Aphrodite speeds things up

You sigh in relief as you exit your history classroom. Normally you wouldn’t find a test to be that easy, but after a week of cramming, it felt like a walk in the park. You sling your backpack over your shoulder and head for your locker, eager to dump your books.

“Sam!” someone calls out as you open your locker.

You turn and see Aphrodite striding toward you, looking like she just stepped off a magazine cover. She’s still wearing that pretty pink wrap dress and high heels from earlier, a stylish tote bag now hanging casually from her shoulder. She’s unbelievably hot—you get it, she’s the goddess of beauty—but honestly, you find Hestia, Athena, and Artemis even more beautiful.

Not that you’ll ever tell her that—you’re not an idiot.

“Hey,” you greet. “You seem happy.”

“Oh, yes. You’re here, right on time.”

“Right on time? For what?” you ask, feeling a familiar sense of dread creeping in. Aphrodite’s plans usually meant trouble.

“For my plan to get Athena, Hestia, and Artemis to date you,” she says sweetly, flashing a mischievous smile.

You sigh. “Aphrodite, I told you—and the others—I don’t need help.”

“Well, too bad. You’re getting it anyway,” she says with a shrug. “This is the closest I’ve ever seen them come to admitting they’re in love, and I am not letting this opportunity slip away. I know exactly what they need to push them over the edge.”

“And what’s that?” you ask, already regretting it.

“A hero.”

“A hero?” you repeat flatly.

“Of course! It’s practically Greek tradition! Heroes win the hearts of goddesses all the time. So you just need to be a hero for them—something brave, something selfless, something a little epic. Then they’ll be all yours.”

“And how exactly am I supposed to pull that off?”

Aphrodite’s smile turns downright devilish. “Simple. Right now, the three of them are taking a nice, long shower. While they were distracted, I snuck in and... borrowed something.”

You narrow your eyes. “Borrowed what?”

She casually opens her tote bag and tilts it toward you. Inside, you see towels and several articles of clothing. Some of which you recognize from earlier today.

“You’re kidding,” you say, horrified.

“Nope!” she says brightly. “Check it out.”

She reaches into the bag and starts pulling items out one by one.

“Here’s Athena’s,” Aphrodite says, holding up a gray and blue bodysuit with a built-in bra. “Simple, practical, battle-ready. Very her.”

Then she lifts a camo-print sports bra. “Artemis’s, obviously. Camo—because subtlety is for losers.”

Finally, she holds up some warm, pinkish-orange high-waist panties. “And Hestia’s. Cozy, soft—just like her.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” you practically shout. “You left them alone naked?!”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. They won’t be alone for long. The bell’s about to ring. The halls are going to be packed. Locker rooms, corridors, random students—can you imagine the chaos if they have to make a break for it?” Aphrodite says, barely containing her excitement.

You don't even ask if she’s serious. The bag of stolen clothes is all the proof you need. Your jaw drops open, your brain short-circuiting for a solid five seconds before you manage to croak out, “...Why?”

“For you to be a hero, duh!” Aphrodite grins. “Think about it. They’ll be mortified—but then you’ll swoop in, save them, protect them. They’ll be so grateful. So touched. Their hearts will finally open up, and boom! Romance!”

Before you can get another word in, Aphrodite whips out her phone and starts typing.

“There. I texted you where they are—and sent you some _fun _visuals, in case you need motivation,” she says with a wink. “Good luck, hero. And try not to get too distracted by their naked bodies.” She blows you a kiss and prances off down the hallway, her tote bag bouncing on her hip.

You briefly consider chasing her down and stealing the bag back. But time is running out. Your friends need you. You can’t waste a second.

Sighing heavily, you pull out your phone and open Aphrodite’s text, praying that—please, please—Athena, Artemis, and Hestia are at least showering in the same location.