Hey everyone! I literally cannot apologize enough for the long wait! I feel so terrible! My only excuses are end of the school year activities, and a horrible case of writer's block. But today was the last day of school, so now I should be able to update most of my stories regularly. YAY! I've been having a little trouble with this story. It doesn't come as naturally to me as Cinderella did. I have told some of you that when I write, I completely wing it; I never really have a plan. I just let my fingers type what my mind sees. But for this, I feel like my mind is seeing a screen full of static and it's not so easy for my fingers to type what it sees. So I've spent a LOT of type chewing bubble gum, talking to myself, and rolling around on the floor trying to get the whole plot straight. And I'll be trying out a bunch of weird things for this story, such as multiple POVs, more things with the other characters, and just a bunch of weird stuff. So please just bear with me.

Now, I believe that I owe all my readers a MEGA THANK YOU for allowing me to have 150 reviews in 3 chapters, which is simply mind-blowing! And to have 184 follows and 105 favorites? Wow. Just - wow.

Oh, and I almost forgot! AN EXTRA-SPECIAL thank you to trio-of-friends and xXxJaceInWonderlandxXx for nominating 'Cinderella' for HAWTgeek's Percy Jackson 2013 Awards! ;D Have a cookie! (::)

THANK YOU AND HAPPY READING!

Annabeth

I was still reeling from the realization that Sue was psycho as I opened my eyes, afraid to see Sue's face. But when I opened them, the lights were on. And Sue was gone.

Pressing my hands to my face, I sunk down to the ground, completely hating the feeling of being so weak, so fragile... so vulnerable. Vulnerable was not typically an adjective used to describe me, and I certainly didn't want it to become so.

It was so hard to believe that just an hour ago, I was at the mall, deciding whether to buy and a stupid pen or not. From this perspective, it seemed foolish and trivial. Tears leaked from my eyes, but I made no move to wipe them. Maybe if I cried them all out now, there wouldn't be any left to cry later.

I had no wish to open my eyes again. I had no desire to look around at the plain, barren walls of my home - no, wait - house. I no longer considered this place to be my home. In my opinion, home isn't a place in particular; it is where the things you love most are. But I didn't love my house anymore - I dreaded going to it.

Soft, comforting hands wrapped around my wrists, sending volts of warmth through my body and making me feel safe. The hands carefully pried my hands away from my tear-streaked face and I let them, but I kept my eyes closed. He ever so gently pulled my onto his lap and rocked me back and forth.

Perhaps if I hadn't been so... messed up, I would have pushed him away. I wasn't the kind of person who liked - or needed - coddling. But as it so happened, I was messed up, so allowed myself to be overwhelmed by his warmth in the safety of his arms.

Somehow, the fact that he wasn't saying anything, wasn't saying that it would all be okay, made the moment more special as well as comforting. He wasn't one of those people who would say an empty, "Everything is going to be okay." Neither of us knew if it would be okay. But we had each other.

I don't know how long we sat there, lost in each other. It could have been only a minute, or hours, or days. Maybe it was years. But I do know that at some point, my Dad came home and found us still on the ground in each other's arms. His face registered from shock, to anger, and quickly concern as he strode over to us.

"Annabeth, honey, what's wrong? What happened? What did she do to you?" he asked in a rush. At least he was smart enough to figure out that Sue was the one who did this to me. At first, I couldn't respond. My mouth opened and then closed wordlessly.

Finally, I managed to croak out, "Dad, don't call me honey." Yup, that's me. Dad's worried look relaxed, if only very slightly. And Percy wore a look of mixed amusement and exasperation.

"Well, nice to know you still have your... tenacity in tact. But seriously, Annabeth, tell me what happened. Did she hurt you? Was she drunk?"

I sighed, not wanting to relive it, but knowing it was inevitable. So I reluctantly told them how I came in and Sue snuck up on me. I avoided telling them the part about her slamming my head into the wall - no need to tell them the gory details. Dad looked appalled, shocked, and pained as I told them what Sue had said to me, and Percy's arms squeezed me with considerable strength. And then I told them about my epiphany or realization or whatever you wanted to call it.

"Dad, I really think that Sue needs mental help. Something's not right with her, obviously. I mean, it doesn't excuse what she's done to me or anyone else, but..." I trailed off, not sure what to say.

My father still looked angry and concerned, but also had a thoughtful expression on his face. When I turned to look at Percy, he just looked like he wanted to straight out punch Sue in the face, mental or not.

"I see what you're saying. How are we supposed to get her to a psychiatric center though? I can't imagine we could just go up to her and be like, 'Hey, Sue! We're going on a super fun trip to a place for psychos like you! Wanna come along?'" Percy mused. I rolled my eyes.

"Obviously not. We'll have to do it sneakily. Maybe when we catch her drunk or something. I also think we should wait until after Christmas," I suggested.

"Why? Annabeth, I don't want her hurting you ever again, especially on Christmas. Do you really think she's above hurting you just because of Christmas?" Dad fretted. "I really think we should just go ahead and call the police now."

"I definitely don't think that Sue is above hurting - or even killing - me on Christmas, but I'd rather not go through all the police crap right now. And besides, you'll be with me on Christmas, anyway. And I'm sure I'll see Percy as well. Can we please just wait," I pleaded. Percy and Dad gave me hard looks.

"What I don't understand is why you, who is the one being abused, are so against reporting her. It doesn't make much sense to me. I would think that you would want her out of the way," Percy commented. I stared at him.

"Of course I want her gone. But I really think we can wait for two more days. What's the worse that could possibly happen?" I scoffed. Whoops, bad question to ask.

"Sue could kill you," Percy stated bluntly. This was not helping my case.

"Seriously, right after Christmas is over, you can run straight to the police station without complaint or protest from me. I promise."

What I didn't tell them, was that I wanted time to think about other things, such as the situation with Drew, which I had sort of pushed to the back of my mind. If she was really my step-sister, I still needed to figure out her family tree and whatnot, as well as Sue's family.

I looked up and noticed that Percy was staring intently at me. "I can practically see those wheels turning. What are you thinking?"

I looked up innocently. "Nothing, really. Just that I can't wait 'til this is all over. But let's just agree on telling the police after Christmas," I pleaded, trying out my most helpless, sweetest, persuasive face.

Both my dad and Percy looked at each other for a second, tense. Then, my dad's shoulders seemed to sag in defeat, and Percy rolled his eyes, also giving in. I grinned, knowing that I had won.

"Fine. But the second I wake up the day after Christmas, we're going straight to the police, you hear me?" Dad said in a completely no-nonsense voice. I nodded vigorously. "And there are a couple of conditions," he added. I rolled my eyes.

"Of course there are," I muttered. He continued on as though he hadn't heard me.

"First, you are not to be without me, Percy, or at least two of your others friends at anytime for any reason. Two, you are not to be in the house without me. If I am not home when you get home from where ever, you either head to Thalia's house or head on over to Percy's. Next, if for whatever reason you are out hanging with your friends and Sue calls you and demands you to come home, you do not listen to her. Call me, because I will have my phone on regardless of whether I am working or not. And lastly, absolutely do not be in the same room with Sue alone, because if you get killed by her, I swear I will kill you," he finished. I rolled my eyes.

"Hmm... that 'if you get killed, I will kill you' part was a little redundant, don't you think?"

My dad just sighed. "Annabeth..." he warned.

"Yes, yes, I agree with your terms. Jeez, do you want me to write them down or type them up and then sign it or something?" I asked sarcastically. Dad's eyes got a funny look in them.

"That's a great idea! I'll do that now," he said.

"Holy crap, Dad, I was being sarcastic! I promise I'll stick to the rules, okay?" I said hurriedly. He looked me in the eye, and I stared steadily back. Finally, he seemed reassured that I would abide by his conditions.

"Okay. Now, I have no idea where Sue went, but let's just go ahead and make dinner. I don't know about you guys, but I am starving," Dad said, standing up and stretching. Whoa, talk about a mood swing. "Percy, you'll stay for dinner, won't you?"

Percy hesitated, helping me to my feet. "Um, are you sure it's okay?"

"Of course it is! I owe you for being here for my daughter. Come one! How does green beans, potatoes, and good old-fashioned cream soda floats sound to you guys?"

Percy was practically drooling; I laughed and smacked him on the back of his head.

"Sounds good!" we exclaimed in unison.

We all started piling towards the kitchen, when my father stopped for a second and looked at me.

"Annabeth?"

"Yes, Dad?"

"You know that none of the things Sue told you are true, right? Your mom loved you. She would do anything for you, and that's why she refused to go on chemotherapy. She didn't want to spend her last months sick in bed. She wanted to spend them with you. She was the strongest person I knew. Just like my little girl," he said softly.

