Chapter 4

POV: Thalia

Well today fucking sucked. The day started off with the worst noise of all. The sound of my alarm clock interrupted my deep sleep where I was dreaming about my time with the Hunters. Ever since I had left I almost always dreamt of my time with them. They were like my family to me but every night I picture them the night when they kicked me out.

Zoe, the leader of the hunt, had discovered my secret relationship with another hunter. When she confronted us about it, I told her I couldn't stay with them if they were going to be that controlling over my life. The hunter I was with however agreed to stay celibate and dumped me on the spot. I had lost my family and the girl I loved.

So I left for home, New York City, and found my real family. Annabeth and Piper helped me through my grief though I never told them much of what happened. I didn't want their pity, hell I barely wanted their help. All the same I moved in with them and we became closer than ever before. I found a job working in a tattoo shop managing the front desk and eventually I earned an apprenticeship with them.

It's been two years since I had left the Hunters and I could honestly say I was over it. Maybe not over her, the girl who broke my heart, but I was over them. Family shouldn't try to control you. Family will love you no matter what, not make you choose between them or love.

As I got out of bed I saw Piper fly out the door, probably to whatever class she had. How she could convince herself to get up and go to school this early I would never understand. I got ready for the day, taking my sweet time so I could put off work as much as possible. As much as I liked tattooing, a job is still a job and I really didn't want to go in today. Fortunately I only had to go to one job today. Most nights after my apprenticeship, I would work in a bar near Godly Nectar called Castor's. Fortunately the owner of the bar, a man named Pollux, had agreed to give me a couple weeks off since I had worked there seven days a week for two months straight to help pay for my mother's bills.

As I made my way downstairs, I got lost in thought about my mother. She was a former TV starlet who had become addicted to cocaine and booze in the 90s. She suffered with the addiction for nearly two decades before finally entering a rehab program. I had begged her many times in the past to enter one but she never would listen, always blowing me off as if I didn't matter.

I never have had a good relationship with my mom. We argued almost daily it felt like, and it only got worse after she accidentally admitted about another child she had when I was young. I had always thought I imagined the small blonde haired boy who ate staplers and loved to play with electrical sockets. But when I was fourteen she let it slip, telling me she should've sent me away to live with my father, just like him.

That revelation broke me. I began to spend more and more time away from the house, whether staying at Annabeth's or finding a nice dry spot to sleep in the park. When I was sixteen I ran away from home and that's where I found the Hunters. I haven't found my brother yet but I've been looking and I will continue to look until I find him. My mom wouldn't tell me who our father was back then and I haven't had the heart to ask since I've returned.

I had long since forgiven my mother. I understood now that she was sick. Addiction is an illness and she wasn't in her right mind while I was growing up. I will never forget what she would say or how my life growing up was, but I had forgiven.

I continued to walk down the block until Godly Nectar came into view. I would stop into the coffee shop most mornings to say hi to Sally and grab something to eat and drink. I walked into the shop and over to where Sally was at the counter.

"Good morning Sally," I greeted with as much energy and excitement I could muster. I love Sally. She was like a mother to me when I ran away before I found the Hunters. She would let me hangout inside the shop on days when it was too cold to be outside and she would feed me for free. Everything I tried to pay she would always find a way to sneak the cash back into my pocket or purse.

"Good Morning Thalia! The usual?" She asked and I nodded. "Did you have a good time at Silena's party?" I was surprised by the question, not knowing how she would've known. She must have seen my confused face and chuckled, "Piper told me."

"Oh. Yeah it was fun for the most part." That was mostly true. The party was great, no surprise when Silena is hosting it. But that didn't mean a certain person showing up didn't ruin my night. I knew I couldn't lie to Sally and honestly I didn't even want to. I needed to talk to someone about this and I knew Sally wouldn't judge me for being bisexual. "Actually Sally. Do you have time to talk for a bit?"

"Of course! Just let me get your food and drink ready and I'll come sit down with you." Sally immediately got to work making my latte and sausage, egg, and cheese croissant. Once she was done she carried the items over, locking the door and flipping the open sign to closed. That's the thing with Sally, she put everyone she loved ahead of herself, and I had yet to meet a person she didn't care for.

"You didn't need to close the store down for me," I said, knowing I wouldn't persuade her to reopen.

