Truths Can Heal (A Percy Jackson Fanfic) COMPLETE

Chapter 38 (Thalia)

Chapter 38
(Thalia)
🔱Nor Death Will Tare Us Apart🔱

     The pain is unbearable, each second worse than the last.  I can't seem to stop crying, even if I'm at a point where I just feel numb, the silent tears still scrape down my cheeks like hot itchy spikes.  I look out at the sky.

"Please dad.  Tell me.  What did I do to deserve this?  I have tried to do everything right.  I obey when you ask something of me, I always try to do right by you, even though I don't want to, so why?  Why him?  Why did Hades have to take the one person who made me feel alive away.  I was free from this earth when Luke was with me, like I could fly without my fear of falling getting in the way.  Cause he was always there to catch me.  I feel like I'm never going to be happy again, like my soul died with him.  I feel like an empty shell.  Make Hades Kill me, dad! It's not like you ever really cared about me or Jason or anyone but yourself.  Why does my life matter compared to all your other bastard children?" I pray silently, stroking the fabric of Luke's hoodie with my thumb.

All of a sudden I feel someone sit beside me.  I instantly recognize Percy's sneakers.  I don't look up or speak as I continue to gaze at the mountains.  A minute or so passes by and he's still here.  I begin to get angry.  Why is he here when I clearly want to be alone?! 

"Has the great Percy Jackson come to fix all my problems.  Should I be jumping for joy?" I ask sarcastically, my voice cracking.

"No," he says softly, shaking his head.  "There's nothing I can do or say to make you feel better," he pauses.  I feel the cries starting to build up in my throat.  "Thalia, talk to me," he pleads trying to catch my eyes.  "I'm here for you...I'm sorry," he whispers. 

I break down and cry into my hands, I feel his arms wrap around me and pull me close to his chest.  I cry harder, my voice muffled by his sweatshirt.  He holds me like that for a long time, not saying a word, just comforting me.  He pulls me into his lap, his hands in my hair and around my torso, whispering soothing words in my ear to try to calm me down.  Once there are no more tears to shed and I'm sniffling, I look into his eyes, my hand suddenly caressing his cheek. 

He has always been there for me, always trying to help, always trying to make me happy.  I don't know what I'm thinking next, I don't know if I'm thinking at all.  But I find my lips on his, my hands pulling through his hair and after a second he starts kissing me back.  My mind is completely numb as I force him down onto his back.  We get rougher with each other as we continue.  He pulls his hand through my hair, but after a few seconds I see his eyes open wide and gasp, pulling away from my lips.

"Wait, wait, Thalia," he breathes.  I realize our position and immediately shy away, my cheeks flushed.

"I-I-I'm so sorry, I..I mean..I was," I stutter before sighing.  "I didn't mean to," I whimper.  He looks up at me sadly.

"We're both hurt.  We're both emotional and our hormones are flaring.  It's not your fault, it isn't anyone's fault.  And yes, in the moment, I enjoyed it, but I don't want to take this somewhere we'll regret later," he says sweetly.

"No, no, you're right, I wasn't thinking," I say shyly, putting my hair behind my ear.  "By the way, I..I heard about you and Annabeth," I say, I can see the pain in his eyes as I say her name.

"Yeaaa," he breathes out slowly.  "A lot has happened this summer," he sighs sadly, lowering his head.

"I'm..really sorry," I apologize without a real reason.  "I always thought you'd be high school sweethearts.  You know, get married, maybe try again for a little ankle biter or two."  He looks away, his shoulders tense.  "I'm not helping at all, am I?" I ask, mentally slapping myself.  "I'm going to stop talking now," I sigh.