Percy hated going out. Especially when he was sober, he went to his second meeting, and Rachael told him to man up and share more with the group. That meeting had him in a bad mood, and he was brooding in the back seat of Thalia's car. His dad made him go to Nico's because he had to run to the rescue and didn't want Percy to sit in the house alone. Percy was a little embarrassed because well he cried when the intense hunger for just something hit him like a truck. His poor dad didn't know what to do.

Nico sat in the back with him, glancing over every few seconds like Percy was going to go berserk or break down. "Death breath, can you quit looking at me like I'm going to break?"

"Sorry." He looked back at his lap. "But you're okay, right?" Nico happened to witness the disaster that was Percy's life. His dad had dropped Percy off, red-eyed and looking like a train wreck. Thankfully, Nico had kept that moment of desperation to himself and did not tell the storm called Thalia Grace.

Percy pulled out his one-week sobriety chip, running his thumb nervously over it. "I need you to stop asking that." He snapped back.

"Nico, he's just grumpy. Ignore him." Thalia said, turning slightly to look back at them as she drove. She pulled in front of Annabeth's house. The beautiful blonde was sitting on her front porch.

"Hey, Percy!" She said, smiling wide as she climbed into the passenger seat. Thalia practically shoved Nico out of the car when he tried to sit in the front. Apparently, only Annabeth was allowed there.

Percy tried to smile, but it felt more like a grimace. "Hey."

Percy looked away. His mind used to be quiet in that sweet bliss, but now he had to feel. He snapped back to reality when he heard Thalia tell Annabeth to ignore his bad mood and ask how they already met. Oh gods, I was a disaster at her house. But Annabeth didn't mention anything that transpired when they first met, only that they had lunch. He was grateful for it.

"It's been a rough few days."

Annabeth turned and met his eyes. Her gray eyes were so bright and full of life compared to his eyes, which were dull. He looked at his hands, still rubbing the chip. Three more weeks and he'd celebrate his fourth one-month sobriety milestone. School started Monday, and he was not ready for it. He had another meeting tonight, and honestly, he wasn't sure he wanted to go.

"How are you doing Percy?"

"I'm fine. Can everyone please stop asking me that?" Annabeth raised her hands and looked away. Guilt immediately replaced the anger. "I'm sorry." He mumbled as he looked away.

"I told you he'd be a Debbie downer. Percy, I'm locking you in the car unless you leave the sulking in the car and act human when we get into the theater." Thalia always had this way with him. She took his insults and didn't let them bother her. She had a way of making him feel like he wasn't just some lowlife but her actual cousin. Nico was the same way, but he wasn't the force Thalia Grace was. Speaking of which, he noticed there was one cousin missing.

"Where is Jason?"

Nico snorted, "Dude, you just now realized he wasn't here?"

"I have a lot on my mind."

"Is it because of the reason you got a new phone? Did Octavian contact you?" Nico's tone turned to cold hatred. The moment Thalia heard Octavian's name, she slammed the brakes on as she pulled over to look at Percy's wild eyes. The theater was only one mile away, and he so desperately wanted to be in the auditorium so no one would talk to him.

Annabeth, obviously catching on that Octavian was not a good person, asked, "Who's Octavian?"

"He's no one." Percy said blankly. While Thalia said with enough malice, "his dealer." They always butt into his business. Percy's eyes glowered into Thalia's. Both are not saying anything. He refused to back down as she bristled. Percy knew she was going to explode.

"I found you practically dead because of him. Why did he contact you?"

"It was nothing! Can we just go?" He didn't want to remember that night. The feeling of oblivion was so strong he thought he'd drown in it.

Annabeth sighed, "Thalia don't push it."

"No! Why was he contacting you? Was he trying to sell you drugs? Did Drew tell him where you are? I honestly don't know why you thought she was a good idea." Thalia twisted in her seat to state him down. He hated the look she gave him. The anger on her face, especially when he knew the anger was directed towards his horrible choices.

Percy kept his mouth shut. Nico and Annabeth were both silent as the two had their stare down.

"Thalia-"Nico drawled, not wanting to see the argument that was obviously brewing between the two.

"Stay out of it Nico." They both shouted.

Percy was going to crawl out of his skin. He hated the way she was looking at him. And more so that it was in front of the girl he barely knew. "Gods, Thalia, just take me home if you're going to turn this outing into an interrogation." Percy ran his hands through his hair.

