Trevor and I managed to patch things up and Nico apologized to me and Tyler. I'm not exactly sure why I forgave either of them. Normally I would have a held a grudge for much longer. Maybe, I did it because I may never see them again after the wedding. It's weird; I've never once wanted to get married. I even considered joining the hunt when I was younger. Then I turned thirteen and never gave it a second thought. Of all guys, or gods, I can't believe Hades is the one that changed my mind. The whole situation is just plain weird.
Zoey came bursting into the infirmary. "Deadly, your mom is looking for you. We have to get the dresses, remember?" I hopped off the cot and realized I was missing something important. "Yeah, but first I need to get some shoes." Zoey took off her backpack and placed on the nearest cot. She pulled out my blue pumps that I had deserted earlier. "Here," she said, tossing them over. I caught them in midair, "Thanks." She rolled her eyes. "There's no time for thank yous. You're mom is gonna kill someone if we don't get those dresses today." I slipped on my shoes. "Hold the attitude, short stuff." Zoey scoffed at me. "I hate shopping and I want to get this done and over with, Stiletto." I rolled my eyes. "Fine, where's my mom?" Zoey slung her backpack over her shoulder. "In her cabin," she replied.
I turned towards the guys, "See you later." Trevor gave me a one armed hug, "Bye." Tyler jumped off the cot and squeezed the life out of me. "Bye, Barbie," he teased. Surprisingly, that didn't bother me. Tyler kind of feels like my brother now. Lastly, there was Nico. He walked towards me slowly then he threw his arms around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close. He kissed the top of my head and pulled away. "Bye, Deadly." I took a step away from Nico. "Bye," I said hoarsely. I turned on my heel and walked out with Zoey.
Is it normal that I wanted to cry but couldn't? I felt like something was stopping me. I seem to have this little voice in the back of my head that won't shut up about Hades. "You love Hades. He's all you need. Hades loves you," it repeated over and over. It was like every time I thought of Nico, I thought of Hades. It's not normal; at least I don't think so.
Once I stepped foot into the Aphrodite cabin I noticed my sisters were swarmed around my mom. I groaned when I realized they were occupying my bunk. I cleared my throat as obnoxiously as possible. Twelve perfectly shampooed and conditioned heads turned in my direction. "Omigosh, Deadly, you're getting married," they all squealed, at the same time. I forced a smile, "Yup, so if don't mind, mom and I have a wedding to plan. So," I trailed off, looking to my mom for some help. She gracefully got of my bed and straightened out her outfit. "Yes, we have to go dress shopping. Bye, loves," she said with her award winning smile.
Just as we were about to leave, I remembered I was forgetting someone. "Ashley, I know this is last minute but," I got down on one knee, "be my bridesmaid?" She giggled, and then started jumping up and down. "Yes, of course," she exclaimed, curls of red hair bouncing. I stood up and dusted off my jeans. "Good, now let's go," I said, linking arms with my little sis.
I was walking around the arena looking for Becca. She always spent most of her time here. I don't know why, to be honest. I've never been able to find my sword so I usually avoid this place. I noticed Snake was losing a fight, so I sat on the bleachers and watched. I can tell Snake and Spike apart by their hair. Snake has green highlights and Spike has red. Anyway, his opponent was in full battle armor. Snake didn't have a helmet. Then again I do remember a shiny ball near-oh that must have been his helmet. Too bad I kicked it somewhere over the rainbow.
I noticed the masked fighter was Becca when she stole Snake's sword. It was her signature move. She had him pinned on the floor with her sword at his throat. I knew he wouldn't let her win so easily, though. He pulled out his switchblade and jabbed at her side. She quickly threw her sword to the side and wrapped her left hand around his neck. She used her right hand to grab at the blade. Snake was gasping for air and rapidly losing strength. Snake dropped the switchblade and Becca jumped off him. She threw her helmet in the stands and started doing her happy dance while Snake gasped for air.
I started clapping and Becca turned in my direction. She gaped at me for a second, and then she came hurtling up the bleachers. "Deadly," she screamed, pulling me into a bone crushing hug. When will this girl learn that armor + hugs= suffocation! "Becca…..can't…..breathe," I croaked. She let go of me. "Sorry," she apologized with a sheepish smile. "So, I have to ask ya something." Becca's eyes went wide. "What? What? What?" I smirked and shoved my hands in my pockets. "I need another bridesmaid because I'm getting married in two weeks." Becca gave me another bone crushing hug. "I know you're getting married but I get to be a bridesmaid! Yes," she cheered. "Okay, now we have to go get the dresses," I said. "Yay," my armored friend squealed. I rolled my eyes.
"That's the dress," I exclaimed. We had been to three dress shops already and we've found no bridesmaid dresses remotely pretty. Fortunately, I've found luck at Lala's Closet. At least, I think that's the name of this shop. Now back to the dress, it was black satin and had a red waistband. It was floor length and had a sweetheart neck line. Plus, it flowed and pooled at the bottom, so it would look good on all the girls.
"Great, we get to try on another dress," Zoey said sarcastically. "It'll be the last one," I stated, handing her the dress. She rolled her eyes but went to the dressing room none the less. "Those dresses are perfect," Aphrodite squealed. I smiled due to my mother's behavior. "Yup," I said, popping the 'p'.
A saleslady walked over to me and mom. Her hair was a tangled mess and her complexion was no better. "Finding everything okay," she asked with a raspy voice. I looked her over. She had on a long, baggy skirt and a tight button down shirt. Her nametag read "Mia". "No, we're all set," my mom said dismissively. "Well, just let me know if you need anything. This is my shop after all," the woman said suspiciously. I looked her over again.
Why is this place called "Lala's Closet" if her name's Mia? What do Lala and Mia have in common? Lalamia? Hey, that has a cool ring to it! Lalalalalamia! Lalalalalalamia! Wait, holy shit, Lamia! The man-eating crazy she-bitch! No wonder why she was wearing that gods awful skirt, it was to hide her tail. I checked the shop for possible weapons. I found nothing but then I remembered I had one with me.
I pounded on the dressing room door. "What," the demigod groaned. "Open the door, now," I demanded. The door was pulled back to reveal a very pissed off looking Zoey. "What," she groaned, again. She was wearing the dress and she looked amazing. "Okay, one: we're getting that dress and two: I need a weapon." Zoey cocked an eyebrow. "What for," she clicked her tongue. "Because there's a Greek monster on the loose," I said through gritted teeth. Her face lit up. "Really," she asked all chirpy. I rolled my eyes. "Yes, now get me a weapon because I know you have at least one on you!" She sighed over dramatically, "Fine."
She rummaged through her clothes before tossing me a pocketknife. I caught it and said a quick thank you. Time to kill a monster!