Hades' Second Chance

Chapter 1

The waves lapped at edge of the sandy beach, while the sun bore down. I wasn't sure how my brothers had convinced me to show up here, yet here I was, on the beach, a place I hated. I'd rather it be raining. I could hear Poseidon and Zeus bickering about something. They were always fighting. I could hear my Aunt, Demeter, shrieking at them from her beach towel. Her "daughter" Persephone simply rolled her eyes and went back to her book. I managed to make eye contact with her, and she smiled at me. I swear I could feel my face turning bright red, but I smiled back.

When I say Persephone is Demeter's daughter, I don't mean it literally. Persephone's parents had died when she was eighteen, old enough for her to be on her own, but she was a close friend of ours. Demeter didn't think she was old enough to be totally on her own, so she'd "adopted" her. We'd been dating for the longest time, even considering marriage, but Persephone had put me out like a light. She simply didn't harbor feelings for me anymore. I was okay with it, but it didn't sting any less, especially since my feelings hadn't gone anywhere.

"Hades!" I sighed and turned around, meeting eyes with Hestia, my only sister.

"You know I don't even want to be here, right?" I informed her, crossing my arms over my chest.

She simply rolled her eyes, and ignored what I said. "Did you notice that cute guy playing volleyball? The blond one?" I nodded, "I think he's been checking you out."

I raised an eyebrow, "Are we thinking about the same person?"

"Tall, tan, light blond hair, lean figure, well muscled, yellow swim trunks?"

"Apparently so." I groaned, and Hestia giggled.

"He's very attractive. You should go talk to him!"

"Not a chance." I told her. "In fact, I think I'm going to head back home. I'm sick of this place."

Hestia frowned at me. "You know you can always stay."

"I'm aware. I just don't want to. Besides, I've got homework to do, Tia. Tell Poseidon I left, and tell Zeus to get that stick out of his ass."

Hestia sighed. "Alright. Drive safe." She turned and walked back towards the beach, where Poseidon was trying to sneak up on Zeus.

I felt a little bad, but it wasn't worth staying. I didn't want to be stuck here, especially when I had work to do. I needed to get back to my apartment and start on the homework I'd been neglecting. I got to the road where I'd parked my car, and glanced back at the beach to meet the eyes of the man Hestia had claimed was "checking me out".

I don't think I've ever seen eyes so blue.

He stopped for a moment and smiled, although I saw his face turn slightly red, embarrassed to have been caught staring. I knew I could walk away and act like it hadn't happened, but instead I found myself smiling back at him.

Why did I smile back at him?

Before I could figure out what had just happened he turned back to his friends. I simply shook my head, trying to gather my bearings, and unlocked my car, before sliding into the drivers seat and starting the engine.

Traffic was awful.

When I finally managed to get back to my apartment building, it was almost seven. I groaned, and walked to the kitchen, digging through the cupboards in an attempt to find something to eat. I managed to dig out a container of ramen, and filled the coffee pot halfway with water, and set it to heat.

While I waited, I grabbed my phone and saw that I had several texts, and opened the first one from my brother:

Poseidon: why did you leave early :(

Hades: Just wasn't in the mood. I had work to do, anyways.

Poseidon: bro you need to get out more! besides youve probably been procrastinating all week

Hades: Exactly why I need to get this work finished. I'll talk to you later.

Poseidon: fine

Great. So he was upset that I left. I opened the next text, which was from my other brother, Zeus:

Zeus: Poseidon is upset w/ you.

Hades: I know. He texted me.

Zeus: You should spend more time with the family.

Hades: You aren't my father, nor are you the boss of me.

Zeus: Whatever.

Same old same old. Zeus had a stick up his ass, and was a control freak. Nothing new. The third message was from Hestia:

Hestia: You'll never guess who I talked to!!!!

Hades: Cute blond volleyball player?

Hestia: Yup! He's even more handsome up close!!!

Hades: Great. Did you get a date?

Hestia: Nope. I put in a good word for you though!

Hades: Don't tell me you gave him my phone number.

Hestia: ...

And no response. I decided to take that as a yes. Just perfect, my sister was getting into the habit of giving away my phone number. Just as I was about to put my phone away, eat, and start my long awaited work, I got a text from an unknown number. I groaned, figuring this was the volleyball player from earlier. Despite my warnings, I answered anyway:

???: Hey! It's Hades, right?

Hades: Indeed it is. And you are?

???: Oh, Right, I'm Apollo. Your Sister -- Hestia right? -- Gave me your number, so I figured I'd send you a message. Hope it isn't a bad time.

Hades: No, not really. You're Fine.

???: Oh thank goodness! I was wondering if you went to school in this area? I think I've seen you before.

Hades: Yes, I do. I go to the local University.

???: Oh really? So do I! What's your degree?

Hades: I'm working towards a degree in literature.

???: Wow, sounds difficult.

Hades: It certainly isn't easy. What about you?

???: I'm working for a degree in musical theory. Pretty ordinary, but I've always loved it.

Hades: Huh, interesting.

???: I was wondering, are you free Friday?

Hades: For once, yes. I should be, why?

???: Maybe you want to get coffee?

Hades: Alright, what time?

???: Does two work?

Hades: Works fine for me. What cafe?

???: I was thinking that cafe about a mile from campus, by the airport.

Hades: Sounds like a plan, Apollo. I'll see you then.

???: See you :)

I quickly put Apollo's number in my contact list, and put down my phone, feeling slightly giddy. I didn't often go on dates, especially not since I'd started dating Persephone, but perhaps it would be a nice change from the ordinary.

Maybe.