A Thousand Years:
Chapter Three:
"Percy," Annabeth introduced, gesturing to the taller girl in front of him with a waving hand. "This is Thalia Grace." Percy's eyes widened upon meeting the older girl, who was not at all like how he had envisioned her. By the way Annabeth spoke about her, he expected her to be dressed completely in white, eyes baby-blue, like an angel. A halo even, perhaps. She looked more like a devil with her black clothes and scary eyes. There was a picture of a babie doll on her shirt, an arrow sticking through her head. She had electrifying eyes, a carefree grin, and a litter of freckles spread alongside her cheeks and nose. When her smile widened, the dots bounced with them. Black eyeliner was coated along her eyelids, her eyelashes curled and overly long. Her fingernails were dark and short. Her hair was frizzed, like she had just rolled out of bed and met them here. She was intimidating, and she knew it.
Annabeth rocked nervously on the heel of her shoes, glancing in between the two. "Well? Shake hands or something."
Thalia stretched out her hand to the younger kid. "Hey. I'm Thalia. You're the new Chase kid, right?"
"Percy," he corrected, taking her hand nervously.
Thalia shook it firmly, with a much tighter grip than he had expected from a girl. She glanced at Annabeth, eyes wary. "So you've finally replaced Malcolm?"
He expected Annabeth to get mad or burst into tears, but she kept her expression impassive. "No," she mumbled. "He's not a replacement. No one could ever replace Malcolm."
"Where'd you find the runt?" Percy wanted to cut in, but Thalia looked like she could cut him. Her eyes were rusty knives, and a sharper mouth than he ever thought anyone could have.
"The woods behind the park."
Thalia lit a cigarette with a Marilyn Monroe lighter. Percy coughed when she blew out, but looked up in awed amazement when she managed to blow a perfect ring of smoke the second time around. "Huh. You playing dead again, kid?"
Annabeth shook her head. Thalia arched an eyebrow, staring at the blonde girl harder. Eventually, begrudgingly, Annabeth sighed in defeat and nodded her head in consent. It was obvious to Percy now that there was something wrong with the older girl. She wasn't the saint Annabeth described her as being. She was too thin, perhaps even as skinny as he was while on the run, a leather jacket covering her boney elbows and arms. There were scars on her cheeks. Burns, Percy realized with horror. Embedded burns from a circlilar object. It was covered in pale makeup, but Percy could still see the charred flesh. Thalia caught Percy looking, squirming slightly. "Why don't you take a picture?" she snapped, while Annabeth shot him a dark look.
Percy flushed in shame. "Sorry. I didn't mean to. How did you get burned?"
Thalia's head whipped around so fast Percy thought she had gotten whiplash. Annabeth winced at Percy's bluntness, glowering sternly at him from behind Thalia. They were all seated outside, sitting on a fence, legs dangling off the sides. It had taken Percy a few tries to get up, but eventually Annabeth had taught him how to swing his legs up and around. He wasn't sure how to get down, but he figured it would be easier than climbing up. "How did you know these were from burns?"
Percy shrugged, stammering. He didn't want to go into detail about how Gabe had burned him with a hot poker on his leg. He still had the scar, similar to Thalia's. She continued to glare at him, awaiting an answer. Slowly, he tugged up his pant leg. There it was, a triangle tattoo that had turned pink and white with time. Thalia's expression relaxed, turning into a look of surprise. "Oh, man. I'm sorry, kid. Who did this to you?"
"My old foster dad."
She blew into her cigarette, sucking more in of the disgusting fumes. It smelled rotten to Percy's nose, but the fourteen-year-old seemed to enjoy and relish in it. She tilted her head sympathetically, short hair tilting. "My mom gave me these," she gestured to her cheek, pointing at the two burn-marks. She gave Percy a once-over again. "You know, you seem alright for a runt." She punched his shoulder playfully, nearly knocking him off his position on the fence.
Annabeth beamed at the bantering punch, shooting Percy a thumbs-up of approval.
Funny. Percy didn't feel very lucky.
"Thanks," Percy mumbled, rubbing his sore shoulder. "I appreciate that."
That seemed to implore Thalia's amusement. "He's spunky, too. I like him, Annie."
