Chapter One: Day One

The sun is up, so he must be up. Time for his usual routine... except...

He sighs, "The competition."

How could he have been so stupid? He wouldn't last a day with the morons he sees daily at Camp!

He yawned and jumped out of bed, stretching. Just perfect, he grabs his clothes and proceeds to ready himself. I bet I even have to smile.

I don't even like my smile.

He sighs one last time, and then spreads his door open. He takes in a deep breath, "Here goes nothing."

~

He walked straight up to Jason and whispered, "Help."

Though Nico is confident he might last the first day, he has to be...precautious. Besides, no one agreed he couldn't tell anyone that's why he's being nice. Or would it be considered mean? He growled in frustration.

Jason lifted an eyebrow, "What's wrong?"

Nico hesitated on explaining the situation, furrowing his eyebrows and crossing his arms in hesitation. "Nevermind."

~

Nico sat at his cabin's table in the dining pavilion. For the first time, he was grateful that no one else was a child of Hades and would be sitting next him to eat. Loneliness never tasted so sweet.

He glanced up at the other campers. His eyes settled a little too quickly on Leo, who he noticed was laughing but not making any jokes. It seemed odd, but Nico smirked. He's keeping his end of the deal, Nico thought, almost surprised.

Leo's eyes fell on Nico. He lifted his eyebrows and smiled, a confident (cocky) little grin with playful curves and gleaming teeth.

Nico sighed, glaring at him. This is Hell, you little sh!t, what are you smiling at?

Not me, I know. At the little jokes in your head you want to make, right?

He looked away and back to his meal, eating silently.