The Goddess At My University

That girl is wrong. Why would I, a man-hating maiden goddess, have a crush on a mortal boy? Diana thought as she angrily packed some underwear to take to the person's home—someone she most certainly did not have a crush on. Only mortals have crushes. A goddess such as me would never have one.

The audacity of her! Diana fumed, stuffing clothes into her bag with extra force. She's so lucky I used my powers recently. Hmph, I'd definitely punish her for such a statement if I could.

Just as Diana was about to storm out, she froze, realizing Alice was probably still outside. She has no right to see my face right now, Diana thought, her cheeks still warm from both anger and embarrassment. Unable to leave, she stomped back to her room, pacing furiously.

She dares to suggest that I'm in love with a male? Diana's thoughts spiraled. I only— Her mind stalled. I only— It stalled again. Her frustration boiled over, her head pounding as the contradictory feelings warred inside her.

"No!" she muttered, gripping her head as the ache deepened. Her vision blurred as tears began to well up. I can't… Why does my head hurt so much? she thought, the tears spilling over.

A knock came at the door, interrupting her turmoil. "Diana, orientation is about to start again," Alice called out.

"Go away!" Diana yelled, her voice sharp and filled with unintentional pain.

Alice hesitated before speaking again. "C'mon, I'm sorry! I was just teasing you. I won't say anything else about it, okay?"

Silence.

"Diana, please," Alice pleaded, sounding genuinely remorseful. "I'm really sorry."

Finally, the door creaked open, revealing Diana with reddened eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. Alice's face fell at the sight, and before Diana could protest, Alice pulled her into a hug.

"What's wrong? Was my teasing really that bad." Alice asked softly.

Diana could only huff in silence, her head still pounding and her thoughts tangled in turmoil. Her trembling hands clutched the fabric of Alice's shirt as her tears continued to soak her roommate's back.

"I didn't mean what I said," Alice murmured softly, her voice laced with guilt. "I was just joking."

Diana stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I… think you're right."

Alice blinked in surprise, pulling back slightly. "Then why are you crying?"

Diana's voice cracked as she spoke, her tears streaming more freely. "Because… because this shouldn't be happening. Men are supposed to be vile creatures."

Alice couldn't help but chuckle lightly at her phrasing. "You know, your way of speaking is funny. But you can't lump all men—or all people, for that matter—into one category. Everyone's different."

Diana wasn't finished. Her voice quivered with raw emotion. "Even so, this should not be possible. I'm not meant to fall in love."

"Why can't you fall in love?" Alice asked, confused but trying to understand.

Diana hesitated, her chest tightening before she finally managed to speak. "I cannot tell you," she said, her tears falling faster, her voice shaking as much as her body. "Just know that if I fall in love—especially with a male—everything I've worked for, everything I stand for, will be ruined. I'll lose all my purpose."

Alice's heart ached for her, though she still didn't fully understand. Gently, she reached out and placed a hand on Diana's shoulder. "Love is just a part of being human," she said, her tone kind yet firm. "It makes you more humane, less cold. If falling in love makes you lose your purpose… then maybe that purpose wasn't worth holding onto in the first place."

Diana's breath hitched, her first instinct to feel insulted—her purpose, her vow, being called useless? And being compared to humans, of all things? But even as the anger simmered beneath her skin, Alice's words struck a chord she couldn't ignore. What was the point of all this?

She thought back to the moment she made that wish to her father, Zeus, so many centuries ago. The vow to remain a virgin goddess, to be untamed and untouched. Back then, it had seemed like the only way to preserve herself, to avoid the pain and betrayal she'd seen all around her. She'd watched men do heinous things to women—her own father seducing her mother and countless others while bound to a wife, her brother's reckless pursuits, and the endless scandals among her divine family.

And then there was Aphrodite. The goddess of love, so intoxicating, so shamelessly tangled in lust and romance. Watching her had only solidified Diana's resolve to stay far, far away from love. She wanted nothing to do with it. And yet…

The irony now was not lost on her. The mortal who had turned her world upside down—who haunted her thoughts and stirred these unfamiliar emotions—was a spitting image of that very goddess. Her son.

