"Wake up sleepy head!" Gretchen called, yanking open the curtains, the sun blinding me. I covered my eyes with my hands blinking, "Your mother has made a divine breakfast."
Yawning, I replied, "Did you have to yank open the windows like that? It's too bright."
Laughing, Gretchen skipped over to me, sitting on the bed beside me.
"You will never guess what happened!"
"What?" I was slightly annoyed by her early morning excitement.
"Joseph proposed! We're getting married!" Gretchen squealed, extending her hand to show off the extravagant ring.
I laughed, "That's terrific Gretch, I'm so happy for you."
Joseph was also a sea nymph, they had been dating for many years on and off. I'm not surprised that they are finally tying the knot. In full truth, I am jealous of them. I don't think I will ever find such a strong love.
"Persephone?! Are you even listening?"
"What? Sorry. What did you say?"
"I said, get ready for breakfast." Gretchen sighed, leaving the room.
A single tear slid down my cheek. The loneliness was like a heavy burden on my heart. Sliding out of bed I strode over to my dresser. Sifting through the many extravagant gowns I had. I decided on a light pink gown. Not a traditional color, but I still found it very Interesting to wear. Pulling my hair into a loose top not, I put on some flats and walked out of my room.
The hallways were unusually cold this morning and had an strange aura. I dismissed the feeling I got, and continued on to the dining hall. When I reached the dining hall, mother was proudly standing at the edge of the table.
"Look my little coy fish! I've prepared your favorite." Demeter exclaimed lovingly.
"Mother, you haven't called me that in forever." Persephone laughed.
Demeter smiled warmly, "I love that nickname."
Walking over to the table, there was an array of wonderful foods and fruits. The most delicious looking was a soft honey bun in the middle of the table.
"Wow you made honey bread! What's the occasion?"
"Oh nothing, I just knew you would be sad after hearing my news…" Demeter replied.
"What's the news?" I asked cautiously.
"We won't be going back down until tomorrow or the next day. There's been some strange activities near our usual spots. Good news is I can monitor the seasons just as well from here."
"But mother! What will I do here?" I whined.
"You shall work on your studies and learn more about your potential as a goddess."
I groaned and stormed off forgetting about the honey bread. Opening the massive doors I stepped outside. Olympus was perched on top of large fluffy clouds. Thousands of feet about civilization. The other castles were right next to ours, there were hundreds of them. Stumbling forward I clutched the edge of a planter that had pastel yellow flowers in it. I felt like I was suffocating. Hot tears slid down my cheeks until I was bawling. I collapsed onto the ground in a pool of my own tears. It wasn't just the fact I wouldn't go back down to the overworld, I just feel so lonely and trapped in this castle.
Ten minutes pass and the tears slow and I push myself back up on my feet wandering back into the castle. The dining room is clear now, the dishes and food have been cleaned from the table. I knew Gretchen would be waiting in the garden to teach me about vegetation. I headed in that direction my feet making clicking sounds on the floor. I opened the glass doors that lead to my favorite place in the castle. A garden with vines growing everywhere and large trees sprouting from the ground. A small stream ran through the middle that had coy fish in it.
"I knew you would come here soon enough, are you feeling better?" Gretchen questioned.
"I am feeling much better thank you," I lied, "what have we got planned for today's lesson?"
Pretending to be okay was exhausting.
Smiling Gretchen, nodded towards the stream, "We will learn more about the algae that grows in this stream."
An hour or two passes, and Gretchen ends their lesson.
"I know that you should be learning about your life meaning or whatever, but this is much funner. I think you should find out your meaning for yourself."
"Thank you Gretchen that means a lot" I replied with sorrow in my voice.
"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine." I smiled, and left the greenhouse.