I Loved You From the Start Part 2 (Solangelo)
Shout out to @mademoiselle-leah-mae for being amazing and motivating me to finish this!
“Let’s go, cupcakes! Double time!” Coach Hedge yelled.
The third period gym class paid no attention to the gym instructor. They either kept walking along the track or they did the shuffle-run, where they jogged so slow that a speed-walker could pass them.
Coach Hedge sighed. “Okay then, let’s make this interesting. The first person to make ten laps doesn’t have to run the next mile and the last ten people to make ten laps have to do fifty push-ups!”
This did nothing but make all the unfit or obese kids pick up their pace a smidge and make all the jocks über-excited. Everyone else kept doing the shuffle-run.
Will had no upper-body strength nor hand-eye coordination, but he was one of the fastest athletes on the track team. Even though he liked running, the opportunity to skip the next mile seemed pretty appealing. Immediately he switched from a shuffle-run to a sprint. Immediately he caught up with all the jocks, which unfortunately included Percy Jackson.
Soon, most of the jocks slowed down for a breather. Most. Percy Jackson still sprinted right along Will. Will didn’t like Percy, and Percy didn’t like Will. Will because Percy broke Nico’s heart and is a total bitch; Percy because Will was the only person in the school who could beat him in a race.
They ran side by side until their eighth lap. Percy started to take longer strides to get a little distance between him and Will. Will did the same thing. They both looked at each other with a death glare; they both intended to win. It wasn’t about not doing the next mile anymore, it was about pride.
Soon it was their ninth lap. They got closer and closer to the ending line on the track. Coach Hedge watched with excitement and curiosity; this was the most interesting smack-down that has happened all week.
Right as Will was about five feet away from the line, Percy kicked the back of his left ankle. Will didn’t fall, but it was enough to make him stumble. Percy passed Will and crossed the finish line with a smug look on his face.
“Hey!” Will shouted. “That wasn’t fair! You cheated!”
“‘That wasn’t fair!’” Percy mocked in a higher pitch. “What are you going to do about it, huh? Are you going to tell on me?”
“That’s enough, boys!” Coach Hedge stepped up. “Solace, I didn’t see any foul play. It seems that Jackson here won fair and square.”
“But Coach!” Will protested.
“Enough!” Coach Hedge faced Will. “I don’t want to hear anymore of you. You boys go get changed. Jackson, you have the option of not doing the next mile.”
“Oh,” Percy grinned, “I’m not going to do it. I’ll watch Solace do it.”
Now, what Will did next was probably the most stupid and rash thing he has ever done. Does he regret it however? Not particularly.
He brushed right passed Coach Hedge and punched Percy square in the jaw.
“Solace!” Coach Hedge yelled. “That was entirely uncalled-”
Wham. Percy shoved Will to the ground. The entire third period gym class gasped. Will rubbed his elbow; Percy rubbed his jaw. Will stood up. The entire third period gym class held their breath.
“Now, now.” Coach said warily. “There is no reason for you boys to-”
Punch. Kick. Punch. Punch. Percy attacked Will with all he got. Will, having no upper-body strength nor hand-eye coordination, laid sprawled out on the ground defenseless to Percy’s anger.
Will and Percy were suspended for one week. Percy left the building with only a light bruise on his jaw. Will however, left with nasty bruises on his ribs, a sprained ankle, and a broken wrist.
Nico was so mad at Will that he didn’t even speak to him the first day Will got back. Will protested that he had every right to punch Percy and that Nico should not be defending him. He mostly did it for Nico anyway!
“That’s no excuse for getting into a fight, Will!” Nico yelled at him. “That might have been the most stupid and rash thing you have ever done!”
Will sighed. “I know. But don’t you think I’ve been punished enough? I got beat up and I missed a whole bunch of school.”
Nico huffed. He calmed down a bit, but was still pretty angry. The two continued their day.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the school. Will collected his things and headed for the door, only to be stopped by a short boy with messy black hair and chocolate brown eyes.
“Nico, look. I said I’m sorry, but if you want me to apologize to that fucktard you’re out of you mind.” Will said.
Nico rolled his eyes. He lifter himself on his tippy toes and placed a small kiss on Will’s lips. Will’s jaw dropped but his heart leaped out of his chest.
“Thanks for watching out for me. I appreciate it.” Nico said softly.
“I, uhh,” Will stuttered, “y-you’re welcome, I guess.”
“You care for me. I was stupid to think Percy did too.” Nico said.
“Um, yeah.” Will said. “Wait, not that you’re stupid or anything. I meant that it was dumb to think Percy would care. Not that you’re dumb or anything!”
Nico laughed. “How long did you like me?”
Will took a deep breath. “Nico di Angelo, I have loved you from the start, and I always will.”
This is so late please forgive me. Kisses for everybody :*
I’m so happy and proud of myself for figuring out how to do a hyper link >.<