A/N Hi everybody! So I've been trying to stick with my "chapter a week" deal. So far so good! WOOO! Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, etc. You guys make me so happy! Enjoy the chapter, because I know I did.

The week went by pretty smoothly, except for the equally pretty and smooth Aphrodite, who kept pestering us at lunch time, or really, whenever she had the chance. I didn't mind all too much. It was nice to be acknowledged by someone in the it group, really. Though she did have the tendency to act like a complete ditz. Eos was not very amused either, because now she didn't have nearly enough time to flirt with Aphrodite's brother, Eros.

The school was in a frenzy that Friday, for they had just announced that Homecoming would take place in two weeks. Homecoming was one of the biggest events of the year, almost as big as Prom. I was just happy that I'd managed to survive a week, and wasn't really thinking about the dance like every other girl was. Some were plotting how to ask the cute centaur with the gorgeous smile, or the most popular guy in school, Zeus, and once, I even heard Hermes' name mentioned. Of course, it was by some slutty wood nymph who had a hobby of seducing boys with power. Other girls were talking about dresses and the theme which hadn't been announced yet and a billion other things that I was too lazy to consider. Hermes and I had a tradition of going bowling on Homecoming, and I was content with that ritual, and yet...

But I couldn't let my mind imagine things that wouldn't happen. I walked across the grass section between the two school buildings to get to my Geography class.

"Iris! Look out!" somebody called from across the way.

I turned around and saw Hermes and Eros, who had his bow and arrow in hand. They had twin looks of horror, and I learned why when an arrow struck me in the chest. It didn't hurt at all. In fact, it was more like a slight pinch, and then I was filled with a warm feeling that made me smile. While dazedly stumbling around, I caught sight of Eros and I giggled, then passed out.

"Is there anything we can do about it?" said a boy's voice.

"Sorry, Hermes, but you're just going to have to wait until it wears off. And how many times have I told you not to use the arrows?"

"Sorry, ma'am, but try telling that to Eros."

My eyes blinked open, and I noticed I was sitting in the nurse's office. Mrs. Aceso looked up from her desk as I made a little, "Hmm?" to the boy who was sitting next to me.

My vision swayed a bit, but I blinked a few times and was able to see Hermes sitting beside me quite clearly.

"Glad to see you're alive."

"Where's Eros?" I asked dreamily. His name made me giggle something awful, just as gross a sound as when Aphrodite did.

"Why do you want to know?" Hermes' eyebrows furrowed. I couldn't imagine why. Why feel sad, when I was so... happy!

I giggled again and Hermes rolled his eyes.

"Because... he's sooo cute!" I told Hermes, as though it were obvious. His eyes bugged a little, as though I were insane. I giggled again. We sat in silence for a moment, with me quietly humming a love song from the radio. Suddenly, he sat up, his eyes lighting up with comprehension.

"Iris, listen, Eros accidentally shot you with one of his love arrows. We were trying to hit Athena, because she was looking straight at that centaur she's fighting with. I guess you must have seen Eros before you passed out." He gave me a faint smile.

"So... where's Eros?" I asked again, smiling happily at Hermes.

"At lunch, with everybody else."

I jumped off of the plastic covered bed. "Thanks, Mrs. Aceso!" I chirped before skipping out of the office.

"Iris, wait!" Hermes called, running after me.

The lunchroom was crowded as usual. I spotted Eros right away, talking to Eos about something at our usual table. I glided over there as though I was dreaming.

"Hey, Eros," I said, trying to sound as flirtatious as possible. I sat down next to him, our legs touching. He shifted uncomfortably.

"Um, hi, Iris."

Hermes groaned from behind me. He whispered something to Eros, whose surprise and guilt dawned on his face.

Eos looked back and forth from me to Eros to Hermes. "Um, what is going on here?"

"Nothing," I said with a giggle, before smiling at Eros. I rested my head on his shoulder.

Hermes looked angry as he sat down next to Eos. He was looking very angry lately, I thought to myself. What did I ever see in him? What did I ever not see in Eros? I just had to giggle again, staring at Eros' pretty gray eyes. He moved his shoulder out from under my head, giving me an uneasy smile.

"Isn't there anything we can do?" he muttered to Hermes.

Hermes shook his head. "Nope. The nurse said that we just have to let it wear off."

Eros rubbed his forehead. "This should be interesting, " he mumbled, exasperated. I giggled again.

"You really hafta stop doing that," Eos said, laughing herself.

I smiled at her, my eyes half lidded. "Oh, Eos. You'll understand when you're in love someday."

Her eyes widened. Hermes dropped a fist to the table before leaving suddenly. I didn't see why everyone was so surprised. Eros was so wonderful, how could anyone not love him? Eos went chasing after Hermes, and Eros and I were alone at the table.

"Hmm... I'm glad they're gone," I said, smiling sweetly.

"Um, Iris, you feeling alright?"

"Better than alright, since I'm next to you." I batted my eyelashes.

"Heh... heh... um, alright then. Well," he checked his watch, "I'd best be going."

I giggled. "Bye," I whispered in his ear, before kissing him on the cheek. "I'll miss you!"

He abruptly stood up and left, not even bothering to put his lunch tray back. I did so happily, humming the whole time.

The rest of the day passed in a haze. I wrote Eros+Iris on all of my Earth Science notes, Mrs. Eros on my inner arm, and hummed during Phys Ed whilst wishing Eros were in my class. Hermes avoided me most of the time, occasionally shooting me concerned looks.

"Hermes," I said as we were riding my rainbow to the movies.

He grunted in response, staring at his feet.

"Do you think we could invite Eros to come with us?" I asked.

"No," he snapped, before getting off of my rainbow and flying from his own winged sandals.

"Tell him I say hi!" I called at his retreating figure. I heard a loud, "UGH!" before I continued home. "I take it we're not going to the movies," I muttered to myself.

The house was empty, for my sisters were out at Agora Mall and my mother and father at marriage counseling, as they had every Friday evening. I spent the night reading magazines and eating leftover Chinese food in front of the T.V.

My parents came home to find me asleep, whispering "Eros" in my dreams on the couch. I woke up for the briefest of moments as my mother laid a blanket over me.

"Goodnight, dear," she whispered, before kissing my forehead. I fell asleep again too quickly to hear anything else.

The next morning I woke up happy and slightly dizzy. I went to the kitchen for some mornin' nectar when I stopped dead in my tracks. I had just remembered what had happened yesterday. I rubbed my temples and tried to clear my head. Oh lord, I'd just thrown myself at the guy who was the best friend of the guy I was supposedly in love! And all because stupid Eros was trying to prank poor Athena. Really, you'd think bows would be outlawed from school, especially after Mrs. Aceso was shot and fell in love with that squirrel freshman year. The poor lady had been chasing the furry thing for over an hour before anyone noticed.

The nectar slid down my throat, calming myself. Why had I done all that? And why had I kissed Eros on the cheek? These were important questions I would have to answer when I had finished killing him.

But first, I had to talk to Hermes.

A/N Thanks for reading! Now... review? Yes? Yes? ...Please?

xx

Ali