Olympus College

Guitar Inspection

"Hermes." Apollo's familiar voice came from behind me as he placed his hand on my shoulder and caused me to turn around.

"What do you want?" I cross my arms as I look up to face him.

"Just wanted to get a closer look at your reaction to blatantly losing our bet."

I guffaw. "Oh, I lost?? I'm sorry, but I'm sure there would be a consensus that I indeed won."

"With what?" Apollo laughs. "A puny guitar?"

"Hey! I handmade this 'puny' guitar! And everyone loved it."

"More than my performance?"

That's where I was stuck. Yes, Penelope was a hit but it would be a stretch to say that she outshined the god of music. Seeing me pause, Apollo smirks.

"Okay, so I believe we both agree that I was better."

"It's not fair! I was at a complete disadvantage!"

"It's funny to see you get defensive."

"I'm not being defensive! It's true! I have hardly touched an instrument before, much less made one by hand."

Apollo shrugs. "So? You knew all of that before you bet against me."

"You cocky bastard," I grumble. "So that's why you're talking to me? To gloat?"

"Would you rather it be for something else?" Apollo chuckles.

"GODS NO! Just, if you're done making a fool of me you can leave now," I gesture to the right.

Apollo rolls his eyes. "Finally you admit that you're a fool."

"Shut. Up. I will beat you up."

"You're a foot shorter than me."

"So what?"

Apollo sighs, making eye contact with me. "Okay look, I don't actually want to fight. I heard about the... erm... fight you broke up earlier."

"HA! You're scared of me!"

"Not even close," he rolls his eyes, but he's squirming uncomfortably. "I... can I see your guitar?"

My mouth hangs open. "You want Penelope?!"

"Who's Penelope?"

"My guitar!"

He shakes his head in confusion, as to clear his head. "Okay, I'm thoroughly confused. I don't want some chick named Penelope, I just want to see your guitar. Okay?"

"You like my guitar!" I exclaim. "HA SO I DID WIN!"

"I don't like your guitar," Apollo mumbles. "I just want to see it... to...inspect it and make sure it's...safe to use."

"So now you're worried about my safety?"

"NO! Inspecting....guitars is part of my role as the God of music, okay? I don't want to, but I'm afraid I'll have to." With that, he reaches down to grab Penelope.