Thalia

I woke up to the sun gently kissing my face. I smiled softly before sitting up and stretching. But I instantly regretted it when a major headache started to kick in. I winced and began to massage my temple. What the hell happened last night?

It was then I noticed the glass of water on my bedside along with the two pills. A sticky note had been placed on the glass. I furrowed my brow and read the note.

Here are some ibuprofen pills. I'm sure you're having a major hangover headache right now. I'll be downstairs if you need me -Peter.

I blinked. Peter? Who was that? Suddenly, a sparkle in the corner of the room caught my eye.

A familiar red sequin dress sat on a chair neatly. If I were drunk, I might have mistaken it for a human. My eyes widened. Drunk! The club! The fight! Those three boys who rescued me!

Did he take me to his house?! I shouldn't be here!! I should be at my own house! This is kidnapping!

Then I remembered it. I'd been evicted yesterday. I had no house. Tears welled up in my eyes. I should never have snapped at that lady at the retail store. I'd still have my job and I'd be fine! I'd still have my house and I'd probably be in my OWN bed!

I quickly wiped away the tears that had fallen down my cheeks. I wasn't soft. If someone had walked in, that would have been embarrassing.

I looked down to see myself wearing some grey sweats and a Queen tee-shirt that I knew for a fact that I didn't own. The tee-shirt was actually pretty nice, but I was wearing a STRANGER'S clothes!

My hair was pulled into a ponytail and out of my face and beside the bed there was a trashcan full of vomit. I practically gagged.

Then I gasped as everything settled in. I had gotten evicted yesterday! I was wearing a stranger's clothes! I was in a stranger's house!

Did I sleep with someone last night?

I looked at the pills and water on the desk. To hell with it. I swallowed the pills with the water and stood up.

Honestly, this room itself was way larger than my old apartment. Was this Peter guy rich or something? I'm assuming he was.

I crept down the grand staircase and made my way to what I assumed was the living room. Two people sat on the couch, both boys. Both of them I recognized: the brunette boy from the club, Peter, and his blonde friend Rhys.

They were both playing a game on the oversized T.V. that hung on the wall over a grand fireplace. Everything in this damn house seemed grand.

It was then that Rhys noticed me. "Thalia, you're awake! How are you feeling?"

"Honestly, like was hit by a truck."

Peter chuckled at my response as Rhys lead me over to the couch to sit down. "Maybe, next time, gauge how much you drink." Peter said.

"Or know if you're a lightweight or not." Rhys muttered.

I glared at him. "I'm no lightweight, blondie."

"Yeah, that little present that you left in the backseat of my new car begs to differ." Rhys huffed.

"Oh my god, get over that!" Peter scoffed rolling his eyes.

"You know, my car still stinks. I almost got sick driving over here."

"Car fresheners exist, you dumbass."

"Yeah, so do drugs. You don't see me using those."

"That didn't even make sense!"

"You don't make sense!"

Peter lunged at Rhys and the two boys engaged in a playful scuffle. They knocked over tables and pillows and even one vase. I pulled my legs up onto the couch as Peter and Rhys got dangerously close to them.

"BOYS!" A voice boomed. All eyes turned to the doorway where an elderly woman stood. Her chocolate brown eyes were narrowed at Peter and Rhys, who smiled sheepishly in return. She wore a very fancy blouse with a pencil skirt and heels to match. Her silver hair was styled in a manner that reminded me of Jackie Kennedy and though she was obviously old, she still held a majestic youngness about her.

"Sorry mom." Peter muttered.

"Sorry, Mrs. Ronan." Rhys added.

Mrs. Ronan's eyes met mine and she gasped. "And in front of our guest! Have you two no manners?" She walked over to me and extended a hand to help me off of the couch. "My apologies, dear. My son is excruciatingly rowdy." She gave him a quick glare and he scowled before looking away, his face turning deep red.

She sighed before turning back to me. "I'm Angelina Ronan. My son told me about what happened to you the other night. I'm very sorry."

I gave her a closed lipped smile. I barely even remember what happened last night, only bits and pieces. But I wasn't going to tell her that. "Thank you, ma'am." I said simply.

She nodded. "You can stay with us as long as you'd like."

"I'm going to try to find a job as quickly as possible. I don't want to impose. I mean, you all don't even know me. I feel like a leech."

"Don't say that, dear. You're not leeching or imposing. Think of us as...philanthropists." She smiled, releasing my hands and turning around. Her eyes met Rhys and Peter's. "For God's sake clean up your mess." She said.

