Artemis couldn't help but steal glances at him, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink as thoughts of him consumed her. "Why am I getting all flustered over a mere mortal?" she pondered, trying to shake off the strange sensations. "This isn't like me at all. I must look like a complete stalker. I barely know him, and yet here I am, feeling like this. It's ridiculous!"

But try as she might, Artemis couldn't push her thoughts aside. As a virgin goddess, she had taken an oath to never marry or be in a relationship with a man. Many assumed it was because she found them repulsive, and while there was some truth to that, Artemis knew deep down that she could enjoy the company of men platonically. It was just that Orion was different—more than just his Giant legacy. He treated her as an equal, something she rarely experienced with the opposite sex.

Orion possessed an inherent sweetness and kindness that drew her in. Even when he playfully teased her, there was a genuine warmth in his actions. He listened when she spoke, and when she didn't, he was always there, ready to lend an ear and offer solutions to her problems. These qualities alone would have been enough to make her fall head over heels, but she fought against her feelings, denying them at every turn. And now, she had lost him forever.

Artemis sensed Orion's gaze on her, causing her to quickly avert her eyes, feigning interest in her notebook. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, her ears tingling with warmth. How mortifying it was for a goddess to be caught in such a vulnerable state. If she wanted to move on from this, she needed to uncover the truth about this enigmatic mortal.

But it seemed fate was against her as the bell rang, signaling the end of their time together. Orion headed towards the door, bidding her farewell. "See ya later," he said, waving goodbye. "Maybe we could catch up in science class?"

"Okay," Artemis replied, her voice terse, avoiding any direct eye contact. Once he disappeared around the corner, she took a deep breath, attempting to regain her composure. If he saw her like this, he would surely laugh. She felt her lungs constricting, her breathing erratic. "In the end, I didn't have the courage to ask him those questions," she thought, slipping her backpack on. "I know I can't breach our identities as Olympian gods, but it doesn't really matter. I'll find a way to uncover the truth."

With renewed determination, Artemis dashed through the door, her feet carrying her swiftly to her next class.

Apollo, the mischievous and ever-charming deity, had already breezed through his first class of the day. Despite the chaotic rush to get ready in the morning, he had miraculously managed to make it to school right on time. With a flick of his godly power, he skillfully maneuvered his way through any potential trouble that might have come his way. Oh, the perks of being a god!

Artemis, his feisty sister, had not been so considerate. True to her nature, she hadn't bothered to wait for him or lend a helping hand. Apollo knew better than to argue with her, though. Once she had set her mind on causing mischief, there was no changing it. Deep down, however, he knew she had a soft spot. She may not show it, but beneath that tough exterior, she was a real sweetheart. No matter how hard he tried to resist her schemes, she always managed to emerge victorious. It was as if she could peer into his very soul, effortlessly deciphering his every thought and leaving him no escape from her wrath.

"I'm sure she'll cool down eventually," Apollo reassured himself with a self-assured grin. "For now, I need to focus on finishing my classes. Then I can track her down and sort things out." with a determined stride, he made his way towards his second class, eager to conquer the day's challenges.

As he passed by the gym, Apollo's keen eyes spotted a distressed blonde-haired girl heading towards him. Clutching a bundle of piano sheets close to her chest, she exuded an air of unmistakable sadness. Curiosity tugged at Apollo's heart, and he couldn't help but wonder what had caused her distress. Even though it wasn't his business, the overwhelming urge to help swelled within him, refusing to be ignored. After all, what harm could come from offering a kind gesture to a stranger in need?


Ah, another day, another class. Artemis couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief as yet another homework assignment was turned in. Oh, the torment of mortal teenagers and their never-ending schoolwork. It was a cruel irony, really. She couldn't help but smile at the thought that she and her brother were now a part of this suffering as well. Talk about bad karma.

As they exited the classroom, Artemis's stomach growled in protest. "I'm famished. I need something to eat," she complained, the hunger making itself known.

Orion, rubbing his own stomach, suggested, "We could head to the cafeteria."

