Let Me Count the Ways

Telling Persephone

 Before I knew it, there we were, at Persephone's mansion. When I said her parent's had a private library, I wasn't kidding. They also had an indoor pool, complete with a high dive, a personal theater, and a cleaning staff. Part of it was from her father's salary, but much of it they had inherited. They had enough money to send Persephone to all kinds of private schools, but then we met and she chose to stay with me.

 Our meeting hadn't been entirely...normal. Most friends meet at school, or on a soccer team, or some other random encounter. Not us. Persephone and I met in court. I had been at the park when I saw a man kidnapping a girl. She had screamed and I went and told my parents who called the police. You know how I said I met Persephone in court? Well, that's technically true. We officially met in court.

 Persephone was the girl the man had tried to kidnap.

 I had met her then and, long story short, we became fast friends. Her parents were grateful to my parents and to me and our friendship blossomed from there. We both agreed later that we were glad the man had tried to kidnap Persephone. Otherwise, we would never have met.

 The man was put away in jail and I got a friendship. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

 Persephone led me through the front door, down the hall, up two flights of stairs, and up into her attic loft. Her room was amazing to say the least.

 I had nicknamed it Mount Olympus, as a continuation of the goddess jokes, after being there a few times. Mostly because it was the highest room in the house, but also because it was so cool. She had a huge bed with a canopy, her own desk complete with a computer, a flat screen t.v, a small library of both books and dvds, a master bathroom, a huge saltwater aquarium, and a walk-in closet.

 I dumped all my stuff ontothe floor and flopped down on the bed. I felt Persephone sit down next to me.

 She cleared her throat. "So who is he?"

 "I have absolutely no idea."

 "Don't lie to me, Belle."

 "I'm not lying, Seph! I don't know who he is?"

 "Oh, you mean you don't know his name? Did you just see him and totally fall in love? How romantic! Love at first sight!"

 "I've never seen him either! At least, I don't think I have..."

 "How does that work?"

 "I'm not in love with him, Seph. I don't even know who he is! He just keeps sending me these notes! He hides them strange places and signs it 'Your Not So Secret Admirer.' At least, I assume he's a he. This is driving me insane! He hides the notes in places I should notice! Like in my locker or on my desk. I feel like an idiot."

 "This is what's been on your mind?"

 "Yeah." I said. I was annoyed. Not only had this conversation reminded me of how much the notes infuriated me, but Persephone really didn't seem to be impressed. "You don't find that the least bit...strange?"

 "Oh, little Belle." Persephone said. I could hear the smile in her voice. "This is coming from the girl who has never had an anonymous love letter sent to her. I have them all the time. No big deal."

 I sat up and scoffed. "Yeah, Seph, but you're Aphrodite! Plus, these aren't just your average notes. I mean, this guy is a ninja! He hides the notes where I should see him put them! I mean, how could someone just do that without me noticing?"

  Persephone shrugged. "Let's start our homework. When I take you home tomorrow, I expect to see every one of these notes."

 "Tomorrow?"

 "Yeah. I decided you're spending the night."

 I laughed. Typical Persephone. Of course she knew it would be fine with my parents. "Okay. Let's start our homework."