Percy, Jason and Annabeth conversed with Will, but it really seemed like a pop quiz. Hands were on the table, sweat dripping from the three's foreheads, but Will was as cool as an Autumn breeze, flying through the questions and relaxing eventually.

Lunch, and a few hours later, the school day ended, and the sound of bells was a joyous one, rather than the unhappy one telling us we were late. Multi coloured bags flew through the halls, the sound of footsteps more like stomping than pattering. It smelt like someone stuffed a dead racoon into a gym sock, but no one was allowed to say that.

I hit sunlight and squinted at the summer sky, the clouds dots in the distance, and the sun perched behind a tall building. Friends said bye and people exchanged numbers. All in all, the end of the day was the start of happiness.

"Hey, Nico," Will strode next to me. He smiled and looked at me. His hair blew in the wind, and being so close to him, I was sure he smelt like strawberries.

"What are you doing?" I spluttered, before realising he was doing the same as everyone else outside.

"Leaving," he shrugged. "But my house is empty. Mom and dad wouldn't be home, plus my sister and brother probably wouldn't want a third sibling in the house.

"Sister? Brother?" I blinked. "I didn't know you had siblings."

"Yeah, I do. Annoying as ever, but now that they're getting older, they're more fun to hang with." Will chuckled. "Do you have any siblings?"

I nodded. "My older sister, Bianca. She's in Italy now, with my grandparents."

"You're from Italy?" Will said, walking out of the school grounds and into the street. I followed him, mostly because it was the same way home. "I can't believe I didn't place the accent. I can hear it so clearly now."

I smiled shyly. "Yeah, I guess. It's mixed with the American one now that I've been living here for a few years. It was really strong when I was in Grade 5."

"I've been once," Will said, grabbing my hand. I wasn't sure if the tingle I felt was nerves or surprise. I guessed it to be surprised, because I had no good reason to be nervous around him. "I went to Venice. It's lovely there. So much water and so many boats." He paused. "I can show you some pictures if you'd like."

"You should just send them over to me." I blurted, before steadying myself. "We can exchange numbers, if you'd like."

He lit up with that smile again, that reached his eyes. I grinned too. It was strangely nice to see him happy, being a brand-new friend and all.

We exchanged numbers and entered each other on our contacts. Will sent over a laughing emoji and I sent one back. Mirroring is what I resorted to when I didn't know what to do.

"Where to now?" Will said, letting out a princess sigh after he spoke.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean where we should go now." Will said, smiling. "I've got time, and if you do, we might as well."

"Oh," I said, composing myself and pasting a smile on my face. "That makes sense. I know an ice cream parlour if you're up for that."

Will grinned. "Duh. I love ice cream."

I pulled him along from the quiet streets. We skipped over the uneven pavers but kept our eyes to each other. The wind blew in my face and against his. He looked fabulous, even in casual attire. An orange shirt with black print, and jean shorts. I couldn't help but subtly admire him.

The landscape of homes and gardens changed into a town square, bustling with excitement. The buzz of chattering fell on our ears as we entered the mall.

The mall was somewhere completely new for me. It was big, with tiled floors and stores on either side. People rushed through the open doors and fawned over a pink dress that looked far too bright for my liking.

"I think you'd look awesome in that dress over there," he said, eyeing me. I scoffed.

"Oh, you wish," I laughed. "I much prefer purple."

We strode into an empty ice cream parlour. A million sweet flavours hit my nostrils, and the gentle music calmed me. I took Will's hand.

We ordered our ice cream, both in a cup (the more sanitary option, obviously). And sat down in a table in the back.

"I hope I'm not being invasive, but I'm really curious," he said, scaring me in one sentence. "Do you know who your soulmate is?"

Ah. Less scary than I imagined. "I haven't found the one yet."

"Same," Will said, cool and even toned. "I was hoping to meet them here."

Them.

If you were straight, you might've not picked up on this as quickly as I did. But years of disguising my love under 'they/them', I was an expert in picking up something no one else could.

"Maybe it'll happen," I leaned forward. "Although, there aren't many people in our school who go by they/them."

Will turned red, looking like he'd been in the sun too long. He cleared his throat and looked at his melting strawberry ice cream.

"You caught me, dude." Will sighed. "I'm not straight. I'm bi."

"Men and women?" I asked. He swallowed and nodded.

"I've never tried to hide it, but I can't believe you guessed." He let out a chuckle, but he looked sick to his stomach, and I was sure it wasn't the ice cream.

"Don't worry," I said, instinctively taking his hand. This time he stared at me. "I'm the last person to be homophobic. I'm gay."

Will's eyes widened and he took me in anew. I shifted in my seat. I knew he wasn't going to be homophobic, but there was still that sense of feeling so raw.

"You're also the first person I've come out to." I smiled at him. He dipped his head.

"I'm honoured. And I'm the same." He murmured. "I don't know why it was so easy to come to you. I've known you for under twenty-four hours."

I shrugged. "I think it's something to do with changing someone's entire outlook of you. I've only met you recently, I don't have a version of you in my head that you've shattered."

"Fair point." He said, laying back.

Silence erupted between the two of us. It wasn't an uncomfortable one, just one we needed to register our thoughts.

Will Solace was bisexual. He was attracted to men and women. I tried to think of all the people he could possibly match with.

First rule of becoming an observer: realise that opposites attracting are a myth. It doesn't make sense. How could two people who were completely different like each other, especially in that way? It didn't happen in real life, and for very good reason.

"Do you have a type?" I blurted. "If you're comfortable, of course."

He laughed, so loud and so long, that tears began to spill from his eyes. "You don't have to act so formal around me, you know. We're friends now. If I'm uncomfortable, I'll say so."

I nodded stiffly. "Right. Sorry."

He chuckled. "I have no idea. Truth is that I had one crush before, on a girl, and another on a guy, and they were two different types of people. The girl was a friend of mine, and she was completely and totally a theatre kid. The guy was a popular dude, but still had a goth vibe to it. We barely saw each other but I knew for a fact I liked him. You?"

"Not at all," I said, pausing a little too much in between words. Will scoffed.

"And you think I believe that?" He leant forward and squinted at me. "I'm a bit disappointed, Nico."

"That's just everyone who knows me," I muttered. He burst out laughing.

"That's not what I meant, but sure."

We let our banter die out into small talk. I learnt that Will used to play Tennis, had an interest in medicine, and was strangely good at impersonating different characters.

"My impression of Chloe from Miraculous is divine." He grinned.

We finished our ice cream and headed out the mall. I clutched his hand, forgetting how loud it could be. He squeezed it back and walked me out.

"Can I walk you home?" Will asked, ocean eyes wide and pleading.

"Sure," I said. I wasn't about to refuse him. "It's just this way."

I lead him down a few streets. The houses became bigger and bigger until we reached mine.

My house was two stories and had a sleek, modern look to it. The gates were the size of Will and I stacked on top of each other, and the walls had just been painted with a fresh layer of white. Two cars sat in the driveway, even though only my dad could drive. Will's jaw dropped.

"This is the nicest house I've ever seen," he grinned broadly. His smile stretched his face and nearly reached his ears.

"Thank you," I said, bowing playfully. Will dipped in a courtesy.

"I guess this is goodbye?" I spoke. He put an arm on my shoulder.

"We'll see each other tomorrow." He reminded me. "No need for the tears and troubles."

I waved him off and watched him turn around the corner to Persephone's house. He sucked away the playful energy and my high spirits with him.