Annabeth whispered to Percy from the other side, "Isn't she so cool?"
Well, he wasn't sure 'cool' was the right word. Different maybe. A little too rough around the edges, eyes scalding and lips twisted into a seemingly permanent scowl. Even so, he was sure she had a softness to her that was unbreachable at a first glance. Kind of like candy. Hard around the edges, chewy on the inside.
"Hey, you want one?" she handed him a cigarette. He held it by his thumb and index finger, eyes widening as he examined the poison. "Just don't tell your parents."
"Uh..." he glanced at Annabeth expectantly, who looked just as confused as he did.
Thalia began to cackle, retracting her offer abruptly. "Oh! C'mon! You'd actually think I'd give kids a cigarette? I'm not that evil."
Percy was going goofy with puzzlement. Annabeth laughed, though it sounded forced to his ears. The sun was setting in the sky. Percy Jackson wasn't quite a 'Chase kid' (as Thalia stated him by) yet. There was still the legal process to go through, and Athena was as hesitant as ever. She didn't like the thought of having another son, and Percy understood why. He was in his own clothes now, t-shirt blue and jeans already ripped and dirty from playing with Annabeth, his soon-to-be sister. Thalia nudged his shoulder, and without thinking, he nudged her back. She cracked a smile at that, tossing the cigarette away. It fell into the shadows, molding into darkness. You could only see the ignited bud, but that went out as it came into contact with the wet mud.
"Okay..." Annabeth breathed, cheeks burning. He had never seen the girl blush, though he wasn't sure why. "How's Luke doing?"
Luke. That was a guy's name, right? He suddenly understood exactly why.
Thalia stiffened at that, eyes hardening to ice. She cracked her knuckles between her ring-covered fingers, letting out a sigh of discomfort. "Drug-dealing. Per usual." Reaching around, she placed a comforting hand on the disappointed girl's slouched shoulders. "I don't think we'll see him for a while. Sorry, Annie. I know how much you were looking forward to seeing Luke again, but he's been busy."
"What are drugs?" Percy asked, feeling out of the loop.
"Thalia told me they're bad stuff that we're never allowed to take," Annabeth explained in consideration. "Kind of like beer."
"Ah," Percy 'oohd' in realization. "I get it." Thalia stifled her laughter, biting her dark lips together, knowing very well how much they got. Annabeth raked a hand through her curls, untying it from the braids that her spirals were entangled in. Percy continued, "My foster sister used to do drugs. They called it pot."
Annabeth snorted, while Thalia pursed her lips together in a tight line. Naively, Annabeth burst, "What, like a cooking pot? My mom sometimes uses it to cook spaghetti."
He shrugged in response, unsure of what answer.
"Enough talk about that. You're too little to be pondering over shit like that." The dark-haired girl leapt down from their place with grace and dignity. She made it seem easy, her long legs touching the grass with ease. Her combat boots pressed against the dirt, smiling cheekily at the two kids slightly above her head. "You two wanna go shopping tonight?"
Annabeth and Thalia shared a mischievous grin, one that left Percy befuddled.
"Sure," Annabeth burst happily. She nearly knocked him over the fence as she slid down it. "I'll bring Percy, too!"
"Alright. I'll pick you up at the usual time."
Annabeth beamed brighter, which made Percy's cheeks burn. Thalia seemed to catch sight of his stare, then sent a knowing grin his way. "Well," she stretched. "I must be off. People to see, things to do, yada, yada, yada. See you 'round, Kelp Head."
She turned to leave before Percy could scowl, (he wasn't even sure where she came up with that insult!) but ended up slamming face first into a pine tree. Immediately, Percy erupted in condescending laughter. The teenage girl winced, groaning and cursing, hand held up to her red nose. "I keep forgetting that's there." She threw Percy a menacing look. "Shuddup, asshole."
Somehow, that made Percy giggle harder. "O-okay, Pinecone Face."
The look that she flashed Percy made his sentence stop short. Annabeth smothered a smile, however, which made it all worth it.
Thalia flipped him off as she passed, Percy jumping off the fence. Surprisingly, he landed well. Not as well as the other two girls, but he didn't fall flat on his butt, which somehow impressed Annabeth.
