The Break

Guilt

Thalia couldn't focus on the class, not even when the bell rang for next period.

She felt so much guilt that she left Reyna's clothes folded up in the bathroom as well as her shoes. She left a note on the kitchen counter, doubting that Reyna would even read or see it when she woke. Thalia closed the door behind her, locking it before she went on her way to school. Only after second period had she thought of calling Hylla, Reyna's sister, to tell her that Reyna had stayed over for the night and to give her some space.

Thalia walked out of the classroom and went over to the lunch area, knowing very well that certain people were going to look for her.

She wasn't disappointed.

Seconds later, she heard rushing footsteps and then someone walked beside her, taking up her stride. Thalia didn't need to turn to know who it was. "Have you seen Reyna?"

"I'm not too bad, Beth. Nice to see you too."

The blonde hesitated. "Hi, Thalia. Have you seen Reyna? She wasn't in first or third period."

Thalia took a turn, confusing Annabeth before the girl followed her. "Maybe she switched classes. You know how Reyna is, unable to decide on what she wants."

Annabeth frowned. "Reyna loves P.E., and she prefers Mr. Peterson as an English teacher before lunch. Plus, she didn't show up for breakfast before school. I asked the adults in the attendance office, and they said she hadn't even entered or been seen near school," she informed, something Thalia had expected. "So, I ask again, have you seen her?"

"Maybe I have. Maybe I haven't. What's it to you?"

"Thalia." A hand grabbed her arm, causing her to wince. Annabeth immediately let go, surprise and concern overtaking her features. "Are you okay?"

Thalia scowled, shoving her hands back into her jacket pockets. "Since when do you care about me?" she mocked. "You always ask about Reyna, otherwise you don't even come near me."

The blonde winced at the harsh reminder. "Sorry, you just...don't seem like an open person. Reyna always says good things about you, but it always seems like you're only like that when you're around her."

"Maybe I have a reason for how I act and dress. Never thought about that, did you?"

Annabeth raised her palms. "Okay, I'm sorry. But, seriously, are you okay? Did you hurt your arm?"

"I'm fine," Thalia snarled, the nerd flinching at her sudden fierceness. "Now leave me alone. Why don't you go to the library and read some book? That's what you're good at, anyway." She knew the words would sting, but she couldn't hold back the reflex.

Annabeth hesitated before sighing. "Look, I'm sorry if I made you mad. I just wanted to know if you'd seen Reyna today and if you're okay. If you haven't seen her, then I'll just leave you be." She stood there for a few moments, waiting for any sign of the punk answering. When Thalia made no move to speak, the blonde sighed and turned to leave.

That same guilt from before started to weigh on Thalia, and she felt that Annabeth deserved to know that Reyna wasn't coming. It was the least she could do.

"Wait."

Annabeth turned, eyes filled with hope yet surprise. "Yeah?"

Thalia sighed and ran a hand over her hood. "Yeah, I saw her today. But," she added before the blonde could cut her off. "I don't think she's going to come today or tomorrow. Reyna looked exhausted. I called her sister Hylla's bosses to ask them if they'd give her a day off to spend with Reyna. So, yeah. She probably won't come."

Annabeth took a while before she nodded. "Thanks, Thalia." She paused before looking back at her. "Well, I probably should try to eat something before lunch ends." Thalia nodded. "Hope you feel better." 

The blonde left, leaving a puzzled Thalia Grace to wonder why she'd made that last comment as a farewell.

~~~~

Thalia had been expecting to be questioned during the day, but it came as a surprise when she heard a familiar voice call her.

School had ended, so she was walking out of the building as she heard someone too familiar behind her.

"What did you do to her?"

Thalia turned around, eyes catching the other figure's T-shirt and jeans look, eyes filled with anger and worry unable to be ignored.

The girl raised an eyebrow coolly. "What do you mean?"

Hylla pushed away from the wall she was leaning against, dark fire flashing in her normally brown eyes. "You know what I mean, Thalia. What did you do to Reyna?"

Knowing she couldn't hide it from the woman, Thalia sighed, running a hand through her short hair. "Do you even have to ask? I'm guessing you already know."

It had been the wrong thing to say.

In seconds, Hylla shoved the girl against the wall, the front of her shirt balled in her fist while she raised the other, leaning close. "Pinche cabrona! Do you know how bad you hurt her?! I should kill you right now for hurting Reyna!"

"Go ahead, do it."

Hylla growled. "You think you can taunt me?"

Thalia grunted. "No. I'm not taunting you." She paused. "I mean it. I deserve worse." Hylla watched her silently. "I regret it every second that goes by from the moment I woke up and remembered." She winced, the wounds on her chest and back opening from the rough slam to the wall.

The Hispanic girl noticed, stepping back and letting go of Thalia's shirt. Her eyes glinted with a different concern. She scanned the teen before coming to the same conclusion as Reyna had. "How bad is it?"

The girl said nothing for a while. "The worst," Thalia mumbled, eyes locked with Hylla's. She could taste iron in her mouth, a taste that had become all too familiar to the hooded girl. There was no mistaking how bad the slam against the wall had really been against her already scabbing body. Thalia guessed she only had seconds before the blood began to noticeably stain her hoodie.

Hylla remained silent long enough for the teen to become worried for the woman's well being before finally heaving a long sigh. It seemed as if she were pulling her hairs out mentally as she turned back to Thalia with a silently fuming look. "I'll patch you up. Then you can figure out where you'll be sleeping." She pointed at Thalia, voice firm. "Despues de eso, you're not staying. I want you far away from my sister as possible, entendido?"

Years of sleeping over had taught Thalia enough Spanish to be able to understand what Reyna's sister said, and the still growing guilt made her more than agree. After what had happened, Thalia didn't want to be anywhere near Reyna. It was the only way to protect her once-best-friend from the danger: Thalia herself.