Chapter 1.2: This is Gospel

You say that you wanna go

To a land that's far away

How are we supposed to get there

With the way that we're living today?
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Nico spun his pencil in his hand, staring absentmindedly at the chalkboard as the teacher ranted about polynomials and whatnot, watching the seconds tick by on the clock and counting down the minutes until class ended. Thomas slid into the seat next to him, setting his books down and whispering, “Liza’s throwing a party this weekend.”

Nico smirked, writing something on his paper so the teacher would think he was listening. “Liza throws a party every weekend.” Thomas reached over, correcting the formulas Nico had written on his paper and rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, and you come every weekend.” Thomas responded, sliding his pencil back into his pocket when the bell rang, standing up and waiting for Nico to put his papers away, starting to walk towards the door when Nico stood up.

“I’m going, don’t worry.” Nico laughed and Thomas followed him to his art class, standing outside the door and waiting for the second bell to ring. Alicia walked past them and into the class, and Nico’s gaze followed her.

“Bad idea.” Thomas commented, following Nico’s gaze. Nico turned around, glaring at him.

“No idea at all.” Nico waved him off, turning around and following Alicia’s trail into the art room, sitting next to her like he always did.

Okay, he never came to this class, but if he had, he would have sat next to her always.

“Alicia, hey.” Nico smiled, sliding into the seat next to him and pulling the rolled up piece of paper out of his bag, straightening it up and pulling out his art supplies.

“What do you want, Nico?” She rolled her eyes, her pencil sliding across her paper carefully, lines appearing where she marked. The designs she had so far were beautiful and intricate, her thoughts pouring out onto the page through the pencil.

“I don’t want anything! Why do you think that?” Nico scoffed, crossing his arms as the two exchanged looks and Nico’s guard broke and he rolled his eyes and turned back to his paper and started sketching, glancing back at her to say “Liza’s throwing a party this weekend. Wanna come?”

She sighed and faltered a little bit, taking a moment to formulate an answer before she looked back up at him. “I don’t like parties… I’m sorry, Nico.” She turned her attention back to the picture and sketched a couple more lines onto her paper.

Nico hid his disappointment with a smile, focusing on his artwork. “Yeah, that’s fine. If you want to come, though, here’s the address.” He pulled a piece of sketch paper out of the stack he kept next to him and jotted down Liza’s home address, adding his phone number down under it. “Just give me a call if you decide to show.”

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The music pulsed through the house, chatter from the other students dim in the background as the four stood around, Venus telling an enthralling story of how she had dinner with some famous singer that her mother was working on signing. Nico had zoned out minutes ago, nodding every couple seconds to make her think she was listening. He scanned the room, making sure he noticed who entered and left, sipping occasionally on the beer in his red solo cup that he gripped lightly in his hand.

“Looking for Eden?” Thomas whispered, tapping him on his elbow to get his attention. Thomas was dressed to the nines, as usual, even if he was just at a high school party. Nico looked at him and smiled, ruffling his curly hair, which made Thomas roll his eyes in annoyance and do his best to put his perfectly-curled strawberry blonde hair back in place.

“I swear, you’re too smart for us sometimes.” Nico scanned the room again, shrugging. No one else in his little group has noticed his infatuation with Eden, but that’s really all it was-infatuation. They were best friends and he’d be damned if he was going to let something as stupid as emotions get in the way of that. “But, nah. I’m not really sure who I’m looking for, actually.”

Which was a stupid thing to say, because of course he did. He knew exactly who he was looking for, he just never would admit it.

Thomas chuckled at him, crossing his arms and taking a drink from the flask he carried with him to parties. He hated the taste of beer and preferred something stronger, so he brought a flask of vodka. He nodded in a direction that indicated he wanted Nico to follow his line of sight. “Well, if you are looking for Eden, she’s over there.”

Nico glanced over at where he was looking and saw her, her black hair in curls on her shoulders and she gestured for him to follow her. She walked up the stairs and Nico parted his friends, muttering a few “goodbyes” and climbing the stairs, stumbling through the dark hallway and opening the door she walked through, closing and locking it.

She pulled him close without a word, their lips connecting as they moved throughout the room, the hunger in their kiss growing as they hit the bed. Eden pushed him down roughly, climbing onto him. His hands found their way to her hips, holding on to her tightly as she shrugged off her jacket, Nico working on pulling off her shirt when his phone rang.

