Taking Back Chaos

2

Orion.

Artemis had heard the name Orion. The name truly said was Ryan, but when you're heart broken, anything can sound like what you've been wishing to hear. 

In a hopeful confusion, she had rushed into a crowd of people hoping to see him. Instead she got a group of hostile high school students who weren't welcoming to new comers. And since Hades and I had been following after her, we'd been tossed into that mix as well.

"Orion?" She began to hopelessly ask. Hades and I watched in a sad stupor as she desperately grabbed the arms of students, searching their faces for the one she knew.

We'd drawn attention, which was the exact opposite of what we needed.

"Artemis." I called out to her. She was still looking for Orion. It was Hades who stepped forward and pulled her away from a shocked boy she had been questioning.  Artemis curled herself into Hades' chest, likely shocked at her own behavior. 

Looking around, I could see the group staring at the three of us in confusion; now was my time to try and fix the mess Artemis created. I stepped in front of my companions and watched as their eyes flickered to me. One of the pair belonging to Alex. "I'm sorry about that... We're new and..." I paused, what had Poseidon called Artemis? "Mis... here thought it'd be a good idea to make a dramatic entrance. Glad it worked." 

Silence from the other students was the only response greeting my explanation. 

I looked towards Alex to see him studying me in curiosity. 

My explanation should work... right? A boy with dark skin began to speak. "Next time save the stupid jokes for people who are interested." My eyes flickered to him.

An asian girl beside him looked me up and down from where she stood. "Agreed, that's not a very good way to get friends... or for people to like you." She laughed lightly at her own comment, and she was so beautiful I almost wanted to think her comment was kind.

However, Aphrodite's beauty eclipsed the stranger's, her insincerity had no effect on me. 

"Interesting..." I said slowly. I could tell they were all analyzing my mortal body. From the black lips to the black combat boots. They were judging me, and I didn't like it.

"Empathy must be lost among you, I expected better from the students that go to a school where the motto is 'Education and Kindness Go Hand In Hand'. Clearly the education system skipped elementary skills since none of you can comprehend that." And with them mulling over my words, I grabbed Hades and Artemis and pulled them back to the lunch table.

Our group had finally been joined by a shy Aphrodite accompanied by Ares. Every single one of the mortal gods stared at Artemis in concern.  

It was Aphrodite who leaned over the table and grabbed Artemis's shaking hands. "Love, are you okay?" Her grip tightened when Aphrodite tried to pull her hands away.

She breathed out a shaky breath. "I swear it... I heard his name. I heard them say-"

"Ryan." Hades finished. "Mis they said Ryan. Not Orion. He's gone. Remember?" Hades spoke slowly to a shaking Artemis. She slowly nodded her head and pulled a hand away from Aphrodite to wipe her face. 

"Yes, I remember... I just, I heard the name and thought that maybe..." Her words faded off until Athena filled in.

"You thought Chaos could've cursed him too?" Artemis slowly nodded her head before turning to look at me. Tears still filled her silvery eyes.

"Nyx, he looked like him. I know it isn't him but he looked like him." She said in a heartbroken whisper. I rubbed her back and she put her head on my shoulder.