Destiny Jackson

Αφροδίτη

“Luke,” I murmured, rushing towards him to hug him again. “Luke - I -”

“You have said enough, Destiny Jackson.” Zeus’ voice boomed from above me as a tear glistened down both mine and Luke’s faces simultaneously.

“But what about Eros?” I asked, needing to get the full story.

“Exactly what my father was trying to say, child. Be patient, and we will continue.” Athena coughed sarcastically. “Lady Aphrodite, won’t you oblige?”

“Oh, yeah!” Aphrodite’s high voice rang out through the throne room, sending an echo all of the way around until it reached my ears - the shrill sound of scraping beautifully painted nails against a chalkboard. Quite literally, the sound of tough love.

“Eros was just being a burden, Dest-girl. Love triangles are great - but love squares are better,” She smiled with fake hope that I would forgive her.

I growled in anger, and yelled like a bullhorn. I was free, unleased and mad. Aphrodite was just a seashell, good at looking pretty, but easy to break. “So you thought it would be okay to send your minion out to make me fall in love with him when I was already in love with a boy who didn’t even really exist? And another boy was already in love with me?” My shrill voice rang out for a few seconds across the room, and I took another look at Aphrodite’s face. It was blank. She had no idea what the meaning of love really was. She didn’t know how hard it was to be me, torn between something that was fake and something I had never noticed. Being myself and hiding away.  She didn’t know what true love was. For gods’ sakes, she ran around with the war god even though she was already married!

“You.” I pointed at Aphrodite. “I would think you, of all people, of all goddesses, would get where I was coming from! Your idea of love is fake! You’re married to a wonderful man, but you run around with someone who is literally the definition of war! Love isn’t tragic, fighting at all times. It isn’t supposed to be played with. If love is tragic, it shouldn’t be because someone made it that way!”

I sighed. “Love...is simply that. Love is just hanging out with your family, a kiss on the cheek. Sharing a coffee or meeting by chance. It shouldn’t be messed with like some stretched-out reality show!”

Aphrodite’s mouth hung open like she was a fish caught on a hook, being reeled in further and further. Being able to stop nothing.

I glared at the beautiful face that represented the people I loved, and shook my head. “You think this is all a game, Aphrodite. Well, you know what? I’m done with your game.” I stared around the throne room, at the blank faces and open mouths.

“I’m done,” I muttered. “I’m done with all of this.” I stormed out of the throne room, pondering what in the world I could follow that show with.