Summary: While walking down the streets of New York, Annabeth Chase thinks of ways of murdering Nico. But her miserable day turns fortunate when she spots Nico. Or does she?

RECAP: (Annabeth's POV:) "It's not that. I trust you, Annabeth. Is it not strange that I feel so comfortable while talking to you? I feel so... at home, with you. It's like I've known you forever."

I must have been blushing real hard because Percy chuckled and I withdrew my hand.

"It'll be nice being friends with you, Annabeth Chase. Very nice."

PART IV: Annabeth's POV:

"Quick Blue Powder Bleach?", I whispered.

"Check" came the reply in a whisper.

"Ion Color Brilliance Semi Permanent Neon Bright Hair Color Chartreuse?"

"That was one long sentence, wow. Check"

"Streaks'n Tips Temporary Color Highlight Spray Neon Purple?"

"Uhh... I thought we were picking Neon Orange?"

"No, Percy! I told you Nico would hate purple!" I whisper-yelled at him.

"He'd hate orange more!"

"I know Nico, he's my best friend!"

"And he's my cousin, Annabeth!"

We glared at each other in the semi-darkness.

"This isn't getting us anywhere near to prank Nico, Annabeth", he said silently.

My face twisted into a scowl, "I hate it when you act smart"

He must have grinned like an idiot because he didn't respond. I swiftly turned back towards the door and put the spare key (which I found under the door mat on the porch) into the key hole and turned it.

Upon hearing the satisfying click of the door being unlocked, I smirked and gently pushed the door open. I stepped into the foyer and glanced around to see if anyone was around. Percy tip-toed inside and softly closed the door. I pointed upwards as to signify that we needed to go upstairs. He nodded and we started towards the staircase.

Reaching Nico's room took us about ten minutes because Percy kept banging the bag in which we brought the things needed to prank Nico, against the furniture around. And then I'd chide him in whispers for a minute and we'd continue. Also Percy kept stupidly tripping over the carpet ("What kind of shoes are you wearing, Percy?!") and once he even managed to fall on top of me! Navigation was difficult, since it was dark, and I hadn't been that many times to Nico's house.

When we finally reached Nico's room, Percy pushed it open before I could tell him that it might be locked. Percy told me smugly, "Nico sleeps with his door unlocked." With a roll of my eyes, Percy stepped in front of me and peeked inside the room, the door ajar. A few seconds later, he stepped inside and motioned for me to do the same.

I flicked on my flashlight and swept the ray around the floor, looking for objects on which we might trip and make a noise which'd wake up Nico. Upon finding nothing but a pair of really old and worn-out sneakers about a foot away from each other, I almost breathed out in relief. It was a clear path- which translated to something less of an obstacle course for Percy.

Over the course of the time I've known him- three days- I discovered many things about him. He was a nice guy, with good behaviour and a polite attitude. He lives with his mother Sally and step-dad Paul in San Francisco. And of course, his litle sister is a 'nuisance' (he said it fondly). In return, I told him about myself. I told him that my family lived in Florida- my dad, my step-mother Helen and twin step-brothers Bobby and Matthew. I lived in New York because I got into NYU, and also I wanted to live an independent life, without being smothered by the overwhelming ignorance of my own father. I learned that Percy's father never married Sally and he was never involved in Percy's life until Percy turned 12. Percy told me about his earlier step-dad, who was an alcoholic and verbally abused him and his mother. It was sad to hear about his life, but he assured me that he's happy now (I'm not sure why I care so much).

Percy's father, Nico's father and Thalia's father are brothers, so that's how they're cousins. Percy told me that Nico had an elder sister Bianca who died in an accident, several years ago, and Thalia had a younger brother, from who she got seperated in a carnival and was never found again. So Percy considered himself the luckiest of his cousins, because he at least had a loving mother, and Thalia and Nico weren't lucky even in the mom department. Thalia's mother was mentally ill and she never got the love a daughter should get. Nico's mother died when Nico was six and he only discovered who his dad was when he was 10. Even then, Nico's step-mother considered him a devil spawn and never loved him. This I had witnessed several times during my friendship with Nico, and I felt bad for him. It was one of the few things that Nico and mine friendship was initially based on- ignorance of our parents.

Family history apart, Percy and I spent our time hanging out discussing how and when to take revenge on Nico. Percy and I figured that the best way to get on Nico's nerves would be to dye his hair to a bright color. It'd be the perfect revenge. And it'd give a massive kick to Nico's emo-ness and his love of the color black. We had to google a lot of stuff, because both Percy and I had never dyed our hair (intentionally, that is). And we had to make sure that Nico's parents wouldn't be home the night we'd avenge ourselves. After three days of planning, we found the perfect opening.

Mr. and Mrs. di Angelo were on a flight to Texas. And Percy coaxed Nico into going to a bar with him. This way, Nico would get drunk and then he'd sleep so soundly that even an earthquake will not wake him up. This would give us the perfect opportunity to bleach and dye Nico's hair, without any disturbance.

So here we are, Percy and I, trying to locate Nico in his room.

"Annabeth!", Percy whispered and pointed to the large bed in the center of the room. I understood what he meant to tell me when I glanced over.

Nico, in his black attire, was sprawled out on the bed, on top of the sheets, with his head hanging off the side of the bed. I wrinkled my nose in disgust when I noticed that his mouth was parted and he was drooling. Well, if he's drooling, he must be in a quite deep sleep. Perfect for our plan.

I look at Percy and with a grin, I said, "Let's get started".

A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating! I had exams in October and November, and another exam in December. I'll be having exams in January too, so I don't know when the next update will be. Another reason why I couldn't update was that I wasn't sure if I should include Will Solace in this or not. That would complicate things and I'm not sure if I have the time to complicate things. I stayed up at night to get this chapter done, so I could post it. I'm really slow at typing, and that's the biggest problem.

I need a beta! For proof-reading and correcting typos. PM me if anyone is interested.

And guys, thank you so much for the reviews! 19 reviews already, I'm honored! :) And I have something to ask: Can anyone suggest a better story title? Leave your thoughts in a review or PM me!