Chapter 4: Warning
I couldn't believe this was happening to me. Why? Why choose me, out of hundreds—no, millions of girls who were head over heels in love with the son of Hades? Out of thousands and thousands of girls, what made Aphrodite decide I was the perfect match for him?
But what if that was the point? What if it wasn't just me? What if Nico had to find some other girl after he finished this "quest"? What if Aphrodite did this to about five other girls, or even more, considering her taste in drama.
What if I wasn't the only one?
"What are you talking about?" Nico demanded. "Why would things get dramatic to me? What, just because of this mortal? What could she possiblydo that would allow a god to even notice her existence?"
"What the fuck is your problem?" I spat. "You've been ridiculing me ever since we met, and I don't understand why, when I haven't done anything to you. Please explain, Ghost King, why you feel the need to belittle me every chance you get?"
I wouldn't, under any circumstances, say anything like that to anyone, no matter what they said. I was always taught to control my actions, to keep everything inside. I never said anything like that out loud because I knew it would anger them and cause them to do spiteful things to me. I was afraid of what they might do.
Apparently, it seemed my mind forgot that and decided to speak her mind out loud this time.
No one said anything, and I felt terrible for allowing this to happen.
What? You feel terrible because you wouldn't let him talk shit about you? After finally deciding to stand up for yourself, for once in your life, you feel terrible? that stupid part of me asked.
I wanted to apologize. I wanted to say "just kidding" and laugh it off, but I knew I couldn't. The son of Hades knew how to hold grudges, and he would probably be holding this against me until I die. That was another thing my mind forgot.
I'd have to go to Hades' realm, Nico's father, and face him after all those things I said to his son.
Gods, I was beyond stupid. I probably created a whole new level of stupidity. I should email one of the dictionary companies and tell them to put my photo under the meaning of 'stupid.'
I didn't want to say anything first, needing someone else to break the awkward silence. But the quietness of the demigods was unnerving; I couldn't handle it much longer. Even Percy was unusually quiet, which sucked because I depended on him to break this lull.
I lifted my gaze from my feet and looked at the son of Poseidon. I found the reason why he was keeping quiet: Annabeth was squeezing his arm rather painfully and I groaned inwardly. Why was she keeping her boyfriend in check when he could have possibly fixed this whole exchange?
I didn't know how many minutes passed, but I knew it felt like eternity before I decided to open my mouth. I didn't know what the Hades I was going to say, but I winged mostly everything in my life, so what could one more do?
"I—" Nico chose the exact moment to mumble something under his breath. "What?" I furrowed my eyebrows, not catching anything he said.
Irritation flashed inside his eyes before he sighed what sounded like resignation. I noticed then that he wasn't looking at me. He was looking at a spot past my shoulders, refusing to meet my confused look.
"I'm sorry."
I blinked. Percy stopped struggling, and he, too, blinked. Annabeth let his arm go, also blinking.
At least I knew I wasn't the only one who was surprised that Nico apologized.
"It's okay," I said hastily. "Sorry, I guess I could've been nicer." But you were acting like an asshole who had a huge stick up his ass, so I didn't have much of a choice. I shrugged.
He coughed, still tense. "Percy?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Why would things become dramatic for me?"
"It isn't necessarily dramatic," Annabeth interjected. "The only way things will turn into a catastrophe is if you let Aphrodite turn you into one of her lovesick puppets. Don't let her cloud your head; you'll be fine if you don't let her influence you. Percy, we need to go."
"Aw, why?" He jutted out his bottom lip.
"Aphrodite strictly said this quest was only for Nico. We were sent here to check up on him, and now that we have, it's time to leave."
"Why are you getting stressed out now?" Percy frowned at his girlfriend.
"Ever since I noticed that dove watching us." Annabeth stared at the suspicious bird that was innocently sitting on a branch.
"Please don't tell me that's Aphrodite," I whined.
"If that's the love goddess herself, I might actually try to send her down to Tartarus," Nico muttered lowly. Although Annabeth and Percy didn't seem to hear it, I heard it perfectly. I had to bite my tongue to restrain the laugh that wanted to break free.
The image of Nico swinging his infamous Stygian iron sword at a goddess, though, made me release a chuckle, which made me sound like I was mental, considering the looks the demigods were sending me.
"Maybe we can ignore it and go home?" I offered pathetically.
None of them looked convinced that she was going to let us go, but I still held on to hope. Hope that this was all a dream, that I would wake up and have a good laugh at myself for making this up. But I also hoped that this was kind of real because, well, your favorite fictional characters were real, breathing humans; did I need to explain further?
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a voice but none of the demigods opened their mouths.
"Now why would you go and ignore me, Jamie Lynn?"
The dove was talking. The dove pecked something on the tree and looked at us—but I felt more of its gaze directed to me. I shook my head; was this real?
Are you seriously asking that question after everything that's happened?
"Uh, because you're a talking dove and doves don't communicate with mortals?" I answered hesitantly.
"Great plans," the dove continued, thoroughly ignoring what I said. "I have such great plans for you, Jamie Lynn."
"While that's great and everything," talking to a bird was creepy, "do you mind if you can turn back to your human body form thing?"