"Sounds good," Artemis agreed. "I skipped breakfast this morning and I'm absolutely starving."

When they finally reached the cafeteria, their eyes were immediately drawn to their usual food. They quickly grabbed their meals and made their way to a secluded table at the far corner. Artemis settled on one side, while Orion sat across from her.

Being mortal was certainly no fun. Every day, they had to consume food to gather enough strength to endure the day. If Artemis were still a goddess, she wouldn't have to eat at all. Just a taste of ambrosia and nectar, and she'd be good to go. Oh, how she missed those divine delicacies.

But, she had to admit, today wasn't so bad. With Orion by her side, the struggle seemed to fade away. His presence made her forget all the hardships. She looked up and found herself staring into his deep blue eyes, the warmth within them sending shivers down her spine. It was as if she was melting under his gaze, and she couldn't deny the effect it had on her.

And the most incredible part was that he never stopped looking at her. It was as if she was the only thing that mattered in the entire world.

"Oops, my bad. Sorry if I came off as rude," Orion muttered, noticing the rosy hue that painted Artemis's cheeks. "I didn't mean to stare. It's just that, well, you're probably the first person I've ever considered a friend," he explained softly.

"First friend? What do you mean?" Artemis asked, tilting her head in curiosity. Orion stared at her for a moment, his mind racing to find the right words.

"Well, if I'm being honest, ever since I moved to New York, I haven't really been able to make any friends here," he confessed. "I know it sounds strange, especially since I've been at this school for so long."

Artemis raised an eyebrow, taken aback by this revelation. How could someone like him not have any friends?

"Why is that?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Orion paused for a moment, taking a sip of water before continuing. "When my family moved from Ohio when I was young, I left behind a lot of friends. But here, it's just different," he explained. "I guess I have a pretty unique personality and interests, which tends to drive most people away. The closest thing I have to friends are the members of the archery team."

The more time Artemis spent with him, the more she realized that Orion wasn't joking about his struggle to find friendship. It reminded her of her own past, and she couldn't help but sympathize.

Her mom had gone through a harrowing ordeal to bring her and her brother into the world, and not a single person had bothered to lend a helping hand. They were left to fend for themselves, relying only on each other.

The memory left a bitter taste in Artemis's mouth, but before she could dwell on it further, she felt a warm hand gently caress her face. It startled her out of her thoughts.

"But you know what? I'm really glad I've gotten to know you. I hope this new friendship lasts forever," Orion said with a kind smile, squeezing her hand gently. His words warmed her heart, and she couldn't help but return the smile.

"Thank you," she murmured, leaning her face into his hand and closing her eyes.

Time seemed to stretch for an eternity, as Artemis and Orion found themselves lost in each other's presence. A warmth slowly spread through her veins, a comforting sensation that made her feel alive. The world around them faded into insignificance, as if it was just the two of them existing in their own little bubble.

But alas, the spell was broken by the piercing sound of a bell, signaling the end of their lunch period. Artemis snapped back to reality, her eyes widening in realization of their proximity. With a sudden jolt, she sprung up from her seat, her heart racing. Hastily, she reached for her tray, her mind spinning with a mix of emotions.

"I...I have to go," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, as she hurriedly made her escape, putting as much distance as she could between herself and Orion.

Her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion. What had just transpired? Why had she allowed herself to get so close to him? Artemis replayed the moments in her head, desperately trying to regain her composure. This was not a good idea. It could potentially ruin everything between them, she feared.

Once outside the cafeteria, Artemis dashed towards the sanctuary of the girl's bathroom. The moment she entered the small, quiet space, she leaned against the wall, allowing herself to slide down until she was seated on the cold floor. The weight of her actions pressed heavily on her, and she buried her face in her hands, a silent mantra repeating in her mind.

This was a terrible mistake. She shouldn't have let herself be drawn to him, shouldn't have let his mesmerizing blue eyes distract her. Why did she listen to his calming voice, allowing herself to feel at ease in his presence? And why, oh why, had she let her hand graze his? The questions ricocheted inside her, tormenting her with regret and self-doubt.