Chapter Text
Nico blinks as he steps out into the sun. His legs complain at having been crammed in the front seat with a fair amount of his things for most of the last six hours.
“Welcome to hell,” Bianca says as she steps out of the driver’s seat and takes in the formidable height of the college dorms. They look more like prison barracks to Nico.
“Thanks,” Nico says, riffling through his pockets for the print-out of his email stating the building and room number. He’s looking around trying to figure out where in the world he might find wherever he has to check-in when three girls pop out of the building wearing obnoxiously pink shirts that say “Welcoming Crew” in massive black letters.
The tallest girl, with frizzy red hair, arrives first, an overly cheerful grin on her face. She’s followed by another deeply tanned girl with dark hair and a muscular girl with a deep scowl.
“Are you a freshman?” the redheaded girl asks, stopping on the other side of the car.
Nico sighs. “Yeah. I’m moving into Hades House.”
“I’m Rachel,” the redhead says. “I live in Apollo House. That’s fourth floor. This is Clarisse and Piper.”
“Hey,” Piper says, waving, while Clarisse just continues to scowl like she doesn’t know how she’s been dragged into helping new arrivals move in.
“Nico.”
“If you want to go get your key, Nico, then the desk is through those doors and just down the hall,” Rachel says, pointing at the double doors that they’d just come out of.
“Thanks. I’ll…be right back then,” Nico replies, glancing back at Bianca. She waves him off.
The desk is easy enough to find given that it’s surrounded by a crowd of people thick enough that he half-expects to see a concert at the other end of the line. It takes about ten minutes to make it to the desk, but once he does it’s not long before he’s heading out with a stack of paperwork and a scuffed gold key.
“Got it,” Nico says once he returns to the car. The girls have helped Bianca load about half of his stuff onto a rolling cart.
“Great.” Rachel beams at him. “What’s your room number?”
“Room 113.”
Rachel leads the way, marching ahead of them and parting the rambling crowds. Clarisse takes charge of the cart, pulling it with the ease of long practice. Nico and Bianca take up the rear, glancing at each other.
Room 113 is just across the hall from the elevator on the first floor. They trundle to a stop and Nico tries not to make a complete fool of himself fiddling with the door until it unlocks.
“Your roommate isn’t here yet,” Piper observes, helping unload his boxes from the cart.
Nico shuffles his feet, stacking boxes on the bed and the wardrobe for lack of a better place. “The desk told me that he’s not coming. Dropped all his classes. I’m supposed to be ready, though, in case someone else needs a space.”
“Hey, free single,” Clarisse says, speaking for the first time.
One more load with the cart later and all of Nico’s stuff is scattered across his room.
“Thank you,” Nico says once Piper, Clarisse, and Rachel are outside his room, holding on to the handle of the empty cart.
“You’re welcome. Have a good year!” Rachel says, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “If you need any help, I’m in 486.”
Nico nods and watches them walk away, closing the door behind them.
“What is up with the names in this place?” Bianca asks, looking around at the tiny room.
Nico shrugs. “I think the guy this building was named after was Greek and so they just ran with it when they had to name the houses.”
“I wish I could stay, little bro, but I’ve got to hit the road. My bed’s in the storage unit and I’d like to be able to sleep on it tonight.”
Nico’s heart sinks when he remembers that her college is still three hours away. It’s the first time they’ve been so far away from each other. “Thanks for helping me move in.”
“What are sisters for?” Bianca grabs him by the shoulders and pulls him into a hug. “Remember, make friends, go to your classes, and if anyone offers you a drink and you don’t know what it is, say no.”
“I know, Bianca,” Nico replies, his voice muffled by her T-shirt. “Have a safe trip. Text me when you get there.”
“Always.” Bianca pulls away, searching his face. “Can’t believe you’re already going off to college.”
“Don’t get sappy on me now.” Nico smirks at her. “Now go on. I’ll be fine.”
Bianca nods and hugs him once more. Then she’s gone and Nico’s alone in a cramped room that’s far too white.
Nico manages to unpack his posters and TV before his thirst gets the better of him and he heads out to find a vending machine. There are people everywhere, some of them moving in by themselves and others with family or friends. He sees more people in ridiculous pink shirts but none of them are the ones that helped him move in.
Nico isn’t even sure what floor he’s on anymore when he’s stopped by, “Hey.” He turns around to see a boy with a smile that shines like the sun and blond hair to match. He’s wearing an orange polo shirt and jeans. “I’m Will Solace, the RA for Apollo House. You look lost.”
Nico thinks about denying it but instead he says, “What floor am I on?”
Will chuckles. “Fourth. The first number for the rooms indicates the floor. Room 401 is mine so it’s on the fourth floor.”
That would have been helpful to have known a while back. “I’m just looking for a vending machine.”
“Ah. I can show you where they are if you like.” Will shoves his hands in his pockets, pulling his shirt tight over his lithe build.
“I’m sure you have RA things to take care of. I wouldn’t want to interrupt.”
“I have to go down to the desk anyway. Come on.” Will starts walking, leaving Nico nothing else to do but follow. “What’s your name?”
“Nico di Angelo.” They push through a door that leads back to the stairs and start down.
Will repeats it, rolling the syllables around his mouth. “Nice.”
Nico doesn’t know what to say to that. Most of the comments on his name aren’t anything that could be described as “nice.”
“Are you a freshman or a transfer, Nico?” Will asks, his voice pleasant as they pass the landing for the third floor.
“Freshman.” Nico wrinkles his nose. He hates feeling like he doesn’t know what he’s doing.
“Do you have a major?”
“Classical Civilization.” Nico waits for a laugh that doesn’t come. “It’s…”
“The study of Greek and Roman society, I know.” Will smiles easily at him and Nico’s stomach swoops like he missed a step.
“What are you?”
“Pre-med.” Will turns the corner and steps through another door. They’re back on the first floor.
“Pre-med and an RA?”
Will shrugs. “I’m a glutton for punishment. I can sleep when I’m dead.”
The doors and posters look more familiar and it’s obvious why when Nico steps back into the lobby and sees the desk in front of him. Across the room is a pair of vending machines.
“Thanks,” Nico says, heading across the room while Will goes to talk to the boy behind the desk. He feeds the machine a couple dollars and presses the button for a Sprite.
Will is still talking to the guy behind the desk, leaning closer than is really necessary and reaching over to play with his tie. Nico blushes and looks away. He walks across the room and ducks into the hallway as quickly as he can, following the numbers back to his room.
His phone dings as he walks through the door and he pulls it out of his pocket. One text from Bianca: I made it. Promise me that you’re not still closed away in your room.
I’m not, Nico texts back. He tosses his phone onto his desk and sighs as he looks around at all the boxes.