Atramentous: A Solangelo AU

Our Face Is Just A Show

The swing had obviously been hanging from its tree for quite some time, the thick rope that kept it there had cut deep gouges in the bark over years of constant friction, but the sturdy hickory branch that was holding it up was far from breaking. In fact, the rope was at a higher risk of snapping, as it showed obvious signs of weathering in various locations. I couldn't help but think that the little hunk of wood looked a bit desolate, just swaying back and forth beneath the nearly barren tree the way it was.

My attention was jerked away from the lonely make-shift swing by strong but gentle fingers under my chin, "Have you even been listening to a word I've been saying?" Will asked, noticeably trying to keep his frustration under control.

I dropped my eyes away from his as soon as he let go of my face, the truth of the matter was that I hadn't been, and it wasn't on accident either. I didn't even want to look at Will because he made me feel like an open book, and I couldn't afford to be open.

"Nico, there's something bothering you, and I'll bet it has something to do with the bruise on your jaw. Don't feed me that crap about being clumsy either, because I'm not buying it."

"Will," I pleaded, and then I forced myself to drag my gaze back upwards again. "I'm telling the truth."

It hurt so much to look him in the eye and lie to him like that, especially when he was looking at me like that. Like he just wanted me to be okay. Like he wanted to help make me okay. I wasn't okay, though, and I didn't believe that Will could do anything to help. I thought I was doing what I had to.

"Nico," he whispered desperately as my eyes slipped off to the side, focusing on the little swing across the street again. Anything to keep my eyes off his. "You can tell me anything."

I found myself remembering the conversation that had won me the bruise Will was so intent on. Percy had been acting off lately, instead of walking around like he was the king of the world, he seemed withdrawn and sad, and the dark circles under his eyes never seemed to go away.

I told myself that it didn't matter, that I had no reason to worry over him when he was nothing but horrible to me, but the truth was that I couldn't help but be bothered by it. Maybe it was the words that kept echoing through my head every time I saw him: She didn't deserve it. It was the phrase Percy had screamed right before he smashed my head into the school. I hadn't been able to remember it at first, it had danced just out of sight, at the edge of my subconscious, taunting me, and now that I had it I just wanted it to go away. I wanted to stop caring.

I couldn't though, and it was that fact that had made me stupid enough to go up and confront the stronzo about it.

I sped up, dodging past people in order to catch up to him and caught him by the shoulder. Percy turned his head to look at me, then wheeled completely around as he saw who it was. "Don't touch me, scumbag," he sneered, smacking my hand away.

I glared at him, "What's your deal?" I snapped. I knew the situation was already taking a turn for the worse, but there wasn't much I could do about it now, except try to be civil, so I took in a calming breath and continued in a less aggravated tone, "You've been acting weird."

Percy's jaw clenched, but I didn't miss how his eyes widened momentarily before becoming cold again. "What does it matter to you?"

I hesitated for a few long moments, I honestly had no idea. "I don't know. . . but you should probably talk to someone about it."

Percy laughed mockingly, "Talk to someone? Talk to someone? Who, Nico?" he sneered, "Should I go crying about it to my friends like you do? Yeah, I bet you think that's a great idea." he was advancing on me now, forcing me to back up. "That would just solve everything, wouldn't it? My problems would just vanish because I moped about them to some poor soul?" He shoved me, "Bullshit, di Angelo. Bullshit."