Forced to Love

Eliza
I found Leo as he was leaving the Big House. When he saw me he tackled me in a hug. “Eliza! I’m so glad to see you! I missed you!” When he saw my downcast face, though, he backed away. “What’s wrong, did I do something wrong?” he asked tilting my chin up slightly.
He had sprouted a few inches on the quest. His skin was darker, and his face was more defined, He looked older and a bit more mature, and to my guilt, and my heart betrayed me on this, He looked handsomer. His smile was still bright, and his hair was a wild mess. His eyes sparkled the light they did when he told me he loved me. My iceball grew in my stomach, and I looked into Leo’s eyes. in the dark, they seemed to glow, but not in their usual friendly, joking way.
I looked away, ashamed. “Leo, look, I don’t want to hurt you more than I have to, so, I’ll get to the point. I… I…” I slowly let out my breath “Look, Zeus and Hades are kind of mad at me, so I….” i let out my breath again “I have to…. I can’t…. love you anymore” I blurted. “I have to marry Jason or Nico or the world ends. I….. I’m sorry. I’m engaged to Nico, now. I have to Leo…..” With that I broke free of his grasp and ran, tears streaming down my face. I felt Leo watch me, dumbfounded as I ran back to my cabin.
I hated this! I hated the gods! I hated breaking his heart.
I bust into the cabin, flung open the door to my room, slammed it behind me, and flung myself on the bed, crying.
Percy knocked gently on my door “Eliza,” he said softly. “Are you ok? Can I come in?”
I wiped my eyes. “Not now Percy… I need to be alone.”
“Ok Eliza, do you need anything?”
“No, I’m okay.” I lied. I wanted Nico to be here, but Percy would be offended, Especially since I had said I needed to be alone. I heard footsteps get quieter and I threw my head into my pillow, sobbing hot tears running down my face and soaking my pillow.
Suddenly. I heard the door open, to my surprise. I swore I locked it.
“Not now please.” I muttered. “Please leave.”
“Why my dear, is that any way to treat a goddess?”
I whipped around to see Aphrodite, standing next to my door. “Why… why are you here? I asked, wiping my eyes and sitting up.
“Because my dear,” she said, sitting herself next to me, “I sense someone in love, and you have quite the love triangle going on. she looked at her nails, then wiped my eyes. I think i might be able to help you.”
“How could you possibly help me?” I asked. I must have hid the doubt in my voice very well, because she threw back her head and laughed. “Why, I am the goddess of love! You must be married to Nico, I’ll help Leo get over you faster.”
“How could you do that?” I asked curiously.
She winked at me. “That’s for me to worry about. Now,” she said, rubbing her hands together. “How bout’ I cheer you up with your fiance?”
She snapped her fingers, and she disappeared, with Nico in her place. His eyes went wide when he saw me. “Eliza! How did I-” he stopped when he saw my tear stained face. “Oh Eliza, you broke up with him, didn’t you?” I started to cry again, but this time, into Nico’s shoulder. He gently held me as I sobbed, whispering sweet things into my ear. Soon enough, I fell asleep. silently crying on Nico.

Notes

How does Aphrodite help? Or does she help at all?