Chapter Nine: Talking about One Another

"It looks nice on you," Penelope said after I changed into one of her dresses. It was a very fine one, indeed. It was a white dress that flared out, and it covered my feet completely, which made it look more like a wedding dress than anything.

"Really? Thank you. I love this dress," I replied, sitting down on a chair. Penelope took a seat as well and poured us some tea. Steam rose from the cup as she poured it.

"So it took ten years for you to get here?" she asked, setting down the teapot. I nodded and gently blew on the steam.

"Yep. It was very long too. I had to deal with many obstacles, such as Polyphemus, the Sirens, Circe, etc. When Michael and I got here, Athena told us what was happening to you and turned us back to our teenage selves," I replied. I took a sip of the tea after blowing on it some more. It scalded my tongue, so I decided to let it sit for a little longer.

"Oh, I want to ask you something about Michael. Do you love him?" she asked. I shook my head, sticking my tongue out at the same time. Did I love Michael? Absolutely not!

"No way! He ratted us out to Polyphemus, he wouldn't stop asking about Saks Fifth Avenue, and he acted like he was above me!" I exclaimed. I hated talking about Michael. He was a stupid ass who had more hubris than Odysseus himself.

"Jessica, I'm pretty sure he didn't mean to get you guys into more trouble. Odysseus did something like that to Polyphemus once, you know," Penelope said, sipping her tea with extreme elegance. Guess that comes with being the queen of Ithaca.

"I think so too, but I still don't love him anyway," I said. But was that really true? Did I really hate him like I thought I did? No. I didn't hate him. I actually…liked him? What?

"Jessica…you don't really hate him, do you?" Penelope asked, distracting me from my thoughts. I shook my head and cupped my hands around the piping-hot cup. It'd cooled down a bit.

"No. I don't think I do. I…think I love him," I said, not looking at her. Penelope nodded and sipped her tea without saying anything more. I started delving into my thoughts again. What was going on with me? I loved him? I loved the boy who had an unhealthy amount of hubris? What was happening to me?

Michael's POV

"Michael, my boy! How're things going?" Odysseus asked me, pouring some tea for me. It was steaming hot from what I saw.

"Things are going great, I guess," I said. Odysseus elegantly sat down across from me and looked me straight in the eye. It kind of made me feel uneasy.

"I want to ask you about that girl named Jessica. What do you think of her? Do you like her?" he asked. I made a pfft sound with my mouth and shook my head in response.

"Are you kidding me? That girl is nothing more than a total mean girl. Whenever I complained that there wasn't a Saks Fifth Avenue around, she flipped out on me. I mean, what kind of girl does that?" I replied. Odysseus pursed his lips together, contemplating my words. For an Ithacan king, he sure was quiet. But…in some twisted sense…I did like her. No, wait. Make that…LOVE.

"Michael…are you okay?" he asked, eyeing me with sudden concern. I looked up at him, defeat clouding my dark eyes. Before I even said anything, Odysseus knew what I was thinking.

"Odysseus…I think I love that girl," I said. Odysseus' eyes widened at me. Then his expression changed to that of a blank stare. He curtly sipped his tea and looked me straight in the eye.

"Then tell her that. There's nothing better than telling a girl that you love her," he replied. I immediately stood up and headed for the door, but the next thing I knew, the door opened, revealing Jessica in all her glory. Man, did Penelope's dress fit her well. Her blond hair fell in curls around her face, and her eyes wore a concerned expression.

"Jessica! Can I tell you something?" I asked. But before I could say anything, Jessica cupped her hands around my face and planted a big old-fashioned kiss on my lips. I could feel Odysseus watching this very spectacle happen.

"And that's how love should look like," he said.