The Fire of Ares

CH12- Thunder before Rain

Max.

"Where did you run off too, yesterday?" Chris asked sitting next to me, I was in my second class of the day with my head down. When I didn't answer him, he shook my arm. "Earth to Max." 

I exhaled, already over how today is going to drain me. "what?" I asked, sitting up feeling my hoodie fall from my head.

Chris bit his lip, thinking. "Are you okay?"  He asked tilting his head trying to read me.

"I'm fine," I sighed, and Chris went back to his chirpy self, he went onto his phone probably looking at memes. I wanted to put my head back down but a certain scent caught my attention. I looked up and Ares was walking to his seat, behind Chris. We caught eye contact for a second before I broke it and put my head back down. I do not want to face him, it's too awkward. Chris nudge me and the teacher walked in and started class, I picked my head and slumped in my seat. This is gonna be a long day.

At lunch Ares didn't sit with us again, and I was thankful but the rest were disappointed. Ares was really becoming a friend and I ruined it. 

"I guess he actually did replace us." Alex said sneaking a glance at Ares behind me. Alex, Chris and I were seated in our usual spot, waiting for Elio. 

"At least he wasn't added to the Mace groupchat before he left us." Chris said shrugging while stuffing his face with ritz crackers. Dry, he had no sign of a beverage or an interest in one.

Looking around for Elio he finally appears and he looks annoyed, he sits down and huffs.  This was new for Elio.

"what's up?" Alex asked, poking Elio arm.

"Yeah, looks like someone actually manage to piss you off." Chris agreed.

Elio sat in silence for a second before answering, "I just ran into Dom," He rolled his eyes. "He's gonna fight Ares after school today. I overheard him planning it out with his friends."

"what?" 

"They're gonna wait till Ares is alone and gang up on him." Elio said, looking concerned. 

I sighed, "Why would he do that?" I asked, but already knew the answer. Dom was stupid and knows he can't beat Ares by himself, so he's gonna get all his friends to help him. Pathetic, that Dom can't handle shit on his own, and has to use violence to hurt someone else.

"Well, then we make sure he's not alone after school." Alex said, his face tensing as we hear Dom and his goons laugh from their table. 

"Yeah, Max you sit next to him in class. Tell him that were all going to Alex's after school, and Make sure he agrees to come." Chris said.

That's going to be hard considering I haven't talked to him since I kicked him out of my house, since our kiss. I hesitantly nod my head, if I don't try he's gonna get beat up by Dom's group. I could just tell Ares, but I have a feeling he would just try and fight them by himself. Dom might be easy to Ares, but not 5 Dom's, Ares would not be able to defend himself.

"Is he even going to come? He hasn't spoken to us, in a bit. Do you think he'd want to." Alex asked.

"He'll come." Elio confirmed, looking at me.

I bit my lip, would he though? I know if someone yelled for me to leave, I'd never speak to them ever again. The bell rang and Elio gave an encouraging smile, I sighed not ready to leave and face Ares.

-

I sat in my chair and looked around, Ares wasn't here yet, I had time to calm my nerves. Chris gave me a thumbs up from across the room and went back to laughing with his friend. Ares sits next to me, and ignores my stare.

"hi.." I croaked.

He side-eyed me and furrowed his brows, "your talking to me?" He questioned.

I nod and he turns toward me, exhaling. "Hi." He says looking at me waiting for me to say whatever I need to say. 

"So.. I see you got a girlfriend." I try, and make small talk. He tight-lined smiled and rolled his eyes.

"if it appears so." He says looking back to the front.

So he is dating Aphrodite, I fight back my annoyance and continue, "Alex is having everyone round at his, you should come." 

Ares eyebrows shoot up, he looked shocked for a moment, "Do you want me there?"

I look down at my hands, why would he ask me that right now? I take in a breath and reply. "yes, I do." Also cause if he doesn't, Dom's posse would gang up on him. 

"I'll go, then." He says, looking back to the front of class. Ares crossed his arms and sighed, "Sorry, about the kiss. I wasn't thinking straight." 

Yeah, he definitely wasn't thinking straight, I chuckle quietly and Ares turns confused. "thinking straight." I mock, and he smiles.

"Really i'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you." I apologize.

He shook his head, "I should've asked before I just completely ate your face." He laughed.

"Yeah, thanks for stealing my first kiss." I laugh and Ares goes quiet.

He clears his throat, "are you lying?"

"no..."

"Fuck." I hear Ares say to himself. "I'm really stupid, again I'm sorry." He looked sincere. 

"It's okay, I'm fine." 

"if you say so..."

After school we're all waiting for Ares, watching the front doors like a hawk. I was gonna stay with Ares till we reached Alex's car but he had to grab something from his gym locker. Dom and his goons were on the side of the building, goofing off acting like they had nothing planned. 

"He's taking too long." Chris worries.

"He coming." I say watching the door waiting for the moment Ares appears.

"Look, Dom's goons look like they're getting ready for something." They start heading to the front. We rush to the front to beat them. Ares walks out when we reach the doors, and he smiles.

"Why are you all running?" He asks, while we're trying to catch our breath. 

"Dom-" I start but Dom interrupts me.

"Ares." Dom shouted. Only a few feet away with his friends all behind him, ready for war.