High School Goddess
Monday morning started just like any other, it's a shame it didn't stay that way. . .
A Handsome Mystery
I walked down the stairs still in a daze.
"Persephone, honey, wake up." My mom called waving her hand in front of my face. That's pronounced (Per-sef-oh-knee), everyone pronounces it wrong.
"Huh? What?" I asked as my mothers face came into view. My mother is Demeter Flos. She is a pretty business woman who runs a flower shop and spends most of her time working and taking care of me, her only daughter. Her hair and eyes were the complete opposite of mine. Her dark brown hair was long and wavy and her eyes were a golden brown.
"Are you okay, honey? You look like you didn't sleep a wink." The concerned look in my mother's golden brown eyes bothered me.
"I'm fine mom, just didn't sleep well."
"Well okay then. . ." Before my mom could ask me anymore questions, I walked past her and into the kitchen.
The real reason why I didn't sleep was because of the weird dreams I kept having. Like last night, I had a dream where I was standing in the middle of a field of fresh blooming flowers. That wasn't the weird part. The weird part was that I made everything beautiful. I don't mean the way I looked made everything beautiful, I mean that I made the flowers grow and I made the sun shine. And the weirdest part was that it felt . . . right.
I sat down at the table and stared down at my bowl full of Lucky Charms. I wasn't hungry, I never really am at six in the morning, so I emptied my bowl and put it in the sink. I went upstairs to take a shower and change for school. I chose a pink flower-patterned shirt (very ironic, I know), a black spaghetti-strapped shirt underneath, and a pink miniskirt.
I wouldn't call myself preppy, especially not compared to Aphrodite Welcks. She is what you would call a total blond bimbo. She's head cheerleader, daddy's little girl, rich, fake tan, fake blond hair, she even has fake nails. Yuck. She makes me sick.
But I'm not like those scary kids that sit in the corner and all they do is stare at you like you're the weird one. You all know the kids I'm talking about, you know, the ones that wear dark creepy clothes that are somewhat cool. But you would never talk to them because they have that scary aroma. And you'd never dare wear what they have the guts to wear, even though you like their clothes, because you're afraid of being called weird or a freak.
I'm more like one of those kids in your classes that talk to almost everyone and anyone. Like one of those people that don't believe in cliques and hates the girls who start them. I believe that clothes, hair, or intelligence doesn't make a person. I'm one of those kids that couldn't care less about the way you look or who your daddy is. I'll like you for you and for nothing else. Guess that's what makes me have so many friends.
All of a sudden, a group gathered around the twins Artemis and Apollo Jones as they started fighting in the hallway. I ran over and Athena and I took care of it. Athena Stoch was one of my best friends, along with Artemis. We've been friends for a long time. Athena and I don't have siblings unlike Artemis who has her twin brother. They don't get along, but hey, it's better then not having anyone. Artemis was the youngest looking of the group but she was the oldest. With her long honey-brown hair in a ponytail braid flung over her shoulder with long choppy bangs. She had the face of a thirteen year old even though she was three years older then that. Athena was one of the prettiest girls I knew. She had black hair that was so dark it sort of looked blue at times. Her eyes were what interested me the most. She had gray eyes that looked like storm clouds but she liked to hide them underneath her glasses. I told her that she could get any guy she wanted if she just removed her glasses, spent two more minutes on her hair, and applied some make-up. She said that I could get any guy I wanted too and Artemis agreed.
"You're beautiful Persephone. You should know that." Artemis said as she brushed off her clothes as two big guys lugged Apollo to the nurse's office behind her.
"Thanks but I'm not, really."
"You can get any guy you want. By the way, are you still interested in-?" She tilted her head toward Hermes Thompson. I turned toward him. He was my biggest crush with his white-blonde hair that was like skater hair. He is what you'd call jack-full-of-traits. He's good at everything, especially running. He loves it. Running is his sport.
He saw me staring and gave me that superstar smile of his. I smiled an embarrassed smile that made him laugh. Then, his girlfriend turned around to see why he did. She was gorgeous. Her auburn hair and green eyes were stunning. Her hair was shoulder-length and curly. She was staring right at me and I couldn't help but smile and wave. In total surprise to me, she returned the favor and grabbed Hermes by the hand and made her way over to me. Artemis and Athena were already walking away. Well, Artemis was chasing after Apollo and Athena was chasing after Artemis.
"Hi. I'm Olivia Welks, Aphrodite's younger twin sister."
"Hi, I'm Persephone Flos. I'm sorry, I never knew Aphrodite had a t-twin."
"Yeah, well she doesn't like to mention it much. Well, until her friends come over and see me and then ask questions." She smiled.
