Quiet and Free

Two

∆∆Piper's POV∆∆

I'm lesbian. No interest in males. But here I am, being held down on Jason's couch.

"Let me go!" I kicked my legs, to no avail. He was stronger than me. For some reason, he wasn't on the football team. That I will never understand.

He said nothing.

And my face was covered in shock and fear when I heard the door open. And when I saw who it was, I cried.

Percy was at the door, tears brimming his eyes as he saw his boyfriend over someone else. I didn't know if he could tell it was me or not.

"Jason?" He spoke from the doorway, the tears threatening to fall more than they were before.

"P-percy!" Jason jumped up, shocked.

In that moment I ran to Percy. I hope he didn't think I wanted anything to happen. I'm in love with Annabeth.

I couldn't say anything. I was in so much shock. Percy put his arm in front of me.

"Why? You said your mom was sick, but you're here? Trying to do who knows what with Piper? The world's sweetest girl?" He spoke not with anger, but with pain.

"Percy... I didn't... I didn't mean to..." Jason sputtered, not being able to get the words out.

"Sure you didn't. Jason, we're over. Don't talk to me again." And with that, Percy turned around and walked out of the house, saying something about making Thalia food someplace else.

A few minutes later, Thalia spoke up. "Percy, I had no idea. I'm sorry."

I decided I needed to speak too. "Percy I didn't know what was happening. I was going to see if Thalia wanted to hang out, because you said you were going to hang out with Hazel, but Jason opened the door, and he was acting all weird. That's when I found out Thalia wasn't there. A few minutes later, you opened the door."

"I'm not mad." Was all he said.

"So where are we going now?" Thalia clearly didn't want to talk about it.

"I was thinking the orphanage. I haven't been there in a while." Percy said.

Thalia and I both nodded, and followed Percy to the orphanage.

"Percy!" Was the first thing I heard as we walked through the doors.

The orphanage has changed so much from when I last been here 3 months ago. There are still 3 couches in the same places, but 2 of them are smaller, and they are dark blue instead of maroon. There's a new lamp in the corner, it's got a light blue lampshade. The kids all have their own rooms now, other than 2 sets of twins who demand to share a room with their twin.

"Hey everyone!" Percy exclaims as he walks in the door.

"It's been exactly 3 weeks, 4 days, 7 hours, 36 minutes, and 12 seconds since you were last here." A kid in the back, one I didn't recognize, piped up.

"Thank you for counting for me, Ellie." Percy chuckles as he walks past the kids and to the couches, so that he can talk with everyone easier.

I follow him and now I can see Ellie more clearly. She has auburn red hair, dark eyes so I can't really tell what colour they are, and she is wearing a blank tank top, a flannel, jeans, and black shoes. (Extra points if you can name the character from a TV series I watched. I made the description first but when I saw the show the description fit the character perfectly)

"Percy, who are the new kids?" I question.

"Well, this is Ellie. She's 16 and I have never seen her wear a dress a day in her life." Percy said.

Thalia laughed. She seemed nervous.

∆∆Thalia's POV∆∆

I was scared. I didn't want my friendship with Percy to be affected because of my brother. But Percy seemed like he didn't even feel bothered by the break up.

I knew he was though. He wasn't going to break down until anyone saw him.

And I was right.

∆∆Percy's POV∆∆

I was scared. I was alone. And I had no idea what was going on. Jason had cheated on me, or at least tried to, with one of my best friends.

And now here I am, crying in my room at Piper's house.

After getting back from the orphanage an hour ago, I quickly ran off to my little room on the third floor.

I jumped onto my bean bag chair, and turned on a random show in the background for some extra noise. I'm not even sure what the show is, and right now, I don't care, either.

I'm half asleep on my bed when Annabeth walks through the door.

"Percy?"

I said nothing. I didn't really want to talk to anyone.

"I know you're mad. You're angry, you're upset, you're scared. I understand. Just, know that we're all here for you, okay? Jason might not be in your life anymore, but the rest of us want to be, so please, think about letting us."

I only nodded. I was afraid to open my mouth, to say anything.

"Can I sit down?" Annabeth asked.

I nodded and scooted over, giving her room on the bean bag chair.

"We're here for you, you know that, right?"

"Yeah." I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You hungry? We got pizza."

"Plain cheese?" I smiled a bit.

"Bread sticks on the side." Annabeth laughed, standing up. "Come on, seaweed brain." She put her hand out.

I took it, and we walked down to get pizza together.

•••••

"Perce, how are you?" Thalia asked when she saw me the next day.

"I'm managing." I say. "I've got to get to work. I should go."

"Can I come with you?"

"Sure." I answer. I keep walking towards the direction of the elementary school.

"Where do you work anyways?"

"The elementary school down the street."

"You're a teacher?" She questions.

"Well, assistant teacher. Second grade." I answer.

A few minutes later, we're inside the classroom. I start setting up supplies for all the kids.

"What should I do?" Thalia asks.

"Whatever. If you want to stay, you can. I'll just say you're looking into teaching."

"Do you need help setting anything up?"

I shake my head. "The kids will be here any second though." I pause for a minute. "So maybe don't stand right in the doorway or you'll become the new doormat."

"Sorry." She laughs. I do too.