The Half-Blood Giant

Chapter 31: Friends and Loneliness

"I just don't understand what you see in him. He's a creep. I don't like him, not at all."

"No, no! You need to look below the surface. I think he's just lost and lonely. He puts on a front because he feels vulnerable. He has no friends."

"Hector, he freaking GRABBED me in the middle of class! He could have harmed me!"

"But he didn't, did he?"

"Well, no... but still!"

"And he did apologize, didn't he?"

"Well, yeah, okay..."

"You don't even want to give him a chance?"

Hannah sighed. She loved her boyfriend, but he could be unreasonable sometimes. He always wanted to see the best in people, but could be blind to their glaring flaws. "I'm just worried it's not safe. Judging by what he was saying in class, he's not an ally to humans. What if he loses his temper and hurts one of us? I mean, look how big he is!"

Hector laughed. "Just don't piss him off, obviously!" He hugged Hannah close, running his hand over her soft hair. "It'll be okay, babe. What could you possibly say or do to make anyone angry? You're too sweet and cute!"

Hannah smiled, burying her head into her boyfriend's chest. He always made her feel better. When he was by her side, she felt like nothing could go wrong. "Alright. Alright. If you really think it will be okay..."

"Of course it will. Everything will be fine," Hector cooed. He planted a kiss on Hannah's forehead. "Oh, look, there he is."

Hannah pulled away from Hector to get a glimpse. The two humans were sitting at a miniature table in the lunchroom, off to the side of the queue for the giant students to get their own lunches, so she had a clear view. Her blood turned into frost in her veins as she beheld his unfathomable stature. He was larger than even the other giant students, his physique bulked out with muscle, his expression hard and cold, like his face was cut out of stone. She watched as he lumbered forward and slapped a mountain of food on his tray, aghast at just how much the giant was capable of eating. An involuntary shiver ran through her.

"I don't think this is a good idea, Hector," she quavered, holding him tighter.

"Ah, c'mon, it'll be fine!" Hector assured her, wrapping his arms around her again in a protective embrace. "I'll be here to protect you. Look, the poor kid is completely alone. He needs friends, but everybody has turned against him already. He's got no chance if we don't help."

Hannah sighed again. Once Hector got an idea in his head, it was difficult to dissuade him. Plus, he was very sociable even with giants, and brave to the point of stupidity—all traits that she adored in him. She looked up into his honest face. He was brimming with confidence and happy energy. He didn't display the slightest bit of hesitation or fear. His strength was hers. "Okay," she reluctantly agreed. "Let's do it."

Hector took her by the hand gently and led her over to Hunter's table in the corner of the room, careful to avoid giant feet as he went. Hannah was always baffled at how fearless he was around giants. She supposed it made sense, since he had been adopted at a young age by giant parents. Despite attending an integration school, Hannah couldn't shake off the queasy feeling in her gut whenever she was around such behemoths. She was friends with some of the giant students, yet she was always aware of how easy it would be for one of them to step on her or harm her fragile form, even by accident. The latest incident with Hunter snatching her up and threatening her hadn't exactly helped matters.

The tiny humans took several minutes to traverse the giant cafeteria without their bicycles, but eventually they made it. Hannah dragged her feet as they approached, but Hector put his arm around her back and nudged her forward. Hunter was stuffing food in his mouth with intense ferocity, breathing hard. He hardly chewed as he gulped down ridiculous mouthfuls, his forehead shiny with sweat. Hannah recoiled at the sight of his gluttony, but Hector was unfazed. Giants needed to eat a lot of food, after all.