Forever and Always

Chapter 10: I Left Her

~Rachael's P.O.V.~
I felt the heat rush to my cheeks and hot tears forming in my eyes.
ABBY BYERS:
Memory loss, incurable, must be sent home immediately. Not a half blood.
"She's going home tomorrow" Nico said quietly from behind me. "We questioned her when she was awake, she doesn't remember anything. She even forgot her own name."
That's when I couldn't take it anymore. All of my hatred for Nico faded like mist. All of my sadness poured out all at once. A person could only hold it in for so long. I chocked up and fell back, Nico caught me. I turned around and cried into his shoulder, breathing in his scent of pine and sulfur. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and comfortingly stoked my hair.
The truth. Well, I didn't want to be comforted by Nico Di Angelo. In fact, I should hate him for leaving me on the streets of L.A. but I didn't. That's the thing about me, I can't ever hold a grudge. Even if I really want to I can't.
"This is too much, I can't handle this Nico. Ever since I got here I have been breaking apart. Especially since old wounds have been re-opening..." I sobbed into his shoulder.
"What do you mean 'old wounds' " he asked solemnly.
" I mean, I've been a mess ever since Jeremy's death, and when I finally think I'll be okay, my life gets turned upside down and I'm breaking even more. Stupid. " I said that last bit awkwardly, instantly feeling ashamed.
"...Jeremy?" He asked slowly.
"Just someone from my old life..."
"From you fake real life or your real real life?" He asked
My head shot up "what the pickle are you talking about you fudge brains"
"I mean, the mist made people up in your 'normal life' " he stated like it was nothing
"But....he was...no! He was real! I swear on Hera herself!" I pushed him away, he didn't seem fazed.
"Well of course he's real," he brushed off some dust from his jacket "it's the history of you two ever meeting that isn't real."
"What..." the tears began to spill over at a rapid pace. "He...he doesn't know me?....he...he didn't die?!?!?" I half stuttered half screamed.
"Well, no. He didn't. And I am son of hades I should know" he shrugged.
"Where is he?" I asked, my face towards the ground.
"Um, does it look like I know?" He threw his hands up and just like that vanished into the dark.

"I will find you..." I promised myself "I swear it on the River Styx" a low rumble in the night sealed my deal with the fates.