Hermes chimed in, "This poor girl is like Cinderella in that she takes care of her lousy stinkin' sister all day long." He folded his arms across his chest like a little kid. Olivia and I laughed together.
"Persephone, there you are!" Artemis called pushing Apollo to the ground as he tried walking next to her.
"Hello, Artemis, Apollo. Hi Athena," I nodded my head in their direction because my hands were full with my school supplies. "Guys, this is Olivia Welks, Aphrodite's younger t-twin sister. But, she's much cooler than Aphrodite."
"Hello." She smiled at my friends.
"'Sup? I'm Artemis Jones. And that stupid lump of a man is Apollo. My-."
"Boyfriend?" She asked quickly.
"No! There is no way on this god forsaken earth I would ever, and I mean ever, date my brother you sick, sick child!" She said outraged. As she grabbed Olivia's shirt.
"Sorry." She gulped as Artemis dropped her shirt collar and got out of her face.
"It's fine. But there's something you should know about me. I hate men with a passion. They are stupid idiotic beings with a pea-sized brain. If I had one wish it would be to destroy all males on this planet. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" She asked staring into space with a silly smile on her face.
"Uh, no. Then, Hermes wouldn't be here anymore and that would make my life incredibly incomplete without him." She said with a blushing smile.
"Oh," Artemis turned towards me and whispered, "She's. . .different." And then drug Apollo away and down the hall to the nurses office without another word.
Athena broke the silence, "Will you be reading with me this year?" Athena asked me.
"No, I wouldn't be able to keep up with you, Athena." She smiled and lifted her huge book in front of her face.
"You like reading too?" Olivia asked.
"Like it? I love it." She smiled brilliantly.
"How are you two, beautiful girls?" Apollo asked putting his arms around me and Olivia. Artemis punched him in the head and he fell to the ground. He obviously escaped Artemis' clutches, only to be returned to them. Olivia and I laughed and closed my locker.
"Your hair grew." Athena said brushing my blond hair and playing with it.
"You think so?" I asked.
"Yes."
"I like your hair Persephone." Olivia said.
"I like yours too. It's choppy and cute." I said with a smile.
We walked the halls laughing and talking about our summers, when we were stopped by Aphrodite Welcks.
"Oh well if it isn't Miss Blond." She laughed with her group of fakers.
"Well at least mines real." I sassed back. Olivia gasped and tried to hold back laughter.
"Oh? So you think that just because you got prettier over the summer means that you're better than me?" She glared.
"Aphrodite, I know I'm better than you." I said right in her face.
She gave me a disgusted look and rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, that's right. Bye." I pushed passed her, and her friends gasped. I smiled and my friends gave me high fives. I looked back to see Aphrodite standing in shock with her mouth hung open. If there was anyone in the whole world I'd love to hit, it would so be her.
"Th-this is not over." She stomped her way back down the hall even though, we all knew it was.
During lunch, I was being stared at hardcore by the scary kids. Well not just them but Alex Nox. His last name means night in Latin. And he doesn't talk much but I heard that he's got an accent. He was the only one at his table that actually smiled at me. All the other kids were just glaring at me, especially the girls.
"Why are they staring at me?" I asked Athena without turning my head away from them.
"They're jealous of your hair." She said entranced.
"What is it and your obsession with my hair this year?" I laughed.
Artemis butted into the conversation, "It's because Alex is so into you that it's stupid." Artemis said in between bites of her sandwich. This made me turn my head.
"No way in heck. He's like really popular, and I'm not."
"How many friends do you have, Persephone?" She asked me with a straight face.
"Um I don't know like thirty maybe forty." I thought in my head.
"Exactly. Look at his table, he's got maybe twelve kids over there. And look at our table." I looked around our table, she was right, we had at least twenty four kids at our table. Most of them were into sports or chess and reading. Others were like me. Apollo looked at me and threw a smile in my direction. I returned it slowly and kind of awkward like. You see, Apollo has had a thing for me ever since we were kids. Ever since I met Artemis and spent the night over at their house and he followed us everywhere: the park, the kitchen, the backyard, the swimming pool...everywhere.
"You're right. We have a lot more." I nodded.
"Yep. Face it, you're popular." She said as she ate the rest of her lunch. I just smiled.
"Thanks." Lunch flew by after that. I kind of expected to see Alex as soon as I left the cafeteria, but I didn't. It was when I saw him at my locker that shocked me.
"Uh hello," I said as he shifted out of my way. "Thanks." He stared blankly at me for a minute. Is there something on my face? In my teeth? That'd be embarrassing. I thought to myself.
"What's your name?" He asked. I guess the rumors were wrong because his voice held no accent.
"Persephone, what's yours?"
