Persephone? How… how did you find my apartment?
January 28th, 2040
Persephone’s back stood against cold bathroom walls, mascara running down the tender apples of her cheeks. It was currently fifth period, but she had class with Leon, so she couldn’t bear to show up. The room was so drab… it only traced circles around the void in her heart. And piles of crumpled up paper towels from blowing her nose scattered around her. She figured she’d clean it up later. The girl didn’t have the energy for it right now, feeling like a 40 pound weight was strapped to her wrist when she tried to reach for another piece of the brown material. So she just sat there in sniffles until someone walked in.
Persie scanned their body up and down. They were dressed in demonias with knee length, black shorts with little silver embezzlements added in unique places and a black tee shirt with a… collar? She thought, staring at the little bell on their choker before looking at their all too familiar face. Hera. Oh no, she thought, not today, please.
Really? Their sibling of all people just had to see her like this today? Why was her life such a sh^t show? All of this rattled her bones and broke her heart bit by bit. She just wanted to disappear yet, she couldn’t because this might be her only opportunity to talk to her sibling. They walked by non chalantly, about to enter a stall before Persephone had to say “Hera.” She smiled softly, the words landing like a gentle echo of all of their memories together.
“Do I know you?” Hera ruined the moment, speaking like a command. “Uh, yeah.” Her obliging sister replied as if nothing between their dynamic had changed. “I’m your sister!” She feigned an awkward grin.
“What?” They asked. “I don’t have a biological sister.”
The words stung. They really didn’t remember her? I mean, they were both young when they were separated, but even then, it was the final warm front that melted her happy snowman that was fighting to go on a bit longer to know that she wasn’t significant in their memory. Nor anyone’s, to say the least. “Oh…” She said, unsure of how to respond. Maybe she should just forget about it! It’s too late in life for them to build a real relationship! The cement of their brains has dried, it will be no use. But wait! It’s worth a try.
“Actually, you do. I’m not sure how everything worked with your adoption, or whether or not our mother made our adoptions closed or opened or anything.” She spoke, trying to calculate the impact of their words. “But… you have a sister, and… it’s me!” She exclaimed lamely, tadaing with limp hands and a stuffy voice.
Hera didn’t know what to do with this random girls’ statement, but they definitely weren’t going to believe it. “No you’re not.” They stated coldly. There was no way their moms didn’t tell them about their whole SISTER. And it didn’t make sense that Hera remembered everything about her early childhood except her. Nor was it fair that she was discovering her sister after their life finally seemed to be coming together. She wanted to odesseusly run away, never looking back at where they came from, for it was all dead land. Frozen, and cold.
Ugh, why couldn’t people just believe her for once? Like yeah it’s not at all believable nor remotely logical that she and Hera were related, but still. They honestly didn’t even look that much alike! They looked like they could be siblings if they were in a movie casted by some old white dude who was forced to add people of color so his movie would be praised for diversity even though he believed all asians look the same and weren’t that important anyway. Gosh, what could she possibly say to prove this? “Our mom’s name was Belle, and she was on some sort of greek mythology kick when she had us because my name is persephone, and her boyfriend’s name was Rick Rutherford, and she was an exotic dancer, she never told us but she always came home in like 10 inch heels very late at night. That’s all I remember. I hope it’s enough.” She sighed.
Hmmmmmm. Hera was beginning to be a bit more convinced, but even then, there was alot of information that could be found about someone on the internet, so they remained unconvinced. “Where was her birth mark?” They asked. It was kind of a long shot, but Persephone needed to prove herself honest. Hera didn’t want to be trusting a stranger, and people had every reason to pretend to know their family. They were moneyed and had a decent amount of fame, lots of people wanted what they had. Hera wasn’t going to let anyone take it from them.
Persephone was in deep doo doo. HOW WAS SHE SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT?! THAT HAG DIED WHEN THEY WERE LIKE FOUR! Think Persephone, think. She thought, visibly stressed as she recalled everything she remembered. Faint shouting, shiny dresses, bottles of alcohol on the dinner table, takeout food, polished wood floors, hair dye. That’s it. Hair dye! “It was on her head, making a strand of her hair grow white but she would always dye it because she feared it would make her look older than she actually was.”
It was so peculiar to realize her mother’s insecurities. They made everything from her foggy point of view clear up. She would sleep with guys who liked her because she was young and beautiful. She was with her boyfriend even though he was abusive because she thought she deserved him but also because her time was running out. She told Persephone never to grow up because she was too cute but also because getting older was scary. Maybe that was why she’s still so girly and impish, she thought that if she acted nothing ever changed, time might still with her. And that wasn’t necesarily the case, but it did help cope. Hera didn’t seem to see it the same way, though. Or anything, if we’re on that topic. After all of these years they were still the fight to her flight.
