Everyone has their stories.
Maybe they had a rooster named Butthead, or their father was in the army.
I have one.
It begins like this.
Gods.
Goddesses.
Humans.
Beings of our planet...except us gods don't live on earth...earth is for losers. A.K.A; the humans.
Extremely dumb and useless mortals.
They really just came out of nowhere, invaded our land.
So now we live on Mount Olympus which is basically in the freaking clouds.
I don't want to be a prissy unicorn girl who lives in the clouds...I'm Athena's daughter for God's sake! Jeez.
And yes...my mother is good old Athena. My name is Althea, she didn't bother to make my name any less different than hers.
There's twelve of us main gods, or I should say gods' children.
Zen, Zeus's son.
Hediya, Hera's daughter.
Porter, Poseidon's son.
Dahlia, Demeter's daughter.
Axel, Apollo's son.
Adalee, Artemis's daughter.
Abriel, Ares's son.
Harley, Hephaestus's son.
Alexia, Aphrodite's daughter.
Hayden, Hermes's son.
Heaven, Hestia's daughter.
And me, Althea, Athena's daughter.
I know that's a lot to take in, but trust me.
There's so many more of us...but we're just the important ones.
No offense to anyone else though...
"Althea!"
"What?"
I jerk my head around, staring my mother right in her scarily blue ones.
She gave me these horrifying doll looking eyes.
I blink.
"Is there something I can help you with?!"
My mother smiles.
"Why of course, sweetie. Meet me and the others over at the fountain. We'll be waiting."
She keeps that wide smile on her face as she walks away, and I know immediately that the girl is going to make me do something I'm not gonna like.
I'm not excited.
I stand up, adjusting my tunic and golden jewelry.
Always decked out when you're as important as me.
I open my door again, walking out of my own small home.
I travel towards the center of our land, where said fountain is.
So majestic.
I just get to stare at Zeus's statue and a large fountain next to it.
Wow.
I sit next to my mother who plants a kiss on my forehead, watching as everyone else arrives.
Harley smirks at me, sitting a few seats away with his father.
I give him a light smile in return, and my mother whispers in my ear.
"You aren't attracted to Harley, are you? That's very unholy."
I give her a look at the corner of my eye and she laughs.
"I was only kidding, Ali."
"Yeah...right."
Everyone else starts to gather in, and Alexia sits next to me.
"Hey, Ali!"
"Hi, Lex!"
I smile at her.
"What the hell do you think this is about?"
"I have no clue. Let's hope they aren't going to make us do something like milking a cow again."
I cringe.
"Gross."
Once everyone is situated, my mother goes up to the front with Zeus.
"Hello, gods, goddesses, and demigods. Me, Athena, and the rest of our team have come up with a great task for you children. We have been observing the way you've been acting, and we believe you are ready."
We all stare at him, and Zeus's eyes snap to the left.
"Zen! Sit down right now!"
Zen throws the lighting bolt he was holding, immediately leaning against the wall casually as the bolt nails someone in the face.
Zen's eyes widen and he cringes when Giselle, Gaia's daughter throws the remnants of the lighting bolt back at him.
"Ow! Zen!"
"Sorry Giselle!"
"It's not okay!"
She stomps away, and Zeus glares at his son.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop touching my lightning bolts!"
"It was looking at me, okay?! I wanted to touch it!"
Zeus smacks his forehead.
"What type of son have I raised?"
"One that's just about as reckless as you, Zeus."
He gives Apollo the side eye, before continuing.
"Now that Zen is done, you children have a big job to do."
We all watch him eagerly, excited that it's something good.
"You all will be going down to earth."
My mom says, and my jaw drops.
"You say what now?!" Adalee responds.
"Oh, no, no, no. You cannot put me back down there! They're pigs!"
Mom glares at me.
"Have some respect. Some of you are related to her."
"Her?" Harley grins. "Is she hot though?"
"Son!" Hephaestus smacks the back of his head.
"She is Zen, Porter, Hediya, Dahlia, and Heaven's cousin."
"Does that mean—"
"Yes. The girl is Hades's daughter. Her name is Aiden Weiss, and we need you guys to get her."
"Uhh...how?! Do we just snatch her? Kidnap her? I'm not processing this." Axel looks at my mom strangely.
"My dear boy Axel, you aren't going to snatch her, you are going to befriend her, and make her trust you enough to the point that she will easily go with you. Got it? I don't want you forcing her. You're heading to high school."
"High what?" Heaven shakes her head. "What the hell is...is shool?"
