It's Not a Date

Date: October 8

      "It's not a date," Nico insisted as Hazel helped him get ready for dinner with Will at McDonald's.

    "Right, it's just a Happy Meal for two," Hazel said.

    "Two Happy Meals for two teenagers," Nico said. "Should I do something with my hair? What should I wear?"

    "Nico, most boys aren't worried about going to McDonalds with another boy," Hazel said. "Admit it: you like Will Solace."

  "Fine, I'm looking forward to seeing Will almost as much as I'm looking forward to my Happy Meal," Nico said. "Are you happy now?"

   "I want to see you happy," Hazel said. "You deserve happiness."

    "You do too," Nico said. "You shouldn't keep dating guys who care more about your body than your heart."

    "I know," Hazel said. "Sometimes I think my mom was right. Like maybe I don't deserve love."

     "Hazel, I struggle with that feeling too," Nico said. "I still blame myself for Bianca's death."

    Hazel gave her brother a hug. She was the only person who he allowed to touch him. Bianca had died while biking home from the bookstore. She had been buying a Christmas present for Nico and for that reason, Nico felt personally responsible for her death. 

    "Your mother was wrong," Nico said. 

     Hazel slumped her shoulders. Thinking of her mother reminded her that she was a mistake. Her mother, Marie Levesque, had fallen in love with Hades di Angelo while he was married to Nico's mother. This was before Nico's mother died when he was seven. Marie blamed Hazel for the fact that Hades decided to stay with Maria di Angelo. Things got so bad that when Hazel turned 13, the Alaskan police arrived at their house and put Hazel in foster care. After a year of being shuffled between homes, her father found out about it and got custody of her. It had been hard because he had to prove his paternity and that took time.

   "I'm glad I have you," Nico said. 

    Hazel gave her brother another hug and feigned enthusiasm as she said, "Let's get you all ready for Will. His jaw will drop when he sees you."

    "A depressed emo kid and a cheery future doctor," Nico said. "What a match."

     Hazel thought of his words as she looked through his closet. Almost all of his clothes were black. Nico had told Hazel that his favorite color was black because it was the color of Bianca's hair. Hades had once told Hazel that before Bianca's death, Nico was a happy and geeky kid who annoyed everyone. Hazel wished she could have known the Nico who didn't have to visit psychiatrists.

       "Yes, a good match," Hazel said as she tossed him some clothes. "Put some hair gel and I'll let you borrow my perfume."

    Hazel walked to her room and grabbed her perfume. When she returned, Nico was wearing black skinny jeans and a black t-shirt with the words "Choose French Fries." She handed him her perfume.

    "So this is the love potion you girls use?" Nico asked. "It smells like candy. I hope it works on guys."

    "Go get a boyfriend," Hazel said and Nico blushed as he left the room to wait downstairs for Will.