Persephone the Phony (Goddess Girls) by Joan Holub Page A

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.
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    "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
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    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,
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    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
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    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?
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    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.
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    "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."
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    Persephone grinned. Trust Athena to be more interested in talking to a teacher about a school project than in the dance itsel f.
    "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