Persephone the Phony

by Joan Holub

  “Actually, it’s a rather interesting place,” said Persephone, as they all paused in front of her locker.

  Her friends stared at her, shocked looks on their faces. “You’ve been there?” asked Aphrodite.

  Persephone nodded. “Last night, actually.” She paused. “I ran away from home.”

  “What?” her friends exclaimed together.

  So Persephone told them how she’d slipped out of the house, flown to Earth, then boarded Charon’s boat disguised as an old woman. As she described how she’d trudged down a marshy trail, through fields of asphodel, along a river of fire, and down into the pit of Tartarus past the shades of murderers and thieves, her friends’ eyes widened.

  “Ye gods!” Athena exclaimed. “Weren’t you scared?”

  “A little,” Persephone admitted, shutting her locker. “But if Hades hadn’t rushed me home, I would’ve liked to have stayed and seen more.”

  Artemis looked at her with admiration. “You’re braver than me, then.”

  “Me too,” said Aphrodite. “I wouldn’t even know what outfit to wear in the Underworld!”

  “Maybe something fireproof,” Persephone advised.

  The other goddessgirls laughed. So what if liking cemeteries and the Underworld made her different from others, Persephone thought. Her friends didn’t care. They liked her just the way she was. And it had been fun to wow them with all the sights she’d seen. She wondered if Pheme got the same thrill whenever she passed on a particularly juicy bit of gossip or an interesting rumor. The difference was, what Persephone had said was true.

  The herald appeared on the balcony above the girls’ heads and struck his lyrebell. “The sixty-sixth day of school is about to begin,” he called out.

  “See you at lunch,” Persephone called to her friends as they split up to go to class. She glanced around as she hurried down the hall, hoping to see Hades. She wanted to apologize for the way she’d acted last night. She wanted to tell him he’d been right to take her home. But he was nowhere in sight.

  At the end of third period she joined her friends in the cafeteria for a quick bite. She grabbed a bowl of yogurt topped with pomegranola from the cafeteria and hurriedly spooned it down. Then she stood up. “I’ve got something I have to do,” she told her friends. “I’ll see you later.” After scurrying out of the cafeteria, she headed for Principal Zeus’s office.

  When Persephone asked Ms. Hydra if Hades was around, the nine-headed office lady seemed a bit surprised. Still, she knocked on Zeus’s door, then opened it a crack. “There’s a goddessgirl here to see Hades,” said her cheerful, bright yellow head. The other eight remained staring at Persephone.

  “Who is she?” Zeus thundered back.

  Godness! His voice was so loud and scary Persephone had to fight down the urge to turn and bolt. She reminded herself that Principal Zeus was Athena’s father, and that Hades had been afraid of Zeus at first too. Now Hades called him “a really great guy.”

  “What’s your name, dear?” asked Ms. Hydra’s purple head.

  Straightening her spine, Persephone summoned her courage. Since Zeus hadn’t told her to go away, Hades must be in there.

  “It’s me. Persephone!” she shouted through the crack in the door.

  9

  Principal Zeus’s Office

  AFTER A BRIEF PAUSE, PRINCIPAL Zeus thrust the door open so hard it ripped loose from its hinges. Looking past him, Persephone caught a glimpse of Hades at a table in the far corner of the room, but then the principal blocked her view.

  “Oops!” He grabbed the teetering door before it could fall on top of her and set it against the outside wall.

  “Please ask the custodian to fix that,” he told Ms. Hydra.

  “Certainly,” she replied. “That’s the fourth time it’s happened this month,” her green head whispered to Persephone.

  “Well, Persephone, come in!” Zeus boomed.

  Nervously she stepped inside the office, sidling past him. She’d seen the principal at a distance in the hallways and on a stage, but she’d never seen him up close before now. It wasn’t like he ever hung out with Athena and her friends, after all. He must be nearly seven feet tall, she thought, the way he towered over her. He had bulging muscles and a massive head of wild red hair that was far more unruly than her own red curls.

  Remembering her manners, Persephone bravely stuck out her hand. “Thanks for seeing me,” she said.