"Nonsense! You deserve my full attention. Now what's wrong Thalia?" The way she looked at me made me want to spill all of my secrets to her. And so I did. I told her about what's been going on with my mom. I told her about my brother who I hadn't told anyone about. I told her about the girl I loved and what happened at the end of my time with the Hunters. And I told her about the party where the girl I loved had shown up and we had argued for hours in the master bathroom.

Once I had finished she seemed to be thinking about how to respond. It was silent for a couple of minutes until she finally spoke up saying, "You still love her don't you?"

I was shocked to say the least. That's what she had grasped from my rambling? Usually Sally could read anyone's emotions like an open book, but she must have been tired today. She was wrong. I couldn't love her. She had hurt me and left me for the Hunters. I couldn't still possibly be in love with her could I?

Sally must have noticed my confused look and sighed, "I can tell Thalia. You still love her and from what you've said she still loves you. She hurt you, I know, but have you given her a chance to explain? Given her even a chance to apologize? You deserve that at least Thalia. Let her tell you what she has to say and then go back to being angry if you still want to. But talk to her."

I was taken aback by what she said. How could I possibly talk to her. After all those nights we had stayed up in each other's arms talking about nothing important. After all those kisses behind the other Hunter's back. After everything we went through she had tossed me aside and now Sally just wanted me to listen to her. I voiced my thoughts, "I'm not sure I can. I-I'll think about. I have to get to work now."

With that I got up and left the shop, though I could feel Sally's concerned gaze burning holes in the back of my shirt. I made my way to work, keeping my head down deep in thought. Maybe Sally was right. I should talk to her but I had no idea where to find her.

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts, and stepped into the tattoo parlor. I saw my mentor in the back looking over a couple of designs. She was one of the more popular tattoo artists in New York and was often booked up. However I saw no one else in the building besides her.

I made my way over to her and greeted, "Morning Jess."

Jess jumped at the sound of my voice. "Jesus Thals, don't scare me like that."

"Sorry," I smiled sheepishly, "So what do we have today?"

"Just one, and I'm leaving you to handle it. I have this family thing that I need to go handle but I wanted to make sure you were good to go before I left," she answered. I was surprised to say the least. This was the first time Jess had ever left me to handle a tattoo on my own.

"Ar-Are you sure I can handle it?" I asked.

"Of course! Thalia I've watched become so talented of the last couple years. I know you can handle this. It's just one customer and it's a fairly simple tattoo. It's a simple bow firing an electrified arrow. You'll knock it out of the park trust me. I have to leave now. There are three designs on the desk, just help the customer select one and get to work. Her name is RaRa and she should be here soon," she said, finally stopping to take a breath. Jess would do that often. She wanted to just get all the information out as quick as possible.

"Now I have to go. If there is an issue, call me. Otherwise you're the boss today." And with that she gave me a hug and left. I let out a huge sigh and went and took a seat at the desk in the back. I started looking over the designs, deciding on the one I would push for the customer to choose.

About half an hour later the bell over the door rang and in walked the person I wanted to see the least. "Hi I have an appointment for- Wait Thalia?"

I let out a light groan and got up to greet her. "Hello Reyna. What are you doing here?"

"I had an appointment to get a tattoo done today. I thought Jess would be here."

"Oh. Well Jess had a family emergency and I will be the one tattooing you I guess." Fuck, fuck, fuck. I did not want to deal with this today.

She sighed at my apprehension and spoke, "Look I get it. You hate me. I can leave now and reschedule if you want." Is that what I wanted? At this point I did know what I wanted and Sally's words from this morning were ringing in my head. You still love her don't you?

Reyna turned around and started to walk out. "Wait!" I called, "I can tattoo you. I was just surprised that's all. Come lay down."

I think I saw a small grin grace Reyna's lips before she immediately returned to her stoic self. "Thank you."

Reyna came and laid down on the tattooing chair. We briefly discussed which design she wanted and where before I got started. I tattooed her in silence with the tattoo machine and the radio playing classic punk being our only company.

After I was done I admired my work. Reyna also seemed pleased as I wrapped the plastic wrap around the fresh ink. She settled her bill and was about to walk out before she turned around and started to speak, "Look Thal-"

Before she could get anywhere though I interrupted her, "Meet me at Castor's at seven."

Reyna nodded and turned around to leave. Once I was sure she was gone I finally let my emotions show. I broke down crying, but I was also smiling, probably looking like a madman. I don't know what made me say that but I was glad I did. Maybe I would finally understand.