Her trembling subsided as she let the realization sink in, though her tears didn't stop. Alice's words still echoed in her ears. Was it all meaningless?

"I… I don't know," Diana whispered, her voice hollow. She slumped into Alice's arms, her tears flowing silently now. She didn't know why this was happening, why she couldn't push those feelings away. And worse, she didn't know if she even wanted to anymore.

Alice gently stroked Diana's hair, letting her calm down in her embrace. She studied Diana's tear-streaked face and made a decision. "Why don't we skip the rest of orientation for today and do something else instead?"

Diana sniffled softly, her voice breaking as she replied, "But… orientation."

Alice cut her off with a gentle but firm tone. "It's fine. It's the same thing every year—rules, speeches, boring stuff. Trust me, you're not missing anything."

Diana stayed silent, letting herself relax in Alice's comforting arms. After a moment, she murmured, "What… what do you have in mind?" Her tears had finally begun to slow, though her voice still carried a fragile edge.

Alice smiled warmly. "I'm going to teach you something new."

—————————

Chase arrived at the auditorium a few minutes before orientation began. He scanned the crowd, his eyes automatically searching for Diana, but she was nowhere to be seen. He assumed she just hadn't arrived yet.

As the minutes ticked by, orientation started, but Diana still hadn't shown up. Alice was missing as well. Chase frowned slightly, wondering where they were, though he tried to push the thought aside. He needed to focus—he already had enough to think about, like how to handle the news about his new, older half-sibling.

The orientation dragged on. Speaker after speaker took the stage, talking about campus rules, activities, sports, and extracurricular opportunities. It felt endless, stretching far into the afternoon. By the time it finally ended around 6 PM, Chase let out a quiet sigh of relief as he exited the auditorium, waiting for most of the crowd to disperse.

He yawned as he stepped into the cool evening air but instinctively tilted his head down, hoping to avoid drawing attention. Maybe I'm being too paranoid, he thought, letting out a dry chuckle.

But as the thought passed, another crept into his mind. Diana and Alice had been absent all day. I wonder what she's doing, he thought, his brow furrowing slightly. Despite himself, he couldn't help but feel curious—and perhaps a little concerned.

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Diana wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, sweat dripping down her face as she drank water. Her black hair, tied into a sleek ponytail, clung slightly to her neck. She was tired, but her bright smile betrayed her excitement—she wanted to play more. Alice had introduced her to volleyball, and while Diana had known of sports before, she had never played one herself. The thrill of it surprised her. It was exhilarating, almost reminiscent of hunting: a clear goal, physical challenges, and the satisfaction of success.

Alice, still catching her breath, leaned against the wall and grabbed her water bottle. "You're a monster," she said between gulps of water. "I've never seen someone jump that high, hit the ball that hard, and land it so accurately. You're a natural, Diana. You have to join the volleyball team—you'd probably be the best player."

Diana's grin widened, excitement dancing in her silver eyes. "Let's play another game! That was fun," she exclaimed.

Alice stared at her like she was crazy. "No way. We've been playing for over six hours. I'm exhausted."

Diana's enthusiasm dimmed as she lowered her head, her expression crestfallen. Seeing this, Alice sighed. "If you join the team, we practice almost every day. Although games don't start until late fall, you'll get plenty of chances to play."

Alice glanced around the gym, watching the other players packing up and leaving. She had called a few teammates to join them earlier since playing volleyball one-on-one wasn't practical or very fun.

One of the girls, tall and athletic, walked over after overhearing their conversation. She was at least three inches taller than Alice, who herself was an inch taller than Diana. "You should definitely join," the girl said, her voice steady and confident. "You're seriously talented. Did you really just learn how to play today?"

"That's right!" Alice chimed in, her tone filled with pride. "She's never even watched a volleyball game before, but her learning curve and athleticism are no joke. As expected of my best friend!"

Diana couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride as Alice boasted about her.

The tall girl smiled warmly. "If you want to join, just let me know. I'm the team captain, Elizabeth. You'd make varsity for sure."