"Yes ma'am." The boys said in unison as she left.

"She's..." Rhys cut me off.

"A force of nature. Yep. That's Pete's mother. But honestly, if you think she's bad, you should meet Fiona."

"Who's that?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

"His older sister. She's like his mom, but ten times worse." He shivered dramatically. "She's a real nightmare if you piss her off, too. But I mean like, she's hot." Rhys shrugged.

"Gross man. Tell that to her boyfriend." Peter said punching Rhys' shoulder.

Rhys began to bat his eyelashes and speak in a high pitch feminine tone, "Oh Ricardo! My love! Mi amor! Kiss me like it's our last moment together!" He began to make kissing faces and noises to match.

"Dude!" Peter gagged playfully.

"Can you two shut up? I've been in the kitchen for like five minutes and you two already starting shit." Corey deadpanned, plopping down on the couch with a bowl of cereal.

"Do you two live here, or something?" I asked, pointing between them.

"Nope, but someone does, now evidently." Corey stated sending me a sassy look.

I scowled at him. "Okay then Ed Sheeran."

"Well dang." Peter muttered, snickering.

"Someone's full of comebacks for everything." Rhys smirked. "I like her."

"You like anyone that has a big mouth. It makes you feel less lonely." Corey retorted, throwing a throw pillow at Rhys, who dodged it easily.

I chuckled and laughed, shaking my head at the boys. Honestly, I'd only soberly known them for a few minutes, but I already liked them. They had weird personalities that clashed, but in a good way. You had the goofy, clown, Rhys, and the calculating mom friend, Corey. But then there was Peter. He was quiet, mysterious, and had a real bad boy attitude. In all honesty, and he was the real live version of all those rebellious Wattpad boys. It would genially attract any girl. And paired with the fact that he was wealthy, he must have all sorts of girls pining for him.

He sure did make me feel some type of way.

He turned away from his friends and his eyes met mine. I looked away and shook off the feelings. No. The last person I let in almost ruined me. I couldn't let that happen again. Never again.

I subconsciously grabbed my forearm and I swear I could still feel the pain, the blood, the agony. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It was over now. I just had to be careful.

"Hey, Thalia, you okay?" I looked over to see the boys looking at me worriedly.

"Yeah." I lied. "I'm fine. It's just...the headache has gotten a bit worse. I think I just need to get up and do something."

I looked down at my clothes. "And, honestly, as comfortable as these clothes are, I can't go outside in sweats and an old band tee."

"I'm sure we can find something for you to wear in Fiona's room." Corey said. "Come on."

_ _ _ _

Honestly, whoever this Fiona person was, she had expensive taste. As I walked around her closet (yes walked. These people had huge ass closets), all I saw were fancy dresses, skirts, blouses and heels. Nothing that was even remotely close to my style.

I put another dress back on the rack and sighed. At this rate, I would be searching forever.

"Found something!" I heard Corey call. I turned around to see him holding some skinny jeans and a pretty stripped sweater along with some converse. "Not sure if you like them or not, but they were the first things I found so-"

"No. They're fine." I took the clothes and waited until Corey left the closet before changing. The shirt was a bit baggy, but I simply tied a knot in the hem and fixed it. I looked at myself in the full body mirror and turned around. Surprisingly, the outfit looked really pretty on me.

I hummed in surprise before pulling out the ponytail holder in my hair and letting my locks fall down around my face. Perfect.

As I stepped out of the closet, Corey looked me up and down with wide shocked eyes. "Wow." He muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing. That outfit just looks really good on you." He smirked.

I felt my cheeks heat up and I smiled. "Thanks."

He gestured towards the door, and allowed me to leave first.

"Hey Mrs. Ronan, Thalia, Pete, Rhys and I are going to head out." Corey called up the stairs.

Mrs. Ronan, how'd been walking down the steps nodded. "Alright. Just stay safe. With all the-" Her eyes met mine and she stopped talking abruptly. "...Stuff that been occurring, I don't want you all to get hurt."

"Don't worry Mrs. R. We're always ready for anything." Rhys said, striking a heroic pose. Peter, who'd been leaning on the doorframe scoffed and shook his head.

Corey nudged me and I followed the boys out of the house. "We're driving one of Petey-boy's cars today. Last time we drove mine, my baby suffered."

Everyone groaned in unison. It seemed as though Rhys would never get over that.