Arachne and Athena

She ruled the halls,

Students ran after her

Like ducklings after their mother

All at her beck and call.

Top of her class,

“Athena’s headed for Harvard,”  they’d say,

She loved to hear it,

Though she’d play shy and laugh.

Never did she expect to see

Someone equal to her,

But Monday came

And so did she.

Just like that

She was forgotten,

Arachne took her place,

Athena schemed like a rabid cat.

Prom was coming,

The two girls were head to head

Vying for the crown,

No doubt, Arachne was winning

.

The idea suddenly hit her,

She knew exactly what to do,

She’d invite her over just before the dance,

Give that bitch a scare that’d make her shiver.

Arachne was so happy to receive the call,

She wanted to show Athena

Just how much better she was,

She wasn’t an angel after all.

Makeup brushes in hand and dresses on,

Side by side they sat

Getting ready for battle,

Athena whispered, “Let me show you something. C’mon.”

Room illuminated by candlelight,

Holding hands by the owl’s instruction,

Athena began to mutter a curse, 

Found on some dumb website.

Arachne laughed when she was done,

Finding the ordeal ridiculous,

She wondered why the other looked so smug,

Especially when this was no fun.

Athena backed away in horror,

It wasn’t supposed to work,

It’s not real! This can’t be!

How the hell would she restore her?

Eight legs and eyes,

Arachne looked at herself,

She backed into the corner,

She couldn’t even cry.

Terror grew into anger grew into laughter,

“Serves you right!”

“Live like this for the rest of your life!”

Athena left, closing the light after.

Arachne just wished she’d never been caught in Athena’s web.