A God's Love

Chapter 2

I woke up early the next morning, so I could find a decent outfit, or so I was telling myself.  I could care less what I wore, as long as it matched and was not hideous. I woke up early because I could barely sleep last night.

I'm beyond nervous about transferring to a new school. I can only hope they don't have cliques because I'm honestly not sure where I would fit in at. My game plan is to try out for the dance team. If it’s at all like the movies the dance team and the cheerleaders are the quickest way to get in with a group of friends.

It's scorching hot outside, so I just decide on some short jean shorts, a white tank, and a short sleeve plaid shirt with the buttons undone. To finish off the outfit I go with my favorite pair of cowboy boots. Make-up is pointless to attempt due to the heat. I would sweat it off the moment I walked out of the house.  

After French braiding my hair, I check myself over in the mirror on the way out the door and realize that I'm looking like the epitome of a country girl right now. One glance at my clock tells me I do not have enough time to change, so I am going to have to deal. Grabbing my bright orange backpack, I made my way out to old and reliable. She’s not the most stylish car, but it gets me from A to B.

Driving up to the school took me a solid twenty minutes, so by the time I pulled into the parking lot it was full. Teens were scattered throughout the place. Looking through the crowds, I quickly realized my worst nightmare.

I was going to stick out like a sore thumb.

I didn't see one single person wearing plaid or cowboy boots. It was painfully obvious that these kids were very rich. My car was probably the oldest in the lot, and they all seemed to be wearing designer clothes. I finally found a spot in the way back. After several deep breaths I find the courage to exit my car.

The moment my door shut every eye was on me.

Most guys looked at me with l**t, and the girls looked at me with jealousy and anger.

I'm not trying to sound conceited, but I could understand the several different looks I was given. I have long deep brown hair with natural red highlights. My skin is tan, and my body is extremely fit. Between dance and gymnastics there was no possible way for me to gain weight. I actually had a little four pack goin on. Many guys had told me that my legs were my best feature. I can't remember why exactly, something about them 'going on for miles' and being ultra-toned. I just shrugged it off.

I won't deny that I'm pretty, but that's about as far as I'd take it. I definitely do not flaunt myself the way the ladies here seemed to. All the attention was unnerving, so I quickly made my way into the building ignoring the taunts that followed.

After walking down, a super long hallway, I reach the office where the receptionist hands me my schedule with my locker combo at the top. Dropping my backpack in my locker I head to my first period, gym. I wrinkle my nose in distaste, having gym as your first period sucks. You end up having to shower, then all your hard work in the morning is for nothing.

Thankfully I don't have gym clothes yet, so I should be able to sit out.

Walking into the gym I head right for the coach. Glancing around I can see the class is coed, and they're currently working on gymnastics. Just as I'm about to say something, the coach beats me to it. "I'm taking it you're Adellyna." Seeing my nod, she continues. "Even though you can't dress out until tomorrow; I want you to go work on the floor routines. Your clothes will be efficient enough for today. Just take of your shoes. Don't forget, you're graded on your effort."

I guess I spoke to soon about sitting out. I freeze for a moment while I’m internally debating on how far I should take this. I really don't want to seem like I'm showing off, but I can't afford to get a bad grade. With my mind made up, I hold my head high and determinedly make my way over to the mats and remove my boots.

Several girls are snickering at me, but only one has the nerve to comes up and address me. "Whoa there, country bumpkin. The mat is for the people who know what they're doing. Why don't you just run along and go over to the balance beam with the w****s and jocks?"

Of course, my gaze darts over to the beam where a bunch of people are just lounging around. None of them are participating at all. I honestly would love nothing more than to go over there and join them, but this girl just challenged me, and I NEVER back down from a challenge. Never.

"Watch and learn." I shove, my way past her and stand in the very corner of the mat.

I take a deep breath in, then take off running. A quarter of the way across the mat I start front cartwheeling, three flips in I give myself an extra boost, and flip through the air without my hands touching the mat. I scissor my legs open while I'm in the air. When I land, I go directly into a one-handed cartwheel and twist my body the opposite way, finishing with a simple back flip.

Catching my breath, I turn around and see the whole gym watching me with their mouths agape. Content with what I just did, I put my boots back on, and leave the gym. I'm about five minutes early, but I figure that should fill my participation points for the day. I pull out my schedule to get a better look and stop dead in my tracks. There's a block for independent music study.

That can't be right. I've never signed up for something like that. Just as I finished the thought, I a lightbulb goes off. This has to be the work of my Dad. I don't want to sing or play anymore, and I know I didn't ** for it. He had to be the one to enroll me. I vaguely recall him mentioning how much he missed me hearing me sing, but I didn’t think he would try force me.

Pulling out my cell, I decide to call him.

"Hello?" Dad asks.

"Dad please tell me you didn't sign me up for this music study class." I beg.

