Zelus (Perseus Reimagined) (BXB)

Chapter 16

"If you don't mind me asking, why did I choose to live with these people?"

???

I LOST TRACK OF TIME, but I believe it has been over a week since Bethany spoke of my—Zelus's—family. And after all those days of contemplating what I should say once I stand face to face with an actual God, I finally picked my wings up and journeyed to the Gold Vine forest where Bethany claimed the Goddess Nike would come if anyone should pray to her.

Classes were unexpectedly dismissed, and I had the entire afternoon to myself. I packed some bread and water in a sachet as if I were heading out for a picnic. The cafeteria served bread with cheese today, and for once since the day I came to this world, I'm actually looking forward to eating them. As I left the castle grounds, I reminisced about the time I helped Max prepare for his date. He finally convinced Antiope, the hottest girl in his eyes who possesses Barbie's appearance but Wonder Woman's physique. It makes sense since she's the school gym instructor.

I was only twelve, and I didn't know much about love. Though Max explained in detail that was clearly unnecessary, I couldn't comprehend most of it. Just that he has a thing for females with muscles. Now, I discovered that it was his fetish.

Aside from dad—who only gave him a condom if things did get serious—he wanted my opinion on what he should wear to dinner. Specifically, clothes that will help his muscles stand out. Alex was with us, and he did most of the talking because he's good at bringing the best out of people, whereas I'm there to simply say I exist like some furniture. After hours of wrecking his closet, he settled down with a pair of skinny denim jeans and a white skintight V-neck t-shirt paired with navy-blue Converse. Not only were his muscles exposed but also his nipples. That's one of the things I admire about him. His confidence. Something I could never get so easily. Even now, dressed in a tunic, I still feel uncomfortable with my chest exposed, and I'm a boy.

I did, however, plan his entire picnic menu, which went smoothly. Mom and I went to Walmart and bought everything I knew that fitness people would appreciate. From proteins to low-fat desserts. But of course, mom included other treats such as chocolate pudding, Cheetos, and slices of Red Velvet cake.

Though things didn't work out between them, he still loved every minute of their date because it was different than any date he's been on. Most of his dates were simply held at the mall, where they'd watch a movie and take a long stroll under the luminous silver freckled sky. The things I wish someone would've done for me. But for him, he's an outgoing person who loves to move around and get his adrenaline pumping.

Maybe someday he'll find the right girl who matches his standards.

If he still exists, that is.

According to Bethany, it's an hour's journey to the forest by foot but only a minute by wings. I can practically hear my wings laughing because they know I couldn't get them in the air. In the meantime, I started using them as a jacket or extra coverage. The cotton-green feathers are larger than I am; therefore, I circle them around my body like a shawl. And surprisingly, it does the trick. Not only do I blend in with the crowd without my wings, but they've also helped the insecurities of my exposed chest. Even with my tunic on, my wings now surround my body like a cloak, just without a hood, and instead of fabric, they're feathers.

...

As I stepped into a land that belonged to a fairytale, amazed by the satisfying sounds of leaves and twigs crunching beneath my feet, I gazed around the forest. Finally, I understood why it's called the Gold Vine forest. Every sprawling tree passed had bright yellow vines draping over the moss-filled branches. They become gold when the sun hits them.