Running~A Leo Valdez Fanfiction

Chapter Nine

Leo's POV

I turn back to see Piper smiling at me.

Actually smiling.

I look her in the eyes, which is the best I can manage, and repeat after her. "Together."

This time Annabeth comes toward me and bear hugs me.

I stay there stiff, my emotions running around like a drunk centaur playing tag.

"I'm not a hugger!" I squeal as Hazel hugs me from behind and Piper somehow gets in too.

"Ladies. Ladies! I can't, breath. I need air!"

They let go and I quickly take one last look at the window and make a silent promise.

To run when everything has calmed down. To insult them enough that they never come after me again. To push them away. To push everyone away.

They will hurt me if I trust them somehow I will get hurt, or worse, I could hurt them.

I glance at Frank and see him studying me.

I immediately look away but think to myself, maybe this time is different.

Maybe I can actually stay here and be happy. To use a real smile and enjoy myself. To not hear the voices that say I can't.

A place that I belong.

"Food?" I ask changing the subject and Jason laughs.

"Do you think of anything else?" Jason asks and I just shrug, not acknowledging the fact that I haven't had a meal in what feels like years.

Percy puts his arm over my shoulder and guides me toward the kitchen.

And I allow myself to relax.

Maybe I can start over. Like for real. Not pretending. Not daydreaming.

I glance at Percy's carefree expression. Maybe with these people, I can be safe.

Get away from my past. From Aunt Rosa. From tough foster homes; tough school situations. Perhaps I can actually move on from all of that... Right?

I can be-

Murderer

I stumble over my next step and almost fall on Percy.

"You okay?" Annabeth questions me, looking into my eyes.

"Yeah yeah. I'm just a-"

Diablo

"K-klutz." I stutter, finishing my sentence.

Annabeth looks unconvinced, I and hurry ahead into the kitchen.

Insecure

I can't do this. Oh, gods no I can't do this. I'm such a-

Coward

Everyone sits down around the round table and stare at me concerned, as Sally looks through the refrigerator for food.

The voices are back. The voices that always come when I get too comfortable in one place. The voice used to be Aunt Rosa's voice, but over time have become my own voice. Me doubting myself.

The reason I'm always running away is because the voices always remind me-

Seventh Wheel

-of who I am and what I've done.

The voices never let me forget.

And they never stop unless I tell them yes. Yes, that I'll keep running. Because that's what I do. Like a coward, I run from my problems.