The Gladiator and The Girl

Friends

^ Sina POV ^

While watching Genevieve walk away from me is enticing in its own rite, I'd much rather stare into her eyes. It's like staring into the ocean, I just want to lean in and never look away. If I was a sailor I'd happily get lost in her eyes forever.

Shaking myself out of my azure colored fog I chase after my blonde beauty.

"Maybe I should walk you both ho-"

"Absolutely not."

I grab her arm gently to turn her towards me, "You wound me with your rejection my dear."

She looks into my eyes and smiles before saying, "Oh, I'm sorry. Allow me to try again."

I nod at her to go on.

"Hell no. Hades himself has a better chance of taking me home than you do, my dear."

She quickly turns away from me, head tipped up towards the sky ever so slightly and starts to walk towards the front of the grounds in order to meet my sister.

What. The. Hell.

I'm not saying I'm a player but I usually have to reject women right and left and even then I still get stuck with the super desperate women clinging to me refusing to take my answer. Yet the one time I'm truly interested she looks at me like I'm the dirt beneath her feet? This is a piss poor joke Jupiter. You don't set a man's dream in front of him and then make her laugh at him. It's just not right.

I jog to catch up with her again, "Now that's just too cruel. I'm being serious here Carissima."

"As am I." She calls over her shoulder.

"What did I do wrong? Please, tell me." I'm begging here.

She slows to a stop and looks down at the ground for a minute. She takes a deep breath and then lifts her head and looks at me, all of me. I can tell she likes what she sees. Most of the time I wouldn't care what a woman thinks of how I look but I genuinely want Genevieve to like what she sees.

She finally looks into my eyes and I see a little piece of that wall she has up crack and fall away.

She takes another deep breathe before looking up to the sky again, "Sina, why should I believe anything you tell me? We just met."

"Why shouldn't you believe me?" I smile gently at her.

She looks like she wants to rip my hair out of my head, "Because you have given me no reason to. Look, I know you know that you're handsome-"

I smirk, "So you think I'm handsome?"

If looks could kill I'd be a dead man walking.

"Yes. You're handsome. But you're also likely a player who knows what smooth words women want to hear. I don't want that. I want honest, kind, and loving. Not your flashy words that are sickly sweet. Save them for the next pretty woman you meet. I bet you she will love them whole heartedly."

She begins to turn away but I grab her wrist to stop her.

"Genevieve, I mean every word. I've been raised by gladiators. I only know the sickly sweet words. The men in my life make a living by making those around them happy. But what I tell you is the honest truth. You take my breath away Carissima. Please believe me."

"You don't even know me Sina. I could be a pretty doll, a shell with nothing inside."

I shake my head, "I know better than that. Your eyes show a depth as deep as the oceans and your smile reflects your honest love for those around you. People don't offer to go shopping with practically a stranger's daughter just because."

"Maybe I did it for the food..."

I smile, "You didn't even think you were going to get to eat Genevieve."

She takes a deep breath and looks me strait in the eyes, it feels like she is looking into my soul.

"Sina, the best I can give you is my friendship. I want nothing more from you and I'm not looking for anything else."

I feel a rush of triumph wash over me. Friendship can always lead to more. She's not outright objecting to my presence anymore and to me that is a victory. I know my feelings show on my face because she rolls her eyes at me while smiling.

"I'll take it!"

She pops one of her hips and points her finger at me, "And no more calling me Carissima. My name is Genevieve, but since we are going to try being friends you may call me Gene. That's it lover boy, no nicknames."

"I'm okay with that."

"Good-"

"For now." I smile at her.

I even feel like the big bad wolf at the moment. I can feel the smile on my face and I know it's huge because my face is warm and the muscles hurt.

I hear my sister calling for Gene and watch as she turns and yells that she's coming.

"I better let you go, my sister can be very impatient. I'll see you again soon Gene." I cross my arms over my chest in order to not try and hug her.

"Yeah, we will see." She says as she stares at my arms a little longer than appropriate.

I give her a wink before she turns away from me entirely and walks away. I may or may not have flexed a little just to give her something to think about later. I may not be very smart but I know when a woman likes what she sees and Gene enjoys the view almost as much as I do when I look at her.

I hear my name being called by my father and vow to myself right then and there that Gene will be mine. I run my hands throw my hair before sending a quick thank you to Jupiter for allowing her to cross my path. I turn and run back to the training grounds and keep the smile on my face the rest of the day.

- - - - - - - - - -

A/N - So the picture is supposed to show how blue our lovely leading lady's eyes are. I hope you guys enjoyed a sneak peak into Sina. Any comments or critiques? Do you think he will win her over?

Sorry for being MIA again. I've had the plague, pneumonia and mono... I have no immune system lol.

Please comment! They make my day!