21. Convincible

She spent the next twenty minutes walking the dogs around the block, Rusty pretty much pulling her the whole way.

"Rusty! Calm down!" Thalia pleaded, as she took long strides to keep up with him, occasionally picking up Ziggy and pushing him forward. Well hey, it's not his fault he's got such short legs.

The sun was shining strongly, and the cold wind that had wafted through the buildings just a few days ago was long gone. She could feel the heat seeping through her clothes and her feet were growing hotter because of her heavy shoes.

"Okay guys, it's getting kind of hot. Time to head home," Thalia panted as she pulled them to halt. All three dogs had their tongues out, panting. She hauled them back to the Robinsons' apartment. They ran up the steps and she wondered how they could still have so much energy while she slowly moved up, dragging each step.

Rusty barked, with Ziggy and Pink following and before Thalia had reached the door, Tim was already walking out to greet them.

"Wow, you guys are hot!" Tim exclaimed as rubbed their heads.

"Just a tinsy bit hot outside," Thalia said sarcastically. Tim chuckled.

"Would you like to stay here before the party? We've got cold drinks," Tim said, as he shooed the dogs indoors.

"Well, I have to do some groceries first. Is that okay?" Thalia said, as she ran her fingers through her scorching hair.

"Yeah sure, just don't be late!" Tim joked. Thalia rolled her eyes playfully and left to do her chore of the day. She had thrown out all the expired food and hadn't been able to go shopping yet. She took the time she had left before the party to get it done. She saluted a farewell and made her way to a small grocery store on the corner of where she lived. She walked inside feeling the cool air conditioned air bathe her skin. That felt good. She grabbed a basket and started to raid the isles.

She had already gathered poptarts and soup when she heard someone behind her.

"He- hey! Long time, no see!"

With an irritated sigh, Thalia turned around. Standing there was a boy about two inches shorter than her with dark curly hair and elfish ears. For a moment, she didn't recognize him, but then sudden realization hit her.

"Leo," she said.

"That's my name, don't wear it out!" he said cheerfully. Thalia rolled her eyes and turned back to pick which cheese she wanted. Pepperjack or regular? Leo stepped in beside her.

"You never came back to detention," he commented. "Greased up the old Brunner, huh?" Thalia shot him a glance.

"Not quite," she said absently as she reached for the pepperjack cheese.

"Well, I missed you," he said as he leaned forward and studied the ham, licking his lips as if he could already see it steaming on his plate.

"Uh-huh."

"What got ya in there in the first place?" he asked, as he started to make a small house out of the cheese stacks.

"Any particular reason you're still here?" Thalia asked annoyed as she turned to look at the jugs of milk when she bumped into someone.

"Whoops," Thalia said, as she backpedalled and began to walk around the person she'd bumped into.

"Thalia!" a familiar woman's voice exclaimed. Thalia looked up to see dark brown curls framing a beautiful face with big brown eyes.

"Luna!"

"Nice to see you! Are you coming to the party?" she asked with a warm smile.

"Oh yeah, just had a few chores to do beforehand," Thalia said, as she gestured to the basket full of her basic necessities. Luna nodded and then her gaze travelled behind Thalia.

"Are you her friend?" she asked politely and Thalia closed her eyes and sighed. Before she could answer, Leo stepped forward and spoke for her.

"Yep!" he answered proudly as he spared a sideways glance at Thalia.

"I'm Luna, you are?" she asked, as she stretched out her hand to shake his. Thalia was horrified. He isn't my friend! Oh why God!

"Leo."

"That's a nice name. You're welcome to come to the party. It's my husband birthday," Luna smiled. Thalia's eyes opened wide.

"No!" she blurted out.

"I'd love to!" Leo said, ignoring her. Luna shot an amused glance at Thalia.

"That's great! I'll see you there then. Well, I have to go. Got some appetizers to prepare!" she chuckled as she walked away. Thalia was so angry her face was as red as a tomato.

"I didn't invite you!" she growled, turning on Leo.

"No, she did," he said, throwing his thumb in the direction Luna had walked away.

"Doesn't mean I want you around me!"

"Oh come on, you don't even know me!"

"That's the point! And I don't plan on getting to know you!" Thalia said exasperated. She spun on her heel and stormed away. Leo ran up to her.

"Okay fine, but if I don't go now, she'll be asking you a lot of questions about why. And you seem like the type of person who hates questions."

Thalia turned on him, making him skid to a halt so he wouldn't bump into her. He raised his hands in surrender.

"Just saying."

Thalia thought about it. He was partly right, but why couldn't she just make up some lame excuse about why "he couldn't come"? It's not like anyone's going to miss him. No. She didn't have a choice in spending time with Percy, because she had to babysit him. But she had a choice this time. And her answer was no.

"No." She turned to walk away. "And don't follow me!" she yelled, as she stomped away.

She finished her groceries, paid for them and walked to her apartment to drop them off. She was beginning to get tired. She hadn't been able to sit down and just rest. She was even tempted to stay home and not go to the party, but she'd promised. And she kept her promises.

She put her groceries away as she softly hummed. She felt kind of peaceful as she took her time putting things away. Milk in the fridge, bread on top of the microwave, cereal in the cabinet.

"Thalia?" she heard her mother call from the hallway. Thalia sighed.

"What?" she answered irritably.

"Can you give me some –" the rest of her sentence was cut off as she ran to trash can in the kitchen and threw up. Thalia made a face as she heard her mother barfing. Guess her flu hasn't gone away. She finished organizing the refrigerator and stood up, flexing her knees after kneeling for a little bit too long.

"You all right?" Thalia asked unsympathetically as her mother grabbed a paper towel and wiped her mouth. She chuckled weakly.

"Just the flu," she rasped as she opened the fridge and pulled out a beer can.

"And yet you have enough energy to still drink," Thalia said sarcastically as she packed all the grocery bags into one. Her mother snorted.

"I always have enough energy to drink," she said, as she walked to the living room and plopped down onto the couch.

"Glad to know," Thalia said under her breath as she re-arranged the flowers of the island's centerpiece. She quickly cleaned the counters and island, washed her hands and grabbed her bag.

"I'm heading out. Try not to make a mess," Thalia said as she walked out the door. She took a deep breath. No matter how much Thalia told herself she didn't care about her, she still got under her skin. She wished everyday that she could just knock some sense into her. But of course, that would be considered assault. Rules nowadays. She stomped her way back to the Robinsons. She pressed the button, but instead of answering, they simply buzzed her in. She walked up the stairs and stopped at their door. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to pull over a façade. A mask to cover the pain her mother brought her every day.

With a fake but convincible smile, she knocked and the door swung open.

Well, thanks again for reading my story. I never imagined to get so many views and such! Well, I hope this chapter came out well and like always, lend me your thoughts! I promise I'll give'em back :)