A Boy Called Noah

Chapter Twenty One

Thalia Rodriguez

Thalia's throat closes up and she tries to swallow the sudden lump in her throat. She lightly shakes her head to clear her thoughts. "I-it's a long story..." James gently eases his hand into hers and squeezes it in encouragement, "You're okay."

Thalia breathes in a shaky breath, "Where to begin... My dad had an affair when I was nine and Thea was seven... jeez we were so young back then. Anyway he had an affair and our mom found out quite quickly. She freaked out. Started throwing shit around, breaking stuff. She was screaming at the top of her lungs. Thea wasn't home to see it. Heck I can't even remember where she was that day. What I do remember though is how I prayed that everything would get better before she got home. I suppose I should have known that something was going on, they were always fighting. Dad started 'travelling' a lot. I suppose if I wasn't so young I probably would have been on mum's side. I don't blame dads for leaving...I guess I don't actually blame him for anything. He's still only human. I guess Thea harbors some sort of resentment to me and dad. I suppose we did kind of leave her, mum, Ryan and little Calum...jeez Calum. You're all grown up now." Tears spilled down Thalia's cheeks. 

James lifts a hand and gently wipes a stray tear from her cheek. "I'm so sorry, Thalia. I- we  had no idea." Thalia sniffles, "I-it's not your fault. No one knew. I preferred to say that I only have my new family since my old one acts if I'm dead." 

Tyson's sudden silence makes Thalia's head spin. 'Why the hell is he so quiet right now?' "Ty?" No reaction. "Tyson? Tyson please talk to me..." Tyson runs a frustrated hand through his hair, "I-I just can't right now, Thalia. It's a bit of a slap in the face when your best friend lies about their life. Fuck,  I feel like I don't even know you anymore.Did I ever even know you?" Thalia reaches her hand toward him and he shifts away. She retracts her hand with a sudden pain shooting through her. Tyson swiftly turns without a word and re-enters the house. For a moment the only sounds are Thalia's sobs and the remaining boys' breaths. "Thalia...don't take that to heart. He...he's just hurt. He'll get over it. Things will get better, I promise." James' arms wrap around her from behind and her body sinks into the embrace. Silent sobs wrack her body and her tears leave stain marks on his shirt. 

Calum clears his throat and makes himself known for the first time in the entire interaction, "Well, today did not go like I planned at all." He stretches and yawns a big open mouthed yawn, "Damn...I'm freaking exhausted. How does a fight take so much out of you?" The gesture of a joke makes Thalia smile softly and Noah chuckles lowly. James squeezes her tight for a second and then releases her, "You okay?" Thalia nods her head and swiftly wipes the drying tears from her cheeks. "I'll be fine. He'll be fine too, he just needs some time..."