He glanced at Thalia's disappearing, storming figure. "She doesn't like me, does she?"
"Nah," Annabeth placed a hand on her soon-to-be brother's shoulder. "Her flipping you the bird means she likes you."
After his meeting with Thalia, Annabeth and Percy walked back to their house, sneakers tapping against the ground. The sun was becoming bleaker and bleaker, city lights beginning to shine and neon lights getting lit up, blinking and unblinking. It was hard to imagine that just a week ago Percy had been living on the streets, scrounging through garbage cans and trying desperately to stay alive. His empty stomach was beginning to fill in, ribs becoming less obtuse and more healthy-looking. Athena had made him avoid eating rich food for the last few days, in a fruitless attempt to get him to eat healthier and gain nutrition back. Annabeth slid through the door, Percy stepping close to her heels. She slid out her sneakers, Percy following the same pattern that they had adjusted to every day.
"We don't even know anything about him," a murmured whisper echoed through the house. "I'm not saying that Percy is dangerous, but it might be nice to know exactly who we're raising. And then the dog! Honestly, Fredrick, we can't just drop everything for him."
"Athena." His tone was firm. "I know you're nervous about this. After Malcolm..."
There was a deafening pause. Annabeth ripped her head away from where their voices were coming from, tugging on his sleeve. "C'mon, Seaweed Brain." Percy scowled at that. It had been a nickname she had dubbed him with after discovering his fascination with aquatic life, one that she had obviously shared with Thalia. That, and apparently the reason he was so oblivious was because his brain consisted of eighty percent seaweed. Therefore, she had managed to come up with 'Seaweed Brain.'
He needed something to get her back with.
They both collapsed on her bed, slouching against the wall. The past few nights, Percy had slept on Annabeth's bed, the blonde in her parent's bedroom. Percy drummed his fingers against his jeans, watching her wipe a bead of perspiration away from her forehead. "You excited for shopping?"
"Not really."
Annabeth frowned at him, wagging a disapproving finger in his face.
Before he could swipe at it, a playful yelp resounded. The puppy, ears too big for it's head, stood there, wagging her tail proudly. Mrs. O' Leary yipped again, clawing pathetically at Annabeth's bed. The girl huffed, but a small smile played across her lips. She reached down, hands outstretched, and the blood-hound complied. She yanked the small puppy up, letting her down when she managed to get her onto the pink comforter. Percy grinned, scratching the dog between the ears. It didn't take long for the dog to curl up in between the two children and drift into sleep, ears covering over her chocolate doe eyes. "She's so cute," Annabeth squealed, running her yellow-painted fingers along the dogs coat.
Percy agreed just as the door opened. Athena stood their awkwardly, wringing her hands out on the apron wrapped tightly around her waist and neck. "It's time for dinner. I hope you like pot roast." Percy nodded with alacrity, while Annabeth made a face of disgust, crinkling her nose upward in displeasure. They both peeled themselves from the bed, Mrs. O' Leary following close at their heels, occasionally nipping playfully at Annabeth and Percy's ankles. Percy took his regular place next to Annabeth, who instantly began to gag dramatically at the smell of ripe vegetables and fresh meat.
"Yes, Annabeth," Fredrick teased. "Nutritious food."
She stabbed a baked carrot stick with her fork, eyeing it carefully before taking a dubious bite out of it. Athena cut through the meat, planting two tiny pieces on the ten and nine year old's plates. Percy dug in, barely taking the time to cut up the meat into neat and organized pieces like Annabeth was doing. He swallowed just as his companion completed strategically separating the sections from largest to smallest. Silence took over the dinner table, only accompanied by the sound of silver wear clattering.
Fredrick cleared his throat, frowning sternly at Annabeth. "Don't play with your food."
"I'm not playing. There is no play- only war. The mashed potatoes are the Trojans and the pot roast is the Greeks."
Athena smiled at that, while Percy looked at her confused. "What's that about?"
Annabeth's jaw dropped in disbelief. "You don't know about the Trojan War?" Hesitantly, Percy shook his head in puzzlement. Annabeth took it upon herself to lunge into the story, explaining in vast detail how Paris took the beautiful Helen, along with the wooden horse that the Greeks had hidden themselves in to slip past the walls the Trojans had built.