They were finding it difficult to believe that Persephone was really her sister, but everything pointed at the fact that she was. They supposed they could come to terms with it. “Alright then, kid.” They spoke as they sat down next to her, the sort of caucasian nickname they learned from their moms rubbing in how different their lives ended up becoming. “Tell me what’s wrong, I’m all ears.” Hera shrugged. Right now, they had no idea what to feel about any of this, so by association, they just didn’t. All they could do for now was try to get to know her long lost companion.
Wow. Persephone needed to add unemotional to her list of Hera’s personality traits. They just met their whole SISTER and they’re just kind of like “okay.” WHAT THE HECK?!?! No hug or nothing?!?! No “wow.” Persephone usually wasn’t one to be a gran dios, but they at least expected some sort of sentiment. Not because she deserved to be worshipped and missed, just because that was what she wanted to do right now. It was whatever, though. Persie wanted to win this dude over, so she wasn’t gonna push her. Not yet.
She figured she might as well open up to them if she wanted them to be closer. “Well, I just got cheated on by a lame. And it just be making me feel so stupid. Wha’ kinda name’s Napoleon?” She facepalmed with a pout, the same way Hera does, making the fellow question whether or not they learned that together. Persie didn’t mind talking a bit informally around Hera, she only ever really spoke like a dAiNtY LiTtLe wOmAn around cute boys so they’d think she was #wifeymaterial. The truth was, in her old foster homes, absolutely no one spoke eloquently after being there for a decent amount of time. Her part of the hood had obscene amounts of slang for no reason. The rich girl accent tasted bitter when it left her mouth at that point. To think she changed herself to sound pretty for a guy who wasn’t even her type.
Hera’s heart broke for the poor girl, her school had just burned down and now she was getting played by some dude named Napoleon. What kinda name is that?!? Wait. Hera had a frieeeeenddd named Napoleon… “Wait, Leon Park?” She asked curiously.
“Yeah, why? You know him?” Persie sniffled.
“He’s my friend.” Hera spoke just before the bell rang.
“What?” The girl wiped a tear away with her sleeve as the sound of footsteps took over the hallway.
“He’s actually… coming to pick me up right now. I don’t want to leave you though… Not like this.” Hera looked at her with heartfelt eyes.
Persephone didn’t even know what to say to that. Her sibling and ex situationship are friends? Touche, universe. All of this now pained her so much more. She didn’t feel right making her stay, but she wanted her to 
. “No it’s okay! I can stay here, I’ll be fine!” She took a stifled breath and her eyes got a bit more teary as Hera stood up. She didn’t want them to leave, but what else could she do? She just met Hera, she can’t just ask her to stay all of a sudden. What to do, what to do… “Hera! Pass me ya number” She pouted unintentionally.
They turned with an empathetic smile, kneeling down in front of persephone to give her their phone. “Here, make a contact for yourself” They spoke sweetly as they handed her the device. For a second it felt as though they had never been drawn apart, their exchanged gazes so intimate in a way she’d never experienced. It made her realize the love she’d been missing out on for so long. Suddenly quite happily, she put her number into their contacts, adding the name “Persie <3” and taking a selfie of her making goofy, puffy face. The photo embodied her perfectly, something Hera would soon discover. Just looking for some finishing touches, Persephone saw the button that let her see Hera’s location, sliding yes just in case. She didn’t want to lose them again, and safety was always important to her. Quickly, she handed the phone with a grin, excited to see Hera’s reaction to her funny face. And with that, Hera left the bathroom, Leaving Persephone alone in the mess again.
February 14th, 2040
In the present day, Persephone now stood again in her blood red dress from earlier in the day, a maniacal grin plastered on her face. “A little birdie told me” She laughed. Was that true? Kind of. It more so involved watching Hera’s detour to this apartment complex sadly during her sixth period class. Back then it hurt, but now, it burns magnificently, the wildfire dancing like Persephone had longed to do since she was first burdened with the life she was destined to fix. This was the change she needed to make. This was her destiny.
As the starry eyed girl with waterfalls cascading from her eyes, it was quite the anachronism for her to ever feel apathy. Yet, watching Leon’s pain had little to no effect on her. All she could do was laugh at him. “Awwww, poor soul.” She pouted, lazily pretending to care. “You think this is a joke? Why I would never do that to you, baby.” She assured, the words meaningless and paper thin. It was infuriating how distrusting he was of her. She was the only person with any reason to distrust him. Persephone never showed him anything but kindness, and getting this repayment made her want to pull a dainty hand to her forehead and faint, never waking up. That, or pour set this whole city ablaze. “You’re pathetic.” She flashed a smile.
She rolled her eyes as he began to talk to his little girlfriend who she didn’t even bother to judge, checking if her nails were chipped out of boredom. Until he flipped a murderous switch inside of her.
HMPH.
