Chapter 14 : Role number one

"So all the classrooms on campus are arranged into blocks," Eris explained as her and Persephone walked towards the classes for their first day. "Each block caters for each year of a specific major. So for example you're majoring in Botany right?"

"Umm yeah that's right.." Persephone mumbled in response. Her mind was too occupied trying to make sense of the massive campus. Was she really ever going to get used to all of this?

"So the botany major blocks are over there," Eris pointed to five buildings clamped together with a big sign plastered on the one in the center that read, 'School of Botany'.

"The first block there is for first years, the second for second years and so on," Eris elaborated, "the fifth block has usually laboratories and other stuff like that. Got it?"

Persephone tightened the hold on her bag and gulped, "yeah I guess so.."

"Don't worry, all the classes in your block will be numbered in an ascending order, so you should be able to find your way around the building pretty easy."

"Thanks Eris." Persephone thanked her friend and was about to walk to her block but stopped and turned back, "hey Eris, I've been meaning to ask, how do you know the school so well. Aren't you a freshman too?"

The goth goddess chuckled sheepishly, "oh shucks you caught me Persie… well truth is, this is actually my second year here, I got held back last year."

"Oh, I see.." Persephone suddenly regretted prying. Getting held back was definitely not something someone would like to speak about.

"Don't worry I'm not ashamed of it," Eris responded, "and this time I'm actually doing a course that I love so I'm all good."

Suddenly, a sound like that of a loud chiming clock echoed around the whole campus before an automated voice came to life over the intercom. 'Good morning OU the time is eight AM'

"Oh shoot! I'm going to be late for my first class!" Eris broke into a little jog and waved to her roommate, "ask for the school canteen square at lunchtime and I'll meet you there!"

Persephone waved her friend goodbye before walking towards her own block. As she stepped into the building, she took several breaths to calm her nerves, and chanted her room number in her head so as to not get overwhelmed by the hundreds of people who were waking the halls to get to their classes. Finally after telling herself to calm down for the fifth time, she stood in front of the large door that had a plaque with her room number engraved into it.

Inside the classroom, students where taking their respective seats in accordance to the row numbers they had been assigned upon acceptance. Persephone was row number one, meaning she had to sit right in the front, why in the world had she been given row number one?! She would have preferred to be in the back of the class where no one could spot her.

On the other end of the classroom, stood three guys who were talking amongst themselves, until one of them noticed Persephone frantically trying to get her books in order.

"Hey.. any idea who that is? The girl with the red hair," the first guy asked.

"I've never seen her before," the second guy responded with a shrug. "She must not be from Olympus, I should know, I know almost everyone on Olympus."

"Maybe she's one of those lesser goddess in the mortal realm, or she could be a nymph." The third added on.

"I'm going over to say hi, gotta make her feel welcome here don't we.."

Persephone was writing down the date in her text book when a hand slammed onto her table, making her drop her pen. The person who had hit her table bent down, picked the pen up and handed it back to her. "Sorry about that, I didn't mean to startle you."

Persephone looked up at the person who she already disliked and wanted to go away. He was a tall guy with smooth skin, short tasseled black hair, a slightly fanged smile, and hooded dark brown eyes that were hidden behind a pair of translucent sunglasses.

Who the hell wore sunglasses indoors?

"I'm Ares, pleasure to meet you…."

"Persephone," the young goddess replied and hesitantly accepted Ares' hand for a handshake.

"You're not from around here are you Persephone?" Ares mumbled.

Persephone shook her head and kept her eyes fixed on Ares' hand that was still holding hers, why wasn't he letting go? Was a handshake even supposed to last this long? And that smile of his, why did it give Persephone the shivers? And not the good kind either.

"Alright everyone settle down." A man who was half horse half human walked into the class and stood at the podium. His upper half was wearing an emerald green jacket and a white shirt underneath, while god lower half was covered in fur. "Everyone take your seats according to your row numbers please, I'll be taking attendance soon and then after we can start with homeroom."

Persephone's eyes were as round as saucers and they sparkled in amazement. This man was a centaur wasn't he? She had never seen one up close before, she had only read about them in books, he was so majestic.

Ares let go of Persephone's hand and gave her what he thought was a friendly smile, but to Persephone it looked like he was constipated. "Let's catch up after class okay Persephone," he mumbled before making his way to his seat.

Ares was a guy Persephone knew she should stay away from, he reeked of trouble and looked like a delinquent. She wasn't going to get herself associated with someone like that, no way.

"Roll number one!"

Persephone awoke from her reverie and raised her hand, "present."

*

Thanatos walked to Hades' table and placed a rim of paper on top of it. "Flood in the Middle East of the mortal realm has caused an influx in souls boss, it's the busiest we've been in a while."

Hades did not respond, he was glued to his laptop slowly scrolling and reading through God knows what. He didn't even hear a single word of what Thanatos had just said, he was too engrossed in whatever it is he was doing.

"Hey boss?" Thanatos repeated himself and waved a hand in front of Hades, but still got no response. The god of death took a step back and drew in a deep breath before yelling, "lord Hades it's the red head from the party!"

Hades immediately jolted upright and threw his gaze at the door. "Persephone?!" His eyes narrowed and a few wrinkles etched his forehead when the sound of snickering reached his ears. "Thanatos! How many times have I told you not-"

"To yell in your office, yeah I've heard it a thousand times," Thanatos responded while making himself comfortable on a chair.

"And yet you don't heed my warning, do you want me to have you replaced?"

"Oh come on boss, you and I both know you can't do that." Thanatos reached for the bowl of chocolates on the table and threw one into his mouth. "I mean it's not like there's a god of death out there just lurking around waiting to take my job."

Hades sighed and closed his laptop. It wasn't even lunchtime yet and he was already exhausted. He had searched every possible site he could find and still couldn't come up with any records whatsoever on Persephone. It was infuriating.

"So that's her name huh? Persephone.." Thanatos muttered, "I've gotta say boss you really hit the jackpot this time, she's a real babe I'll tell you that.."

"Thanatos.."

"She's got those big blue eyes," Thanatos continued, "and sorry to say this boss, but damn she is really packing in all the right departments!"

"She's seventeen."

Thanatos almost chocked on his chocolate trying to process what Hades had just said. "What? How? We don't have any records of a goddess that young."

"I know that, but it's the truth.."

Thanatos pursed his lips and shook his head, "geez, I'm really sorry boss."

"There's nothing to be sorry for, now get back to work please. Those souls from the Middle East will not sort themselves."

Thanatos grabbed one more chocolate and gave his boss a sly smile, "hey don't worry too much lord Hades, by this time next year she'll be eighteen and ready for the picking."

"Get out Thanatos."

"Yes sir.."

When Thanatos left, Hades leaned back on his chair and sighed, "this time next year huh?" Immediately, his eyes went wide with shock. "What am I saying?!" He got to his feet and grabbed his keys. "Pixie make an order for some Kronos fried chicken please, I'll be picking it up in a few minutes."

"Of course lord Hades, placing the order now."

He needed to get some air, he was running mad because of this mysterious little dove.