I looked down at my two friends and wondered if my history with them was even real. That would explain Abby's memory loss. I knew Andrew would leave with her, he loves her with his whole heart. This would be the last time I would ever see them. I stroked Abby's hair and leaned over to kiss her forehead. I kissed Andrews cheek and ruffled his hair "good luck, stupid." I whispered in his ear and quietly left. I made my way to the Hermes cabin, I have to make things right, and apologize for being such an ass.

~~~~~~

~Connors P.O.V~
When she shoved pass me, I knew it was over. Anything we might of had was gone. She absolutely hated me. I guess I don't blame her, I had a reputation for being a player. She was different though, she just had this... i don't even know how to explain it! She could ask anything of me and I would do it! Ugh. Why do I feel this way, she hates me!
I laid down on my bunk and stared up at Travis' bunk atop me. It seemed as if my thoughts were melding with the grain of the wooden planks of the bunk. Just one big swirling mess. so tangled and twisted, you can't even follow a line for long. I sighed, the hours are going by so slowly it's almost unbearable. Okay, let's face it, it so unbearable I can hardly contain it. The steady tick tick of the clock on the walk was the only thing keeping me sane right now. I shot a quick glance and read that it was 1 am. I groaned and turned over. That's when u heard a light knock on the door. I wasn't sure if I was hearing things or what so I just stayed in my bed, listening for any noise. There it was again, a little louder this time.
I crawled out of my bed and made my way across the cold cabin, attempting to be quite. I opened the door to reveal a tear stained Rachael. I felt my heart do a skip a step when I saw her. Even when she cries she's beautiful. I stepped out of the cabin and shut the door, immediately wrapping her frail body in my arms. She smelled really good, like vanilla.
"Im...I'm so sorry, I've been a fool" she could barely get the words out over her sobs.
"Shhh, shhh" I whispered "what are you talking about? You haven't done anything wrong."
"I got mad at you" she mumbled into my shoulder
"Usually I deserve it when people get mad at me." I stated. I mean, it's pretty obvious, c'mon.
"Oh you are stupid! Just accept my apology ass-butt." She groaned, which was funny because it sounded more like a hellhound, than a groan.
"Ass-butt? Aren't they both the same thing?" I said slyly
"Stop trying to change the subject, Stoll!" She chuckled
"Okay, okay, you are forgiven." I laughed
"Yay!" She did a muffled cheer "will you let go of me now?"!
"NOPE" I told her defiantly, hugging her tighter.
"Yes" she retorted
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"Let me go!"
"Just give in, you like my hugs anyways. My hugs of forgiveness. " I snickered
She stopped struggling and wrapped her arms around my waist as best as she could. We stayed like that for a blissful 30 seconds until it got awkward, so we ended it. Her face got a light shade of pink "well, im off now" she said timidly, gesturing towards the Ares cabin. I nodded and watched as she turned and jogged across to her cabin. It wasn't until I saw her small form enter the cabin, that I slipped back in my own myself. I fell on my bunk and smiled a little, before closing my eyes and falling into a blissful sleep.

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|Nico's P.O.V|

I left the infirmary depressed. Well, I leave everywhere depressed. In fact, I get there depressed. Ugh. I'm walking depression. I swung my arms back and forth, trying not to thinking the times before the lotus casino. But it overwhelmed me, and the horrible yet satisfying memories flooded back.

~~flashback~~
Rachel's laughter filled my dark world. She was laughing so hard. I had said something about hamsters.
We were sitting in my room. If you want to call it that. It was about the size of a small shed, it felt like one too, cold and damp. I had my small be in the corner and a night stand next to it. A burrow with 4 drawers was by the door with all my worldly possessions hidden away in them. Which was not much, let me tell you. But, I didn't need anything. Not all the stuff in the world could replace what I already had. The friendship between me and Rachael was all I needed to be happy. We had met in school, she was a happy ball of sunshine and I was, well, not. I was, dark and depressing. Rachael didn't mind though. That's one of the reasons I cherished her so much, she treated me like a normal human being. She was my friend out of honesty, rather than pity. Like most of the people I knew.
"You.....are.....sooooo....dumb"
She managed to get out between her guys of giggling.
"You know it!" I chuckled.
She playfully hit my shoulder and grabbed my hand. "Let's go on an adventure!" She tossed he caramel hair behind her shoulder carelessly.
We ran out of my apartment, dashed down the stairs, and stumbled out the front door. I gulped down air, I was exhausted. All of this....running was enough to kill me. I placed my hands on knees and panted heavily. Rachael had always been a faster runner than me.
"Are you hungry?"she asked with a big grin on her face.
"Kinda" I smiled
"Wanna go eat?"
"Yus" I said, attempting an Italian accent. I should have been able to pull it off, I mean I WAS Italian, but I failed miserably.
We walked over towards a small diner, I pulled open the door. We entered the dank space looking around. A chubby woman in a stained white apron escorted us to a small round table in the corner, by the window. Rachael sat down with a plop and giggled, I smiled. Little did I know that was the last time I would ever see her. She grinned big at me "this place is so cute!"
I looked around confused. This place was not what I would call cute. "I guess"
"Oh come on! Look at it! It's so bea-" she was cut off by a man in a black coat taking me by the arm. His grip was rough, and his face was menacing. He looked like he just came out of a meat grinder. I gulped.
"It's time" he said. I knew it was him. I knew it was my father.
"But-" I stuttered
"NOW!" He roared
"Nico! Don't leave me!" Rachael screamed. My father struck her across the face, knocking her to the ground.
"Rachael!" I tried pulling away from my fathers grip, but I couldn't. He was too strong. "What the fuck is wrong with you!" I screamed, beating at his arm.
"She's just a mortal." He stated, staring blankly into my eyes.
"She is my mortal! The only thing I have that's close to a family! She's my light in my dark world, and you just fucking slapped her!!!" I screamed, my voice cracking from emotion. She struggled to her feet. I wanted to rush over to her and hold her and help her and to see if she's okay. But all I could do is watch her struggle. Her eyes met mine. They were bloodshot and one of them was swollen. "Nico,please....help..me" I could barely hear her whisper those words.
"I...i cant..." and with that my father pulled me close to him and shadow traveled away. I left her there.

~~end of flashback~~

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A/N: Heyyyyy my lovelies. Hope you enjoyed this hehe. Nico and Rachael's relationship/friendship is healing! Yay!:)
Leo: like it matters
Me: leo, you dipshit, of COURSE IT MATTERS!
Leo: um, that's... you called me dipshit?
Me: yes. It's a fun.
Leo:...
Me:...
SUSAN: ***runs into the room throwing shoes and loose change*** YOU DIPSHITS! I LOVE PATAH PAAAAANNNNNNN😍