Hestia leaned against her closed door, breathing in deeply to calm her nerves. All of her siblings were going to be the death of her and to make it worse, more than half of them just loved to put their noses in places where it didn't belong. She plopped face first onto her bed, screaming into the mattress. Since deep breaths didn't work, screaming into something soft was option #2. She heard screaming outside of her window and she picked herself up to inspect.
Artemis was currently chasing Apollo around a few trees, pelting small stones at him. Hestia sighed, rubbing her temples. Since she was the oldest she was forced to take on the big sister role, basically a second mother. She unlocked her door, shutting it behind her. She walked down each carpet covered step and opened the front door. Artemis was now chasing Apollo with a plastic bat that the neighbors' kids had left a few days ago.
At least it's not a real bat Hestia thought.
"Hey," Hestia intervened but before she could say anything else, Apollo had tossed a crab apple at her head.
The twins quickly froze as Hestia doubled over with pain, clutching the now forming bump on her head.
"Schist," Apollo said under his breath.
He had aimed that hard blow for Artemis's face but it instead hit his older sister. Hestia stood up straight, breathing deeply.
"What's going on here?" She asked in a caring motherly voice.
"Apollo tossed Tigress out of our bedroom window," Artemis spoke.
"Is she ok?" Hestia asked, putting on a worried look.
She literally could have cared less if the cat got hurt. When Artemis was gone with friends she asked Hestia to take care of the tabby cat. The cat ended up giving her claw marks all over her arms and legs in just one night.
"I owe it to the tree next to the house," Artemis said, "Tigress grabbed a hold easily, thankfully."
"Oh," Hestia said through her smile, a bit disappointed.
She looked at Apollo, "Why'd you throw the cat out the window?"
"You see this," Apollo pointed at his cheek where the world's tiniest scratch was, "The stupid cat almost killed me."
Hestia put a two fingers on the rim of her nose.
"There's nothing even there, drama queen," Artemis spat.
"Are you saying this is nothing," He pointed, "This gorgeous face cannot be tarnished. Do you know how long I've been working on this masterpiece. Before you even joined me in the womb sister."
Artemis arched an eyebrow, "We were both in the womb together you moron."
"Yeah but I'm older."
"No! You! Are! Not!" Artemis shouted, "How many times do we have to go over this. I have both Dad and Mom on my side and who do you have."
"My beautiful self," Apollo smiled as brightly as the sun.
"Ok both of you calm down," Hestia said.
She pointed, "Apollo, stop throwing Artemis's pets out the window. Artemis, keep your animals away from Apollo so he won't have the need to toss them."
"Yes ma'am," They said in unison.
"Now hug it out," Hestia said.
"Eww, I'm not hugging her," Apollo gestured to the mud on her pants.
"I don't have all day you two," Hestia threatening.
They both gave one another an awkward hug and went their separate ways. Hestia headed back into the house and before she realized where she was going, she stumbled into Hephaestus's workshop.
"Hey sis," He said from behind one of this giant machine contraptions, "Need to rant?"
Hestia begin without answering, complaining about all the other siblings. She complained about school, men, and many other things. Hephaestus just listened patiently. Everyone in the house had their person they went to for comfort and Hephaestus happened to be elected to be Hestia's.
"Wow," was all Hephaestus said.
Hestia was usually incredibly sweet 90% of the time. Today was just one of those days and it seemed to be happening more often lately?
"You need a vacation, Hestia," Hephaestus said, "You are always running around fixing other people's problem, working all night on your homework, and going to work after classes."
"I would love a vacation," Hestia lay atop a table, "But there is simply no time."
"You're not mom, Hestia. Yet you have taken that role upon yourself. May I ask why?"
"It was to help destress mom and dad," Hestia said.
"There are plenty of ways to do that without taking on every responsibility of a mother."
Hestia merely sighed. Hephaestus had a good point but she didn't know how to stop.
"So for example," Hephaestus said, pulling out a giant ticket from his drawer, "I want you to take this ticket for a cruise and leave with your girlfriends next month. No excuses."
"But…"
"No!"
Hestia shut her mouth. She looked at the ticket. It was a seven day Caribbean cruise next month in the end of June.
"So you just have tickets to cruises laying around?" Hestia jokes.
"Nah," Hephaestus answered, "My friend Miranda gave me the tickets saying a guy that liked her gave them to her. She's never been a fan of boats so she gave it to me, free of charge."
"Wow, that's some friend. Thank you, Hephaestus."
"Hey, you obviously need those tickets more than I do."
Hestia smiled. Excitement was bubbling inside her, she could hardly contain it. She finally had something to look forward to that she was able to enjoy. She went up behind her little brother and gave him a giant bearhug before running up to her bedroom. The tickets were held tightly in her hands as she ran up the steps by twos. She owed Hephaestus big time.
Hey guys, thank you for all of your reviews and support. I have an important question for you guys.
Who is your favorite character so far and why?
If you wouldn't mind commenting below that would be amazing. Again, if you have any ideas for future chapters I would love to try and incorporate them into the story. Thank you so much and love you all!
