Iridescence

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ELIZA

I was rushing to get to my last class of the day when I slipped off of the the top of the staircase. A hand reached out and grabbed me around the waist just before I could fall. I looked up and expected to see Apollo, but he wasn't the one who rescued me.

"Are you okay, Eliza?" Leo asked me.

"Leo!" I cried in surprise. "I... Um... Thank you," I managed.

"No problem." He smiled. "You need to have pretty quick reflexes to play some of the sports I do."

"I'm hopelessly clumsy," I admitted.

"Let me walk you to your class. That way, there won't be any other incidents."

I was surprised by the offer, but maybe it was for the best. "Alright," I agreed. We started walking again. Leo stayed close to me as if he was worried I'd trip and fall to my doom any second.

As we reached my classroom, Jenna walked toward us. "Hey, Eliza," she greeted me warmly. "Hi, Leo! I didn't know you two were friends."

"It's a recent development," Leo replied. "Eliza's got a genuine gift for archery. I decided any girl who's that good with a bow and arrow should be on my list of friends."

"Are you worried she'll shoot you instead of the target if you piss her off?" Lucky asked with a laugh. I didn't know him well, but everyone knew who Lucky was.

Leo laughed. "Well, it's probably not a good idea to be on her bad side," he replied.

"Eliza doesn't have a bad side," Apollo said a bit sharply as he joined us in the hallway. "She's a lovely girl. Now, get to class."

Jenna looked confused, but she led Lucky and Leo away quickly.

I looked up at Apollo and saw a hint of jealousy on his face. "Leo caught me before I could fall down the stairs," I explained. "He walked me to class to make sure I was okay."

"How thoughtful of him," Apollo replied dryly.

"Apollo... Leo and I are just friends," I promised as he took me into the empty room next to the one I was supposed to enter. "We're barely even that much."

"How does he know Jenna?" He asked suspiciously.

"They run in the same social circle. He's a jock."

"Does he know the others?"

"In passing... Leo's popular. He knows most people." I paused. "Apollo, why are you acting like this?"

"I have to keep an eye on who's around you girls... Theos is lurking. He could be anyone. Who was the other boy with Jenna?"

"That was Lucky Thomas."

"What's his connection to you all? That kid radiates with power."

"Lucky's Jenna's best friend. He's also close to Vanessa because they're in the drama club together. He gets along with Krissy really well because they have a similar sense of humor. He's also one of the only people who doesn't run away from Faith. He finds her outrageous antics amusing."

"That's four of you. Is he connected to you and Emily, too?"

"Emily's not connected to anyone. She pushes people away. As for me, he's always been nice to me, but you know I'm very shy. Until Iridescence, I didn't have any close friends besides Krissy."

"He could be Altheos... He's managed to connect himself to almost all of you, and he definitely has tremendous power inside of him. Steer clear of him. I'll warn the others."

"Apollo, there's no way it's Lucky," I protested.

"Why not?"

"He's too nice."

"So was Theos. We all trusted him, Eliza. He's the Universe's most gifted liar."

I sighed, because he was right. There was no way to know for sure, even if it seemed impossible that Lucky might be evil.

"Who else hangs out around all of you?" Apollo asked.

"No one really hangs out with Faith or Emily. Krissy's got a few friends outside of Iridescence, but no one close. Vanessa's very popular. I can't name all of her friends. The same goes for Jenna... And Jenna has a boyfriend. His name is Kevin, I think."

"Theos was very close to Jenna's soul... It could be her best friend or her boyfriend... Or it could be Leo."

"You really don't like him..."

"I don't like the way he's cozying up to you."

"Apollo, are you jealous?" I asked softly.

He frowned. "Maybe a little," he admitted. "I know you're still very young, Eliza, but... Kleia was my first love... And I loved her more than I ever loved anyone else. It's... difficult watching someone else flirt with you."

"Flirt with me?" I blushed what I'm sure was a brilliant shade of red. "He's not flirting... He's just talking to me."

"You may not see it, Eliza, but I do. His body language is flirtatious in nature."

"Leo could have any girl in this school, Apollo. He's not interested in me. He has said several times that he wants to be my friend."

"That's how it starts!"

I felt Kleia stirring within me then. "You have nothing to be worried about, Apollo," I said softly. "I'm not interested in dating Leo."

He looked into my eyes. "You're not?" He asked.