  Principal Zeus reached out a meaty paw. A wide, flat golden bracelet encircled his wrist. As he pumped her hand up and down, she felt a tingling sensation as small jolts of electricity passed through her. “Great to see you!” Zeus roared. His piercing blue eyes peered down at her. “I don’t know why more students don’t visit me. It’s almost like they’re scared of me or something. Well, come in, come in. Getting along fine in your classes, are you?”

  Persephone nodded.

  “That’s my goddessgirl!” Zeus clapped her on the back, sending her flying across the room while another jolt of electricity zapped all the way down her spine. She landed sprawled halfway across the table where Hades sat, yet somehow managed to stay on her feet.

  “Uh, hi,” she said, looking at him through her disheveled hair.

  “Hi,” he said cautiously. His dark eyes searched hers as if to gauge her friendliness—or lack thereof. After the way she’d treated him last night, Persephone couldn’t blame him.

  As she straightened up, Zeus pointed to the chair next to Hades. “Sit!” he ordered. When she complied, he sat down across the table from them, folding his hands and glancing from one to the other as if waiting for them to speak.

  Coming here had seemed like a good idea, but now that she had done it, Persephone felt a little uncertain. She’d never been inside Zeus’s office before, so she studied it with genuine interest to keep from having to explain her visit.

  Scattered around were a variety of chairs with big scorch marks on them. An enormous desk littered with papers, file folders, and empty bottles of Zeus Juice took up most of the space. An impressive golden throne sat behind it. It looked like a much more comfortable fit for Zeus than the tiny student chair he was balancing on now.

  “Want some of my lunch?” Hades asked, drawing her attention.

  “No, thanks,” said Persephone, glancing at the two half-eaten plates of nectaroni and cheese.

  “Then you won’t mind if we finish ours?” asked Zeus. Scooping up a huge forkful of nectaroni, he shoveled it into his mouth. “Hades here has told me a lot about you,” he said, speaking with his mouth full.

  “Oh?” Persephone tensed a little and darted a look toward Hades, wondering what he might’ve said.

  Hades straightened, looking somewhat alarmed. Then he cleared his throat, like he was trying to catch Zeus’s attention.

  Zeus laughed, spewing tiny bits of nectaroni onto the table. “Don’t worry. It was all good.” He pushed his plate away and patted his stomach. “So,” he said, eyeing the two of them.

  Across from her, Hades stiffened further, obviously worried about whatever Zeus was going to say.

  “Both of you planning to go to the Harvest Hop tomorrow night?”

  Huh? Was he hinting that they should go—together? Sometimes grown-ups were so unsubtle.

  A dark shadow passed over Hades’ face as he set down his fork. “I’m busy. Lots of new shades coming in.”

  Zeus raised an eyebrow. “In the Underworld there are always lots of new shades coming in.”

  “I forgot all about the dance,” Persephone admitted. She didn’t tell him that, in any case, she hadn’t planned to go. She’d thought her mom wouldn’t allow it. But last night, of course, things had changed.

  “Should be a lot of fun,” said Zeus, interrupting her thoughts. “It would be a shame to miss it.” He stroked his curly red beard and said slyly, “Maybe you two should go together! Keep each other company, you know?”

  She could hardly believe he’d suggested that out loud! She blushed, and H
ades ducked his head. His dusky curls fell forward, hiding his face.

  Zeus glanced from him to Persephone and grinned. Rising swiftly, he said, “I—um—need to take care of something. Back in a few.” Hades started to stand too. “Stay!” Zeus barked. Then he smiled, gesturing to them. “Lunch period isn’t over for twenty more minutes. No reason for you and Persephone to hurry off.”

  After Principal Zeus left, Hades squirmed in his chair for a moment. “Sorry for rushing you home last night,” he said at last. He stared at his plate. “It’s not that I didn’t want to see you. In fact, I—”

  “It’s okay,” interrupted Persephone. “You were right to send me home.”

  Hades jerked back in his chair. “I was?”

  Persephone nodded. “My mom found out I ran away. We had a good talk about it. I think she’ll let up on me a little more from now on.”

  “Really?” Hades’ dark eyes looked into her pale ones, and he smiled. “That’s great.”

