The Red String of Fate

Chapter Five

I hope you enjoy readying Grayson & Piper's love story just as much as I enjoyed writing it. 🌹
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It's been a month since Britney used the love potion on Grayson and she couldn't be happier. Grayson doted on her. The only glitch with the potion was that Grayson doesn't know it's her. He sees Piper while the rest of the world sees her. When he calls her Piper, the rest of the world hears him say Britney. For past few days Britney has been dropping hints about getting engaged and Grayson was already a step ahead of her. He proposed to her in front of the entire student body. Piper, who walked in to see him place the ring on her finger, gasped and ran out the room. Britney smiled. Step five complete. Piper ran, not knowing where she was going. Eventually she stopped to catch her breath, and looked around her surroundings. She was in a meadow, it was covered in wildflowers, in all kinds of colors.
    Piper didn't know why she ended up running here to all places. She's never seen it before in her life, but yet it felt familiar. The meadow was inclosed with a barrier of trees. You couldn't hear anything besides the sounds of nature, and feel the rustle of the wind. Piper slowly sat down before leaning all the way back and staring up at the sky. I bet the stars are breathtaking at night. She mused to herself. Piper felt at peace. Her crying ceased and all that was left was a deep sorrow. She didn't understand. She's in love with her boyfriend, so why did it nearly crush her soul to see Grayson propose to Britney? Nothing was making sense and Piper's mind was in a jumble. Her eyes watered. "What's happening to me? Why am I feeling this way?" she cried out.
    "Because you love him." a soft angelic voice answered. Piper scrambled to her feet in shock. "Who are you and why did you follow me?" Piper's voice died down as she looked towards her unwanted guest. Never in her entire life had she ever seen a woman so unearthly beautiful and graceful. The woman had the fairest, pale skin Piper has ever seen, her eyes were a shining, bright shade of blue-grey. Her long, black hair was in a braid with delicate flowers added to it. Her dress was a light, almost transparent pink with real flowers sewed onto it.
    The woman smiled and Piper was dazzled. "Piper. What a beautiful name, worthy of a daughter of mine." The woman mused as she took a few steps closer. Piper's heart soared. This beautiful woman was her mother? That can't be. Her father said her mother died giving birth to her. She voiced her thoughts outloud. The woman laughed. Even her laughter sound magical. "Silly child. Do you not know who I am?" Piper silently shook her head. The women stopped her laughter immediately and Piper missed the musical melody it had almost instantly. The woman tilted her head to the side and studied her. Piper shifted her weight, uncomfortable. "You really don't know anything do you?" The woman mused. "No wonder Hera's plan is going smoothly." "Hera? As in the Greek goddess Hera?" Piper blurted out.
    The woman smiled at her and clapped her hands together, startling Piper. "You know Greek mythology. Perfect. This should make things easier. My name is Aphrodite. I am the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. And you my dear, are my half human, half goddess daughter." Piper stared unblinking, in awe as Aphrodite, or her... mother, told her everything. About Hera's plan to use Britney to extract her revenge on her, Zeus's affection, her being a half goddess, but there was only one news that shocked Piper to her core. "I'm in love with Grayson?" Piper whispered after Aphrodite explained everything to her.
    'Indeed you are child. I've been watching you two for a long time now. It was quite fascinating to see his schoolboy crush turn into something more. The love you two have for each other rarely happens in this world. You make me quite proud darling. Although Hera trying to spoil my beautiful love story is not something that I will take lightly too. So I present to you this gift. A token of my affection." Aphrodite made an elegant hand motion, muttering Greek words under her breath. Piper watched in awe as a clear, crystal looking ball appeared in her hand. Piper edged closer to see the images flashing inside. She was startled to see herself, but she wasn't alone. "What is this?" Piper whispered, too entranced in the images of her with Grayson.
    "These my dear, are your memories. The ones Hera so cruelly stole from you. This is my gift to you. All you must do is shatter the glass and your memories will return to you. But be warned. Grayson is set to marry Britney in a few short hours. Grayson says 'I do' and marries her then your magic will wear off. This time permanently. Your love will completely die. You won't remember he existed." Aphrodite warned as she handed Piper the crystal.
Piper generally held the crystal ball in her hand. "Thank you mother. I promise I won't fail you. I swear it on the love I have for Grayson that I know exist in my heart and soul." Aphrodite smiled. "Now, if you'll excuse me I have a certain Greek god I have to speak to concerning a wretched wife of his." Piper laughed wholeheartedly at that. "Good luck mother." "As to you darling. I'll be watching." With those final words Aphrodite left as quickly as she appeared.
"Well.. here goes nothing." Piper muttered under her breath before closing her eyes and shattering the crystal ball into the ground. Piper screamed as the memories viciously entered her mind. She fell down to her knees and clutched her head in pain. By the time she had received all of her memories she was leaning her forehead on the ground, covered in a light sweat, and breathing deeply. She staggered to her feet. Her head throbbed and through the pain Piper laughed. She remembers.
She remembers everything she has ever lived with Grayson. All the good times, the bad times, and the in between. She smiled. She was finally at peace. Her mind, heart, and soul at one once again. Piper knew exactly what she had to do and with a newfound sense of hope, she ran out of the meadow and headed straight to the church.
"Hold on Grayson. I'm coming." Piper thought to herself.