Percy took a sip of his water, eyebrows crinkling together. "What happened to Helen?"
"Some stories say she went back with her stupid husband, while others say that she died in the midst of the battle. Either way, Helen and Paris didn't get to be together."
That didn't settle well with Percy. "But they belonged together!" he protested, lips twisting into a scorned scowl.
"Totally," Annabeth agreed as she poured gravy over the potatoes, fork grabbing up a spoonful. She rattled off a few more facts, causing a spark of inspiration to ignite in Percy's mind.
"Wise Girl!" the boy burst viciously, beaming at the name. "That's your new nickname."
"It's fitting," Fredrick commented with a smirk.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "It's weak." Before Percy could open his mouth and say something further, she gestured to his uneaten peas that continued to remain untouched. "Eat your peas, Seaweed Brain."
"Whatever you say, Wise Girl."
The rest of the dinner consisted of tense silence. Few words were murmured, and while Fredrick did his best to keep conversation up, Athena was unusually quiet. Afterwards, while the half-eaten plates were being cleared, Percy discovered why.
"We don't even use the room anymore," Fredrick muttered as they stood next to each other near the dishwasher. Athena rubbed her temples in frustration, washcloth drying the inside of the dripping glasses. Percy couldn't make out whether or not she was crying, and he wasn't sure he wanted to. "It's like a museum, honey. Do you think that's what Malcolm would've wanted?"
"I'm just not ready," she whispered hoarsely. Annabeth didn't appear to hear them, and even if she had, her expression remained blank. She simply remained curled up on the couch next to him, the TV slightly droning out the adult's conversation two small rooms away. Her tone turned jagged quickly as she pushed the plate into her husband's hands firmly. "Stop pushing me. If we need to, my office can turn into his new bedroom. I just...can't, okay?" Her words were painful and forced.
They were arguing over him.
Yet again.
Percy didn't want to leave. He didn't want to be reduced to sleeping under gutters and stealing food, but if he needed to, he would. If his presence was destroying an already crumbling family, he couldn't bring himself to allowed to be adopted. He'd rather go back to Gabe than make any of them unhappy. Despite it only being a few days, he already loved each family member as if they were his own. Percy shielded his glassy eyes away from Annabeth, turning towards the carpet.
He'd leave if it was necessary.
Hopefully he wouldn't have to, but he couldn't stand to destroy what was left of the broken down family. They had saved him- and he'd return the favor.
. . .
It turned out that, according to Thalia Grace, 'shopping' meant trash-picking. "We sell it at a small street shop afterwards," the teenager directed. Annabeth had woken Percy up after all the lights in the house had gone out, her parents fast asleep. He didn't want to break the rules, but what choice did he have? So begrudgingly, the boy had forced himself out of the warm covers and into the cold night. They had climbed out her window, using a small pole to shimmy down it. Percy wasn't frightened of heights, so the task was easy for him. Once the grass touched his sneakers, he spotted Thalia standing at a street-light a few houses down. A shopping cart was next to her, cigarette bud shining ominously in the darkness.
"Just don't pick out electronics," she admonished. "They get all angry with you and return 'em because most of them don't work."
Every half hour, they took turns pushing the cart. It was his turn now, and he lugged it past garbage cans. Thalia dug through a trash can, picking out a half-broken CD. She threw it over her shoulder in disgust. "Where'd all the good stuff go? This is all useless junk and food." She closed the lid after a few more moments of consideration, while Annabeth came rushing back. A few decently looking books were in her arms, an orange bowl in the other. The goth's expression brightened when the girl came rushing back. "Good job, Annie!"
Annabeth shrugged like it didn't matter, but Percy could tell she liked the praise.
A dog started barking in the distance. With Thalia, he had honestly expected her to start barking back, but she remained silent.
"Alright," Annabeth exclaimed over the disturbance of the dog, looking down at her watch. "It's my turn to push, yours to shop."
Yeah. Shopping. That's exactly the word he'd use.
Fortunately, Percy had been doing this for months. He was oddly (though luck had a big portion to do with that) good at finding things usable out of people's trash cans. He dug into the bag, flinging out a banana peal into the streets. A car drove past them, "Freeloaders!"