  Persephone’s breath caught in her throat. He had the most beautiful eyelashes! And when he smiled, you could really see how cute he was. “Yes,” she said. “It is great.”

  A long, uncomfortable pause followed. Hades toyed with his fork, tapping it against the side of his plate. Persephone twirled her hair around one finger, glancing anywhere but at him. Idly she noticed a drooping plant leaning against a file cabinet nearby. It was a poppy, her mom’s favorite flower.

  “So what do you think of Principal Zeus’s idea?” asked Hades.

  “What idea was that?” Persephone asked, pretending not to know what he was talking about.

  Hades shrugged. “You know. The dance.”

  “Oh, that,” said Persephone. “What about it?”

  Hades fell silent for a few moments, brooding. Finally he blurted out, “Will you go with me?”

  Persephone smiled. She’d almost given up on him asking! “Thanks. I’d love to.” Hades beamed back at her—the widest smile she’d ever seen from him.

  They were still smiling as they left the office a few minutes later. Persephone touched Principal Zeus’s poppy plant before they went out the door. Instantly its drooping leaves became green and strong, and bright red flowers sprang up all over. “Cool!” said Hades. He reached his hand out to her, and Persephone entwined her fingers with his. Hand in hand they strolled through the open doorway.

  * * *

  At home that evening Persephone told her mom about the dance. “Hades asked me to go with him.” She paused. “I said I would.”

  Demeter stiffened, frowning. “I don’t think that’s such a good—”

  “Come on, Mom, pleeease. It’s just a dance,” Persephone reminded her. “A school dance. Principal Zeus and most of the teachers will be there, so it will be well chaperoned.”

  “Zeus will be there?” Demeter colored slightly, and a soft light came into her eyes.

  “Yes,” said Persephone. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think her mom had a secret crush! “As a matter of fact, he and Hades are good friends.”

  “I see.” Demeter seemed to be thinking. “Well, if Zeus likes Hades, I suppose he can’t be all bad.”

  Persephone hugged her mom. “He’s not. Honest.”

  Demeter sighed. “You’re growing up so fast. Someday you’ll be leaving home. You won’t need me anymore.”

  “Well I sure need you now,” said Persephone, giving her a big smile. “Because I don’t know what to wear to the dance!”

  Demeter smiled back and put an arm around her. “Let’s go look in your closet. And if we can’t find anything there, I’ll make you the prettiest chiton ever.”

  As she went to bed that night, Persephone had never felt happier. But just before she fell asleep, a worrisome thought popped into her head. She knew her friends would do their best to welcome Hades, but what about the other godboys and goddessgirls? She was certain they’d all like Hades if they got to know him. But would they give him a chance?

  10

  The Dance

  PERSEPHONE HAD ARRANGED TO MEET Hades at the dance, along with her friends. When he was late, she began to worry that he might not show up. What if he’d changed his mind about coming? Or maybe he got stuck on some errand in Tartarus. The shades there could be awfully whiny and demanding—just like they’d been in life, she supposed.

  “Why don’t you go in without me?” Persephone said to Aphrodite, Athena, and Artemis as they stood together near the entrance to the gymnasium. “I’m sure Hades will be here soon.”

  “You won’t mind?” asked Aphrodite. She was dazzling in her hot pink chiton. Her gleaming golden hair, threaded with sparkly pink ribbons, hung down her back in loose curls.

  “Not at all,” said Persephone. They’d already been waiting fifteen minutes. She knew the goddessgirls must be anxious to go inside. And practically every godboy would be waiting to ask Aphrodite to dance. They only had to look at her to fall hopelessly in love with her.

  Athena’s face lit up. “Look, there’s Mr. Cyclops! Maybe I can discuss my Hero-ology project with him.” Persephone grinned. Trust Athena to be more interested in talking to a teacher about a school project than in the dance itself.

  “Well, if you really don’t mind,” said Artemis, “Apollo’s band will be warming up already.” Apollo was Artemis’s twin brother. His band, Heavens Above, was playing for the dance.

