30. Long Live The Queen

She quickly hung up with Percy and tended to as many of her chores and responsibilities as possible to have less to do through out the week, especially because two of her days are occupied. After she finished cleaning her room, vaccuming the rug, wiping down her window etc… she turned her attention to her computer.

Her mother had still not joined a group for alcoholics, so she was going to do it for her. She spent about thirty to forty minutes searching. She just doesn't understand why you still get groups somewhere in Michigan when you clearly specified NEW YORK. She was about to give up hopes and turn to more conventional ways when her eyes landed on a special link: WANT TO QUIT? COME JOIN US! MARY'S SESSION; Downtown New York City.

"Finally," she muttered under her breath as she clicked the link and read about it. They met every Tuesday and they didn't charge the first two sessions. It seemed right. She quickly dialed the phone number and waited.

"Hello, this is Mary's Session. How may we help you?"

"I'd like to schedule a session for a relative please," she said. To be honest, it felt kind of surreal that she was finally doing what she's been wanting to do for years. The chance finally came. What dampened the happiness was the fact that it was all because of an unplanned pregnancy. She scheduled a session for this Tuesday and laid down her bed. This minor accomplishment meant the world to her, though she would never say it aloud.

She walked out and gave the news to her mother. Suffice to say, she didn't take it well.

"What?!" she yelled, standing up from her comfortable position on the couch.

"You need to go," Thalia said, keeping her voice low. She's wasted enough time having the "who's the loudest?" contest.

"I'm not going!" her mother said, as she sat back down and unmuted the TV. Thalia tried to keep herself under control as she walked over to the TV set and shut it off.

"Hey!"

"You're going!" Thalia said, ignoring her mother's protest.

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are!" Thalia yelled, surprisingly loud, slamming her hands on the coffee table. Her mother seemed a little stunned by the force with how Thalia screamed. "And that's final!" It took her mother several seconds to recover, but by the time she opened her mouth to retort, Thalia was halfway to her room.

She was getting tired. Every time she thought she had control of herself, that she was okay, her mother brought all her anger back. All the frustration and her body was just getting tired of it all. She spent the rest of the day finishing her duties; cleaning, homework and taking five minute breaks to scarf food down her throat.

She went to sleep early, much earlier than usual and had another nightmare. She shot straight up in a cold sweat. It was the third time this night. She moved her pillow to lie against the headboard and she rested against it, pulling her comforter up to her chin as she rested it on her knees. Her heart was hammering and although she wanted to sleep more than anything, she was afraid to. She just didn't want to have a nightmare again. And to be honest, though she would never ever say so, if her mother was herself she would walk down the hall and crawl into bed next to her.

She shook her head at the thought. She was almost an adult now. And she was way mature. And adult, mature people don't crawl into bed with their mommies when they get scared. She sighed with that word. She didn't want to admit it, but she was. She licked her lips and reached for her phone. She unlocked it and closed her eyes immediately to the blinding light that it emanated. When her eyes adjusted, she surfed through her contacts.

She couldn't believe what she was about to do, but she needed to talk to someone. Even if she didn't talk about her nightmares and especially not her feelings, but to hear another voice was something to take her mind off. Who knows, maybe even an argument. She called the number and waited. She was probably crazy in calling. No one would answer their phone at four in the morning. She was about to hang up, when someone lazily answered.

"Hello?" they sounded half asleep and Thalia was thinking she should just hang up and let him sleep. "I know you're there," they mumbled.

"I'm here," she said quietly.

"Thalia, are you okay?" Percy asked worriedly, just a tad bit more awake now. It was sad to think Percy was the closest thing she had to a friend. But she really couldn't blame anyone but herself. She always pushed them away.

"I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have called. It's late and I –"

"No, no, it's okay. What's up?"

"I, uh…" for once, she was speechless. What was she thinking? What was she going to say? "I couldn't sleep," she finally said.

"You want to talk?"

"Sure," she said softly.

"Well, I'll start. I was just having this dream where I was flying and I slammed into this giant doughnut and I got this major sugar rush and I was hopping all over the place and this freaking bunny rabbit came out of nowhere and started throwing eggs at me!" Percy said, as Thalia chuckled at his far from normal dream. And they spent the next thirty minutes talking, which kind of surprised her. Her mind grew more at ease and she didn't worry about her nightmares anymore.

"Thanks Percy," she said, closing her eyes to try and ignore her mild embarrassment.

"I know we're not besties or anything, but I'll always be here for you," he said and he sounded truly sincere. Thalia could hardly stand it.

"Thank you," she was about to hang up. "Uh, sweet dreams," she said and she quickly hung up. She mouthed the words "sweet dreams" again in disgust.

"I'm going insane," she mumbled to herself as she lay back down and pulled her knees in tight to her chest. She felt better and she could close her eyes without fear as to what her unconscious mind holds. She slept soundly the remaining hour and a half before her alarm went off. She was a tiny bit tired, but she could manage. She got dressed and walked to school. The day was a little gloomy and the wind had a cold touch to it, but it was spring. She didn't have to worry about the temperature dropping to twenty degrees, so she wore a light black jacket over her dark blue V-neck.

It was fifth period as she made her way through the crowd of people to get to her usual corner. She was minding her own business when she felt something hit her ankle. Too late she realized what was happening, though she tried her best to break her fall as she fell forward.

"Dammit," she grunted as she hit the floor in a busy lunchroom. She could hear groups of boys and girls laughing at her. Her face turned red, but it wasn't from embarrassment, it was from pure anger. She didn't even have to look. There was only one person who would bother sticking their leg out to make her look bad. She quickly stood up, her backpack sliding down her arm and falling into her grip as she turned towards the rows of tables. And there she was; with a happy, annoying smile.

"Careful, it's slippery," she said with mock sympathy.

"What the hell is your problem?" Thalia growled.

"Me?" she said innocently. Several girls sat next to her and they covered their mouths as they tried to hold their laughter. Thalia walked towards her threateningly. A few of the girls grew serious and watched her with curiosity while Cindy only raised an eyebrow.

"You better watch it… Cindy," she said the last word with disgust. She was slowly moving her hand across the table and Thalia could see from the corner of her eye what she was aiming for; a bag of juice. Thalia slammed her hand down on her arm, making her eyes open wide.

"I don't think so," Thalia said. She leaned in closer. "I'm getting pretty sick of your games, Cindy. And if you don't stop soon, you'll be regretting it." She pulled her arm free.

"As if," she said as she stood up. Cindy was naturally tall and her heels didn't help either. She was taller than Thalia by two inches, but she seemed to enjoy it. "I've got everyone eating out of my palm. I have many friends. And you? You've got no one. And you never will."

Thalia dared to laugh. "You call them your friends? Who's kidding who now?" Thalia said and Cindy looked like she was trying to sort out what she said. "But you know what? I don't really care." She started walking away before she turned one more time. "Long live the queen of bitches," she said with a mock courtsey, before she turned and left, leaving Cindy's groupies laughing at their own expense since they didn't seem to understand Thalia had insulted them both.

Hey guys! So, another chapter. Let me know what you guys think :) And thanks a lot for the reviews! They mean a lot! And thanks to the ones who offered help for the new story. Hope you enjoyed :)