Strawberry Blonde // Solangelo High School AU

Part 7

Nico Di Angelo POV

"Oh look, it's a death creep!" I heard from off to my left.

"I bet he doesn't even have any powers," Someone else laughed.

I clenched my fists, trying not to let Octavian and his minions get under my skin.

This happened a lot. Everyone seemed to hate me for no reason. Especially Octavian. All I did was not really talk to people. So why did they hate me so much?

Oh, and everyone was convinced that I didn't have any powers. Honestly, that wouldn't have normally bothered me. No one had ever liked my powers. My parents hated me for it, people at my past schools hated me for it. So, I didn't really like my powers much either. Sure, they could be cool sometimes but it also was awful sometimes.

I felt a boot connect with the side of my torso but I didn't look up.

I kept staring at my book, trying not to pay attention to them, trying not to let the pain bother me.

I was sitting in the courtyard, trying to read. And then these guys showed up.

My book was knocked out of my hands, the pages tearing. 

I sighed, standing up to go get it.

"What are you doing, creep?" One of the guys asked.

I got shoved to the ground, catching myself with my hands and my knees. The concrete tore into my skin, my hands stinging as my blood started to flow onto my fingers.

I stood up, brushing my hands on my pants, leaving blood on them.

"Will you stop?" I asked, crossing my arms, a annoyed tone in my voice.

Octavian's fist connected with my face, sending me back onto the ground. I bit my tongue as I fell, blood filling my mouth.

I spit on the ground, wiping my sleeve against my mouth.

I clenched my fists. I hated Octavian and his minions so much. They all hated me for not reason.

I resisted the urge to raise some skeletons and have them take care of Octavian. 

If i did that I would end up getting expelled. And if that happened, I would never see Will again. 

No, I couldn't have that.

I regained control of myself, standing up.

I turned away from Octavian, walking towards the door.

"Where are you going Weirdo?" He called.

I ignored it.

I couldn't let him get under my skin.

I tried to block out the rest of what he was saying as I walked out.

I listen for footsteps behind me but didn't hear anything.

I let out a sigh I didn't realize I was holding.

I stopped walking, looking around to see where I was.

I had walked to the infirmary on instinct. I guess that's what I needed. Will. 

I still didn't understand how I felt about Will. I never really wanted to be friends with anyone. But now there was Will.

I actually liked hanging out with him. He was the only person who actually liked me. Everyone else normally just ignored me and whispered about me as I walked by.

And then there was Octavian who taunted me and beat me up.

And then there was something else. This feeling. It was hard to explain. It was like I wanted to be friends with him, but more.

And then there was the dreams.

Dreams of us kissing. 

I didn't understand why. I had never liked anyone like that. I never thought anyone would like me like that.

Sure, I knew I was gay. I never liked women. Sure, as friends that would be cool, not like anyone would want to be friends with me.

But men. They were different. I thought men were hot. 

I had never had a crush though.

But Will.....

I don't know.

I pushed the door open, stepping into the infirmary.

"Hey Death Boy," Will smiled, glancing up at me quickly.

He was sat with a binder in his lap, a paper balanced on it.

"Hey, mind if I just stay here for a little bit?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure,"

I walked over to the counter and pulled myself up onto it. I tucked my knees into my chest, wrapping my arms around them.

"Hey, are you okay?" Will asked, standing up and walking over to where I was sitting.

I shook my head, picking at the rips in my jeans.

Will was the only person I trusted.

"What's wrong?" 

He tucked my hair behind my ears making my heart skip a beat.

He kept doing stuff like that. Subtle little hints.

I hated when he did it. It gave me a little hope he liked me. 

But I know it is never going to happen.

Will could have literally anyone. He wouldn't choose me.

"Its just Octavian again," I sighed.

"Nico, I swear to the gods, if he hurt you again," Will started.

"Don't worry, he only punched me and kicked me a couple times," 

"I swear to gods, I'm going to beat up that freaking anemic loser," Will ranted, pacing around the room.

"Don't worry about it Will, I'm fine," 

"This can't keep happening Nico,"

"I've dealt with worse Will," I shook my head.

Will sighed.

"Okay, fine. We can talk about this later. I'm guessing your mouth is bleeding?"

I nodded.

"Rinse your mouth out with this," Will said, handing me a cup.

I hopped off the counter, taking the cup.

I did as he said, salt lingering on my tongue.

"Anything else I should worry about?" Will took the cup from me.

"Probably just bruises," I pulled myself back up on the counter.

Will balled his fists, muttering medical insults under his breath.

My gods, why does he have to be so hot?

"Will, it's fine," I said, picking at my jeans again.

"Nico-" Will started, walking back over to where I was sitting.

"Sh," I pressed my fingers to his lips, the warmth of them sending chills down my spine.

He sighed, crossing his arms.

"Fine,"

"Good," I laughed, crossing my legs, pulling my finger away.

"You're lucky you're cute," Will sighed, leaning against the counter.

My heart started beating in my ears, my lungs stopped working. 

There he went again with his subtle little hints. I wanted to hate him for it. But the dopamine rush it gave me.

I laughed, rolled my eyes, leaning back, feeling my face growing warm. 

I closed my eyes, tapping my fingers on my knees.

I hated Will so much.

So why did I love him so much?

(word count: 1014)