"School, honey. Where mortals learn."
"They're stupid, that's what!"
Mom glares at Hayden from the corner of her eye before looking back at us with the same wide smile.
"What are you waiting for? You leave in twenty minutes!"
"Oh no."
*****
"Oh yes, darling!"
All of the gods look down at us.
"Oh, maybe my little princess will fall in love!"
Lex looks at Aphrodite.
"Oh gosh no, mother. Not with one of those maggots we call mortals."
"They might be cute, princess! Never say never. I bet I'll be a grandma when you come back!"
Lex fake gags.
"No. No, no, no!"
Aphrodite kisses Lex's head before facing her towards the white marble steps.
"You children have a long way down! Better get going now if you want to make it by morning!"
We all say our goodbyes, starting down the stairs that humans call "the stairway to heaven."
The stairway to Heaven?! My best friend?! I'm almost 100% sure there isn't a gate or stairway for that matter to Heaven.
So weird. So very weird.
"I don't understand why they couldn't have teleported us. They're gods, right?! Don't they do cool shit?!"
I shake my head.
"I don't know, Abriel. I don't know."
Adalee makes a face.
"Does anyone actually know where to go?"
I pause before responding.
"Uhh...yeah? It can't be too hard."
Porter shrugs.
"Maybe we can slide down."
"What do you mean?! And break every bone in my body?! I think not!"
"Well of course not that way, dummy! I can manipulate water if you didn't remember. We can slide like a water slide."
"That sounds fun! Me first!" Hediya jumps up and down, almost falling off the edge she when Zen grabs her hand.
"Jeez, Hediya. Don't die on us now. We aren't immortal like our rightful parents if you didn't remember."
Hediya rubs her arm.
"I'm aware now. Thanks for pulling all of my bones out of their sockets, Zen."
"I'm sorry, okay?! I can't control my strength!"
We all start laughing and he rolls his eyes.
"I'm serious. You guys are really a group of warthogs."
"Warthogs?" I ask, looking strangely at him behind me.
"Warthogs!" Zen responds, narrowing his eyes at me.
"Where are we even going?" Hayden says, and Dahlia shrugs.
"The girl's house?! Or do we just live on the streets? What're those people called?! Homosexuals?!"
"Hobos!" Harley responds.
"Ohhh...wait. Then what's a homosexual?!" Dahlia scratches her head.
"Hell if I know! Those humans are a weird species!" Harley sighs.
"This is going to be a long walk down a huge flight of stairs."
*******
It was a long walk down a huge flight of stairs.
We are now at the bottom, but the problem is I have no idea where we are.
"So...Althea...you know where to go?"
Harley smirks at me and I frown.
"No, Harley, I have no idea where the hell we are. Is it...what do the humans call it...the Grand Canyon?"
Harley looks ahead into the empty field. Then the tumbleweed that rolls across the space.
"More like a prairie. Or a desert."
"A prair—you know what? Never mind that. There has to be some sort of way out of this desert."
"There probably is. Come with me."
We all follow Harley in the blistering heat that he doesn't seem to mind at all.
But then I remember his father is the god of fire. Heat doesn't bother him.
After a while we end up at some sort of paved road.
It's empty for miles.
"What're we going to do now?"
"Catch a ride from a stranger."
I grimace.
"That's just a way to get kidnapped...Harley...are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Positive, friends. I mean...if they try to kidnap us I can always set them on fire."
He smirks as a car comes hurdling down the road, dust flying in our faces when they pull to a stop.
"Howdy, folks! What're some kids like y'all doin' chillin' on the side of the road?"
Alexia pushes us all aside.
"Hey, sir. We were wondering if we could catch a ride?"
"With twelve of y'all? Ma'am, I don't think that's gonna work."
She motions to the empty back of his truck.
"Some of us can sit back there."
"Well of course then. Hop on in!"
He unlocks the doors, and we all situate ourselves in.
Boys outside, girls inside.
Only Heaven had to sit back there with them...but Hediya went back to sit with her as well so she wasn't stuck with them.
They're a real handful.
The man catches eyes with me in the mirror.
"You have yourself some pretty eyes, ma'am."
I smile.
"Thank you."
"Where are y'all heading?"
I share a look with Lex.
"Uhh..." I try desperately to remember the address. My mom gave us one...right?
I focus really hard, frowning.
Mom?
Althea, is this you?
Yes! We're on earth now...and in a car with this man...do you have any idea where we're supposed to go?
