Choices...

Selene has a difficult choice to make

 

Ares.

 

I don't feel right anymore. I just revealed how I felt to Selene and then I bottled up afterward. Why do I always do this? Push someone away just when they think I'm finally letting them in.

 

Selene.

 

We arrive in Azza quietly and unrecognized in the whirl of excitement. “well,” says Ares, “I guess I have to leave you now. Promise me you'll be safe.” he sighs. “I actually wished Mogh was with you.”

He hugs me tightly and then I finally break free. “Bye.”

He is gone.

The students in the courtyard all seem in a hurry to go somewhere. I feel lost in all the chaos. Lost and alone. I head up to Eros' office, hoping that I retained all that he taught me earlier.

 

As I ascend the stairs, I hear a rumble of voices that makes my stomach rumble also. Please no, please no, i think to myself. But as I bend the corner I see them. A mob of students all surrounding Eros who manages to look serious yet completely unfrazzled. So I am forced to join the mob and I stand at the back. In front, close to Eros, I spy Medea and her clique. Damn. Straightening my blouse, I stand erect in a futile attempt to see and be seen by Eros.

“Okay you guys, listen up. We have to invade Freon's territory. We cannot, I repeat we cannot just travel there by mind simply because no mortal has ever been there and survived except for Hera, who is now being considered as our enemy. She betrayed us all and if found she is to be killed.”

A buzz rises as people whisper about Hera. Eros continues, “I chose you because I think you can handle it. There will be casualties. Your closest friends may die. It is a risk that Madam Tsali and I are ready and willing to take. We place our lives in the palm of duty and we expect you to do the same. Remember; this war is not about the dead, its about life. Our way of life. Our connection to the subconscious of our dreams.”

A cheer erupts and I join in. Eros looks us over and nods to himself. The crowd begins to disperse but Medea pushes past him into his office. Her clique stands by the door, waiting to be dismissed. With a not-so-subtle flick of the neck they are walking past me down the stairs in their Luis Vuitton heels and Roberto Cavalli outfits. They flash me dark looks as they past but I smile. My smile fades however when the door to Eros' office slams shut. I hang around pretending to move away from Eros' office until I cannot her the clicking of their stilettos on the shiny tiles. Then I do something so childish I'm ashamed to even think of it. I press my ear against the door to Eros' office. I hear scrambles of their conversation. Eros' voice is cold as he says, “Medea its over. And if you want to remain on this mission I suggest you collect your wits and behave maturely. Damn, I never said you were my girlfriend!”

Medea speaks in hushed and angry tones, “I though you loved me... still love you. We are perfect for each other Eros, why cant you see that? Everyone says it. I love you and what we had was special to me.”

there is a silence and for one dreadful moment I wondered if she got to him. Then I strain to hear something he is saying. “I just... no feelings....get over me.” I turned and ran down the corridor, a smile of pure joy spreading across my face. I know it is horrible of me; being happy about someone else's failure, but I cannot help it. I dodge down a dark corridor and wait until I hear Medea stomping by angrily. My top unbuttons after running and I stay there to button it. Eros walks down the corridor, bumping into me in the darkness and I am too surprised to react. Instantly, he creates a light beam in his hand and holds it up too my face. I blink and look away as he says, “Selene! What are you doing here?”

I think quickly. “I, I was waiting to talk to you but I didn't want Medea to see me so I hid here.” I feel so retarded saying this, it isn't even funny. He smiles and the light beam vanishes. Inching nearer to me slowly he asks, “so, why did you want to see me?” his voice is deep and seductive. I stutter and he puts his finger to my lip, then silences me with a kiss. I kiss him back, enjoying it, even as I think of Ares I cant stop. He brushes my cheek with his hand and I shiver slightly. He laughs. “ You're so ticklish.” I try to pull away but he presses me against the wall. “ Selene you are different from all those other girls. I cant even explain it, your like, so natural, like a stone and they're all polished and glittery.”

I laugh nervously, uneasy with where this was going. “So I'm a stone?”

“oh, you know what I mean. You're natural and beautiful. You're good enough without changing who you are. And I like that.”

His hand slips by the crotch area of my jeans. He presses his fingers against me through the jeans, making me squirm. We kiss and I am breathing heavily now, not wanting him to stop. “oh Eros...”

I sigh and he pulls away not pressuring me to go any further. Not trying to take anything away from me. I appreciate his thoughtfulness. I squeeze his hand and he tilts my face up, pecks me on the cheek and then says we have to get ready for the mission.

It hits me like a truck. I have to dump Ares.

 

 

 

We go our separate ways; him to his office, me to Nightschool. I focus on getting there, and surprisingly it's easy for me to concentrate. I open my eyes and I am in the hallway, right outside Madam Tsali's office. I hear voices inside and I knock, thinking it is Ares and Mogh come to report. No one answers and I walk down the hall and wait, hoping to see who it is although a idea has already been formed in my head about it. A few minutes later, the door opens and Mogh bursts out of the office;his shoulders tense, taking long strides in the opposite direction.

I decide this is probably not the time to talk to Madam Tsali. Instead, I head outside. I head for our little grotto without even thinking. Sitting down, I remember how close me and Ares were to doing it that time when Mogh interrupted. I'm glad Mogh stopped us. I want Eros. Theres no escaping from it.