Empathy- The Diaries of Olympus #1

Eight; The Brightest Idea

Eight; The Brightest Idea

Lightning blue eyes, golden brown shimmering waves, bronzed skin and a frowning mouth. 

Actually 'frowning' mouth was probably the understatement of the year. Zeus' mouth was set into a severe, un-moving line. It was like some little god-ling had drawn his mouth with a wonky ruler.

Regardless, that's exactly what Zeus looked like, sitting in the back of my favourite chariot, you know, the one I called Jet. His whole body is shaking, his skin visibly vibrating. Up close you can see the effect his shaking is having on the poor seat he's sitting on. Its a good thing its not actually alive.

His hair spiked up this way and that, without its usual style or purpose. His clothes are wrinkled, something that rarely happens and... is that dirt I see smudged on his nose? The point is Zeus is obviously a huge shaking mess. 

When he looks Ice's and I's way I almost wilt under his gaze. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under. I'm not really sure why though, and mean I just got here. Something must have enraged him long before Ice and I arrived.

'Took you long enough,' he bites out, every word like a wound in my gut. I decide that its best not to provoke him at the moment because when Zeus is angry he gets a little, how should I say this...elemental.

I hadn't noticed it until now but his hands were balled into tight fists. I fear for Ice's life as she climbs in the back while Zeus grabs, rather forcefully as well, the golden reins. I swear I saw the Pegasus's jerk back at Zeus' raw strength. I bet even they knew not to mess with him at this particular moment.

'You better get to detention Poseidon. Being late could mean more detention,' Ice warns, trying to gently shoo me off with her words.

My gaze is fixed solely on the impatiently waiting Zeus as I reply,'I know.'

When Zeus meets my gaze with a hot glare I look away.

'Bye, snowflake,' I shock both Ice and myself by leaning up to kiss her cheek. Sparks and electricity is all I feel when my lips touch her cheek. She's surprised at first but then she relaxes. 

When I pull away her cheeks are an adorable pink,'Bye Poseidon.'

I turn to walk away from my troubled brother and the only girl I've ever been interested in to enter the Thunder High doors again and endure my punishment.

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When I walk into Lady Nyx's room to serve my detention I'm positively surprised.

Sitting in a desk, staring tiredly out a window is Apollo. When he sees me he grins and waves me over. I come slowly, confused as to why he's here.

'What are you doing here?" I ask as I slide into the desk beside him. Lady Nyx comes around quickly with a bin and everyone groans  when they are forced to drop their phones inside. I hesitate once its my, as does Apollo, but one stern look from Lady Nyx makes us both reluctantly drop them in. I really should have thought up a plan to keep our phones.

'I'm in detention,' Apollo answers, effectively irritating me.

'Why are you here?' I whisper, knowing that if Lady Nyx hears she would move the both of us, ending our conversation. I shoot a quick glance her way. She's at her desk, typing away. She's completely ignoring all of the guilty gods and goddesses that currently occupy the room. I smile, how perfect. Then I find myself smiling because I realize, I just kissed Ice on her cheek and she didn't pull away. My smile widens at the knowledge. She liked it as well.

'What are you smiling so goofily about?'

'I kissed Ice on her cheek and she liked it.'

'Good on you man,' he pounds my fist.

I shake my head as if to clear it,'You're avoiding the question. Why are you here?'

'I got in trouble.'

'For what?"

'Somethig bad.'

Apollo laughs when I groan and put my head in my hands. Its official, Apollo is seriously annoying. There's no point in even trying to get an answer out of him.

Its silent for a moment. 'Apollo?' I ask, unsure of how to phrase what I'm about to say next.

'Yes Poseidon?'

'What I'm about to tell you is quite shocking so I need you to promise not to be loud.'

'Okay,' he says warily.

'My mother has been taken by death.'

'What?!' He whisper screams,' but isn't he your cousin?'

'I shrug,'He is.'

'Why would he do this?'

'I don't know but that's not the point. The point is we need to find her, Any ideas?'

'Well, there is one thing you could do, if your up to it.'

'What?'

'Go see the fates,' Apollo suggests,' They see and know everything. If Thane's taken your mother, they'll know where.'

'That's a great idea Apollo! I'll ask Hades to open a portal for us and then me, you and Ice will go sometime this week.'

'I cant go man. Helios had got me flying his sun chariot for this entire week.'

'Oh come on. Can't you split yourself in two?'

'And risk crashing the sun? No way. I'm sorry man. I'll just have to sit this one out.'

'Its alright.'

The rest of detention wasn't so boring.I kept bouncing in my seat excitedly. Lady Nyx and the rest of the gods and goddesses probably thought I was on something. And maybe I was. 

I was on a shot of hope.