He went to open the door, but Thalia kept locking it. "Let me out."

"No." She said, both refusing to yield.

Percy sat back, shoving his hands into his pockets. "What do you want me to say?"

She gave an exasperated sigh. "I want the truth."

"Yes he was trying to set me up with someone here. There happy?"

She threw her hands up and pointed a finger at him. "Of course not! Are you on something? You've been awfully absent staring blankly out the window."

Percy pulled his new sobriety chip. And threw it in her face. "No! I wouldn't have gotten this if I was on anything. I don't have anything and I'll gladly piss on the test to prove it. But for the love of god please shut up and drive to the theater or take me home. You interrogating me over it is making me want to say yes to him." His skin itched, and he could feel his face going red with anger. Thalia huffed and turned in her seat to pull up to the theater.

They were all silent in the most awkward two-minute drive.

Percy was the first one out of the car, as Nico said, "Way to piss him off, Thals."

He noticed the familiar lock of blonde hair belonging to the one and only Jason Grace. Jason had a few people with him that Percy didn't recognize. Great, more people. Percy went through the motions, meeting Piper, Frank, Leo, and Hazel. "It's nice to see you, Percy." Jason said as he eyed Thalia and him, sending the tension. Percy didn't say anything as he walked away.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "They got into an argument."

Jason pulled Annabeth along. "They always argue. They'll get over it."

Percy kept his head down as he followed. And his breath hitched when Annabeth slowed to his pace. "She's just worried about you."

Percy shrugged, trying to keep the anxiety down. "I know. I'm sorry you had to see that."

She huffed a laugh. "Please. You should have seen Malcolm and I arguing. We were ruthless and your argument was pretty tame. Who is Drew?"

Percy looked at her then. She kept looking ahead, but she glanced at him. There was no judgment in her eyes. "She's a mistake and one not even worth talking about. So..." Percy looked around desperately, trying to think of something else to talk about. "How did you and Thalia meet?"

"She beat up my elementary school bully. We've been friends ever since. Plus she stole my Barbie watch and refused to give it back unless I was her friend." They busted out laughing. For the first time since being here, Percy actually laughed.

"Sounds like her."

Percy was never one to enjoy sitting in a movie theater, but Deadpool was always worth spending a couple of bucks at a run-down dollar theater. The popcorn was deliciously buttered, and the candy was cheap. By the time the movie was over, everyone had popcorn in their hair as a popcorn-throwing fight erupted in the back. The group silently cackled and quoted lines during the entire movie. No one treated him differently, and the argument with Thalia still had the two of them glaring daggers at each other.

The group found themselves sitting in the back of Mod Pizza, eating and catching up over the summer. Percy stayed quiet, offering a bit of commentary when necessary.

"So, Percy, do you like San Francisco?" Hazel asked over the group, and they all looked at him. Percy clenched his jaw. He wanted to be back in New York. The busy town noises blocked out the constant self-deprecation that circulated his thoughts. Again, he just wanted to drown out the noise and only feel the now, not the past.

Thalia nudged her brother. "Ignore his bad attitude."

He snapped his eyes to her. "Thalia shut up." He looked back to Hazel. "I- uh. It's okay I guess. I miss New York but the people aren't that great. Everyone is always hustling to get places so it's nice that it's quiet here compared to where I lived."

"Were you actually arrested five times?" Leo blurted out.

"Leo!" Frank snapped, and it made Percy laugh as everyone went from smiling to horrified that he had asked the question. They all joined, laughing off the discomfort.

Percy rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah... I was arrested a couple of times. Not my best moment." Someone, please change the subject. He was about to get up when Annabeth, as if hearing his thoughts, brought up school. He looked at her and mouthed the words "Thank you." She smiled and nodded, and the collective groaned at the news of Ms. Dodds taking over junior mathematics.

"She's a demon! I swear." Jason patted Nico's shoulder.

"We know Nico. She's the devil."

Percy stayed quiet as he listened to his cousin's friends talk about how excited they were to finally go to the same school. Thalia kept glancing at him, and all he did was glare at her when they made eye contact. Percy jumped when he felt his phone vibrate.