"Persephone..." He repeated hazily.
"Uh yeah."
"I'm Alex. But you probably knew that." His superficial tone was totally unexpected.
"Um yes. I did." I said.
"And I knew yours. But it's always polite to ask a lady her name." His deep green eyes were staring into mine.
"I guess," I closed my locker and turned toward the direction my class was in. "Where's your class?" I asked over my shoulder.
"That way." He pointed in the same direction I was going.
"Oh," I started to walk away when I realized he wasn't following me. "Are you coming?"
"Sure." He smiled a "I'm too cool to actually smile" type of smile, and followed after me.
"'Kay" I smiled and then just realized how attractive Alex actually was. I shook my head and got that thought out of my mind. I mean he probably had a girlfriend, I mean, look at him. He's gorgeous. With his slate black hair and pale face and green eyes that you can barely see because his hair covered up most of his face. But when you did see them they popped out of nowhere. And his slender but buff body anyone would fall for.
I stopped in front of the door that said, Science, Rm. 27.
"What are you waiting for?" He asked me.
"Don't you have a different class to go to?"
"No. I'm in here. C'mon" Alex pushed open the door and grabbed me by the hand and dragged me into the classroom. Everyone stared at us because Alex didn't let go of my hand even though we were already inside. I finally ripped my hand out of his and walked really fast to my seat and sat down quickly. I was almost 100% sure I was totally red. I put my elbows on my desk and covered my face. Well that was stupid of me. Oh my gosh! I totally forgot to see where he sat! I threw my head up and looked around me. Not in front of me. . .Not behind me. . .To my left? Yes!
"Looking for me?" He cracked a smile. I couldn't speak. I felt like I was going to faint. He raised an eyebrow.
"Uh, um...yes." I turned my head away and saw Artemis shaking her head and rolling her eyes. Then, she mouthed the words "You're hopeless." And I gave a shoulder shrug. "Go to the bathroom. And make sure you bring your purse." She mouthed to me.
I quickly dug through my shoulder bag, that was big enough to hold my folders and one book, and pulled out my agenda. I flipped to the last page where the hall passes were. Then, I scribbled bathroom and walked quickly up to my teacher.
Her face was harsh and unpleased as I sheepishly handed her my agenda.
"Where do you want to go, girl?" She hissed.
I gulped and said, "The bathroom, please." I said as I turned to look over my shoulder and send Artemis a pleading look with my eyes. She nodded. She knew what to do.
"Are you just gonna interrogate the poor girl, or are you gonna let her go to the bathroom?" Artemis asked as she flung her feet on top of her desk like she owned the place.
"Excuse me?" She raised one slender eyebrow.
"You didn't hear me? I said let the girl go to the bathroom, don't just stand there and look at her." She said all sassy.
"What's your name, girl?"
"What is this, twenty questions?" Everyone was already laughing at her little act. I took this as an opportunity to escape.
I could hear them arguing as I made my way down the hall. I could hear the sounds of footsteps getting louder in my ears. I decided to walk a little faster and as I thought, the footsteps caught up to me, without a problem. I was about to turn around to see who my stalker was, when someone put their hand on my shoulder. I almost screamed but they covered my mouth with their free hand.
I turned around to see Alex standing in front of me with a grin on his face.
"What the hell was that for?" I shouted.
He gave me a one word answer, "Fun." Normally, I would have gotten mad but, this was Alex Nox.
"Oh." I turned my head away when a poster caught my eye. It read, "Spring Dance this Friday! Bring your spring fever!" Alex saw me staring and let out a sigh.
"Did you wanna go to that? With me?"
I looked up at him and stared into his eyes in shock. "Are you asking me out? Well, I mean to the dance?" I wanted so badly to put my hand in my face and shake my head but his answer was totally unexpected.
He bent down and kissed my cheek and said "Yeah. Well what're you gonna do about it if I do?"
I felt his hands along my back as I fell into him lightly. My exhaustion was hitting me. Hard.
"Whoa there champ. This is school, not nap time. You're going to the nurse."
"No. I'll-I'll be okay." I said half awake.
"Yeah, okay," He rolled his eyes. "For some reason I don't believe you." He smiled at me and stood me up so that her could bring me to the nurse.
The white colored room that smelled of sickness and disease came into my vision. Great. The nurse's office.
"Persephone Flos," The nurse said flatly. "What's the problem now?"
"She's tired ma'am. She could barely stay awake in Science." He helped me over the blue lumpy bed and I smelled his cologne for the first time. It smelled like a musky seductive scent.
"Well, I guess it can't be helped. Rest for a bit."
"Bye Persephone. See you Friday." Alex's smile was the last thing I saw as I faded into the pits of my mind.