I'm not sure how long I was up in my tree, but I know that at some point some creep climbed up there and grabbed my shoulder.
"Stop! What the fuck are you doing? Get your hand off of me! Who the fuck are you?" I shrieked as I pummeled the stranger's chest, which is pretty hard to do while crying and sitting on a tree branch.
"Thalia, Thalia! Stop! It's me, Percy!" the no longer creep said, grabbing my wrist.
"Percy, what are you doing here? Leave me alone," I sighed, not fighting because I didn't want to fall out of a tree.
"Well, I was taking a walk on the beach and heard someone crying. it's kinda hard to not hear someone crying," Percy explained, sitting down next to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
"That doesn't explain what you're doing here, up in this tree," I said, exasperated, a few tears still spilling out of my eyes.
"Well, I looked up and saw your shoes. I've never scene anybody with black boots that have spikes on the toes and heel, as well as a chain with a knife on the side," he mumbled fondly. I rolled my eyes and laughed slightly. "Now, what are you doing crying up here, Thals? If it's about what happened at lunch, you should know I decked Jason in the face after that too."
"Thanks, Percy," I said with a reluctant laugh, "I don't know, it's some other stuff too. Personal stuff."
"Talk to me, Thals. I'm here to listen." Percy whispered, planting a soft kiss on my head.
"It's my family," I said with a sigh, leaning into Percy.
"What about your family?" Percy urged.
"They just don't care. They haven't for a while. Jason's a dick, has been for a while; my stepmom is a fucking bitch who I can't stand, we used to get along okay but I don't know what changed; my dad's never home, but the few times he is home he only pays attention to Jason, something about him being his 'heir.' And my friends, they abandoned me a few years ago and Jason stuck with them, and my new friends are just don't relate to me and it's just so confusing. I feel like nobody cares about me. I'm so tired." I rambled, a few tears leaking. It was surprisingly easy to talk to Percy, considering that I barely know him. But he's easy to talk to and just listen to me, holding me and rubbing my back in circles as I cry.
"Thalia, you can't cry over them. They aren't worth it. And people do care, if I didn't care I wouldn't be here. And you should've seen some of your other friends at lunch, as I was walking out they were storming up to Jason. Let's just say I think he probably has a few extra bruises. Now come on, I'm taking you home and you're packing," Percy said. planting another kiss on top of my head.
"Packing? Why?" I asked, confused.
"You're moving in with me, duh. I know it's awkward and weird because you barely know me, but I consider you a friend and I help my friends out," Percy explained, looking down at me with those sea-green eyes.
"Me...move in? Are you sure?" I questioned, shocked. I mean, he does barely know me. Hell, he's known me for three days! He just nodded. I smiled and we climbed down the tree. Well, I climbed. Percy jumped when he deemed it was an adequately safe distance. Percy took me by the hand and led me to the gated beach house towards the north end of the beach, probably the nicest house for miles. Inside the gate I saw a beat up, old blue pickup truck.
"You drive this when you can have any care you want?" I asked, astonished.
"I don't want to be special. I do have a couple of other cars, but I prefer Bessie here."
"Bessie?" I snorted. A look of mock hurt crossed his face.
"What, I like that name!" he exclaimed indignantly.
I snickered in response, climbing into the passenger seat as he climbed in and started the car. We sat in a comfortable silence (par the radio), Percy driving to the address I gave him and me just listening to the radio.
"Hey Percy? Why did you offer to let me move in? You barely know me!" I questioned randomly.
"Because I understand. My mom, as nice as she may be, didn't really care to have me around much. I love her, and I know she loves me in her own, but she didn't care for what was going on with me. My best friends, they went behind my back and really hurt me. I offered to let you move in because you're my friend, and because I understand to a degree," he explained, clenching his jaw and keeping his eyes focused on the road.
"What about your dad?" I hesitantly asked.
"He's dead," Percy muttered. I gaped at him, but he just ignored me and pulled over. "We're here, I'll wait out here." I nodded and stumbled my way out of the car and into my family's home. I looked around the house, which was strangely silent, and started my way up the stairs and towards my room. The house felt strange, like the house of that one aunt that you visit every six years has way too many cats. As I packed all of my clothes into an old suitcase I found in my closet, I realized I was relieved to be leaving. I small smile graced my face, and I made my down the stairs and walked to the living room. The sooner I'm out of here, the better. Sadly, it wasn't so simple, as when I reached the bottom of the stairs I found my parents and Jason getting ready to leave.
"Oh, good! Thalia! So you will be joining us," my dad said, oblivious to the suitcase trailing behind me.
"No, I'm moving out," I said, meeting each of them in the eye in turn. They all looked at me shocked, and a look of guilt crossed Jason's face.
"What? Why honey?" my dad asked.
"Because nobody wants me here, as Jason oh-so-kindly yelled in front of the whole school," I snorted. My parents stared at Jason in shock and took in his guilty appearance, and they looked shocked as they realized that Jason was guilty of what I accused him of.
"Thals, don't go. You're my sister and-" Jason sputtered, tears springing to his eyes and a panicked look on his face.
"I'm not your sister, and you guys are not my family. I have no family." I snarled and then made my way out the door, leaving my former family behind. I confidently strode up to Percy's car, my suitcase behind me, and quickly got in. He gave me a hug.
"You okay?" he asked me.
"Yeah, I am. Let's just go." I said with a smile and a nod. For once, I was being honest.