His brows furrowed as Rachael was asking if he was going to go to AA. She was getting her six-month sobriety chip, and she wouldn't stop talking about it. He had called her the night he lost his mind as the craving got so bad. Percy memorized Octavian's number, and he almost called him but ended up calling her instead.

R- please come to AA. You don't even have to go up. I'm sorry for pushing you last time. I know you're struggling rn.

P- I'll be there. Don't worry about it. I'm okay."

He most certainly was not okay. But she made it to six months. It was longer than he had, and he wanted to go because, well, after hearing how deep she was into drugs and alcohol, she found a way out. It gave him some hope that he could too.

Percy watched his cousins joke around with their friends. He was the outsider looking in from the outside. He didn't want to interrupt, especially Thalia, who still had the 'don't talk to me' look, but he also didn't want to miss his meeting.

"Thalia." Percy said hesitantly.

"What?" Yep, she was still upset.

He frowned and pointed to the clock. "I need you to drive me to my meeting. I'm going to be late if we don't go soon."

She nodded, standing, "Annabeth, please come with me. I don't want to wait alone."

Nico's mouth gaped open. "Excuse me. I'm going to be with you."

"You don't count." Nico's mouth dropped open as he looked at Thalia.

Annabeth laughed and choked on her water. "You count to me Nico. Let's go."

Percy looked to his cousin Jason as Thalia asked if he wanted to go. He shook his head, saying he had to drive the other home. Percy waved and turned away as Leo, not so quietly, asked Jason where he had to go. He knew he should try more, but the idea of making new friends in a new place that he'd have to leave anyway didn't appeal to him. It still felt weird knowing Poseidon took vacation to spend time with him before the school year started.

Only for him to watch him puke his guts up instead. He still hadn't called his mom, and the guilt was eating him up. He wasn't sure he was ready to start the 12 steps, but he knew it was inevitable. Percy didn't believe in capital G god, but he could accept there was something of a higher power, but he wasn't ready to make amends. He hated the 'Im sorry for being such a piece of crap recently. I'll try to do better.' Speech, especially because his mom cried every time.

When they pulled into the church parking lot a familiar redhead was waiting outside. Annabeth watched as he embraced the girl, feeling a tinge of what that was. Jealousy? She couldn't be jealous; she barely knew him.

"We will be here when you get out Percy." Thalia said, still refusing to look at him. He only nodded as he walked over to Rachael.

"Hey Percy! I'm so happy you came."

Percy smiled at her and opened the door for her. "I wouldn't miss your big day. Six months is impressive."

"It's a big night for you. Plus I needed to come." Percy walked beside her and could feel her looking at him.

Her eyes filled with worry. "Are they still trying to contact you?" He told Rachel what Octavian had sent him and how he was so tempted to take the offer.

"Yeah. I really don't want to talk about it."

She nodded her head and sat down in their usual spot. "Well call me anytime. I'm proud of you for calling me instead. Even if you were a blubbering mess."

Percy's lips tugged upwards at the corners. He really was a blubbering mess. Charlie Beckendorf sat next to him.

"Hey man it's good to see you again."

"Hey." Percy wrung his hands as he kept his face forward. Charlie was one of the nicest people Percy had ever met. He made it his personal mission to make Percy feel welcomed. He admired that about him, and so far, Percy actually felt wanted by people who weren't family. Even family had times when it was obvious that they didn't want him around. Percy looked at his shoes with a frown. Of course, he had to think of that here. Damn, the brain doesn't know when to just stop thinking. The meeting went quickly as they celebrated several milestones, and Rachael was beaming.

"Hey Percy!" Charlie ran after him.

Percy turned, eyebrows raised as they stopped in the parking lot. "Did I forget something?"

"Uh, no, I was wondering if you had a sponsor. I'm 18 and have been clean for a while now. You'd be my first to sponsor. But look, I can tell you're struggling, and I'd like to help. I was where you are and my sponsor saved my life.I would have died if it wasn't for him." He pulled out a card with his number written on it. "Call me whenever you need to."

Percy took the card and shook Charlie's hand. Again, he felt wanted as Charlie put his hand on his shoulder. "It's not going to be easy, but let's set a time to make some goals and figure out where you are in the twelve-step process."

"Thank you Charlie. I will let you know when I have time. Maybe after school or something."

Percy walked to Thalia's car, smiling to himself. He never thought he'd actually like AA or make friends there, but maybe California was different. Maybe his mom was right.