Hades' Second Chance

Chapter 4

The venue was more crowded than I thought it would be, but it probably didn't help that we rarely had concerts of any kind here in town, so whenever one occurred, practically everyone bought a ticket. I found a spot up close to the stage in General Admission, on the Floor, and watched the place fill up. I swear I was there for nearly an hour before the lights dimmed and the band got on stage.

I knew Apollo was radiant before, but wow. Just wow.

He was dressed in a pair of white jeans, with a black V-neck t-shirt and a pair of leather boots. His blonde hair was worn in a side-swept fashion, and his grin seemed to radiate light, his blue eyes shining in the spotlights. Our eyes met for just a second, and I saw his smile soften, but it wasn't in a way that made him look angry, or sad, more in a way that he was comfortable and happy.

He had a simple Electric guitar strung over his shoulder. It looked like a Gibson, but I couldn't tell for sure. He tested the mic, and glanced around, before clearing his throat and stepping up to the mic.

"Good evening Ventus Bay!" The crowd screamed in response. "Wow, it's good to finally be on a real stage! With a real crowd nonetheless!" The crowd yelled back at him, and it seemed like he had them wrapped around his little finger. I know I was.

After a few more rounds of Applause, Apollo introduced the song and started to play, and it didn't take long for him to start singing.

And I thought he looked good.

His voice was entrancing. The song he sang was melancholy, as it featured a young man who's lover had died in a tragic accident. The song was beautiful, in a very sad way. But his voice, dropping like honey and chock full of emotion made it powerful. I was entranced, and could hardly look away.

The concert was done before I knew it, and I had to admit it was way too short. Afterwards, I wandered outside the  venue for a while, before I found my way back in. Apollo, the rest of his band, and the stage hands were taking down the stage. Apollo was talking to a young woman with auburn hair and silvery-blue eyes, in a silver dress.

"Apollo, you know you should be focusing on your academics. You know Mom would be dissapointed in you. Some... guy  you just met isn't worth failing all your classes and spending the rest of you life with him, to run away into the woods!"

Apollo sighed loudly, "I'm not going to run away into the woods with Hades. He goes to school as well, and is focused on his academics like you and I. As for spending the rest of my life with him... We'll see where the relationship goes."

I felt my face burning bright red, and coughed loudly, grabbing their attention. Apollo coughed awkwardly, his cheeks turning red.

"Hades! I, uh, thought you'd already left." Apollo chuckled, clearly embarrassed.

"This is him, then?" The girl turned to glare at me.

Apollo sighed. "Hades, this is my twin sister, Artemis. The one who thinks I'm over dramatic?" I nodded in her direction, and got a glare in response.

"Artemis, this is Hades, my..." he hesitated, unable to find a word.

"Boyfriend." I heard myself substitute, not really sure why I said it.

Apollo stood in shocked silence for a moment, before a soft smile spread over his face. "You heard him little sis."

Artemis scowled. "Don't call me little sis." She turned on her heel and stalked out.

Apollo turned to me once she was gone. "Thanks for helping me out there. I thought she was never gonna leave." He was quiet for a moment. "Did you mean what you said? About being my... ya know, boyfriend?"

I nodded. "I-I mean if your okay with it."

Apollo grinned, his face slightly flushed. "Definitely."

"Hey, Apollo! What do you want us to do with your guitar?" One of his band members asked.

"Just put it in the back, Eros!" He called.

Eros nodded, and sent a wink my way, and picked up the guitar case, leaving the room, and the two of us alone.

Apollo turned to me. We stood in awkward silence for a moment. Then Apollo did something that surprised me, he leaned forward and kissed me.

Have you ever gotten a shocked by lightning? That's what it felt like when his lips touched mine. Electricity zapped down my spine. Apollo's lips were soft and full, and I felt my own mouth respond. We stood there for almost a minute, neither of us wanting to pull away.

Finally we were forced to breath, and separated from each other. Apollo's lips were slightly swollen, and his face was flushed.

Apollo grinned at me. "I should probably get going."

"Ya, me too." I felt breathless, and almost woozy. "Hey, you guys did great tonight. You're a beautiful singer."

Apollo blushed and smiled. "Thank you." He leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek, then went on his way.

I swear I felt dizzy for the rest of the night.