Teaching Gods Teenage Behaviour

Chapter Two- Try Me

Chapter Two- Try Me

 It was impossible for me to hold back a laugh as Alyssa took my hand. As I giggled profusely, my eyes wandered over to Paul, and his baffled expression made me laugh even harder.

 My eyes flickered back to Alyssa, and I saw that she had a smirk on her face that quieted my laugh quite quickly.

 “You guys," I said now unsure about what was going on. “You’re always playing tricks on me! Ha! You really got me on this one!”

 Paul smiled at me sadly once more. Alyssa, however, didn’t seem to be as patient. She dropped my hand and took a step back, an angry expression crossing her face.

 “Look,” a cold and uncaring expression took over her features. “I am not an Olympian that lies. That role is for Aphrodite. I take no pleasure in deceiving gullible children like you. Apollo and I will explain our situation to you, and you shall listen. Do you understand, child?”

 Wow, Alyssa sounded serious. It was kind of unnerving to see her acting so rude and cold to her best friend. Usually she was as bubbly and happy as Elmo… all the time.

 “Um… Y-yeah,” I said. I wasn’t about to say no what with the murderous gaze she was giving me. I decided to humour Paul and Alyssa for a while until they gave up this stupid joke.

 “You might want to sit down,” she said, gesturing to the living room. Her voice was much gentler now that she saw that I was willing to listen with a more open mind. I sat down on the comfy cushion and sighed heavily. Alyssa sat on the couch across from me and Paul sat beside me taking my hand and sighing softly.

 “Listen to me carefully, Aspasia. I am Artemis, goddess of the hunt and the moon. This,” she said, gesturing to Paul who gripped my hand just a little bit tighter. “Is my younger twin brother, Apollo. He is the god of many things, but mainly the god of music and light. Any questions so far?”

 Any questions so far!? I was so confused. Alyssa was so bluffing. How was it possible that Paul was really Apollo and Alyssa was really Artemis? It was too unreal. I had known Paul and Alyssa my whole life, so how was it possible that they were ancient Greek gods of Olympus?

 “H-how?” I asked. I didn’t even know where to begin. This wasn’t real. “How could you two be… gods? It doesn’t make any sense. I’ve known you my whole life! I grew up with you! It’s impossible that you’ve been alive for… I don’t know, millions of years!”

 Paul sighed heavily from his place beside me. Turning to Alyssa, he said, “I told you we would harm this poor demi-god if we used the False on her.”

 Alyssa smirked at him. “Apollo, it’s not like she’s a god. Demi-gods like her are just as forgetful as humans. Her grief will only last so long before the emotions simmer. That’s the way it always works.”

 I grew more confused with every word they said. Demi-gods like her. What did that even mean? What the heck was a demi-god?

 “I’m still here,” I said, raising my voice ever so slightly. “I’m confused and you haven’t answered my question yet. How is all this possible?”

 Paul sat back in his seat, his grip on my hand loosening slightly. Alyssa sighed leaning her head against the back of the couch. “Let me explain, Aspasia,” her gaze landed on my face. “From the beginning.”

 “Yesterday, all the Olympians except for Demeter made a bet with Hades, God of the Underworld. Hades was visiting with his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, and he made a comment about how pompous they and all the other Olympians are. Zeus was- for lack of a better word- pissed. He tried to explain to Hades that we simply indulge in our godly status, that we get what we want, when we want.

 “Hades wasn’t having any of it though, and he challenged us to mingle among the humans as teenagers for the whole summer. The only problem is that we Olympians have no idea how to act like teenagers. We don’t know what to do and where to go. But, that’s where you come into play. The eleven Olympians that came down to participate in the bet have split up into groups of two or three and gone to live with a demi-god of their choice. We chose you, Aspasia. The only thing is, it’s sort of cheating to get help from a demi-god in this bet. But we Olympians are cheating anyways and Hades will never know.”

 I looked to Paul for confirmation of Alyssa’s words. He nodded at me. I looked back to Alyssa who seemed to be scanning my face for some kind of reaction. She probably saw a mask that didn’t show her anything at all.

 “Well?” Alyssa said when I remained quiet for several seconds.

 My unfocussed eyes snapped back to her face. “Well, nothing,” I responded. “I don’t believe you. Do you guys think I’m stupid or something? This joke has gone on long enough, so you guys can just stop now.”

 Paul sighed from his place beside me and looked over at Alyssa. “I was afraid this would happen. She knows nothing of her past. I guess it’s time we prove it, right Artemis?”

 “Gladly,” Alyssa said, smiling wickedly at her brother. She stood up pointing her finger at me and standing still as if she was building up energy to do something.

 Paul quickly stood up and shut her finger back into her fist. “Without making her go into cardiac arrest,” he said with a smile.

 “Oh,” Alyssa responded sheepishly, sitting back down.

 Paul laughed and then turned his attention back to me, now standing in front of me. “Brace yourself, Aspasia. What you’re about to see might freak you out.”

 I snorted in a very unfeminine manner. “Try me.”