The Fire of Ares

CH9- Mia

max.

I woke up to my head and hand throbbing, last night was not how I expected it to go. After leaving the party in a rush, we all just went to our own homes. Elio kept texting me to ice my hand, and Ares texted the same. I rolled my eyes at my bruised up hand, a bit of Dom's blood was still on my knuckles. I sighed, I'm probably gonna be the talk of the school.

I scrubbed off Dom's blood in the bathroom sink and Mia barged in, her eyes automatically going to my hand.

"What the fuck happened?" Mia interrogated, grabbing at my hand and inspecting it.

I pull my hand away, "It's fine."

Mia shook her head, her eyes narrowing. "Tell me or I'll call mom." She threatened, crossing her arms at her chest.

I rolled my eyes, "I punched Dom, he was being a dick." I said, leaving Mia to go downstairs.

"Why? What'd he do?" She nagged, following me down the stairs picking up her pace to match mine.

"He called Ares and I a fag after trying to start a fight." I said falling onto the couch. If I didn't tell her, she'd never let it go, rather just tell her before she makes it her life mission.

Mia made a face, a smile playing at her lips before she quickly wiped it away.

"What?" I asked, annoyed.

"I'm just surprised Ares wasn't the one to punch Dom. Dom deserved it, and if he's anything like his sister, then he definitely had it coming. And aw, you defended Ares," she exclaimed, her eyes widening in admiration at the last part.

She's so weird. She can go through a thousand emotions all at once, with her bipolar ass.

I roll my eyes not wanting to get Mia going on with her fantasies of Ares and I getting together. She lets the subject go, and sits on the couch next to me. "Mom might come home later." she said getting serious, still looking at my hand.

Mom hasn't been home in four weeks, she's too busy with her job. She sends Mia and I money for groceries and other stuff we need, but other than that. It's the only way we really talk to her, she just throws money at us for any little thing. Mia really doesn't have to work, but she says she'll feel better when she gets her degree on her own. She never liked receiving money from our mom, ever since we were younger. Her relationship with our mom has always been off.

"When?"

Mia shrugged, "you know she never comes when she says."

"How long this time?" I rolled my eyes, annoyance creeping in.

"She said it could be two or three days, maybe a week. She wanted you to take school off so she could hang out with us. But I told her there's no way you're doing that," Mia scoffed, rolling her eyes in response.

"She's had the whole summer to spend time with us." I said, feeling frustrated. I can't just take time off school because she feels like it. I really appreciate everything she does for us, but it seems like we never see her. She owns her own company, so she has the flexibility to take days off whenever she wants, yet she rarely does. She could easily work from home if she wanted to.

Mia shrugged. "You know Mom." 

My phone goes off and I see a text from Ares.

Ares- wyd

Max- at home

Ares- I'm bored. Can I come over?

My eyebrows drew together in confusion. Why does he want to come over? Mia looks up from her phone, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

I shake my head, "what are you doing today?"

Mia sighs, dropping her phone down.  "I work, 2 to 12 today." She said, groaning. 

I had nothing to do, having Ares over doesn't sound like a bad idea. Would it be awkward? Ugh, I don't wanna deal with that today. Maybe the others would come over too.

M.A.C.E

(the name of our GC and ofc Chris picked it out)

Max- what are you all doing????

It takes a few seconds for them to text back.

Elio- at my grandparents house 🫠

Chris- out n about 😄

Alex- going on a date🧍

Chris- gasp* with who???? 😱

Elio- why are we only hearing about this now?😮

Max- since when were you even talking to someone?😮

Alex- we met at the party, and we hit it off, I'll tell more about it later.

Max- fine.

Chris- you better🤨

Elio- okay.😑

That didn't solve any of my issues, I was anxious to hang out with Ares alone. Does he remember what he tried to do at the party? Was that all in my head, no, but I don't wanna think about it. I text Ares back.

Max- Sure.

I put my phone down, regretting putting yes, my heart was racing. Why am I nervous? It was never like this when I started hanging out with Alex and Elio, and Chris.

"Ugh, I have to go already." Mia said, standing up groaning. Mia grabbed her purse and looked at me annoyed, "never get a job."

I laughed, "I will, eventually."

Mia pouted," alright, come lock the door. Don't open the door to strangers."

I followed Mia to the front door, "I'm not a five year old, I think I could manage."

"Whatever you say." She said opening the door, Mia flinched and then started smiling at something.

I raise an eyebrow and look out the door to see what she's staring at, Ares was on my porch about to ring the doorbell. My face instantly went red, I didn't know he was gonna get here when Mia was still here.

"Hi, you must be Ares. Max hasn't shut up about you," Mia said, greeting him. I elbowed her subtly to keep her from revealing too much, though let's be honest, she hadn't really stopped talking about him.

Ares smiled as he glanced between us and extended his hand to hers. "Nothing but good things, I hope?"

I cleared my throat, cutting in before Mia could say anything embarrassing. "Alright, bye Mia! See you later!" I nudged her away, giving her a quick, playful glare and a whispered, "I hate you," as she walked behind Ares, making a kissy face at him.

She waved goodbye and climbed into her car. I opened the door wider for Ares, gesturing him to come inside.