Diana tilted her head slightly, mulling it over before flashing a confident smile. "Very well. I shall join this volleyball team and make your varsity… thing."

Alice burst out laughing, while Elizabeth blinked in confusion. "Don't mind her, Elizabeth," Alice said between chuckles. "That's just how she talks sometimes. Believe me, it was worse a year ago."

Elizabeth nodded, though she still looked a little puzzled. "Got it. Well, I'll leave you to it. Alice can help you with the paperwork. See you at practice, Diana." With that, she turned and left the gym.

Alice pulled out her phone to check the time and realized they had completely missed orientation.

Diana leaned over to peek at the screen, and her stomach sank when she saw how late it was. She felt a pang of worry, wondering if Chase had already left the auditorium. On top of that, she still hadn't retrieved her clean underwear from the dorm, and the thought of washing the same pair every day made her grimace. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she sighed to herself. "This is becoming a problem," she muttered under her breath.

"Are you ready to head back to the dorm?" Alice asked, standing up and stretching.

"Yes, but I'm going back to Chase's home tonight," Diana replied, her tone calm and aloof once more as they began gathering their things after the long day.

Alice froze mid-step, stunned. "Huh? Weren't you just there for two days already?"

Diana gave her a measured look, as if the answer was obvious. "I live there now since he lives there. Didn't you hear me when I said he was mine? Everything he owns, I own."

Alice blinked, processing the statement. She had heard Diana say that before, but this time it sounded… off, like she meant it literally. "…And what's yours is his too, right?" Alice asked cautiously, trying to gauge how far Diana was taking this.

Diana frowned, tilting her head in confusion. "That's ridiculous. Why would he own anything of mine?"

Alice felt her stomach drop. Her friend was showing some seriously possessive tendencies. She wasn't sure Diana even realized how toxic her words sounded. "Diana…" Alice began carefully, choosing her words. "You can't own a human being, even if you like them. That's not how it works."

"Why not?" Diana asked, her confusion genuine.

Alice sighed, trying to frame her response in a way Diana would understand. "Because it's wrong. People don't belong to other people like objects, and if you treat him like that, it might make him not like you."

That last sentence seemed to strike a nerve. Diana's expression shifted, her silver eyes darkening. "He won't like me?" she murmured, her voice faint but laced with distress. It felt as though she'd been hit in the chest.

Alice softened her tone. "That's not what I'm saying, Diana. But relationships—any kind of relationship—are about respect. If you want him to like you, you can't treat him like something you own. You have to think about what he wants, too."

Diana's frown deepened as she mulled over Alice's words. "Then… what makes him like me?" she asked quietly. It was a genuine question, one filled with uncertainty and vulnerability.

Alice gave her a supportive smile as they began walking back toward the dorm. "Well…" she started, explaining as they walked.

Alice carefully broke down the basics of what boys might like—things like kindness, shared interests, and respect—adding in her own anecdotes along the way. As the conversation went on, Diana's face grew progressively redder, a mix of embarrassment, frustration, and indignation flashing across her expression.

"You're saying boys like that sort of thing?" Diana asked incredulously at one point, her voice rising.

"Yes, Diana. They do," Alice replied, holding back a laugh.

Diana groaned in frustration, her cheeks flushed. This is ridiculous, she thought. I know gods participate in these things, but mortals seem to indulge in them too—sometimes on entirely different scales.

Alice grinned, glad to see her friend's reactions lightening the mood. "Welcome to the world of romance, my dear Diana."

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Chase sat at a quiet corner table in the library, waiting for a text from Diana or for the library to close at 8. Despite the school year not officially starting, the library stayed open late for upperclassmen who remained on campus year-round. He flipped through a book, though his mind wandered, replaying the day's events.

It had started with him waking Diana up with a harmless prank, telling her her phone came with an alarm—a moment that still made him chuckle. Then there was the picture he took with the apartment receptionist in exchange for a spare key for Diana, which somehow ended with Diana eagerly wanting to try taking a selfie herself. Naturally, when he asked why, she got annoyed, which led to her signature angry huff.