“Fuck. Shit. Hold on.” He muttered as he broke their embrace, struggling to get his phone out of his jeans pocket and sliding it out, pressing the answer button and pressing his phone to his ear, mouthing an “I’m sorry” to Eden, annoyance growing across her features as she dropped her shirt to the floor, crossing her arms.

“Hey, Nico.” Alicia’s voice came through the other line, shaky and distraught. Nico sighed, dropping his head back on the pillow and staring at the ceiling so Eden’s glare didn’t bother him. “Are you busy?”

Nico closed his eyes, formulating a response. Here he was, Eden, semi-topless on top of him, on the phone with a girl he’s barely known for a week. “I can not be. Why? What’s up?” Eden groaned from above him and he shushed her, pressing his finger to his lips.

“I was driving out late and I got lost and my car broke down.” She sighed, and Nico could hear that she was probably freaking out on the other end. He sat up, worry displaying on his face and Eden rolled off of him, grabbing her shirt and clutching it. “Can you come get me?”

Nico nodded to himself, exhaling softly. “Yeah. Where are you?” He closed his eyes as she described what she saw, placing the landmarks on a mental map as he thought about where she could have ended up. The pieces clicked and he smiled, telling her to stay still and lock the doors, confirming to her that he knew where she was. They exchanged a couple goodbyes and he hung up, looking over at an annoyed Eden.

“Seriously? You’re gonna fucking leave me for some pretentious blonde?” She spat, pulling her shirt over her head as Nico stood up, adjusting his shirt and redoing his belt that came undone in their make-out session.

Nico rolled his eyes, leaning on the doorway and shrugging. “Sorry. I’ll see you later. Text me.” He turned, twisting the doorway and stepping out of the room, trotting down the stairs quickly.

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Nico knew a quick route to where she was stranded, making a couple turns and staring at the road ahead of him, illuminated by the street lamps above him. He spotted her dark car on the side of the road and he pressed gently on the brakes, slowing down and pulling over behind the car, opening his door and stepping out. He made his way to her car, knocking lightly on the window of her seat and laughing when she jumped slightly, startled. She unlocked the door and he opened hers for her, letting her step out.

His eyes scanned her dress, and he could feel his jaw dropping. As stupid as it what, he didn’t think she owned something so…

Hot, was probably the word he was looking for, but it wasn’t going to be the word he used.

“You like this?” She asked, noticing the look on his face and cracking a smile. She adjusted the sleeves on her jacket, and he could tell that she was uncomfortable with how much skin she was showing. “I’ve had it for a while… Impulse buy, I guess. If my dad ever found out, he’d kill me. I thought I’d wear it tonight, but everything kind of fell through, I guess.” She gestured around her, to the car and the dark night sky.

“Wait, you were gonna come to the party?” Nico raised an eyebrow, questioning her. He shouldn’t have been surprised-why else would she be out this late, calling him? It still shocked him, he guessed. He didn’t expect her to come, at all.

“Yeah. I thought I’d give it a try.” She avoided eye contact, and Nico smirked a little, thinking of something to say to break the silence.

“Well, you know, the party wasn’t even that good.” Nico ran his hands through his hair, smiling softly at her. “Wanna go grab food or something?”

Alicia smiled and nodded, following Nico as he led her to his car, opening the passenger door for her and walking to the other side when she got in. He shifted gears, putting his car in drive and pulling away, glancing over at her. “What do you want to do about your car?”

She dangled her keys, shrugging. “I’ll call tomorrow. It’s late and I don’t really want to deal with it at the moment.” She smiled over at him and he had to resist the urge to move his eyes from the road and onto her. “You didn’t drink too much, did you?”

Nico shook his head, turning the car onto the main road, the lights of the town overpowering the stars, leaving nothing but the blank sky above them. “Nah. I’m fine, I wouldn’t put you in danger, don’t worry.” He smirked, pulling into the almost-empty parking lot of the 24-hour diner, parking the car and pulling out his keys, killing the engine.

Alicia stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind her and leaning on the hood as she waited for Nico. He climbed out, locking the doors behind him and shoving his keys in his pocket as he walked through the parking lot, Alicia following him into the building and the waitress sat them in a booth. Alicia ordered a strawberry milkshake, Nico ordering a chocolate as they sat down opposite of each other.

