Dreams

The harsh wind whipped my face. And yet, it's iciness soothed my throbbing throat.

Phillip sat next to me in an awkward silence, driving.

We pulled up to what I thought was a mansion. It was what others would consider a modern house. I noticed that some of it was inspired by Greek designs. Greek anything was probably the only thing I actually excelled at.

We walked to the door with pillars on either side. The dark oak door was unlocked. I rubbed my shoulder, uncomfortable. I didn't belong in this house.

This house with the spiral staircase. This house with the many statues, the fishtank. This neat house so unlike me, the filthy, unwanted, broken boy.

He walked to the staircase, not looking at me. Turning around to look at me, "You can stay in one of the spare bedrooms," he said. He showed me around the house. There were three bathrooms and even a pool. After seeing the pool room i didn't focus on much else.

"And finally, this is where you'll be staying." He said. Gesturing to a huge room. It quickly snapped me out of my thoughts. I walked in slowly, taking it all in. The room was nicer than I'd ever imagine.

The room was simple, sky blue paint decorated the walls.

It consisted of an oak dresser to match the front door, a nice bed with navy sheets, a fancy nightstand to match the dresser, and even a bathroom was just down the hall.

But it was my room.

"I know it's not much but we can go shopping for stuff some other time." Some other time. "I'm going to order some food, does Chinese sound good?" Phillip asked.

"Yeh, yeh, that sounds great." I replied, still distracted by the room.

I walked back to the pool. I didn't have a bathing suit but I didn't want one, I didn't want him to see my bruises, my few scars hidden beneath them.

He would just pity me, I don't want his pity. I don't need it. I never asked for it.

I heard him faintly yell that the food was here

I walked back to the kitchen, though the living room. Phillip was watching T.V., while eating something.

I walked behind the couch silently. But he noticed me anyway.

Not turning around he said, "just take anything, I ordered a wide variety of stuff."

I walked into the kitchen. He really did order a lot.

I walked around, eventually finding a plate and a fork. I grabbed some beef teriyaki, pan fried noodles, dumplings, spring rolls, general gau's chicken and some scallion pancakes.

God, this os a feast.

I walked back to the pool room. And for the first time in a while i felt, at peace.

The food was delicious to say the least.

I wanted more but was lulled into a sense of peace by the pool.

The smell of chlorine, the soothing lapping of the pool water, everything about it was peaceful.

I heard the door open. I lazily turned around, almost drunk with tranquility.

"I'm going to bed, if you need anything, just ask, we'll go shopping tomorrow."

"Mmm, okay." Percy responded lazily.

Philip took the discarded plate next to me. And I just turned back around, staring at the pool, lost in thought.

Would I be expected in court? What would happen now that Gabe was finally arrested?

But I couldn't think about that right now.

So I walked back slowly to the room. My, room, not Gabe's garbage can, my room.

I closed the door, locking it incase Phillip walked in, slowly pulled his shirt off, staring at my imperfections in the mirror. Bruises covered my torso where Gabe had kicked me. Scars that were collected over the years.

The wounds on my face were minor though. My bangs hung low over my eyes, hiding some of the cuts.

I carefully placed himself on the bed, not wanting to further aggravate my wounds.

But even in sleep, I found no peace.

Gabe towered over me, a broken bottle in hand.

But I was powerless to stop him. My limbs betrayed me, freezing when I needed them most.

Gabe smiled, so unlike his mother's, void of warmth, filled with malice and hatred.

He stabbed me in the neck, his grin never fading.

I tried to yell, something warm ran down my shoulder. My blood.

I woke up, a scream barely stifled in my throat.

I breathed deeply. In and out, In and out. Your fine. Nothing's wrong, he isn't here. He's in jail, your safe.

My heart was pounding, my breathing rapid. I knew I was safe. So why didn't I feel safe?

I looked at the clock, four-thirty AM.

I sighed, I definitely wasn't going to sleep after that. I pulled my shirt back on, deciding to take a walk around the house.

My mind empty, i found myself looking at the pool. The one place I found any sort of peace.

I lied down, eventually falling asleep by the pool, the smell of chlorine in my nose.


When i woke up, the clock read nine.

I stretched carefully, stiff from sleeping on the tile.

I walked to the kitchen, looking for breakfast.

I found a note and two-hundred dollars on the counter,

Percy,

Work called, had to go in today, use the money to go buy some clothes and stuff for yourself. Won't be home until dinner.

-Phillip

Stuff for me. Two-hundred dollars? Time to go shopping. Luckily a kohl's was just down the street.


I walked out with a whole new collection of stuff, even a few swim trunks. Though I probably wouldn't be using them much

I got back to the house, Phillip still wasn't home.

It was ten o'clock. I guess I would go for a swim.

I put my new navy blue swim trunks on, walking down to the pool room.

I breathed in deeply, the smell of chlorine flooded his nose. I sighed, contented.

I waded into the pool, diving in after a few steps. I swam around for a little bit, enjoying the cool water. I sunk to the bottom, eyes closed, wishing I could stay there forever.

Too soon my lungs started to scream for air. I launched out of the water, taking a deep breath. I floated there for a few minutes, mu mind a emotional whirlpool.

Eventually I got out since my skin shriveled up like a prune.

I took a shower, ready for some lunch chinese food leftovers.

I rolled up my new jeans, staring at my legs. The scars were still faded, invisible to the naked eye, you had to floor for them to see them.

The bruises were now blue with a green tint on the edges.

I rolled it back down, the microwave beeping at me.

I wasn't really sure what to do next.

Sure, I could go us the laptop in the other room, play some games but before i could decide someone knocked on the door. And when i opened it, a girl and boy-probably brother and sister-stared back at me. They stiffened at the starting of me, staring at the large handprint on my neck, my sleeves of bruises. I only wore this shirt because i thought that Phillip wouldn't be back for hours.

I self consciously rubbed my neck.

I studied the guy, trying to distract myself.

He had short blonde hair, blue eyes almost as bright as antifreeze. He was just a little taller than me, no more than an inch. He had a muscular build, probably a football player.

The girl stared at me, her eyes similar to the boys, her, her black hair cut short and choppy.

"Um, who are you? Is this the wrong house Thalia?" The boy said.

Thalia sighed, looking at the boy, "No Jason, this is Phillips house."

I cleared my throat, effectively getting their attention. "This is Phillips house."

"Oh." Was all Jason said.

"Okay well our dad Ezekiel sent us over."

"Um, okay, come on in, I guess." I said, moving aside.

The strolled in comfortably.

"So, I'm Percy," I said, closing the door. "Um, do you want to do something?" I asked.

"I'm up for a game of truth or dare." Thalia said.

"Sure," I said.


Phillip walked in, only to see Jason squatting on the rail, acting like a chicken. We fell dead silent, Jason got off the rail.

"I'm not going to even ask." He said, just walking away.

Once he left, we burst out laughing.


So guys….what do you think? I feel like I have this problem where I have these great adjectives but I can't fit them in the one sentence they should be in. "Forehead, meet palm."

Also, if you ever meet me somehow in real life, you now know what Chinese food I like. Also, Kohl's is a great place to shop by the way, not to mention, BOOTCUT JEANS FOR LIFEEEE!