Athena's Story

Part 17: confessions and confusion

She had never told anyone about that incident. Not even Taz. She wasn't sure if he knew how difficult it had actually been to admit such wretched weakness. Athena shivered and shook her head as if to rid herself of the evil memories. She could almost feel his hands on her again and it made her ill just remembering. Trying to bring herself back to the present, she raised her eyes to where George sat.

George was looking at her with an expression she'd never seen from him.

Pity.

She didn't want to see that. Athena smiled brightly to hide the fact that she was so seriously trying not to cry and have him comfort her.

"But I'm okay now," she managed to say.

With a deep breath, she forced a smile and looked away from that gentle, understanding look.

"Yes," he said softly after a long moment in silence. "You're okay now, kiddo."

Somehow that undid her.

Making a soft mewing sound, her lips trembled and the tears began to cascade over her eyelashes and down her face. Her shoulders shook with each sob and it was as if the confession of her pain had broken the flood gates and there was no turning back. It really hadn't been her intention to cry but once she started, Athena couldn't stop.

She covered her face with her hands and slumped over in defeat.

"I'm so tired of crying!" she wailed.

"But it's ok if you do, Athena," she heard him say gently.

A moment later, she felt him lift her out of the chair and cradle her in his arms. And that made her cry even harder, hot tears falls fast down both cheeks.

"That a girl. It's alright, he can't hurt you anymore. Let it all out," he soothed, stroking her long hair and rocking her gently.

•

He was saying the right words but they were all wrong. Her heart was breaking because he wasn't saying the words that would make all the hurt go away. She wanted him to whisper words of love and adoration in comfort.

She was silly to even be thinking of anything more. How could a handsome, intelligent man like George ever get with a weak, confused girl like Athena? Walter had told her before that wasn't how the world worked and that she had been lucky to have someone like him.

Athena knew that she didn't deserve the violence Walter had dealt her, but that didn't mean she was in George's league. Maybe- surely she knew?- he didn't love her but at least he cared... like a friend. She could settle for that, right? Athena decided then that she would have to accept that.

Her tears subsided soon after she reached that choice. She looked up into his face and saw a mixture of concern and encouragement.

"You okay now?"

"Yeah, thanks."

He ruffled her hair and handed her a handkerchief. Leaning back, he frowned at her.

"What is it?"

"Let's just say Thalia would probably try to kill me if you left the room like this. You should rest if you don't want puffy eyes."

"What do you know about puffy eyes?" Athena was sure she looked miserable but she didn't want a mirror's confirmation.

He winced and said grimly, "Well, I have been in a situation like this many times before."

Did they fall in love with you too, she wanted to ask as she carefully removed herself from her perch on George's lap. Instead she just took off her dress and slipped into the sheets.