“I should text my dad and tell him about the car…” Alicia said, pulling out her phone and tapping out a message, pressing send and clicking the sleep button. The milkshakes were brought out to them and Nico plucked his cherry from the top, eating it and stirring the shake with a straw. “Looks like I’m going to be showing up super early now.” She sighed, taking a long drink of her milkshake. She noticed the confused looks Nico was giving her, and she quickly rushed to explain. “My dad, he’s uh, the principal at our school… He gets there very early, which is why I drive. With my car out of commission, I’m going to have to be riding with him.”

Nico went wide-eyed, which made Alicia laugh a little. The names made sense, and he was surprised he never noticed before, but it still shocked him. Alicia was Mr. Poe’s daughter? He didn’t even know he was married. He seemed so uptight and strict, he couldn’t even imagine being the principal’s child. “What does your mom do?”

Alicia went silent, her face grim. Nico thought he’d made a mistake in asking, rushing to apologize before Alicia stopped him, telling him that it was fine. “My mom, she died of cancer when I was 12.” Alicia sighed, Nico’s hand rushing to his mouth as he mumbled out “oh my god, I’m so sorry.”

Chapter 1.1: Dollhouse

Places, places, get in your places

Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces

Everyone thinks that we're perfect

Please don't let them look through the curtains
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“Clara! Let’s fucking go!” Nico shouted, getting disapproving glares from his dad and an amused laugh from his mom. He grabbed his keys off the key holder, spinning them on his index finger and tapping his foot impatiently. “We’re gonna be late. Again!”

Clara fumbled down the stairs, fixing her hair and sliding on her hairband, straightening out her dress. “I’m ready, let’s go.”

Nico scanned her outfit, letting his displeasure show on his face at the fact that her shirt was unbuttoned halfway down her chest. “No, you fucking aren’t. Button that shit up. No one wants to see it.”

Clara groaned, buttoning up her shirt and following Nico when he turned around and walked out the door. She scrambled to catch up with him while still fixing the buttons. “Who even taught you how to dress like that?” Nico groaned, shoving his keys into the lock and twisting them, opening the door.

“Eden.” Clara answered, getting a scoff from Nico and sliding into the passenger seat. Nico got in opposite of her, putting the keys in and twisting them, the engine roaring to life.

Nico pulled his phone out of his pocket when it started to ring, rolling his eyes and mumbling “speak of the devil…” He slid the answer button, pressing it to his ear. “Eden. You really need to stop giving my sister fashion advice.”

“Eden!” Clara practically screamed, taking the phone out of Nico’s hand and pressing it to her ear. “Hey Eden!” Nico could hear amused laughing on the other end of the line, and a couple mumbled words he could understand. “She says she wants a repeat of last night. What’d you two do last night?”

Nico rushed to take the phone out of Clara’s hands, looking over at her before turning his eyes back to the road. “We went bowling,” he lied, pulling the phone to his ear and whispering, “What the hell, Eden, are you trying to scar Clara for life?”

Eden laughed on the other end, and Nico knew she was probably enjoying this way too much. “She thinks way too highly of me, honestly. I think her finding out that we’re fucking would probably make her happy.”

“Mhmm. I’m sure it would.” He rolled his eyes, pulling off the main road and on to the smaller one leading to their school. “I’m almost at school. I’ll see you later,” Nico hung up before Eden could get in a goodbye, sliding the phone back into his pocket and driving into the parking lot, parking in his space and twisting the key, the engine cutting off.

“Why do you talk to Eden so much?” Clara asked when she got out of the car, curiosity shining in her eyes. She rushed to catch up with Nico, clutching her books tightly to her chest.

“She’s my friend. Besides, we don’t talk any more than I talk to any of my other friends.” Nico sighed, pushing open the front doors that lead into the school. “What does it even matter? You like Eden.”

“Well, yeah…” Clara began, trying to formulate a sentence. “But what if you date her! I don’t want her to be my sister.” Nico laughed, and Clara shot him a glare that made him laugh even harder.

“Me? Date Eden?” Nico tried to catch a breath, leaning on his locker for a moment before trying to open it. It was ridiculous; Eden was nothing more than a friend to him. A friend he slept with, maybe, but he had a lot of those. “Don’t be silly.” Nico turned around, twisting in the numbers and pulling open the locker, grabbing his backpack and slamming the door.

“Whatever. I’ve gotta go.” Clara said, walking in the opposite direction he was headed and waving back at him. She joined up with her group of friends, chatting and gossiping and giggling before walking away.

