Running~A Leo Valdez Fanfiction

Chapter Eight

Leo's POV

"Are you okay Leo? How much did you hear?" Jason says looking at Nico once he realizes I'm not talking.

"All of it." Nico answers for me.

"Look, man-"

"I'm a freak." I say, my hand shaking on the unlocked window.

"No, your not. Don't listen to-"

"I'm a runaway."

"Leo, stop listening to him, he doesn't know yo-"

"I'm troubled."

"You're fine. Leo just forget-"

"I'm," My shoulders are now trembling. "A murderer."

"No! Leo your not a murderer." Jason says firmly.

Tears resume falling down my cheeks. "I don't want to be a murderer."

"You're not-"

I shake my head repeatedly and apologetically.

"I'm sorry I'm a murderer. I don't want to be. I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apolog-"

"And I'm sorry I'm a runaway. I'm not normal. I'm sorry. He said I'm troubled-"

"Leo," Percy says taking a step forward. "St-"

"I'm sorry!" I scream, still facing the window. It's now raining.

"I'm sorry I'm different. I'm sorry I don't have a normal life. I'm sorry I steal, I'm sorry I'm a thief."

Percy grabs my shoulders and turns me around. "This is nonsense-"

"I'm sorry I lie to you!" I take a step back, my hand once again on the window. "All of you, all the time, I'm sorry I'm a liar!"

They just look at me.

"I don't want.."

"What?"

"I don't want to be different, Percy! I want to be normal, I'm sorry."

I don't even know why I'm apologizing...I'm just sorry I can't be the friend they always knew and want.

"Jason.." I take a ragged breath and look up. "I don't want to be me."

(A/N y'all crying yet?)

Nico stays in the shadows and I can't see his expression. Piper and Hazel and crying. Frank and Annabeth are comforting them.

Percy and Jason are trying to help me. Trying to always be the heroes.

"I don't need you guys," I mutter. "I don't need your help. I need..."

My eyes flicker to the window.

I sigh and rub my face.

I look up tired and go for my signature crooked grin.

"It's too late to go back to normal, huh?"

Fake smile. Fake smile. Fake smile.

"Yeah." Percy says bluntly.

I groan frustrated and duck my head.

"I'm sorry guys," I say honestly meaning it. "My life is...I'm such a mess." In one swift move, I opened the window and looked at anything but them.

"Just say the word and I'll be out of your life forever."

"Where would you go?" Piper asks and a punch in the face would have been less painful.