Found Family (HoO, Mortal AU)

PERCY JACKSON

"Oh." Was all Percy could say without choking up.
"And I put the pieces together. Why you suffered so much. I mean- I always thought it was after what you seen happen to Bianca, but with what Gabe had obviously been doing to you-" she sniffed. "I'm so sorry, Percy."

Bianca di Angelo's death, the death 12 year old Percy watched, was the reason he was so troubled, to the extent of him having to repeat 7th grade at a boarding school for troubled kids, the reason he was older than almost everyone in his grade, but Sally was right, Gabe's abuse didn't help matters. Percy thought back to his birthday, remembering it clearly. He remembered his mother flinching when he raised his hand. He remembered the look of pain of her face.

"Mom? Did Gabe hit you?"
"No." Sally said quickly. Almost too quickly.
"No more lies. No secrets."
Sally took a moment to answer. "He promised me he wouldn't hit you if I didn't tell anyone. I can't believe I trusted him-"
"He said the same to me." Percy was even angrier now. If he ever saw that fucking dickhead again-
Sally pulled into the police station. "It ends today."

• • •

Sally spent a lot of time talking to the police. She told the police everything. From the abuse to the drugs. They talked to Percy and he confirmed everything his mother told them. They asked Sally why she didn't come sooner. Sally explained how she needed the money- how Percy's father left and she couldn't raise a child after her uncle kicked her out. She had to marry Gabe. Percy felt terrible. He was the reason she went through almost 18 years of abuse.

Gabe was taken away. Cops came to investigate the apartment. They seen Percy's room, which Gabe liked to use as his 'study'. They found the drugs. Sally and Percy drove home, still in Gabe's car, which was now Sally's. She was going to file for a divorce. It really was ending.

"Percy, why don't you text Grover and tell him the news?"
"What? You want me to tell Grover about everything?" Percy asked.
Sally raised an eyebrow. "He was never a big fan of Gabe."
"How do you know that?"
"Well, Grover didn't hold back from calling him 'Smelly Gabe' in front of me." Sally's face was still tear stained, but she smiled.
"I'll text him now."

• • •

They got back to the apartment, the police spending a long time talking to Sally. Then Grover showed up. He hadn't replied to Percy's text.
"Hey, Percy! I got the message and ran out of English class. Mr.Blowfish is gonna be pissed but oh well! This is the best day of my life!"
"I- think you've had better days." Percy said, but was glad to see his best friend.

Sally came over to them, the police now gone. "I've been looking and there's an apartment block with a few apartments free. We can move in next Sunday. Isn't that great?"
"Yes!" Grover answered. Percy didn't have the heart to tell him the question wasn't meant for him.
"We need to start packing-" Sally smiled. "Oh, and guess what?"
"What?!" Grover said, answering for Percy again.
"I'm selling Gabe's store, which will leave me with enough money to only work part-time. I'm going to start writing lessons and eventually maybe even write a novel." Sally was smiling. It had been a tough day, but things were finally getting better. After everything she'd been through, Percy couldn't help but feel overly proud to call her his mother.

• • •

He didn't go to school for the next day, insisting he stayed at home and helped Sally get things ready to move. On Saturday, he got a text from Frank.
Frank: you better be going to Reyna's party tonight.

Percy walked out to his mother, who was standing in the surprisingly clean kitchen. He pretended not to see her wiping tears away. It'd been a hard week.
"Hey mom?"
"Yes, Percy?"
"You know how you love me and I'm the best son ever and you're the best mother ever-"
"Just spit it out." Sally laughed.
"Can I go to a party tonight?"
"So you're telling me you couldn't go to school, but you can go to a party?" Sally put a hand on her hip.
"Please?"
"Fine. But you'll be back to school on Monday."
"Thanks mom! Love you so, so, so, so, so much you're the best!"

Percy got out his phone, replying to Frank.
Percy: of course I am. See you there, Zhang.

• • •

He went to the party with Grover. The house wasn't big, but there was a lot of people. Mostly people in senior year, but Percy spotted a few juniors. He walked inside to go get a drink, seeing Leo Valdez on the table.

"DRESS LIKE ME, WALK, TALK AND ACT LIKE ME JUST MIGHT BE THE NEXT BEST THING BUT NOT QUITE ME-" Valdez was screaming with the music. His friend, Piper, was on the table too.
"God, Leo. Eminem? Really?" She was saying, though she was laughing.

Percy found the drinks and seen his other friends already there, Rachel and Frank playing beer pong with a few others. He smiled. For the first time in his life, he felt safe. Maybe senior year wouldn't be so bad.

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Word Count: 1573

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A/N: I know this chapter was confusing lmao. I know nothing about police or cops or any of that, especially not in America. Anyway no more Gabe <3. Kinda quick paced already rid of him but pfft. Love love and more love
- Rachael