Well yes, you guys are going to live right next to Aiden, the girl you're trying to get to know. The address is 6392 Hillside Lane, Amber, Louisiana. The zip code is 3529.
Louisiana? What the heck is that?
A state. Don't mind it. Now quit getting distracted!
I jump from my thoughts, meeting eyes with the man again.
"6392 Hillside Lane, the zip code is 3529."
"Really? I happen to live right around there. You kids got lucky!"
"Thank you so much, sir."
"It's not a problem—what's your name?"
"Althea."
"Althea...I'll remember that."
*******
(AIDEN'S POV)
3:49 AM.
Yes...I'm still awake.
No...I didn't study for my math test tomorrow.
Yes...I regret dancing to Baby Got Back on repeat for around an hour.
What?! You think I'm going to waste my energy on cardio instead?! No! I skipped leg day yesterday and I'm doing it again tomorrow.
Maybe this is why I'm out of shape.
At least I eat somewhat healthy.
By healthy I mean salad and a fruit cup once a week from Chick-fil-A and Papa John's the other six days.
Yeah...such a healthy lifestyle.
And of course we have to have new neighbors...they'll probably end up moving out in about a week...no one can stand me and my family as their neighbors.
Good thing I'm an extreme anti-social.
People make me want to vomit most of the time but we won't talk about that.
None of your concern.
I stare out my window, at the light on in the window across from mine.
I close my curtains, shutting off my light before laying on my bed.
I'll go to sleep without studying...I'll just wing it. Good enough. I also won't let my mom know...then everything will be just great.
Not even three minutes into trying to get my beauty sleep, I begin to hear loud music.
Extremely loud music.
It's coming from outside.
I drag myself out of bed, opening the curtains then the window.
I see my neighbors house, the light on, and a girl yelling at someone else.
"You maggot! This is how you're planning on getting her attention?!"
"Shut up, Althea! You have a better way?! Sing the girl a freaking harmony?! No! You're being ridiculous."
"Ridiculous my ass, Harley!"
Hmm...I'm going to be a good neighbor and say hello to these annoying ass people.
I pull open my window, grabbing my Spanish textbook and throwing it at their window.
It smacks it loudly then falls into the grass, and I realize how stupid that was.
Ik gonna have to go down there and get it.
Great.
The girl jumps, and she snaps her head around.
Her eyes widen a little, and she grabs the guy's arm, dragging him towards the window.
She attempts to open it, and looks behind her.
"How the hell do I open it?! Help!"
The guy comes over, pulling open the window.
He sticks his head out and grins at me.
"Hello."
"Don't hello me, dipshit! I'm trying to sleep! And you playing that heavy metal music is not helping!"
I glare at him, my gaze softening when I really look at him. And the girl.
They are really attractive.
Like an unreal amount of attractive.
They almost don't look...well, real.
The thing weirding me out as well is the fact that they're wearing togas and tunics. Like what the hell is this?! Ancient Greece?!
His hair is brown that fades to an orange, with deep brown eyes that stare into your soul. As creepy as it sounds.
The girl on the other hand, she has the brightest, most mythical blue, green, and grey eyes I've ever seen, with long black hair.
"Staring won't give you the power to see through our clothes, princess. But nice try."
My eyes snap on his, and I roll my eyes.
"As if, fireboy. Keep it in your pants."
"Who ever said it wasn't in my pants? I never took it out in the first place. Sweet dreams, Aiden. See you at school tomorrow."
"Wait, what—?"
He shuts the window before I have the chance to say something, and the girl surveys me with her evocative eyes as she draws the curtains.
I shut my window as well, baffled.
He knew my...he knew my fucking name.
I never mentioned it...did I? No...yes? No.
No I did not.
I lay back down in my bed, staring at my wall.
I'm confused.
And extremely creeped out.
How do they know who I am?
Girl with the doll eyes, guy with the orange and brown hair, who are you?
*****
(ALTHEA'S POV)
"You probably scared her to death! She never told us her name, so how were we supposed to know it?"
I snap my eyes on Harley who's still grinning.
I kick his leg.
"Get the grin off your face, buster."
"Oh quit bothering me, will ya, Thea? I decided to give her a scare, serves her right for calling me a dipshit. Whatever that's supposed to be."
I brush my hair from my face.
"Very well, Har-Har."
"Oh no. You did not just call me Har-Har. What the hell is that?"
"I don't know! I'm going to tell the others we just met her. Don't cause anymore trouble. If you do I'm switching rooms with Adalee and you're gonna be stuck with her and Dahlia."
Harley shakes his head.
