The Purple Hair

Percy POV

"Thanks for coming over. I had a really good time," I expressed with a smile.

The purple-haired girl turned around and crashed her lips onto mine. It caught me off guard, but I happily accepted the wild kiss. The sensual impact pushed me back against the wall of my trailer.

I felt her cold hands travel up my abdomen.

I groaned into the kiss as my hands explored her back and hair for the third time that day. She was a carny, so I expected her to be wild and charged. I wasn't going to lie, she was fantastic in bed. I had a phenomenal experience today.

"Hmm, I wish that we could continue, but I have to get going," I said as I pulled her arms away from my chest.

She breathed heavily while brushing her hands through her hair. The purple in her hair was vibrant and fiery. It added to my physical attraction towards her.

"I had an awesome time. Maybe, I'll see you at the carnival again," she commented slyly.

I doubted that I'd see her again. I watched as she got into her beaten-down car and drove out of my apartment's parking garage. I appreciated my experience with her. It was exactly what I needed after the beating that I received yesterday.

My legs were sore and bruised while my back ached from yesterday's punishment. It was a good thing that I found a carny this morning because she did most of the work in bed.

I was a man, but I was completely okay with giving the power to the girl. After all, it was about mutual satisfaction.

I appreciated the purple-haired chick. She gave me great pleasure.

That's what sex is about.

Sex is pleasure and distraction. I have a painful life, and sex helped me deal with it. It acted as one of the only sources of satisfaction and relief. The internet calls it alternative pain relief/therapy. I agree with the term.

Physical pain is debilitating. However, the pleasure of sexual experiences helps me cope with the symptoms of domestic abuse. Furthermore, while I'm with a girl on a date or having physical interactions, I am distracted from my messed-up life.

That's why I seek sexual relationships.

I want to have physical interactions, but I don't want people to know about my pain. No girl deserved to have to share pain like mine. I don't want to be the cause of a special girl's stress or hardship. It wasn't fair.

Also, I don't want anyone to be close to me because of Gabe.

I was NOT going to make that mistake ever again.

I sighed as I reentered my trailer. It was essentially a small, metal box. There was a tiny kitchen, a small couch, and a small bed at the end. A bathroom was also connected between the bedroom compartment and the kitchen/living area.

It was a very small trailer, but it was enough to accommodate girls. Trust me, bringing girls here is much safer than taking them home where Smelly Gabe stays.

I quickly cleaned up before leaving for Grover's house.

Grover lived with his uncle and aunt since his parents died when he was very young. Uncle Hedge and Mellie were his dedicated parents since he was three years old. They were interesting people, and Grover was my best friend.

I got to Grover's house in no time, and I walked straight in. Being able to barge into your best friend's house and bedroom is one of the hallmarks of a close friendship.

I always treat Grover like I would treat any family member.

"Hey, man. How's it going?" I asked as I jumped onto his water bed. Not gonna lie, his water bed was one of many reasons why Grover is my best friend.

"I should be asking you that," Grover said as he swirled around. "I haven't heard from you all day."

"Yeah, I was busy," I replied curtly.

"Who was it this time?" Grover asked with a smirk. Oh, he knew me too well.

"Her name was Kimberly. She works the merry-go-round at the carnival in Midtown. We had a very good time, thanks for asking."

Grover shook his head as he walked over.

I grabbed the x-box controller before turning on the TV, which was positioned on Grover's dresser. He recently bought Fortnite, and the boys were obsessed with it.

Grover gently reached out and touched my back. I winced as the pleasures of sex lessened from the sudden sensation of pain.

"Persues-"

"I'm fine. Please don't use my full name on me," I interjected. The smile on my face melted as I gazed at my best friend, who looked concerned.

"You're hurt, Percy. How much longer will you deal with this?" Grover asked. He seemed frustrated and upset (more than I was).

But again, I was used to this.

My mom was fighting for her life. I needed to help her in any way that I can even if that meant taking a beating every few days. She meant the world to me, and Gabe was paying for her fight against lung cancer. I wasn't giving up on her.

I couldn't lose her.

"As long as she's fighting, I'm going to fight too," I expressed firmly. My voice was quiet and tense, but I meant every word.

Grover didn't say anything, but he did nod and drop the subject. Then, he turned on the x-box and started the game. However, before we could begin, he left the room.

I paused as I watched the TV. I knew that Grover was upset on my behalf. However, there wasn't much else that I could do.

This was my life. My sad, pathetic life.

Then, Grover returned with a plate in hand. The smell of fresh cookies permeated through the room.

"Oh my god, GROVER," I exclaimed as I happily took the plate.

Blue chocolate-chip cookies were waiting for me to eat. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't drooling a little bit.

"Do you know that I love you?" I asked while gazing at Grover.

"Shut up, Percy. I have a girlfriend," Grover countered with a laugh. "And, Juniper will kick your ass if you steal me from her."

"Well, tell her that you were mine before you were hers. Bros before h-"

"Please don't finish that sentence," Grover interrupted.

