Goddess of Love (Goddess Summoning #5)(33)

"Lola's?"

"Exactly. The announcement said that they are trying to raise money for new equipment or some such for the Tulsa Midtown Fire Station, which is the exact station your Griffin is from."

"Defibrillators," Pea said.

Venus raised an eyebrow.

Pea shrugged. "It was on the news. The fire station wants two new defibrillators for their paramedic units. So the masquerade is a fundraiser."

"You already knew about it?"

"I suppose. I didn't really think about it. It isn't exactly something I would go to."

"It is exactly something you are going to go to - actually, we're going to go to."

"But we have to have costumes..." Pea's voice ran out as her eyes widened in understanding.

"Yes, darling, we do have to have costumes." She took Pea's arm and pulled her into the bedroom. "Hurry! I spent all afternoon conjuring things from Olympus; I can't wait to show you how to truly dress like a goddess!"

"Are you sure I shouldn't be wearing panties?" Pea nervously smoothed her hands down the front of her robes as if she was afraid a wind might spring up and lift them above her head.

"Of course I'm sure. Nothing should bind your delicate woman's lily under the silks of a goddess's robes. Besides, going without underclothing is a freeing experience. You'll see. And stop fidgeting." Venus gave Pea's curls one more scrunch. "It would have been much easier to prepare with the aid of a score of nymphs, but I am pleased with our end result." She stepped back to survey her work. "Okay, you can turn around and look at yourself now." Together they gazed at the goddess in the mirror.

Pea's tunica was the same seductive cream color as Venus's, and it left exposed more of her legs. Venus examined them critically and nodded in silent approval at how long and strong and shapely they looked. Her stola was a sweet, blushing pink. A color that should have seemed innocent, but draped silkily around Pea's body, tucked and folded cunningly here and there to accentuate the indentation of her waist and the perfect roundness of her br**sts, the maidenly shade of pink became alluring and seductive, conjuring images of hidden parts of her body. Her palla was liquid gold and it glistened with even the slightest of Pea's movements.

"Simply lovely. I knew the stola would complement your - " Venus broke off when she saw the tears pooling in Pea's eyes. "What is it, darling?"

Pea shook her head back and forth as she began to cry. "It's a beautiful outfit, and, yes, it's fit for a goddess. But in it I look like a sparrow trying to wear the feathers of a peacock."

Venus blinked in surprise. "That is simply not true, Pea."

"Yes, it is." She sobbed. "I know it is. It's always been true."

Venus took Pea's hand and led her to the bed. "Sit," she told her as she turned to retrieve the box of tissues from the bathroom and hand them to Pea. "Blow."

Hiccupping, Pea did as she was told. Then Venus sat beside her and took her hand.

"Now, tell me what happened to make you have such a distorted view of your appearance."

Pea sniffed. "It - it wasn't just one thing."

"Tell me," Venus repeated gently.

"Remember I told you about the dance squad I was on in high school, and how I thought I fit in, but that I really didn't?"

Venus nodded.

"Well." Pea sighed. "There was more to it than just not fitting in. I know it sounds silly, but I used to not realize that I was so dorky looking. Really. I thought I was normal. Like everyone else. I mean, I had friends - not on the dance squad, but friends. I just didn't think it would be a problem making friends with a new group."

"What happened?"

Pea blew out a shaky breath. "I made the squad with no problem. I've taken dance since I was five, so I really knew what I was doing. Anyway, I made the squad the first year I tried out. I was the only freshman who made it." Venus noted that she didn't seem to have any pride in the fact that she'd accomplished something so difficult. "So I was going to the very first meeting of the new squad. I was really excited and unbelievably happy - basically just looking forward to making new friends and doing a lot of cool dancing. As usual, I dorkishly spilled a bunch of stuff out of my purse right outside the girl's locker room door, and while I was picking it up I heard them." Pea swallowed, fighting back more tears. "They were talking about me, making fun of me really. They said that no matter how much dancing I did, I'd never dance away from all of my ugly. And - and they called me broccoli head, because of my hair."

Venus shook her head. "Young women can be so pointlessly cruel, especially when intimidated by another's talent."

"They weren't intimidated by me!" Pea said quickly.

"Weren't they? How long ago did this happen?"

"It started a little over ten years ago, but it went on for all four years of high school. I know it's stupid to still let something bother me that happened so long ago, but - "

Venus's raised hand cut off Pea's words. "It isn't stupid that something that happened during your formative years still affects you. That isn't why I asked how long ago it was. I asked because I want you to realize that you are now an adult, a successful, independent adult, looking back on events that happened to a child. You can now see them through an adult's eyes - a viewpoint that should make issues like the other girls' jealousy and insecurity clearer."