Thalia rolled her blue eyes. "Why don't you get out that car and say that to my face?" When the car drove away, she smirked confidently. "That's what I thought."
Percy grabbed a painting and a ripped hoodie, tossing them into the cart. The label on the handle said 'Walmart' in dark blue lettering. He returned to the garbage, sorting through all kinds of rotten things, but then stumbling across a Barbie doll. Anything that was slightly workable and didn't smell like dirty laundry went into the cart.
"Wow, Kelp Head," Thalia's eyes widened when she caught sight off all the merchandise Percy had discovered. "You're like a freakin' luck charm."
"Thalia? What will we do if someone calls the cops?"
The girl snorted. "They could. This is considered a federal offense."
"Really?"
"Yeah," the girl blew a clumsy circle of smoke before squashing the cigarette with her long combat boots. "Never happened to Annie and I before, so I wouldn't worry too much about it."
"Okay."
Thalia turned to the blonde. "What time is it?"
"Two thirty."
Percy gauged at her watch, green eyes wide with alarm. "In the morning?"
"Yes, Seaweed Brain. Duh."
He let that sink in, initial shock gone. The boy wondered what his mother would do if she was still alive, knowing that he was sneaking out of his house through a window, only to go commit a federal offense with a girl who smoked, and another that had a sick facinsation with death. Not only that, but it was the middle of the night, and he was rummaging and stealing trash. He smiled a little at the thought. He doubted Sally would even believe that he could do something like this, even if it was something that he was enjoying. She'd probably be angry with him, but then that irritation would dissipate. His mother could never truly stay mad at him for long. Would she like Annabeth? He knew she would. Thalia was another story, but he knew that she would eventually let the punk girl in with open arms. Those thoughts made him sad, so he brushed them to the corner of his mind and jumped back into his friend's conversation.
"I'd say we go to that all night Tim Horton's. Get us some coffee and donuts." Thalia held up her small change purse with a smirk, shaking it gently. Percy could make out coins rattling in it.
"I never had coffee before," he stated as they walked past buildings and skyscrapers. "How's it taste?"
"Bitter, but warm," Annabeth knocked him gently with the cart as she spoke, grin widening when he turned around to glare at her. A lop-sided smile appeared on his face when he noticed how pretty she looked, eyes tired and lips worn-down. Her curls seemed to flatten by the cold air, nearly straightening them. Her grey eyes were fatigued, shoulders slumping conspicuously.
"Aw," Thalia broke in, voice faux and dreamy. "Aren't you two the cutest ever!" Percy and Annabeth blushed simutamously. That seemed to push Thalia on, boosting to her previous comment. "There's no doubt about it. When you two are older, you'll be in love."
"Ew," Annabeth's lips morphed into a twisted grimace. "He's a Seaweed Brain. Who'd date a Seaweed Brain?"
"Who'd date a Wise Girl?" he fired back.
"Yep," Thalia repeated, her hands clasping upward to hold her cheeks, emphasizing her point. "True love."
When they got to Tim Horton's, they took a small seat into the corner, resting their cart in the corner. Thalia ignored the odd look that the employees shot her, sliding her phone shut. She ordered them three coffees and a box of six donuts, each cream-filled and chocolate colored. Annabeth added sugar to her drink, while Thalia added creamer. Percy followed both of them, mixing both ingredients together. The teenage girl didn't say anything teasingly about his choice, so Percy figured that he done something right for a change.
Even when he added all the sugar from the table, he decided that it was bland.
But when he thought about the people that surrounded him, it tasted a little better.
His smile faltered when the promise Percy had made came rushing back. He stirred his drink, eyes sad. Annabeth excused herself to the bathroom, leaving him and the eldest alone.
"What's with the long face?" Thalia questioned, taking a sip from her steaming cup. She ran a hand through her choppy, colored hair, ripping off a piece of donut and chewing on it slowly.
"How did Malcolm die?" He wasn't sure where that thought had come from, but before he could refrain, it had already tumbled out of his lips. "S-sorry. You don't have to talk about," he finished quickly, stammering throughout his sentences. The boy felt like kicking himself for being so obtuse.