I was hopeless. Here I was actually talking to a goddess and the first thing I ask her is to change back into a human body? Was that considered rude in the demigod world? I mean, sure, I've read the books before, but I've never really played with the thought that I myself would actually be in the demigod world.
Percy snickered. I was too frightened to glare at the son of Poseidon. Thankfully, Annabeth was a mind reader and the "ow" I heard from her boyfriend was more than satisfying.
"Well, I guess talking to a dove might be uncomfortable for a mortal..." Was it just me or did that dove have a contemplative look on its face? "Alright, I am getting tired of not checking my reflection in the mirror. Give me a few seconds, sweetie."
I expected something more dramatic—a loud, boisterous boom, maybe, paired with glitter exploding everywhere and red flowers falling from the white smoke that would appear overhead the dove.
Reality was much simpler—a feat, considering Aphrodite's need to make everything dramatic and showy—or at least, that's what I thought. Instead of a huge clamor, silent pink smoke surrounded the tiny body of the bird. Glitter was no where to be found and while the pink smoke swirled continuously, a scent of roses filled the air.
All eyes were trained on the sweet-smelling smoke until it dissipated, leaving a young woman in its wake. Innocently sitting on the branch, the goddess swung her feet back and forth, as if she didn't hold the attention of three demigods and a very confused mortal.
"You and Nico would have such adorable babies," Aphrodite gushed. Eyes widening and cheeks blushing, I shook my head furiously at the thought of Nico and I even being together for that to happen.
Not to mention the, uh, process, that led to, um, pregnancies and babies and whatnot.
My mind being filled with thoughts like these made me want to dig my own grave.
Hole...I needed to find a hole.
Percy chuckled at my reaction and it wasn't long before he let out a sound of pain. But this time, it wasn't Annabeth.
"I wasn't even laughing at you, Nico!" Percy defended himself, rather poorly. I took my eyes off the goddess and glanced at the green-eyed boy. Rubbing his probably bruised arm, Percy continued his glaring battle with the son of Hades.
"Why come to us, Aphrodite?" Annabeth asked, bringing us back to the matter at hand. The moment turned solemn, with everyone's eyes on the beautiful goddess; none of the gazes were exactly happy to see her.
"Well, you know me, daughter of Athena," Aphrodite winked. "I just can't keep away from tragic love affairs." Nope, that wasn't reassuring. "Now, first and foremost, I've came here for one reason only, and that reason is you, Jamie Lynn." She winked at me like we shared a secret; yeah, we shared a secret, it's just that one of us didn't know what it was.
"Why?"
"Why anything? Have you realized that when you answer a question, it just leads to more questions? If you tried to find every answer to every question, you'll surely lose your mind, sweetie. Sometimes you just have to let it go." She laughed like she told the world's funniest joke.
"That was quite wise, especially for you, Aphrodite," Nico replied. Glancing at him, I wasn't at all surprise to see his stoic face. I was surprised, however, at the deadly aura that radiated all around him. When he spoke to Aphrodite, it was cold and quick, and it frightened me if I was being honest.
"Ah, yes, the son of Hades," Aphrodite said, as if she just noticed him now. "Don't know why Jamie's so infatuated with you. Can't imagine why. Then again, you do have this tortured soul going on for you; girls go crazy for that. I'll have you know, Nico di Angelo, that it wasn't the slightest bit easy trying to find a possible candidate for you. I even played with the thought of you having an intsy-bitsy crush at a certain someone." Jaws dropped everywhere because at the end of her gaze was none other than Percy.
Lips curled up in a smug smirk, Aphrodite continued. "While that would have been marvelous to watch, I thought it would be boring to have another person fall for Percy."
A guttural sound came from Annabeth. I couldn't blame her; if multiple people fell for my boyfriend, I would've done the same.
"Is there a reason why you visited?" Annabeth said politely, albeit her underlying tone was furious.
"No, I suppose not," the goddess replied rather cheekily. "Like I said before, I came for Jamie Lynn. Since she is a mortal, I thought it was only fair for me to warn her. Well, let's not use the word warn; it sounds like I'm going to crush her, which isn't my aspect, you know; that's really Ares' forte. But anyways, I came to let her know that I do intend to make things difficult with her and the son of Hades. But, and I want you to remember this dear, that I only influence the minds. I do not, under any circumstances, force them under my spell to do my bidding. I simply give them a little push and the rest is up to them.
"Do you understand me, sweetie?" Her smile meant to be comforting but all it did was upset my stomach. I wanted to throw up on her sparkly heels.
Instead, I gulped, "Yes." On the inside, I was raging and screaming and bitching. I wanted to ask her why she chose me and how did she even find me, but I couldn't.
Damn her for being a goddess.
A/N: Well, it only took me a millennium to write the next chapter. I'm so horribly sorry for not updating; I'm sure most of you probably lost interest in this, and I wouldn't blame you. Gods know how much I've been distracted with so many things. I can't do anything but apologize, so I'm really sorry. :c
If you're still interested in this, please review? Even if it's just one or two, I'll continue this story for them because they're kind souls. cx
Thank you! c:
