CHAPTER 4:

Thalia POV

We reached the Blofis house soon, with just some small talk in the car. Not even waiting for the car to stop, I jumped out and immediately used the key Sally gave me ages ago to get in.

"I'M HOME!" I shout, laughing. Sally's place always made me feel so cozy-I mean I love the Hunters, but we weren't really a family-we were a group of girls who swore off dating and we tried to be sisters to each other, but I didn't have a mom or a dad-or anything a real family would have.

And my actual mom, before she died, wasn't a great mom, so Sally always did her best to be a mother figure to me, and I really appreciated it.

"Thalia?" I heard her voice ask.

I spin around, arms wide open. "Aunt Sally!" I shout, eagerly wrapping her up in a hug.

"It is you! How did-"

I interrupted her. "I ran into Kelp Head, Annie and Angelina at the store and decided to come visit you for a bit. They're all getting everything from the car, I just decided to not help and come see you." I said, with a wide smile.

She laughed. "I see. And how are things with the Hunters?"

I sigh. "Well we lost a lot in the war, but I know that Percy didn't tell you much about it, so I won't go into too much detail. Anyways, I think that because we lost so many, all the others just seem to be getting closer, so I guess that's good."

Sally looked at me with sympathy. "Thalia, if anyone can be a good role model for those girls and make them feel like they have a family, it's you. And I really wish that Percy would tell me more of what happened during the war." She said, sounding upset.

"You know that he just doesn't want to worry you."

"I know." There was a slight pause. "Thalia, did you like Angelina? And do you think she liked you, because I really want her to be comfortable around here and I love it when you come so…" Her voice trailed off and I smile, feeling my heart warm at her words-though I would never tell anyone that. Thalia is not a mushy girl.

"I thought she was really shy, but sweet. And I think she liked me-at least I hope she did."

"I'm sure she did." Sally said, smiling. "Now, would you like a blue cookie? You should take some before Percy-"

And of course, just then, Kelp Head, Annie and Angelina walked in.

Aunt Sally laughs. "-comes in. Well, too late for that."

I laugh also, and take a cookie from the cookie jar she offered to me.

"MOM! You gave Thalia a cookie before me?!" Percy screamed, horrified.

"Percy Jackson. You had far too many cookies yesterday, and Thalia deserves cookies as well. So if you want anymore, you had better apologize to Thalia for saying that." I snorted at that, and Aunt Sally winked at me.

Percy looked dumbstruck. "I-I guess I'm sorry Thals." He spit the words out.

Angelina and Annabeth laughed behind him, and he mockingly glared at the two.

"So Thalia, your dad is Percy's dad's brother, right?" I hear Angelina ask me, as we all settle down with more cookies.

I nod slowly. "Yes. And actually they have another brother, and his son is Nico and his daughter is Hazel-you'll probably meet them eventually."

She smiled. "Cool. Do you have any siblings?" She asked curiously.

"Yeah, actually. I have a brother-Jason. But he's… Um… Visiting friends in California right now." I said, trying to sound normal.

"Oh, Sparky is at Camp J? I thought he was going to stay here for a bit with Pipes." Percy said, confused.

"Actually, he decided to go with Hazel and Frank, and said he'll come back later to help. And Piper is at… home." By home I obviously meant Camp Half-Blood.

"Oh by the way, Seaweed Brain. I have to go see Chiron and them for a bit tomorrow to help with the new plans. So I'll probably just call the Ladies."

Percy's nose wrinkled at the thought of the Gray Ladies, and I didn't blame him.

"Nah just take Blackjack." He said, simply.

Annabeth's eyes widened. "Um… Okay. Are you going to come also or…?"

Percy's eyes slid over to Angelina's. She looked confused at our conversation, but she seemed like she really wanted to Percy to say no.

"I think I'm going to take Angel to school tomorrow. And then I might IM Nico or even Reyna. I'll see."

Annabeth nodded and kissed his cheek. "Okay, but you IM me if you need to."

He nodded, smiling.

Aunt Sally finally jumped back into the conversation.

"So Thalia, is it alright if you stay on the couch tonight? Angie's room is what used to be the guest room."

I shook my head quickly.

"Oh Aunt Sally, don't worry about it at all. I should probably head back before the others wonder where I went."

"Nonsense! IM them and stay on the couch tonight. What kind of a mother would I be if I didn't let you stay here?" She said, sounding horrified at the thought of me leaving.

I smiled. This was why I loved Sally so much. "The couch is perfect Aunt Sally, and thank you."

"It's not a problem Thalia." She said, handing me another cookie.

TIME SKIP

I was settled on the couch, and was nearly asleep when I heard a scream-Annabeth's scream.

I'm pretty sure it woke up everyone in the house, but almost immediately I heard her sobs die down and realized that Percy must have calmed her down.

I scramble up to my feet to go to see if she's alright.

As I walk up to Percy's room, I notice Angelina's door was open slightly and that she was sitting upright in bed.

I gently pry her door open more. "Angie? Are you okay?" I whispered.

I heard her whisper back. "I'm fine, Annabeth just woke me up."

She reaches up to turn the lights on.

She's quiet for a moment then asks me a question. "Do you think Percy will tell me the secret he's hiding soon?"

I freeze. The secret. As in the demigod secret?!

I had no idea.

"I… I know that Percy loves you. And he'll tell you when he's ready. Now I think you should probably get back to bed-after all, I'm pretty sure you have school tomorrow, right?"

She groans. "Yeah, I'm worried that I'm going to have a horrible day."

I laugh softly. "I'm sure everything will be fine. And if anyone says anything bad to you, I can pretty much guarantee that Percy can kick their butts for you. On the other hand, he'll kick the butts of any boy who looks at you also. And Annabeth and I will help too, don't worry. I bet we can even get Nico, Jason, Hazel and a couple other… friends to help." I say, smirking evilly.

She laughs really hard. "Thanks Thalia, I feel a lot better now."

"No problem, kid. But you really should go to bed."

"Okay. Good night." She whispers, already close to sleep.

"Good night." I say softly.

As I walk back to the couch, I can't help but think that Angelina was pretty great.

And I'm not joking when I said that I would help Percy kick the butts of anyone who says anything to hurt her or any guy that looks at her.