Tears filled my eyes at his words.

"Thank you, Dad. She loved you, too. And so do I," I said back. I stepped forward, and he wrapped me in a sweet embrace.

Right there, right then, with Percy and my dad, the two people that I loved most, I felt like for the first time in a long while, I could call this place home.

Nico

The guys and I left the mall soon after Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia did. All of us were silent, filled with worry for our friends.

After I was dropped off at my house - more like shack - we all texted back and forth, trying to figure out what was happening with Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia.

I walked into my small shack, looking around the run-down place. Beer bottles were all over the place, both whole and shattered. Dirty laundry was sprawled all over the floor and couches. Walking down the hall, I peered into my father's room, and was welcomed with the sight of him sleeping on the floor, greasy black hair hanging around his shallow, pale face.

That was what I came home to everyday. I sighed and quietly closed the door, and slipped away to clean up the mess left in the living room. I put on some thick, leather gloves, and threw basically everything into a big trash bag.

As I was sifting through shards of broken glass, I found a thin piece of paper laying face down on the floor. I picked it up and flipped it over, my heart dropping as I did so.

The picture was of my father and mother on the day of their wedding, smiling oh so happily. It was one of my favorite pictures. My father was grinning broadly as he gazed down lovingly at Marie. His face, though still pale, was joyful and quite full of life.

My mother, of course, looked every part an angel, her face alight and also full of color and life. So different from what she was now. Now, she was half dead, hardly even able to sip a drink from a straw. Her face is now drained of all it's beautiful color, hollowed out from months in a hospital bed, still balancing on that delicate line between life and death.

I worked for a couple of hours, though I knew that by tomorrow evening, it would be in the same shape. Halfway through my cleaning, I got a reassuring text from Percy, telling everybody that all was okay, and that he was having dinner with the Chases. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous.

I hadn't had dinner with anyone in a long time. Actually, I hadn't really had dinner much at all, relying on the lunches at school to feed me. Father could never cook, and he was never around to eat, anyway. Like now, he was usually asleep. Of course.

Don't get me wrong - I loved my father; he'd been through a rough time. I just resented him for leaving me to cope with things on my own, instead of giving me strength. But I tried to shrug those feelings off. After all, I am Nico di Angelo. I don't need help from anyone else. But it would sure be nice to get it.

I vaguely wondered what I would do for Christmas. Everyone else would be with their families, but I didn't really have much of a family anymore. Father would probably get drunk, so I guessed I would spend the day alone in the hospital with Mother.

It might be my last Christmas with her. Nobody said it, or even mentioned it, but I knew that there was little to no chance of my mother recovering.

I was just settling down in my room, when my phone started to buzz frantically. I quickly pulled it out, figuring that it was probably Percy, Thalia, or one of the guys. I answered it.

"Hello, this is Nico!" I said cheerily. One of my many talents.

"Nico," said a grave voice. I froze. "Nico, this is Dr. Solace. I think you should come to the hospital. Now. Your mother's condition has changed."

And then the line went dead.

Um... not so sure how I did, especially on Nico's part. I know that this chapter might have dragged some, but I guess it was just more of a filler. Nico's part is quite hard for me, seeing as he's a guy and I'm a girl. Also, he acts one way on the outside, but is a lot darker on the inside, which is kinda hard to portray so... I promise I tried my best. Now that SCHOOL IS OVER (WHOOHOOO!) I should have time to update a lot more! THANK YOU so much for the support I got for 'Friends With Deficits'! That's awesome! YOU guys are awesome! Again, I'm sorry if this chapter disappointed anyone, and I always try my best! I'll be updating WAY faster now, though! Pretty please review and tell me your thoughts on this; I also want to be sure people are still reading this!

Also, I apologize especially to the guests, because they don't have the option to alert this story, so thank you for being patient with me! And has anyone heard of the new movie coming out on May 31 called 'Now You See Me'? I am SO going!

P.S. Sorry for the extremely long author's notes today; I'm feeling very happy and talkative now that school's over. Sorry for not doing shout outs, but I don't have the time to do it right now; I'll try to do it tomorrow!

P.P.S. Again, so sorry for the long wait! Please forgive me! LOVE Y'ALL! And please REVIEW! (Even if you're a guest! :)