  “Go!” ordered Persephone. She made shooing motions with her hands. As her three friends swept inside, she caught the door before it could close and peered into the gym. It was round and open to the star-filled sky. Flaming torches had been placed at intervals around its perimeter. In the middle, on a raised platform, Apollo plucked at his kithara, a seven-stringed lyre, while Dionysus blew on his double-reeded aulos.

  Persephone shut the door. Pacing back and forth in front of it, she decided to give Hades ten more minutes to show up. After that she’d just have to swallow her embarrassment at being stood up and go in alone.

  “Hi, Persephone!” Pheme called out. Stepping down from a chariot, she approached the gym. Her white linen chiton was cinched at the waist by a thin silver belt, and her spiky orange hair was even spikier than usual. “Waiting for someone?” she asked. Her words puffed into the night air in little cloud letters that quickly faded away.

  Persephone eyed her warily. “Maybe.”

  “Ooh, a godboy, I bet. What’s his name?”

  Persephone shook her head. “I’m not saying.”

  “Please,” pleaded Pheme. “I won’t tell.” Lifting her hand, she twisted her thumb and finger together at the corner of her orange-glossed lips, as if turning a key to lock them shut.

  Persephone rolled her eyes. “Right.”

  Pheme giggled and pushed open the gym door.

  A moment later Persephone felt a tap on her shoulder. She spun around. “Hades!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “I was afraid you weren’t going to come!” He was wearing a purple tunic that draped around his waist and over one shoulder. The majestic color suited him well. She thought he looked handsomer than ever.

  “Aha!” said a voice behind her. Too late, Persephone realized that Pheme hadn’t disappeared into the gym after all. She’d been hovering in the open doorway. Now the door banged shut behind her. No doubt she couldn’t wait to spread rumors about Persephone and Hades!

  “Sorry I’m late,” Hades said. “Just as I was leaving, Charon delivered a huge boatload of shades. One of them tried to escape, and Cerberus took after him. Then a fight broke out between the shades of two men who fought as enemies in the Trojan War.” He sighed. “It took me a while to help sort things out.”

  “It’s okay,” said Persephone, touching his arm. “You’re here now.”

  Hades smiled down at her. “You look beautiful.”

  Persephone blushed. “Thanks.” Feeling self-conscious, she straightened the wreath of daisies atop her red curls. Demeter had made her a gorgeous saffron yellow chiton. Woven through the fabric were sparkling go
ld and silver threads. But the black velvet cloak she’d thrown over the dress had been her idea.

  Aphrodite had rolled her eyes when she saw it. “Interesting fashion statement,” she’d said. Persephone didn’t care. The combination of light and dark suited her just right.

  Hades peered toward the door. “I suppose we have to go in,” he said grimly. He didn’t sound like he was looking forward to it.

  “You’re not nervous, are you?” asked Persephone. “My friends will like you. I promise. Just be yourself.”

  Hades frowned.

  “Only perhaps not so gloomy,” Persephone added. “It is a party, after all.”

  “I’ll try,” said Hades. He reached for her hand. The two of them entered the gym, but as they started toward the band, they found their way blocked by a couple of godboys.

  Just beyond them stood Pheme. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed to Persephone. She certainly hadn’t wasted any time! And though she probably hadn’t meant any harm, as usual her gossip had stirred up trouble.

  Ares stood with his legs apart, his arms crossed in front of his chest. “What are you doing here, Death-boy?” he sneered.

  “Yeah,” said the beefy-looking godboy next to him. “You don’t belong here.”

  Hades’ grip on Persephone’s hand tightened.

  Ares frowned at his companion. “Let me handle this, Kydoimos.” Stepping forward, he poked his finger in Hades’ chest. “Why don’t you go back to that stinkhole you call home?”

  Scowling, Hades knocked Ares’ hand away. “Lay off, will you?”

  Godness! If ever there was a time to go along to get along, it was now, thought Persephone. Summoning a smile, she looked right at Ares. “We’re just here to dance, same as you,” she said sweetly. “Aren’t we, Hades?” To her surprise her words sounded far calmer than she felt.

  After a second, Hades’ grip on her hand loosened. “Yeah, that’s right,” he said, matching her light tone. But his face still looked grim.

  By now some of the godboys and goddessgirls nearby had noticed what was happening. They gathered to watch.