I slowly walk out of the library towards my locker. Mother packs my lunch everyday and refuses to let me have any money what so ever. She says it is so I do not get spoiled, but I know it is so she can control every aspect of my life.
I pull my lunch out, heading to the outside quad. At least I get a hour of outside freedom on the week days. Even if it is restricted to school grounds. Carrying my stuff, I head to a single tree in the far back by the woods outlining the rear and left side of the school. The tree stands alone a good six feet away from the others. It is far enough away from the pinic tables that classmates don't bother with me, yet close enough I can hear the basics of most of their conversations. I normally tune in if I hear mentions of any of my family. People love to talk about the latest news going around about my father and siblings.
I slip my lunch out of its paper bag. A single apple, a small salad basically just lettuce and tomato, and a water bottle.
I pull the letters out once more, trying to decide which to read next. I flip through them until I stop at one. Ares. Last I heard from him, he was going back overseas. I don't know what he does over seas, but he is a weapon sergeant. His twin Bellona joined with him the day they turned eighteen. They both have loved it since, the last three years.
I nibble on my apple as I open his letter.
Persephone,
Dear sister, this will be the only letter I'll be able to send you for awhile. I honestly do not know for how long. It could be days, weeks, even months. I hope everything is going well with you. I know life is hard for you with such a strict parent. Hopefully you will come see us all the day you turn eighteen. Father and mother woupd love to throw you a birthday bash.
Can I ask you a favor sister? I can't ask the others. Do you know Aphrodite Love? She goes to the same school as you. She is my girlfriend, and hopefully my wife once she graduates.
Can you watch out for her, for me please sister? The only true friends she has is Eris and Artemis, but they are busy with their own lives, right now. All the people she hangs out wirh at school is extremely fake and never there for hee when she needs them.
She will need someone. We have never been away feom each other for this long before. I don't know how she will handle this. I really love her. Please just make sure she is okay.
I love you sister. I have to go. I will come back though. I can promise yoh that.
Always,
Ares
Aphrodite Love? The most popular girl in Olympus High, maybe even the whole town of Fresno. I don't know her personally but I know of her. People talk about how perfect she is at everything. She is the lead in every play, has a solo in every choir concert, and is the captain of the cheer squad.
The sound of laughter makes me look up into the pinic area. Think of a person and they shall appear.
Aphrodite and her group of wannabes are all sitting at the pinic table closest to me. All laughing at some dumb joke probably. She just sits there in the middle of the group laughing lightly. Her long wavy platnium blonde hair sways as she shakes trying to control herself. I watch her as the laughing dies down. Her eyes are dull, almost life-less.
Everyone at the table pulls their lunch out. I notice that Aphrodite only pulls out a water bottle, and a small bag of crackers. No one turns to her as they began eating their seperate lunch choices.
Aphrodite nibbles on her crackers while eyeing everyones food choicea suspiciously. Her nervousness radiates off of her like a heat wave.
It feels like I'm watching a movie in slow motion as one of her wannabes shoves a piece of mystery meat in her face. Her face scrunches up in disgust, followed by by shock. The food gets swatted away as she shots up from her seat. She doesn't hesitate to run inside, away from prying eyes.
No one makes a move to check on her. Her so called "friends" just go back to talking ans laughing like nothing happened.
Remembering what Ares asked me in his letter, I jump up heading inside.
"Plastics," I mumble as I walk past the table where all the girls are sitting. One looks up at me like she heard me but no one says anything as I make my way inside.
I head for the closest girls restroom, guessing that, that is where she porbably headed.
As I walk in the restroom I am hit with the strong smell of vomit. By the sound of it, she is still throwing up all the contents of her stomach.
I walk to the stall she is in to see if it is still unlocked. Once I see that it is unlocked I slowly go in. Her hair flair out around her head. I grab one of my extra hair ties out of my pocket.
"Don't worry I am here to help," I tell her so I do not startle her. "I am going to tie your hair back." Once I am sure she isn't going to kick me or something, I move forward to put her hair in a ponytail. After I am done I back away.
She continues to throw up as I wait patiently for her by the sinks. I watch the doorway, hoping no one comes in.
After a few minutes of waiting, I hear the toilet flush, followed by Aphrodite slowly walking out of the stall.
Her skin looks extremely pale compared to her usual tanned skin. She walks by me to the sinks, completely ignoring my presence.
"Are you okay," I ask her trying to keep my voice soft, and from echoing off the walls.
She doesn't make a move to let me know she heard me. Her hands move to splash water on her face. Most of the water though spills out of her shaking hands before it can make it to her face.
She throws her hands down, letting out a frustrated sound, before crumbling down on the floor.
Her face goes into her hands. Sobs rack through her body, making it shake uncontrollably. I stand near her not knowing what to do. Would she be okay with me trying to console her? Would she freak out?
"Are you okay," I ask again, as I slowly crouch down so that I am at eye level with her. Her sobs die down leaving a long silence in its place. For a moment I feel like I am in a ghost town with the creepy silence incasing the room.
Her lifts up to look at me with eyes that feel like the life has left them so long ago.
"Who are you," she asks.
"Persephone, we are in the same year. We have Psychology and Calculus together." Realization flashes through her face.
"Oh, your the loner girl that is never seen talking to anyone." Anger pulses in me at her words. Is that how I am seen? I don't choose to be a loner. My mother doesn't let me have friends.
"I am also your boyfriend's sister." That makes her stop dead in her tracks.
"Your Ares's sister? He told me one of you went to this school but he wouldn't tell me who. Said your mother doesn't let you have friends so you don't even try." Saddness overtakes her eyes. "I'm sorry about call you a loner."
"It's okay. I have mostly come to term with it. You seem like your going through some things."
Her hands run through her hair in frustration, undoing the ponytail I made.
"You have no idea. Ares being gone is driving me crazy. I don't know if he is going to be okay. Or if he is even coming back. Than this happens. I can't believe I might have to go through this alone. He should be here with me through this."
Confusion at her words clear up when I notice her hands are caressing her abdomen.
"I don't know if I can do this alone. I don't even know if he will want him or her. His career is just now taking off and I ain't even out of high school yet. I do know that I already love this baby. It's a combination of the both of us. Proof of our love."
She is pregnant, with Ares's baby.
"When did you find out," I ask.
"Yesterday. He left two weeks ago and went dark so I can't even tell him until they get done what they went to do."
Tears pool in her eyes as she talks about it. I think about what all he said in his letter.
"You know he plans to marry you. I bet he will be over the moon about this baby. We can video tape everything while he is gone. You won't be alone in this. You have me, nd the whole family. I bet if you tell Eris ans Artemis they will be excited to be aunts. Ares told me they are your best friends."
A slip of a smile graces her face.
"Do you really think he will be happy about this baby?"
"I know he will be. He loves you so much. He even asked me to be here for you since he can't be right now."
Ares,I will take care of her while you are gone, I promise. Hopefully you don't stay gone too long. I don't want you to miss too much. She loves you so much as well. I am happy for you guys. I hope one day I find a love like yours and Aphrodite's.Be safe brother. I'll keep Aphrodite and myself safe until you get back.I love you brother.Always,Persephone