The Fire of Ares

Ch2- Los Angeles

Max.

I don't think I can make it through the year. Why couldn't it be three years of high school instead of four?

My first class was a borefest. I didn't have any friends around, so I ended up sitting next to a kid named Kevin. I'd talked to him once or twice before—he seemed alright, but he wasn't much of a conversationalist. He was more of a listener, which didn't really vibe with me since i'm the same. It was one of those classes where my brain just switched off, and I might as well have been napping.

Second period was a different story. I had Chris in that class, and he was impossible to quiet down.

"I'm just saying, I would never suck toes, but twenty dollars is twenty dollars!" he exclaimed, laughing as he pointed to his phone, clearly amused by some ridiculous post he found.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, glancing around to see how many people were rolling their eyes at him.

"I saw a post that said, 'Twenty dollars is twenty dollars!' and I thought it was hilarious!" He was practically beaming.

"Sounds like you might be interested, whether you get paid or not," I said with a grin.

He turned beet red. "No, no! I was just joking. You talk so loud!"

"Even when you whisper, people can still hear you. That wasn't me!" I shook my head at him, trying not to laugh. Chris looked around, realizing that he had attracted attention yet again. Some people were giving him annoyed glances while others seemed amused. I just hoped none of them were considering paying him to act on that post.

The teacher walked in and immediately began taking attendance.

"Max Alectryon," she called, and I replied quickly, "Here." I was always first thanks to my last name.

Just then, the classroom door swung open, and in strolled the notorious 'wink guy.' The teacher sighed, shaking her head. "You're late."

He flashed a grin at his classmates, unfazed, until his gaze landed on me. There was an intensity in his eyes—fire and mischief, as if he embodied chaos itself.

"I was at the principal's office; here's my slip," he said smoothly, handing her a pink slip. The teacher raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"Just sit down. Attendance is being called," she said, gesturing dismissively.

She glanced back at her list, and I caught his eyes locked onto mine. The smirk on his face grew wider the moment I looked back at him. I thought about looking away, but then he started strolling towards me. A spike of panic shot through me—what if he was coming to confront me about earlier? To my surprise, he walked right past me and settled into the desk behind me. His scent enveloped me—something akin to fire and earthy wood musk that radiated off him.

"Ares Strife is it?" He nods.  Are your parents big Geek God fans?" The teacher asks.

"Something like that," Ares replied, his voice low and casual.

I turned around and noticed Chris slumped over in his seat, completely out cold. No wonder it had been so quiet.

______

"Bro, think about it. There has to be a back-to-school party or something," Chris said as we sat at our lunch table.