He stays quiet for several minutes before he answers. "I did, but before you go and get angry let me explain."

He rushes on before I even get the chance to open my mouth. "You have the theater to yourself. Nobody else will be in there with you. Your only assignment is that by the end of the semester you must perform for the music teacher. If he finds you did decent, then you pass the class. I'm doing this for you. You used to love singing and playing, but now you can barely look at a piano without crying. Sweetie, we need to move on, and start doing the things that make us happy. Whether you admit it or not I know those things make you happy. Will you please do it? For me?"

After that heartfelt speech, with a smidge of guilt salted on the top, how could I say no. "Fine but you owe me. Sundaes for dessert tonight."

"Deal. Thank you. I've got to go back to work. Love you."

"Love you to Dad." We hang up just as the bell rings, and I make my way to history.

All over the walls are posters of Zeus and Hades, and several others I can't recognize. Come to think of it when I was looking for the office, I passed several busts of one God or the other. If I remember correctly their mascot was a titan. Curious, I’ve never seen a school with so much focus on Greek mythology. I understand the mascot being an influence, but not this heavy. Making my way to history class, I choose the open seat closest to the back. It wasn’t long before the teacher came in and immediately got started with the lesson.

"Class settle down. We're going to be continuing with our lessons on the big twelve, and God. God and his angels take care of things in heaven while the big twelve take care of things on earth and in the underworld. Of course, with the exception of the guardian angels. Every single person on this earth has a guardian angel assigned to them."

I could not believe my ears and failed at holding in a scoff. Which caused me to gain the classrooms attention.

"Problem Miss Adellyna?" The teacher asks.

"It just sounds like you actually believe in guardian angels." I say. Surely a grown man knows this is all myths.

"I do. I also believe in all the Gods and Goddesses." He says.

"But doesn't that contradict each other? With the gods around, there wouldn't be the God or angels, or heaven for that matter. Hades would have all the souls in the underworld, and the Gods took care of things on earth. So, that would leave God and his angels with nothing to do." I proudly finish and look around to see everybody glaring at me. I'm not sure why; I thought I had a pretty good argument.

"Hades is the Lord of the underworld, so basically he gets all the tainted souls. The pure souls go to heaven where God and his angels look after them while the Gods stay here in earth. Well they stay in Olympus, a city several hundred miles in the air." The teacher ignored my outburst and continued with the lesson.  After that, I tuned out for a while before I heard my name being called from the front.  

"Um, What?" I dumbly respond.

"I asked if you knew what city Apollo and Artemis were born in?"

"No, I don't." I said.

"They were born in Delos, Greece. When Hera found out that Leto was pregnant with Zeus' kids, she banned her from giving birth on terra firma. Leto wondered around for months, until traveling to the newly created island of Delos. Deciding that this place was the safest option for option for her, Leto brought her children into the world. After giving birth, the people liked her so much and helped her prosper through her hard times, that she promised them her son (Apollo) would keep an eye on the island and favor it.

We may not be the island he was born on, but it has been noted that several times throughout this school’s history, Apollo has made a visit here. He hasn't visited in my lifetime, but I've got a feeling he will."

He went on about a few things Apollo did, and then class was over. Walking out in the hallway was brutal. It seemed that everyone's goal was to smash into me as hard as possible. I felt like I just walked in a hockey game and was labeled public enemy number one. I couldn't believe they were this mad just because I questioned the teacher about the Gods. Don't they know it's just myths?

By the time my last period came, I was looking forward to my music period. That's how bad today was. Between the constant shoving and harsh glares were the pranks, if you could even call them pranks. I had my locker defaced, my food dumped on the floor, my books thrown down the hallway, and several other little things.

It was exhausting trying to keep on the lookout for any new threat. I wanted to dance more than anything, but I promised Dad I'd try. So, I made myself a compromise, I would sing and play the piano for half the time and dance for the other half.

I hesitantly sat down at the piano and ran my fingers across the keys. Already I was feeling the rush that accompanied playing.

I played a few warmup songs, then started playing Titanium by David Guetta. Once I started singing, I could not stop, even though I had tears running down my cheeks.

"You shout it out,

But I can't hear a word you say

I'm talking loud not saying much

I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet

You shoot me down, but I get up

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose

Fire away, fire away

Ricochet, you take your aim

Fire away, fire away

You shoot me down, but I won't fall

I am titanium......"

I finished singing and heard a gasp. Whirling around to find the culprit, I was shocked to see an empty room. I looked around once more and did not see anybody, but I could not shake the feeling of being watched. Taking one more glance around and finding the place empty, I went and put my iPod in the dock.

Song after song I lost myself in the music, moving my body along with the beat. I could feel my horrible day leaving me. All my pent-up emotions vanished, and I could finally shake everything off.

The whole time I danced I still had that eerie feeling of being watched.