"I swear on anything Holy I won't. Don't put me with them...please."
"That's what I thought. Now be a good dog."
"I know you didn't just call me a dog, Althea."
"I did."
I leave the room, walking downstairs where I see Lex and the others crammed on a couch, seemingly chatting about clothing.
"You're aware that we cannot show up to school like this...right?"
Porter says, looking at all of their clothing.
"We look like we came from Ancient Greece."
"I mean...if you're being honest we basically did."
He glares at Lex.
"As if I didn't know, Alexia."
"Now I know you didn't just call me Alexia, Porter."
They have an intense looking staring contest when I clear my throat, awkwardly waving.
"Hey...not to ruin your party or something...but me and Harley just met Aiden. She's a real...what do mortals say? Oh. Yeah. A bitch. Aiden's a big bitch."
Lex blinks.
"Was she cute though?"
"I mean yeah, definitely. She's pretty alright. She kinda reminds me of you, Porter."
"What do you mean?"
I grin.
"She has a bad attitude."
Porter gives me the side eye.
"Hmm...okay then."
"Yeah. You guys'll meet her tomorrow at school."
"About school...what're we meant to wear?"
Dahlia looks at me.
"I know we aren't going in tunics and togas. Embarrassing."
"I guess we'll just DIY it."
"DIY?"
"Do it yourself."
******
The next morning was practically a disaster. Until our new neighbor decided to show up at our door.
"It's you...hey."
I look at her oddly and Zen stands behind me.
"That's the girl?"
"Shh! Be quiet!"
Aiden blinks a few times.
"Well hello to you too, mister. Your hair's oddly yellow."
"Don't insult me, bitch! I'll electrocute—"
I throw my hand over Zen's mouth, shoving him backwards.
"Sorry about him. He's crazy."
I smile awkwardly and Aiden nods.
"Yeah. Of course. I just wanted to ask your orange haired friend something."
I scratch my head.
"Harley?"
"If that was the guy with you last night? Who are you anyways?"
"Althea. Me and my friends are new here."
"I can tell."
I nod.
"Yep..."
I turn around, searching around with my eyes.
"Harley! Harley get your butt over here!"
"I'm coming."
Harley comes up behind me, snaking his hand around my waist before gently guiding me behind him.
"Hello, Aiden. Back to stalk me again?"
"Get over yourself, Cocky Mcstuffins."
"Now, now, Aiden. Let's not get too hasty. What is it?"
Aiden rolls her eyes.
"Come outside, toga man."
"Toga my ass."
"At least you're wearing something normal."
"Hmm...right."
******
(AIDEN'S POV)
I watch Harley step outside, saying something with his eyes to Althea who then nods and shuts the door.
He turns his head to look down at me.
"Is there something I can help you with?"
He leans casually against the door, the same grin on his face.
"Yes...but first wipe that smug grin off your face. Sneaky bastard."
"But whatever do you mean?"
He grins even wider.
"This is my resting face."
"Yeah right. Now just tell me, fire boy, how the hell do you know my name?! Are you stalking me?! I never told you."
He moves his dark gaze to me.
"A lucky guess."
"Right. Tell me the real reason."
"Don't you have to get to school, Aiden? It's 9:30. I believe you're thirty minutes late."
"Oh shit!"
I run off, and he starts laughing.
"I'll get the answer out of you at some point, Harley! Mark. My. Words!"
******
I run all the way to school, and when I reach the parking lot I realize I could even easily taken my car and gotten here in five minutes.
It's been twenty.
I stumble my way into the school, huffing and puffing my way over to first period.
Which by now I'm over forty minutes late to.
I open the door, dragging myself inside.
Everyone's eyes snap on me.
I swear there's like twelve new people in here.
I'm going mad, aren't I?
My teacher gives me a look that's totally saying "why the fuck are you late this time?!"
I was right.
"Aiden Weiss! Why are you late again?!"
"I...uhh...my hamster got her first period?"
"What?! Just take a seat, Aiden. Next time you get a referral!"
"I got it. Totally. Hamster lives matter to. I was afraid she was bleeding out."
"That's enough now, Miss. Weiss. Have a seat next to Harley."
I stop mid stride, turning my head over my shoulder.
"You said what?"
"Have a seat next to Harley. With the brown and orange hair?"
I turn around when someone nudges my arm, my shoulders deflating.
Harley sits there with his arms crossed, next to him an empty seat and then Althea.
He smirks.
"Hello, Aiden."
I groan inwardly.
"Well shit then."
******