Victoria's+historical+fiction+story-i+learned+from+you+a+whole+lot

“Kuh-laire, are you the paparazzi?” Massie Block scowled. “No.” Claire exclaimed with a puzzled look. “Than what is with all of the questions?” Massie asked trying to move away from Claire. Massie was planning an outfit for the fashion show and was trying to enjoy her time just hanging around by the pool. Claire was asking Massie if she knew anything about Greece because she was going there next week. “Can’t you just go away and leave me alone?” Massie whined storming inside like a spoiled princess. She headed toward the screen door in a fury, stomping her expensive flip-flops on the ground just to show how aggravated she was as Claire finally left. When Massie came to the door, she noticed a ring on the ground as if waiting for her to pick it up. As she bent down to grab it, she noticed it was engraved and said “H, you will learn from me.” Rolling her eyes, she picked it up and as soon as she touched it, WHOOSH! The scenery around her had changed, Massie was not home any longer. Now, the monuments and the people around her had shown Massie that she was in none other than Ancient Greece. All she could see from where she stood was the front of a house that declared it to be the Blocks. Massie shuddered and froze as if her feet were plastered to the ground. The fancy courtyard with a statue of Athena in the back made her look twice, but unfortunately, she was indeed back in Ancient Greece.

“I can’t be here. This has to be a dream.” Massie thought her brown eyes wide with sorrow.

“Why hello, young girl, my name is Hercules. You look lost. Aren’t you supposed to be inside taking care of the house. Anyway, is there anything I can do for you? I was just heading over to the Olympic field, time to practice for the games.” A strange man walking along the stone path asked. His hair looked like a mess (There were leaves in it! Puh-lease!), and his clothes were obviously no better. “No, there is nothing you can do for me.” Massie whimpered sobs breaking through her voice. Right now, all she wanted was to be back home, out of this unfamiliar place. Here, Massie knew nothing but her name. “Well, if you aren’t doing anything, why don’t you come to the field with me?” Hercules politely asked. Massie shrugged with a sad look still painted on her face and reluctantly followed. She saw the ring that had transported her back and it brought her thoughts of disgust, she wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with that piece of junk. Massie then asked Hercules to throw it in the field. As they walked around town to go practice, Massie saw many commoners wearing a chiton, two loose pieces of cloth that were sewn together. Those made Massie just look away, at the ground, wishing for this to all be over. When the two arrived, Massie just sat down and sulked while Hercules practiced for the racing part of the Olympics. All of a sudden, when Massie looked back, Hercules was on the ground, writhing in pain.

“Oh my gawd!! What’s happened? Call an ambulance.” Massie yelled frantically. The men around her were looking at her as though she was crazy. They were muttering in Greek and then Massie remembered that no “911” or “ambulance” had been invented yet. Massie decided not to judge them though, because they truly didn’t know any better. “Massie,” Hercules whispered, “I don’t know what happened, but I do know that I won’t be able to compete. You can take my place.” “Me?! No way! I can’t! I don’t even know how.” Massie whined hoping Hercules would believe her. There was no way she could compete, imagine her hair afterwards if she did! “You will and I will help train you.” Hercules answered with a smile on his face that just made Massie smile back. Over the next few days, she trained long and hard for the Olympics, as hard as she had ever trained before. Since girls didn’t compete, she had planned to masquerade as a boy. Over this period of time, Hercules started to heal and had guided Massie and in the process, actually became a good friend to her. The day of the Olympics, the fear started to crawl back through Massie like thunder on a sunny day. “You can do this Massie. You have worked hard.” Massie heard Hercules say. That was what he had been telling her all along, and now Massie actually believe it. All of a sudden, she had a great feeling riding through her, the fear was gone and the sun was back out. After the pep talk she gave herself, it was time to compete. She ran on that field as if she were just gliding gracefully through a cloud. Suddenly, Massie knew that fashion, clothes, and hair were definitely not the most important things to worry about. After all of that energy she put into running, she crossed the finish line and CRASH! She slipped and fell like butter gliding down a hot toast. She laid on her side tried to find a comfortable position which was indeed a hard task. Massie looked around and tried to find what tripped her. Then she saw, the ring, gleaming in the sun, which was lying on her doorstep that one afternoon, seeming like forever ago. All of a sudden, the newly healed Hercules rushed over and blurted out, “Areyouokay?! Whathappened?!” The look in Hercules eyes showed sincere worry. “I’m fine! I just slipped on this ring.” Massie panted picking up the ring. As soon as she touched the ring, WHOOSH! She was transported forward into her own times, she was home again. “Wow! What an experience that was! I have to go apologize Claire.” Massie thought wandering off to find her friend. At that moment, Massie had finally learned what the ring meant, she did learn from Hercules.