Thalia's expression turned grave as she swallowed. "Don't worry about it, kid. I'll tell you. You have a right to know what you're getting yourself into." He leaned forward as she started, listening intently. "He was only thirteen when he passed away. Annabeth's mom was driving him home from his friend's house when they got into a collision with a truck. Athena survived, but Malcolm died on impact. She blames herself, y'know? Figured that she failed him as a mother." Percy bit into his donut, fighting back another set of sorrowful thoughts. "Annabeth and Malcolm were close. After his death, she was never quite the same. She doesn't exactly act normal anymore. She has no friends, except for Luke and I." Again, there was the mention of the boy that Percy didn't know, but Annabeth seemed to care about deeply. "Well, we're not exactly the best influences on a nine-year-old. That's why I'm trying to keep my distance from her."
"She pretended to be dead. That's how I found her."
She shook her head in disbelief, her foamy eyes turning dark. "She likes the idea of death. Before Malcolm, she didn't even think about it. Now it's all she ever talks about." Percy had noticed that a lot. She tugged another piece of the baked good off, licking off the chocolate smeared along the top. Thalia picked at the sprinkles, gaze meeting Percy's from across the table. "That's why I think you'll be good for her, you know. You're not exactly the most innocent, but you know how to retain it. Not just for Annabeth, but for that entire grieving family."
The ten-year-old couldn't comprehend this yet, but he would later.
"I thought I was the problem. Ever since I came, Athena and Fredrick have been arguing a lot."
The girl scoffed, muttering something under her breath that Percy's ears couldn't quite catch. "The problems started getting better since you've arrived. When's the last time Annie played dead, huh?"
"Not since I came back to Annabeth's house."
"Exactly," Thalia pointed out, flashing off her white teeth. "So don't even think about leaving. You're the best damn thing that's ever happened to her. Understand?"
Percy nodded his head mutely.
"Good. Enough heart-to-heart. You're going to make me gag on my own spit."
Yeah. Thalia really had her way with words.
By the time they arrived back at the Chase residence, it was nearing four in the morning. "Thanks for helping me out," Thalia's darkened fingernail rattled against her lighter nervously, almost as if being kind was something to cause her anxiety. "I...uh, really appreciate it." Her legs had swung over the side of their window, her shadow flicking through the light in Annabeth's room. "You're pretty cool, Perce." Thalia's boots rested on the carpet, thighs resting on the window's ledge.
"T-thanks," the boy stammered before yawning loudly.
"It's late," Thalia stated, thumb running over Marilyn Monroe's face. She lit the lighter, then diminished the small spark she had produced by releasing the button. "You two should get some sleep." Annabeth had already slumped over on her bed, mouth parted half-ajar. Her eyelids were closed, face relaxed. Her princess curls were extremely tangled and knotted, cheeks dirty and smudged. Thalia caught him staring and smiled gently. "Annabeth and Percy sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
"Shut up!" Percy hissed loudly, causing the girl to chuckle quietly.
"You shush. Do you want to wake up Annabeth's parents?" When he didn't respond, a ghost of a condescending grin traced along the outline of her lips. Her electric eyes followed Percy as he opened the blanket next to Annabeth and flopped down beside his best friend. "Isn't that just a picture-perfect image?" she cooed.
"I don't like you."
"Ditto."
Percy stretched his hands over his head, eyelids closing. "Night."
"Night, Kelp Head."
As Percy drifted into unconsciousness, he didn't notice the fourteen-year-old leave. He was too exhausted to check, so he left it upon herself to slip back out into the summer night. He missed a lot about Thalia that night, even if it had only taken place around a few seconds. He didn't hear her mumble 'sweet dreams.' He didn't hear her slide out of the window, shimming down the small ledge.
He also didn't hear her crying.
A/N: I know this chapter didn't have much Percabeth, but I wanted it to be focused on Thalia some more. She's gonna be a big part in this. I'm not sure if I'm going to bring in HoO characters. I might just stick with PJO characters.
Did any of you get Blood of Olympus yet? OMG I LOVES IT! Okay, anyway, I really do love it. I'm just scared to finish it. I'm on page 100 now. If you haven't read it yet, just know that REYNA IS A FREAKIN' BOSS. 'Nough said.
Oh, and please no spoilers if you've already finished it, please. :)
Reviews are much appreciated!