket to take Percy if something happened to her? I snorted in retort, "You know he's never going to talk to me again. He probably hates me."

"Who hates you?" The voice was so sudden that it sent a spindle of ice lacing through me. I turned around in a flurry, my vision blurred before coming back into vivid clarity. I stared at the boy who loomed over me with a sense of fear and admiration. Percy looked down at me with the same laidback smile that always seemed to occupy his face. The grin expanded light as he realized that he had captivated my attention. His eyes swam as his curiosity was peeked, beautiful mixtures of aqua and green becoming mingled as he flopped down between the two of us. He stared back at me and the daughter of Athena with his head cocked to the side, trying his best to read the two of us.

"N-No one." I sputtered quickly as my voice refused to work properly. My eyes flickered cautiously over at Annabeth, searching her for a form of help. She simply raised here eyebrows as though to say tough luck. I could see the awkwardness affecting her as well.

"So no one hates you. I don't see a problem with that." Percy said in good nature as he gave a gentle laugh, "So why are you two out here anyways?"

"Actually," Annabeth piped up quickly as she stumbled to her feet, "I was about to leave. I believe I need to get back to the strawberry fields anyways. They probably need me to help collect berries. I'll see you later Percy. Bye Nico. I'm so glad I could talk to you."

I followed her as she went, my eyes daring her to take another step. She met my gaze for half a second before leaning over and kissing Percy on the cheek. He returned the action with a simple nod and a grin. Although this action made me completely uneasy I couldn't help, but appreciate the fact that Percy was down playing his affections. With that Annabeth was gone, dashing through the grass briskly as she made her way towards the strawberry fields.

"So, Nico, how have you been?" Percy asked as he leaned his arm on my shoulder.

"Um….I'm fine I guess." I muttered weakly, my heart beating erratically as my blood pumped.

"You sure that you're alright?" Percy asked once more, "I know this all must be really hard for you."

"No! I'm fine, alright! Just don't talk about it." I protested with wrath, the words spewing out with my lips with venom.

"Nico, calm down! We need to talk about this."

"No! We don't! I know that you probably hate me for feeling like this! I never wanted anyone to know so it's not my fault! Just leave it alone!" I cried as heat and fear bubbled within me. I began to stumble upwards, barely catching my balance before Percy grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the ground.

"Nico, listen to me, I don't care whether or not you're gay, bisexual, or whatever- you're still a great kid and a great friend of mine." Percy grinned weakly before shaking his head, "This whole issue about you having a crush on me is overrated. I mean everyone is acting like it is some big ordeal."

"So, you don't mind me doing this?" I questioned gently as I awkwardly shifted my hand on top of Percy's own, intertwining our fingers before quickly letting go after a moment. I watched as a flush of pink brushed against Percy's cheeks like an airbrush over a white canvas, "That doesn't bother you at all?"

"N-no….I don't mind being around you Nico and I don't mind you touching me….I mean if it's like groping me and stuff then yeah, I'll have a problem with that, but I know that you would never do that. It's not like I wouldn't even begin to think like that about you! You know what I…never mind, I'll just shut up."

"Yeah, I think it would be better if you did. Anyways….You don't have a single problem with me touch you as long as it's appropriate? Me being gay don't bother you in the least bit?" I waved my hand at him.

"No, not at all!" He cried defensively.

"Then I will do this…," I swallowed deeply before I could lose my courage. Sitting up quickly I reached over and gently nip my lips against his own. The kiss only lasted about fifteen seconds or probably less time, but I didn't care. It felt like firecrackers were exploding in my stomach, etching through me like liquid fire in my veins. Heat rose on my face, but my blushing was nothing compared to Percy's own. His face was completely scarlet, the color licking its way down his neck and shoulders tensely. Sitting back down next to him I realized how quickly the tension was fading away from his form. His skin gradually faded back to its normal color.

"Now you're just trying to give people more to gossip about. If anyone saw us doing that then you know exactly what they would think," Percy gave a breezy smile as though the whole thing was a joke and in a way it was.

"Yeah, they would. I just wanted to see how far you would allow me to go before telling me to stop," I said with a sense of humor, "I know people love to spread rumors and everything. I just don't know why it matters to anyone else. Who cares about my personal life? No one has ever paid that much attention to me before. Just because I could be attracted to a male or a female doesn't make a difference to who I am, what I am, or what I do. I'm still the son of Hades. I'm still the Ghost King. I'm still me."

"Nico, I doubt that any of us would want you to be anyone but you," Percy muttered as he gave me a small smile, "And if someone wants you to change then they don't matter. They don't care about you. You just got to be….well, you. Don't try to change to fit it with the crowd."

"I've never tried before."

"I know. You always stay you and I love that. I wish I could stop worrying about what everyone things about me and just be more like you. I see you walk around here like you're so much better than everyone else and to be honest you are. You stay above all the gossip, all the drama. In my opinion I would love to be you just so I can do what I want and not have anyone judge me."

"You have no idea what you're talking about." I replied wistfully, shaking my head at his admitting.

Percy looked at me with sadness reflected in his face. I know he understood what I meant by that. He knew what I had been through for the last few years. Everything with Bianca, finding out I was a demigod, finding out what happened to my family, dealing with my father- Percy had been through it all with me and he knew exactly how I felt with all this. I had to admire his persistence with trying to help me.

"Nico, I…." Percy paused as campers started to flood throughout the area, moving from one place to another. Some were heading to the arena, others towards the strawberry fields. I took a deep breath as loathing flooded my form, causing an uneasiness to swaddle me as I knew what was coming. Eventually I would have to get back on schedule with my regular Camp Half-Blood activities (No matter how much I faced this with distaste).

"Well, looks like we better be going." Percy murmured weakly as he clambered to his feet, struggling to catch his footing before he fell. Looking down at me with a crooked grin (one that I had grown to love over the years) I felt heat flood my chest and heart, sending signals through my body like pits of fire growing in my form. His hand extended to me leisurely, fingers opening widely as he pulled me upwards to my own feet. I took his hand with appreciation, grinning as I felt the softness of his skin, the tenderness of his action as he pulled me back up.

"Thanks." I said coolly although my insides were turning to mush, my body overflowing with contentment at this one movement.

"No problem." He shrugged his shoulders causally as he turned to follow a group of campers. He stopped short before glancing back at me, eyes flashing with a strange look that I had never seen, "Nico, later I want to talk to you again, alright?"

"Alright." I whispered softly although he didn't wait for an answer. The words were more of a request than a question. The moment that sentence left his lips Percy was turned, heading back towards the other campers that shuffled along to their next designated assignment.

I watched the boy go, my heart warming with each step he took. It didn't matter if he knew about me and how I felt. He cared about me- whether it be in a brotherly manner or as more, I didn't care. At least he didn't hate me.