I touched my hand to his cheek. "I promise," I replied.

He leaned closer to me. He gazed deep into my eyes. I could feel his emotions radiating off of him. All I wanted was to ease the pain in his heart. For a moment, I thought he might kiss me. I didn't try to stop him, but he stopped himself.

"I'm sorry," he said. "You're Eliza, not Kleia... But I suppose old habits die hard."

"It's alright," I replied quickly. "I know you loved her."

"I did... I always will." He looked a bit lost as he said, "You're late for class. I'll tell the teacher it was my fault."

"Apollo-"

"Your education is important, Eliza. I've taken up enough of your time."

I could tell how hard it was for him not to act on his impulses, so I stopped protesting. He was right anyway. I belonged in my classroom, not hiding out next-door with a deity I could no longer deny I had a crush on.

It's more than a crush, I thought. I'm in love with him... But that's impossible. I hardly know him!

"Eliza, are you alright?" Apollo asked gently.

"Yes," I replied. "I'm fine. Let's go. Mr. Almos hates when students are late."

You do know him, Eliza, my heart insisted. You know him better than anyone other than Artemis.

He opened the door for me before escorting me next door. "Pardon Eliza's tardiness, Mr. Almos," Apollo said pleasantly. "I engaged her in a rousing discussion on Mozart and we lost track of time."

"It's quite alright," my history teacher replied. "Come in, Eliza. You're just in time for the start of our chapter on the history of Ancient Greece."

I hurried to my seat after offering my teacher an apologetic smile. Faith smirked at me from her seat in the back of the classroom as if to say she suspected Apollo and I had just wanted a few stolen moments alone together. Vanessa offered me a bright smile and I wondered if she had similar thoughts.

"Ancient Greece, eh? Do you mind if I observe the lesson?" Apollo asked. "I'm quite a fan of the subject."

"Of course not, Mr. Ray," Mr. Almos replied. "Have a seat."

Apollo sat at an empty desk near Faith. Mr. Almos began his lecture. I listened attentively, fascinated by the history of a civilization that worshipped the Old Gods. I was completely absorbed in the lesson until Apollo suddenly chuckled softly to himself. His laugh was like music, and it stirred something inside of me.

"Did I amuse you, Mr. Ray?" Mr. Almos asked.

"I suspect that's not quite how it happened," Apollo replied. "Historians tell one version of events, but I've heard others."

"Well, this class teaches history as recorded by historians, not philosophers or mythologists."

"Of course. My apologies, Mr. Almos. It's not your fault people didn't always write down the full story back then. You can only teach the approved curriculum, no matter how inaccurate it may be. Please, do continue."'

Several students laughed. Vanessa started giggling. Faith actually snorted. I looked at Apollo and shook my head, but I couldn't hide my slight smile.

As Mr. Almos resumed teaching, he kept watching Apollo out of the corner of his eye. He seemed annoyed and almost angry. I'd never known Mr. Almos to have a temper before, but I guess if I was teaching and someone challenged me in front of my students I'd be upset, too.

A few minutes later, Mr. Almos began discussing the "primitive" beliefs of the people of Ancient Greece. He discussed how silly he thought it was to believe in the elaborate mythology of the Greek pantheon. He started mocking the Sun Gods.

Suddenly, Mr. Almos cried out in pain as his shirt caught on fire. I gasped in horror. One of the boys sitting near him jumped up and wrapped his coat around him.

"Stop, drop, and roll, Mr. Almos!" Apollo advised him.

The fire went out as the coat cut off its air supply. I turned toward the back of the class. Faith smirked at me and I knew she was the guilty party, but Apollo looked extremely amused. Vanessa avoided eye contact so she wouldn't start laughing.

"Are you alright, Mr. Almos?" I asked softly.

He examined himself before replying, "I believe I should go see the nurse. Mr. Ray, if you would kindly stay with my class for the remainder of the period, it would be appreciated."

"Of course, Mr. Almos," Apollo replied. "Tend to your injuries... And perhaps be careful about angering the Sun Gods in the future, because I can think of no other explanation for your shirt's spontaneous combustion than divine retribution." Apollo laughed, which eased the tension in the room and made the students laugh, too, but I knew magical intervention really was the cause.

As Mr. Almos left to go to the nurse, Apollo walked to the front of the classroom. "Alright," he said cheerfully. "Who'd like to hear some of my favorite Greek myths?"