Thalia

Corey and I sat beside each other on the couch as we played a friendly game of UNO. I say friendly VERY loosely. Every time Corey put down a skip, reverse or draw, I got pissed. Like livid, pissed. I currently had tons of cards, none of which were specials, and Corey was down to his last two.

"Uno." He called cheekily as he placed down a red three. I huffed and put down five threes, all of which were different colors. Corey clicked his tongue before putting down a single card: a dastardly draw four. "Looks like I win again." He smirked. I scowled and tossed my cards onto the couch. He chuckled and gathered them together. He was preparing to deal them out once more but I held my hand up.

"No thanks." I said. "I'm sick of getting beat."

Corey smiled and turned on the television. "I bet you are."

I scoffed and turned my attention to the television set where cartoons were taking up the screen. For two twenty-two year old men, Corey and Rhys sure were immature in many aspects. I couldn't help but smile.

"So," Corey began. "I heard you were going to be one of Fiona's bridesmaids in the wedding."

"You heard correctly." I replied.

"Hmm. That's a pretty prestigious position."

"That's probably why it's mine. You and Rhys sure wouldn't be able to handle it."

Corey scoffed. "Oh please. As if I would be caught dead in a dress. Let alone being someone's bridesmaid. Can't say the same for Rhys, though."

"Toxic masculinity isn't in his dictionary." I smiled, earning a laugh from Corey.

"How are your bruises?" I asked.

Corey looked down at his torso and back up at me. "In the same condition they were an hour ago, honestly." He chuckled. "What about your wrappings? I heard you were getting them off soon."

I grinned. "Yep. In two days, I'll be rid of these things forever!"

Corey smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "Excited, huh?"

"Oh I'm ecstatic!"

"I can tell!" Corey beamed, causing us to burst out laughing. I shook my head as our laughter died down and leaned back on the couch. It was silent between us for a moment before I turned to Corey, only to see him gazing at me.

"What?" I asked with a small smile.

Corey shook his head. "Nothing. It's just you look, really pretty. Especially with that outfit on. Did you pick that out?"

I chuckled and shook my head. "Fiona did. I feel hot, you know, but at the same time I feel..." I trailed off as I searched for an acceptable word.

"Uncomfortable?" Corey offered.

"Exposed." I stated.

Corey laughed softly. "Well, I have some old sweatshirts you can wear if you want?"

"Seriously?" I asked.

He nodded. "Hold up. I'll be right back." With that, he stood up and left, clomping up the stairs and disappearing around the corner.

I smiled softly. These people treated me like family. I had no clue why. Honestly, I'm just some drunk, homeless girl they found in the club one day and decided to adopt. Did they think of it like that? I sure did. I didn't want to, but I couldn't help it. That's basically what happened. It's not like I wasn't completely thankful for everything these people had done. I was! It was just that I liked feeling independent. I didn't like relying on others to throw me a bone. I liked being able to do things on my own. But until I got enough money to buy a house, or at least found the strength to go back to work and get my first paycheck, I would have to make do with what I currently had.

Corey came back down the stairs and held up a grey Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt. "Good?" He asked.

"Great!" I grinned. I quickly unbuttoned the dress shirt and slipped on the sweatshirt. Corey politely turned away and only turned back around when I told him that it was alright. "Thanks again, Corey. This means a lot. Everything you've ever done for me does. It's really thoughtful of you to help out a total stranger like this."

"You're not a total stranger, Thalia. You're our best friend. I think I'm speaking for everyone when I say it, too." Corey smiled.

"Awe!" I gushed, reaching over and enveloping Corey in a tight hug. "You're too sweet." I smiled.

Corey smiled in return and it got quiet between us. Suddenly the atmosphere seemed to change. Corey's smile slowly melted and he looked at me tenderly. He timidly reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair out of my face, letting his hand linger on my cheek.

I knew where this was going.

Oh no...

"Thalia," He began softly, "I..." Slowly he began to lean in. "I want to tell you..."

His face was so close to mine that I could feel his breath on my skin. Do something, Thalia! Do something now!

I quickly held up my hand to block his lips and looked away. "Corey, please don't do this." I practically whispered. "To me or you, don't do it."

"Do what? Kiss you?" Corey asked, his blue eyes sparkling in confusion.

"It's not just that..." I said.

Corey's eyes flashed with something and the previous glint in them disappeared. "Oh." He said. "You mean...you mean fall for you."

I nodded softly and Corey dropped his hand. "It's just... I don't think it would be in your best interest to."

"Bullshit." Corey stated suddenly. "You don't know my best interest. You only know your best interest. This isn't about what's good for me, Thalia. How do you know what's good for me? You don't. Because you're only thinking about what's good for you."

I looked away and Corey gently took my chin in his hands and turned me to face him. "What's wrong with me, Thalia?" He asked, his voice cracking a bit. "Is it my looks?"

"No, Corey."

"Is it my personality?"

"No."

"Then what? What is it about me that you don't like?"

"IT'S NOT YOU!" I suddenly blurted out. "It's not about you! There's nothing wrong with you, I just...I'm not..." I got choked up on my words as I tried to explain myself.

Corey sad expression suddenly melted. "There's another guy, isn't there?" He asked softly. I looked up at him with apologetic features and he shook his head. "Don't do that. Don't give me those puppy dog eyes." He breathed. "Is it...Is it Rhys?" I shook my head. "Leo?" Another shake. "Peter?"

I remained silent. Corey was only halfway right. Yes, Peter was part of the reason I didn't want to date Corey. But I had some other skeletons in my closet that kept me from being free as well.

"It is Peter, isn't it?" Corey continued.

"Corey, please, I'm-"

Corey shook his head. "Don't." He said suddenly. "Just, let's leave it, Tal." He whispered, his voice shaky. My heart broke.

What did I just do?

Suddenly Rhys walked down the stairs with a grin on his face. He was dressed in a button up short sleeved shirt and some shorts. His blonde locks were soaked and his grey eyes were twinkling with humor.

"Hey, Corey, I borrowed some of your clothes. I hope you don't mind."

Corey never broke eye contact with me as he spoke. "I don't really care about anything right now." He breathed, standing up suddenly and walking up the stairs past Rhys.

My phone buzzed and I looked down to see I got a text from Peter telling me it was okay to come home.

"What the hell happened to him?" Rhys asked pointing a thumb back towards where Corey had disappeared.

"Can you take me home, Rhys?" I asked softly.

"What?" Rhys asked, tilting his head a bit."Whoa! Hold up, I'm lost can you please-"

"RHYS I SAID TAKE ME HOME!" I yelled, looking up at him through the blurred vision that my tears caused. Rhys stared at me with wide eyes. "Please..."I added softly.

Once he saw how distressed I was, Rhys nodded. "Yeah, okay. That's cool. I have my car in the garage anyway..."