“Jesus Christ,” Nico muttered, turning around and walking back out the front door. He pushed them open, scanning the parking lot before finding a group of people smoking a good distance from any windows or exits, and he walked towards them. “Hey, guys.” Nico said, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, taking one and holding it out for someone to light it.

“Hey, Nico.” The red-head said first, looking behind him for anyone-or someone. Venus Wright, the school’s resident out-and-proud lesbian. Product of a rich, single mother and some singer her mom produced. Her smile was unfaltering most of the time, and Nico’s decided that if he ever sees her cry, he’s assuming the world is ending. “Where’s Clara?”

“Inside.”  Nico answered, letting Thomas light his cigarette. Thomas was the polar opposite of Venus; he hid his emotions so well that sometimes Nico doubted he had any. He probably would be convinced he was completely emotionless if Nico hadn’t seen them himself. He had to hide his emotions; his parents were lawyers, and emotions weren’t their strong suit. Still, something bugged him constantly, and sometimes, it worried Nico.

Everyone had their walls. Thomas’s were just stronger than most.

“Liza’s throwing a party.” Thomas said shakily, sliding his lighter back in his pocket. He warily made eye contact with Nico, and Nico smiled at him before Thomas quickly averted his eyes again.

“Liza’s always throwing a party.” Nico took a drag of his cigarette, letting the toxins soak in his lungs for a moment before blowing the smoke out.

“Hey! Not true!” Liza jokingly hit Thomas on the shoulder, and Thomas laughed a little bit. “I only throw parties when my parents are out of town.”

Liza’s parents were always out of town, and they even paid for most of the alcohol that she bought. They were rich old-money who spent most of their time at an expensive country club and practically only ever saw Liza when she needed money. It was a nice arrangement, and they all seemed pretty happy with it.

“Which is every weekend.” Venus pointed out, resulting in an eye roll from Liza.

“Most weekends.” Liza corrected. Venus began to make a comeback, before her eyes landed on something behind Nico.

“Hey there, Blondie…” Venus laughed, and Nico turned around to see a blonde girl walking, holding her books tightly to her chest and looking at the ground when she walked.

“Hey, I know her…” Nico thought, recognizing the face. He knew she looked familiar, but he couldn’t place it.

“You should. She’s in your art class.” Venus commented, and suddenly it clicked.

“Oh, right! Alice or something?” Nico said, turning away so that he wasn’t looking at her anymore.

“Alicia. Her father’s the headmaster.” Thomas said.

“I bet she’s an uptight bitch.” Liza commented, laughing at her own joke. Nico took another drag of his cigarette, scrunching his face in thought. The smoke circled in the air around him, and Thomas waved it away.

“Right. Why didn’t I know that?” He asked, stomping out his cigarette when he heard the bell ring.

“Because you’re an idiot. Let’s go.” Liza joked, turning around and leading them back to the school.

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Nico slid into his seat, late to class again, opening up his sketch book and lingering his gaze for a moment. “Hey, what’re we doing in this class?” Nico asked, turning toward the person next to him and pausing. “Hey, Blondie…” Nico laughed lightly, a mix of shock and satisfaction forming on the features of his face.

“You’re not funny.” Alicia rolled her eyes at him, sketching something on her paper. It was turned so that he couldn’t see it-no doubt to keep him from “copying her work”-and it was so early in the drawing process that he probably couldn’t make out what it was supposed to be, anyway.

“I didn’t know you sat by me.” Nico said, looking up at the chalkboard and seeing the project was to “draw your favorite item.” He thought for a moment, he’d never really had a “favorite item.” He decided to draw his favorite facial feature instead.

“You’d know if you ever showed up to school.” Alicia quipped, turning her paper so she could get a better vantage point to add some more details. Nico smirked, laughing at her joke.

“Yeah, that’s true.” Nico started to sketch out the shape of the eyes he was drawing, trying to glance over at Alicia’s picture to get a good look at it. “But why would I waste my time at school when I could be exploring what the world has to offer?”

Alicia actually laughed at that, and Nico was taken aback by how nice her laugh was. He smiled, looking over at her. “You have a nice laugh. You should do that more often.”

Alicia moved her hands in front of her face, trying to hide the fact that she was blushing. The bell rang then, saving her the embarrassment of having to answer.

“Hey, Alicia?” Nico said, as she was packing up her stuff to leave. “That was a nice flower you drew. You really have some talent.”

“Thanks, Nico.” Alicia smiled and scurried off, leaving Nico to gather his books. He thought for a moment, thinking that, maybe, Liza was wrong about her.