Orientation followed, where he got his ID and then Diana and Alice had went to make their schedules match his. When they got there things took a bizarre turn when he met his newly discovered half-sister—on his mother's godly side, no less. That encounter had rattled him, especially since they looked uncannily alike. To top it off, Diana and his half-sister had argued back and forth until Chase finally managed to drag Diana away by her hand. Now, sitting here, he realized she'd seemed distant after he pulled her along. Had she been upset that he grabbed her hand so suddenly and stopped her from arguing? He sighed, his thoughts growing heavier. He had only known her for a little over two days, yet it already felt like his life revolved around managing her ever-changing emotions.

Would a normal person even be able to handle this? he wondered, letting out a dry chuckle. But then, as he reflected, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Was it really that bad?

Sure, she was a lot to handle—possessive and fiery—but she was also… endearing. Adorable when she was angry, cute when she was happy, and breathtakingly beautiful when her face was calm and neutral. Even her occasional "thank yous" felt like monumental achievements. For all her quirks and her insistence on calling him "hers," he couldn't deny she made his life more vibrant, albeit with a healthy dose of chaos.

He chuckled again, shaking his head. She's not so bad.

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Lila strode confidently down the street, her shades and mask concealing her stunning features. She had just finished dealing with the student chaos and was now focused on her next task. Approaching the entrance of an apartment building, she opened the door and made her way to the receptionist's desk.

"Excuse me," Lila said, her voice smooth and composed.

The receptionist, the same one from earlier in the day, glanced up and smiled politely. "How may I help you?"

Lila removed her shades and mask, revealing her flawless face and striking eyes. The receptionist blinked, momentarily captivated.

"Yes, my brother lives here," Lila began, "and I was wondering if you might know which apartment number is his?"

The receptionist, still taken aback by her beauty, quickly recovered. "Yes, I do. But I have to say, what must your parents look like to have such beautiful children?"

Lila chuckled softly at the compliment. "We get it from our mother. Different fathers, though," she added casually.

The receptionist nodded and handed over a key. "Your brother's room is on the third floor, number 314. I'll admit, I'm a little envious of you two."

Lila returned the key with a graceful motion. "Oh my, I think there's been a misunderstanding. I don't need a key to his room—I wouldn't want to invade his privacy. Instead, I was hoping to move into the apartment next to his."

The receptionist tilted her head. "Ah, I see. Unfortunately, someone already lives there."

Lila's expression didn't falter, though she sighed inwardly. Of course, it wouldn't be that easy. "I understand," she replied, a sweet smile forming. "Would it be possible to speak to the owner? Don't worry, I wouldn't want to cause you any trouble. You've been so helpful already."

The receptionist hesitated, but Lila's charm was impossible to resist. After a brief pause, she disappeared to fetch the building owner.

When the owner arrived, his jaw nearly dropped at the sight of Lila. "How can I help you?" he asked, clearly under her spell.

"Well," Lila began, her tone light and polite, "I'd like to rent an apartment here. However, the specific unit I want is already occupied. I was wondering if you might be able to arrange for me to purchase the lease from the current tenant. I'm willing to cover this month's and next month's rent for them, as well as pay my own deposit and rent."

The owner blinked, mulling it over. "It might be difficult, but it's not impossible," he said after a moment.

Lila's smile grew. "Perfect. Oh, and I'd like to recommend this receptionist. She's been incredibly helpful—you should consider giving her a raise." Lila added a playful wink toward the receptionist, who blushed gratefully.

The owner chuckled, clearly charmed. "I'll take your suggestion into account. As for the apartment, I'll do my best to arrange everything by tomorrow, but I'll need your ID, proof of income, and the usual paperwork."

"Of course." Lila handed over everything he requested, each document pristine and ready.

"Very efficient," the owner remarked as he finalized the paperwork. "If everything goes smoothly, you should be able to move in tomorrow, Ms. Bennet."

"Thank you," Lila said with a dazzling smile before turning to leave.

As she walked out of the building, her smile faded slightly. What she'd just done wasn't exactly right—someone would be displaced, after all. But she'd paid them generously, and she convinced herself it wasn't that bad. In the end, everything had a price, and Lila had learned long ago that her beauty often opened doors others couldn't.