Chapter 2: You're Such a Fruit!

The next morning Herry was up earlier than usual. It was five o'clock am and he was busy cutting paper and gluing pieces together. He was working with such fierce concentration that he didn't hear the footsteps until almost too late. He had just enough time to clear the table of his work when Atlanta walked in, plopping herself down at the table with an ugly scowl.

"What's your problem?" Herry asked. Atlanta was prone to moods, but she was never this bad in the morning. In fact, she was usually the hyper one, teasing Theresa for not being a morning person, and taunting Archie about bed head while the others grumbled at her.

But today it was Theresa who smiled cheerfully at the others, grinning at Atlanta as she glowered. "Who's grumpy today?" she asked. Atlanta ignored her. Theresa looked surprised, and a little hurt.

"Atlanta?" she asked uncertainly. "Are you all right?"

Atlanta jumped up. "You should know!" she exploded. "What did you think you were doing?" she yelled. Theresa looked astonished.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're such a fruit! You know what I mean!"

Theresa glared at her. "Do people even say that anymore?" she screamed back. Atlanta grabbed a few apples from the fruit bowl and started throwing them. One hit Theresa in the cheek. Yelping, she grabbed a pear and threw it with deadly accuracy. It hit Atlanta in the stomach, and she keeled over, gasping for breath. Jay grabbed Theresa's arms and held her back as Archie helped Atlanta out of the room. Atlanta noticed this and tried her best to flutter her eyelashes flirtatiously, but it ended up being more of a twitch as she struggled for breath.

Archie patted her back consolingly, wondering what had gotten into her. As soon as Atlanta recovered her breath, she stood up and threw her arms around his neck. "Oh thank you, Archie," she purred. Archie thought he would faint. Who needed Theresa's help? He seemed to be doing fine on his own.

"Ga… gads…ha..." he couldn't find the words. Atlanta was insulted… He could talk to Theresa without sounding like a sheep, but he couldn't even grace her with normal behaviour! She pushed him away and stalked off, leaving Archie baffled and wondering.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Theresa was fuming while she pressed an ice pack to her bruised cheek. Sitting at the table, she banged her fist against it, wincing as she got a sliver. "Ouch."

"What was that about?" Jay asked the question everyone was speculating about. Theresa shrugged.

"I've got no idea," she murmured. "I was just trying to defend myself." She frowned. "I hope it doesn't last long."

Herry sighed. "I think that was the least boring breakfast ever."

Just then Athena strode in, her tiny lean frame stiffening when she saw the mess of fruit scattered on the floor. "What happened here?" she cried, hands on her hips.

"The girls got into a little catfight," Neil tattled. Theresa glared at him, while Athena looked surprised. "That's very surprising," she said. "I'll see you and Atlanta in detention after school."

"For what?" Theresa cried. "I didn't do anything!"

"You both caused a disturbance in the brownstone," she said calmly. "That's why." She turned on her heel and walked out of the dorm. Theresa was angry. "Where is she!" she fumed, leaping up. "I'm going to go and kick her –"

"Umm, Theresa, sit down and calm yourself," Jay said hurriedly, grabbing her arm, and forcing her to take a seat. Theresa yanked herself free and stalked out of the room.

"Tell Atlanta about the detention," she mumbled on her way out. "There's no way I'm serving that thing by myself."

"Poor Theresa," Odie sympathized. The others nodded.

"What's up with Atlanta anyway?" Herry asked as Archie came in, his face perplexed, and deep in thought.

"Hmm?" Archie asked, snapping out of his daze.

"Do you know what's with Atlanta?" Jay repeated. Archie shook his head.

"I'm as clueless as you are," he answered. He checked his watch. "We'd better get going, or else we're going to be late. Atlanta!" he called, ignoring the other's "NO!" gestures.

The girl bounded through, not stopping to look at her friends or even acknowledge their existence. "Oh, Atlanta, you have a detention after school today!" Neil sang after her. They all heard the muttered curse as Atlanta barged through the front door, running into the streets and over to the school.

Cronus stroked his sparse beard thoughtfully. He was trying to decide how to lure the heroes close enough that he could roll the apple into their midst. He could make a disturbance somewhere…or… he grinned. He could make even more chaos. He turned to the handsome young man next to him. "You're lucky I gave you another chance to come back," he said.

The man, tall, tanned, and blonde, glared at him. "I didn't have much of a choice. You said I could get my love back too, but only if I do this for you."

Cronus nodded. He handed the man a shiny golden apple. "You know the drill; pretend to fall in love with both the girls, and then give them this golden apple. While they fight over it, the team will be weakened, and I can attack. If I succeed, you will get your lover, and you can live in peace in the world I will conquer!"

The youth nodded, his big blue eyes glistening with determination. "I will do as you say, Cronus."

He began to walk away into the busy streets. "Don't fail me, Paris!" Cronus shouted. "Or else you will wish you had never been born!"

Paris shuddered at the thought. The things I do for the sake of love, he thought. He looked down at the picture of the two girls he was supposed to woo. One was tall and fiery haired, with brilliant green eyes and a wide smile. The other was shorter, with brilliant flaming hair and hazel eyes which sparked with attitude. They were both very pretty, but Paris felt more drawn to the first one; she reminded him more of his love, Helen of Sparta. She seemed more feminine and soft. He wouldn't have any qualms about hanging out with her. But the other one looked too rash and temperamental.

Paris wondered what would happen if he actually fell in love with one of them: would he have to dump Helen, or would Cronus let that girl live when he destroyed the human race? He tried not to think about this and focus on his mission: to make two teens fall in love with him and turn against each other over an apple…

A/n: Hope you like this so far! Please review! Luv, Becky