I laughed as I bit into the blue cookies. Grover was an amazing best friend, and I appreciated everything that he did for me. He was one of the greatest starlights of my muddy life. The cookies weren't like my mother's. No one could beat my mom's cooking.

However, the blue cookies reminded me of her love, which I missed so much.

The rest of the day passed quickly.

I appreciated the pain relief from my earlier sex, and my body was more invigorated than it felt yesterday night. Grover and his family's company was awesome as well. Afterward, I visited my mother at the hospital before finally returning to the hell that was my home.

Gabe was passed out when I got home. Thank the gods.

Overall, it was a good day. It was one of those rare days that I treasured because they don't come very often. Of course, no one would ever guess that about my life.

But, that's how I liked it.

***

"Dude, did you really have to break up with Rachel?" Jason asked. We were walking to Demeter's cafe, which was a few minutes away from school.

"I wasn't interested anymore," I answered with my classic response.

"Or, did you meet someone else?" Leo asked slyly.

I shoved him playfully, which ended with his ass landing on the sidewalk. He groaned as he stood up while rubbing his butt.

"Why does everyone have to hurt poor little Leo?" he commented. If Leo was a poor innocent boy, then I would be the mayor.

"You deserve it," I countered while laughing.

"I'm being serious, Percy. Thalia hates you right now, and this isn't helping Piper's and my commitment to meshing our friend groups together," Jason said firmly.

I sighed as we paused in the cafe parking lot, which was bustling with cars. Many students came to the cafe after school because of how close it was. Also, the coffee and desserts here were amazing.

"Percy can date whoever he wants," Leo came to my defense.

"Yeah, I get that but come on. Percy, you don't have to be a player. Sex isn't everything, and you really hurt the girl's feelings," Jason expressed.

"That wasn't my intention, Jason. I made myself clear as always."

I hated moments like these when my own friends couldn't understand my actions. How I lead my dating life is my decision. Besides, they didn't know my life. Not really.

Jason is the strictest of my friends since he followed rules and regulations. After all, he got good grades and sports awards. He was a model student unlike me. Leo was more similar to me in terms of personality. He jokes around a lot and supports his friends in anything.

"I know that you're an amazing person, bro, so why don't you let your girlfriends see that. You're one of the most loyal people that I know, yet you break up with them before any feelings could grow."

"As Leo said, that's how I like to date. What's your problem with that?" I retorted.

Jason just didn't get it. Not everyone could have as perfect of a life as he did. Some people truly struggled with pain, abuse, and inadequacy.

Leo stepped between me and Jason before a fight could start. Leo was a small kid, so he barely blocked the glare between Jason and me.

"All right, that's enough Superman and Aquaman. We don't need World War 3 here. Let's all be good friends and buy Leo some coffee and donuts," Leo interjected.

"Yeah, good idea," I said while taking a deep breath.

Jason and I were great friends, but we had very different personalities and lifestyles. Sometimes, our clashing rivalry showed in our arguments.

With a sigh, the three of us walked into Demeter's cafe. The inside was designed to look like a country cafe. There were straw decorations and wooden furniture. We walked to the lounge seats in the back where Piper was already waiting.

"Hi honey," she greeted Jason with a quick kiss.

"Do I get a kiss, beauty queen?" Leo asked with a smirk. I elbowed his arm to shut him up before Piper socked him again. It wouldn't be the first time.

"Even if I wasn't taken, I wouldn't kiss you, Leo."

Ouch.

"You want some ice with that burn?" I asked.

Leo simply shook his head and sat down. Don't worry, we weren't being serious. Leo was the jokester of our group, so it was all fun and games. We joined him at the table, and the waitress approached and got our orders.

The waitress, Rebecca, was a young and pretty girl.

"I'll take a red velvet," I said softly. "And, maybe, your number as well."

The chocolate-haired girl blushed as she wrote down my order. Her hands shook slightly from my piercing gaze. Trust me, I know how to flirt and attract a girl.

"Um, I have a boyfriend," she replied softly. Her tone was regretful. She almost seemed to not want to tell me, which immediately made me not like her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that you were single," I replied quickly. Then, I turned away from her and turned off my charm.

Loyalty was important in relationships. While you're with a girlfriend or boyfriend (even for very short periods), your eyes shouldn't wander to anyone else.

The waitress frowned in disappointment but left to get our orders.

"You're a good man, Percy. You respect loyalty," Piper commented. "Also, you're loyal to your girlfriends. You're not fake in any way. I guess that's why I appreciate our friendship. However, why don't you just stay with one girl?" she asked.

Everyone's gaze fell on me.

I like being friends with Piper. Even though her close friends hated me, she still talked and laughed with me. I appreciated her for that.

"Percy, you'd be an amazing boyfriend if you just commit."

"Is this your way of seeing if I'm interested? Sorry, but I'd never do that to Jason," I replied sarcastically. Jason rolled his eyes as Leo chuckled.

However, Piper didn't seem impressed, so my face straightened.

"I don't want to commit, Piper. I'm satisfied with the way that my relationships are, and I have no intention of changing anytime soon," I said firmly.

Of course, I didn't know that change would inevitably come later this week.