Archive of Our Own ^beta

These halls are too crowded. Nico thought as a werewolf bumped into him. Why did I let Chiron talk me into doing this exchange program?

“See you in class!” Will popped up over the crowd of students and waved at Nico with a big smile on his face. Oh that’s why.

An ogre bumped into him and he was sent crashing to the floor. Before anyone could step on him, he disappeared into the shadows.

Traveling through shadows was confusing when he wasn’t familiar with where he was. He was heading what he thought was the right direction when he felt something. Someone. They collided together and were sent out of the shadows.

“Whoa! Are you alright?” A girl’s voice called out. Nico was on the floor, trying to figure out where he was. He was in a hallway, but not a school one. Where was he?

“I’m fine,” He got up and looked at the strange girl. She had pale purple skin and teal hair, what kind of monster was she?

“I’m sorry for bumping into you, I’m not used to having to look out for people in there,” She said. 

“It’s alright, I didn’t know that monsters here could travel through shadows,”

“Only certain types of monsters can. I'm Twyla Boogeyman, daughter of the Boogeyman,” 

“I'm Nico di Angelo, son of Hades. Do you know where we are? I'm going to be late to class,”

“Oh, we're in the catacombs under the school. What class do you need to go to, I can take you there,”

“Dead Languages with Mr. Rotter,”

Twyla smiled. “I have that class too,” She held out her hand, and Nico grabbed it. Together they walked into the shadows.

“There you are!” Mr. Rotter said as they stepped into class. Everyone else was already there, including Will, who had saved a seat for Nico.

“Sorry Mr. Rotter, I was helping the new exchange student find the classroom,” Twyla explained.

“That's nice of you, but don't be late again. Perfection is important in this class, everyone understand?”

“Yes sir,”

“Good,” He turned to the blackboard and started writing, and Nico went to the back of the classroom where Will was. 

“Did you really get lost?” Will asked.

“Yeah, I tried going through the shadows and ended up in the catacombs. Twyla helped me get out,” That's when he realized he was still holding onto her hand. He let go and looked away from her and will. “Sorry,”

“It's alright. It was nice to meet you, and your friend. . .um, I don’t know your name,”

“I'm Will Solace, son of Apollo, and Nico's boyfriend,” He shook Twyla's hand. “Nice to meet you too,”

She smiled again. “If you guys want, I can show you around the catacombs later. They can be very confusing if you don’t know where you are going,”

“That sounds great,” Will said.

“Ms. Boogeyman, sit down and pay attention!” Mr. Rotter yelled. “You two Demigods, no more talking in class,”

“Yes sir,” the three said. Nico and Twyla sat on either side of Will. Out of the corner of Nico's eye he could see her looking at him. She noticed, and her face turned a darker shade of purple and she looked away. Will let out a quiet chuckle. 

“I really like her,” He whispered. 

“I think I do too,” Nico whispered back.