Elysian Tragedy

Δυο-𝕿𝖜𝖔

Greece, Santorini

Athena, my sister, was always the one to make a grand entrance. At just 16 she was the quirkiest teen ever, and I loved her for it. Together we had some of the best times. We started figure skating together but she got tired of it and pursued singing. She was the more free-spirited one while I was more level-headed. Athena was the baby in the family and for that the most cared for, that gave her courage to go the extra mile, in quite literally everything that she did.

As she banged through the entrance she practically started yelling at the presence of my brother. Usually he spends his life offshore, working relentlessly, it was the first time in a while that he had joined us in our summer retreat.

I was scowling the whole time, she knows using this voice causes me a headache, we often fight but quickly make up. 

'Hey sister dearest missed me?'

'Since last night when we had a fist fight over what to order' I said.

'Nevermind that honey, you're a looker black-eyed. Hey Antoni, now was it imperative to bring your 2.0 along?'

Athena hated Apollon maybe more so than me, she despised how I was being paired with such an inconsiderate arrogant ass.

'Always a pleasure Athena, it's been a while'

My grandpa was quick to fill the awkward silence: 'Armonia dear, it's to our utter disappointment that you are leaving tomorrow to go to that god forsaken place, I hope you remain safe and have decent food there'

My pa was referring to the fact that tomorrow I leave for Athens, so that I can go to Bulgaria with the national Greek team for two months. It is a yearly camp during which we have the opportunity to train everyday, since there are no open rinks in Greece during summer.

'Well Pa it was either this or Italy so I guess that's better, wouldn't you agree father?'

This was the reason we had fought constantly lately. My father funded a good amount of these trips and we could decide on a country close to Greece, our options were limited of course, and while Italy was a perfect fit for us, with incredible facilities and high tech systems, he denied at the first mention. Of course I was angry, don't get me wrong Bulgaria was a beautiful country, but there was only one rink, so the training hours were significantly fewer. Also don't even get me started on the infrastructures, it was built in a more remote area of the city and it was quite questionable. The building was a wreck, from outside it looked abandoned and eerie. The ice rink itself was fine, it just had a weird vibe to it, and most of the times the owners and workers were absent, hell how were we even paying them I've maybe seen them once in the 3 years we've been  going. Since this year I was training for the European championship, I had hoped my father would change his mind, however he remained stubborn.

'There we go again...Bulgaria is a beautiful city, what would you want with Italy'

I honestly has no idea where all this hatred derived from,  but as an athlete I had to think of myself, I was thinking of moving to America where they had proper facilities, but I could never leave Greece nor my coach. As much as my two weeks off had been refreshing, I was eager to go back to my routine, I am a born perfectionist, and I like to be the best at what I do, that requires sacrifices.

'Well, since it is your last day here I have arranged a private dinner with Apollon in a new restaurant, I expect you to retire soon so that you can tidy up'

My blood instantly boils looking at a smug Apollon. Who on earth did he think he was? When a girl says no it clearly means she isn't interested. But he thought so high of himself, seeing me as a pathetic athlete and a soon to be housewife. I knew that's what all of them thought about me. All of them thought that this career path was an impending doom and that sooner or later I would be a bed warmer for Apollon. I loved my family, but they were dead wrong. It wasn't just a rushed thought ,I had big dreams. 

'I am honored Pa' I spit out 'however I have an early flight' with that I got up and left. Unbelievable, I just thought that for once people would stop belittling me. It wasn't that they thought low of me, I was a straight A  student spoke 3 languages and had many offers university wise, just my heart wasn't in it. I dreamt of joining the shipping industry but lacked the motivation for it, despite the fact that I had spent countless summers learning tons about it. Figure skating was just there, for me to release my frustrations and feel powerful. With my participation at the Europeans I have hopes that I can finally be recognized, and prove everyone wrong. That would require nothing but perfection on this camp. It would change my life.

Heyy😇 last chapter in Santorini and the action is about to begin...we will be meeting the Italians soon enough. What do you think of the story so far? Comment and like if you enjoy it ❤️